GWB20E

65. Chapter 20. Knowing each other.

Classes started already in a more serious way. Every day, the children of the Malden went through Amethyst's house to pick her up. The two girls each time became more friends and Kerria confirmed their suspicions. That girl was very attracted to Leval, so she tried to make him as close as possible to them. Especially with the increasingly less consistent excuse of the language. But as Kerria was ready, she immediately expressed the idea that her brother could help Amethyst in order to accelerate her understanding of grammar. Although the busy boy, between his sports activities and his studies had little time. In addition, he had been dating Lorna, his companion girl, but not in a very continuous way. Leval had lost interest because that girl was quite superficial and the only thing that seemed to like was to showing off with him in front of the others. So he left her. Her sister (who suspected that it would end like this from the beginning), when she found out about it, had a good idea. It occurred to her during dinner, they were all at the table when Kerria proposed.

- I just realized that Amethyst does not know New York. I think it would be a good idea for Leval and I to show her the city. Do not you think? - She asked for everyone's approval. -

- Yes, - replied Roy finishing chewing. - I think it's a great idea, daughter, tell Amethyst and her parents.

- Call them, it's early yet, - Beruche intervened - they'll still be awake. -Although she looked at her son, asking him his opinion, since Kerria had included him very happily in her plan without apparently consulting him. - What do you think Leval?

- I could do it tomorrow, I have nothing to do, but maybe they prefer to go and see him alone. I would not like to interfere in girls' conversations. - He smiled with some malice, looking at his funny sister. -

-No way! - Kerria hurried to say.- Your company would come in handy. So we scare any prowler.

-LOL! They surely would have to go after Amethyst. You are very ugly, dwarf ... And she, well, speaking French will suffice to make them refuse.

The girl laughed. She interpreted in spite of everything, that in the words of her brother there was no real bad intention, almost more she cared for Amethyst because what Leval said might sound like a camouflaged excuse. But agile of reflexes as always jocular commented.

- Also, you could take us by car that you have the provisional license for something. And the city can be visited much better like that.

- Sure, well thought. - Roy affirmed, completely in agreement with that proposition. - It will do you good to practice, son.

- Then it is decided! - Kerria declared enthusiastically, not giving her brother any time to comment. - I'm calling right now.

Picking up the phone, she dialed the Lassart house number. Emerald who was nearby was the first to pick up.

-Hallo? Who? Ah, hello Kerria! - She greeted, happy to recognize the voice of the girl. -

- Goodnight. How are you? - The girl  said in a very polite way and went on to address the issue. - I'm sorry to call so late, but we thought that, as Amethyst does not know the city, it would be good for us to show it to her. My brother and I, ... with your permission, of course.

- It seems very good to me. - Emerald agreed but objected, jovially. - But you'll have to ask Amethyst. She always has so many things to train that I do not know if she could go. Wait a moment, please. - She covered the receiver and called her daughter who, knowing that it was Kerria, ran to get on the phone. -

- Hello, tell me, what is that you wanted to ask me? - She asked in turn with interest. –

In a few words her friend explained Amethyst and she was very happy.

- So. Your brother will come? - She insisted again as if she did not believe it.

- Of course he will come! – Kerria laughed speaking now with an accomplice voice and a lower tone, extremely amused by the joy of her friend, while she gave Leval a discreet look that the boy, still at the table, did not notice. - He will take us. The provisional driving license has been put in good use. As he has already turned seventeen a couple of months ago. Well, we would stay tomorrow, do you agree?

- Yes, it is perfect, I have nothing to do. - Amethyst replied that, in fact, she had basketball training, but decided to move on from it. So she said goodbye hiding her enthusiasm with great difficulty. - We talked at the school then. – She added with a tone between accomplice and recognized. - See you tomorrow, and thank you.

Kerria hung up satisfied with her idea while her friend jumped with joy, at the smile of Emerald. The next day they went to the high school and after finishing the day they left to go and went to pick Amethyst up at eight o'clock. When the time came, the two brothers were knocking at the door. Diamond opened them and soon their friend came out pretty dressed for what she used to, for that there was an explanation ...

When she arrived home from the school a few hours earlier, Amethyst asked her mother to help her to choose a nice dress and get ready. Emerald at first was very surprised, but immediately understood and agreed to it with great content ...

- Sure, daughter, do not worry, I'll help you myself, you'll be beautiful!

-Thank you, mama! - The girl smiled enthusiastically, although her face darkened slightly when asked a question. - But I do not know what I am going to do with the shoes, they are very low heels and I must wear them with a higher heel with this dress. And with the stature I have ...

- Do not worry, honey. - Emerald encouraged her adding carefree. - Leval is very tall. Almost like your father, nothing will happen. – Her daughter became red when she named him and her mother, who saw her right away, asked her with complicity. - You like that boy, right?

- I ... well - she replied visibly embarrassed - a little. The truth is that yes, mom - she confessed at last - I like him a lot. He is a very kind boy.

- And very handsome. - Emerald asserted, evidencing what was really more obvious and her daughter did not dare to recognize it, apart from commenting, with a feeling of nostalgia. - He reminds me a lot of his father when he was the same age or a little older.

- Mom - Inquired Amethyst with visible curiosity - How do you and dad met the parents of Leval and Kerria?

The truth is that the girl had wanted to ask that question since they went to live there. It was clear that her parents and those of Leval and Kerria were very close friends. Almost like brothers. It could be said that they seemed to share many things that they did not talk about. Maybe they met in college. Although she did not know what her parents would have studied. In that her mother took her out of those reflections.

- It's a very long story, sweetheart. - The designer replied while looking for her daughter the right dress and accessories. - I'll tell you someday, now be quiet that I'm going to fix the hem of your skirt.

And the girl nodded submissively. So after an hour that for Amethyst became eternal, because she hated to act as a mannequin, her mother ended the work with a gesture of satisfaction.

-E voilà! - Emerald proudly said.-

Looking at herself in the mirror, the incredulous girl was enveloped in a beautiful white dress with matching shoes and a skirt that made her pretty flounces of very soft silk. Combed with a bun gathered with a beautiful gold pin. After observing herself for a few moments, she could ask timidly.

- Do you think I'm pretty, mom?

- My daughter, you are beautiful! - Emerald affirmed full of pride to sentence. - Any boy would give anything to go out with you. But let's ask for a qualified male opinion ...

That made the girl smile, she wish Leval was among them! And finally, after the final touches, Emerald opened the door of the room and called her husband whom she had asked to wait outside.

- Diamond, you can enter now. Come on honey, come to see your daughter and tell us your opinion.

This happened in a few moments and the girl asked hopeful.

- How am I daddy?

She turned on herself a couple of times making the ruffles stand up in a very funny way before the affectionate and full of satisfaction of her parents.

-Wow! Where is the dance? You are a wonderful daughter! -Exclaimed Diamond, adding with the same visible pride with which his wife previously did. - My girl is already a woman! Of course we must recognize that your mother knows how to do her job very well, even though it was not difficult for her having you as client.

Amethyst smiled once again feeling very flattered, thought again that she wish Leval thought the same! Although the more complicated test was coming now, she tried to walk with her heels, but she had very little experience. She almost slipped several times stumbling non-stop, despite her mother who was watching her closely, held her.

- You'll have to practice a bit if you do not want to look drunk. – Emerald laughed. -

The girl nodded, it was certainly a good advice. So she was walking around the house to try to master her walk and tame those shoes, well until finally it was eight o'clock and someone knocked on the door ...

-Let´s see if they are here.- Said Emerald.-

Diamond went to open and ask the two boys in, offered to sit down but they politely refused the invitation, arguing that they would wait for Amethyst. Then she appeared with her mother. Kerria gave an exclamation. Declaring admired.

-Wow girl, you're beautiful, really! If I came to know that you would be like that, I would have  dressed myself a little more elegant.

Kerria wore branded jeans and a lumberjack shirt. Her brother dressed in a similar way, that made Amethyst look embarrassed on the floor. Perhaps she had shown herself thinking of something very different from what her friends would have in mind. They probably only wanted to go around the city by car and she seemed to go to the Oscar gala. But Leval commented immediately with much diplomacy, to avoid that the  ashamed girl felt out of place.

- You are the only one who is dressed perfectly for the occasion. I guess Europeans have more sense of elegance in these cases. We will visit the most beautiful monuments and we will go to dinner at one of the best restaurants in the city. My sister and I are not used to that. You will have to forgive us. But if you accompany us home and wait just for a few minutes, I promise we will get in tune with you. Right Kerria? - Her sister nodded with an encouraging smile towards her friend. -

-What time do you want me to come back? - Amethyst wanted to know, addressing her parents who looked at each other surprised, her daughter was not used to asking that. -

- Going with Leval and Kerria we will trust you to be returned at a reasonable hour. - Diamond replied.-

The prince quickly glanced at his wife, who for once agreed with it, without objection and wishing the boys.

-Have a good time.

The young woman, visibly relieved and grateful to both, also agreed in the same way. Her friends were waiting for her and when everyone said goodbye to Mr. Lassart, they left the house and entered the car that immediately started. Diamond and Emerald watched them go away until they got into the vehicle, while they smiled hugging each other by the waist. Thinking both that something had changed that night. Truly her little girl had stopped being a girl.

-Do you realize Diamond? - She said with an authentic expression of pride watching her daughter go away, who seemed to talk very animatedly with Kerria. - There she goes, our dream come true.

-Our daughter, - he agreed, nodding in a melancholy and reflective tone. - Everything we have endured now makes sense looking at her, right?

His wife nodded, as the two of them retreated from the window. For their part, the boys quickly arrived at the Malden house. They invited their companion to sit down and went up to change. The parents of their friends talked a little with her and they marveled at how beautiful she was.

-You are really beautiful. - Bertie affirmed studying her with cordiality - You have a great style ...

-Thank you very much. – The girl could replicate blushing on her chins and lowering her eyes as she outlined a shy smile. -

The certain thing was that in spite of her so imposing appearance, her competitiveness at the time of doing sport and her security in herself to confront challenges, Amethyst in the bottom was shy when of aesthetic matters and of social life it was. Not so much among people her age, but to be among adults, especially people like the Malden, who apart from being friends with their parents, stood out for their achievements in life, she felt somewhat self-conscious. She looked at the mother of her friends as if it were a kind of princess. A nice woman, nice but at the time sure of herself and that transmitted an aura of authority that could clearly be perceived. The father of Leval and Kerria also impressed, not only for his appearance, so robust and his penetrating gaze. The girl had almost never seen her own father so relaxed with someone. Of course Diamond was a gentle man but little prone to excessive trust with anyone outside the family. If Mr. Malden got along with him in such a way it would probably be because their friendship was very deep. And if that were not enough, The Malden were Leval's parents. And for her it was thinking about that boy and getting red.

-Well - Roy smiled at her, pulling her out of those thoughts as he told her. - You'll see how you're going to enjoy the city a lot. I still remember when we walked by there. Right Bertie?

-Yes - agreed the interpellated with a slight smile of nostalgia - you'll love it, you'll see.

-I'm sure about that. - The girl affirmed. -

- Do you miss your country very much? - Roy wanted to know. -

-Yes, well I mean, a little sometimes – The girl replied, and was quick to clarify. - Although I'm very good here, I've made enough good friends. Especially Kerria and Leval.

-They appreciate you a lot. - Bertie revealed, making the girl's heart almost hit a boat. - You're a very good girl. I'm glad my daughter has a good friend her age. -She asserted. -

Beruche  was tempted to ask that girl if she had observed something strange in Kerria. Despite of Roy of her cannot complain about her behavior lately, there was still something that bothered her. Although it was more a hunch than clear evidence. She could not say that to Roy, of course. Fortunately, it was the girl who answered her.

-Kerria has helped me a lot ... comment vous le dites? How do you say? - She asked herself looking for the term in English, she soon remembered and added - ... integrate. She has introduced me to many classmates.

-That's fine,. -Roy answered her with approval. - I'm glad our daughter is a good friend of yours.

-Yes, it's great news.- Bertie agreed, being calmer.- We are very happy that this is the case.

      And they did not have time to chat much more. True to his word, after ten minutes, Leval came down wearing a suit and a navy tie over a white shirt, the uniform of the swimming team. Kerria in turn, put on a light blue dress, a matching ribbon in her hair and a more sensual one around her neck, which made her look very pretty. Her own mother remembered that, in her youth, she adorned herself in a similar way. Seeing her younger daughter like that, she thought that her misgivings might not be justified. The girl seemed to have focused, especially since Amethyst arrived. In this way Roy and Bertie wished them to have a good time. The three boys finally left to tour the city with the usual warning not to return late. Mr. Malden also wanted to see them leave.

-Does not this bring old memories to you, Roy? Do you remember when you, Tom, Cooan and I went to NY and you show us the city?

- Yes Bertie, as I told you before, of course I remember. It seems incredible that almost twenty years have passed since then! - He sighed. -

- We grow older, honey - she whispered with the same hint of longing. -

Roy hugged her while nodding slowly. The boys' car was already lost in the distance and then he sentenced with satisfaction.

- Yes cubito, but I'm happy to see that our children are on the right track, to be happy in their own lives. Now it is they who must discover so many things.

Bertie nodded with a smile, that's how it was. Her husband was right and it was as if those twenty years had gone by in just an instant. For a moment she closed her eyes and could remember those times with perfect clarity. When she and her sister, being two young girls full of  hopes to start a new life arrived, they met Roy and Tom, they passed all those hard tests and worked on their future.

- Honey - she whispered to her husband - if I could live again the moments of then. Do you know what I would do differently?

-No little cube. - He replied, trying to imagine the things that his wife would change that, surely his pranks. -What would you change?

-Nothing at all - she smiled with visible tenderness. - How would you say? I wouldn't change a thing.

-Well, we think the same then. - He answered with the same tone - And seeing our children I think we can say that everything was worth it. Was it all worth it! – He sang, the refrain of an old song of Queen of those who he liked so much.

 His wife laughed hugging him and they both agreed to it. Meanwhile the kids, oblivious to all that wave of nostalgia that ran through their elders, walked through most of the famous streets of the city. Also in the car they heard some music, especially a song very appropriate for their journey.

-As our father would say, Ky. A song that hits, ha, ha! – Leval declared tuning the station.-

-It is true, for example I like this one. Yes, that sounds to me one of those that puts dad .- The alluded said.-

The girl sneaked an eye at her bewildered friend and even hummed part of the lyrics with her brother ...

Once in your life to find someone

that becomes around his heart

And the next thing you know is the closure of the city

Wake up and he's still with you

Even though you got out of his way

He asks himself: "Hey, what have I found?"

When they are trapped between the Moon and New York City

I know it's crazy, but it's true

If you are caught between the Moon and New York City

The best you can do ......

The best you can do is fall in love

Arthur who does what he pleases

All his life, he has dominated the election

Deep in his heart, he's fair, he's just a boy

Live your life one day at a time

And that shows itself a good time

Laughing about the way he wants him to be

When they are trapped between the Moon and New York City

I know it's crazy, but it's true

If you are caught between the Moon and New York City

The best you can do .....

Falling in love is the best thing you can do

When they are trapped between the Moon and New York City

I know it's crazy, but it's true

If you are caught between the Moon and New York City

The best you can do .....

The best you can do is fall in love.

The best you can do .....

The best you can do is fall in love.

(Best you can do Christopher Cross, credit to the author)

Amethyst, who was sitting in the back with her friend, blushed visibly. Kerria noticed that. The poor girl was made a custard! Of course Leval, had played the most appropriate song without pretending. She was convinced that, if her brother had asked that girl to marry at that very moment, she would have  said yes. But that fool could not imagine what the French girl must be feeling for him.

-All what he has as a scholar he has as naive. - Kerria thought, shaking her head and smiling.-

-Beautiful views, right? -Leval commented at the end of the song.-

That was right, they passed through Broadway, near Times Square ... they crossed the Brooklyn Bridge that was beautiful with its night illumination reflecting in the waters of the bay ...

-Our parents toured the city when they were dating. Right Ky? - The boy added.-

-I think they still were not. Mom told me once that it was shortly after she and aunt Connie came to study here. They went with dad and Uncle Tom. - His sister said. -

-It's a very nice place.- Amethyst declared, with admiration.- This city is beautiful.

-Yes, and we have enough things to see.- Leval affirmed.-

-Okay, but before that, let's go for dinner, I'm starving! - Kerria laughed causing the others to imitate her.

-You talk like dad. So then, tell me where. - Her brother smiled.-

In this way, they had a lot of fun joking and laughing while Leval told them things about the places they went through. Amethyst listened enthralled and Kerria smiled at the sight of her. Both looked at each other with complicity without the boy noticing. After parking and taking a walk, an Amethyst heel hitched a hole in the pavement. She stumbled and was about to fall. For someone with her martial arts skills, it would not have been difficult to regain balance because she was very agile. But she was close to Leval and preferred to let herself fall towards him. He held her back by the waist and she hugged him so the boy thought she wanted to keep from falling. The young girl felt how strong he was, his arms and shoulders looked like stone. He even leaned her head against his chest, which was also solid as a rock and in which she could for a moment listen to the beat of his heart, which resounded with rhythmic force.

-Are you ok? - The boy asked looking at her worried. -

- Yes, thank you Leval, - she muttered turning red. -

Kerria, who had immediately realized that the intentions of her friend, had to cover her mouth to not laugh. She decided that she was no needed there. And the truth is that before leaving her room when they went to change, she had a conversation using her mobile, and had already made some plans with someone else. However, there was still time and she had to hide it. So she insisted on what was said earlier when she saw a nearby restaurant.

- Hear guys – She proposed then. - Here we can eat very well.  Don´t you think?

- You're right. - Leval affirmed, adding with a burst of enthusiasm. - This is a very good place. Surely Amethyst will like it. I invite.

- That being the oldest and having savings is nice! - his sister laughed - But first let's take some pictures. - She asked them to obtain immediate approval assent. -

The three were placed with the Statue of Liberty in the background. Although they were quite far and Miss Liberty looked very small, but enough to be noticed. In the thread of that, Amethyst commented to them.

- Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was a present from my country to yours?

-Really? - Kerria was surprised admitting.- Well, I did not know it.

-It is true.- Leval affirmed clarifying.- La Liberté éclairant le monde.-

-What? - Her sister smiled that she had not understood anything.-

-The freedom illuminating the world.- Amethyst translated that she explained to her friend.- That is the true name of the statue. They told us in history class in my Lyceum.

Out of curiosity, the boy immediately consulted the internet on his mobile and was able to complete those data by using Wikipedia.

-Inaugurated in one thousand eight hundred and eighty-six. Work of Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, the internal structure was designed by Eiffel.

- The same one who built the tower? - Kerria inquired.

-Bien sur! - Amethyst smiled, who went on to propose.- If someday you travel to Paris, I would love to correspond your kindness and show you the city.

-It would be great.- Leval affirmed making the girl's heart throb. - Right Ky?

-Of course, although I do not speak French. Pa the tete, or it was the tout. - She replied visibly amused with the expression on her friend's face.- I hope you could translate the explanations ...

-That would not be a problem.- Her brother said smiling. -

And while the girls looked at each other with complicity, Leval asked a passer-by to photograph the three of them together with his cell phone. Then, he took a picture of Kerria and Amethyst who posed by putting their heads together. The Frenchwoman made another one to the brothers, Leval lifted Kerria in her arms, she was stretching her arms and legs with a casual expression. The usual "selfies" were not lacking either. Finally, Kerria insisted on having one of  Amethyst and her brother, her friend was very shameful.

- Mademoiselle si'l vous plait, give me your arm.- Leval asked offering her, with a wide smile. -

The aforementioned was confused, that boy was so charming that her defenses against men, that is to say her eagerness for competitiveness and the affirmation of her personality as opposed to the typical cheap flirt there did not serve her. Leval was not like most of the guys she had met. These either went after her for her body, or they did not want to know anything about a girl who could beat them in almost everything, whom they envied, they used to consider a kind of tomboy. However, she had to admit that she had contributed a lot to these ideas, that she had never connected with her mother's hobbies so that she could make up and behave like a young lady. Well, at least, until that night, because now she felt that she had found a boy capable enough to let herself be embraced and protected by him. Something that she never thought of wanting from anyone. In fact, she felt so comfortable that sometimes she spoke in French quite naturally when they talked, or she passed on to English. Her pulse really accelerated when that boy was close. So she obeyed happily and the two of them got behind the dock. Kerria made the photo capturing perfectly the look of her friend towards her brother, the eyes of the poor Amethyst speak everything the girl was thinking.

-It is done. Let's make another one, okay? - The improvised photographer proposed.-

Kerria wanted to repeat it a couple of times. More than anything so that her friend could continue to maintain the pose and be stuck to the boy. And once finished the photographic process.

-Well then, allons a dîner! - The boy affirmed, with the complacency of his interlocutors.-

            And finally, the three left for dinner. And as their hosts had assured, Amethyst loved the place, since it was a restaurant with French cuisine, which brought her many good memories of her country. So she advised the two brothers about the menus, before the curious look of Kerria, who also tried to understand the menu. The girl barely translated those strange names and finally fixed her attention on one of the proposals to declare.

- What an interesting dish! I had never heard of this. It must be one of those to whom the French give an exotic name. -

She smiled at Amethyst who, after consulting the menu, did not seem to understand what her friend was referring to.

- I do not know.- She could say that she was trying to find that exotic choice without success.-

- I'll try it. - Kerria added decisively.-

So she signaled to one of the waiters who came solicitously and asked her.

- Bring me a dish of poison with the fine herbs. Please.

            Amethyst and Leval gave her a stunned look. The same as the waiter who was stupefied and then asked with amazement. Of course in French.

- Pardon Mademoiselle? Qu'est-ce vous dit? What are you saying ?

- This dish here. - Kerria insisted showing the menu and ignoring the reason for that gesture of surprise .-

Her brother and Amethyst looked at that particular dish and the French girl could not suppress her laughter. Leval joined her and Kerria, visibly stunned, asked them.

- What is so funny?

-Where have you read poison? - Asked the boy in turn, almost unable to stop laughing. -Look. you're a donkey!

Her sister, still confused, pointed to the text and read it, with not too good pronunciation.

-  A donkey? Why? Here it is, see? - Poisson aux ends herbes.

- That means simply fish! Poison is written poison, with only one S! - Amethyst corrected her, crying with laughter. -

Kerria smiled, coloring up to her ears, she felt like a complete idiot. Although  that was not a problem. She only had the friendly and amusing smile of the waiter who nodded taking note, once cleared up the misunderstanding. However, it was Leval who took the floor laughing.

-Look I'm telling you to study French! You are a poisson!

-Bah, forget about me! - She replied, also smiling a funny smile. - Au Revoir!

            And in this way the joke continued for a few minutes, with everyone having a really good time with that slip. After a while, when the atmosphere gained in tranquility, Kerria realized that her friend had gone makeup eyelash and the lips. Immediately she whispered to her, fortunately, her brother never knew about those things. But the best thing would be to fix it as soon as possible. In addition, she wanted to make a call to confirm a certain appointment.

- Do you forgive us, Leval? - His sister asked him. - Amethyst and I have to go to the bathroom.

- Sure, - he smiled, taking a sip of his glass of mineral water and warning them with kindness. - Do not delay or the dinner will get cold.

The two girls nodded and went to the ladies, luckily there was no one and Kerria reviewed the makeup of her bewildered friend who was somewhat scared.

-And what about if he has noticed? - Amethyst asked worried. - As I'm not used to wearing this, what a horror !, He'll have thought that I'm a slovenly.

- Don´t be silly! - her interlocutor laughed. - My brother is very clueless for these things. But, it never hurts to mark your lips a little bit more.- She affirmed passing the carmine with a faint pink tone to her friend. -  Wet them a little.

Amethyst did this by moving her lips and running her tongue over them. Kerria felt a tingle running through her stomach. Her friend was irresistible, how could her brother be so foolish? Almost without thinking, she came within inches of that imposing girl looking into her eyes.

- I'll show you a trick. - She whispered giving a light and fleeting kiss on the lips to her friend who left surprised while covering her mouth with a finger. - So you will not run more carmine, - explained the girl who tried to disguise her agitation.-

- Yeah, okay, thanks.- Amethyst whispered that she smiled. Stop being paranoid, Kerria was her friend, a light kiss was not strange among friends. Many people did it to show affection, she thought to say immediately. - I think we should go back, your brother will ask what we're doing. – She laughed in order to eliminate the slight tension that had arisen in the environment. -

Kerria nodded, eliminating any other thoughts from her mind.

- Go ahead, - she asked with her voice still something tremulous. - I have to call, I had a date and I did not remember.

Amethyst nodded sympathetically. After all, poor Kerria had had this idea and she should thank her, and of course, she could also have her own plans. Some guy who was waiting for her. Or it could be that this exit also obeyed an alibi to be even with a possible boyfriend unknown to her parents. Anyway, she understood, had used similar stratagems. So she went back to dinner and left her phoning. Although it did not take long and immediately Kerria returned with her brother and her friend ... and after the first course ...

- I have to leave – Kerria said making an apology. – I am sorry, I forgot about it and now I have to leave.

-With whom? – His brother wanted to know looking at her surprised. -

- With a friend.- She could say feeling stiff. - It's just that I forgot to mention it when we left home.

Although Amethyst looked at her cheerfully, with absolute complicity. The fact of being with a friend sounded forced, although it was very helpful to cover a date. It was not a matter of poor Kerria having to explain anything to her brother, and in this way it also gave her a great chance.

- It's already late and the city can be dangerous these hours. Do you want me to take you, Ky? - Leval offered. –

-I appreciated that, but no, thank you very much. - Kerria replied. - It's close to here and I'll be just for a little time. - And ahead of the predictable slogan of not being late, she added convinced. - When you come back, I'll be home. See you tomorrow guys, have a good time.

So she smiled encouragingly at her friend who returned a grateful smile. Then she went to a nearby nightclub that was the rendezvous point ...

Leval and Amethyst were left alone, she was very nervous, she did not know how to react. With Kerria's company, she felt more relaxed because her friend was the link between them. The fact is that she had waited for this moment with much desire and planned many things but now all the schemes of what she would say or would have collapsed or forgotten. She did not feel confident enough to approach a direct dialogue with that boy. She just hoped he was the first to say something. The young man, who noticed the tense silence, was precisely the one who started the conversation out of courtesy.

- Is it very different from Paris?

-What? - Amethyst asked what she had caught by surprise while she was sunk in those thoughts of doubt. - Different what?

- I mean this city – Leval clarified - It is very different from Paris. I suppose they will have things in common.

- Yes, they are similar in many things. - She answered relieved, expounding more then.- But in others they are completely different. What reminds me most are the colors of the lights at night.

- I would also like to see more from abroad. - He confessed. - Someday I would like to travel. When the course ends maybe. As you said before. Paris would be a nice place to see. It would be a good idea.

- I wish I could show you someday. - Amethyst sighed assaulted also by a wave of nostalgia for their city. - Show it to Kerria and to you, of course.- She added now with visible embarrassment.-

- You lived there a long time. You must know the place very well.- He smiled. -

- And so much that I've lived a long time! I was born there - She laughed more  relaxed when asserting. - I am French and Parisian completely.

- Yes, but you already speak English very well. You have improved a lot in these few weeks. - Leval spontaneously complimented her. -

Amethyst immediately accused the blush on her cheeks. She loved to receive sincere praise, and especially if they came from him. The truth is that this guy was very intelligent and did not speak only to earn points like others who had filled her with compliments aimed exclusively at her physique. The difference is that those only wanted to take her to bed and Leval on the other hand, had an interesting conversation valuing her as an interlocutor. That even overflowed her a bit. She was not used to. Thus, she was able to respond with no little shyness.

- Thank you very much, is that my parents had me in boarding schools since I was little and the second language was English. They explained almost everything in that language for us to learn. Also, since I arrived, I have practiced it a lot.

- My French is not that good as your English - Leval said too. - Maybe one day you want to practice with me.

- Au contraire. Tu parles français très bien. Anyway, I'll be happy. Whenever you want. - She added kindly in English, marking her accent lightly. -

- I like the French accent you have when speaking in English, it sounds very good. - He praised -...

Amethyst, even more blushing, looked down. She was perfectly aware that, once again, those words were not looking for more than a sincere eulogy, without any other connotation. She was unable to answer that. Actually, she felt better and better in the company of that boy. At first glance it was clear that he was very handsome and he was very good, but when she started to know him, the impression she had of him was even better. He could talk about many subjects, so many that even she was not able to follow him at all, but he always moved to those that her interlocutor could master better. In this way the two continued chatting for a long time, so much that something became late. Now that they had finally been able to engage in conversation in a more relaxed way, but it was late and the girl looked at her watch with concern. When he realized that, Leval took the girl back to her house. He said goodbye to her, accompanying her to the door and the girl came in and looked out the window watching him leave. Her parents who waited awake approached the girl.

- How was the night, daughter? Did you have a good time?

- It's been wonderful! - The girl replied almost in a state of reverie. - Leval is a great boy and so gallant.-

She told her parents what they had done and they also laughed a lot with the anecdote of the poison and the fish.

- Then his sister Kerria? has not she returned with you? - Emerald asked, surprised when she got to that part of the story. -

- I think she left, she was a date and she forgot. At least that what she told us. But rather I think it was an excuse to leave me alone with her brother, mom. She must have been at home for a long time, -She whispered to Emerald, who nodded smiling. -

The veteran designer was delighted. Those two young guys were as considerate and good people as their parents. She was glad that her daughter had found two good friends in them. And who knows? From the way Amethyst talked about Leval, it was clear that her daughter was really in love with him at first sight. In that, she reminded herself to come to court and see the young Prince Diamond for the first time. Leval had something in common with her husband. He was gentle and kind and knew how to talk to a woman. Of course, as far as Emerald herself had treated that boy, she believed that her daughter had finally made the right choice. She wished that boy could come to feel the same. Although for what she saw, at least for now, for him, his relationship with Amethyst was nothing more than a simple friendship. Anyway, what was the use of disappointing the girl now?

- Did you say Kerria left? - Diamond inquired that he had not heard all that last. -

-Yes dad, but in my opinion she was accompanied us and then left to let us have dinner alone. She is a very nice girl and a good friend, I have to be very grateful for this idea of hers. - The girl declared with visible joy .-

Her parents agreed to that, letting the subject be. In any case, it was not their business. Besides, it was already late and they would have to go to bed. Meanwhile, at Malden´s house, as soon as the young man arrived his mother sighed with relief, she was worried. But it was his father who noticed that Kerria was not with him and asked him uneasily.

- Leval. Where is your sister?

-Is she not at home yet?- He asked surprised to explain. - When we were having dinner, she told me she was going to see a friend and that she would come right here.

- Well, it's too late. - Beruche reminded him with a worried face - and she has not come yet, Oh my God! What if something has happened to her?

- You should not let her go alone. - An angry Roy reproached his son. - Now only God knows where she would be.

- I ... I'm sorry ... I'll go look for her.- The restless Leval offered himself.-

The boy was perfectly aware that he had made a mistake, but considering the great time they had and the presence of Amethyst, he did not want to be too inquisitive with his sister. Now that was on him, so he immediately affirmed.

- I'll find her.

- We will call the police, it will be the best, - Bertie intervened. -

- No, leave it, first we'll go look for her - Roy countered. -

- Dad, please, let me go! - The boy asked him. - I think I know where she could be. If I did not find her in two hours, you call the police. Is okay mom?

- It's too late and it's not time to go out by yourself, son - Beruche anguished. -

- I am no longer a child and I know how to take care of myself. - Leval answered, annoyed by the excessive judgment of his mother regarding his concern. - I can take care of this.

- I will go with you, so between we two we will divide the task.- Roy intervened, adding to his wife. - Bertie, wait for us to call you. Whether we see her or not, we will notify you within one hour. She may have returned by then.

His wife nodded and both the father and the son left. She was left alone caressing her stone of justice with uneasiness. That girl really worried her, even though she seemed to have become reasonable these past weeks. Especially with the presence of Amethyst that gave the impression of exercising a good influence on her. And to think that she was about to ask the daughter of Diamond and Emerald about how Kerria was acting in the school!. But this she could not imagine! Bertie did not know what to think. What if she really wanted to return home earlier to leave her brother and her friend alone and something had happened to her? In such a big city and at night there were many dangers for a young woman so attractive and with so little experience in life. As  Justiciera she saw really terrible things, and not only when she fought against demons. Beruche knew perfectly well that evil was hiding anywhere and in many forms, and not all were evident and less so for a girl as Kerria was still. That's why she doubted full of anguish, to continue at home in case they telephoned her or her daughter finally returned or did what she had abandoned for so many years. So many that she had almost forgotten, patrolling the streets again. She still caressed her stone as if she wanted to have and answer from her. She had not used that for a long time, but she still wore the stone around her neck. So finally she could only watch with increasing anguish the passing of the minutes and wait. And an hour passed, Kerria had not returned. Roy called something later to tell her with a not well-controlled unease that they had not seen her either. So things were, Bertie, unable to contain her fear and with anything else to do, hang up the phone to her husband and decided to call an old friend, who, acting as Lady of the Ice, had met in the police.

                           previous                                               next