A Flurry of Confessions (Anthony)

[Kailin Bishop]

Weeks had gone by, and the blonde had actively attempted to ignore the one person she considered to be her best friend. And the worst part? She had no clue why. Ever since Liv told her she kissed and danced with Anthony, she had gotten this insane sense of jealousy that she couldn't just let pass. So what started as 'Oh, let me just get my mind straight', turned into weeks of shame and ignoring him on her part.

There would be few times where she would answer his texts because she just felt so bad, but the minute he asked her what he did wrong, she would turn off her phone and that was the end of it. She'd even go to extremes when he would try to find her after class by disguising herself to him by using her power. She felt awful, but it was one of those things that she felt 'I've gone this far, how can I just go back to the way it was?'

Kailin was sitting out in the courtyard, sitting alone and miserable while she contemplated what was going on with her life. It was Valentines day, and usually she would get everyone chocolates and a poorly made valentine card just to make the pain of those who did not have a valentine, easier.

The heavily covered blonde pulled out her phone, looking through the messages from the past few months. A few would consist of 'Hey' and 'Can you please talk to me?' Well, it made her realize how much she missed him, especially today.

Why are you doing this, Kailin? She asked herself.

I have no clue.

[Deleted]

Anthony did something wrong. He must've done something wrong. He felt like he'd done something wrong. Though the only thing he could think he'd done wrong was….at the New Year's party but…..Kales didn't know about that, right? But why would she care anyway, it wasn't like they were together. But it was true that he felt guilty over it, like he'd betrayed her in some way and ever since he'd been feeling the like worst person in the world for doing that to her even though he didn't actually do anything to her.

At the very least, Anthony wanted to make up for it anyway he could(obviously by not telling Kailin anything) and giving her more attention than he ever had before.

But was it just him or was Kailin avoiding him for some reason? No, it couldn't be just him, she was definitely avoiding him. They hadn't hung out, she seemed to be avoiding his texts, as soon as he got the impression that there was something wrong(because Anthony was amazingly perceptive like that) it was like she completely shut down and shut her out.

She hated him. That was the only thing he could think of. But for what, he didn't know and wouldn't know until she told him. But he couldn't know and make up for it if she wouldn't talk to him!!

Even if they weren't together and she never noticed his feelings for her, he couldn't stand having Kailin avoiding him either and upset to the point where they couldn't even be friends. So, do or die, and hopefully do, Anthony devised a plan and wasn't going to take no for an answer.

The 17-year-old boy had been looking for Kailin since classes let out, hoping to find her still on campus. And there he found her, sitting alone looking like her beautiful self out in the courtyard. Anthony took a deep breath and crossed the grass to her, calling out to the pretty blonde as he drew nearer. "Kailin!" With any luck, she wouldn't run as soon as she saw him.

[Kailin Bishop]

Kailin seemed to be caught up in her own world at that point, her mind running through several encounters they once had. No, Kailin wasn't with Anthony. She wasn't even sure if she wanted to be! All Tony had been was a friend, one that she could rely on and trust, a person who would be there through it all. She didn't even have a doubt in her mind that he would take a bullet for her if it came down to it. So why was she feeling the way she had?

Liv was her own person; she could kiss who she wanted, she could dance with who she wanted. The same with Tony. He was a senior in High School, for goodness sake! But the bubbling fury that she felt when she first found out he kissed Liv was unmistakable. She was jealous.

What started off in spite quickly turned to shame, and that is why it had gone as far as it had. So when she heard Tony's voice call out to her, she shoved away the urge to run (her leg twitched from the strain of not running), and she waited for him to reach her side.

Avoiding his gaze, she stared at the phone in her hands. "Hey," She said quietly, "Happy Valentine's day."

[Deleted]

Anthony's heart felt sullen as he approached, noticing that she hadn't even turned to look at him and offer out that normally beautiful, bright smile she always had. Oh, god, he really fucked up on something, he just really wished he knew what! And that meek greeting just seemed like there was suddenly a wall up between them that he couldn't break past.

"Y-yeah. Happy Valentine's…day…" He offered her an awkward friendly smile that she obviously didn't see. No, no. Anthony couldn't stand them being distant like this. She was obviously pushing him away and it just literally broke his heart, making the boy want to run away, stay away like she wanted, and cry bitter tears into his pillow while he yearned for the strength to continue on.

Anthony mentally shook his head, trying to shake away the hesitation. "Kailin," he started in a shaky voice. "Uhmm…" How to say this? Do or die. Do or die...

He stepped forward and leaned down, taking one of her hands in his and tugging on it slightly. "Come on," he said, looking firmly down at her. "I have something I want to show you." Anthony pulled a little more in the hopes that she would follow him.

[Kailin Bishop]

Even for her birthday, Anthony had left the cutest Teddy Bear with a red ribbon tied around it's neck in her locker, even despite the fact that she was, in fact, ignoring him. He still remembered. He still cared. The 17 year old girl had taken it and slept with it that night, and every night since. How pathetic was she?

The girl was in her own world when he slipped his hand into hers and began pulling her off the bench. "Wait, what?" Kailin looked at him then, noticing the determined look on his face. That caught her off guard. She had only seen him goof off around her, never really serious about anything unless he really had to be. Those few times Kailin went to him crying, he would listen. He would watch her carefully. But never had Tony looked so... determined.

He tugged harder, and she was pulled to her feet. "Why do you want to show me anything?" When i acted like a complete asshole to you for the past month and a half.

But ultimately, he wasn't taking no for an answer, and she pulled her hand from his as quickly as she could before it could get awkward. "Okay, but you have to tell me where we are going."

[Deleted]

That Teddy Bear had been quite a chore to get to her. He was glad that his power wasn't limited by sight, so all he had to do was manifest it directly into her locker. The problem was, his aim was horrible and he'd managed to get one in the hallway, one in the classroom behind the wall, and one in the locker next to her's. It was the fourth one that finally met it's target, but by that time, Anthony was spent and barely made it to the infirmary to sleep off the vertigo.

Very bad idea, the whole thing. He'd do it again in a heatbeat.

Anthony wasn't yielding, and merely responded with. "I just do. Come on, we don't have a lot of time." But then she pulled her hand away and he looked back at Kailin with desperate eyes and a weak smile. "Kailin, please. Can't….can't you just trust me?" Anthony really wanted to keep it all a surprise.

[Kailin Bishop]

Kailin didn't realize the amount of strain it took to actually get her birthday gift in that locker, and if she did, she'd probably feel even worse. But with him looking at her, pleading with her to actually come with him, she just couldn't say no any longer. "Okay," She breathed in defeat, but she kept her hand to herself. "Let's go."

They walked in relative silence, her hands clasped in front of her, as he lead her off to to his car. There had been a few times where she rode in it, but not many. Kales usually had a ride places, and now that she had her license, she had plenty more freedom to get around herself. She was usually the one to drive the siblings to school (because she wanted to). But sitting in the car, and strapping her seat belt on, she realized now that the questioning was inevitable. The blonde was in a car with him, where there was no running away or hiding.

When they started moving, she looked over at him. God, she missed him. "So... how've you been?" Wow, Kales. That's the best you can do? Kailin thought to herself.

[Deleted]

She didn't take his hand, but Kailin did agree to go with him, and that was more than enough for Anthony. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to keep a straight face anyway if she allowed him to hold her hand. As it was, his face was probably redder than…than…than something that was red…!

The air between them seemed awkward, however, and he wasn't sure what he could say to clear it…no, he'd get his chance once they were in the car, Anthony was sure of it. For now, he just had to wait it out. Just a little bit longer.

When would be an appropriate time to engage though? Once the car was on the road, he froze up, as he usually did, and was struggling to find words that weren't going to immediately be taken as Anthony just being…Anthony.

Luckily, Kales was the first to speak. Anthony kept his eyes on the road. "How do you think I've been?" he said instantly, though he winced at how horribly accusatory that sounded. But it was on the level with what he'd been wanting to ask her about. "You've been avoiding me…" he continued, in a softer, more sullen voice. Dammit, he was totally going to mess this up, wasn't he?

[Kailin Bishop]

Kailin visibly flinched then at the tone that he used with her, though she figured she deserved it. She just… didn’t know how to speak to him after avoiding him for so long. She couldn’t just be like “Hey! I haven’t spoken to you in three weeks, but how’s life been?” The blonde felt stuck. God, her jealousy would be the death of her. She almost lost her best friend. What kind of person did that?

“I--” She opened her mouth to speak, but she closed it. Instead, she looked toward him and just.. watched for a moment. He was gripping the wheel with such a force that his knuckles were turning white, and his eyes focused on the road, unblinking. This wasn’t the guy that she knew. He was the kind of guy to joke at all times of the day, to make her laugh until she couldn’t feel anything but bliss.

“I-I was, yeah.” She finished.

He at least had the right to know, if anything. But aside from that, she didn’t know what else to say. Kales really really did not want to explain, but the minute she admitted to her crime, there would be interrogation. It was the way things worked.

[Deleted]

Anthony barely noticed the flinch, though it still sent a stab straight through his heart, worrying him that he might've already ruined his chances. But…he wasn't going to get any answers if he just sat back and hoped everything went back to normal, right? That's why he decided to take action. Kailin was pulling away from him anyway…he really had nothing to lose. Either she was going to see things his way, or he was going to lose his chances with her forever. Anthony was desperately hoping the former was the final result of this whole trip.

He may have had his eyes on the road, but Anthony was all ears, ready to pick up the slightest word and sound from the girl sitting next to him. He felt bad for putting her on the spot like that but….arg! Be strong Anthony! You can't get results if you back out halfway through a plan!

His heart plummeted when she admitted to what he already knew. It was harder to take in than he thought. Anthony had asked before, quite frequently, in text messages and voicemails, if he had done something wrong. He still suspected there was something there, but he still couldn't think of a logical reason for her behavior. Anthony licked his lips and cocked his head to the side, a nervous tic, before finally asking, "…….w…why?" he asked, with clear hesitation in his voice. Anthony was afraid to hear the answer but… "I…I can't fix it…..or try to….if I don't even know." He turned the wheel, turning onto the road that led into the woods.

[Kailin Bishop]

She could hear the shaking in Tony's tone, but all she could do was sit there and stare at her hands, kicking up her feet in an attempt to avoid having to actually answer the question. It didn't take long for them to reach their destination, a place Kailin had been so many times. A place Kailin was highly fond of. A place they had been to together more than once during the two and a half years they knew each other.

Kailin didn't wait long after they parked to get out and practically run over to the boy who looked more and more ready to cry as time went by. She also didn't hesitate to practically fall into his arms, holding onto him like he was the only person she wanted to be around. And honestly, he truly was the only person she wanted to be around at that moment.

"I-I'm sorry, Anthony. I'm so sorry." She really didn't know whether or not she was crying, but she could feel the wetness on her cheeks. "I got your present, and I'm so sorry..."

[Deleted]

When he didn't hear an answer, Anthony's heart sunk into his stomach. He felt sick, afraid that he'd already ruined everything. Maybe he was pushing too hard? This was a bad idea wasn't it? Kailin probably hated him for forcing her into the car and interrogating her like this, trapping her so there was no chance for her to run away. But all she had to do was sit there in silence, simply not answer, and Anthony still wouldn't get what he wanted. And he still wasn't understanding something.

He tried to breath through it until they pulled up to the lake. Anthony wasn't going to force her to answer. But the silence had spun a million possibilities for why she wasn't, each one more outrageous than the last. When he stopped the car, and she darted out from it, one of those delusions raced through his mind. That she was going to run away as soon as they stopped and he'd never get an answer.

But instead, Kailin surprised him and ran over to him instead, collapsing into in his chest. Anthony was a little perplexed, and hesitated with his arms held out, wondering if he should wrap them around the blonde. Slowly, he eased himself into it, touching his hands on her shoulders then sliding them across her back, pulling Kailin into a tight embrace. He could feel his shirt getting wet. "Kailin…." He spoke her name with reverence, raising a hand to brush over her hair and press her head further into him. "….what's wrong?" He still wanted to know, though now it was more out of concern than anything else.

"You can tell me…I'll listen....whatever it is, I...." He could feel the words welling up inside him until they just came out. "...I'll still like you.... I....l-lu-luh-ff....." And that's where he embarrassingly stumbled over his words. Dammit, why couldn't he just say it!? He probably sounded like a mental patient.

[Kailin Bishop]

At that moment, she reveled in his touch. It had been so long since she had been around him, hugging him like this. Well, never was it exactly in the way Kailin was holding him now, but even so, she was enjoying it. Tears in her eyes, and her mind currently occupied by everything she wanted to say to him, made it so she didn't catch exactly what he was saying, only that he was, indeed, saying something.

Her hands clenched against his chest. She wanted to tell him, she did, but it was sort of hard to do that when her mind was elsewhere. Kales silenced. The blonde stopped saying she was sorry, and instead opted to just wash in the warmth her provided her. Yes, it was the middle of winter. Yes, there was plenty of snow on the ground. Right now it was just her and Tony.

And right now, she wouldn't ask for anything else.

[Deleted]

Even now Kailing wasn't saying anything but holding her in his arms like that, Anthony found he didn't care anymore. Because right at that moment the most important thing was being there, embracing her, providing the warmth and comfort that she was so selfishly taking from him. And Anthony was more than happy to give it.

In fact, he wanted to give her even more. The words he'd started before yet found he couldn't finish were still lodged in his throat, unable to move either in nor out. Anthony scolded himself, tortured himself for being too chicken to say them. Just thinking about getting them out in the open made his face burn and he could feel his power just a hairline away from snapping and breaking up this perfect moment. He had to do something. Anything. Good lord Anthony, grow a set will you!?

He was impulsive to say the least. But as he always believed, actions spoke louder than words, and he hoped that his actions shouted out loud and clear what he was trying to convey.

Anthony trailed a hand up from her back and over her shoulder into the crank of her neck, cradling her chin in his palm. He brushed his thumb over her lips as he lifted her chin to look her in the eye. His approach was gradual, if she wanted to push away Kailin would have plenty of time to do so, and even lingered just a hair's width away from her lips for a moment before closing that short distance into a short, gentle kiss. How he'd longed to do this, for three years time, and now that he had, Anthony could only think that he wanted to do it again. And so he did.

[Kailin Bishop]

The subtle yet sudden movements made by Anthony, his hand trailing up her back and cupping her cheek, made her look up at him with her mouth parted in shock. What... was he doing? But Kales couldn't look away, not now, not when his thumb brushed her lips. Not when he was leaning down, only an inch away. And especially not when he was kissing her.

It was odd how... right it felt. She had spent three years never even knowing, never even seeing that he liked her in such a way. Kailin always assumed he said the things that he did just to entertain her, which was probably true, but never had Kailin assumed there was any real truth to what he said. Wasn't it amazing that she only finally realized when he had to make the first move?

Wasn't it amazing that she only finally realized she liked him that way in that very moment?

She looped her arms around his neck, responding to his kiss with an eagerness that surprised even herself. And when he pulled away the second time, she unhooked her arms from around him and pressed a finger to her lips.

"Anthony..." She said, her cheeks red and her words breathy. "I didn't know..."

"Why didn't you tell me?"