The line for subs is moving slowly, but nobody cares.

This night belongs to the citizens of Silver Oaks, and if they're a bit slow in making up orders, so be it. Standing in line and chatting with friends, acquaintances, and strangers is part of the whole Founders' Day Dance experience. It's not my favourite part since I'm usually hungry, but it is what it is.

The Sub Station - one of Summerfields' favourite take-out restaurants - makes some of their staff available for the evening to help the residents manning the stall, or we would've been here all night. It's a community event. Many restaurants and coffee shops have stalls here, and the retirement home's residents take turns assisting in running the kiosks. All the profit made tonight is donated to Silver Oaks.

The retirement village lies close to the heart of the community since it houses the parents and grandparents of many residents. Nobody cares that we're paying a little bit more for the food and drinks tonight than we do when we go to the actual stores. Not when the extra funds mean that the elderly will enjoy some fun outings and treats and have upgraded essential equipment needed to live quality lives.

Earlier, I pulled off my shirt and gave it a good wring to get rid of most of the water trapped in it because I was transferring too much of it to Kira each time I held her. I plan to hold her as often as I can. She'll be soaked soon and might not enjoy being wet as much as I do.

When I smoothed the shirt down over my stomach, I was startled when I looked up to find Kira getting ready to invade a small village and slaughter all their bunnies. Seriously, why can't she enjoy seeing me semi-dressed as much as all the other women who were smiling at me way too appreciatively, making me want to grab some full-body armour to wear instead? I'm not used to women noticing when I take off my shirt; it catches me off guard each time.

If Kira hates seeing me naked that much, those grandchildren I'm dreaming of might never happen!

She aggressively dragged me through the crowds to where Delia and Simon were pretending to be robo-chickens... or something really weird. I always stumble upon them doing weird things. No, that's not right. This time, Simon was actually trying to dance, and Delia was not impressed, which spurred me into showing some solidarity with the dude who is fast becoming one of my closest friends. So, I joined his jerky dance. 

The guy has no rhythm.

Barn and Jet showed up, and Barn jumped right in there; as usual, he was ready, willing and able to stand by his brothers, no matter how stupid it made him look. Jet, the traitor, blew us off to show some solidarity with a couple of first-year girls from Silverview University instead. His idea of solidarity was making most of us a bit uncomfortable. It was worse than not having rhythm. I glanced at Kira to see if she was all right with the touchy-feely-rubbing teamwork going on over there and realised she wasn't dancing at all.

She stood still in the milling crowd, watching the activity around her with wide eyes and an amused, slightly bewildered smile on her sweet lips. Kira has never functioned very well in crowds, but she didn't seem to be on the verge of running away. She was just taking it all in and clearly didn't hate any of it. Not even Jet, being the filling in a dancing-girl sandwich. 

My heart stops beating for a few seconds every time I see her looking delicately beautiful in her pretty dress, her hair soft and flowing around her face. Tonight, she is an enchanting fairytale character, brought to life by the malfunctioning little lights flickering above us.

I pulled her into my arms, and she came willingly, resting her cheek against my heart. The melody blaring over the speakers was not really meant for cuddling to its beat, but like Lurch and Tonia, a few steps away from us, I did not care. Kicks didn't appear to care either. She wrapped her arms around me, nestling into me in a way that made me feel airy. I was floating on a cloud of love.

I wanted the moment to last forever. 

Everything faded into a soft, soothing murmur, highlighting how good it felt to have Kira in my arms, to breathe in her fragrance and feel her warmth wherever my fingers came into contact with her skin.

"I love you, Kicks," I whispered at the same moment Barn bellowed: 'I'm hungry!' loud enough to be heard all the way to Silverview.

Kira looked up at me with an awed expression, and that was when the enticing aromas from the food court reached me, making my stomach growl. I immediately understood the look on her face. I know she has a weakness for meatball subs with extra cheese, and I was hungry too.

That is how I ended up here in the queue with Barn, Simon, Lurch and Jet, waiting for our turn to be served.

"Didn't I see Burlap earlier?" Lurch wants to know, tapping his bank card against his fingers, his eyes scanning the crowd, looking for Tonia. He is clearly in a hurry to get back to her. I follow his gaze and see Kira, Deli, and Tonia seated at one of the tables at the edge of the dance floor, taking off their shoes. That is probably wise. The dance floor is covered in puddles, and they are wearing dainty sandals that didn't keep the water out but probably could suffer damage.

"Yes," I answer Lurch's question, watching Kira laugh at something my sister said. It was probably something naughty again because my girlfriend blushes, slapping Delia's arm. "He came to fetch Wendy."

Three pairs of eyes in varying degrees of confusion, worry and stress are now trained on my face, and I realise I should've said that a lot differently. If Burlap came to the dance to pick up Wendy, it would not be anything good. These guys need context.

"That was Wendy I saw him carry?" Jet asks, the muscles in his jaw working agitatedly. He probably thought Burlap was just being a good Samaritan again, carrying some random stranger to the first aid tent. "Is she alright?" he adds when I nod.

"She's with Burlap, so she's fine now," I assure them. "I'm not sure what happened, but I think we need to have another chat with Franklin. It seems our last show-and-tell didn't work so well."

"We need to deal with him once and for all," Barn grumbles, his statement seconded by Lurch, and I can see that they are as eager to put the guy in his place as I am.

"I have a boat," Jet casually reminds us. Even in this insufficient lighting, what is visible of his irises are turning the scary neon green they become when he's angry. I often think that Jet is an alien, and when he gets angry, and his eyes look all funky like this, I know I'm right. "I know where the sharks hang out." 

That's true; he takes tourists on sight-seeing outings for extra cash and knows where to find anything they might like to look at. I was surprised to learn that ocean animals are also somewhat territorial, preferring some areas above others. We don't get sharks in the cove. Probably because they prefer hanging out at the reef he's referring to.

He also takes out divers and marine biologists for their research projects. He is especially popular among Silverview University's students. Some use him and his yacht for their marine biology studies, others for partying studies.

"Just saying," he adds when the three of us gape at him, unsure if he is serious or just talking garbage because he's angry. It's never easy to tell with Jet and he has never made a secret of his loathing of Franklin. His suggestions on how to deal with the guy tend to be colourful, mostly because Franklin's blood would stain it.

"I meant the kind of dealing with him that involves getting him arrested," Barn chuckles. "But that sounds like a plausible plan B." He and Jet are the kind of friends who would help each other dispose of bodies. It's a good thing that neither of them are psychopaths.

No, not even Jet.

"The guy is a thief," Lurch says, tearing his eyes away from Tonia for three seconds to look at us. Is he afraid she'll run off with another guy or dissolve in one of the puddles? She's just sitting there with Kicks and Delia, chatting and calmly watching people dance. I know because I cannot stop myself from keeping an eye on Kira... which makes me a massive hypocrite.

I'm okay with that.

"If we could catch him in the act or find some evidence the police can't find because they have rules, we could get him sent up and keep Wendy safe," Lurch explains his thinking, and that is actually a really good idea, except that none of us has a clue how to do that. We discuss it until it's our turn to order and are no closer to an answer.

"Barn, will you please grab mine?" Jet suddenly says, looking up from the phone he'd slipped from his pants pocket. "I've got something to take care of. I'll be back soon."

"Don't go near Franklin alone," I warn him, afraid he might go all Rambo on the guy and get into trouble.

"I promise I'll take you with me when I go shark feeding," he says, winking at me, and that wasn't very comforting. "No, it's something else I need to take care of," he says, his eyes travelling past my shoulder. Looking behind me, all I can see are food stalls, people and the car park in the distance.

"Sure," Barn agrees, taking the card Jet holds out to him. "Same as usual?"

"Yeah, thanks," and with that, Jet slides his phone back into his pocket and starts walking away. Remembering who he's dealing with, he stops and turns back to look at us. "Buy an extra one if you think you're going to eat mine before I'm back," he wisely adds, grinning when Barn laughs. 

The guy is obviously going to eat it... and we might help.

Loaded with subs wrapped in paper and glasses of icy juice, we head to the girls. Yvette, one of Lurch's 500 cousins, has joined them. She could also be his sister. I'm never quite sure with the Waltons. They're a large family with many aunts, uncles, cousins and siblings. I get confused. I think they might be interchangeable because they're always staying over at each other's homes. It's fun hanging out with them. They are a lively bunch.

Yvette sits on a chair slightly behind Kira and Deli, holding onto the backs of their chairs while they watch the dance floor. Yvette looks lovely, with her long dark hair contrasting nicely with her glittery top. She always looks good. Most girls might look overdressed wearing a shiny silver tunic like that with their black leggings, but it suits Yvette perfectly. She has a vivid, lively personality, as sparkly as her top.

I've always had a crush on her, but she's been dating Jet's cousin, Archer, since they became old enough to date. I think they were five years old then. I probably still have that crush deep, deep down in the same space in my heart where I'm in love with Princess Leia and always will be. Still, that crush never came close to what I've always felt for Kira. Kicks cannot be compared to any girl.

What I feel for her is no crush.

I'm a bit surprised to see Yvette sitting with the girls since Arch is not with us, and looking around, I don't see him in any of the food queues. He is not much of a crowd person and doesn't like events like these, but he always comes anyway because he loves Yvette, and she thrives on these functions. She usually sticks with him to help him enjoy it too.

My ears perk up when we come within hearing distance of the girls, and a very disturbing conversation reaches me. I took a sip of the juice I bought and it didn't taste off, but I'm pretty sure I'm tripping now.

"But if you take Archer, then you should give me Simon. It's only fair," Yvette grumbles at Delia, and she's holding her hand over her forehead, which means that my sister must've finger-flicked her somewhere in this insane conversation. I want someone to finger-flick me too, because I'm having hallucinations.

Are they trading boyfriends? Is that a thing? Is Kicks in on it too? Who is she trading me for? I don't wanna be traded! I have so many questions! I would flick my own forehead to make sure I'm still conscious, but my hands are full. I'm carrying a cardboard tray with four subs and four glasses, and this walk to the girls suddenly feels too slow and overly hampered by people and obstacles. It probably isn't, but I'm in a hurry now.

"No, it's not," Deli snaps, and then she blows my mind. "You broke up with Archer; he's not yours to give anymore."

"You have to give me Simon!" Yvette exclaims, and I glance at Sy to see what he makes of this ludicrous boy-slave auction, but he is in conversation with Barn about... yup, sailing. It's his new favourite topic. He needs to get his head out of the sails and listen to what his weird girlfriend is up to now.

I don't want Simon to be traded either, though I like Archer. He would be a great brother-in-law, but splitting him from Yvette borders on a crime. Wait! Maybe Yvette and Archer are having one of their three-minute breakups. They do that once in a while. Maybe it keeps their relationship fresh. Dunno, it makes no sense to me. If it works, why break it or replace it? If you love someone and they love you back, you should hold onto them.

Do they always swap partners to try out other fits? That's too weird.

"You cannot have them both!" Yvette says, challenging Delia. It's never a good idea to challenge my sister or to tell her she cannot do something.

"Why not?" Deli demands to know, staring Yvette down. The girl will have to look away or have her brain melted. I've been on the receiving end of Delia's glares all my life. I have the brain lesions to show for it. Nobody beats her at staring contests.

"Well, fine!" Yvette finally says, tossing her head. "Keep them both, but then I want your brother."

I nearly trip over my feet and drop my tray hearing that, but the part that turns my legs into jelly is not Yvette claiming me; it's Kira's immediate reaction.

"No!" she shouts, blushing all the shades of red on the spectrum when Delia and Yvette look at her.

"Come on, Kiki," Yvette coaxes playfully and now I know she and Delia were just messing around. "You can have Archer; just let me have Ethan!"

"No, I don't want Archer," Kira says, her words igniting a flame in my heart that is only outshined in warmth by the blush on her cheeks. "I only want Ethan." 

I only want Ethan. I only want Ethan. I only want Ethan.

The words echo in my head on repeat, as if my brain fell out, leaving behind an empty cave. Does she mean that? I know Deli and Yvette were just joking. Was Kira also joking? I'm trying to get a better look at her face since they haven't noticed me yet, but she is looking at the dance floor Yvette just ran off to, and I can't see her expression anymore.

I follow the direction she's looking to see Yvette insert herself between Harmony Harper and Archer. Were they dancing? Archer cannot stand Harmony. He never could, and since she tried to frame me for theft, none of us gives her the time of day. Why would he dance with her, of all people? Nope, I've never understood their periodic breakups, and I don't get what's going on now. All I care about is the words Kira just said with such passionate conviction that I cannot stop smiling... even if she were joking.

I think Yvette is going to rip Harmony's head off, and I'll still be here, grinning like I've just struck oil.

"That's what he had to take care of?" Lurch laughs, and I jerk my head around to see what he is looking at. The guys stop behind the seats where the girls are waiting, and for the second time in the space of five minutes, I'm sipping from my straw to check if my drink has anything weird in it.

Jet just spun into view on the dance floor as if he's friggin' Fred Astaire, the guy from the old black and white dancing movies Grandma Fay loves so much. The only difference is that I see this fantasy in bright colours, and Jet still looks like a beach boy. He is built like a rugby player, has all his hair and is not wearing a black suit, but the moves he is executing...

In his arms is a delicate lotus blossom with long, flowing black hair. Tonight, she's dressed in dark slacks and a lacy white blouse. She looks like a pretty high school student and not as if she's taking part in the Oscars. Akari Yamashita and Jet's looks contrast so awesomely it's impossible to look away from them. Another reason it is impossible to look away is because they are dancing like ballroom champions. I've never seen Jet do anything except pelvic thrusts and weird semi-perverted rituals when he's dancing with or without a partner.

"Wow! He's good," Simon exclaims. His hero-worship of Jet just keeps on reaching new heights since they bonded over sailing. I have to agree with him, though. Jet is seriously good at this fancy dancing, expertly twirling Akari as if they've practised together for years. I don't think he even knew her before they met in that closet.

What has the dude been up to that we were not aware of?

"His parents are always sending him for lessons in stuff. He's their show horse who sometimes has to impress their business associates," Barn informs Simon, and I know that since Jet often gripes about it. It's pretty depressing, but because of it, he can play the piano, the violin, the guitar, the fool (he didn't need lessons for that one)... and he's pretty good at it. He's never mentioned ballroom dancing, though.

"He started with ballroom classes when he was 12 and still does it on and off when they ask him to help out because they have too few men," Barn informs us since there's nothing Jet-related he doesn't know. Apparently, there's a lot I don't know. "He actually liked the lessons. I think it was because he got to hold girls in his arms without anybody scolding him."

That does sound like the kind of motivation that would drive him.

"Food's getting cold," I tell Simon, and smiling, he grabs two subs from the tray, tucking them in the crook of his arm so he can also take two glasses. Bracing the tray against my chest with one hand, I take a sub from it and hold it out to Kira when she becomes aware of our return and looks up at me. 

"Thank you, Ethy," she smiles and it can be my imagination, but her smile seems a little more shy than it should be. I only want Ethan. I think she meant it! That would explain why she gives me veiled looks and blushes every time I catch her eye while I settle into the chair Deli vacated for me, moving one over.

This is turning into the perfect evening. 

When my glass is empty, Kira offers me her juice, and I share it with her, using my straw while she uses hers. For some reason, my sister - moved to the other side of the table with Simon and Barn to make conversations easier - almost falls from her chair laughing. I have no idea why. 

"You can have the rest," Kira mutters, pretending not to see Delia and Simon's amusement.

"Told you it's fun," Dell tells Kira and when I glance at Kira for a clue where this conversation comes from, she is passionately eating the last of her sub, effectively hiding her face in the wrapping. "You might have some romantic fibres after all."

Jet joins us with Akari in tow and offers the girl the sub Barn had fought all his natural impulses not to devour along with the two he already had.

"Just a small piece would be lovely, thanks," she smiles, and we all watch with avid interest while Jet acts like a gentleman. He doesn't just tear off a piece of his sandwich. No, he carefully separates a section - paper and all - using a blade from the small multi-tool set on his keychain. It's not an easy task because that blade was designed to be used by gnomes living in mushrooms, but he manages. When he hands Akari the piece and discovers all of us gaping at him, he cocks an eyebrow in that cheeky way only he is capable of.

"What?!"

We all mumble something dismissive and pretend that we weren't just staring at him. It's nice to get to know Akari. Very informative. According to her, she was told to attend the dance and get to know the locals better as part of networking for her parent's company, and Jet is helping her. I'm not sure what kind of business connections she could make at this illustrious affair. I also cannot imagine Jet being helpful.

I'm glad Akari is here. She's keeping Jet from saying leery things to my girlfriend, avoiding a punch-up. I've seen him give Kira a few narrow-eyed looks, but he is keeping his mouth shut, except when he's smirking at me. He knows that I'm freaked out about how awesome Kira looks tonight and all the appreciative looks she's getting from other guys, and he is burning to mess with me. I don't think Kira has noticed any of it yet. She's too busy coping with being here. 

She's doing great.

When we're done eating, I pass around the extra serviettes from my tray and grin, seeing Delia clean Simon's face and plant a kiss on his mouth. I think he won't be swapped for Archer after all.

"And to think that twenty minutes ago you were trying to create a harem," Kira tells Delia and if I hadn't heard their conversation earlier, I would have been as confused as all the others, giving my sister weird looks.

"She was trying to create what?" Simon wants to know, but Kira just smiles at him, leaving her remark floating in the air, the little minx.

"Do you want me to spill your secrets too?" Delia threatens, and I so want to hear Kicks' secrets, but she giggles, leaps to her feet and grabs my hand.

"Let's dance, Ethy!"

During one of Hunter's visits a couple of years ago, he taught Kira, Delia and me how to dance, stuff like shuffle and two-step. Delia was his partner, and Kira was mine... I insisted. There was no way I was going to let my handsome, hunky cousin dance with Kira. She objected fiercely at first, but when she realised that dancing with Delia would not be one of the options, she settled for me.

She definitely couldn't get past her shyness to dance with Hunter. Kira has always had a crush on him. It's annoying, but it's the same kind of crush I have on Yvette, so I'm just going to have to live with it. They're the kind of crushes we'll never act on because it's not true love. It's just admiration.

Since that day, I've loved dancing with Kira. I grab her whenever a good song is playing, and she's in the vicinity. Though she always protests and tries to run away, she eventually allows me to steer her around whatever floor we're dancing on because she secretly loves it too. I know because she giggled the same way she giggles now while we swirl over the dance floor, and I pick her up whenever she is in danger of getting her toes stepped on by me or other dancers.

Kira is the only girl I ever danced with like this. The only one I want to dance with.

We dance and dance until we're both breathless and thirsty. Kira's joy at being in my arms, going through the few steps we know, makes a liar of her objections earlier today when she told Burlap she wasn't going to dance with me.

When it's time to take a break, I steer her to an area of the dance floor where there's less light. She looks up at me breathless and expectantly, her eyes dark and sparkling in the gloom while I run my fingers through her hair, enjoying the softness of what's left of her soft curls.

"Kicks," I whisper, my voice stolen when she rises on tip-toes, reaching up to draw my head to hers. Lowering my hands to her back, I pull her against me and close my lips over hers in a kiss filled with sweet fairy lights and tender promises.

I only want Ethan... I think it might have been the truth.

♂♀