Chapter 9~ I THINK YOUR GOING TO LIKE THIS CHAPTER..... (Im typing in all caps cause Im excited)

“Hey baby brother.” Rose said to the back of Austin’s head as she entered his room and sat on the bed. Austin was at his computer not facing Rose but she could clearly see his reflection on the screen.

“So I’m guessing if its only eleven people here tonight like I think, we can have the party in the basement. Dad said it’s fine and everyone can stay until midnight. I’ve already assured him that there will be no sex, drugs or drinking.”

“I thought mom and dad would be here tonight.”

“They will.” Rose continued “But they’ve been banned to their room. “Oh, I’m going to need you and Matt to move some furniture around in the basement. I wanted to ask Kiya to bring some music but I think she’s on a date with that guy."

After that last statement Rose looked at her brothers’ reflection. His eyebrow rose.

“I saw her with him last weekend”

“You did, I don’t think it serious but who knows.”

“Oh”

“Anyway, maybe I’ll send her a text.” Rose said as she got up from Austin’s bed and walked out of the room.

Was it serious? From what he had seen last week at the mall Austin didn’t think so.

~*~*~

At eight that night Kiya stood in a towel looking through her clothes. She finally settled on a simple fitted shirt that stopped an inch above her jeans. She would dress it up with sliver bangles, large hoop earrings and silver peek toe wedges. After giving herself one final look in the mirror she grabbed her coat and headed to Jo Jo’s room.

“I’m going out for a little while. If you need me call my cell okay.”

“Okay, when are you coming back?” Jo Jo asked.

“You’ll be sleeping when I get back but call me if you need anything.” Kiya said as she stood up and walked out his room.

From the top of the basement steps she heard her father moving around. “I’m leaving.” Kiya yelled down the flight of stairs.

“Where are you going again?” Kiya’s father asked as he appeared at the bottom of the steps.

“To some friends house, I’ll be home around midnight.” Kiya said in what she hoped was a calm voice. She hated having to explain anything to her father. She considered them more roommate then parent and child.

Her father was quiet for a moment before saying “Midnight, and not a moment longer Kiya.”

Giving him a fake smile Kiya turned and walked away, wondering if he would care if she didn’t come home at all. Yeah he would. Because then there, would be no one to watch his kids. Shaking the thought out of her mind Kiya walked to her car. This was supposed to be a happy day. She was going to see friends to celebrate a victory and she had good news to tell Austin.

Twenty minutes later she arrived at the McKee house. She rung the door bell once and Mr. McKee answered.

“Kiya.” Mr. McKee said as he stepped back to let her in. “I was told I'm only allowed to say hello and to tell you the party is in the basement. Have fun.”

Kiya smiled genuinely “Not allowed to speak to anyone?”

“No my daughter only let me out of my cave for door duty.”

Kiya laughed as she walked down the basement steps. Only two lamps were on which just lit the basement. Looking around Kiya was sure she knew everyone by name. A couple of hockey players talked on the sofa, a couple of cheerleaders sitting with them, even Liam from debate was here. A radio played everything from rap to rock on a table next to snacks. She waved to Rose who was talking to Matt, Ashlee and another member of the hockey team before she spotted Austin leaning against a wall. He was talking to James who stood in front of him but he was looking at her.

Kiya walked over to where Austin stood with James. She couldn’t wait to tell him her good news.

“Hi.” She said while looking at Austin, a smile on her face.

“Hey” Austin replied a slight smile creeping on his face. He had been waiting all night for her to get here. She was smiling which he liked because to often she looked sad or mean.

Silence followed. It was obvious to all three that Kiya wanted a moment alone with Austin.

“I guess I’ll talk to you later.” James said before he walked away.

“Guess what?” Kiya said beaming up at Austin as James walked away “Wait before that . . . Good game Captain Austin. I heard you kicked Canadian ass.”

“Yeah, I’m a little surprised we won myself.” Austin said with a smile.

“Nowo on to me, guess what?” Not waiting for him to answer Kiya continued. “Friday I saw Mr. Green before I left for the day, he said he finished grading the pop quiz and I got a eighty-four. Can you believe that?"

“Congratulations.” Austin said. He was not surprised Kiya had done well on the pop quiz, they had been studying every day for weeks and she caught on quick enough.

For a brief moment Austin looked over Kiya’s head, turning slightly Kiya saw what had distracted him. Heather was staring at them with pure hate in her eyes.

“Am I keeping you from her?” How the hell had Kiya missed her?

For a moment Austin simply stared at Kiya “No”

“You don’t want Heather?” Kiya asked bluntly.

“No, she’s not who I want.” Austin’s voice had taken on a serious tone. Even in little light Kiya could see that his eyes had darkened to the color of a thunderstorm.

“I could help you get rid of her.”

“How?”

“Follow my lead.”

Kiya moved closer to Austin sliding her left foot into the space between his parted legs. The buckle of her belt was now pressed against the zipper of his jeans. Lifting her left hand she put it on the back of his neck drawing him closer to her. Their cheeks touched briefly, her lips so close to his ear he could feel her breath.

“Play along. Act like I’m telling you something you wanna hear.” Kiya whispered. Picking up on the song that played on the radio Kiya softly spoke the lyrics to Austin. On several occasions her lips would brush against his ears and she secretly smiled as she felt his intake of breath. Soon Austin’s hands were on her waist. His fingers on the exposed skin where her shirt did not meet her jeans. To anyone looking at them it was a very intimate scene and several pairs of eyes wondered what they were talking about.

As the song ended Kiya pulled back. “That should solve Heather.” Her voice still nothing more then a whisper.

Austin was still trying to register what had just happened. Why did Kiya care about Heather if she had just come back from a date? Was she playing some kind of game?

Austin was never one not to get answers to questions he had. “How was your date?”

Taking a step back, Kiya looked up at Austin. Two could play her game. With his hands still on her hip’s Austin turned Kiya so that her back was now against the wall. Austin stepped closer. They were now in a similar position as before. Austin leaned closer, bending his head, his hair concealing both their faces.

“Your date, how was it?” he asked lifting an eyebrow.

“It wasn’t a date. I just met him that one time at the mall last weekend. Nothing more nothing less.”

“It wasn’t a date?”

“No, I can meet anyone at the mall. It was nothing special.”

“So a date has to be something special?”

“It should be.” Kiya said. She wondered why she sounded breathless.

“So if I picked you up next weekend . . . ”

“Do you want to pick me up next weekend?” Kiya asked cutting him off.

“Yeah, I want to pick you up next weekend.”

“When?” Kiya asked looking into Austin’s eyes for the fist time, until then she had been concentrating on his shoulder.

“Be ready at seven.”

Kiya and Austin were so caught up in their own world that they neither saw nor heard; Rose squeal with delight; Matt’s arrogant smile; James’ look of astonishment; or Heather’s look of hate as they all watched the scene play out before them. Kiya didn't care she was enjoying the moment and so was Austin.

For the next hour Kiya and Austin didn’t leave each others side choosing to stand where they were and talk. Austin told her of the two college recruiters he met with after the game.

“It’s nothing serious yet, they just told me they would keep an eye out.”

“That’s good right?”

“I hope so, I should know what they think after we play the number two and three schools.”

Looking around Kiya noticed only a handful of kids remained in the basement. It must be getting late, picking up Austin’s wrist she looked at his watch. Great, I have twenty minutes to get home.

“I have to go.”

“I’ll walk you out.”

Kiya grabbed her coat and started up the stairs.

“Bye Kiya.” Rose yelled from the sofa she was sitting on

Waving to Rose and Matt, Kiya continued up the stairs.

She walked to her car which was parked on the street, Austin right behind her. As they neared her car Austin leaned in and opened the driver’s door. Kiya sat behind the steering wheel looking up at Austin, she knew because Austin had church and practice she would not see him until school.

“See you Monday.”

Smiling down at her Austin replied “Good night, Kiya. See you Monday.”

~*~*~

“I’m home.” Kiya said to the dark house as she entered it. From the quietness she knew everyone was fast asleep. There was no one waiting up to see if she made it home all right.

Just like old times. Kiya thought as she started up the steps to her room.

~*~*~

Back at the McKee house James walked over to Austin as they cleaned up from the party.

"Dude, what was that about?" James asked Austin

"What?"

"Heather was all over you until she came, you really want to be with her when you can have Heather?" James asked

"Her and She... you mean Kiya?" Austin asked. "Yeah, I would rather spend my time with Kiya then Heather."

"You’re stupid... it's Heather."

"How bout since your so interested in Heather you go after her and stay out of what I’m doing off the ice." Austin said as he turned away from James and walked up the basement steps to the kitchen leaving James to find his own way out of the house.

If you liked this chapter let me know (by reviewing)... Thanks to all who reviewed my last chapter :-) your the best.

Special Thanks to Bree for taking the time out to review my stories :-)

Now, I wanted to wait to post this (until next week) but I was to excited to hear what you had to say.

Take care,

Karla