Hysteria Among the Female Population

(Later, when Fred and Kayla are friends and have gotten over the whole dating idea, sort of.)

Kayla looked over at Fred sitting on her living room couch. She was still amazed that he asked her to be his girlfriend. She wondered if he still felt anything toward her or if he understood and just wanted to be friends. Maybe there was something wrong with Kayla for wanting to be single.

It probably helped that Fred was so outgoing and forward, unlike her. He'd been so goofy right from the start that she felt comfortable around him.

"What?" he said, catching her staring.

"Nothing." She looked away as her cheeks turned red.

Fred scooted down the couch and rested his head on her shoulder. "Pet me, love," he said, snuggling into her.

She laughed and ran her fingers through his messy hair. "So, what are we doing tonight?"

He sat up. "Well, there's this party at Jizzy's place. We don't have to stay there the whole time. Maybe just make an appearance. We could head over there later?"

Cheyenne was probably going to be there with Eric and she didn't want her friends finding out about Fred yet. It wasn't now an issue that they were a sort-of couple. Kayla knew they were just going to be friends. But for some reason, she wanted to keep Fred a secret.

"I don't go to parties," she said, hoping that would be excuse enough not to attend.

"We won't stay long, i promise. You don't even have to lift a cup to your lips, i swear."

"Nah. I don't think i want to go."

The grin slid away. "Something wrong, Kayla?"

"No. Why?"

Brow furrowed, he rubbed his bottom lip with is index finger, thinking. "You know, now that i think about it, you talk me out of going out where we'll be seen."

Did he know she was keeping him a secret?

"Well, i'm just a very... different person."

"Bullshit," he said softly. "Tell me the truth."

"Uh..."

He crossed his arms over his chest, kicking one leg over the other knee, waiting. "Is it because i'm so handsome? You're afraid of mass hysteria among the female population?"

She giggled nervously. At least he was still joking with her. That was a good sign except, something told her when she admitted the truth, he wouldn't be in the joking mood any longer.