*Cringe* this chappy is a little…um…slushy! But remember – this was for Valentines Day so…its allowed right? Haha! Tell me what you honestly think – thankies! Oh and Kate – ur reviews rock! Do u know that! lol Luv Lou xxx

Chapter 9

Summoning the thoughts in her head, trying to piece together her feelings, her torment, she wondered what exactly she had done. The dim streets didn’t open their arms to warmth like she felt with Ben, instead just offered their crime fighting, cold, cruel hands and she was scared. With Ben she always felt secure, even when he wasn’t physically with her, the security brace kept her going, except now. She had someone then yet all she had now was herself, her friends.

Friends were always good, as they say; you can never have too many friends yet Hayley always wanted that partner, the one who made her feel special and with Ben, she never had to find another. However, that was torn apart like a shred of paper as what he was about to do was give back everything she ever gave. Just because of one kiss.

A kiss can ruin it all can’t it? Hayley said to herself. One meaningless kiss can stir enough emotion to tear down the walls of your stable relationship…

Did she want to give that up with out a fight?

Pulling her arms together, like a fusing atom, she followed the trail she knew so well which had been engraved in her mind. The breeze that was so little earlier had picked up harshly, carrying with it whatever wanted to be taken. Did she?

Shaking her head a briefly, trying to dislodge the bounding set of questions, she finally decided ultimately that she’d see what he had to say. If he was willing to put everything aside, make it up to her for all his wrong mistakes, then maybe bygones could be bygones and eventually her security, her blanket would return, the heat and love forever being kept. If not then… then it was over.

Stepping down the curb and crossing the deserted road, she pursued her way forward, knowing this was the moment. Taking a deep breath, she walked up the small flight of stairs to the little house, which she’d spent many summers at, sitting on his porch.

Progressing nearer the door, she pushed her hand forward to knock yet observed the door was already open, already disjointed. Feeling panic run through her veins, wondering if he was alright, she chained down her fear before urging herself ahead, the nightfall of the hall already setting like the sun had been stolen; now it slightly frightening her.

"Ben…" she managed to muster as she tried guiding herself through the twilight.

Feeling the handle of one of the doors, she opened it slowly before the soft light was a comfort for her mind. Stepping in and closing the door quietly, she looked around the place trying to take in the scenario.

The candles which had been placed sparingly were situated at every angle of the room while the red rose petals which had been sprinkled along trails of the floor, lay peacefully, like cupid had preserved them especially.

Placed on the side was a pin board, leaning up against a vase with a single red rose slipped in and as she neared closer, she noticed what the board held. Fond memories and Polaroid’s embedded the dull board, brightening it up like a fresh makeover so picking it up so she could examine it leniently, she smiled happily at what it exhibited.

Previous summers sprinkled their old rays back down on her, like a warm glow from a coal fire was lit in the room. Ben was happy there, as was she and as she treasured the day where she was crammed in a photo booth with him, the feelings which never seemed to be buried, returned instantly.

Placing it back down carefully, not wanting to shatter the relationship she knew could fall apart, she looked up to find Ben leaning against the doorframe, smiling slightly. Staring at him incessantly, his eyes admired her figure, her looks. He sometimes deliberated why he ever put that in jeopardy. How could he?

Looking down shyly, like it was a first date, she went to sit down on the soft furnishings, hoping her breath would regulate and her heart would falter. These feelings were too strong and maybe it was because she was giving it up? Could she give him up?

Glancing up to see whether he was stood there, he’d magically disappeared, resulting in her eyes scouring the place. She didn’t want him to go! She couldn’t let him go. She wanted him back… now.

Rising warily, she stepped forward, her suspicions growing each time he was gone. Where had he vanished? Moving to the doorframe where he once stood, she looked through into the kitchen before finding a note on the table. Acquiring it in her firm grasp, she read the riddle:

Play my game, and I hope you’ll see

Your worth to me is more then free.

Look high and low, up by the stairs,

The next clue will lie, for you to find.

Dropping the note and making her way towards the stairs, another note was placed on the first step where she grabbed it quickly, reading the next clue.

You’re still here which I’m glad to see,

I’d hate for you to go cos that wouldn’t please

What I have for you. A sorry, is not going to make it better

Cos what I did was wrong.

The next note is in my room,

My sacred place where you belong.

Almost running up the stairs, hoping to get closer to Ben after finalising the decision in her head at the trouble he’d gone to, she quickly entered the room where the note had instructed her to before another was discovered:

You’re still here, which I hope means

That another go is what we need.

Sorry cries in my soul, but love in my heart,

Walk to the garden, where our love can dance.

Trotting down the stairs, her heart jumping around excitedly, she gripped the paper in her hand, before bounding into the lounge, through the kitchen to the double doors. As the net created a veil of privacy, she drew it back slowly to find tiny fairy lights like stars, webbing a maze of glory. Unfolding the doors, she stepped out, down the small step where Ben sat on a bench, his back facing her. Silently strolling over, Hayley covered his eyes with the palm of her hand, before snaking the other down, round his back.

"Guess who…" She whispered.

Feeling his face wrinkle into a broad smile, his hand moved up to hers before he entwined his fingers, her smile now exceeding his. Propelling her hand down freely like the wing of a plane, he rotated round before seeing her face.

"Happy Valentines Day," he wished before pulling her close, this kiss the loyal and truth of them all.