Sound of Madness

Demi closed her eyes and just sat there contently. a comfortable silence passed over them.

Julian just laughed light. "no idea. Just...drawing. Badly at that."

"You're a great artist, Julian, don't say that," Paris said.

Julian sighed and looked down at the page. "I guess I feel like I'm losing my skill. The last outstanding picture i drew was of you."

"It was outstanding," Paris agreed. "...maybe you're just overworking yourself? You should take a break."

"maybe I am." Julian sighed and put sketch pad down. He wanted to tell her right now, but something inside him told him he couldn't. He couldn't ruin their friendship.

Paris bit her lip, studying Julian's face. "Is something on your mind?"

"Umm...yeah actually. Paris...if I tell you something promise not to flip out o anything?" Julian asked nervously.

Paris raised an eyebrow. "You're gay...aren't you?" That was the first thing that she could think of, though it didn't make all that much sense.

"no, not gay. I just...I really like you. More than just friends." Julian stuttered softly. He looked at his pencil stained hands and sighed.

Paris bit her lip and nodded. "I like you, too...we went over this already, didn't we? But you think our friendship's more important -- I respect that."

"I know...but at the same time I feel conflicted. I just...lately I can't get you out of my mind. It's distracting. I can't think clearly, can't draw, and I can't escape it." Julian's voice trembled as he spoke. Ge couldn't believe he was saying this to her.

Paris knelt down in front of him since he was sitting and looked into his eyes. "Julian...it's okay... I've been feeling the same way. But it'll fade, eventually. Eventually we'll go back to looking at each other as just friends. Probably because we'll meet other people..it'll be okay."

Julian reached to her and brushed her hair back. "I dont....I just...." It was so hard for her to say and do what he wanted to. He wanted to kiss her right now and hold her in his arms.

Paris raised her eyebrows at him. "Julian. Make up your mind."

Julian pressed his lips onto hers, unable to stop himself. He wrapped his arms around her, one hand on the small of her back and the other one tangled in her hair.

A little 'oh' noise escaped Paris' lips when he did that, as she got caught up in the kiss. It was wonderful. She'd dreamed about kissing Julian for far too long.

Julian held her closer to him and slowly pulled away. He looked at her face with some hope for an aproval. "Lemme guess...I screwed up?" He said softly.

Paris smiled gently at him, her eyelids half closed. "No, you did just fine, lover."

Julian wondered if this was a good desision. He kept his arms looped around her. "Good." He smiled as she called him lover. He knew it was a nickname, but it still felt good.

Paris giggled to herself, pushing her hair behind her ear and looking at him shyly. "Want to know a secret?"

"Sure." Julian smiled up to her warmly. He wanted to hear whatever she wanted to say. He was just glad she wasnt pushing him away.

"That was my first kiss," Paris said, biting her lip. So hopefully she hadn't messed it up. She'd actually been /saving/ her first kiss for Julian, since she'd started liking him.

"Oh....well sorry if you didnt want it to be me." Julian muttered softly. It was his as well, and he hadnt know until the moment they kissed that he was saving it for her.

Paris' smile widened. "I was /saving/ it for you, Julian. I absolutely wanted to give it to you."

Julian smiled to her and brushed back her hair again. "Good. because I was going to take it no matter what. I've....I've wanted that for a while now. Remember the dance a couple years ago at that dance? I was going to ask you to, but was to shy. from that moment on i wanted to kiss you."