[OPEN] Oh the humanity!What a life for the Ghost

The ring had been cool metal when Kade gave it to the girl sitting directly in front of him. Cool, unfeeling metal--shimmering, beautiful but also cruel. Just a trinket for men richer than he to play with, to loose, to sell. Never to appreciate. When Saph gave it back to him though, the ring was warm with tender feelings. He was shocked by how well the two complimented each other, the ring and the girl. For a moment the young lad was tempted to screw it all and just give her the ring. Perhaps place it on her left-hand ring-finger.

Ridiculous! The very idea of giving her the ring, in exchange for Saph herself was a mad mans thought. Kade simply, sadly shook his head. He had certainly never claimed to be sane, and in that one moment the Warren boy was ready to go crazy. His fingers wrapped around the glinting metal until it was held snugly in a fist. He hesitantly placed it back in his pocket, and purged his mind of wild ideas and romantic notions.

Kade did not speak one word for a little while, just smiled happily while his eyes filmed over and dust collected, a sure sign he was paying absolutely no attention to what Sapphire was saying to him. Comprehension finally dawned on his face and he shook his head and his smile brightened. "Oh, hey thanks!" he exclaimed, and lightly touched her shoulder. At big, official meetings Kade usually shook hands with amorous people, but shaking hands with the girl he was beginning to like as more than just a pretty jewel didn't seem right, now did it? Why that would be almost as bad as leaning across the table and kissing a young, innocent girl who did not know any better.

Kade turned away, his chair made loud, ugly noises as it scooted across the floor. It even left a black mark tracing its path. A waiter gave Kade the evil eye, which only served to heighten his uncomfortable feelings. What time was it? He had about fifty minutes to get to his appointment. It was a fifteen minute walk. He should leave now, what if there was... there was traffic! The boy clawed at straws as his logic caught up with the rest of him. Kade was no good with women, this was just a girl! How old could she be, thirteen? Maybe even eleven. The greater part of his mind realized their age difference wasn't so huge and she was a responsible, intelligent looking person. Still, nervous as could be, he stood up and swiped his coffee from the table. Ghost sputtered, incapable of even telling her where he was going. Where was he going? Ghost could not even get his feet to work properly, they rebelliously refused to carry him far, far away from where he stood now.

Firstly, Kade blamed himself for what was happening now, followed closely in second place he blamed the universe. The thought that Saph might feel guilty had not even occurred to him yet, and if it had he certainly would have tried to comfort her. She was gentle and innocent, she was not the older boy trying to steal away a harmless teenage girl. She was not the older, wiser one who should know better. How could he blame her for anything?

Now his reasons for blaming the universe were slightly more complex. Ghost was being taken on a memory-trip back to the days when he was young and in love, before his girl friend had decided to leave him an empty shell of the talented, laughing artist he once was. Now he was timid and nervous, but that was obvious, wasn't it? Even in the emotionally confused state that he was in, a small part of the creators mind noticed the flashes of pain on her face. He almost reached out to pat her on the cheek, even had to bite back words of comfort and endearment. It would be cruel of him to lead a girl on, only to abandon her for his work, family, friends--whatever excuse his head made up.

He was not his former love, she had left him with nothing to go on except the ages-old Its not you, its me excuse. If he was going to walk out of this coffee shop now and avoid ever seeing her again, Kade wanted to give her an excuse for doing so. Its not you, its your... age? No, no, no! That would not do. Neither would anything else. He stared at her helplessly, feeling like the worlds worst villain and a victim of the universe's scorn all at once. This could not be happening.

He could not be so partial to Saph when he scarcely knew enough about her to write a paragraph on her. And truth be told, Saph only knew what he did for a living, not who he was. But still his mind screamed at Kade. He did know her. She was brave in an understated, gentle way. Her eyes sparkled like diamonds. She was intelligent, but not just that--she was 'wise beyond her years.' Wise beyond his years too. So Ghost excused his own behavior, told himself he knew enough as he walked. He left his coffee on the table, half-empty. His steps were fast and precise, no sign of the natural klutz. Whatsoever.

Because after all, walking over to Saph was only a few steps away and he would not be pressing the coffee cup to his lips. He would be pressing his lips to hers.