The Deep Spark by KttySaysRawr (recommended ebook reader .txt) 📕

her aristocratic English ancestors. Her hair was a natural pale blonde, a fact that only made her seem more like a vengeful angel whenever she got angry. She had come from London only four years ago, only a month before Justin had arrived from rural Scotland. Biannual visits to their native countries kept their accents fresh though.
The two had always had a hate-love friendship with an electric chemistry causing them to fight more usual than normal. It had been only last year that they had finally accepted fate and gotten together. Now, they were the symbol of a happy, playful and very attractive couple.
Althea stifled a sigh. How she wished her love problems were as easy to solve as theirs had been. Of course, love was never easy for Greeks.
Throughout the moderately short car ride, she remained an observer to the animated conversations. She sensed Kurt's worry for her silence and whenever he looked over at her with a question in his eyes, she just smiled and squeezed his hand.
Once they arrived at their high school, they all rushed to the football field and quickly claimed seats in the bleachers. Although the amount of high school seniors in their high school was small enough this year to have the graduation held at the school, the amount of attendees would quickly overfill the bleachers.
Once the ceremony started, Althea tried to absorb the excitement of the event but when she cheered for Sydney, her yells of encouragement sounded forced to even her own ears. The two hours were a blur in her memory, the band being a dull sound with the crowd a muted mumbling in the back of her conscience. She only saw one thing, something that made her heart stop.
Once she had spotted James in his white graduation gown with multiple sashes over it, she only had eyes for him. Her gaze greedily ate up his appearance and began to memorize what his smile looked like, what his distant laughter sounded like.
She had a feeling that after this, especially after they talked, their friendship would come to a standstill.
All of a sudden, Kurt was pulling her up by the elbow, mumbling in her ear. "...before Syd leaves." Absently she nodded, remembering that pictures were to be taken with Sydney to commemorate the momentous occasion.
Luckily, the pictures had only taken ten minutes. Mel and Sydney's parents were impatient to take their eldest away for a personal family celebration and after farewells were made, the rest of the group began to walk around to congratulate others.
"Kurt, I gotta go to the restroom." He turned around, excusing himself from the current pair of graduates they were talking with, an offer to accompany her ready on his lips. "I'll go by myself, it's not like anything will happen." She smiled and rushed away, pushing her way through the crowd.
When she reached the bathroom, to say that she was slightly surprised was putting it mildly. James was already there, reclined on the wall, looking completely at ease. She couldn’t help but wonder how he would act during their conversation.

CHAPTER 6

Althea approached the graduate cautiously, trying to get a hold on her emotions as well as her heart. He didn't notice her at first, so she touched his arm, the contact sending electricity through her body. "Hey." She forced the word from her now dry throat.
James turned to her and she froze. His eyes were dead, dull, and he looked like he hadn't slept for days. "You wanted to talk?" He sounded bored and like he wanted to be anywhere else.
Althea cleared her throat and nodded. "I just... I want an explanation, James." She said, standing up straight and holding her head up.
James cocked an eyebrow. "For what?" His voice dripped sarcasm. Althea wanted to scream and punch him.
"For not talking to me for the past couple weeks. After that kiss, James, you wouldn't even look at me." She tried to keep her voice steady but mentally kicked herself when it cracked some.
James sighed and rolled his eyes. "You're a smart girl, Althea. Figure it out." James made a move to leave, but Althea grabbed him by the elbow.
"No! I can't figure out why you won't talk to me. Did I do something? Or are you just so sadistic as to lead your best friend on like that!?" James gave her a look, confirming that the latter suggestion was the correct answer. Althea dropped her hand, feeling like the touch of his skin was colder than ice. "Then you are the biggest asshole I've ever met," she whispered.
James' eyes widened and turned to face her. "Me!? At least I'm not running around and kissing any person I can find that's available!"
Althea felt like she had been slapped. "E-excuse me? Mister Flirt with Everything that Has Boobs?" Her hand twitched as she talked, and she clenched it to keep from hitting him.
James let out a sarcastic laugh. "Just like you, Althea; make everyone else seem like a worse person."
Althea let out an aggravated sigh. "Why are you turning this on me? We wouldn't have this problem if you weren't a sick, sadistic child. Why would you do that to me?" Althea held back the tears in her eyes, waiting for an answer.
James turned away. "Because you deserve better."
She blinked. "What?"
"Althea!" She turned and saw Kurt advancing. James stood taller as Kurt approached and Althea felt a testosterone war about to rage. "What are you doing with him?" Kurt slid a protective arm around her waist and Althea searched for words.
"I think it's better to ask why she's with you." James growled.
Kurt shot him a warning glance. "You're the one at fault here, James. I suggest you leave before something bad happens."
"Something bad happened when you came along." James replied with a sneer.
Kurt let go of Althea and stood closer to the graduate. "Leave. Now. You don't know how much you've hurt her, let alone care."
Althea saw a look of sadness wash over James' eyes, but it was quickly replaced with indifference. "You know nothing. Keep your head out of everyone's business." With that, James turned and left.
"James," she whispered. She choked on a sob, the tears in her eyes blurring James' retreating figure. She let out a hiccuped cry and covered her face with her hands. She leaned back against the wall, struggling to keep the sobs inside.
She heard Kurt's footsteps come closer and then he was sliding his arms around her, guiding her head to his shoulder. "Shh, shh," he cooed. He rubbed her back soothingly as the tears started to fall ever faster. "Don't cry over him, he doesn't deserve you," he mumbled against her hair.
"He was m-my best friend." She wrapped her arms around Kurt, needing something to hold to. "My everything! How can he j-ju-just do this?" She buried her head in his shoulder, not stopping the pain-filled cries that escaped her.
His arms left her and his hands cupped her face. He tilted her head up and wiped her tears away with his thumbs. "I'll admit that I don't know everything, but I'm willing to listen." She opened her mouth to talk but he shook his head. "Listen to me. I care about you Althea, more than I've ever cared about anyone. I have a feeling that James was more than a friend to you and I'm willing to help you get over him." He gave a playful grin. "And if you fall for me along the way, well I can't help it."

CHAPTER 7
2008 - Seven Years Later

"Ohh, look over here girl!" The dirty blonde dragged her friend over to another section of roses, unheeding of the protests.
"Mel, I can't even tell the difference between this bouquet and the next."
"Oh Althea, this one is so much more colorful!"
"It's a flower shop!" She laughed. "I don't think flowers can be dull." She fingered a group of lilies in the corner, a flower that was being shadowed by the splendor of the roses.
"Y'know the Greeks say that Persephone was picking lilies when Hades abducted her?" The sixteen year old held up the flower to her, tickling her nose with it.
She giggled and placed the flower in her hair. "I never liked that story. Hades was so mean to take her away."
"I dunno, I mean I get him." He stuffed his hands in his jeans as they kept walking around the park. "Who wouldn't want to have their own personal sunshine?" He grinned flirtatiously at her, making her heart skip.
She smiled back. "Oh James."

"Oh James," she whispered. She cleared her throat and poked her friend. "I like these Mel."
She made a face once she saw her choice. "Thought you said flowers couldn't be dull."
"They are not!"
"Are too!"
"Nu-uh!"
"Uh-huh!"
"Girls!" The best friends clenched their mouths shut at the irritated British accent. "We've been here for two hours. Picking flowers isn't so bloody difficult."
"Jeez, someone's cranky." Althea grinned at the loudly mumbled remark as she walked over to the counter.
"I'm pregnant and all these smells are an absolute assault."
"Two months, Janise. Two!"
"I'd like to see you pregnant. Oh, you're going to be horrid to your husband." With a sniff, the tall blonde strode over to the counter and sighed. "We are almost done, aren't we?"
She laughed. "Don't you remember how 'absolutely dreadful' wedding preparations are?" Mocking her friend, she exaggerated a London accent.
"Precisely why I told you to have a small one."
"Your wedding is in June, right ma'am?" Althea nodded and looked in her purse for her wallet. "We'll be able to have the flowers ready with no problem."
"Thank you," she mumbled. Finishing the check, she handed it over to the teenage cashier and stuffed the receipt back in her wallet.
"We done, yes?" Mel walked up to them with a red rose in her teeth, her mischievous eyes twinkling.
"Yes, and now we're going to Wendy's." Briskly walking to the exit, she threw over her shoulder, "Put that rose back."
Tiredly, the trio of friends got into Mel's pick-up. As she revved the old car into life, Janise coughed. "I think I should tell you something I heard around town."
"You talkin' to me?" Mel bit her lip and hooted as the engine began to purr. "'Cuz if so, I can't speak while I drive."
"We know," she deadpanned. She looked in the rear-view mirror and smiled as she met Althea's attentive gaze. "Someone's back in town."
She scrunched her