Leaf's Story

Leaf walked over to the female she had seen and smiled. "Hey, I'm Leaf." She sat beside her leaving one seat in between the two for space. "I never seen you around here before. Did you just move into town?"

The bar was kind of loud tonight and chaos was everywhere, but being used to it, Leaf hadn't paid it any attention.

Kristina turned her head so she could get a good look at the person who had addressed her. " Hello," she said easily, unbothered that a stranger was speaking to her. " I'm Kristina and yes, actually, I just got myself settled in my new place and thought I'd go out for a drink." A loud, cheerful shout drew her eyes away from the woman, Leaf, for a moment before returning to her. " What about you? Are you a regular around here?" here she raised a light-skinned hand to gesture at the rest of the bar, blue-green eyes waiting patiently for a response.

She thought, it must be her eyes. Both light and dark, they were mesmerizing and held Kristina's attention. It was habit for her to look someone in the eye while speaking, showing respect toward the other as well as respecting herself by being attentive.

"A regular is right, I suppose. I've been here since..." She paused to think and realizing she'd been in this place for more than six hundred years, she shrugged. "Let's say I've been here a few years." She smiled bearing white teeth, her canines sharp as if she had never eaten anything that would dull them down. "What made you settle down here?"

The bartender came over looking at the new girl and he smirked. "Careful," he whispered to Kristina, "she likes the newbies."

Leaf rolled her eyes and cleared her throat. "Get the girl a drink and shut up. Put it on my tab."

"You never pay your tab," he went serious.

"I do, you just don't realize it because barney takes my money off the counter." She laughed and winked at him and put her eyes on Kristina again. "Do you like it here so far?"

Kristina nodded, " I had a few places in my old town like that." She couldn't help staring at the other girl's teeth. They were so white and sharp, like a vampire almost, but not like 'fangs' in the slightest. She blinked as she realized Leaf had asked a question, only catching the tail end. " Well, it's a fresh start," Kris answered honestly, " I get away from my parents and everyone else while being more independent and self-reliant."

She turned her head as the bartender came over, her eyes curious. " Careful, she likes the newbies." He whispered, causing Kristina's eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. " W-what?" She stuttered quietly as Leaf spoke, telling the man to get Kris a drink and shut up. They had a small discussion, if it could be called that, which allowed the blonde to glance back over at the outspoken female who gave a laugh before talking again.

" Do you like it here so far?" Leaf asked, eyes on her as Kristina shrugged. " It's alright, I don't know many people though so it's hard to judge already."

She shifted forward in her seat, her hands on the table as she made sure not to break the eye contact. " What about you? Someone who's lived here for a while and hasn't left must think it's at least okay here, right?"

The bartender smirked and asked, "What do you want beautiful? On the house." Spoken to Kris.

Leaf turned to face the other company in the bar. Most people were arguing, others were stealing from others and she smiled. "I love it here. Then again, I love any place I go to. Just because they do what I like." She smiled more and looked her way once more. "You're pretty. Where'd you say you were from again?"

A guy threw a chair and it hit the bar, missing Leaf by a mere second and she didn't even flinch. Keeping her cool, she stood up and took a breath. "I'll get 'em another time." She sat down watching everyone, her eyes were shifting into multiple colors and she couldn't hide it.

" A rum and coke, please?" She asked easily, her eyes amused as she watched Leaf glance around the bar. The smile that cross her lips showed her answer before she even spoke, growing wider as she looked back at Kristina. The blonde faltered for a moment, surprised at the compliment.

" Thank you," she murmured, feeling a little self-conscious before continuing, " I'm from a tiny town in California. The most boring place, I'm sure--" Kristina was started out of speaking as a chair flew by and barely miss Leaf, Kris' blue-green eyes widening as she turned her head to see where it had come from but then looked back at Leaf. " Are you okay? It didn't hit you did it?" She trailed off as she caught sight of the colours in the mysterious girl's eyes, every shade seemed to be hiding within their depths. It was hard to not be drawn in, they were so unique. Lovely.

She nodded. "It missed by millimeters." She smiled watching her and moved over one seat. She wasn't the nervous kind of person and so everything she did was out of the blue. No thought, no fear. "Don't thank me for my compliments though, it's useless since there are more to come." She bit her lip in a way of holding back her book of compliments and the bartender slid the drink down and handled another customer.

Leaf wanted to kiss Kris' lips, but for once she kept that move on hold. "Why?" She asked her with a lost stare. "Why are you so-"

"Leaf!" Someone yelled out. "Leaf git your ass out here!" The voice was a female's, but she was obviously in anger as she kept calling out to Leaf.

"Leaf this, Leaf that..." She sighed and kissed Kris' cheek. "If I don't come back after this, it means I went home. If you-"

"Leaf!"

"Shut the hell up! I'm coming!" She kept a small smile on her face never letting her eyes wander from Kris. "If you need me, just think of me and I won't be too far away." She dropped a small locket and ran out leaving her jacket on the rack by the door- black with red stitching.

The female that had been calling her kept yelling and screaming. She was going on and on about Leaf's actions. "You don't get it! You don't understand! You hurt me! You hurt my sister and cousins! How could you!?" The female was furious and Leaf hadn't said a word, just stood there watching her. "Speak! Say something! Don't just stand there like you've no idea!"

" Good," Kris sighed, clearly relieved. To say she was surprised, as Leaf moved over into the empty seat that had been between the two, was an understatement. Though, far from unwelcome. She found herself enjoying Leaf's company as the bartender placed her drink down in front of her. Kristina didn't look away as she murmured a thanks, a small smile on her lips that disappeared as, with an eyebrow raised in amusement, she took a sip of the beverage. It was nice and cold, a change from the warmth of many people's body heat in the bar and her body seemed to soak it up as though it was parched. She hadn't known how to respond to Leaf about the compliments and had sipped her drink to keep from blurting anything that might, and most likely would, embarrass herself.

She was confused a moment later though. " Why?" Leaf had asked, " Why are you so-" Kristina never found out what she'd been about to say as someone shouted for Leaf. Feminine and obviously angry; Kris couldn't help the sliver of worry that found itself a place in her eyes as she wondered, had Leaf gotten herself into a bad situation with someone? Leaf's lips lightly pressed against her cheek, her smile never fading as she kept eye contact with Kris.

" What's going on, Leaf?" Kris asked softly but she didn't think the girl had heard her as she rushed out of the bar, dropping a locket on the table and grabbing her jacket as she did.

She finished her drink quickly, staring at the necklace on the table. Kris found herself glancing to the door, more than once, as she sipped her drink. She wasn't even taking her time with it as it was soon gone. The bartender came back and, with his smirk still in place, silently replaced her empty glass with another full one. " Enjoy," he said easily, as he wiped the counter in front of her. Kristina inclined her head, " Thanks again," she said as she held the glass up as though to clink glasses but changed direction and took a gulp. This one was stronger than the last, she almost preferred it since the comforting company was gone.

Leaf was tired of the female and finally noticed the surrounding crowd around them. "You need to just leave me alone. It wasn't a one-time thing and you all know about each other. You people know I get around so you tell me what makes you think you were so special?"

The girl held embarrassment in her face, her body was shaking and Leaf walked into the bar. "Kristina?" She looked at her and waved her over. "Kristina come out here please?" She wasn't begging, but more asking. She was being nice. Something she was definitely not known for, but she smiled as she spoke.

Waiting for Kris she went back out and asked the girl, "Why does it matter who I sleep with? I have no parents. Why does it matter that it was your family? You have no control over their bodies. In fact, I loved their bodies. So smooth, so sleek, but I don't do that anymore." She grinned watching as the girl kept looking at her.

"You are just ... just a whore!"

"So!" She laughed. "But not anymore. I have a lady I like. Her name's Kris."

The female started laughing and shook her head. "Yeah, okay."

Kris looked up at the sound of Leaf's voice calling her, the taller girl was waving her over. She nodded and stood, walking through the bar to the door and outside.

She stepped down onto the few stairs and leaned against the cold metal railing. She was glad she wore jeans and a long sleeved top, granted it was off-the-shoulder but it kept her warm in the chilly air outside. " Leaf?" Kristina asked, her eyes on the girl who seemed to dislike Leaf. Kristina felt anxious and a little fuzzy as the alcohol kicked in. Lightweight much?

Kris couldn't help but wonder, what was going on?

Taking Kris by the hand, Leaf would stand next to her. "She's my girlfriend," she lied through her teeth to the other female. "I like her. I slept with you, but I haven't even hit on her yet. I had you in bed within minutes, which only makes you 'easy' and yet... I've only kissed her cheek and called her pretty. Now, if you will excuse me." She started walking toward the sidewalk with Kris' hand still in hers.

"Not so fast." The female cleared her throat. "You," she pointed to Kris, "are you really her girlfriend? If so, prove it."

Leaf didn't expect that to be said and she looked at Kris and then her own reflection in a nearby car parked close enough.

Kris felt her anxiety melt as Leaf took her hand, even while knowing that it had every right to shoot through the roof at this very moment. She followed the other girl easily but turned once she heard a throat being cleared, her eyes narrowing in annoyance now.

" Why should I have to 'prove' anything to you?" Kristina asked, her tone cool although cautious. " If you can't recognize the truth for what it is then why waste the time," she turned to Leaf, giving her a long and meaningful look in her eyes that clearly asked her to explain later, " Come on, let's go." As she spoke she motioned her head away from the other girl. Speaking of, if she wasn't pleased well... Kristina would fix that pretty quickly though, her eyes darted from the one girl then to Leaf, she didn't know how Leaf would take it.

Best case scenario; she'd be alright about it.

Worst case... Kristina would get smacked.. or whatever else.

Leaf smiled more as Kris was on her side. Her face was flushed with a hint of pink and it made her giggle. "See?" She said to the female. "Mine." She held her hand tight, but not hurting her and she kissed it gently trying to get away from the girl and into her car.

Reaching the car without being followed she opened the Jaguar's door for Kris. "Thanks. No one usually stays on my side." Her eyes were lost and the color was changing again into a rainbow of every color. "You are... so... sweet." She giggled again and got into the Jaguar on the driver's side, pushing the button for it to start and drove off out of the parking lot.

"Where do I take you," she remembered the look of wanting an explanation, but was nervous to explain what the situation was about.

Kristina kept silent as she walked away from the girl, Leaf's hand holding her own. She held her head up and refused to look at the one girl, keeping up the act of being annoyed that it was so impossible to believe they were in a relationship.

They reached the car in what felt like one-hundred years, it honestly felt like a long time with the feeling of eyes boring into the back of her head for part of the short walk. She smiled as Leaf held the door of the car open for her, " Thanks," she murmured as she slid into the vehicle and positioned herself on the seat comfortably. Kris looked over as Leaf got into the driver's side and started the car. They were out of the parking lot in seconds and it was another few moments before Leaf broke the silence that had come over them.

" My apartment is a few blocks over," Kristina said easily as she turned her pale eyes to stare fully at Leaf. " So, what was that?" She asked, her tone nervous as her left eyebrow went up. She wasn't sure if she really wanted an answer or not but, why the heck not..? Her curiousity was definitely getting the better of her as she stared at the puzzling young woman she had met.

After the question was asked she drove a bit faster, speeding up every minute passing the apartment in seconds. "She was a girl I slept with." She said plainly and held her stomach as it grew into knots. "I slept around with a lot of women. Well, young girls, women, men. It's all the same to me." She didn't know what else to say. She was at a loss in her own mind speeding up faster and faster. "I didn't like them though," she admitted in a stern and steady voice. "I don't like them now either. I like you."

As she said that, she made a sharp right turn. The rubber wheels screeching like screaming women and her eyes squinted to see the turn better. "I like you... a lot." She laughed and looked at her after the turn was through. "It might seem stupid cause we've known each other for about an hour now, but I haven't tried to get you in bed yet and most women I can get into bed within ten minutes of meeting them." She spoke proudly of the accomplishments and then stopped the car in front of her apartment after a few more turns and a lot less speed.

"No," she said instantly, "I'm not lying. I don't lie. I have no reason to lie to someone who barely knows me." She turned and looked at Kris quietly and whispered, "I didn't lie when I said I liked you either."

She turned the car off and turned to face her completely. Her mind was blank as to what to say next, but her body didn't want her to leave just yet. "I'm sorry. I mean, I like who I am, but in all honesty, I have never... liked anyone else." She laughed. "Everyone dislikes me here, except a few. I cause trouble and I like to cause trouble. I could lie to you, I could lie to them, but what's my motivation?"

Kristina was quite taken aback by Leaf, nearly shocked into silence but.. Not. She had too much to say even as her wide eyes stared at the other girl, her blunt honesty confusing the blonde. Kristina lost the words she had held in her mind as Leaf continued and she listened quietly until she was finished speaking.

" There's no point in lying," Kris murmured after a few moments of silence. " Which is why I believe you. Like you said, there's no reason to lie to someone who barely knows you or vice versa." She tilted her head, her expression thoughtful.

She smiled and looked down at her glove compartment as if it held the answer to her life's questions. By ten seconds she was looking about the car's interior. "You know, you don't have to stay in here. I don't know what to say next, so I won't say much, but... I don't mind if you stay."

She swallowed a gulp of words that wouldn't have made sense to anyone but herself and pushed her reddish hair back. "Unless..." she said sudden, looking at the clock- 7pm sharp-, "you'd like to go for dinner? With me?" She awaited an answer as nerve-wracking as she sounded.

Kristina gave a small smile, perhaps a bit shy, as she nodded at Leaf.

" I'd like that," she said softly, her eyes on the redhead. She sounded all calm about it but Kris actually felt nervous and excited all at once. How confusing... " Where to?"

"Great," she said calmly as on the inside she was screaming in excitement. 'YES! SHE SAID YES!' she thought to herself and started the car again with a wide smile. "It depends," she giggled, "what do you like to eat?"

Kris ducked her head, hiding the blush that she felt spread over her pale cheeks. She looked up with curious eyes, not exactly answering Leaf's question.

" Do you like Chinese food?"

She didn't know much about Leaf so she asked, she planned on asking more too. Kristina wanted to learn more about the lovely girl in the driver's seat.

"Chinese food? Yeah, I suppose I do. I never tried a lot, usually just the beef lo mein really." She drove a bit fast, but not as fast as earlier. "How about you?"

" It's good," Kristina replied with a light laugh, her eyes sparkling cheerfully. " You should try more things, OOH! Like sushi!" Her voice turned to that of one who adored the food. " You have got to try some, okay?" She was speaking quickly, excited, as she looked over at Leaf.

" What do you like best?" Kris asked, suddenly curious.

Laughing at her excitement she smiled widely and turned to her as she approached the driveway of an all you can eat buffet. "Yes, I will try some. I promise," she said giggling. "What do I like best?"

She parked the car as she thought for a mere second and tapped her face with her index finger. "I like Lychee Fruit." She smiled. "It's found in Asia mainly, but stores have it here. It's a red fruit, has little bumps on it and it looks kind of creepy- if in another color I mean- inside its like... like... like peeling a grape. When you peel back the outside of the Lychee you get a beautiful, juicy, fruit. It's... It's great. Would you try it? You have to, I'm going to take you to China someday and you are going to try it."

She smiled giggling a blush in her cheeks.

Kris couldn't help the grin that spread over her lips, her pink lips pulling back enough to reveal her straight white teeth. " Great," she replied cheerfully, quite content to be with Leaf. The girl with reddish hair repeated Kris' question before answering, her response an explanation as she described the fruit she wanted Kristina to try.

" Would you try it? You have to, I'm going to take you to China someday and you are going to try it."

The blonde nodded, her smile never leaving her expression. " I'll definitely try it then," Kris said easily as she unbuckled her seatbelt and opened her car door. While Leaf had been thinking she had parked the car so Kristina took this as her turn to walk around the car and open the car door for the other, giggling girl. Her cheeks were a lovely shade of pink, perhaps a bit darker than Leaf's, as she held the car door for the girl.

" My lady," Kris said jokingly as she made a slight gesture as though to say 'after you'. She waited patiently while holding back giggles herself.