(GT) Silly Little Secret - part 1

            Talia yawned. The day was dragging on for her and she glanced at her nails. “Oi. I wish Kara wouldn’t pester me about something I’ve already told her a million times. It was bad enough she kept me up all night; but nooo… She just HAD to paint my nails! It’s not my fault if she doesn’t believe me!” Talia couldn’t stand having her nails painted and would usually scratch it off, but her best friend used a special type of nail polish that won’t scratch off or fade for a week. At least no one was home to see it.

            Just then, Talia heard the front door open and close. “Crap! Cass is home!” And she dove under the bed.

            Cass walked in, tossing his hoodie on the bed. “Tal? You home?” He did a quick scan of the room before settling into a chair and turning on the T.V., being sure to keep it on mute. “I really should get started on that research my boss asked for, before he bumps the date up. Again. I’ll never understand why he does that to me…” But Cass didn’t move.

            Talia walked backwards under the bed. She had chosen one of the worst places to hide. But she couldn’t run to a different one because Cass would hear her. Instead, she turned to look for a book she thought she left behind yesterday when she snuck away from Nathan for some peace. Unfortunately, Talia had forgotten how dusty it was underneath the bed and she couldn’t hold back a sneeze.

            The tiny noise caught Cass’s attention and he turned to look at the bed. He was certain Talia wasn’t home, but that that was definitely her sneeze. He stood up from the chair and neared the bed. *If she’s not on top…* he grinned. *She’s underneath.*

            Dang it! Why must his hearing be so freakin’ amazing?! Talia watched as his feet came closer to her hiding spot. He DEFINITELY KNOWS. She took a slight step backwards. If she could just stay out of his reach, she might have a chance to escape.

            Cass always loved a game of hide-and-seek-tag, and Talia was the most challenging to find; or rather, catch. Even if he could find her, there was no guarantee he could he could tag her. “Let the games begin…” he rumbled, low and playful.

            Talia was doomed. When Cass wanted to play, there was no end until he’d caught you. “crap…” she mumbled, involuntarily from habit, and started running out from the other side.

            He heard her, and his grin broadened. She’s trying to make a break for it, going the other way. And Cass threw himself over the bed, just barely reaching the floor with his knuckles. He caught sight of Talia and grabbed for her, brushing her back with his fingertips and unbalancing her for a moment.

            Being as tired as she was, Talia knew she wouldn’t last long. But, as ridiculous as her reason was, she didn’t want Cass to see the brightly-colored polish that Kara used to seal her fate for the week. He would undoubtedly tease her for it.

            Talia made it to the dresser and quickly slid behind it. Cass launched from the bed and started after her. The dresser is easily moved~ He snickered. But he had no chance to do so, because as soon as he laid hands on it, Talia bolted between his feet and down the hall. Another reason she was so hard to catch; the human was fast, agile, and clever.

            Cass followed after her with one or two times of nearly-catching her. “Why’re you in such a rush? We’ve got all afternoon!” Entering the living room, he checked behind curtains and under furniture. “Ah-HA! THERE you are~!”

            Talia was cornered under the couch. She had not planned ahead of the bedroom, and blindly ran to a dead end. “N-Now Cass, I—” She squeaked as he pulled her from her shelter.

            “I caught you, fair-and-square, Tal. Tell me why you were hiding…” Cass had her by the leg and held her upside-down.

Talia crossed her arms in an attempt to hide her nails. She also wore an annoyed expression so as to disguise the fact she was hiding something. “I didn’t want to be bothered today, Cass. And I knew if you saw me, you’d want to chat.”

            Cass looked at her, both curious and worried. “Why? Did something happen?”

            “No. Nothing happened… I just… I’m just finding that I miss my alone time, sometimes. That’s all!” Talia wasn’t lying, she really did miss the quiet and alone time she would get only a few months ago. “I’m still not used to living with big, NOISY, giants. I barely get any time to myself anymore, with you and Nathan thundering in and out!” She started to feel bad. It’s just nail polish… No need to start a fight over it.

            Cass was shocked. He had no idea Talia was bothered by his presence. “I didn’t realize you missed being on your own…” Cass had thought they were rescuing her from a life on the streets and misery; apparently that was not so. His eyes were downcast and his expression was somewhat depressed.

            Talia felt her heart sink. “I-I do, BUT! I’m happy to be a part of this family! I know I could not ask for better brothers, Cass! Please don’t misunderstand…” She sighed, still hanging by her leg. The blood was beginning to rush to her head with all the moving she was doing. “Can I change positions? I’m getting light-headed.”

            Cass brought up his other hand, placing her on it.

            “Look, Cass.” Talia held up her hands, showing Cass the bright pink nail polish. “THIS is why I was hiding. Although I meant what I said, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Believe me.”

            Cass gawked at the color of the polish. It was atrocious to anyone who knew about Talia’s immense dislike of pink. “… Kara got her revenge, did she?”

            “Yeah, and I can’t scratch it off or make it fade for a WEEK! I’m gonna go INSANE!”

            “AHAHAHAHAHAHA! SERVES YOU RIGHT! You never should’ve pushed the issue, Tal!” Cass was laughing so hard, he was rolling. Meanwhile, a very unhappy Talia was clinging desperately to one of his fingers.

            “Caaass! It’s not THAT funny!” Talia’s cheeks were red. “And if you’re gonna roll around, at least put me down!”

            “I’m sorry, Tal, it’s just that Kara’s the only person who can get away with something like that. Anyone else would face certain death!” Cass had stopped rolling, but he was still snickering. He laid on his back, dropping Talia onto his stomach, where she bounced around a bit. “You’re so nice to Kara, I’m almost jealous. You like to play rough with Nathan and I, even though we try so hard to be careful with you.  I wonder sometimes if you forget how—”

            “Don’t!” She interrupted. “I can take care of myself, Cass! Don’t you DARE think of me as ‘fragile’!” Talia erupted with such ferocity, it made the giant jolt.

            “Whoa, Tal, I—” He held his hands up in surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it! I was just thinking out loud. Really!” Cass tried to avoid her eyes; when Talia was seriously mad, she had a glare that could curdle the blood of even a giant.

            “Fine…” she huffed, stepping back to his middle torso. “I’ll let it go this time.”

            Cass sighed. “I haven’t seen your friend come to the house, before. Is there a reason you don’t just bring her over?”

            “Well, she still doesn’t believe you guys are giants. Says giants ‘don’t exist’ or whatever. If I brought her over, she might get too scared.” She flopped down. “She’s the first best friend I’ve ever had; I don’t want to lose her.”

            “…That’s understandable…” They fell silent for a while, trying to come up with a plan. “Actually, Tal. Inviting Kara over might be the best idea. And if she doesn’t want to talk to you after that, she’s not a true friend.”

            “You’re right…”

            “As always.” Cass added smugly.

            “Don’t get used to it.” She teased. “But if she freaks out and tells everyone at school—”

            “Then we’ll just make sure she doesn’t.”

            Talia stared at Cass. “You’re NOT gonna threaten my best friend!”

            “It’s a last resort. I don’t like doing it, but we just may have to. It all depends on how she takes it.”

            “Well… Ugh. Fine!” She threw her hands above her head. “We’ll do it your way!” Talia took out her phone, given to her by the Cast family after adoption, and texted Kara. ‘Can you come over? I’ve got something to show you.’

            ‘Sure. Where is it?’ Talia and Cass grinned widely at each other.

            “We’d better pick her up at the guest house. Wouldn’t want her running off before I can say hello.”

            “Sure thing. I’ll send her the address…” Talia giggled. “Now I can get revenge for the nail polish!”