The Host Two
The first day after I'd been placed into my new body, I felt a strange feeling of vertigo which I had never experienced before. I felt too short, and I that everyone else was like a giant in comparison. I'd slept for a most of yesterday-it seemed as if the transition had exhausted me completely. When I had finally awoken late in the evening, Doc had finally granted me permission to leave. Ian was there with me-he'd barely left my side, except to sneak me some of his meals when I had woken up briefly- and he helped me walk to his cave. My sense of direction seemed to have become distorted too. I couldn't for the life of me remember much beyond this pathway.
Once we had reached Ian's room and we walked through the passageways in silence, so as not to disturb everyone, he opened his curtain for me and helped me sit on the bed. Ian whispered, "Are you ok, Wanda?" I thought about it for a minute before replying, "I'm…" I paused. How was I really? I could easily say, "I'm fine," or "I'm ok," but did I really feel that way? I searched for a word that would make him happy before smiling at Ian's worried expression and settling on, "I'm perfect. Thank you Ian. Thank you for everything!" Ian grinned then and shook his head, "Don't mention it, Wanda. Get some rest." I frowned, "Then where are you going to sleep?" Ian smiled, "On the matress." I was about to protest when he said, "It's ok, don't worry. I'll be fine." I bit my lip, not liking it, but then I sighed, "Fine. But tomorrow night, I'm sleeping there." He rolled his eyes, "You're not sleeping on the floor." I grumbled under my breath, "Not fair," and he laughed, "What's not fair is making someone who's just given my species a chance at surviving sleep on the floor. I'm sure even Jared wouldn't agree to that." I thought about it and sighed again, "We'll argue about this tomorrow. Right now, I'm too tired." Ian nodded in agreement as he settled down on a mattress, "Alright. Sweet dreams, Wanda." I smiled and drifted off to sleep.
The following morning, once I had bathed and changed my clothes, I ran into Jared, who was on the way to the pool with Kyle. He stopped mid-step when he saw me and a huge smile etched onto his face slowly, "Wanda! How are you feeling?" It was the first time I'd seen him since I'd initially woken up in this body.
I didn't feel the strange, electrical attraction in this body as I had to him in Melanie's body. This was much more…like a brotherly kind of feeling…like how I felt about Jaime. And I was so pleased. I could live with this and it would mean I could get along just fine with him and Mel. I worried about this in my few conscious moments over day. I knew I was incredibly attracted to Ian. That much was obvious. My tiny chest raced whenever he was in my vicinity and I longed to be near him when I wasn't. But with Jared…I didn't feel any of that longing or desperation anymore. It was such a relief.
I grinned at Jared, finally answering his question, "Great thanks! Actually, never better!" Jared nodded and smiled widely, "Good! I'm so pleased! Listen, can I talk to you please? Privately?" I glanced to find Ian, who had gone back to the pool with his brother. I nodded and smiled, "I guess so." Jared asked, "Can we go to my room?" I frowned nervously, "Ok…"
I followed him in silence and when we reached his room he closed his curtain behind him, before turning to me. He smiled awkwardly before saying, "Wanda…I just want to say…that I'm incredibly sorry for misjudging you and assuming you were one thing that you weren't. I'm sorry for…for blaming you for keeping me from Melanie and I'm sorry for all of the nasty things I said or did to you…ever. I also want to thank you so, so much for bringing Melanie back to me." His voice caught in his throat and he couldn't look at me anymore. I smiled reassuringly, "Jared…you don't have to apologize or thank me. I'm so…so sorry I couldn't figure out how to remove myself sooner. But I am disappointed in one thing…" Jared swallowed as he glanced at me nervously. He seemed on edge as he asked, "What would that be?" I sighed as I glanced up at him, "That you didn't let me do what I wanted with my life."
A stony cold silence fell across the room and Jared looked at me with shock on his face, "But Wanda…how could you say that? Ian loves you…as does Mel, and Jaime. How could I let you do what you wanted, and let them suffer like that? It wouldn't be fair! And that body was empty! It had no-one resisting! You're not taking a life, Wanda!"
I walked around the room in a slow circle and whispered tightly, "But…you don't understand. Ian deserves a human. A human who can understand him in ways that I can't. He deserves so much more than me. And Jaime...Jaime has Mel! He doesn't need another sister. And Mel's got you. Everybody would have been happier if I'd just disappeared." Jared scowled at me, his handsome face taught and he whispered hoarsely, "And me, Wanderer? What about me?" I laughed, "Good act, Jared. But I didn't fall for it last time, I'm not going to fall for it now." He grabbed my hand and pulled me closer to him, "It isn't an act." He spat the last word like it was a filthy accusation I had made against him.
I stared into his eyes and recoiled, "You don't…I mean…it's not possible." I pulled my arm away from his grip and he raised his eyebrows sky high as he folded his arms across his chest, "How would you know?" I laughed a nervous laugh, "Because you wanted me gone not one week ago. Don't you remember?" He winced and glanced at the ground, "I wish I hadn't."
I didn't feel anything but scared. Jared wouldn't be here and confessing these things to me if he didn't mean them. I frowned and suddenly laughed, "You're drunk!" There had been a memory of Melanie's of Jared getting drunk once, and how angry she'd been with him. He smirked, "With what alcohol?" I heard Melanie's voice ask, "Jared? Jared? Is that you?" My heart stopped and it ached for her, if what Jared was saying was true.
The curtain pulled back and Jared stood aside for Mel to get through. She smiled at him and asked softly, "What's wrong…" before she turned to see me. She gasped, "Oh! Oh Wanda! My sister! It is really you!" I hugged her as she enveloped me in her arms and sighed happily. I glared at Jared over Mel's body…my old body I thought, missing it. I felt so small and insignificant next to Mel now. He avoided my eye contact as I heard Ian's voice travel through the caves, "Wanda? Wanda?"
Mel pulled away and beamed at me, "Oh my sister! It's so weird to actually see you!" She laughed somewhat hysterically and I forced a laugh, "Its weird right! I'm used to being so much taller." She hugged me again and Jared was watching me guardedly, trying to convey something with his eyes. Like he's sending me a message.
I released Mel and Ian punched Jared's arm lightly once he had entered the small room, "How are you doing friend?" Jared forced a smile, "You too, bro! I'm glad to see you out of Doc's rooms!" Ian beamed, "I'm glad to be out of them too! And I've got my girl back!" His smile lit up the entire room. Anyone who couldn't see it would have been a fool. I hoped Jared would take note as I headed over to Ian and wrapped my arm around his waist. I was so short that my head only reached to just under his shoulder. My long, blonde curls hung over my face as I turned it into Ian's chest. He asked me softly, "You want some food, Wanda?" I nodded and he said, "Great! Jared? Mel? You joining us for lunch?" I glanced at Mel and she nodded happily, "Of course! We wouldn't miss it!" I avoided being near Jared the rest of the day. I wish he had never divulged what he said to me. It felt like a sympathy vote…but I didn't need one from him anymore. So the question was…why? Was he telling the truth…or was this just another lie?
A/N: Hi All! This is my first The Host fanfic! Please read and review and let me know if you like it! Thank you!