WPOV

The sun blazed through the thick glass of the van onto my porcelain skin. The intense heat was slowly declining as the day was ending. The cool wind was softly weaving through my hair making the strands flail about my face. I instinctively raised my hand to brush the loose strands out of my eyes, but warm calloused fingers beat me to it. They tucked them softly behind my ear. It was obvious who it was; only one person could stimulate the feeling of flowing lava churning inside me. Ian. My Ian. His warm smile lit up his face and I could feel my lips lift up on the corners. My cheeks heated automatically as I caught myself staring. I turned my head and looked out the window and watched the sunset beyond me. Laughter filled my ears, my head turned to the back seat where Jamie was sitting and laughing at my expense. I peeked over the seat and gave Jamie my "evil eye" look, but that only gave him a reason to laugh harder. This face wasn't made to send disapproving looks. I sighed and turned back to the window, trying to hide my now tomato red face. As I predicted, Ian's hand reached over and cupped my chin. His hand nearly engulfed it. He turned my head in his direction.

"Don't be embarrassed Wanda. If I wasn't driving, I would be looking at you too." Ian whispered "Besides, I love it when you blush." When the van began to swerve, Ian let go and steadied the wheel, smiling sheepishly. Jamie's' soft chortling filled the car. I glanced at the rear view mirror to see him roll his eyes. In the corner of my eye I caught sight of the old jeep following behind. I felt a smile slowly forming on my petite face as I saw the two familiar faces sitting at the front. Melanie's face glowed in the soft haze of the setting sun. Jared's face was half in the shadows. The contrast seemed to give him a glowering look. He was probably tense considering Melanie was in the car. He was always worried that she would get captured and suffer again. He preferred to have her ride with him. He felt that he could protect her. He was a lot like Ian that way. My heart still tugged every time I heard his laugh or whenever I saw him smile his crinkly eyed smile. My feelings for him had subsided in a way, although I despise knowing that I do have some feelings for him. I hate Melanies' and Ians' knowing looks every time they caught me staring at him. Melanie understood fully as she also caught herself giving Ian confused stares. Ian claimed that he also fully understood although the pain that flashed through his deep blue eyes told me otherwise. I no longer needed Jared, and I didn't want him either. Ian was mine, and I would always be his. With any luck my feelings for Jared would no longer be there. I only felt them for I had lived in a body that passed them onto me. Now having full control over what I felt, maybe having Ian would help me ease from the past. Hopefully.

The sky was now painted with dark red just above the horizon. Billions of glowing stars illuminated the sky. I don't think I'll ever stop staring and gaping at their beauty. Earth was truly the most beautiful planet I've resided upon, its also the most challenging but I feel if you have people who truly love you, it could be worth it. The breaks squealed as we came to a stop.

"Finally!" Jamie breathed, "Seriously, sometimes I think you two are worse than Melanie and Jared," he added. Ian raised his eyebrow and gave him a look.

"You're right they're so much worse," he said truthfully. I giggled and hopped out of the vehicle. Though the dirt I landed on wasn't near the caves, the hard baked soil seemed somewhat welcoming. After a long raid, I had missed the security of the caves. That feeling was a huge clue to that I no longer belonged with the other souls. I finally belonged somewhere. I took a deep breath of the thick desert air. I walked over to the truck where Brandt was opening the door.

"Are you sure he'll let you do some heavy lifting?" he asked with a knowing tone. I knew he was talking about Ian; his over protective trait enabled me to do most of the chores and jobs that required muscle.

"I'm pretty sure that a few boxes of cereal in bulk wont cause a fuss, Brandt." Brandt let out a low chuckle.

"I suppose your right. But if he does get angry, lets just say it was Andy that let you lift it." Andy peeped his head out of the cab window and called out "I would prefer if you didn't. That Ian is one protective guy. I wouldn't wanna be the one to get him all riled up." I just rolled my eyes and took the box.

"Wanda" A familiar voice called out in a warning voice.

"It's a few boxes of cereal Ian, I'm sure I can handle it" I breathed. He huffed and picked up several boxes that were stacked in the truck. Melanie and Jared came out of the jeep and came to help unload. As I entered the caves I greeted some of the others I passed by. Lily was ahead of me and I hurried my pace to catch up to her. She heard my footsteps behind her and she smiled as she saw who it was.

"Hey Wanda, how did it go?" she asked with interest.

"It went quite well. Once again, I was not suspected, though my lying skills have not improved." I responded.

"Oh, well that's good to hear. I guess I could go help unload. Is there very much?" She asked.

"More than usual, we got more than enough this time. It should last quite a while." I wheezed. The box I was currently carrying somehow managed to gain weight the longer I held it. Was I really that weak? As much as I appreciated this body, I wished I could be stronger and be more useful when it came to doing heavy-duty chores. I sighed quietly to myself. Lily turned and jogged back to help the others. I dropped the box to the ground since no one else was nearby. I bent over and placed my hands on my knees.

"Tired already hey Wanda?" I looked up to see Jeb with a toothy grin. Blood pooled in my cheeks from embarrassment. He let out a loud chuckle.

" No worries but I'm thinkin' you should stick with dishes and laundry" he teased.

"Good to see you too Jeb" I said sarcastically. He gave me another grin and nodded his head before walking towards the others.

"Wanda? Are you okay? Is something wrong?" I heard Ian say as he dropped the items he was carrying. The sound of his footsteps increased in tempo as he ran over to check on me.

"I'm perfectly fine, Ian. I just am making allowances for my weak physique." I replied to his question.

"Hey, your body's still growing you'll be strong eventually" he encouraged.

"Not with the jobs I'm doing and you know it" I scoffed.

"I just don't want you to get hurt," he breathed in my ear. I blushed once again and picked up the box. I headed towards the kitchen with Ian following cautiously behind me, watching for any sign of me being tired again. I set the box on the high concrete counter and began unloading the several boxes. Trudy snuck up behind me and began to help.

"Well would you look at this," she said, clearly astounded "I haven't seen Frosted Flakes in forever." She turned and smiled at me.

She took the several boxes of cereal and put them in the corner of the kitchen, probably for tomorrow morning. Ian took some of the boxes and started to walk away.

"Where are you going?" I asked him. He stopped at once and looked back.

"I'm putting these into storage, did you want to come?" He asked a teasing tone was hinted in his voice.

"Actually I think I'll stay here and help Trudy," I stated. He chuckled and continued on his way.