CHAPTER SIX

Stunned

Walking through the halls, Burns was still a foot away from us. I shifted my head towards him and smiled, turning to see his face right now. He smiled back and hurriedly looked down. I turned to Jamie and he was staring at us, suspicion in his eyes so I quickly started a topic before he could ask his accusing questions.

"J-Jamie, did Ian send you here?" I asked with false indifference. I heard a low chuckle coming from behind us. I threw a sharp look at Burns with an odd smirk on my face.

"Yeah, well actually everyone's looking for you. Ian just got anxious, he worries too much, you know." Jamie laughed at that thought, I smiled too, glad that he rapt the distraction and because that was true; Ian really does worry too much. I understand his concern, but it's not really necessary. Where else could I possibly run off to?

"Jamie, why don't go ahead? I just have to talk to Burns for a moment." I didn't much recover from his story, I wanted to be sure it was actually factual and he wasn't mocking me.

"Are you sure?" He faintly moved his eyes to the right; apparent that he was talking about my safety with Burns. I couldn't help but giggle.

"I'll be fine, Jamie." I smiled at him reassuringly.

"Well okay, but you better hurry getting there though, because I'm hungry and you know what happens when I'm hungry." He chuckled and his body faced the direction going to the kitchen. I nodded back at him; he shrugged and glanced one last time at Burns. Jamie quickly dashed towards the kitchen, I looked behind me and Burns was three feet away from me.

"Burns, you're not an animal. You don't tame yourself, come over here." I gestured my hand directing him to come closer. "You're being silly." He came closer with a grin on his face.

"I was just checking if he's still afraid of me." He quietly laughed to himself again with his hands on his pockets.

"He's not afraid of you, no one's afraid of you." I paused for a moment, maybe that wasn't true. I rapidly started to say something else to stop me from entailing a false statement. "Anyway, s-so Burns…do you mean that Brian's still with you right now?" He looked at me warily, looking for some sort of meaning to my question. He opened his mouth but no words came out, so he nodded instead.

"Is he talking to you right now?"

"Not exactly, only when something considerable enough is happening."

"Hmm." Was all I could defy back.

I started to think about Burns' comeback.

If Brian only becomes obtainable when something important comes, and since no major affair usually goes about here, then that must lead to him fading…right?

We started walking without saying anything. We passed by the halls, turning right, into an open path, straight ahead, left and another right leading to the kitchen. When we reached our destination, I could isolate some heads turning to look at who I was with.

Ian O'Shea

Meeting these new people makes a good achievement to this household. For one thing, we all gain new friends…but I guess that doesn't exclude Wanda.

I knew that leaving Wanda a while back in the plaza was wrong, but staying there and watching her every step, coming closer to Burns was harder.

Every time I see that 'Burns' guy with Wanda, well, it's like there's something incredibly wrong there. Like the tension, the bond they share. It's not that I don't trust Wanda, it's not that at all but, who is this Burns anyway? I know meeting with him once again meant a great deal of happiness to Wanda, conversing with one of her own kind that has actually inhabited with the humans, which is still unbelievable to most of us—or just typically me. Even if he really is what Nate describes him as his best friend, could he be trusted?

We all had put our trust avowal for Wanda into test; but then again, we're speaking about Wanda here. She's the ideal woman, the one everyone is bound to love somehow, the one I've been waiting for my whole life, even if I didn't know it yet. Fate must love me, to give me such an angel. She's honestly just..just perfect. She thinks about other people, cares for them, even if it is uncalled for.

She's willing to forgive anyone, even if that person did something unforgivable—going back to Kyle's appalling act back in the past—and she's the one who feels guilty for the punishment of the one who hurt her. She thinks about the betterment of all of us generally. Her unconditional, irreplaceable and outstanding love is something that couldn't be expressed in terms, it's past words now…and I am more than thankful, more than delighted that she is mine, and I am hers.

Yet, why do I still feel this slight antagonism towards her spending time with Burns even if I know I could trust her with my whole existence?

I was drowned into thought since the excessive noise was all around the room. I haven't actually been talking with the others that arrived; maybe this is bothering me more than I was aware of. It's just that, I miss Wanda, even though we see each other ever day, even though we talk every day. When was the last time we took a break from veracity and spend the spare time with each other? Maybe even just basically talking would be rewarding enough. Every moment that I still breathed, I wanted to be with her, but I knew that was impossible. I didn't want her out my sight, and that sounded awfully selfish. It's ridiculous to even overemphasize like that, being a typecast, but continuing life around her...it's impossible to not.

I wasn't in the mood to eat, even with the plate that's bursting with food in front of me.

I knew this would be an entire waste, just fooling around with it. I finally looked up from the ruined meal I created, frustrated.

Jamie unexpectedly came dashing through the kitchen. He turned his gaze, without a breather, towards the food rested atop the counter and hastily snatched one of the plastic plates.

I silently sniggered to myself. Of course, food is all Jamie's after.

I cautiously observed him and the entranceway of the kitchen. Wasn't Wanda supposed to be with him by now, since he was sent to get her in the first place?

Humph. I knew it. I should've gotten her myself…but why didn't I?

Some challenge I must be to Burns. I'm not doing such an exceptional job for being Wanda's partner…and I should be if I want to spend the rest of my life with her, even if we're all 'under cover' in these caves.

When Jamie practically sucked in all the food and positioned it on his plate, he didn't even hesitate to sit across me.

I stared at him with bewilderment and disbelief while he gnawed down his ham, eggs, potatoes and the rest he's fitted in his incredibly outsized mouth. He didn't look up until finally, he finished his last bite. He kept glancing at my bleak, dreary plate of food. I exhaled a heavy sigh and pressed the plate beside his empty one. He started nibbling on the food one by one, but my offer made him quite attentive, for once.

"Sorry, were you planning to eat this?" He stopped chewing; pointed at the cold and taut steak with his fork, anxious, if I would say 'yes'. "I didn't mean to force you… "

I was still gawking at him with narrow eyes.

"Geez, here you go. You're the one who gave it..." He shrugged and got to his feet, still oblivious to what I was really thinking.

"Jamie, where's Wanda?" I finally spat it out. "Weren't you to go get her?" My voice was in slight panic. The real translation to those words was: You left her alone with that—stranger? And it was apparent that he knew it.

"No need to go extreme, Ian. She's on her way now, okay? She insisted on following after 'cause she still wanted to ask Burns something…" And comprehension hit him. "Oh."

This seemed strange. I've never felt this—disturbed before, not even with Jared. Yet impatience struck me, blocking all other thoughts.

I stood up, planning on doing at least something innovative. I just frantically want to be with her, and I didn't even know that I was capable of being enormously self-seeking, not until this point.

I really was headed for the caves when out of the corner of my eye; I noticed golden tresses flowing smoothly.

"Wanda!" I nearly bawled; my hand over my head to show some sign that I'm right here.

I was relieved that she's finally come back, but sickened again for not finding her myself. The two strangers that sat at both my opposite sides gaped at me, indisputably curious from the abrupt yell, and then went back to their conversations.

She twisted her head around, searching to where my voice came from when she finally noticed me. A pleasing grin stretched across her face, and I felt my own mouth widen.

My legs started moving without even any permission from me, just…automatic.

"Ian." She quickly walked towards me. My arms were abruptly around her, my lips kindly poignant with hers. Again, motions that are simply habitual.

She parted our lips, and smiled. "You haven't actually missed me that much, have you?" and placed our lips together another time.

"I'm not sure; I haven't seen you since—this morning." I drew her closer to me, and she giggled her blissful laugh.

She backed away again, and I thought she needed a breath, so I internally beamed, but she took a step back and introduced me to the person I wanted to see the least right now.

"Ian, I'm sure you remember B—"

"Burns. Fire World. Sure." I made each word a sentence, vigilant not to show my reluctance. He held his hand out, undoubtedly waiting for a handshake.

Even if the unexplainable, stunning antipathy slowly started to build up yet again, and even more vibrant now that I have him face-to-face with me, I still accepted the unbearable shaking of his hand anyway and faked a smile.

I didn't place it in my mind anymore though, since Wanda is now nearby.

"I'll just sit over there." Burns whispered to Wanda, spotting to one of the tables. He looked back at me and his lips twitched. Was he smiling?

Wanda came closer, moving her lips down to the level of my ear.

"Hey…you wouldn't mind if I accompany Burns for this moment, do you?" She whispered innocently; too polite to oppose to. "I did somewhat promise Jeb. Of course, you were there." She looked at my face, my expression, locked her eyes with mine to make it impossible to not meet her gaze. It was noticeable enough that she was anticipating for a 'No, go ahead. I don't mind.' That hope made her eyes glimmer, the silver outlines in her gray-blue eyes shining and dancing.

She wouldn't understand; it'll be difficult to let her be with Burns.

I haven't honestly decided on it, but I'm essentially left with just a single option anyway; even if it hurts one of us.

"Absolutely, no worries at all." I flashed another false grin.

"Thank you." She kissed me on the cheek which was more thankful than pleased. "I promise; I'll meet with you after, when they all leave. Just you and me!" She lightly brushed her lips against mine and started moving backwards to one of the available counter tables where Burns was waiting. "I love you!" She added when she was in a distance where anyone would barely hear.

I sighed, crushed.

So you noticed that I've placed another character's point of view. I just think the story will work better and it'll be easier to understand. I hope Ian's POV works. :D