Disclaimer: All these incredibly awesome characters and world belong to the lovely Richelle Mead


9. Bright Lights

"How can you read that, Sage? It's like one-thousand pages long."

I looked up at Adrian in annoyance. "I can't, if you keep interrupting me."

He sighed tiredly. "Well, I'm bored."

We were currently in packed flight heading straight to Las Vegas, we had taken off only an hour ago and already I wished to be off it. I had left early in the morning, sadly having to leave Latte behind but instead being able to get a ride in Adrian's car.

"We should play 'I Spy'," Adrian suddenly said, glancing towards me.

I closed my eyes briefly. "No."

He looked towards me, his voice deadpan "Fun, Sage. You're just a ball of fun."

I closed the book; it was obvious I wouldn't be able to read it. "I don't know anything fun."

"Obviously," he answered back, he suddenly brightened. "Let's guess who's going to do it."

"What?!" I exclaimed back.

He ignored me, and kept his eyes trained on the toilet near our seats.

"I'm not participating in this," I said back, but he didn't answer me.

His voice was highly amused when he started talking again. "Them, Sage," he said, nodding his head towards a middle aged couple sitting close together a few seats ahead of us.

I looked at him in repulsion. "How can you think of people, doing it?"

He looked back at me, once again amused. "You make it sound like a sin."

I didn't answer him, deciding to look through my bag. Whilst I was looking through my bag, I felt the soft material of the small corn silk bag I had made a few days ago with Ms. Terwilliger. I had tested the spell yesterday, and to my amazement it worked. More than once an object caught ablaze when I recited the spell. I had bought the necklace, along with a few more magic tricks, in case anything happened, though I hoped I wouldn't need them.

"I was right," Adrian suddenly said, I looked up to notice the man glancing nervously around, before moving to the bathroom, his partner nowhere in sight.

"What if I have to go to the bathroom?" I asked in disgust.

He shrugged back in response, before looking back at me, noticing the small bag in my hand.

"What's that?"

"It's a necklace charm; I made a couple of days ago. It turns anything into fire."

He raised his eyebrow, impressed. "Anything, would I become fire?"

I looked at him in disbelief. "Why would I set you on fire?"

"To make me hotter, though I don't think I need to be," he said flippantly, as I rolled my eyes.

"I wouldn't set you on fire, it's just in case."

"In case, what?" he asked, suddenly serious.

I glanced back at him, regretting what I said. "In case, we run into trouble."

He looked at the charm in my hands sceptically. "We won't run into trouble."

I watched him for a few more seconds, before looking back at the charm deciding to fasten it around my neck. I felt my hands brush the cool metal of my cross, as I put it on. I glanced at Adrian out of the corner of my eye, I noticed him starring at my neck, his eyes narrowed. He had had the cross before, but gave it back after the kiss.

I sighed, leaning further back into the seat. Thankfully no annoying children who liked to kick were behind me, I had dealt with it before.

"We're going to stay at Witching Hour, right?" Adrian asked.

I shook my head back at him. "We can't, I know it has the best protection, but they also have video cameras the Alchemists can gain accesses to." I knew this, since the first time I had seen Adrian, was on security footage with his then girlfriend, Rose. "We'll have to stay at another one, I was thinking we could stay at Mirage, it's next to Caesar's Palace."

He seemed to contemplate my words over, before nodding. "Room with a view?"

I smiled. "I don't know, it depends on what they have left."

I glanced up to the sudden knocking at the toilets door. Adrian flashed me a smirk. A young stewardess stood at the door, an annoyed expression upon her face, she knocked once again, before the door opened and the man sheepishly walked out with the women trailing behind him. I heard Adrian snicker beside me.

The stewardess returned with an older man, who begun talking to the couple. Adrian looked highly amused as it happened.

"It's not funny," I said quietly.

He turned to look at me. "Don't be so serious, Sage."

I let out a breath in mild frustration.

The young stewardess, who had been knocking at the door, was now going down the aisle with a food cart. I noticed Adrian brighten, before he glanced at me. "Can I borrow some money, Sage?"

"For food?"

"No, Sage, for a flying lesson," he said cynically, "of course for food, I'm starving."

"I thought you bought cupcakes."

"Only three," he said back, "I'm a growing man, I need more than that."

I sighed at him, but nonetheless gave him money. He waited impatiently, before finally the stewardess stopped near us. I couldn't help but notice the widening of her eyes as she saw Adrian, who was eyeing up the carts contents. She glanced quickly at me before looking back towards Adrian, pushing a strand of her brown hair behind her ear.

"Hi, I'm Selene, is there anything you'll like?"

Adrian glanced up at her for a second, before looking back towards the food. The smile on her face faltered marginally, but when Adrian looked up again she flashed another smile along with a flick of her hair. Behind her I noticed an annoyed older man, who Selene decided to ignore.

"Have you decided?" she asked sweetly.

"Wait," he said, glancing over at me, "do you want anything?"

"No," I answered back, he looked mildly dissatisfied.

He looked back towards the stewardess, who was looking at me with a glare which she quickly hid.

"I'll just have these," he pointed to a chocolate bar, and two bottles of water.

"That'll be $7.50," she said, smiling broadly at him. Adrian passed her the money, before getting the change. The stewardess continued staring at him, though Adrian seemed to be ignoring her. I saw her glare my way again, before taking the older man's order.

I guess the stewardess attempts at flirting were understandable, Adrian was beyond good looking; his face reminded me of something one of my favourite classical artists could have carved. And then were his eyes, so bright and full of expression.

But for some strange reason, I felt the same spark of anger I felt when Kristen asked if Adrian was dating anyone, though this time I was angrier. I still didn't understand the origin of this feeling though.

Adrian passed me a bottle of water. "I don't need it," I said back.

He shrugged causally, sitting the bottle on the arm rest between us. A tease in his voice. "Is that because you don't want use the bathroom?"

I glanced towards the couple. "Partially."

Adrian smirked before biting into the chocolate bar; I stared the chocolate and was reminded of the cake he had made for Dimitri. Suddenly I craved chocolate and I didn't know why.

"Are you drooling, Sage?" I quickly moved my gaze back towards Adrian, self-consciously brushing my hand against my mouth.

"No," I said in reassurance to myself, I glanced quickly back at the chocolate, before looking towards the bright clouds outside my window.

But even then, I kept thinking of chocolate. I usually never craved foods, especially something so high in sugar. I peeked a glance at Adrian, who was still eating the bar.

He sighed in amusement. "You want some, don't you?"

My voice was laced with false sternness, as I answered him. "No, of course not."

He pursed his lips together, before shrugging. "Fine, Sage. But this," he said, waving the chocolate, "is the best chocolate I've ever had. But you'll never know." He added dismissively.

I sighed. "I don't want it."

He cocked his head at me with a smile. "I know, I know. But if you decide you want some, it'll be sitting right here." He placed an uneaten piece of chocolate next to the water. "You don't have to have it, of course. But eventually it'll melt, and I'm not going to do anything about it."

"You're making me eat, by threatening to not do anything if it melts?" I asked in astonishment.

Once again he shrugged. "It's not a threat, I'm simply bargaining."

"Bargaining?" I repeated.

"Mhmm, with the most delicious chocolate ever made." To accentuate his statement, he gave me a satisfied smile before biting into another piece. "Best ever," he mumbled.

I was somewhat transfixed with the chocolate, and I honestly didn't know why. Was it because the colour exactly matched Adrian's dark brown hair? Or was it because he was eating it? But then why should it matter if it matched his hair colour, or if he was eating it - though he did make it look more tempting.

"I'm fine," I answered, though my eyes watched the chocolate between us.

"Then stop drooling," he said, tapping his chin, playfully.

"I'm not," I said hastily, I forced myself to look away from the chocolate and Adrian.

I did want the chocolate, no matter how much I denied. I knew it was bad, it had calories, sugar and fat, but then it was good. It was only a small piece he was offering me, after all. There would only be little damage. And Adrian would be happy if I did, too.

I took a deep breath, the words basically foreign on my tongue. "Fine, I'll eat the chocolate."

Adrian was obviously surprised, but smiled nonetheless. "I knew you would come around, eventually, Sage."

I gave him an irritated look. Recently I found that I was giving into his whims, when I really shouldn't be letting myself be influenced by him. But then I couldn't help it.

My fingers latched onto the smooth brown surface, as I picked it up. Adrian watched me eagerly, his eyes trained on my face.

I looked back to the chocolate, the warm, enriching scent, already infiltrating my nose. I glanced back at Adrian, nervous from his gaze. "Stop watching me." He looked mildly disappointed at my request, but moved his gaze nonetheless.

I peered back at the chocolate, pulling my hand closer, before taking a small bite. Once again, I tasted the same sweetness and creaminess, but this time slightly more amplified. I took another larger bite, savouring the taste I rarely let myself indulge in.

I closed my eyes, for the shortest second, simply enjoying it. I reopened them, to see Adrian watching me, a dreamy look upon his face.

I felt myself blush lightly in response, averting my gaze, though I could still feel his on me.

It was with surprise, I found myself finish the piece. I was ultimately shocked I had eaten it so fast, and that I had even eaten it in the first place.

I licked my back teeth, as I looked back towards Adrian. He still had a mesmerized expression upon his face, which made me feel uncomfortable.

"Adrian," I said, in hopes he'll come out of whatever state he was in.

For a moment his faced remained the same, before slowly his broke out of it, for a small second he looked pained, but he hid it quickly, pulling a smirk to his face. "What a pig."

I widened my eyes at him, shocked but also hurt.

"Not like that," he quickly assured, "I just mean your face."

"My face," I said slowly.

He nodded, brushing his finger against the corner of his lip.

I reached up, to my surprise feeling the sticky resemblance of chocolate. I brushed it away with my finger, before licking the corner of my mouth. It wasn't without vain, that I noticed Adrian watching me, or more precisely my mouth.

Once again I felt uncomfortable, as I shifted my hand once again towards the corner of my mouth.

He quickly broke out of it, glancing quickly at me, before standing. "I'll be back."

I gave him a limp nod, as he moved towards an unknown destination behind our seats.

I took a deep breath; I could still feel the chocolate in my mouth. Why was he watching me? I knew the answer, even though I didn't want it to be true. Adrian had feelings for me, feelings I could never return.

Every time he would watch me like that, I felt uncomfortable. His eyes seemed to be seeing all of me, whilst being transfixed with it all. I felt uncomfortable because of that, I didn't want him to see all of me. But sometimes, I knew he would see through what I tried to hide.

And I did feel uncomfortable, but then I always felt a swarm of butterflies inside my stomach whenever he looked my way. And I couldn't help the rise in my heart, or how I felt flush around him. For almost once in my life I felt - to put it simply - stupid, I knew couldn't - didn't - have any feelings for Adrian, but I seemed to react otherwise. That was why I felt stupid. Usually I could explain mysteries like this, but now, I just couldn't. I didn't understand what was happening to me.

I sighed, leaning further into the well-used chair.

Maybe I was confused because of the kiss, that would make sense. I felt butterflies, pounding heart and flushed, because I was embarrassed and nervous about that kiss. That was the perfect explanation, the most reasonable and —

"No, thank you, I'm heading back to my seat." I automatically turned my head when I heard Adrian's voice. He stood, almost blocked by Selene, the young stewardess.

Her back was to me, but Adrian was facing me, he sent me a small smirk. Which in turn caused Selene to look my way with a heavy glare, before turning back to Adrian.

"Are you sure you don't need anything?" she asked, emphasising on "anything", as I abruptly stood.

Adrian looked mildly surprised as I made my way into the aisle, suddenly I felt anger towards this Selene person, she had no right to suggest or annoy Adrian like that.

"Excuse me?" I asked, tapping her lightly on the shoulder, even though I was angry I was still able to pull my pleasant Alchemist face on.

She grudgingly turned, surprised to see it was me.

Her eyes narrowed marginally, before she smiled. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

I watched her for a few more seconds before pulling a reflective smile. "No."

She narrowed her eyes completely, her voice annoyed. "Well, can you please move, I'm talking to this—"

"Don't you mean harassing?" I interrupted, "I believe that staff shouldn't be harassing their passengers, but if I'm wrong I can go ask your manager," I stated decisively.

She pursed her lips. "I'm not harassing him," she answered, carefully.

I watched her carefully, before moving to her side to meet Adrian's eyes. "Is she harassing you?"

Selene turned to him in hopes he'll lie for her. I knew he wouldn't, but for a small second I imagined if he did, and for that small second I felt hurt.

"Harassing? Well, Sage, she is," Adrian said back, ignoring the shocked expression on Selene.

"As I stated before, that isn't allowed, right?" I said, to Selene.

Selene was still turned away from me, but I noticed her back stiffen before turning – not before knocking me – to walk away.

Adrian immediately caught me, his hand holding my arm steadily. He glanced quickly at me before looking to where Selene walked to, an uncommon anger in his eyes.

"You okay?"

"Of course," I said dismissively, suddenly noticing the other passenger's eyes on us, "let's go back to our seats."

Adrian followed closely behind me as we walked the short distance towards our seats.

"Never thought you'd come and protect me, Sage," he said quietly behind me. I didn't turn to see his expression; I could already hear the seriousness in his voice.

"Also, I never imagined you could be so bitchy," he said, as we sat down.

I looked towards him with incredulity. "I'm not."

He smiled. "No, you're not, but that women is." He examined me with his eyes. "You sure you're okay?"

I sighed. "Yes, Adrian."

He watched me, before giving me a smirk. "You know, I'm going to be telling everyone about how Sydney Sage ate chocolate then went and defended me," he announced.

I held a small smile. "They probably already know, Jill's like your Twitter feed."

I couldn't help but notice Adrian's surprise. "Twitter, Sage, I'm impressed."

I scoffed lightly. "You act like I'm from the Middle Ages."

"But aren't you?" he said jokingly, "you told me once Alchemists originated from the Middle Ages."

I was surprised he had remembered that at all. "Yeah, I wouldn't think you paid attention."

He was completely earnest as he addressed me. "Why wouldn't I pay attention."

I felt that feeling again, the one I decided to brush of as aftermath of the kiss.

"And," he said, "I'll be able to tell everyone you ate a cupcake."

This time I sighed in annoyance. "I'm not going to eat it."

"You will when you see it."


Yellow frosting decorated with purple sprinkles was held out in front of me.

"I can't." Adrian didn't move his hand away, adamant that I should have it.

"But, Sage," he said, "I made this one especially for you."

I looked away from the cupcake to his eyes. "How is it for me?"

He held a secretive smile as he glanced at the cupcake. "I can't tell you."

"Why?" I asked, suddenly the burning need to know inside of me.

He sighed lightly, leaning back slightly. "I'll tell you if you eat it."

"Adrian," I said in exasperation.

He looked up into my eyes. "Just a bite."

I looked away from him towards the cupcake in front of me.

"I… can't."

"Just a bite," he repeated quietly, "then you'll get to know how it's made especially for you."

What was stronger, my need to know or the fact the cupcake would hold sugar? Although I would like to know, I couldn't allow myself to eat any piece of the cupcake. It did look nice, that much was obvious, but I just couldn't. I had already had a piece of chocolate, that was already too much sugar; I obviously couldn't have this as well. And the difference with the cupcake and chocolate - though the cupcake did look nice - is that I didn't find myself obsessed with it as much as I was with the chocolate.

"Fine," I said as Adrian brightened, "but after, I can't have it now."

Adrian's brightness dimmed slightly, but he agreed placing the cupcake back into the Tupperware container.

"We're nearly there," I stated, as I spotted the buildings nearing us.

I felt Adrian move closer to me to see through the window, as my mind suddenly decided to forget the buildings and think of how nice he smelt, how I could hear his breathing.

"Sage…," he said slowly, I turned my head slightly, his eyes extremely close.

"Yeah," I answered back.

He remained quiet, his eyes still looking into mine, before he hesitantly moved away.

I suddenly felt a strange feeling of loss make its way through me.

"Caesars's Palace, right?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Caesars's Palace?" I said back slowly.

He turned to look at me. "Yeah, where Marcus is staying."

"Oh," I said. "Yeah, we'll probably have to go there tomorrow though."

He nodded his head. "And we'll be staying at the Mirage?"

"Yeah."

He gave me a small smile. "Let's hope we don't have a Mirage, then."

I looked at him in disbelief. "Seriously, Adrian."

He shrugged nonchalantly. "You might with Las Vegas's bright lights."


"Why me, Sage, I believe this is our room."

I looked towards Adrian in annoyance, ever since we had learnt the Mirage was booked out and that their Co. hotel, Treasures Island had rooms, Adrian had been imitating a pirate.

"Adrian, you're not a pirate," I said, whilst unlocking the door.

Adrian sighed melodramatically. "But yer' never know, I might be."

I sent him a fleeting glance as I entered the room. I was pleased not to see an anchor designed wallpaper scheme or anything resembling a ship in the room, unlike Adrian who looked mildly disappointed.

"Argh, no ships."

I rolled my eyes as I walked to the window, to see Treasures Island main attraction, Sirens' Cove, which was winding down from its earlier performance, which to my relief, and Adrian's displeasure, we missed.

"You know, Sage," said Adrian, as he appeared next to me, "we're going to watch that tomorrow."

I looked away from the ship towards Adrian. "We can't, we're finding Marcus tomorrow."

Adrian looked mildly disappointed, as he leaned casually against the window. "I know. But after we find him, Sage, then we can see all me crew giving their captain one hell of a performance."

I laughed. "Fine, but after."

Adrian looked away from me, to the room. "I'm taking the window bed."

I turned to look at the room, and sighed. "Adrian, that's the couch."

"Obviously," he answered, "but I'm too much of a gentleman, to let you sleep on the couch."

I had asked for a double bed room, which got me strange looks from the desk lady, who then told us, only single bed rooms were available.

I naturally felt embarrassed over the fact there was only one bed, I had avoided talking about it till now.

"Adrian, I'm not going to let you sleep on the couch."

He smirked, before suddenly moving towards the couch and stretching out on it. "If you want the couch, you can have it. But let it be known I won't move, so you can either sleep on the soft comfy bed, or sleep on the cramped couch with me."

I felt myself flush. "I'll sleep on the bed, then."

I moved to the bathroom, leaving Adrian alone on the couch. I could still feel the flush upon my cheeks. I did want to sleep on the couch, I felt rude about if, I always used my manners. But then I wanted to sleep on the couch because of what Adrian said. I knew I shouldn't, that it was absurd, but for some reason I didn't mind being on a cramped couch with him.

I splashed some cool water on my face, in hopes to meet some clarity. But even then, I felt confused.

I had bought my bag with me, and after a quick shower, I had changed into my soft stripped pyjamas.

I was almost hesitant, as my hand was enclosed around the door knob. Adrian obviously had never seen me in pyjamas, and I knew I shouldn't, but I felt nervous about it.

When I re-entered the room, Adrian was still lying on the couch, his arm draped over his eyes. For a moment I thought he was asleep, but he naturally heard my entrance, removing his arm from his eyes.

I paused for a second, as he assessed my appearance. I couldn't read his expression, but I could tell he didn't find my attire strange.

"Usually, normal people would be gambling and getting drunk, but instead you're getting ready for bed," he said lightly.

I didn't look up at him, as I riffled through my bag for my laptop. "I guess I'm not everyone then."

Adrian was silent, I looked back up at him in slight surprise at his quietness, usually he would have a witty quip to give me, but this time he was silent.

He still remained quiet, as I went back to grabbing my laptop out, still mildly puzzled.

"No," he said suddenly, breaking from his quietness, "you're not like anyone I've ever known."

I glanced up, not knowing whether to take what he said as a good or bad thing, but before I could question him on it, he stood, before moving to the bathroom. My eyes followed him, and remained on the bathroom's door after he had closed it.

Was it good that I wasn't like everyone else? I did try sometimes to be a normal teenager, but obviously it was difficult when you had to juggle both your job of an Alchemist, and how dangerously close you were getting to the creatures you were supposed to despise. And the fact I wasn't raised like other teenagers, who when they were five got colouring books for their birthday, when I instead, got given a beaker set, along with a book about Periodic Table and its elements.

I pulled myself away from my thoughts, I didn't like to dwell on how different I actually was from everyone around me, I felt like I was missing out on something everyone else already had.

My laptop quickly resumed from its sleeping state, and I was greeted by the Coliseum that I had saved as my desktop. I admired the building for a short second, before clicking into the Alchemist data base.

I knew it was a stretch that Marcus could've been spotted at the Witching Hour on their security footage, but I had to check. The clear movements of people milling around filled my screen, I saw many different humans but I could also spot the Moroi's and dhampirs mixed within the crowd, but still I didn't spot anyone remotely like Marcus.

I looked up as I heard the bathrooms door open, but quickly looked back down, an unmistakable blush upon my face, but the image was already in my mind. Adrian didn't have a top on. All he had was a towel wrapped around his waist.

I sternly kept my eyes trained on the screen, as he made his way across the room. But even then my eyes slipped marginally as I looked up from between my lashes. Adrian's back was to me, but that didn't matter.

Usually Moroi would be painstakingly skinny without muscles, but I could see on his upper arms the lean muscles within them. I continued watching him, seeing how his back held a slight dip where his spine was and then continued into an area beneath his towel. I felt myself blush more as my eyes absorbed his back, his skin was a smooth blemish free creamy colour, it was obvious how soft and warm it would feel.

"Sage," Adrian suddenly said, turning marginally to face me. I quickly moved my eyes away, praying my blush didn't give me away.

"Mhmm." I kept my eyes trained in the screen, although I didn't absorb any of it.

"I need to get changed, so—"

"Oh, of course," I said quickly, standing, but not before my eyes slipped towards Adrian again, I felt another blush brush upon my face. I couldn't see his chest entirely but I could see a bit of it, it was lean, I could see the muscles under his skin, and for a moment I imagined what they would feel like. My eyes remained trained on him, my body frozen, even though my mind was telling me to move.

It was with strength I managed to look away from his lean chest, glancing at his emerald eyes quickly, before hastily moving to the bathroom, as I shut the door tightly behind me.

I leaned against the door, with my eyes closed as I took a calming breath. But with my eyes closed I could see his chest, his back. I opened them quickly; meeting my eyes in the mirror, there was a slightly fervent look within them. I noticed the deep blush upon my cheeks, and once again I found myself splashing water on my face.

I looked down, scrunching my hands into fists. I tried pushing the image from my mind, but I couldn't find any will to do so. His lean, beautifully carved body was already strongly imprinted on my mind.

Why did Adrian, especially a half-naked Adrian have such a strong impression on me?

Nerves, that was it. I had basically never seen a half-naked man before, I was simply nervous over this new thing. It explained why I felt flush, and why my heart pounded, but did it explain the way my stomach twisted into warm knots.

My head snapped up, as I heard a knock at the door. "You can come out, Sage."

I meet my eyes briefly in the mirror; I could still see the pink in my cheeks, though it had dimmed from the bright red that was previously held within them.

I let out a breath, before twisting the doorknob. I walked out to see Adrian fully dressed in a casual t-shirt – something I had never seen on him – and black boxers, to my chagrin. He was also sitting on my bed.

"Why are you watching security footage?" Adrian asked, looking up at me.

I moved cautiously towards the bed, before sitting along the edge. "Just in case Marcus is on it."

He watched the screen with narrowed eyes. "I haven't seen anyone like him so far," he said. "But I don't think he'll visit the Witching Hour if the Alchemists have access to the security footage."

"That's what I thought too," I said back, "but I thought that maybe, he might be there."

"True," Adrian said. "Do you actually know which room he's staying in, Sage?"

I let out a sigh in frustration, momentarily forgetting his chest. "No."

Adrian seemed to study the screen, before looking towards me. "I think I can find out his room, though I'll have to use compulsion."

I felt myself pause at his suggestion. Usually my immediate answer would be no, but the fact that I needed his help, and that I had grown slightly more adjusted to magic, had me wondering if I should agree or not. Believe me; I still thought magic – especially vampire magic – was unnatural. But this would probably be the only way I'd find out Marcus's room number.

"Okay," I answer, "but don't use too much, I don't want anyone to notice." I also didn't want him to use too much, in case it made him have a small amount of spirit craziness – though I wasn't willing to tell him that.

He looked shocked that I had agreed, but managed to smile. "So, tomorrow Marcus day. And after we find him, fun time."

I opened my mouth to answer him, but Adrian interrupted me.

"You promised."

"I didn't actually promise," I stated, "but, yes, I'll do something fun."

Adrian held a triumphant smile. "I'm going to take you everywhere," he said excitingly, "no gambling, I know," he added seeing my expression. "I'll take you to all the fun places, I know them all. And…" he said, reaching over to the bedside table, "I remember you said you'll have one."

He held the cupcakes out in front of me.

"Adrian, there probably gone rotten by now," I stated.

He smirked slightly. "That's what that fridge is for," he said, nodding towards the mini-fridge in our room.

I looked at the cupcakes, there was only two. "I thought you bought three."

"Yeah," he said dismissively, "but I got hungry."

I looked away from him, to the cupcakes in the container. The one Adrian had made "especially" for me, sat next to a chocolate iced one with small green sprinkles.

"Is that mint," I asked, as I took a deep breath.

He picked the cupcake up. "Mhmm." He pulled the wrapping off the bottom, before taking a generous bite out of it.

I looked at Adrian, disbelievingly. "I thought you ate one before."

"And?" he mumbled.

Of course, he didn't care about having one too many of a certain food, especially one so high in sugar.

Even though I wasn't going to eat it, I picked my cupcake up. "How is this made for me?" I asked.

Adrian sighed playfully. "Eat it, and you'll know."

"How much?" I asked, already giving in.

"All of it," he said.

I gave him a pointed look. "No, I can't."

Adrian pursed his lips together, before giving me small smile. "Then a bite, any size."

I held a small smile, as I hesitantly bought the cupcake to my mouth. I took a small bite; I could taste the smooth lemon of the icing that was extremely sweet. I would've spit it out, but the actual cupcake mix stopped me. Like his cake, it was creamy and soft, I—

"Sydney, is that him?" I quickly looked towards the screen. A man who looked slightly like Marcus sat at the bar, talking to someone who's back was turned to the camera. I paused the video, moving closer onto the bed. It looked like Marcus; he had the same bone structure and blonde coloured hair, though unlike the photo, it had been cut shorter. I also couldn't completely confirm it was Marcus, because his cheek was bare.

"I don't know, it looks like him."

Adrian moved closer to the screen, which bought him closer to me, narrowing his eyes as he examined the picture. "Maybe."

I pressed fast-forward on the video, the supposable Marcus stayed there for almost fifteen minutes, talking to the stranger, before abruptly standing and leaving. The stranger remained where they were until walking off, their back still to the camera.

"If that is Marcus," I said, "he's obviously angry at that person."

Adrian shrugged. "I don't know, but he did look pretty pissed."

"But why?"

Adrian had no answer for me. I glanced at the time on the computers clock, 9:50.

"I'm going to go brush my teeth."

Adrian looked sadly at me. "Don't you want more?"

I glanced at the cupcake. "I can't." I said, before moving off to the bathroom.

I brushed the sugar off me teeth thoroughly, I didn't like the way it clung to me teeth, but even though I was annoyed at the sugar, I couldn't help but feel a small amount of pride. Today, I Sydney Katherine Sage ate a piece of chocolate then had a piece of a cupcake. Never, would I have thought I would do that, and I didn't know if I would be able to again.

I returned to the room, Adrian had moved off the bed and was now lying on the couch. He had stolen a pillow and a sheet from my bed. I moved my laptop off my bed and cleared it before moving towards the light switch.

"Are you going to sleep?" I asked.

"Are you?"

"Yes," I answered back.

"Then so am I."

I gave Adrian a tired look. "You don't have to because of me. Go and enjoy yourself in the casino."

Adrian turned his head, his eyes meeting mine. "Wouldn't be any fun. Plus I'm tired."

I watched him carefully, before deciding to believe what he was saying. I turned the light off and was momentarily blinded,as I carefully made my way back to the bed.

"Stop," Adrian suddenly said.

"What?" I asked, suddenly panicked.

"There's a bag in front of you."

I looked to where his voice was. "Don't scare me like that."

"What? I don't want you falling and hitting your head on the table."

I ignored him, feeling around for the bag before stepping around it. I finally made my way to the bed, pulling the covers down and climbing in.

I grabbed my phone, from the bedside table, setting an alarm for seven AM.

"I'm waking up at seven," I said to Adrian, through the darkness.

"Seven," he repeated, disbelievingly, "Sage, that's too early."

"Adrian," I said, "it's not early."

"For me," he said back, "it is."

"Fine," I said, "seven-thirty."

"Early," he stated simply.

I closed my eyes briefly. "Adrian."

I heard the smile in his voice. "Okay, Sage, if you're so adamant, seven-thirty."

"Good," I answered back, with a yawn.

I nuzzled further into the blankets, as I closed my eyes.

"Goodnight, Sage."

I kept my eyes closed, as I answered him. "Goodnight, Adrian."

Before I knew it I was slowly falling into sleep, but not before I heard Adrian say something quietly to me.

"The cupcake's for you, because its yellow and purple, like your aura."


I am not fluent in Pirate language, so sorry if I sucked at it.

And Adrian shirtless! XD


I hope you guys liked it, it would've been uploaded earlier, but I ended up hanging out with my bestie, so sorry about that.

Leave what you thought.

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Jenni(: