**Ayleiyah's P.O.V.

Later that night back at the Lodging House, Jack, Melaena, Blink, Race, and I were sitting around a table, playing a friendly game of poker. Suddenly Sarah and Sweets walked in together, which was a surprise being that they hated each other. By the looks on their faces, I knew something was up. I glared at them as they walked up to Jack.

"Ah-hem." Sweets cleared her throat, practically begging for attention. "Jack, can I see you alone please?"

"Uh.suah." he said, giving me a strange look and getting up.

"And Ice, too, please." Melaena gave Blink a quick peck on the lips and got up, ascending the stairs with Jack and the two girls.

"What's dis all about?" Blink asked me. I shrugged.

"Who knows, they're probably telling them some crazy story. It has to be something they made up, otherwise they wouldn't be in here together-they hate each other. But they hate me and Melaena more. I'm sure it's a conspiracy or something." I said, only half joking.

"Yeah, I bet."

Fifteen minutes later, the girls came down. Sarah asked for Blink and me to go upstairs. The other two wanted to talk to us. The girls left as we walked up the stairs in anticipation. We walked in the bunkroom to see Melaena sitting on a bunk, crying; Jack was perched on the windowsill, a forlorn look on his face, staring out into the night. Blink and I looked each other, almost knowing what was going to come of this.

"What's wrong?" I asked, feeling a little panicked.

"Why don't you tell us." Jack muttered coldly, glancing into my eyes, then looking back at the stars.

"I don't understand.what's this all about? What did they say to you?"

"I thought you were my friend." Melaena said bitterly, walking up to me with tears in her eyes. She threw her long, jet-black hair behind her as she stared at me. I glanced at Blink, who had a worried look on his face. I could tell it hurt him to see Melaena so upset, knowing he couldn't help.

"I.thought so too.what is this about?" I said, confused.

"I finally find someone.someone who treats me right, someone I love, and you had to.you had to have him for yourself.and you have your own. I don't understand you."

"What?" Kid Blink said, outraged. "What did'ey say to you? Who put that idea into your heads?"

"They told us everything." Melaena started. "They said that they saw you and Kid Blink in the street this morning, kissing. Kissing. Kissing the guy I love. Why?"

Blink looked at her, baffled. She had just said that she loved him. I saw a tear trickle out of the corner of his good eye. I stood, speechless.

"Ice, sweethawt.heah's what really happened. It's not what dey say." Blink pleaded, looking at her, then me.

"Jewels was walkin' up ta me, we weh walkin to da gates togeda.I was worried 'bout you, so I asked'ah for help. She helped me out, so I gave'a a hug and a little peck on da cheek. Dat's all, sweethawt. I sweah's, it was nuttin' else." He tried to embrace her, but she pulled away.

"How do we know dat, d'ough?" Jack said, moving away from the window, his gorgeous face twisted into a hurt frown. His eyes were cloudy, but I knew he wouldn't let the tears through. Suddenly I realized the tears streaming down my cheeks.

"You guys know how much Sarah and Sweets hate Melaena and I," I started, hoping to make a point. "You know they would do anything to rip Jack and me apart, too. Especially Sarah. Now who do you trust more, us or them?" I cried, storming out of the room. I walked out onto the quiet, darkened streets and sat down on a bench, sobbing; partly in anger and partly in hurt. After a few minutes, I felt an arm around me. It wasn't Jack's or Blink's. I looked down at the shoes: Mush.

"Y'okay, Allie?" He asked softly, tipping my chin up to look at him. Mush was the only one who called me "Allie" all the time. "I hoid dem goils talkin outside."

"My head popped up. "What did they say?" I asked, hoping Mush could help out.

"Well, they was laughin, and Sarah was talkin' about finally havin' Jack to herself.an' Sweets said dat it was da best story she ever twisted up in her life."

"Come with me." I stood up and pulled a baffled Mush back into the Lodging House with me. We walked upstairs. Kid Blink was sitting outside, his head in his hands, crying quietly. I lightly backhanded his shoulder, signaling him to come with.

He looked at me uncertainly.

"Mush's gonna help us." I whispered. Mush walked into the bunkroom alone, greeting the two. Blink and I stood outside the door, listening.

"Heya." He started.

"Hey Mush." Jack said, a sad, empty tone filling his words.

"Saya, Jack, Melaena, can I tell ya's somethin?"

"Sure, Mush." Melaena said quietly.

"Well, a little bit ago, when Sarah and Sweets was leavin', I hoid'em talkin." He started. "I didn't know what dey was talkin' about, but I hoid'em laughin, and I hoid Sarah say dat she was glad she could finally have Jack to herself, and Sweets told'a dat it was da best story she eva twisted up in her whole life."

I looked at Blink, who still had tears of anguish streaming down his cheeks. "I even got teahs in me bad eye." He muttered. I reached over and hugged him. "I can't believe dey did dat to us."

"Me neither, Blink. Me neither."

We listened again. This time, silence. Then: "So you'a sayin' that dey made dis all up to get back at Ice and Jewels?" Jack's voice asked.

"That's what I was t'inkin." Mush replied.

"So what now?" Melaena asked in a tiny voice. "They probably hate us for accusing them."

I walked into the room. "Laney," I started. She walked up to me and hugged me, tears streaming down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, Allie. They were pretty believable. And I was just so scared that it might have been true, that."

"It's okay, hon." I said. "It was a mistake. Blink's in the hall, he's waiting for you." I whispered. I looked at Mush, smiling, silently thanking him. He nodded happily and walked out, leaving Jack and I alone. He sat at the window again, staring at the stars.

"I was hopin' dat it wasn't true." He said quietly, glancing at me and then back at the stars. I walked up to him and ran my fingers through his hair.

"I know." I said. "I don't blame you for believing them though, shit happens."

He looked at my face, his deep eyes searching for something. "Yeah." He said as a tiny grin broke through his expression. "Hey, listen." He said seriously. "I don't eva apologize to nobody, eva. But I'm doin' it ta you." He spoke softly. "So I'm sorry." He reached out and touched my hand, searching my eyes for acceptance.

"Jack," I started, pulling him up off of the sill. "There's nothing to be sorry for." I hugged him tight, and he held me in his arms for a long time. Finally he pulled away and looked deep into my eyes, moving forward to kiss me. Our lips locked in that kiss again, and after some time, both of us pulled away, breathless, smiling at each other.

I felt a shiver run through my body as he kissed my cheek. I smiled and he continued kissing me, on my jawline, my temple, and finally my lips. We sighed with enjoyment as we sweetly kissed, exploring each other's mouths with our tongues. He put one hand behind my head, caressing my face with his thumb, holding me around the waist with his other arm. I let one hand linger at his waist, the other I ran through Jack's russet-brown hair. I softly gasped as we pulled apart, short of breath. He stared into my eyes.

"I'm suah glad we could make up like dis," he laughed quietly.

"Me too. We'll have to do it more often." I joked.