Chey: I decided to add another chapter today because it's Earth Day and my friend's b-day… Happy Birthday (not saying her name since she doesn't want me to)!

Dedicated to: My previously-mentioned friend

Disclaimer: I still don't own HOA.

Reviews: 24 (current 18)

Nina's POV

I met Fabian's weak gaze and felt my heart break. I really thought he had died in that fire…

"Nina, I'm fine," he repeated for the thousandth time.

"I know," I replied, smiling.

"Hey, Nathan told me you played guitar."

Gee, thanks Nate! I thought. I saw his leaning against his desk. "I assume you want me to play something for you, right?" He grinned and nodded. I hadn't played in so long… My fingers seemed to have minds of their own; they started strumming the opening chords to The Lion King: Broadway. I recognized the song as "Endless Night," which happened to be my favorite when I saw the play. I could always relate to Simba because his father died, like mine. Before long, I was singing to it as well:

"Where has the starlight gone?

Dark… is the day

How can I find my way home?

Home is an empty dream

Lost to the night

Father, I feel so alone

You promised you'd be there

Whenever I needed you

Whenever I call your name

You're not anywhere

I'm trying to hold on

Just waiting to hear your voice

One word, just a word will do

To end this nightmare

When will the dawning break?

Oh, endless night

Sleepless I dream of the day

When you were by my side

Guiding my path

Father, I can't find the way

You promised you'd be there

Whenever I needed you

Whenever I call your name

You're not anywhere

I'm trying to hold on

Just waiting to hear your voice

One word, just a word will do

To end this nightmare

I know that this night must end

And that the sun will rise

And that the sun will rise

I know that the clouds must clear

And that the sun will shine

And that the sun will shine

I know

Yes, I know

The sun will rise

Yes, I know

I know

The clouds must clear

I know that the night must end

And that the sun will rise

And I'll hear your voice deep inside…"

I ended it there because it pretty much repeated itself for the next minute. Fabian stared at me, speechless. A wide grin crossed his face. "That was amazing," he remarked, finding the strength to sit up. I laughed and pushed him down again. "Oh, now I can't sit up?" he chuckled.

"Not unless you want to spend more time in bed," I flashed back.

He rolled his eyes. "However good a point that may be, I don't want to be lying down for the rest of the day."

"Well, you have to," I ordered. My phone rang: New TXT MSSG. I opened it and read it aloud. "You foolish bitch, Nina… did you really think you could kill me? I know of ways to get you back to where you belong, in America and out of my life!" I checked the number again. "Who could've sent me this?"

Fabian looked at it. He groaned. "Who do you think?"

"No!" I exclaimed. "It… she… she died! There was no way she survived!"

With a sigh, he shook his head. "I survived, didn't I?"

"Yeah, but you had the Amulet. She didn't. There's no way she could've lived through that unless you sheltered her." My eyes narrowed. "You would never betray me, would you?" I inquired, anger creeping into my voice.

"Nina…" Fabian began, but he broke off.

You still have feelings for her. You might say you love me, but you don't. You wanted to keep her safe, even if she turned into a crazy person who is out to get me. I bit back the retort. Putting his guitar back, I headed for the door. "I'm under a lot of stress without Joy in my life, thank you," I said over my shoulder. "Get Damian to take care of you if you need anything. I need time to think things through. And if you just so happened to pity her, it was the worst mistake you've made. The pressure I'm under barely leaves room for me to breathe."

"Don't say it," he pleaded.

I turned away. "For now, until I can clear my head, we're done, Fabian." It hurt me to say it, but everything I just said was true. I needed time to think and figure out what I had to do now. Ashley and Damian had said they felt something was wrong. I knew I had something to do with it. "Good bye," I muttered, closing the door behind me.

Ashley's POV

Uh oh. Fabian did something. Nina just walked upstairs with her head down, looking ready to cry. I looked at Damian. He nodded, heading for his room. I followed Nina to ours. Sadness trailed after her. I shut off my god senses, wanting to be normal for the conversation I was about to have. I needed to comfort her like someone ordinary.

"Nins, what's wrong?" I queried, sitting down beside her.

She shoved her face into her hands. "I got a text from Joy," she mumbled. "Yes, she's still alive. She said that she has ways of getting me to give up and go home. I asked Fabian if he helped her survive, and he just looked away guiltily. Before he told me he loved me. Now I know he still has feelings for Joy."

"He never had feelings for her. It was just a rumor that was going around before you came to the school. Jerome and Alfie started it – go figure. Patricia and Amber helped them spread it because they thought he and Joy made a cute couple. Mick joined them at some point. And Mara did her best to stay out of it." I rested my hand on her shoulder. "He does love you, Nina. Everybody can see that now, and they want you both to be happy. So if they found out about Joy, they'll help you get past whatever she has in store."

"Lola sided with her," she muttered.

"And she's trying to make it up to you by becoming a spy," I responded. "Nathan, Stacey, and Monique will help you even though they're still in America. Yes, I sent all four back home. Lola promised to keep in touch with us, though." I paused, wondering what else I should tell her.

"I'm such a moron!" she exclaimed abruptly. "Why did I break up with him before he could explain?"

I sensed the answer and ignored it again. "Probably because you thought you needed time to figure things out," I told her. "He'll love you no matter what. If you break up, he won't go out with anybody else. If you take him back, he'll make sure you stay safe."

Nina's POV

What Ashley said made sense. I sighed and looked at her. She nodded toward the door as a signal for me to apologize. "Thank you," I whispered, getting up to leave.

Damian was just coming out of the room. "He wants to see you, but I told him he couldn't," he announced.

"Thanks," I repeated, brushing past him. Fabian looked up from one of his books when I entered. He averted his gaze. I couldn't tell if it was from anger or nervousness. "I was an idiot before, and I'm sorry," I apologized.

"You were never an idiot. I was. I thought I felt someone next to me, but I was so focused on the Amulet and saving myself that I didn't do anything about it." He sighed. "Now I endangered your life and possibly mine," he concluded, shaking his head.

"Do you really love me?"

Fabian's POV

Did she really just ask that? "Of course I do, Nina," I answered. "But there is one thing that we both need to figure out." What am I saying this time? "Are you in love with me in return?" Why don't you just blurt out a question that ruins almost every relationship, moron? I waited, knowing I couldn't take it back now.

She hesitated, thinking. "Yes," she murmured, sitting on the edge of my bed.

"Yes?"

"Uh-huh."

I smiled and pulled her into a hug. She leaned in and kissed me. I'll be there for you no matter what, I promised silently, kissing her back. Joy won't kill you since I won't let her. When she broke away, I knew she had forgiven me. And I forgave her. "I do love you, Nina," I murmured.

"I love you, too," she whispered in response.

I didn't notice the window was open until it was too late. Joy shoved Nina against the far wall, her nails digging into Nina's neck. I saw scarlet appear. "Get off her, Joy," I ordered. I knew I shouldn't have, but I stood up anyway. Nina struggled against Joy's harsh grip. I wrenched Joy away from her and blocked her. "What do you want?" I questioned angrily.

"Aw, sweetie, you and I both know what I want," she replied in a smooth voice. "I want Nina gone so that we can finally be together again."

"First off, you and I were never together. Second, I love Nina, not you. And third, I would never let you hurt her."

Damian came into the room right on cue. His eyes narrowed. "Do I have to get the Amulet in here again?" he taunted.

Joy climbed back out the window. "I'll be back!" she called furiously.

I turned around to face Nina. "Ouch," I commented, looking at the marks in her neck. "Damian, could you fix these?"

He walked over and looked at them. "Easy," he answered.

"Thanks, both of you," Nina said once she was healed. "We'll have to keep a closer eye on Joy now." She stared at the window.

"She won't hurt you," I vowed.

"I'll get everyone to look out for you," Damian chimed in.

Nina pecked me on the lips. "I'll see you later," she whispered.

Damian followed her out of the room. I settled back on my bed. I knew Joy would try again and again until she succeeded. Shaking my head to clear it, I muttered, "How would they react if they found out I did save her?"

Nina was right – that would turn out to be the worst mistake I've ever made.

Chey: Ooh Fabian turns traitor.

Fabian: Hey!

Chey: What? I needed something to make the story more interesting. Would you quiet complaining about everything?

Fabian: Would you quit giving me the cruddy life?

Chey: Harsh. The next chapter will be a lot better for you two, I promise. But after that, I need to add some more disaster.

Fabian: Well, thanks a lot for giving me one chapter of happiness.

Chey: No problem. (Fabian glares) Geez, sarcasm! To my readers, Happy Earth Day! I hope you get 24 reviews for me to update again!