Nina:

She was frozen in her place, unable to move, unable to breathe. The person in front of him did the same, except it seemed that it was only natural for him to be as still as a statue. His red eyes were burning with emotion, almost saying that if he could cry, then he would. But it was too late for her tears. They were already streaming down her cheeks in an unstoppable waterfall.

"You're really here?" she asked, holding out hand to touch his cold marble face.

He smiled a wide smile, "I needed to see if you were alright. But I won't stay. I need to talk to my father and I never thought I would ever need to talk to you but I miss hearing the sound of your voice."

He sighed and pressed his lips to her in a kiss that both of them have wanted for so long…

That morning, she woke up in tears. Again.

She just found out the night before that one of her closest friends still had feelings for the man she so desperately wanted to know more about. Not to mention the most important part of her dreams, where they would just be together and be happy that way. And her siblings found her staring at herself in the mirror, judging herself for not being beautiful enough for him. Patricia has always been much better to look at, with her fiery red hair and stunning gray eyes, making her appear as if she was a model.

Nina realized that she needed time with her boyfriend. It has been a while ever since they actually hung out like they are supposed to. And he was very happy to finally see her smiling, even when it was just fake smiling.

Brian was very different from his siblings. He was kind, and sweet, and incredibly good looking. She should have learned to appreciate him more than she already is. He deserves it for his unending support in the stupid, useless things that she does to get another guy's attention. He understood what she was going through because he has been there in her position before. But it wasn't as hard as it was now.

"So, are you going to give me something to ask about or are you just going to start talking like before?" he teased lightly, placing a hand on her arm that was meant to be for comfort and concern.

"Well, do you want me to start talking?"

He laughed and nodded. And so she told him about his problems, told him the many things that were wrong with her life. If she hadn't fallen in love with him in the first place, her life would have been so much easier. She wouldn't have been worrying about what would happen to her when she made the mistake to talk to him. But she also knew that loving him was the most amazing thing because he was sincere about that. She even told him that, told him everything that happened to him ever since Fabian left.

"Look, Nina." He placed both hands on her shoulders now. "You're with me now and I want you to try to be with me."

She was smart enough to come up with that conclusion herself but it is very nice to actually hear it from someone else. Amber, much to her surprise, pushes him farther away from Fabian when just a few years ago, she would do everything to keep them together. And it was just another thing that changed too much, for the worst this time.

But Nina just sighed, agreeing to her boyfriend's terms for she didn't want to upset him. Plus, he was one the only reasons as to why she hasn't grown insane with loneliness. And no one would ever feel just as bad as she does when she let him go. Also, she was afraid that she would lose him too since she has been cheating on him in her dreams, in her thoughts. She loved someone else when someone else loved her.

What was she supposed to do now?

"You still have feelings for him, then" Brian noticed the changed in her expression, how her eyes turned into longing as his name repeated itself in her head, how her lips turned into a smile as she remembered the memories that involved him even when it was still so vague, how the only thing reflected in her was the very last image of him, and how whenever she looks at her current boyfriend, she finds that it wasn't enough. Because she already had a taste of perfect and she let go of it.

That was one of her many big mistakes.

"I still love him." She said simply, sitting up straight and moving at least a few inches away from him.

He nodded and stood, flashing her a grin as he tried to hide the pain in his eyes. "Well then, that's a goodbye."

Fabian:

How was he supposed to know that she would remember him so easily?

It was that simple. His every question was basically summarized as that. And his trip was made much more complicated and so he had to make a very unnecessary detour to Camp for that specific reason. He honestly was excited to see his friends and siblings again but the fear in him overcame any other emotion.

He was afraid of seeing her again, of having to deal with her tears or her screams. He was afraid of talking to Patricia and Amber after everything that happened between them. He was afraid of having to be talked about behind his back. He was afraid of being the person everyone expected him to be that he will never be. And only because he was the gifted son of Apollo everyone looked up to.

How are we going to do this? Edward asked as we drove towards the familiar unused pavement towards his second home. We can't just walk in, announce our arrival and then walk out. There has to be a reason why we're going here, Fabian.

Fabian laughed as his brother pulled over at the base of the hill, where the pine was still standing tall and proud in the morning sunlight. "So, Emmett, remind me why you're here again."

"Because I want to be." He huffed, his arms crossed. He and Edward had a loud argument about who else would accompany them in this quest and his only stand was that he didn't want to take his family away from the women they love just because he couldn't have his. But the mind reader insisted that he couldn't leave him into something that would probably scar him for life, if not, kill him.

Jasper actually laughed at the idea because his stand was that he was already dead, so he couldn't be killed anymore. We'll make this quick. I just have to talk to Amber and then we'll leave and never come back. No one dared argue with him as they stepped out of the car, heading directly to the tree and Fabian reminding himself constantly that his siblings wouldn't be able to cross the borders without his permission.

"I, Fabian Rutter, allow Edward, Emmett, and Jasper Cullen to enter camp."

They walked past the many campers with ease, having to ignore all those awestricken looks with difficulty. No one expected them to be back so soon, especially when their farewells were permanent enough to last forever. But he needed to talk to them, needed to explain to Amber the intensity of their situation, especially when the love of his life's well being depends on it. Where is she? Jazz asked, his eyes moving from one place to another quickly.

She's in her cabin. He answered automatically, seeing that Nina didn't want to talk to anyone and Amber was trying hard to be the friend she needed to be without having to defy her. But she's not alone. Brian's there but he isn't over the break-up yet so I probably shouldn't go in there. His red eyes turned towards the said cabin, seeing that they were the only people there. His blonde friend was trying hard to calm him down but it was very useless against someone as stubborn as him.

Fabian sat on the tree stump and rubbed his temples, trying to communicate to her and eventually succeeding after five full minutes of concentrating. Amber, go out of the cabin. I need to talk to you in person. He thought easily, taking a hesitant glance at his brothers who were eagerly shaking hands and patting their friend's backs. Only Edward looked back at him and flashed him a grin. Please.

She didn't even hesitate. She went flying through the door and running towards the last place they saw each other, sighing in relief when she actually saw him, her warm arms around him instantly in a friendly embrace. "You should have warned me that you'd come back. I should have kept Nina busy."

"She already has too much to worry about." He paused, staring at the sky. "How have you been, Amber?"

"Stressed but fine. Seeing you again honestly made my day but I don't think you came here just to ask me about my feelings."

He laughed heartily, he missed laughing like that. You have to stop her from the asking. She deserves better in life than tracking me down. He was sincere but he was hurting and he was desperate for Jasper to calm him down for he couldn't do that himself. He was grateful that his brother finally heard his plea and decided to help him out.

But as he looked at the girl who he has known ever since he was a child, he realized how much he trusted her with his problems. They have been friends for such a long time and he almost felt bad that he has to pick out his words just to keep it confidential. And if he was human, he would have started crying out of nowhere at the pure and utter shame he was feeling. But he had to do what he needed to do. This was for Nina's safety.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

Nina:

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her best friend was betraying her by having an intimate conversation with him. Nina already had this crisis on remembering him and she would go behind her back and act as if she never existed. And she could see how she looked at him, with absolute longing and… and…

She surprised herself when she strode out of her cabin and trudged over to their direction, feeling a tingling sensation on her arms and legs as she walked closer and closer. But Emmett and Jasper stopped her when she was already ten feet away, every inch of her skin filled with goosebumps. Nina had a feeling that she wasn't supposed to be this angry at him, especially when he hasn't done anything wrong.

"Amber!" her scream filled the silent atmosphere, surprising everyone who were minding their own business. "Please tell me that you're not doing what I think you're doing."

Her best friend didn't even try to lie. She just stood up and pushed her as far away that they reached cabin 11, making the sudden cold feeling under her flesh disappear and return to normal. But Amber didn't mind her tears for she just shook her as if she was trying to make her realize something. "That wasn't such a good idea."

"What do you mean that wasn't a good idea? Ambs, I barely know him and you're stealing him from me. You know I broke up with Brian because I still loved him."

"You barely know him." She repeated what Nina said. "Plus, I'm not trying to steal him. He wants to talk to me. And he has to leave soon so I think it would be ideal if we talk about this later." Never has she seen Amber this serious about something not related to love or fashion.

She hasn't quite realized that maybe they were together just because they wanted to talk. She has always been known for coming up with the wrong assumptions, especially when she sees something she doesn't like. She could already feel the heated jealousy in her veins as she watched the four brothers laugh at some joke, shoving and teasing. If that was Patricia who he wanted to talk to, she knew that she wouldn't be able to keep it to herself. She would have erupted like a volcano for all she knows. But it was Amber.

They were friends and Nina trusts her.

Before she could say another word, Amber was already on her way towards the Cullens, a smile on her face as Fabian took her hand and led her towards the forest. Her heart stung but she held her anger this time, taking all the negative energy and pushing it away from her and making sure that it forms another ball of energy where it is most hidden. She learned more to control that ability but her cabin stated that she was the only one, other than Lou Ellen, who was able to do that.

She made the mistake of going to Emmett. Out of all of them, she knew that he was the best person to talk to in this state. He can make her laugh and if that wasn't enough, then she wasn't sure what to do. "Um, can I talk to you?" she asked innocently, her eyes filled with unspoken thoughts that only Edward seemed to catch.

"Yeah, sure." He shot a look towards the others before following me towards the canoe lake, sitting down under a large willow.

Somehow they managed a light conversation, having to laugh every once in a while for absolutely no reason. She missed having to just let go of all the worries and be happy with someone. But she never really expected that the person she's going to be spending time with would be someone like him.

"What is it, Nina?" he finally asked seriously, "You couldn't have pulled me from a very nice fight without a good reason."

"I want you to tell me why Fabian doesn't want to talk to me. Is it something I did? Was it because of me not remembering anything about him?"

His eyes looked distant, probably looking at something she couldn't see. She had her guesses about who they really were but most of them were very impractical. If they were monsters, they would have taken every single opportunity to get every camper killed. But if they are innately good, like Tyson, then they would have to show that. But they have been so… quiet that they don't know what they are.

But he didn't say anything, shaking his head. "I can't tell you. I really can't. I want to but I can't. It is for your own good and… you're too good to waste."

Too good to waste?

Fabian:

Amber brought him to the middle of the forest, where there were still so many signs of his previous time there. The boulder he crushed was still scattered on the floor, in powder fine pieces small enough that you won't recognize them. He could also almost feel the fear emanating from the wood nymphs around him, wanting to leave but couldn't.

Amber, he started, going into her mind easily. I know it's hard for you to stop Nina from finding anything out about me and I just want to say that I'm really happy that I could trust you with this, but I feel terrible that you have to do the dirty work for me. You can back out any time you want. It was always better for him to voice out his thoughts, having to feel the loss of words only so rarely. And ever since he received this ability, he didn't waste any time training it for the better, for his advantage.

But her friend looked a little sad, placing a hand on his as she pulled him to another embrace. Fabian, she thought with absolute sincerity, you deserve to be happy with someone and I know that Nina can be so frustrating sometimes but you and her are meant to be together. I should have stopped her and Brian from happening when I knew that before. It's my fault that you're having so much trouble. Fabian placed a finger to her lips, wiping the tears in her eyes with his thumb.

He would be eternally grateful to Amber for she has done so many things for him. He never would have been alive now if it wasn't for her courage and advice. She is one of the people who kept him going, supporting him in the way that she does. She was sweet and kind and if she just opened his eyes to how beautiful the girl really is then he wouldn't be suffering now. But she was Alfie's and he wouldn't dare take her away from him. It would never be your fault. He soothed, I guess your mother just wanted to test the strength of our relationships by placing obstacles and I was too weak to face them so I ran away. It's mine. It would never be yours.

They sat in physical silence, mentally singing her a song that she was familiar with to calm her down. And Jasper was doing his best to help but it wouldn't do any good from the distance. After all, Fabian asked him to keep an eye on Nina together with his other brothers. I never thought I would have missed you this much. I'm always used to seeing you so close and now that you're gone, I didn't think that this was what I was going to go through. Even in her thoughts she was sad, I'm sorry for taking advantage of you when you were still human.

He placed a soft kiss to the top of her head, making her subconsciously smile at the feel of his cold lips. He never did that before, to anyone, and he regretted having to miss the experience. It felt nice to keep a person under control even when his heart was filled with the emotional turmoil that he didn't know which emotion was more evident.

It was meant for comfort but he instantly needed the contact that he survived for so long without. He missed feeling someone's lips on his, with so much affection and passion and love that it made him feel dizzy. He didn't want to do that with Amber, especially when she was wallowing in self pity. But it has almost been fourteen months. If I kiss you, will you allow me? He asked, his eyes locked on her blonde hair in curls.

I doubt Nina would. She teased lightly but her expression was serious; her face was dangerously close to his. But I want to make you feel better. He smiled as he placed two hands on the sides of her face, his thumb slowly caressing her full bottom lip.

You really are beautiful, Ambs. I'm just so sorry that I didn't recognize it earlier. Fabian pulled her to his lap with ease, using his vampire strength and speed so that he could have more time thinking than moving. But if you're not comfortable with this, then it's fine.

She managed a small giggle, I've always wanted to know how it felt like to kiss a vampire. And if it's like what the movie says…

He eagerly kissed her then, pulling her close when he felt her mouth moving with his in a professional dance. And all the while he was thinking of how… unusual it is to be with his friend this way. Unusually good. It felt nice. And he envied Alfie for being so selfish with her. But he kept his control, not going anywhere near a place where he would be too into it.

Nina has never kissed him this way, with the enthusiasm that could compare to Alice whenever she wants to go shopping. And he wished that it was her in his arms because he would have meant something more than just getting this done and over with. But he never felt any better than he already did, his fingers threading to her hair with utmost care. He didn't want to hurt her accidentally, nor does he want to hurt her in purpose. He needed to know what the only thing he could do that could keep the person he was in love with safe.

He noticed that Amber was almost out of breath so he sadly pulled away from her, flashing a sad smile as he kissed her softly again, a small peck on the lips. I never thought that you would be that good. Nina's been selfish.\

Plenty of practice. He mused lightly. And I think I'm meant to know things like that.

She managed a chuckle before they ran back to the world…

Nina:

Fabian and Amber came running from the trees, wide grins on their faces. And he placed her on the ground with ease as he whispered something to her ear. And this has been one of the few times where she actually heard her best friend laugh as heartily as Emmett. Even she couldn't make her do that. The only emotions Nina places over hear were fear and worry.

And she instantly saw the change in her appearance, saw how her eyes glinting in a way that Nina honestly never saw before, saw how her bottom lip was slightly more swollen than usual, saw how she skipped away happily from her place with that longing in her eyes that mirrored hers in times. But most of all, she saw how much she wanted to go back to his arms.

"What happened?" she asked

The smile on her best friend's face grew wider, pulling Nina into a hug too tight for her system. And she never really thought that Amber would be so excited like this, especially when she was so discouraging about this. Maybe she heard something she liked, something related to their relationship. Has she finally forced him to talk to her again? Has he finally let this go?

But it wasn't that.

The blonde kept blabbing about their conversation, slipping once about a kiss that she would never forget. At first, she questioned who the kiss was with. After all, it was impossible for her and Fabian to. But she never actually thought that the deed was done, that those lips that were talking actually touched the perfectly sculpted ones in the distance. She mentioned how perfect it was, how he gave his all because he was too desperate for one. And Nina questioned why it has been a long time since he kissed someone. Doesn't he have a girlfriend already?

Then, she let the fact sink in. Amber promised that nothing was happening between them and then she would go and go against it. And she was wrong again when she said that it was Patricia who was the competition. She never noticed that her best friend… her best friend! She never thought that her best friend, her most trusted ally, would betray her by taking what she wanted, what she needed. Nina wanted to cry but it was useless. What would her tears do to the past now that it has happened? "How was it?" she choked on the words but she managed to get them out.

"I thought I told you that already." She crossed her arms and made a face, shaking her head. "It felt as if I was in heaven, you know. It honestly was that good. And I can't believe that I never noticed he was such a good kisser, even before." She squealed like the Aphrodite child that she is.

If she could kill her, she could have. But she had much more to worry about if she did. Plus, what were the benefits of losing another friend? Fabian would hate her more than he already does. She didn't want to risk it.

Then again, who was there to stop her from stabbing Amber in the gut with the pen in her pocket?

So, as the blonde talked aimlessly about her perfect experience, she weighed out the pros and the cons of a murder attempt. Or an actual murder. She could make it look as if an enemy was the one who killed her but she could also be spotted so easily by a camper. Plus, she didn't want to be the center of everyone's attention once she has acted against her morals.

She snapped out of her thoughts when she felt goosebumps on her arms, feel it spread towards her spine and the back of her neck. But she didn't remember going towards him. Why was she feeling such things when she hasn't even moved from her place?

"Nina, may I speak with you?" a velvety voice asked hesitantly, a cold hand on her right shoulder to get her attention. "It is very important."

Sadly, it was Fabian.

Jasper brought her to the beach, watching her intently with eyes that looked very calculating and questioning. He was going to ask something but he didn't know how to phrase it well. What was he supposed to say? Does it have anything to do with her relationship with his brother? Or the kiss that they shared?

"I've never felt a person change their mood so easily ever since Bella did so about five years ago and even then it wasn't how you're doing it. I'm just curious as to how you really feel with what Amber told you."

Never once did she meet a guy who wanted to hear a girl's emotions. And Alice is very lucky to have someone to openly listen to her problems without worrying about getting judged. "I don't really know how I feel. I'm angry at Amber because of what she did. I angry at everyone for letting what happened to me happen. But I'm also scared that he won't accept me anymore." That's what she always thinks.