AN: Thank you for the lovely reviews. I do not own Vampire Academy/Bloodlines or the characters, Richelle Mead does.

Once I was back in my room at Amberwood, I cried. I cried because of all of those emotions that I didn't understand, but most of all I cried for the rejection that I felt from Adrian.

Chapter 10

The next day was Sunday, so there was no real need to get up. I stayed in bed continuing to cry about the night before. I wasn't sure I would ever stop crying and I didn't think that I wanted to.

At one point, I'm pretty sure Jill stopped by and knocked, but I didn't answer. She apparently did not feel the need to come in, either.

By the end of the day, I was still in bed having never felt the need to leave it. I was no longer crying, but I was fairly certain it was because I had no tears left. I fell asleep exhausted, but calmer.

When morning came, having gotten so much rest the prior day, I was up early. Well, I guess it really wasn't rest, more like restlessness, that caused me to no longer stay in bed.

I had realized that I needed to move on from this. I had spent entirely too much time crying over something that I did not understand. It was not like I had ever wanted a relationship with Adrian, nor could I have one.

He was right to stop us. It wasn't a good idea. I kept repeating this to myself and my mind totally agreed, but my body was having problems with it.

Since it was early and I knew Jill would not be up yet, I headed out to the track. I sat in the same spot by the fence and watched as football practice commenced. I had thought about what Adrian had said, about Trey helping me with my magical dilemma. Even though I knew that Adrian had not meant it, I thought maybe he was right. Trey probably knew more about the Alchemists than I did and I didn't really have anywhere else to start.

Once again, Trey did not notice anything going on outside of the field. It gave me a chance to watch him and not have to feel guarded. As I watched, I thought about the kiss that he had given me. It had been unexpected, but nice at the same time.

I knew that a relationship was not a priority by any means, but knowing now what I did about Trey, it almost seemed possible. He was human and he knew about the Alchemists, so it wouldn't be like the secrets that I saw my family struggle to keep from each other.

I had not realized how much time had passed, while I was collecting my thoughts. At some point, practice had ended. Trey was sitting next to me in the grass and his hair was damp as if he had just come from a shower and not from the field. I noticed that he smelled good. I couldn't place the smell, whether it was shampoo or cologne, but it smelled right on him.

"So, Eddie had told me you weren't able to make the game on Friday," Trey said as if he was grasping for something to talk about.

"Yes, I'm sorry about that. I just had some family stuff come up," I replied. It was not a topic that I wanted to discuss and I hoped my tone showed it.

"You sure seem to have a lot of family stuff that doesn't seem to include the family that is here," he said. I guessed my excuse wasn't going to be enough.

"Trey, I think we both know what kind of 'family stuff' comes up in my life and you also know that I can not talk about it," I replied flatly.

He did not reply to that. I stared down at my hands hoping that he would find something else to talk about. Being reminded of the other day was not helping me cope with it and I certainly was not going to talk about it with him.

"I think we are late for class," he said next. Well, that was something that brought me out of my slump.

"Shit!" I swore. It wasn't like me to talk like that, but so many things weren't like me anymore. I started to get up, but he grabbed my hand stopping me.

"I don't think you have to worry about it. It is not like you are behind in Ms. Terwilliger's class and I think she will be fine without an aid for one day," he said with a smile. I think he was amused by my earlier response.

I settled back down next to him, mulling over what he said. I'm sure he was right that Ms. Terwilliger would be fine if we missed class. Especially, since she would probably assume we were collaborating on spells or something.

"Listen, about the other day," Trey started. My body became tense with concern that we would have to discuss the kiss, but when Trey continued, he didn't mention it. "I know it was a lot to take in regarding sorcerers, Alchemists, and magic, but I do think it is important that you understand what you are capable of."

Well, that made two of us, but the only problem was that I could not ask him questions about it. Damn vampire compulsion tattoo. Luckily, I didn't have to try.

Trey reached up and stroked my cheek where the tattoo was. "I know you are forbidden to talk about it, so maybe sometime we could get together and you could just listen." I was grateful that he understood, since I wouldn't be able to explain it.

I smiled at him. "That would be nice," I said. We were looking into each other's eyes and he still had his hand on my cheek. It wasn't the same feeling that I got when looking into Adrian's, but it was still nice.

He leaned in placing a gentle kiss on my lips again and this time I leaned into it, kissing him back. It didn't bring fire to my body like kissing Adrian, but it still warmed me. Just like our prior kiss, it didn't last long, but this time when he pulled away, we were both smiling at each other.

He put his arm around my shoulder pulling me closer to his side and I leaned my head against his chest. It felt nice also, not the same as lying with Adrian, but nice. I listened to his heartbeat and his breathing along with the sounds of the nature around us.

He pulled me back slowly and we laid down in the grass under the tree I had been sitting near. He gently rubbed his thumb across my shoulder as I curled next to him with my head on his chest. All of my earlier tension had left and I felt at peace in that moment.

It wasn't an awkward silence, but I was wondering how we were going to go on from there. Trey thankfully spoke first, so that I didn't need to figure out what to say.

"So, I was wondering if maybe you would like to go out sometime and get a cup of coffee. You know, so we can talk or you can just listen or whatever…" he trailed off.

I had not thought that he would be nervous about asking me on a date, considering he had been the one to make the first move, but it was kind of cute. At least, I knew I wasn't the only one not sure of myself.

"Sure, that would be great. Um, after school today would be nice, you know, if you're free," I said. I was hoping I didn't sound too eager. I wasn't sure of the social customs when it came to dating.

Adrian had been right about me not being an expert in social matters. I am sure if he had heard our conversation, he would have found it hilarious being the party boy that he was. Of course, maybe he wouldn't have found it so funny, considering how he had reacted to Trey earlier.

I was still thinking about Adrian when Trey spoke. "I have practice right after school today. Our final game of the season is this Friday and the coach added more practices."

"Oh," I said. I wasn't sure what else to say.

"But, if you're free later this afternoon, we could, um, meet up and go to Spencer's," he said.

While he was asking about meeting up later, I came to the realization that I really needed to stop comparing Trey to Adrian. Trey was perfect. He was human, he knew about who I really was, and he seemed genuinely interested. I spoke with a little more confidence when I answered him.

"You know what. I really don't have anything to do later today, so why don't I come watch you at practice and then we can go out for that coffee." I was proud of myself. I did not stutter once when I responded. I decided that I truly did deserve a break from Ms. Terwilliger's insane research projects. Besides, it would just be nice spending time with someone who did not drive me crazy.

I listened to him breathe out as if he had been holding his breath waiting for my response. "That'd be great," he said with relief.

We heard the bell ring off in the distance to signify the change in classes. We sat up together and he stood first, offering his hand to help me up. After standing, I didn't let go of his hand. We walked to our chemistry class in silence, still holding hands.

During class, it was hard to concentrate with Trey sitting next to me. Every once in a while when our hands were idle, he would put his over mine. It was the simplest of gestures, but it still made me feel warm. When class ended, he walked me to PE and brushed a kiss against my forehead as he left.

Jill and Angeline were coming to class at the same moment he was leaving and I knew I would never escape Jill's questions this time.

"Okay, spill. There is no way you can tell me that that was nothing." Well, Jill certainly didn't waste any time. As we walked into the locker room, she continued to plead with me for details.

"Okay, okay," I said. "I'm not really sure what it is, but we are going for coffee later this afternoon after football practice."

Jill was bouncing with excitement. "So you're going on a date?" she squealed.

"I guess," I replied trying to act casual. I wasn't sure how big of a deal this really was. I did enjoy spending time with Trey and he did make me feel good when he kissed me, but I don't think I was even as excited as Jill was for me.

Jill kept her enthusiasm up throughout PE. Angeline thought she was being ridiculous and could have cared less about my date. What intrigued me most, though, was that throughout all of Jill's excitement over Trey, she never once asked what had happened the other day to keep me locked up in my room. I guessed that she did not want to dwell on whatever had been bothering me.

I was glad when PE was over and I was able to get away from Jill. Before I left, Miss Carson had me sign-up for volleyball tryouts. With the fall sports ending, the winter sports were going to be starting shortly after Thanksgiving. Tryouts were next week and whether I wanted to admit it or not, I liked volleyball.

When my classes ended for the day, I went and found Ms. Terwilliger in her usual spot at the library.

"I just wanted to let you know that I am going to take a break from research today," I said, leaving little room for discussion. I had lost my ability to show the normal respect that I should to a teacher, where she was concerned.

"I see," she said looking at me as if my tone was amusing. "Just like you felt you and Mr. Juarez should take a break from my class this morning."

Well, it wasn't as if I had expected her not to notice that her star pupil and her class aid had failed to show up, but I didn't like the tone she took when she mentioned it.

"We certainly weren't doing what you think we were doing, if that is what you are implying," I remarked. My statement was so vague and cryptic that I had trouble following it myself.

"I don't doubt. I wouldn't expect you to come around so easily to your gifts. I just hope that spending time with Mr. Juarez will at least open you up to the idea," she simply stated.

Something about her approving of me spending time with Trey rubbed me the wrong way. I felt the need to defend my views, even though I wasn't sure what they were anymore.

"I am not going to change how I feel, because of some boy. I am above that. Magic is still not natural and I will not partake in whatever it is that you want me to do." After I said it, I realized how childish it sounded. Trey was not just some boy and I knew it. I also wasn't even sure where I stood anymore regarding magic. I had just felt the need to let her know that she would not have any effect on changing my mind. It was irrational and stubborn.

"Clearly," she said. She didn't add to her comment. I think she knew it would only fuel my ridiculous arguments and they were just that, ridiculous. I was already doubting everything that I had been told by the Alchemists, by my own father. Whether I liked it or not, Ms. Terwilliger may very well be someone who could help me unravel the mysteries that I needed answers to, I was just not ready to swallow my pride yet, so I simply left after her comment.

I found my spot out under the tree near the track and sat waiting for practice to start. When the players ran out onto the field, I could see Trey looking for me. When our eyes met, he came jogging over to the fence. I had gotten up to meet him at the fence and had placed my fingers through the chain links. He placed his hand over mine on the fence and gave me a small smile.

"I'm glad you could make it. You didn't have any trouble getting out of your research, did you?" he asked.

I was not going to go into the gory details of my temper tantrum that I had thrown with Ms. Terwilliger, so I simply told him that she was fine with me skipping today.

The coach called the players to the center of the field and Trey jogged off, leaving me to settle back down under the tree.

I watched him during practice. He was so focused on the field. I do not think anything, including me, could have broken his concentration. It made me think back to Ms. Terwilliger's comments about what was needed for a human to perform magic. Trey definitely fit the disciplined part.

I managed to stay focused on practice enough this time to see it come to an end. Trey once again, took his jersey off as he headed to the sidelines to get some water. I admired his body as he moved. He didn't have the chiseled looks that Adrian did, but he was still rather nice to look at.

He didn't throw his jersey back on this time as he came jogging over to me. I guess there really wasn't any point in hiding the tattoo now.

"Hey," he said a little out of breath. "I'll be ready to go in like fifteen minutes. Just let me go grab a quick shower. I'm sure I smell pretty offensive right now."

I had moved back to the fence when he came over. He was smiling at me as he spoke. He looked even better with out his shirt on now that he was closer.

"Yeah, sure. I'll just wait here," I said. He told me that he would hurry and jogged off to the locker room.

I watched him leave and noticed how nice the tattoo looked on him. Seeing that tattoo got me thinking about when Adrian had gone with me to Nevermore. I remembered that ridiculous tattoo that Adrian had described and how he had actually been interested in getting it.

I was still smiling about Adrian when Trey came back. "So you ready to go?" he asked.

"Sure." We walked out to Latte and he caught hold of my hand as we went. I was getting used to the way he felt and how we seemed to fit together.

As we walked, he talked about football practice and the upcoming game. I listened as he spoke, but my mind kept wandering. I was comparing how he spoke about football to the way that Adrian spoke about art. I wished my mind would quit comparing the two of them, considering it was dead set against me being around Adrian.

Once we got to Spencer's, Trey had changed topics trying to find out more about me. I was never good at being the center of attention, so I chose what seemed like a safe topic to talk about regarding me, volleyball.

I told him how Miss Carson had been praising me for a while during PE and insisted that I tryout for the team. This surprised Trey. I guess I really didn't give the appearance of being athletic. I assured him that I could probably match him spike for spike if he wanted to test my skills. He found this amusing and agreed that we would definitely have to play a match against each other.

The rest of the evening contained lighthearted conversation about school and classes. I felt relaxed and comfortable with Trey. He was just fun to be with. As I let myself become consumed by our discussion, I found myself forgetting Adrian all together.

Once we were back at Amberwood, Trey pressed a gentle kiss to my lips before parting ways. As I went up to my room, I could still feel the warmth that his kiss left behind.

Jill met me in the hall. "So, how was your date?" she asked. I could see she was interested, but she didn't have her earlier excitement.

"It was good," I said and I couldn't help but smile. It really had been good. I hadn't been on many dates, so I didn't have much to compare it to, but I think it had probably been the best one I had ever had.

"That's good," she said. I couldn't help, but wonder if something was wrong. I mean, I didn't need her to be as excited as she was earlier, but this was a drastic change from her earlier attitude.

"Is something wrong, Jill?" I asked.

"No, I guess not. It's just that I haven't been able to sense Adrian and I am beginning to get worried. I don't want to bring you down, though. I know he is not your responsibility and I'm sure he is fine…" she trailed off lost in thought or maybe she was just trying to get into his head.

"You know, he has learned how to block you when he wants to," I tried to say reassuringly. "I think he does it to try and keep some part of his life private. I'm sure if he was in real trouble, you would know." I was so proud that I had been able to forget about Adrian for almost my entire date and I didn't real want to start thinking about him now.

"You're probably right," Jill said with a smile. I knew she was hoping I would volunteer to check on him, but I could also see she wasn't going to ask.

"He hasn't been drinking, right?" I asked. I knew that those side effects flowed through to her and she certainly did not need that on a school night.

"No, I would know if he was doing that. I think that is what bothers me most. If something is bothering him and he is not drinking, then what is he doing," she said.

"I think he has learned how to handle himself better than that. I know he doesn't need a crutch and I think he has finally realized that too," I said with more confidence than I felt. Especially, after seeing the way he went for that drink the other night. I could not worry about it though, I knew he could be strong if he wanted to and I had to believe that he would be.

"You know, it means a lot to him the way you believe in him," Jill said. "I know I have told you that before, but you haven't known Adrian as long as I have. He has changed a lot and I believe you have a lot to do with it. I never thought he would be able to get past what happened with Rose, but you've never given him a break like everyone else. I think he really needed that."

I wasn't sure what to say. When I had come back from my date tonight, I had just wanted to go to sleep dreaming about Trey, but now all I could do was think about Adrian and if he was okay. Damn it, I wished I could just turn off all of my feelings that had to do with him.

"Listen, if it will make you feel better, I could run over there real quick and make sure he is still breathing," I said. I hoped she would tell me not to worry about it, but her face lit up at the offer.

"Oh, thank you, Sydney," she said excited. "As soon as you get back I want all the juicy details of your date." I didn't have the heart to tell her that I would probably be in no mood to talk to anyone after seeing Adrian.

"Okay, if it's not too late," I said and off I went to check on Adrian. I told Mrs. Weathers and as usual, she grumbled about it being a school night and that I better make it quick. Little did she know I was not any happier about having to go.

Please R & R. Comments are always welcome. :)