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Chapter 10

Amy was sitting in hers and Sinead's room, taking a deep breath. She would try, the following days, to observe her connection with Jake. She had to try, he was such a great guy and he didn't deserve being dumped without a good reason.

Honestly, she didn't have a reason. Not really, just... just a feeling.

But was it enough? Was it Okay to break someone's heart only because you have a feeling?

Suddenly, Sinead stepped into the room. "You ready?"

Amy sighed, smiling at her. "Yes."

Sinead took a sip from her bottle and observed her. Amy was wearing a simple, thin, purple sweater and dark jeans. "You're not wearing his jacket."

"Oh, it's a bit warmer outside today."

Why Sinead had such a skeptical look on her face?

She turned around, her red curls jumping with the movement. "You know, before Ian stepped outside the last meeting, I saw him talking to Jonah Wizard."

"Really?" Amy titled her head. "And... how did you see it? Did anyone else see?"

Sinead shook her head. "They were doing it really fast, but I caught it. I don't think anyone else saw, but it's still different. I guess no one from the Lucian branch and the Janus branch would care that much, because these branches are more friendly with each other. Anyway, they were really careful."

"Oh, okay..." Amy narrowed her brows. "I didn't know. That's... weird, I guess."

"Yea." Sinead laughed and threw a shirt on her. "Come on, we need to go right now if we want to get in time."

Amy sighed and took the shirt off of her face. "When can we have a break? These meetings are taking place too often."

"And aren't you happy about it?" Sinead glanced at her, winking. "You get to see Ian Kabra every time."

Amy blushed and looked down as she got up. "Don't be silly, I've already told you - we're just friends."

Today, she had an urge to try to forget about him. She didn't put on his jacket, she didn't even want to hear his name. It felt like... It felt like her relationship with Jake was on the line mostly because the connection she had with him, and she couldn't loath herself more because of that.

They stepped out of their apartment. "Hmm... and what does Jake think about your 'friend'?

Amy got into the car and closed the door after her. "He doesn't know, and he doesn't need to. Ian is just another friend."

"Friend who gave you his jacket as a gift." Sinead stared driving.

"He was just being nice to me."

"Nice? Him? Maybe to you, to me he is always a jerk."

"Maybe you guys just need more time to get along."

"Cut the crap, Amy. All this... this game you two are playing, it's reckless and dangerous and stupid. I'm sorry, I'm just... I don't want something to happen to you."

Amy took a deep breath. She had already known all that, but... "Sinead," She straightened, her voice a bit louder. "What if we can start something... completely new? Prove that the branches don't have to be enemies? That we can overcome this... this situation?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Sinead parked. "Amy, I appreciate you, and I appreciate your good will and your good heart. That's why you're my best friend. But this..." She waved her hand in dismiss.

Amy sighed, as Sinead stepped out of the car.

When they stepped inside the hall, Vikram and Isabel Kabra were already seated. The rest of the Lucian branch, too. He was the only one who was missing.

Amy bit her lip. Surely he was just late, right? He was going to come, right?

Why did she even care? Wasn't she supposed not to?

But he didn't arrive. The meeting started without him, and as it painfully and slowly continued, and continued, all Amy could think about was how much she wanted him to burst in, dignified and handsome as ever.

Where was he?

Nobody had permission to escape these meetings just for anything.

Taking a deep breath, she left for the bathroom.

There, feeling almost like a thief, she took out her phone and texted him -

'Where are you?'

Painfully waiting for his answer, she bit her lip.

She almost cried in relief as she got a text back.

'Car accident, some idiot ran into me'

Oh, god.

Before she had enough time to think, she got another one -

'Don't worry, love. I'm fine. How is the meeting?'

Was he kidding her?

'Ian, your parents are here. Is there anyone with you?'

'No, I haven't told anyone beside the board. And now, you.'

'What? Why?'

'It's not a big deal, relax. I have a few broken ribs and I need to wait to get some tests, but that's all.'

Lowering her phone, she took a deep breath.

Texting him again, she asked him which hospital he was staying at, and he answered back.

She closed her phone and hurried to the meeting. If he thought she was going to just leave him all alone while he was injured, then he was dead wrong.

When the meeting was finally over, she pulled Sinead aside. "Ian is in the hospital."

"What happened?" Sinead cocked her head.

"A car accident," Amy sighed, green eyes looking down. "I want to go visit him. Do you want to -"

"Too dangerous, Amy."

"Yea," She took a deep breath. "Well, I'm going anyway."

"Yea?" Sinead crossed her arms. "How, exactly?"

Amy looked up. "I will take my car."

Sinead snorted, but the her smile vanished as she realized her friend was being serious. "That wreck of yours wouldn't survive that long of a drive!"

Amy shrugged. "He is alone there, Sin. Even his parents don't know."

Sinead sighed. "Take my car."

Amy smiled and wrapped her arms around her. "Really?"

Sinead hugged her back, sighing. "Just... Take care, okay? And if he tries for anything-"

"He won't," Amy let go and smiled at her. "He saved me, remember?"

Sinead examined her smiling face, wondering if her friend was just too innocent or maybe she did see the good in everybody. "If you say so."

Thank god Sinead let her borrow her car, that was all Amy could think about as she parked inside the hospital parking lot. The road was just so bumpy and harsh, there was no way her car could stand it.

Stepping outside the car, she texted him -

'Which floor? Which room?'

It was a few minutes until he answered back. 'Why do you want to know?'

'Well, I didn't drive all this way for nothing.'

'Are you kidding me? You're here?'

"Yep.'

'Floor 4, room 102. I can't believe it.'

'Is that bad? Do you want me to go?'

"No, no. Just... Come here.'

She took a deep breath as she searched for his room, until she finally found it. There, alone, lied Ian Kabra in all of his glory, shirtless. His chest was covered in bandages, and all his upper body was full of bruises.

Feeling shy suddenly, she was hesitant before his door. But he turned his head and caught her standing there.

When his eyes met hers, she knew she had to finally step inside. "Hey," She said softly, getting closer to his bed. "How do you feel?"

"Don't tell me you drove all the way here."His voice was tough but his eyes were softer.

She playfully smiled. "Okay."

"Seriously?"

"I didn't want you to go through this alone," She explained, her warm eyes smiling at him. "Two years ago I had an accident, and I don't know how I would have gone through it without the support of my family and friends."

He nodded, but looked away. "I don't need anybody, really."

She bit her lip, feeling totally unwelcome, but then his warm, big hand sneaked into hers. Then, she heard his deep voice saying - "But it's still nice to have you here."

Taking a deep breath, she smiled at him again and sat on his bed. "So what's the deal?"

"I have some broken ribs, that's all. I just need to take it slow the next few days and rest."

"Will you manage? You know, with work, school and everything..."

"I can work and study from home, it's not a big deal."

She nodded. "So what now?"

"I'm waiting for the doctor to come and set me free."

She laughed.

When she smiled, she looked even more prettier, lord knows how that was possible. Her cheeks pink, her reddish hair smooth and falling down her shoulders, and her soft pink lips... It all reminded him of blossoming, of happiness. Of something pure and good.

"You know," When she rose her green forest eyes to meet his, it was like the picture was ten times better. "Sinead saw you and Jonah Wizard talking the other day."

"Oh, really?" He cocked his head. "Was she following me or something?"

She giggle and shrugged. "Maybe."

He sighed, eyes glaring at her. "The guy is not an idiot as he looks like, he actually has something to offer. He doesn't play games and he is very sharp. He knows what he is doing, he is not just another idiot with a good voice. That's the kind of people I like."

Amy listened, eyes warm and clever. "It looks like he feels the same way."

He rolled his eyes as she laughed. "You make it all sound so...corny."

She laughed. "And you make it all sound so... cold."

"It is cold." His eyes were fixed on hers, and she felt the vibration down her arm, this thing that kept showing whenever he locked eyes with her.

"It doesn't have to be." She mumbled back.

Three seconds passed and then the spell broke by the doctor, stepping inside. "Ian Kabra, here are your release papers. I understand you have a busy schedule but you must rest well the next weeks in order to heal properly. And no sport!"

Ian sighed and made effort to rise. "Thank you, doctor."

The doctor glanced at Amy, her lips tightly closed. "So you called somebody after all?"

"Yes," Ian smiled at her, And Amy saw that again, it wasn't his happy smile. Even though it was still charming, it was his bitter smile. "Someone who cares."

She blushed, touched and embarrassed at same time.

"Good," The doctor nodded in approval. "Take good care of him young lady."

"Hmm, I'm not - We're not -"

How do you explain to somebody their forbidden friendship?

Ian laughed softly at her discomfort, softness in his eyes. "We're not dating. Well, I ask her out all the time but she keeps saying no to me."

If you play a game, at least play it well.

"Ian!" She turned to face him, her blush spread across her cheeks.

"Really?" The doctor passed her stares between them, and Amy thought she was probably wondering who could say no to him. Eventually, her eyes stopped on her blushing face. "Well, She is here after all, maybe you still have a chance." The doctor said eventually, nodding.

Ian chuckled, wanting to look at her to see her reaction but holding himself. "Yea, maybe."

The doctor left and Amy turned to face him. "Seriously?"

He chuckled again, mischief in his golden eyes. "It was your fault, I don't even think she was that interested to begin with."

She rolled her eyes but helped him get up. "Whatever." She mumbled, face still red.

"How did you come here?"

"I took Sinead's car."

He sighed and looked outside. "Your apartment if far. How much time it took you?"

Amy blushed. "About two hours and a half."

He sighed. "I can't believe you."

She smiled. "We're friends now, I couldn't let you go through it on your own."

When they stepped out of the hospital, she turned to face him. "Do you have a way to go back to your apartment?"

"It's fine," He answered. "I will just call a cab."

"I can drive you if you want, you live near don't you?"

"Yes," Suddenly he looked disturbed. "It's dark now, do you plan on driving home on your own?"

"Don't worry about it," She smiled. "it's nothing."

"No, it's not nothing," He shook his head. "The way here is dangerous even in daylight. Do you have school tomorrow? It's Sunday."

"I don't." She answered, eyes searching his. Why on earth did she want him to invite her to his house? Why did she want this? Why?

"Then you can stay at my place and drive home in the morning." He offered.

"Are you sure your Okay with this?" She asked, suddenly hesitant. No one could know about this. If her parents find out...

"I'm sure." He nodded.

She used all the will power she could master to smile at him, while inside she felt her heart beating fast, fast, fast. "Alright, then! It's going to be fun, like a pajamas party."

He laughed, so nonchalant she could never even guess he was nervous. "Exactly, huh?"

She laughed, feeling the stress wear down a bit, and then he smiled - A real smile, a happy smile.

Just wait for the next chapter, I work really hard on chapter 11, and it's going to be awesome.

Anyway... I'm going to respond now!

Godgirl13 - You already know you are my one and only godgirl! Love you :)

Mademoiselle - Glad you loved the chapter :) As I said a couple of times before, this story is OOC and AU. So the characters are acting a bit different sometimes. It's on purpose, doesn't matter that he is a Madrigal. He came to a point when he just couldn't take it any longer, and he blowed.

Ohhhh I like how you think! You already want to know when they start getting serious haha. Well, I'll tell you what.

I like building it, because I believe that getting touchy and all that should not come so fast in out real life. I believe today people are getting touchy way too fast, and sometimes it loses all magic, all meaning because of that.

Of course, it's just a story, but I still want to deliver a message this way, you know?

Don't worry, they will get there ;)

Guest - This is so mice of you. Thank you so much it means so much to me. I think you and the rest are going to like the next chapter, I very much hope so at least, please stay around!

Triviachamp - Never saw a grown up getting angry before? You already know what I think of your views about adults. It's like you think they are perfect or something, and it's just not true. We already had this conversation before I think.

The clue hunt happened but a long time ago, the characters did not take part of it.

Ian is a student in college, actually I mentioned that a couple of times in the story.

Of course they don't have a monopholy, that would be insane. There are so many drug companies that it's immposible.

Thank you for your nice words, I appreciate it :)

Guest (2) - OHHH THANK YOU! I try! Believe me it's just so hard because I'm so damn busy! haha glad you love it though. Love you!

Stay awesome :)

Until next time!