Thank you again for your wonderful reviews. I decided to update which was not my plan but due to the fact that I got my acceptance letter from university today I could not resist. I am going to major in BA French. I hope you will like this chapter and please forgive me for any grammatical mistakes.

Jessie hurried downstairs as she was already late. She had planned on meeting Kim at The Rack. On her way out she bumped into Amanda. Oh great just what I needed to ruin my morning. She thought bitterly. She noted Amanda's new haircut and she grudgingly admitted to herself that it suited her. Jessie had no doubt that it was for Kyle's benefit and she felt herself becoming extremely jealous. The blonde was also wearing a new palest blue sundress. Amanda's smile faltered on seeing Jessie. The latter wondered why she was so happy. Amanda was the first one to speak.

"Hi Jessie. Nice morning isn't it?"

Jessie considered not acknowledging her but then remembered with great resentment her part in convincing Kyle to meet his real family.

"Maybe for you but believe me after gracing me with your undesirable presence my morning couldn't be bleaker." Jessie answered coldly. Amanda's smile had completely disappeared. Jessie knew she had been a little too harsh and felt slightly regretful but was still feeling resentful towards her.

"That is enough Jessie. You really have no right to talk to Amanda that way." A furious voice said behind them.

Both girls turned towards the source of voice and saw an angry Kyle. Here we go thought Jessie bitterly.

xxxxxx

Kyle was resting in his room when he felt Jessie's presence leaving the house. He got up from his tub when he felt Amanda's heartbeat. He smiled slightly then remembered that he had promised to accompany her to The Rack today. He quickly brushed his hair and changed into a clean shirt and went downstairs. He quickened his pace when sensing Jessie's presence alongside with Amanda's heartbeat. Knowing fully well that these two would never have a decent conversation he could only hope that he wouldn't have to interfere. He frowned when sensing Jessie's bitterness and anger and was just in time to hear her harsh comment to Amanda. He became angry on seeing Amanda's shocked and slightly infuriated features. Without thinking the words just blurted out.

"That is enough Jessie. You really have no right to talk to Amanda that way." He slowly made his way towards both girls and frowned at Jessie. He wasn't sure if he should say anything more or just let it be. Jessie just stared at him with emotionless eyes. Amanda who had been feeling earlier angry towards Jessie was now extremely happy by Kyle's reaction and defence for her. Hoping to gain Kyle's attention she broke the icy silence.

"Hey Kyle. It is ok. Don't you worry about it. So how do you find my new haircut?" she asked eagerly.

Kyle then noticed her hair and said warmly and truthfully. "You look really beautiful." He then realised his mistake when he suddenly remembered Jessie was present. He glanced at her but Jessie still maintained her icy façade. Amanda beamed at him and thanked him shyly. She then said shrewdly for Jessie's benefit.

"Shall we go to The Rack? We are getting late."

Kyle groaned inwardly at her choice of words. She made it sound like a date. He was still unsure about her feelings for her and Jessie. He could not deny the fact that Amanda was his first love and he had considered her as his soul mate. But he also had developed feelings for Jessie and he didn't want to hurt her any further. He sensed Jessie's feelings which were a mixture of surprise and hurt and felt a bit guilty. His thoughts were interrupted when Amanda spoke to Jessie in a seemingly soothing voice.

"I am really sorry Jessie if I make you feel bad. I hope we can be at least civil to each other. I know you have experienced a lot and I am sorry for you."

Jessie immediately saw through her fake behaviour. What a hypocrite. She thought furiously and said angrily.

"No need to be and don't you dare pretend that you care for my feelings. You are just doing that to gain Kyle's reaction."

Kyle's patience finally snapped and he roughly grabbed Jessie's arm to stop her insulting Amanda. He ignored the electrifying tingling that went through him at the contact and tried to keep his anger in check. Even Amanda was surprised by his unusual reaction.

"Why the hell are you being so difficult Jessie? You really have no right to insult Amanda for stupid reasons." He said in a deceptively calm voice that even sent a shiver through Jessie. The furious brunette tried to take back her arm but Kyle's grip on tightened. She too ignored the traitorous reactions towards his touch and snapped.

"Don't you dare talk to me like this and will you please stop…manhandling me." Kyle immediately let go of her arm. Kyle sighed dejectedly.

"Be sensible Jess. You should really apologise to Amanda. I can't believe you. She is

being so nice and you are being unfairly mean to her" he said sternly.

"I am sure she does not mean it that way Kyle" Amanda intervened in a small hurt voice.

Kyle gave her an apologetic look to which she responded by smiling at him in a reassuring way. On seeing this little exchange Jessie felt more annoyed and hurt.

"Oh but I do dear Amanda. I will certainly not apologise for stating the truth" Jessie said with a fake sweet smile.

Kyle looked at her with disbelief while Amanda just looked at her with exasperation but with a hint of triumph.

"Jessie…" started Kyle warningly but Jessie interrupted him.

"You know what? You both truly deserve each other. Both of you are so pathetic and act like hypocrites. And frankly I have better job to do than to intrude upon your so lovely date. So I will just take my leave" concluded Jessie sarcastically. With that parting line she went away leaving an angry young couple behind.

xxxxxx

Jessie was fuming by the time she reached The Rack. She did not spot Kim so she assumed that she had arrived a bit earlier than intended. She still could not believe the way Kyle had talked to her. She knew that his anger was a bit justifiable but nevertheless the fact that he had taken Amanda's defence hurt her more than she cared to admit. Maybe the dream was a way to tell me that I am going to lose Kyle. She thought with panic and cringed inwardly at the prospect. At that moment she really hated her life and wanted more than anything to escape from her problems. She thought of Amanda's hypocrisy and Kyle's protective attitude towards her and the pain in her heart became almost unbearable. Why is it that I always end up losing the people that I love…first Sarah and now Kyle…she thought painfully. With a sudden sense of foreboding she remembered that Kyle and Amanda were supposed to come to The Rack. Not wanting to face them again she immediately phoned Kim and cancelled their meeting. Kim sensed Jessie was upset and decided not to pry until she was ready to tell her. Jessie started running towards the woods which lately had become her sanctuary.

There she sat down against a tree and allowed the tears to fall down which she had tried to restrain since her encounter with Kyle and Amanda. She cried for her unrequited love, cried for her problems concerning Latnok, cried for her dead mother that she never got the chance to know better and mostly cried for being alone and feeling unwanted.

Xxxxxxx