Again, another chapter. This one has a bit less action, but more Jeraily (Jeremy/Haily) interaction.
Enjoy the read!
Chapter 9: Dying from the inside
The following Monday, Haily went to school with Stefan like any other morning. The exception was that she felt awful. She didn't want to attend school. She felt sick in her stomach at the mere thought of being in a crowded place. She hadn't left her room all week-end, barely eating.
Stefan looked at her, a bit worried by the expression displayed on her face.
-I'm sure it was just a way to make you uncomfortable. For all we know, it could be an empty threat.
She didn't even bother to look at him.
-Yeah, because Klaus is just the kind of man to make empty threats…
Her voice sounded bitter, she knew it. She wanted to feel like it was an empty threat, but his voice when he told her he wanted her as his fallen angel made her want to commit suicide, just for the sake of not falling in his hands. If she became a fallen angel, she knew there would never be any coming back. Her hands balled into fists while she tried to shake the thought away from her mind.
Stefan parked the car and turned to her. She refused to look back at him, so he sighed and got out of the car without another word. As Haily did the same, she saw Jeremy and Bonnie coming toward her. She tried to escape by pretending she hadn't seen them coming, but Jeremy just jogged to her, followed by his girlfriend. Haily looked up to meet his eyes.
-Hey.
-Hey, are you okay? You left so fast Saturday.
-Yeah. As I told you, I forgot I had to talk to Damon. It's nothing important.
Her attempt to smile genuinely clearly failed, so she just turned away without another word and walked to the building. Jeremy looked back at Bonnie, who was looking at the teenager's back with furrowed brows.
-Something's clearly wrong with her.
Jeremy nodded.
-I'll try to talk to her during class.
The bell rang, cutting short their conversation.
Haily had been able to keep from talking to Jeremy all morning, but lunchtime came and she couldn't dodge his questions anymore. He sat next to her at the table. She looked at him, noticing that he was alone.
-Where's Bonnie?
-She's sitting with Elena and Stefan. I told her I had to be alone with you.
She let out a snort.
-You shouldn't. I could jump on you or something.
He lifted a brow but she didn't explain further. Instead, she started to eat her chicken sandwich with all the concentration she could put in the simple act of chewing. Jeremy didn't talk for a few minutes, but quickly grew tired of her attitude.
-Why don't you want to talk to me?
She sighed. If she kept it from him any longer, it would reflect on their friendship and she didn't want it.
-I didn't want to worry you. It's really not that big of a deal.
The way he looked at her, she knew he didn't believe the last part. She sighed once more.
-Okay, but promise me you won't get all worry about it.
He nodded.
-Klaus was at the Grill Saturday. He was beside me when I went to get something to drink.
Jeremy's eyes immediately went wide. He was about to get on a roll of questions about how she was and what the original had said, but she hold up a hand to keep him quiet.
-I'm fine. He didn't touch me. We just talked.
She let her sight drop from his eyes to the table. Despite the fear running through her body at the memory of her chat with Klaus, she tried to keep her voice steady. No need to worry Jeremy more than he already was.
-He said he has plans for me. He wants me to join him.
She looked back up at him. When their eyes met, she felt the shell she'd tried to build crumble down. Tears welled up in her eyes and she furiously wiped them. She took what was left of her lunch, dropping it in the nearest garbage and left the cafeteria. Jeremy stood up and ran after her.
He caught up with her just outside the building. She had her back against the wall, struggling to calm down. He tried to put his arm around her, but she stepped away. Instead, he settled to sit beside her when she let herself slid down the wall. Slowly, her breath calmed down.
Jeremy took her hand in his, just like she'd done when they were in the basement during the ritual. Haily let her head fall on his shoulder.
-What's wrong with me? I keep crying like a baby. I wasn't like that until…
She stopped short, taking off her shirt to reveal a camisole. She turned so that her left shoulder would be in front of Jeremy.
-Can you lift up the bandage and tell me what it looks like?
He wasn't sure why she asked, but did it anyways. He gasped when he saw her wound. Haily tried to look at it, but she couldn't quite move her head enough.
-What? Jeremy, what is it?
Jeremy replaced her bandage and looked her in the eyes.
-I think you'll have to skip class this afternoon. We need to take you home.
All the way to the boarding house, Haily kept asking Jeremy what was wrong with her shoulder. He never told her. Once they arrived, he called Damon, who was there in a second. The vampire took a quick look at her wound.
-Take her upstairs, I'm calling the others.
Jeremy nodded and helped her walk upstairs.
-Where's your room.
She faintly pointed the second door to the left. The more time passed, the weaker she felt. When they reached her bed, she collapsed on it. Jeremy tucked her in bed. He was about to turn around and leave her, but she gripped his arm.
-Stay. Please.
He hesitated for a second before sitting next to her on the bed.
A while later, Haily woke up alone. She'd had a nightmare once again. Actually, she'd screamed so loud in her dream that she was surprised she didn't in reality. She opened her door. Immediately, she heard Damon's voice in the distance.
-No, she won't. There has to be a cure.
She discreetly walked to the stairs, where she could hear clearly. She could hear someone pace around. The pacing suddenly stopped. She moved to the first stair, from where she could see the living room.
Damon was in the middle of the room, a glass of bourbon in his hands. Bonnie, Jeremy and Stefan were sitting around, pretty much all looking defeated. Elena walked to Damon and put a hand on his arm.
-We'll find a way.
Haily walked down the stairs, worried about their expressions.
-What's wrong, guys?
Everyone stared at her. Stefan stood up and walked up to her.
-You shouldn't be up. Come on, I'll walk you back to your bed.
She shook her head, dodging the arm he extended to her.
-No. I want to know what's wrong. What do you need a cure about?
An idea popped in her head.
-Is it Klaus? Did he infect someone?
She looked at everyone, trying to understand who could have been bitten by Klaus. The way they were watching her suddenly dawned on her. Was it pity in their eyes? And was it true sadness in Damon's and Jeremy's eyes? Like the sadness of losing someone you've grown to care about.
-It's me, isn't it? The werewolf bite is killing me.
To her surprise, her voice was steady. She didn't feel like crying anymore. She was dying because she'd saved her savior. She did her job and now she would go back in Heaven with God and the older angels. She smiled sadly. She was pained to hurt them. By dying, she would hurt Damon and Jeremy, along with probably Stefan and even Elena. She felt bad for the pain she was causing them.
-I'm sorry. I think I should leave.
I'd say not to worry too much about Haily. I already has an idea that will be painful for her, but not in the physical way.
I should update tomorrow. Until then, you know what to do! (if not, review ;) )