I smiled softly, breathing in the sweet smell of cinnamon. It floated in the air, circling the kitchen. I sighed in content. It was christmas, a mere 4 months after I arrived here.

My friendship with Ty had somewhat grown. He'd now smile at me, no more gruff comments, no more hurtful words. He seemed more relaxed around me, me to him.

I grinned into the mirror, once again taking a deep breath of the calming scent. I pulled my fingers through my hair, carefully de-tangling my natural bouncy blonde curls. Rising to my feet, I headed for the door. Smoothing down my dress, a red, light short dress, that seemed to float around my mid-thigh. On the bodice there was a hand full of little crystals, not too much, just enough to catch the light. We were going to a Christmas party the town was holding. Poking my head around the kitchen door, I smiled at everyone, checking my dress one more time.

Ty was sitting at the table, his hair like perfectly messy-if that's even possible. He had a dark grey shirt on with dark jeans. He looked-... Well good. That's all I can say without drooling. He gave me a small smile, leaning back in his chair. We don't really ever have proper conversations, like the one's where you actually talk. We just do it with our eyes. A smile means anything we want it too, we both understand each others. It's this weird sort of friendship, but we know it's there.

Nancy beamed at me, "Amy, you look lovely dear!" I smiled back,

"Thank you, it's pretty nice if I do say so myself."

"Nice! It's lovely!" She shook her head, smiling happily. Amber swished in, looking stunning. She had the same bouncy blonde curls as me, the same shape face, everything. In another life we could have been sisters, twins.

"Aww! Amy, you look gorgeous." Amber smiled at me, smoothing down her own dress. See sisters.

I shook my head, "Not as good as you."

She waved her hand at me, "Whatever you say."

I chuckled softly, watching as Max strode in. Nancy's partner, Amber's Granpa. Nancy gave him a quick kiss, sorting out his suit. "Someone's looking good." She grinned.

He rolled his eyes, kissing her back. "I can say the same about you."

She laughed, "Whatever."

Amber rolled her eyes, as if to say copy cat. I just laughed, smiling down at Ty, who was sitting in the middle of it all. He smiled back, glancing at the door as a knock sounded. "I'll get it!" Amber cried, she hurried into the hallway, opening the door to be met my her boyfriend, Tom and Soraya. She hugged him, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek, sorting out his suit. It was hard to believe her and Nancy were not related, they were practically identical. Soraya squeezed past them, making a vomiting action as she strode into the kitchen.

"Please." She sighed oh so dramatically, grinning at me, merely glancing at Ty, taking him in all his greek god goodness. "Matt's meeting me there."

I nodded, giving her a quick look. She had on a blue dress, similar shape to mine. Her hair bounced around her shoulders, framing her face. "Someone's looking good."

She laughed, "Thanks, you look gorgeous."

I laughed back, glancing round the kitchen. Nancy nodded, "Let's get going."

I smiled, following everyone out the kitchen. Hopping into Soraya's car, waving to Nancy and Max as they took the truck. Amber went with Tom and Ty slipped into his own, smiling softly as he caught me watching him. Clicking on my seat belt, I leant back in my seat, sighing in content. "I'm so glad I came here."

Soraya grinned, "What cause you met me?" She asked it more as a statement than a question. Big headed or what.

I shook my head, "Obviously. But what I mean is that I've got to be part of this life. Get back to normality again."

She nodded understandingly, she knew about Adam and Mom. I'd told her not to long ago. "I'm glad you came too."

I smiled, "Thanks."

We soon pulled up at the hotel where the party was taking place. I pulled my coat around me, shivering in the cold. Hesitating while everyone joined us, we headed for the entrance. Filing in, welcoming the warmth, we started to mingle. I knew some people from parties I'd been to with Soraya, others I introduced myself to and smiled. I noticed Ty gravitate to a group of guys, roundabout the same age as him. He had his hands in him pockets, perfectly slouched, relaxed look on show. The guys seemed to share something with him, like an experience or something. I could tell, just by how close they were. Like brothers almost.

"Earth to Amy?" Soraya waved her hand in front of me, she gave a questioning look, after following my gaze to Ty. She raised an eyebrow, "No Amy, not Ty!" She whined. "He's not worth the effort." I sent her a look which basically told her not to utter another word. She sighed, "Okay, I'm sorry." She knew when I was on edge, she knew when to shut up. She knew what pushed my buttons, and was careful not to touch them.

I gave her a smile to let her know I wasn't angry, it was just... I don't know... A touchy subject. She smiled back, glancing up at Matt. He offered a hand, "Will you dance with me?"

She giggled softly, kissing his hand. "Of course." He pulled her to her feet, wrapping his arms around her. They'd been going out for 2 months now, and were happy. I sighed, leaning back in my chair, watching everyone with their partners, as couples. Both of which I didn't have.

Ty was sitting down now, a mere few meters away from me. His friends were on the dance floor, like mine, with girlfriends. He watched them quietly, almost as if he wasn't there. As if he was remembering something, something that pained him to think about. Even in the darkness of the room, I could tell. Over the months my understanding of him had grown. Even without words, I could tell if he was happy or upset about something. The way he held himself, how he smiled. His eyes, everything about him, I understood.

I just sat there, for how long I don't know, just watching him. At times, I'd turn to Soraya and Matt, Amber and Tom, even Max and Nancy. But he was always there, at the forefront of my mind. Only a few meters away from me.

I took a sip of my coke, sighing in content, glancing back round at Ty. This time he moved, he turned to face me and smiled. What he did next, surprised me greatly. He rose to his feet, walking quietly over to me. He held out his hand and smiled, silently asking me to dance with him. I couldn't help but grin, lacing his hand with mine. He helped me to my feet, glancing at me to see if I was comfortable. I was. He wrapped his arms around my waist, letting me rest my head on his shoulder.

It was weird, a good weird. We hadn't uttered a word to each other in weeks. We had this strange friendship, that we both basked in. That we both felt comfortable with. We didn't need to say anything, just to be in each others company was enough. Right now was the closest I'd ever been to him, but I felt safe, protected.

He smiled softly, pulling me closer to him. I sighed in content, happy in his arms. I buried my head in his shoulder, letting myself relax. He kissed my forehead softly, resting his head on mine. I breathed out softly, letting the warm air touch his neck. He quivered gently. I raised an eyebrow, but as always remained silent.

We'd never kissed, or anything like that. Like properly kissed, just on my forehead. I knew it meant something though. I knew it meant a lot.

I think everyone noticed our little friendship, sort of thing. Ty was the most comfortable around me, you would always find him someone near me. We would just spend hours working with the horses, just content in each others company. Amber noticed it the most I think. She had a strong relationship with Ty back then. Nothing romance wise, just best friends. She said he was like a little brother to her, the brother she never had.

I swayed along to the song in his arms, sighing in content. "Thankyou." I whispered, so quiet it was almost undetectable against the pounding music in the background. I felt him smile beside me, I could almost see his emerald eyes flow with happiness.

"Always." He promised quietly, kissing my hair. That was all we needed, two little words. The song changed, letting the soft music float through the speakers, drift around the room. It was 'Beneath Your Beautiful' by Emeli Sande and Labrinth.

I let myself relax to the music, swaying gently to its gentle tune. The words made me think of Ty, a lot. How he let no one in, no one out.

You let all the girls go
Makes you feel good, don't it?
Behind your Broadway show
I heard a boy say please don't hurt me

Ty was good-looking, I mean far beyond anyone I'd seen. Although what I'd seen in the past, doesn't exactly matter in the present. Ty lived an entirely different life altogether, he had a past that shaped what he does now. I don't know what happened, but I could tell he had something there. Something buried.

You've carried on so long
You couldn't stop if you tried it
You've built your wall so high
That no one could climb it
But I'm gonna try

He'd seemed to build up this barrier around him, a great wall, that kept everything out. I don't know if it's some sort of dealing with something, something that happened. I know I did it. When Adam... I shut everyone out, even Mom. My feelings were ultra sensitive. I was grieving. I think... I think he is too.

Would you let me see beneath your beautiful?
Would you let me see beneath your perfect?
Take it off now, boy, take it off now, boy
I wanna see inside
Would you let me see beneath your beautiful tonight, oh, tonight?

I like to think he let me in, he knocked down a bit of his wall, accepted me almost. I hadn't told Ty about Mom and Adam. I don't think anyone has. Only Soraya knows. But I think, secretly Ty can feel it. I think its one of those things you must have yourself to see in others.

I don't know what happened three years ago, but something changed him. Something made him grieve. Something tore him apart.

Okay, so I didn't get a lot of reviews, but... I gave you an update. So, translation... I need a lot of reviews as a thank you. You'll do that? Fabulous.

Hope you liked it! Till next time! And don't forget, those of you who are members! Please vote! Poll is still up, it will stay up till I reveal who it is in the photo, in the actual story. Okay? Simples.

~Wildatheart