A/N: A BIG thanks to everyone who reviewed! Wow, all five in the same day! I appreciate it MUCHO!! Well, as promised, here's chapter ten!

10. A Downturn of Events

Throughout the week, I spent most of my time sitting in the garden reading, incase Aaron showed up. I looked forward to returning to the meadow. Plus, I had come across a good book in Carolyn's library that I was dying to show him. Gavin came over, and we went out every night. Each time he'd walk me home and each time he'd kiss me on the cheek. At first I wondered why it was taking him so long to kiss me for real. Then I realized it was sweet of him to take his time. Though I couldn't help but think how I had less than four weeks left...

On Friday night, I walked home after a successful date with Gavin, hand in hand. Being out with Gavin this week, I'd come to know a lot about him and was feeling more and more comfortable around him. I eagerly listened to his voice, his easy laugh, hoping this was the day he would finally kiss me. I knew I liked him very much, maybe even loved him. I wasn't sure; I'd never been in love before. But did he love me? I wouldn't know until we kissed. I couldn't relax. I was way too excited.

We stopped as we came up to the gate.

"So you're coming to my play tomorrow, right?" Gavin smiled, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

I snuggled into him. "Of course."

"Good. My parents will be there, so you'll be able to meet them."

I looked up into his shadowy face. The only source of light nearby came from a sconce on the front porch, and the moonlight high overhead. I could barely see the brown in his deep, dark eyes.

"Parents?" The word alone seemed to unease me. I realized I hadn't told Gavin about my parents or anything from my past. We had mostly been talking about him lately; he rarely asked me about myself. Not that I minded... I preferred not to bring up those painful memories. But how strong could our relationship be if he didn't know these things about me, and, more importantly, didn't seem to care? I began to question whether he could be the one or not.

Then I remembered how little I knew about Aaron. I had a perfectly good reason for keeping my spell from him, and other than that I was completely honest with him whenever he asked about my family. Was I really about to meet Gavin's parents after knowing him for two short weeks when I've known Aaron for months without meeting his? And why exactly hadn't I met Aaron's parents yet? How busy could they possibly be? I found myself getting angry. Why can't people just trust other people? And why hasn't Aaron visited me yet? He had said it would be soon. He'd promised.

"Are you okay?" Gavin's voice sounded far away, yet his face was inches from mine.

"Yeah," I whispered feebly, my head still buzzing with questions.

He pulled me around to face him, looking into my eyes intently. I felt him tuck my hair behind my ears, his face getting closer. Then I realized what was happening. I tried to forget everything else and focus on the moment I'd been waiting for. I braced myself.

Gavin pulled me close and pressed his lips against mine, stroking my face with his fingertips. It was a good kiss, a very good kiss. So had it worked? But my heart immediately knew the answer. No. I was not in love with him. I sighed as his lips left mine, and I looked down at my wrist; the mark was still there.

"Thank you Gavin, but—" But Gavin didn't seem to be finished. He kissed me again, but with more force this time. I kissed him back, feeling bad for not loving him. He was a nice guy—

Suddenly, his hands left my face and gripped my arms. He swung me around and pushed me into the hedges. He kissed me roughly. I pushed against him, but he kept at it. He grabbed my face again, but his touch was no longer gentle. I couldn't pull away. When he came up for air, I tried to stop him.

"Gavin! Stop—"

But he wouldn't stop. I began to panic. I tried again to push away from him, but he was too strong. I felt my eyes sting with tears. I didn't know what to do. He was going too far.

"HEY!" I heard someone shout. "Get away from her!"

Gavin's head jerked up, and I gasped for air. Panting, I looked around and nearly fainted. Aaron was standing there, staring at us, his expression furious. He was the last person I wanted to see me like this.

"Who do you think you are?" Gavin snapped at him. "She's my girlfriend."

I glared at him. "I am not your girlfriend." I pushed him away, and he finally let go. "How could you treat me like this? I trusted you."

"What's wrong Briden? I thought you liked me," he said harshly.

"I thought I did too," I snapped. I shook my head. "Now I don't even want to look at you."

Aaron was still fuming. "I think you should leave—"

"Stay out of this!" Gavin barked at him.

"Hey!" I retorted. "Don't yell at him."

Gavin gave me the coldest look possible. "I don't know what I ever saw in you." He clenched his fists. For a moment I feared he was going to hit me, but he just shoved his fists in his pockets and stalked off angrily, ignoring Aaron completely.

Aaron crossed his arms and fixed his icy blue gaze on Gavin until he disappeared down the dark street.

Once Gavin was gone, Aaron rushed forward, concern covering his face. "Briden, are you okay?" He made to hug me, but I moved away from him.

"I'm fine," I murmured, pulling leaves out of my hair.

He shook his head. "What a jerk..."

I shot him a look of annoyance.

"What?"

I moaned. "Why are you here?"

He looked confused. "I—I came to see you." He was obviously expecting a warmer welcome. I just stared at him. He didn't get it. "I told you I was going to come over..."

"Yes! Five days ago! Where have you been?"

"I'm sorry, I was... um..."

But I was done with his vague answers. There was no way he was hiding a fairy spell from me. Whatever it was, he could say it to my face.

"No, Aaron!" I shouted at him, unable to hold it in any longer. "I'm sick of you keeping things from me! I can't be your friend if you can't trust me."

"I do trust you."

I exploded. "Then why can't you just tell me? What's wrong? Why are you keeping things from me? Why are you never around when I need you? And why do you always wear that stupid hat!"

Aaron stared in disbelief "You cannot speak to me like this!"

That's your ANSWER? I held back a scream. "And why not?"

For a moment his face burned with rage, like he'd never been yelled at before, but then he sighed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that. Briden, it's complicated...I can't..."

But I couldn't take it anymore. I had no patience left. "No more excuses," I stated with finality. "If you can't tell me, then we can't be friends." I whipped around and swung opened the gate. I couldn't explain it. My emotions were exploding all over the place.

"Wait—Stop!" he commanded.

"I'm sorry," I choked, shaking my head as tears ran down my face. I didn't want him to see. I ran down the path and into the house, slamming the door behind me.

A/N: Take a minute to absorb it.....and then click that button!