Hey Fast update uh, well here you go...OH and this chapter is dedicated to Artemis-Delilah-Avari for helping me (dolphinluver21) in creating this chapter. As you can see, it was my storyline but her proofreading magic that got this chapter MUCH farther than it was. and don't forget to read her story! elementals rock!

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Chapter 11

The night finally ended, and the early morning began, as warm sunlight streamed in through the window. I sighed contentedly and basked in their warmth. But it seemed whenever my eyes were shut, the horrible memories of yesterday's events replayed themselves in my mind. I opened my eyes slowly, and rubbed any sleep from them. Another day...

Groaning, I gently brushed my fingers against the many bandages on my arms and legs. I sighed with despair, thinking of the giant cut on my hip. It would surely leave a scar. I could imagine it now, a giant, pink, ropy length on my hip.

Slowly pulling myself out of bed, I found myself exhausted from the restless night I had. I had many nightmares about yesterday, and the 6 mile run to Richard's house didn't help.

I smiled a little to see a little daisy flower peeking up at me on the wooden chair in the corner.

"Richard..." I grinned.

Apparently there was no remains of any of my belongings so I had but the clothes on my back. I took a tentative sniff of the blouse I had slept in.. My clothes would definitely need a washing, if they could still be saved.

"Kori." There was a soft knock on my door, and I quickly leapt back onto my bed as silently as I could and hid under the covers as if I was asleep.. I definitely wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone at the moment.

Richard opened the door slightly and I held my breath as he peeked in. I heard his footsteps across the room and I shut my eyes. His warming scent filled my body and I almost opened my eyes and wanted to fling myself into his arms. But I restrained myself from doing so.

A few minutes later he finally left and shut the door behind him. Close one. I was sure that he knew i was awake. I could just feel his blue eyes staring into me.

I lifted one of my eyelids open and, upon seeing that the cost was clear, I silently tip-toed over to the balcony and threw the double doors open wide. Drizzle coated my face as I breathed in the fresh morning air.

And there I spent the remainder of the morning, sitting on the railing of the balcony peering out to the distant land. The grey clouds in the sky grew with unshed water, until they burst. I was soon sopping wet, my hair plastered to my face. I shivered slightly. I was cold, but not enough to venture back inside.

"You know you could get sick if you stay out there too long.?" I whipped around, and stared at Richard leaning against the door frame.

"Oh. Hello, Richard." My shirt clung to me and dripped water down as the slight "pitter-patter" of the rain could be heard. I was, at this point, freezing, but it felt wonderful out here. Then again, who cared if I got sick?

For a minute we just stared at each other in complete silence. I was at a complete loss of words as he stepped out into the downpour and hopped up onto the railing with me. I watched as his shirt quickly got soaked and his hair flattened out. Black hair hung down into his face, and framed his wonderful blue eyes.

That alone was an indication of how hard it was raining. Richard put so much gel in his hair, it was surprising to see it get flattened so quickly.

His face was calm and cool as his eyes wandered out to the garden below and his gaze turned to the cloudly sky. Everything seemed suddenly at peace with him here next to me.

"The rain? is wonderful huh?" He asked quietly, as to not ruin the peaceful moment.

"Its a wonderland" I whispered, gazing at the cloud covered sky. For being here right next to Richard in the pouring rain was my sancuatry. Away from everything else.

"Kori, you know that I will always be there for you. All of us will be there for you. No matter what happens," He whispered.

"I know, but..." I trailed off sadly.

"I'm serious, Kori. We will stop at nothing to bring the person trying to kill you down," he stated sternly. "Then again, what can us teenagers do about that" He smirked a little.

?"W-what am I going to do?"? I asked, dropping my gaze to the ground. Tears formed quickly in my eyes, and threatened to fall. "I almost got my best friend killed?-"

"It wasn't your fault," he reassured me.

"Yes it was! I almost got Rachel and her mother killed!" I yelled at him.

"Killed, Richard! What would happen if she died? I would never, never forgive myself." I started to sob uncontrollably.

Then for the second time in under 24 hours, I flung myself into Richards open arms, holding onto him as if for dear life.

We stayed in the embrace for what seemed like eternity. Everything seemed to wash away- my pain, my sorrow, and everything that had hurt me before.. All that I felt was Richard's warm embrace and his beating heart as well as mine.

Being best friends since elementry school, it was just like scrunching our toes in the sand or feeling the wind rush pass us as we flew higher into the sky on the swingset. Everything went away- worries, troubles. It was good after all these years to finally feel that again. To be together once more in such way as to there was no care. Just the two of us together.. What more could you ask for?

"You know, I should just bring popcorn every time I run into you two lovebirds. It would save me so much time."

The moment was shattered into a million pieces as i was caught by surprised and i fell to the balcony floor. Shocked, i shook my head and came into focus with Victor standing in the doorway with a smug grin on his face."Damn" I muttered, crossing my arms and staring angrily at Victor.

"Victor..." Richard muttered warningly.

"Sorry man," Victor laughed. "You know it's true."

"I was just comforting her," Richard threw in, helping me up.

"Sure you were... after a hug and a kiss and more kissing-"

"Victor?" I yelled, cutting him off. But he still ranted on.

"You know, I don't see what?'s your problem. You guys have been friends since,like, forever. Can?'t you at least say that you so love each other?" Both of us glared at him with vile hate.

"Victor we're friends, nothing more. Nice ruining the moment though. After all Kori?'s been though? I was just trying to help her. Can't you leave it at that?" Richard mumbled, walking out of the pouring rain and purposely shoving Victor out of the way. He then stormed out of the room.

"Was it something I said?" He asked me. I raised an eyebrow at him and walked out of the rain too.

"We're friends Victor. And it was just a hug," I reminded him.

"So?" He asked. I rolled my eyes and pulled my hair up into a messy ponytail and drained the water from it onto the floor. I grabbed a towel from the bathroom and wrapped myself in it's fluffy warmth.

"A friendly hug. No kissing, no nothing."

I walked out of the room, leaving dripping wet footprints on my way out and slamming the door behind me.

"Darn it." Victor muttered behind me.

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Alright you can't deny it, this was a great chapter. Dolphinluver21 you did an amazing job! You to Artemis-Delilah-Avari!

Review please!