I am so sorry I disappeared off the face of the earth. In any case, I'm back now. Here is the next chapter for the story. Please enjoy. But your probably still going to hate me...

The Aftermath - Sophie's POV

As I layed on the couch, my head propped up by a few pillows, my friends came rushing in. They wore matched expressions of worry. I groaned internally. I appreciated their concern, but my parents probably had enough anxiety for all of them.

I noticed that Keefe and Fitz were missing. Good, I thought, but my heart still panged with hurt.

Biana managed to push her way through to the front of my small group of onlookers, then started blathering at full speed. "And I'm sorry...Keefe and Fitz...jerks...shouldn't have made you go to the party...so, so sorry..."

I rolled my eyes and grabbed her hand. "This is my fault. It always is. You know I can't help but attract accidents. This party was a lot of fun, and I don't regret going in the slightest."

She eyed me suspiciously. "Are you sure?"

I smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"Good, otherwise my reputation as a party planner would have been ruined!"

"Ah," I said and laughed. "The truth comes out."

"We're just glad your okay," Dex said with a dimpled grin.

"Yeah, Sophie," Linh added, "You make us worry so much. You're one of my best friends, but these accidents do get a little..."

I raised an eyebrow. "Annoying?"

She smiled sheepishly. "Maybe."

"Not to mention all the other drama that happened," Marella said, and the rest of my friends fell silent and wouldn't meet my eyes.

"This wouldn't have anything to do with that boy would it?" Grady asked, his voice hard and his eyes stony.

"It's none of your business, Dad," I said venomously. I vaguely noticed his and Edaline's eyes widen in shock, but I was far from caring. I wasn't about to relive the pain, and I certainly didn't want him going all "scary dad" on Fitz and Keefe. The last thing I needed was guilt for getting them punched in the face. Though maybe I wouldn't mind all that much now...no. I simply wanted nothing to do with them. We just needed breathing room. And I needed to make it clear that I was no longer interested in dating; with them or anyone else. I was done being hurt.

I sat up slowly and wrapped my arms around myself. "Anyway, I'm feeling kind of tired. I think I'm going to go up to my room. I'm sorry guys."

"No problem," Dex said.

"Go feel better!" Biana smiled and helped me of the couch.

After brushing off Elwin and my parents, who were still hovering and trying to escort me to my room, I lumbered up the stairs, slipped quietly into my room, and shut the door. I flopped on to my bed, but winced as my head seared with pain.

It had only been a few minutes when I heard a knock at my door. "Mom, Dad, I'm fine. Just let me get some rest."

"Uh, it's me. Tam. But I, um, can go, if you want..."

I jumped off the bed, wobbled for a few seconds from my headache, and went to open the door. Why was Tam here? He had been strangely silent downstairs...

He stood there nervously with his hands behind his back. "I was just wondering... I just wanted to make sure..." he took a deep breath and looked in to my eyes. "Are you okay?"

We stood there silently. Slowly, ever so slowly, a single tear slid down my cheek. After that, they continued to fall. Tam pulled me in to a hug and I buried my face in his broad chest. "They keep hurting me!" I sobbed. "I was trying to move on!"

He laughed without humor. "They just don't get that your not like other girls. Your not going to fall back in to their arms once they finally realize how amazing you are."

I snorted, but in between sobs, it sounded like I was trying to hack up something. "Amazing girls don't get knocked out by punch."

"It is called 'punch.' We can't blame you for that. And it wasn't your fault anyway. He grabbed your arm."

We stood silently again. I tried breaking it with a smile. "This seems strangely familiar, don't you think?"

"How so? Keefe and Fitz being jerks, or me watching you bawling in your room?"

I pretended to think. "Both."

He smiled sadly. "I just want you to know that you're not alone."

I hugged him tighter. "Thanks, Tam. That really means a lot."

He nodded, and his cheeks went a little pink.

I took a deep breath and broke away. "Even though said I liked the party, Biana is still going to pester me."

"Isn't that what Biana does?"

"Yeah, but she's going to want to know what each guy said and who I liked best, and all that."

He looked confused. "Isn't that the point of the Gala?"

"I just don't think I can focus on all that right now. Not after Fitz and Keefe. I'm so confused and hurt...I don't want to go through all this again. I need time to...to get over it."

"Right, right. That makes sense. I totally get that, after everything that's happened. Yeah." He nodded with a bit to much enthusiasm and looked away.

"Tam?" I asked. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." He took a breath. I need to go. Everyone already left, but my sister is probably wondering why I'm taking so long."

I frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry."

"No! It's okay. Don't be." He smiled at me. "I just hope your feeling better." I took a good look in to his eyes before he stood up and headed for the door.

I sprang up and grabbed his hand. "Wait!"

He turned back to look at me. His breathing was rapid and my heart was beating fast. No, no... I wasn't...he couldn't...darn heart! Stop! This wasn't the time! "What were you going to say before?"

"Before?" His eyes were fixed on our hands together.

"Before Keefe interrupted..."

He lifted his head up slowly to meet my eyes. "All I was going to say was that you looked really pretty." And then he pulled away and was out the door.

I looked pretty? Was that all? Did I want there to be more? My head said no, but my heart said...something else. No, Tam didn't like me in any other way beside a friend. He had liked Biana, and who would like me after falling for princess Biana? And now that Biana and Keefe weren't together...

I knew it. Having crushes, liking boys...it would only get you hurt and break apart your friendships. I wasn't going to let any more of my feelings get in the way. Tam is a great friend, but I wasn't going to delude myself in to thinking he could be anything more.

Aria Ren Blair: I hope that's a positive exclamation mark. :)

lovelunalovegood: I know! Hearts are breaking all around! Thank you!

trickster024: That is perfectly okay, and I can totally understand that. Thank you for your other kind words. I think that if you have great ideas, just write them down and try your best. I totally know that feeling, and it's wonderful to know that my writing is okay, when I worry it might be crappy. I hope you keep reading anyway!

keephie-13: Thank you! I hope you keep reading!

Springgirl: Thanks! And poor Tam you can probably tell his conversation with Sophie didn't go exactly how he might have wanted...

Mysterious M: Hmm, yeah. That might have been cool. I always kind of forget about special abilities when I'm writing these fanfics. I get more in to the plot and forget the fact they are 'magical' elves from hidden cities and not humans. That probably sounds weird. *sigh* Glad you like the story so much!

TinyAlicorn: Oh gosh, that stinks. Maybe you should write it down some where and hide it. But then, if you're like me, you'll probably forget where you hid it... Anyway, thanks for reading! Lol, maybe. Maybe I'll add a "Moment" to my The Ships! story after I finish this one.