As always I was sad to leave. And as always I didn´t got enough of him. Not even close. It was frustrating. On the one hand I was happy to spent time with him but on the other hand that just was it. We couldn´t touch or kiss. Well at least not with Eddie beeing there and even if there would only be Jill, I couldn´t imagine doing that in front of her.

It was still strange and we never really talked about Adrian an me. It was kind of awkward knowing, that she could witness a big part of our relationship. And I couldn´t even be mad at her, because she couldn´t help it.

We were on our way back to Amberwood and I was already missing him even though we had just left.

Eddie had to meet some guys for a study group in a cafe, that´s why we had to leave earlier than usual today. And the even short time, we usually had was cut even shorter because of that.

After Eddie was gone there were only me and Jill left in the car.

"Are you ok?" Jill asked as soon as Eddie had ecited the car.

"Yes, sure. Why do you ask?" I replied.

"Well... you always look so sad when we have to leave." I was about to say something but she stopped me.

"I know I know, you don´t want to talk about that. But it makes my heart ache seeing you two like that all the time. You should spent more time with him. He really misses you, too."

I thoughed about that for a moment.

"And how exactly do you think this could work? There is school, and I´m kind of responsible for you. Besides, don´t you think, that Eddie would get suspicious if I´m away all the time?"

I sighed. "Forget it Jill. It is what it is."

She looked at me once again but didn´t say anything until we arrived at Amberwood and I had parked Latte.

"I know you worry about me and the spirit bond. I get that. And yes it is awkward, but I really try to blend him out. It doesn´t always work but most of the time it does."

I looked away. "Jill, please. Let´s just not talk about that. At least for now. Ok?"

She nodded "Ok. I´m not bringing it up again. Just one more thing and than I will be quiet."

"What? I asked looking at her.

"You know a spirit dream once in a while isn´t to bad for him. He can handle that. At least you guys could see each other more often this way. And at least your mood would brighten up a little and well mine, too. It affects me you know, the way he is feeling I mean."

She took a deep breath the way she always did when she talked a whole lot at one time and I smiled at that.

"Are you sure it would be ok?" I asked uncertain.

She nodded "Yes I´m sure.". She smiled at me in sympathy. "He´s stronger than you think you know. And you make him even stronger."

"Thanks Jill" I said and smiled at her.

We walked in silence back to the school and our ways parted when she remembered that she had to finish some report in the libary for tomorrow.

I walked back to our dorm. As awkward as it was to talk about my relationship with Jill it also was kind of nice. After all she was the only person who kew about us. Well not on purpose, but that wasn´t her fault.

I was reading a book when someone knocked at the door. It was Eddie and I was surprised to see him.

"Jill is at the libary" I told him and thoughed he would leave with this information, but he didn´t.

"Actually Sydney, I really wanted to talk to you." He said and I looked at him surprised.

"What´s wrong? Is there a problem with Jill?" A thousand things went trough my mind but than he shoock his head.

"No, she´s ok. I wanted to talk about something else."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Well, it´s about Adrian" he began.

"Is he ok?" I asked and noticed to late the soupcon of worry in my voice. I tried to put on a cool face.

"Yea yea he is. It´s more about you and him." he went on. I didn´t like the direction this conversation was headed.

"What are you saying?" I carefully asked.

He paused and looked out the window.

"There is something I wanted to ask you" he began. "but I´m afraid you will be mad if I do."

"What is it?" I asked not really sure if I really wanted to know.

"You guys seemed different the last couple of weeks. You act all secretive and kind of strange together. At first I thought you were...fighting or something but know..." he paused again.

I looked at him. I sure wasn´t going to give him any ideas.

"Well, I´m just going to say it" he said "Is there something going on between you two?"

I opened my mouth but shut it again. There really was nothing I was ready to say.

"Sydney" I need to know what´s going on around here" Eddie said.I sighed.

"What do you mean with something?"

He looked at me "something romantic or... well I don´t know...you tell me" he said and I could see the frustration in his eyes.

I was dumbfounded. I had two options. Option one, tell him the truth, option two come up with a good lie, a very good one.

I sighed. "I have to give you that one. You´re a brilliant observer." Option one it is I thought.

"What does that mean Sydney?" he asked.

I was trying to identify what he was thinking about all that but he had put on a perfect poker face. After all he was a guardian.

"I… well...we... it somehow just happened" I said looking away.

Eddie looked at me in surprise, what really surprised me.

"So it´s true. You and Adrian?" he asked.

I nodded. "Well yea" I said, still not looking at him.

"Huh" Eddie just said.

"What´s that supposed to mean?" I asked. Was he angry, disgusted or even shocked? I couldn´t assess it.

"I´m just... surprised I guess..." Eddie said.

"Angry surprised? Disgusted surprised?" I asked.

He looked at me and rose an eyebrow. "Disgusted?"

"Well it´s wrong, isn´t it. I mean not for me. But for other people... I guess it is, isn´t it?"

Eddie looked at me for a few second.

"I like you Sydney. And I like Adrian. So... I guess that´s what counts" he said and I couldn´t believe my ears. His answer was so similar to Jills a few weeks ago.

"I´m happy you feel that way" I said. And I really felt relieved.

"So are you guys dating? Just fooling around?" he asked.

"Fooling around?" I asked. Had he met me?

"Well after all, it´s Adrian we are talking about" he said with a shrug.

"Yes, and me Eddie" I said. "I guess you could call it dating. Well I really like him" I admitted with a blush.

"I really didn´t see that one coming" Eddie said.

"Believe me, neither did I" I answered. "But against all odds, we are happy." I said with a smile.

"So I guess Jill knows?" he asked.

I nodded. "It´s kind of hard to hide something like that from someone who shares a spirit bond with you."

"Must be hard" Eddie said "Well she is always there."

"Yes but she tries her best. She can´t help it." Eddie nodded.

"I know." His mind went somewhere else when her name came up and I was sure I could see a little smile on his face.

"Eddie can I ask you something as well?" I asked.

"Sure" he said.

"Do you like her?" He looked at me surprised.

"Who?" he asked.

"Jill" I said.

"Sure I do. She´s Jill. Who couldn´t like her?" he said puzzled.

"I mean more than that" I said and he looked away.

"Sydney that´s complicated" he began and I interruppted him.

"Eddie I just declared my love for a vampire infront of you. And this is coming from an alchemist, a human, so quit the it´s complicated crap" I said.

He looked at me and his eyes widened.

"Wow, never heared you swear before" he said "did you say love?" he asked.

I blushed "Not the point Eddie" I said.

"Ok ok... well yes, she is special. I do like her. A lot to be honest...But I´m her guardian. I need to focuse on that. And besides that, she is royalty. She deserves much better..."

It sounded like something he had told himself a few times before and I was about to protest, when the door opened and Jill came inside.

"Oh... hi" she said taken aback by the situation.

Eddie got up and I watched them awkwardly looking at each other for a few seconds. I nearly rolled my eyes at the situation. It was stupid. It was more than obviouse, that Jill had feelings for Eddie, too. They could be happy. Happy like I was with Adrian, only with a million less obstacles.

"Hey Jill...well I was about to leave" Eddie said.

"Oh ok" Jill said and I could see a hunch of disappointment in her eyes.

"Ok Eddie. It was nice to talk to you. Good night" I said with a genuine smile in his direction.

"You two" Eddie said "Good night Jill, see you tomorrow" he said looking at her once again and than he left the room.

"What was that all about?" Jill asked as soon as the door closed.

"Consider my secret relationship not so secret anymore" I said with a sigh.

"You told him?" Jill asked with big eyes.

"He kind of already knew. Well at least he knew something was up" I said.

I recapped our conversation, but didn´t mention the part where we had talked about her. It had nothing to do with me, and I sure wasn´t the one going behind Eddies back and tell her.

This night I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. I felt exhausted.