Hey, you know what sucks? School. You know what sucks more than that? Failing school? And you know what sucks most? The fact that 1st quarter report cards go out Friday and I have like three freaking D's because I'm a disorganized procrastinator... So yeah my life's officially over...

Just be glad I can even still update! -_-

Also, to you people who keep freaking out like "OHMYGOSH! This is MKxNod right?! PLEASE don't let Tarren end up with MK!" ... -_- Chill. I really don't want to spoil anything that happens later. Just take a deep breath and try to make it through these more... painful chapters. Please note that it's gonna get worse before it gets better, but everything. Will. Be. OKAY.

Enjoy!

Chapter 14:

I'm Sorry...

(Nod's POV)

No...No it was completely impossible!

I flew through the forest at speeds I wasn't sure I had ever reached before. The trees zipped past in blurs of brown and green, but I was hardly acknowledging them. It was probably pretty dangerous how fast I was going but I was beyond caring.

The chances were one in a billion. Of every girl in this entire forest...

"C'mon..." I muttered at the damn bird to go faster. I wasn't sure what was driving me to get to Willhollow so fast. Of course, maybe I just wanted to get away from that blasted clearing; to escape those sad green eyes telling me my worst fears had come true before her mouth even opened; to see that sad but relieved little look on Tarren's face...

Damn it. I could feel the awful ache in my chest. What if I lost her because of this...?

Damn it all...

I reached the gates of Moonhaven in record time, zipping into the landing dock much faster than necessary. Again, it was probably dangerous how fast I was going, but I didn't care.

However, to add along to my immense good luck today, Ronin happened to be standing there on the landing dock, speaking with one of the other Leafmen. He had obviously seen me by now. I only glanced at him once, before climbing off my bird and stomping off towards... who knew where.

"Nod?" I heard Ronin's stern, questioning voice behind me, but I didn't stop. I wasn't sure where I was going, or where I wanted to go. Nowhere seemed like a safe place to escape to, and then I realized there was no safe place left. No matter where I ran to, the truth was still going to follow me.

"Nod wait!" Ronin persisted.

"Leave me alone!" I shouted, not turning towards the general. He continued to follow me though.

"Nod what's going on?"

Finally snapping, I turned around. "Alright Ronin, you wanna know what's wrong? The prince of freaking Willhollow was right!" I screamed, freezing the general in his place. As he slowly understood what I was saying, his eyes widened, and I turned away, trying to hide the fury boiling up in my eyes.

"Nod...I'm sorry-" He placed his hand on my shoulder, but I tore myself away.

"Stop! I don't want any freakin' sympathy!" Then I turned towards him slightly, and my anger softened a bit when I saw the look in his eyes. It wasn't pity; it was a desire to help me.

But there was nothing he could do.

I sighed. "Please Ronin. Just... Just leave me alone right now..."

And with that, I spun and ran off in the other direction, just needing time to myself...

After an hour or two or walking around angrily, I eventually ended up on a tree stump, letting my legs dangle over the side, starring out over the village. People were strolling to and fro; taking care of all the little things they had to do, completely oblivious that they were about to have the possibility of losing Moonhaven's true hero...

I grunted in anger and frustration, running my fingers through my hair. I mean, what was I supposed to do? How was someone supposed to react when they just found out their girlfriend's freaking destiny is to run off and marry a guy she'd met a week ago?!

I closed my eyes, and tried to think of a solution. Deep down, I knew I couldn't just hide Mk away and let an entire society of innocent people die...

But I couldn't lose her either. She meant way too much to me...

But what the hell was I supposed to do?! She apparently was the freaking reincarnated, phenomenally gifted queen of a fairy kingdom! Her destiny was to end up with a prince, miles from this place. Miles from me...

I groaned. That was never going to happen. I mean, it couldn't...

From the top of the tree stump, I could see movement in Nim's tree house as Mk discussed her recent "discovery" with the fortuneteller of sorts. I was certain the queen was there, and Ronin too. I had no doubt that the stupid fairy was hanging around as well...

Sighing, I leaned back into the tree stump. It had been chopped down years before Moonhaven resided here I heard, and was quite aged. I starred up at the slowly diming sky; some in-between shade of blue and purple.

It made me think of where I felt stuck right now: in between. In between what I knew was right, and what I wanted to keep more than anything...

"...Nod?" I suddenly heard the soft whisper of the girl I'd fallen in love with. I hadn't even realized my eyes had drifted shut until they suddenly snapped open at the sound of Mk's voice. I sat up quickly and turned my body towards her, still sitting on the edge of the tree. "Hey..."

She seemed hesitant, as if unsure what to say to me. I didn't like it. Since the day we met, there had never really been any sort of barrier. It was always easy to be with her.

Eventually she asked. "Can I um, sit down?"

I blinked; surprised that she felt she needed to ask. "Yeah, of course." I patted the spot next to me, and she sat own next to me, her legs swinging back and forth over the edge. We sat in silence for a moment or two. I was trying to think of a way to convince myself that this wasn't going to change anything, but I didn't really believe that.

"Nod..." She said suddenly, a tightness in her voice. I couldn't bring myself to look at her; too afraid of what she might say. Still, I answered.

"Yeah?"

"...I'm sorry..." She whispered, and her voice cracked slightly, causing me to finally look at her and see a fat tear roll down her cheek. I was shocked.

"Are you...crying?"

Her eyes widened, as if she'd just noticed the tears, and suddenly she had her back turned to me, harshly wiping the drops away.

"No!" She stated childishly, before sighing. "I'm sorry Nod. I just... I don't know what to do. I don't want this kind of responsibility!" Then she added, almost under her breath."...And I don't want you to be mad at me..."

I turned her, confused and again slightly shocked. "Why on earth would I be mad at you?" She hadn't done anything wrong after all. It wasn't like you could just get rid of something like this...

She began fidgeting, obviously uncomfortable with this entire thing, before suddenly blurting out in a rush

"I don't know, because if I had just stayed away from them like you said, we could've avoided this whole thing and I would never had known about the Lady, or Willhollow, or anything, and you did tell me not to mess with him, but I was so convinced it was impossible and I thought I could help them now I've ruined everything and I just don't want to lose you because of it and-Mmmph!"

I suddenly crashed my lips to hers, shutting her up. It was a strong kiss, but very gentle at the same time. When we broke apart, she looked up at me with a frightened glint in her eyes.

"Nod...What do I do?"

I didn't reply right away, but instead looked out over Moonhaven, seeing the people enjoying the evening air, the kids running around and laughing, and their parents smiling at them. Willhollow had people just like these; innocent people who were laying all their hope in the hands of a girl they had never even seen before.

And my Mary Katherine just happened to be that girl...

Sighing, I finally looked over at her, and told her honestly. "I have no idea really. I guess... Just do what feels right to you..."

Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see her turn her head to look at me, but I didn't look back. I knew I wouldn't be able to stop myself from fighting to keep her here if I saw those sparkling green eyes...

She apparently realized this too, and turned away. The strangeness in the air was completely new to me, and I was about to go crazy from it.

Finally, after what seemed like a lifetime, she answered.

"Nod...I think I have to go...To Willhollow I mean"

I looked down at her, my heart skipping slightly. She shook her head in defense. "I don't mean like agreeing to Tarren's conditions. I mean, I can't stay obviously... but I need to try and help these people..."

"I know you do." I simply stated. I could feel the sadness radiating from my tone, and I knew exactly why.

Because despite her constant assurance in the fact that she was going to come back to us, I felt... I felt like she was slowly but surely slipping away from me. And eventually, I wasn't going to be able to hold on anymore.

I could see her hand reach out slightly, as if she wanted to grab my hand, but before our fingers touched, she curled back slowly, and I closed my eyes.

Why did this have to happen to us? Why did she have to be this person out of everyone in the entire world? Why was someone trying to take someone so important from me again? Hadn't I lost enough already? First my mom, then my dad, and now her...

No, I decided. I was not going to lose her too.

"Well I um... I probably need to get some sleep. I'll tell Tarren and Ronin and everyone tomorrow..." Mk cut into my determined train of thought. She stood up and turned to walk away.

"Mary Katherine!" I suddenly called out to her. She turned around.

"Yeah?"

I gave her my trademark smirk. "You know I'm coming with you, right?"

She smiled, her eyes looking expectant yet relieved. She had assumed I was going to go with her, but hadn't been certain.

"I wouldn't expect anything less." She then leaned down and kissed me on the cheek, before whispering in my ear. "I love you Nod. Okay? Only you. I'll see you tomorrow..."

And with that, she walked back to the village. I sighed, thinking about the idiotically smug look Tarren was going to be wearing tomorrow morning when he found out MK was going to Willhollow. Them I smirked to myself.

Of course, he probably wasn't expecting me to get in the way of that.

Ugh it's so sad! WHAT MAKES YO UPSET NOD? I'LL KILL IT!

No seriously Josh Hutcherson is the only guy i've ever officially fangirled over, so Nod is just really close to my heart... Which is kinda ironic considering the crap that's gonna go down later... OH NO SPOILERS KILL THEM WITH FIRE!

Okay i seriously need to go finish my stupid term paper... So bye.

Until next time!

~ Macy