:)

Mandon was fun to write, but sadly this story is not destined for it. :(

Enjoy.

Derrick could hear the two boys talking in low, angry voices when he neared them. The moment they saw him, they shut up.

"Hey."

He flopped on to the grass beside Chris, craning his head and looking expectantly at Josh because he did'nt answer. The silence stretched out longer and Derrick shifted uncomfortably.

Well, this is akward.

"Uh, so, wassup?"

Chris gave a sort of hurried, trying-to-be-nonchalant laugh.

"Um, nothing much. Landon, you know. He's kinda scary."

Derrick stared at him.

"You're a really bad liar, Chris. Plus, I don't get why you're all freaking. He's cool."

Chris shook his head.

"No. I don't like him. He's foiling all of Josh-"

"He's getting all my girls." Josh snapped. He gave Derrick a long, careful look, then turned away, looking somewhat worried.

Derrick laughed.

"You really trust me to believe this bullshit?"

"It's not bullshit." snarled Josh, narrowing his eyes dangerously.

Derrick looked away quickly, knowing all too well what would happen if he stared into those blazing blue eyes.

"Scared?" mocked Chris.

"Never." muttered Derrick.

He rolled over on the grass and tried to close his eyes, ignoring Chris' sniggers and Josh's pointed silence from behind.

Massie took a deep breath, smoothed down the folds of her skirt, then knocked lightly on the door.

"Come in."

She gave the door a slight push, then slipped inside, closing it behind her.

It struck her, how neat his room was. How unlike Cam's room and Josh's room in its organised perfection. No chewing gum and chocolate bar wrappers, no discarded clothes on the floor, no books and stationary splayed across every available surface. Of course, the room only reflected the owner's personality...

"Uh," she caught herself staring with interest, then composed her face into a neutral expression, "nice room."

Landon gave a slight smile.

"So, uh. You probably get this a lot, but you're a complete enigma, Landon. I've done things to you in the past that I regret, but you saved me yesterday..."

Massie blinked up at him coyly from underneath her eyelashes, pursing her lips and cocking her head slightly.

Landon did'nt seem to notice.

"You might not agree with me on this, but keep in mind that I'm very sure I'm right - or close to, and," his voice turned low and threatening, " you are uunder no circumstance to tell anyone about this. Understand?"

"Understand." replied Massie meekly. "So, let's have it - what is this earth-shattering piece of information you're about to tell me?"

"Josh."

Massie blinked and shook her head uncomprehendingly.

"Uh, what? Sorry, I think I misheard."

"No, you did'nt." He smiled coldly. "Josh influenced you to climb that building."

She stared at Landon in shock, automatically lowering her head to concentrate on the facts.

"No. Josh could'nt have done it. He would'nt."

Landon's smile turned patronizing.

"He could have done it and he did. Tell me, where were you before it happened?"

Massie stared up at him boldly. Without thinking, she recounted the events that had led up to her close encounter with death - or at least a few painfully broken limbs.

"I was walking out of the hall with the girls, back to my dorm. When I got to commons, Josh and Chris were there, and Josh came over and said he wanted to show me something, so I went away with him. We took a walk and sat down for a while underneath the tree, and then-"

She sucked in a breath sharply.

"That's where the memory ends."

He smiled and nodded grimly.

"But Josh would never..."

Landon sighed.

"You've just provided yet another fact to support my conclusions. Think what you like - I can't change that, but in the meantime, stay away from Josh. And me."

Massie's amber eyes widened.

"You? Why?"

He waved off her question like it was a particularily bothersome fly.

"But Lan, we just got to know each other. I know I said I did'nt believe you, but we can still be friends..." she reached up and caught his arm.

"Massie." His tone was impatient and held a warning.

"What?"

"We can still be friends. It's just - better for you to stay away from me. I have a feeling I'm the cause of what happened today."

Massie tossed her hair airily.

"I'll talk to Josh and sort this out."

"No."

Massie stared Landon in the eyes pleadingly. His expression did'nt change, but then he sighed and ran a hand through his hair like he was thinking hard.

"Look. This has nothing to do with or friendship. I'm just keeping everyone safe - as much as I can handle. Josh is powerful. Keep yourself safe for me, and, a favour to ask-"

Massie cocked an eyebrow.

"-keep Claire safe too."

She nodded silently.

"So...I guess, tomorrow, i'll just go back to looking like nothing happened."

Landon grinned wryly.

"Yes, that's pretty much it."

There was silence for a while.

"Massie. You should go now. It's getting late." He was staring out at the darkening haze.

Massie nodded, then leaned over and pecked Landon on the cheek.

"Thanks. For everything."

She gave a sweet smile and a wave.

"Oh, and, by the way," she laughed, "it feels better to have an all-powerful endowed watching my back. Good night, Landon."

She turned back to watch his expression, and for the first time since he'd arrived, Landon laughed.

.