I hope you enjoy this chapter. ENJOY! So a couple weeks ago, I went to this Contra Dance with some friends and my twin, and we danced A LOT. Like, to the point where I was super thirsty. But anyway, I DANCED WITH A BOY. A BOY. This is unfamiliar territory for a fangirl, and especially me, since I have only read about it in books. And we had to do this move where he put his hand on my waist and we clasped hands and I had to put my other hand on his arm and we had to twirl and ahhhhh it was magical.

And I didn't even ask him. He asked me. Because my twin went with my friend so I was alone on the side and he came up to me and asked, "Do you have a partner?" I said no then he asked me to dance. So of COURSE I said sure and yeah...gosh I bet my cheeks were red. And he wasn't bad looking either so that was a plus. I'm going to stop now cause this is getting ridiculously long. But first, Cloudjumper14, YOU ARE AMAZING. THAT COMMENT LEFT ME A MESS WITH JOY. And to answer your question, it was a one-shot that was off on its own. Haha, well now that I'm done rambling, GO READ MY CHAPTER!

Rowan's P.O.V.

I pace around my room, pondering over what the Councilors had said. Thom deserves a Wanderling tree, no doubt. But is the price too high? Sure I don't like the Neverseen much anymore, and I don't care if Jake dies cause he's a butt and a traitor, but is it the right thing? What about Aimer and Kayla? Well, they did help capture you, Rowan, my brain says. But they didn't want to. They were forced into it, my heart whispers. I grab my head and groan in frustration. I need fresh air. I walk out of my bedroom and head downstairs. Fitz and Alden were talking quietly at the counter. They stop when they see me and Alden clears his throat.

Glancing at them I say, "I'm going for a walk."

"I'll come with," Fitz answers immediately, pushing away from the counter and rushing to my side.

I didn't really want him to come. I wanted alone time to think over my decision. But I stayed quiet. Fitz opened the door for me and I silently walked through, waiting for him to close it behind us. We started walking down one of the many paths, silence filling the space between us. I took the end of my braid in my hand, fiddling with it. I gaze at the scenery around me, staring at the beautiful trees and flowers.

"So have you made your decision?" Fitz asks me.

I sigh and shake my head. "No. But, why do I even have to make one? Thom deserves a tree. There isn't a thought in my mind that he doesn't. But there are still people that I love at the base, and risking their lives just so the Council can 'destroy' them is ridiculous!"

I take a shaky breath and rub my face. Fitz is quiet, waiting for me to take hold of my spewing anger. But I didn't get a good enough grip. The anger from the Council dumping this decision on me rises into my throat. I give a shout and blast a small fireball to the nearest bush, catching one of the corners on fire. I see Fitz startle and rush over to the shrub. Regret and guilt fills me and I run over too, both of us stomping it out.

We stared at the half blackened bush, panting from our frantic movements.

"I'm sorry," I whisper. I wipe my hands on my pants and blow on them, staring forlornly at the plant.

Fitz shakes his head and starts walking again. After a minute I followed him, keeping my hands clasped.

Fitz's POV

I was a little upset at Rowan for almost destroying that bush. But I understand her anger at the Council. We've all felt the same thing towards them at one point or another. I kept glancing back her, and I don't fail to notice her shaking hands. I desperately wanted to hold one, to stop its shaking. But I pushed down the urge. I led Rowan to a bench that sat underneath the shade of a Pure tree. I sat down and made room for Rowan. She stared at the Pure for a second, while I gazed at her. Then she sat down.

I fidgeted with my hands and ran my hand through my hair. Rowan broke the silence.

"Do you think I should tell the Council everything I know about the Neverseen?" Her voice was quiet, uncertainty laced into her words.

I glanced at her and saw that a flame was dancing between her fingertips. I watched, transfixed with the tiny fire.

"I wish I had an answer, for you. Rowan, I honestly do. But I don't. And even if I did, it's your choice. Not mine." The flame intensifies, then dies to a small light, that eventually seeps into Rowan's fingertip.

Rowan sighs and puts her head in her hands. "But does it have to be my choice? Thom deserves a tree, but I still have friends back at the base that I don't want to lose," she says, her voice muffled from her hands.

"I already lost Dad, Thom, and Jake. And it hurt. I don't want to let go of anyone else."

My heart felt for Rowan. She had so many things happen to her.

"I know how you feel," I tell her.

Rowan snorts and lifts her head out of her hands, her braid falling over her shoulder. "No you don't, Fitz. Hate to tell you, but you don't have the slightest idea."

I don't know why, but I felt the need to deny her. "I do too. I almost lost my dad and that whole time I felt the pain, the searing burn of anger. I lost my brother in a way I didn't know could happen to us. Rowan, I know how it feels. And when you say I don't, well that doesn't sit with me."

Rowan stares at me for a second, and I can see a fire behind her eyes. To be honest, it scared me.

"Doesn't sit with you? Nothing has sat with me since the day I left the Neverseen." Rowan sat up straighter, her shoulder tense.

Now the fire I saw in Rowan's eyes are is in my chest. I met Rowan's fiery gaze with my own. "Well maybe not everything has to be about you for once. I've been skipping school to be here with you. I gave up spending time with my friends for you. I spend most of my hours with you. All that has happened lately is because of you."

Rowan stands up quickly and takes a step back. Her whole body radiated heat. "I don't want to talk about this. Not with you."

I get to my feet too. "You don't want to talk about it because you realize it's true."

Rowan sparks, literally sparks, and shakes her head. I let out a sound of anger and sadness. I can't believe I'm fighting with her. I move my hand to rake it through my hair. But I never made it to my head. When I raised my hand Rowan's eyes widened with fear and surprise and she flinched. I froze, my hand still in mid-air. Rowan stared at my hand, and I could see her shoulders slump in realization.

"Rowan," I whisper. "I wasn't going to hit you."

Rowan looks down and answers with an "I know."

My hand falls to my side and the anger I felt before melts away. We stand there for a moment, letting the lazy breeze cool us down. Then I step forward and wrap my arms around her. She falls into me, her skin not as blazing as before, her eyes no longer filled with fire.

"I will NEVER hit you Rowan. Not ever," I whisper into her ear.

Rowan only hugs me harder.

Hey guy. So it's been awhile. I hope you like this because it took a long time to write. Look out for an update on TBD, my other story. Love you and TILL MY NEXT CHAPTER!