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That Friday, Xavier had invited Bethany and I to his rugby game. Maghen was better now but she was busy making up her work, so I ended up going with Bethany and Molly, but they and they're friends were acting as the cheer squad and water girls, so I ended up alone. When the game began, I was reminded of the countless wars I'd witnessed. I was never into sports, but this was interesting.

We were playing Middleton Preparatory School, and the boys were huge. They're green and gold uniforms clearly distinguished them from our players in their red and black ones. They were merciless, tackling and shoving our boys to get the ball. It was a miracle no one had been seriously hurt yet. By halftime we were up by three points. I watched as Xavier ran over to the side where Beth greeted him. Their overly emotionally relationship was annoying, but they were cute together.

I could sense distress coming from the opposition. Their bald, red faced coach was shaking his head and his players were starting to get agitated. It didn't take long for them to start playing dirty. Xavier was running up the field with the ball when two of the Middleton players charged at him. He tried to avoid him, but they followed closely, one of them catching his ankle, sending him to the ground.

His head hit the ground hard and he landed funny on one arm. The Bryce Hamilton side began yelling in outrage. The referee blew the whistle and Xavier's team mates helped him over to the side. He was walking funny, as if he was about to fall over. His ankle would have hurt from being tripped but it shouldn't have influenced his walking.

A medic came over to examine him, shaking his head at the coach. He was then helped onto a stretcher and into an ambulance that was kept waiting just in case, and was driven away. Bethany ran off toward the parking lot, I could hear her distressed voice calling out for Gabriel, Ivy and me in my mind. I stood as the game resumed and began making my way through the crowd to follow her.

It took me ten minutes to get out of the stands and into the parking lot. Bethany was no where to be found. Turning a corner around a row of cars, I accidently ran into Jake. I wobbled on my heeled combat boots for a moment, but he caught my arms, preventing me from falling over.

"Well someone's in a hurry." He said, steadying me, "What's the problem?"

"Xavier got hurt and Bethany ran off. Probably trying to get to the hospital."

"Dear me," Jake said with fake sympathy, "Is it serious?"

"I don't know. Definitely has a head injury though. He hit it pretty hard." I sighed. "I'm more worried about Beth though."

"Aw, come on now." Jake pulled me into an unexpected hug. "It'll be ok. People get hurt in these games all of the time. I'll give you a ride to the hospital if you want."

"Please, thank you." He walked me over to his bike and I got on behind him. I remembered how he drove last time and quickly wrapped my arms around him before he could take off. The Yamaha purred too life beneath me and he drove out of the parking lot and onto the quiet street.

The inside of St. Mary's was gray and cold. I spent a lot of time in places like this. Every day at any given moment, the injured, the ill, the old, they died in places like this. Some even chose not to move on. Those with unfinished business. If a soul wanted purgatory, or wasn't ready (Knowingly or not) to be judged, it wasn't our place to take them. We'd separate the soul from the body and leave, coming back when they were ready to be at rest.

Jake followed my into the hospital and up to Xavier's room. A blonde woman with worry lines etched into her face was talking to one of the nurses outside the door when we walked up.

"Um, excuse me, is this Xavier Wood's room?" I asked when we reached them.

"Yes...Who are you?" The woman asked, her blue eyes very familiar.

"My name is Azrael Church, Bethany's big sister. And you must be Xavier's mom?"

"Yes, I'm Bernadette, but please call me Bernie. Everyone does." A small smile crossed her face, "It's great to finally meet you. Beth told us about you at dinner the other night. You just missed your brother and sisters actually."

"Do you mind if I go in to see him?" I nodded toward the door.

"Of course not. Go on in." She turned back to the nurse and kept talking.

"I'll wait out here." Jake told me and leaned against a wall. "Take your time."

I walked into Xavier's room. He was in a traditional blue hospital gown and trying to sit up in bed.

"I wouldn't." I said walking over to him.

"Azrael." He laughed painfully, "I didn't realize it was that bad."

"It's not." I rolled my eyes. "What's the damage?"

"A concussion and a broken wrist." He rubbed the back of his neck. "How'd the game go?"

"Still winning when I left. Don't worry, your school pride is still intact." I promised, "Now down to business. Beth is gonna want to heal you. Don't. Let her. It will look weird if you're hurt one minute, hang out with her, and are fine within an hour."

"Got it. Normal healing process."

"Good boy." I turned and began walking toward the door, "Now rest up. The dance is in a week and Ivy is making Bethany's dress."

I closed the door behind me and found that Jake was still waiting for me.

"You know, this would be easier if we mixed it up a little. Maybe we could make the next stanza from a woman to a man." I told Jake Monday in literature class.

"Very well. But lets be quick about it. I'm over this assignment. Let's get it done so we can talk about more interesting things."

"You can't rush perfection." I said, "Besides, I want to do well."

"That's pretty much guaranteed-Ms. Castle likes me." He smirked, and went back to scribbling in his journal.

"Yeah. I noticed."

"Look. I just wanted to see how far I could push her. Now I know, so it won't be happening again."

"What are you so busy working on anyway?"

"Observations. People here are so gullible and so predictable. It's so easy to figure out it's not even challenging."

"Then maybe you should find a new pass time." I suggested. "People aren't meant to be a hobby."

"They are for me. Most are an open book...except for you. You puzzle me."

"What can I say? I'm a puzzling person."

He was about to say something else when Alicia and Alexandra timidly approached us. Jake, since coming here had started a small group that seemed o get bigger everyday. I didn't know how many there were now, but it was probably around twenty at this point. The girls were two of the first members.

"Yes?" He snapped when they didn't go away. His voice was sharp and made them wince. It was so different than the usual smooth tone he usually used and it surprised me.

"Are we getting together tonight?" Alicia murmured.

"Didn't you get my message?" Jake glared at her.

"Yes."

"So what's the problem?"

"No problem."

"Then I'll see you both later."

The girls smiled at each other and walked back to their seats. Jake turned to me, a smile plastered on his face, "So are you looking forward to Friday?"

"I'm not going. No partner nor dress." I shrugged. "Who are you taking?"

"I will be flying solo."

"Not taking a member of your fan club?"

"I can only take them in small doses." He sighed, "Look. I know you don't have a dress, but would you allow me the honor of accompanying you to the dance?"

"I don't know, Jake..."

"Come on. Bethany and her partner are going, and I heard Mr. Church and your other sister are chaperoning. And we've been working very hard on this assignment. You deserve a night to relax."

I sighed. He was right. "Alright. I accept."

"Excellent!" he beamed, "We're going to make a stunning couple."

"Don't make me regret this."

"I won't. I'll show you a good time. Shall I pick you up at seven?"

"Seven thirty."