Jiaz: No dear, it is predictable coz we have sorta hit somewhere where emotions are supposed to ride high and the plots will kind of get..*mutters some excuses and voice drones softer and softer…* ANYHOW…*dignified look*=D your jasper is back, so don't complain too much =D!!
Amber-rules: arh, but Kyle is the one chosen, he must die!! *sadistic smile*
Hellz: Oooohhh!! I missed you! 6 reviews at a go! WOAH! Thanks dude!
Alright guys.. *sheepish* yes.. this part, I'm afraid has not much twist and turns. (my brain's exploding with brainstorming on how to sabotage the characters!), but it deals with the emotional parts. Please bash me, hit me, throw me with lotsa rotten eggs if I don't do it well! =D And oh yeah, happy Chinese New Year!
Jade stroked Kyle's forehead. He had a fever that kept coming and going. It was away, for now. She looked at him, and realized that she had never really looked at him like this since they met. She liked it this way, to be able to just stare at him and feel the love in her heart. Somehow his unconsciousness made her able to think clearly in his presence. Most of the time, she had never thought much when she was around him. It made her wonder how much the two of them truly knew each other.
She liked the silence in the ward. The bright morning sunlight streamed in through the window, making the ward seemed bright and airy. She had slept little the night before, occasionally taking naps by resting naps by putting her head down on Kyle's chest. Her neck was aching, but she did not care.
Jasper had explained all that had happened to everybody, and Jade was just glad for the way everything had turned out to be. Mrs. Finster was totally sorry and grateful to Kyle. She had wanted to apologise them, but he was already asleep by the time their conversation had ended. So she made chicken soup and brought it to the ward for Kyle to drink when he woke up.
Jade had so much to tell him. She felt bad for doubting Kyle; she should have had more faith in her soulmate. Russell had absolute trust in his friend, so why couldn't she? She blamed herself silently and walked over to the window.
Her life was so full of twists and turns that she could barely keep track of it. Still, she was glad that Kyle was back.
Although he might be gone soon.
But she did not allow herself to think that way. Kyle would not die. Vampires do not die like this, do they? They would only die with a stake driven through their hearts.
Jade hugged herself, suddenly feeling very lonely. What would she do, should that day comes? She shuddered, not wanting to think about it. She busied herself by pouring the soup out into a bowl.
"Jade?" Kyle mumbled. Jade put down the bowl and went over to Kyle. He was awake, but not very alert from his looks. His black eyes held no light in them and Jade felt a pang of sadness.
He's just tired, stop scaring yourself, Jade scolded herself. "Hey Kyle," she smiled. She fluffed up a pillow and helped him get into a comfortable position. "Mom made chicken soup for you." She brought the bowl of soup over and sat down beside him.
"Mrs. Finster? Is she… okay?" Kyle asked, his voice weak. He was slipping away faster than she thought. She lowered her head and blinked away the hot tears in her eyes, not wanting Kyle to see them. "Um, yeah! She wants to thank you for everything!" she said brightly, hoping to conceal the shakiness in her voice.
Kyle nodded, then he looked at her, "What about you?" Jade fought back her tears, but they kept welling in her eyes. When she did not answer, Kyle got concerned. He peered closely at his soulmate, "What's wrong?" he asked softly.
Jade shook her head mutely, turning her face way from Kyle. She could no longer stop her tears. Kyle reached over and gently pulled her towards him. He saw her tears and wiped them away, his cool fingers caressing her face. Jade lifted her eyes and met his gaze, his liquid black eyes gazing down softly onto her green ones. He had a slight frown on his face, then he gave a smile to Jade. "It's all right. Tell me, why are you crying? Who made you upset?"
His questions were so innocent that Jade could not hold on anymore. She gave in and sobbed uncontrollably, "Kyle…"
Kyle hugged her and Jade found herself soaking in the warmth and love from him. Unlike the feeling she got with Angus, she felt that this was totally right. She felt the soulmate link, the tingling sensation that coursed down her spine pleasantly. She calmed down after a while and sniffed, "I'm so sorry… I really shouldn't be like this…"
"It's okay." Kyle patted her back. He knew why Jade was crying, but he could offer no words to comfort her. They sat on his bed in each other's arms for a few moments.
"WHOOPS! Sorry!!" Jasper gasped and apologized as he came charging in through the doors. He had a sheepish look on his face and Halyssa came in after him. "Oops! Are we interrupting something?" Her gentle voice held the same apologetic tone as her boyfriend's.
"It's okay." Jade broke off from their hug and arranged the chairs for her brother and Halyssa to sit in.
Russell came in. He gave a huge smile to Kyle, "Hey dude, how are you feeling today?" Kyle returned a smile and pointed out a chair for his friend. He had not missed Russell's look. He was strolling into the ward, head down and shoulders slumped. His blue eyes were bloodshot.
He had been crying, Kyle realized guiltily. He did not want anyone to worry for him. "Good," he answered simply. Skye materialized beside Jasper.
"Jesus!!" Jasper jumped, "You've got to stop appearing like this!" Skye looked at Jasper, a slight smile on his face. Then, he turned to Kyle.
"You can go home."
Jade was confused, "Go home? But he's not fully well yet."
The elder did not answer her, his eyes staring at his shoes. Russell knew what he had meant: it was pointless for Kyle to continue staying in the hospital.
There was no way he could get well again.
Russell stood up, "Well, pack up dude. It's time to get yourself out of this boring place and come back to accompany me." He tried to gave a laugh, to show that he was joking, but a cough came out instead. He stole a glance at his friend. From his expression, Kyle knew what the elder had meant.
Maybe he had knew it right from the beginning. Maybe he's not a coward like I am, trying to hold on to some desperate glimmer of hope, Russell chided himself.
Seeing that there was nothing to help out, Jasper and Halyssa took their leaves. Jade and Russell got Kyle back to their apartment and he was glad that at least his friend could still walk on his own. After Kyle had settled down in their apartment, Jade said, "Well, I must get going now." She smiled to Russell, "You take good care of him, or else…" she warned playfully.
Russell gave a smile, but the smile did not touch his eyes. "Yeah, will do." After Jade left, Kyle and Russell sat on the sofa in silence.
"Well, I'll go and make some drinks." Russell got up hastily. He did not know how to face Kyle, for fear that he might cry. For the past few days, ever since he knew about Kyle's condition, he had not been able to sleep. He did not want to lose his best friend, much less to watch him die. He simply did not know what to say to him, and it hurt him to feel so helpless when Kyle needed him the most. But what could he do? He could not heal him. Not even Skye, who had earned himself the nickname Miraculous Healer from healing a large number of patients whom others could not heal.
"Russ." Kyle sounded weary. Russell did not turn to look at his friend, but he stopped in his tracks. "Russ, come on. We need to talk."
No, please, don't talk, Russell thought. He did not know how much longer he could hold on to his cheerful façade. He sat down, not wanting to aggravate Kyle by making him feel worse.
Kyle looked at Russell, whose head was turned away from him. He knew that Russell did not want to look at him deliberately. Part of him wanted to get his friend to look at him straight in the eyes. He felt despair from his friend. "You're worried."
Russell felt angry. He twisted around and faced Kyle, whose black eyes were focused intently on his own. That's all that Kyle could say? It was not even a question; it was a statement. Russell hated himself for being so useless, for letting Kyle see through him and sense his worry. But he did not understand how, when everyone else was worried sick, Kyle could still be so calm about it?
"Hell, yes, you noticed." He returned sarcastically, glaring at Kyle. Regret and guilt flicked in Kyle's eyes, making Russell feel bad immediately.
"I'm sorry," Kyle sighed. Russell bit his tongue, but his emotions took the better of him.
"Sorry? That's all? You went over to Blood Iris without any word and risked your ass out there, letting the rest of us here wondering what was up with you. Finally you came back here, only to twist a little knife in each of our hearts that care about you, left and now you're back again, for good, but not for long because of that weird poison you've got in your system? And sorry's all you can say?!" Russell's voice had rose several pitches higher. He was babbling, nearly screaming and crying, but he did no care. He cared more about his best friend's life.
Kyle's head pounded. He knew Russell was really caring about him, and he did not blame him for his outburst. No doubt, he had hid things from even his best friend. "Russ, I'm truly sorry for hurting you all. But given that situation, I had to try my best to keep my cover from blowing."
Russell was really hurt, "You don't trust me?"
Kyle closed his eyes, "You're not listening…"
Russell jumped up, "Yes I am! I am listening! But have you ever thought about our feelings when you did all those things back then? There was no telling. No telling whether you're goddamned dead or alive! You've no idea how Jade and I were feeling!"
"But I know, I really do." Kyle said sincerely. A sudden spasm of pain ripped through his body and he doubled over in agony.
"Oh shit! Kyle! How are you feeling?" Russell knelt down in front of Kyle, his brows creased with worry. "The… the pills." Kyle managed to get out. His whole body was feverishly hot and his felt his insides twisting about.
Russell hurriedly got over to the bag and took out the bottle of pills. His fingers shaking, Russell poured out two pills and gave them to Kyle. He supported Kyle's hand as it feebly pushed the pills into his mouth. He peered ay Kyle, observing if the pills had made him feel any better. He propped a cushion and let Kyle lie down on the couch.
"How are you feeling now?" Russell asked, his brain racing with the different outcomes of the situation. He did not know whether this was just an attack, or was Kyle's life in immediate danger. Looking helpless, he touched Kyle's' forehead and withdrew his hand sharply. He reached for Kyle's hand and found it to be icy cold.
"Oh dammit Kyle! Do you need a blanket? A fan? Or what do you need? Skye?" Russell asked, hoping to ease his friend's pain. Kyle shook his head slightly. After a while he finally spoke, "No. It's just an attack."
"How often do you get such attacks?" Russell asked, still frowning with worry. Kyle managed a smile, despite his pain. That was how Kyle's like, always not wanting others to worry for him. Russell sank to the floor, exhausted from both worry and emotional strain. He felt tears rolling down his cheeks and he wiped them away fiercely, hoping that Kyle did not see them. But he did.
"Dammit." Russell's face crumpled. "I'm sorry, Kyle."
Kyle looked at Russell, who was weeping silently. He had heard others telling him that they were sorry so many times that day, but he felt like he was the one who owed them the apology.
"No, don't be."
"I'm such a baby. But I don't want to lose you, Kyle. You're the best friend I've ever had." Russell could not stop himself, feeling his cheeks burning with embarrassment. But he spoke what he truly felt.
"Russ, you're my best friend too. But you must be strong." Kyle drew a ragged breath.
Russell nodded blindly. He knew that he had to be strong for Kyle. He made up his mind to make the rest of Kyle's days, no matter how long or how short, as good as they possibly could be.
* * * * * *
That's all this week friends. Here's the chapterly poll =D
Poll: Relationship or expressing the feelings between the two friends in this chapter was…
1) Sucky! Enough of that stinky frodo and sam nonsense!
2) Good! That just made me teared!!
Sorry about the typos! My whole body's aching like mad! This is a long chappie! Till the next time!
Reviews will be very much treasured and loved!
