You know, even I am starting to realise a pattern in these opening statements. Once again I'm sorry for the delay. I've had mock exams and actually do have the flu again; mustn't be my lucky year. Anyway, I should be able to update much more regularly now. Sorry to those who keep saying my characters are a bit immature, I'm trying my best to improve that, keep suggestions coming though.

Chapter 13

The next morning Ally slowly came awake, clinging to the sweet remains of her sleep it nevertheless left her grasp. A quick upwards glance told her Lakh was still asleep and his deep, even breathing confirmed it. Trying not to disturb him she carefully slid out of his arms and padded downstairs to the kitchen. At the bright light streaming in through the window her eyes burned slightly and she shielded them until they had time to adjust. Walking across the room she settled down on the sill and rested her head against the glass. The cold seemed to seep through into her skin, soothing her troubled mind.

She was just so confused. Her life had been so simple, uncluttered, and now she barely knew which way was up, and which was down. Suddenly she had to deal with this new guy and the overwhelming emotions she felt for him. On top of that there was a whole new society that seemed intent on killing her apparently. Feeling a tear slide down her cheek she allowed it to flow unhindered. It left a sticky trail across her face but she was too weary to brush it away. More than anything right now, she just wanted her dad. But he wasn't here.

She was almost ashamed at her childish needs; she should be able to deal with her own problems by now. By the end of the year, she would have left home, be on her own. The prospect scared the living daylights out of her. There was no way she'd be able to deal with all of this new stuff on top of that. She was only 17, and had led a pretty sheltered life, she just wasn't tough enough. Taking a shuddering breath she knocked her head lightly against the pane of glass. Well, she would never know until she tried.

Climbing slightly unsteadily to her feet she saw her school bag lying on the floor in the corner of the room and shuddered. She could almost curse the beige, cotton satchel for reminding her. Today was the first day back at school. Yippee. Knowing it would be more hassle to miss it than it would be to attend the quietly went back up the stairs and took a quick shower. The warm water helped to wake her up and wash away the last remains of sleep and she quickly finished off and walked back into her room. When she pushed open the door she realised a slight problem. Here she was, standing in nothing but a towel and all her clothes were on the other side of the room. However, in order to get there, she had to pass her bed, where a rather large, sleeping male lay. Silently groaning she tried to walk as quietly as she could but when she put her foot on a loose board and it let out an ungodly wail she knew she was done for.

Alerted by the sudden noise Lakh woke instantly and jerked straight upright, fists raising to defend himself. When his roving eyes encountered his soul mate, standing before him in naught but a skimpy towel his eyes widened slightly.

'Good morning. My, but you look.wet this morning. What's the rush?' Cocking his head to the side in confusion he tried to make sense of the suddenly tense expression on her face. Watching the way her eyes kept darting across the room, and her white knuckles clenching the ends of her towel his gut clenched. Please, please, don't make her tell him she regretted what had happened between them. That was the only thing he didn't think he could stand.

Seeing the scared expression on his face Ally relaxed slightly and gave him a wan smile. 'Today's the first day back at school.' Glancing back towards the wardrobe she stammered out a quick sentence while she dashed over, grabbed a relatively coordinated outfit, and then dashed back out again. 'Er, I just need to get some clothes, and, you know, get changed, and then I'll, er, have to go.' Wincing at her garbled words she scampered out to the safety of the bathroom and closed the door behind her. Leaning against it she tried to regulate her breathing and get her heart to steady. Since she'd met Lakh, she'd been getting a much better cardiovascular work out, but it definitely wasn't doing her nerves all that good.

Easing the comfortable jeans up her legs and over her hips, she fastened the zip with trembling fingers and then smoothed her hands over the soft material. Sighing with pleasure at the snug, comfortable feeling the pulled a deep purple jumper over her head and turned to look at her appearance in the mirror. Reaching for a brush she slowly worked it through the tangled length of her mahogany coloured hair and, as always, wistfully dreamt of having the brilliant green eyes of her long dead mother. Instead, staring back at her, where the dull brown eyes she had always secretly disliked. Due to it being stylishly short her hair was quickly drying naturally and she gently eased open the door and walked back into her room to sit on the edge of her bed. Looking over at Lakh she waited to hear what he had to say.

Leaning back against the soft pillows Lakh ran a hand wearily over his face, brushing his overly long blonde hair out of his bright blue eyes. Feeling the bed dip slightly under her weight he smiled slightly, but didn't turn to look at her directly. 'I'll come with you. I know it seems petty, but while you're at school you'll be vulnerable to attack. I'll use a bit of mind control to get past any unwanted questions today and then ill get in touch with Daybreak tonight and make everything official.' Finally he turned to face her, all the questions plaguing his mind showing clearly on his face. 'Is that alright with you?'

Knowing it was hard for him to change, and the sacrifice he was making for her Ally smiled and lent forward to kiss his cheek. 'I'll be happy to have you at my side.' Seeing the relief wash over his face when she didn't argue she felt guilt suffuse her at her earlier tantrums and hoped he knew she was sorry.

~

Wraith sat with the box on the table in front of her, her mouth hanging open in utter shock. The delivery man had come about quarter of an hour ago and she had signed for the clothes, and shoes, and quickly taken them inside. She had then opened the box and looked inside. After seeing the contents she had been paralysed, and hadn't been able to move ever since. It must be a mistake, there was no way this would be what she would have to wear, it just couldn't be. Some of the skirts inside were so short they would only look decent on very young girls, and yet, the waist size was big enough to assure her it was intended for her. That, and the personalised note she had found on top of the clothes thanking her for her purchase.

In desperation she had turned on the television that had slowly been gathering dust in the corner of the apartment and had seen, to her dread, many other girls wearing similar attire. Walking back over to the box she carefully took everything out and sorted it into piles, hoping with all her might that there was something in there at least partially resembling what she had worn previously. In the end she decided that extremely tight trousers were better than skirts, as even if they did in fact reveal just as much, they still allowed a slightly better range of movement.

Fighting against her instinct she shrugged out of her current clothes and with difficulty wriggled into the form fitting black, denim garment. When it then stretched to accommodate her movements she had to concede it wasn't as bad as she thought, but there was no way she felt more comfortable wearing them than her traditional, loose fitting attire. Noting with annoyance that there were no neutral coloured or dark tops she groaned in frustration; how was she to go unnoticed if they expected her to wear pink? Finding a rather revealing red top she sneered in disgust but pulled it over her head anyway. Red was the first colour to look like black in the dark, and even if she didn't like the style she had to remind herself that she was on a mission, and sacrifices were always necessary.

Noting the annoyingly bright light outside she slipped on a pair of sunglasses and walked slowly to her car, trying to get used to shoes with a heel. Ridiculous invention, so impractical, but she supposed it would allow her to finally get her roundhouse kicks as high as she had always wanted. Taking a last longing look at the now familiar apartment she pulled away from the curb. There were times when she truly hated her job.

~