Beth sat by the lake, leaning back against a tree. She smiled gently. She and Tom were friends again, the arguing barometer was reading minimal and she had caught up with school work. She had cheered up a little over the past few days and relaxing beside the lake was great for her.
"Boo!"
Beth smiled. "You really need more practise at that, Gem."
Emily frowned and flopped down beside her. "Well I though it was pretty good, you're just hard to scare."
Looking superior, Beth fanned her face. "No, I just have a certain air to my character."
"Yeah, right."
Beth laughed. She and Emily chatted for a while until Gem leapt to her feet, patted Beth on the head and took off up to the castle. However, Beth wasn't alone for long.
"Hey, Bethy." Joe sat down beside her and smiled. "You better yet?"
"Don't worry, I'm fine! You treat me like a porcelain doll, I'm strong! I just need to unwind a bit."
He laughed kindly. "Sorry, I'm your brother, I'm supposed to worry about you… aren't I?"
"Well stop it, I can look after myself! You, on the other hand, are my itty bitty little bro," she said, putting on a babyish voice. "And I should be looking after you!"
"Meanie."
"That's me!"
"You're mean."
"Yes, but I'm also sweet, innocent and be-you-tee-ful!" She laughed and sat up with a low groan. "Don't know if I can stand up."
"Does that mean I have to carry you?"
"Firstly, do I look heavy to you? Secondly, no you don't" She stood and stretched then bent down, dropping a sisterly kiss on the top of his blonde head. "I'll talk to you later… homework." He rolled her eyes and smiled down at him then flounced back up to the castle, completely ignoring Jessi as she walked past.
Tom stopped her halfway back to the common room. He was agitated and jumpy.
"Beth, please… I miss you. Razzy… I broke up with her, she was a mistake…" He shrugged and looked away then peered back at her. "I love you."
Beth almost fell over with the shock. Not possible, not… no, don't… more than anything in the world right now she wanted to be with him again. She swallowed.
"You don't"
"I do."
"You can't"
"I can't stop thinking about you."
"Tom, please...!"
"Beth, I need you!"
She froze. She couldn't… what if… Beth turned away and bit her lip.
"And what if Razzy wants you back again?"
"I'll say no."
"How can I trust you?"
"Beth," he said, pleading with her. "You yourself said people deserve second chances. Give me one. Please?"
She looked at him. He had shadows under his eyes, his face was white; he looked like he hadn't slept in days.
"Please," he repeated, his voice hoarse.
She smiled gently. "One more. Just one more and I swear, if you hurt me-"
"I won't!" He smiled, relieved, and drew her into his arms, his voice fading away as he bent to kiss her. "I won't…"