CHAPTER 3

In their minds hatred runs deep
Kings and queens can fail
Now pay the fuckin' price
Can't afford to laugh or live in the past

I still knew the weight was on my shoulders. I gave hate back to the piercing stares of the people who blamed me. Even sweet little Ivan was cross.

I cling so much tighter to Garet- trying to keep the thoughts Sheba out of my head. The guilt. Not guilt for hurting her, but guilt for ever teasing her. I wanted to eat people alive for seeing me a bad guy. Even if they didn't- I suspected everyone of them. Mia was always protective of everyone, Isaac tried hard to keep peace, Garet was confused about everything, Ivan was Sheba's second leg to walk on, Felix was protective of her period, Picard maybe was just too sweet but probably hurt by my sudden cruelty, and Kraden was just a lolita-lover.

My worst fear was if Sheba exaggerated. Or maybe not tell the whole truth? Or maybe she took things the wrong way and would retell them wrong. I didn't even really kiss her and that rumor was everywhere. I never said 'I love you.' I hadn't been 100 serious while in a high mood. And she always got me on a high with the thought that I'm the strongest person in the world.

I wished it would just disappear already… leave me alone…

SALVA†iON

I made them hate
We forced their fate
I close my eyes
Once upon a time in the war zone

Sheba grew sick from all the crying and worrying. She'd tell me how much she'd cried and how much sleep she lost- obviously looking for pity. I shrugged- not willing to feed her hunger.

"ok."

Her spirit withered and her aura shrunk. It was like she was dying inside.

Solution: pretend it wasn't happening.

Maybe she'd get over it in time if she didn't get the attention. If We give her attention then she'll see it as a working plan and do it again or more or worse.

She'd just collapse in the street crying and I'd turn around and walk away.

Not to mention- if I were to be seen with a crying Sheba- I'd get even more blame for it. And so my sins grew.

I knew it was cruel- but I didn't really care. I wasn't going to sacrifice anymore. Selfish? Yes. But I had served her for over a year and now I was helping Garet too. And by helping Garet I helped the mayor and thus helping all of Vale. Justification.

I just really hated being seen as the bad guy. I DID feel bad for hurting Sheba as time went by and my anger shrunk. But I couldn't say I was sorry, that just isn't in my nature.

Feel the pain of the fast lane
Comfort by only the pain
All we want is whats deserved
All we want is what we've earned

I'm not sure how it happened- but everything was normal again. Well, besides the fact that Sheba had grown and Garet and I were a couple.

I woke up happily to a new morning, jumping out of bed and rushing downstairs without even bothering to get decent clothes on. The day seemed good. Until my face meant the ground.

"Ow?" I heard the voice from the tips of my toes.

"Huh?" I looked down to see Garet sprawled across the floor, classic adorably stupid look on his face. He must've crawled there overnight- I mused.

He opened his eyes slowly then jumped up.

I jumped realizing I was still in my underwear. "Uhhh!" I blushed. "Just a second!" I grabbed a tunic from the wall and slipped into it. Garet sat on the floor blushing and staring.

"Felix! Come back here!" Came a yell from downstairs.

"No! Picard! Noooo!" A large thumping up the stairs. Both boys soon fell through the bedroom door, Picard onto Felix. And the elder locked the younger by the lips.

I laughed a little and told them to go to their own room, but it soon faded into a face deepened with guilt and tears as I buried my face into Garet's arm. Gays weren't bad- but I'd much rather be with a guy. Such a hypocrite.

"What, what's wrong?" Garet blinked out of his shock and tilted my chin until our eyes met.

"I just feel a little bad for all that stuff that happened with Sheba…"

"But it's her fault- you didn't do anything. Right?"

"There's people on both sides saying the same thing…" I re-dug my head into his chest and hugged him tight. "Just let me stay here for a while…

There's no thoughts of turning back,
People only crash and burn.
Is it too much to ask for
Is this too much to ask for
Is that too much to ask for?
Just a little salvation?
Well is it?

Because there's three sides to every story
My side.
Your side.
And the cold hard damned truth.

Ame: Ok! Time for some notes! The lyrics for this fanfic are mixed lines from songs by Paparoach and Fury of Five. Some of the quotes were taken from the fanfic this is countering. I'm not going to be telling you which it's countering- I want to see if you can find it yourself.

And to 'Sheba,' a footnote: I'm proud of you