Chapter Seventeen

Sandry opened her eyes and blinked wearily as sunlight blocked her vision, making her eyes burn.

"Damn it!' Sandry cursed as she sat up, her head feeling like small children were in it throwing rocks around. Her eyes widened as she felt a familiar churn in her stomach. Sandry quickly lept up and ran over to a bucket before she threw up violently. Sandry continued to throw up until she couldn't believe she had anything else to throw up. She then washed her face and sagged against the wall, her stomach muscles aching.

"Well, you're turning into the average town drunk." Tris said cheerfully as Sandry came down into the kitchen.

"Huh?" Sandry said confused, her brain hurting too much for her to really focus.

Tris laughed. "Wow, you really did get drunk last night."

Sandry didn't reply and just stumbled over to the table before taking a seat.

Tris passed her a cup of tea and Sandry gave her a watery smile of gratitude. She then took a sip and gasped at the horrible taste of the tea filled her mouth.

"What the hell is this?" Sandry asked in disgust.

"It's tea." Tris said calmly. "It's just been magicked to help with hang overs."

"Oh." Sandry said, then raised a suspicious eye. "Your magic controls the weather."

"Wow…really?" Tris said sarcastically. "And your point is?"

"How could you magic the tea?" Sandry asked.

"I didn't." Tris replied simply.

Sandry felt dread enter her chest, and at that moment Briar came in.

Briar looked at her. "Oh…Sandry…I…"

"Don't." Sandry whispered and Briar nodded.

"I'm sorry." He mumured. "I…I hope you enjoy the tea."

With those words, Briar left, leaving Sandry feeling just as confused as she had last night.

"I'm sorry." Tris said guiltily. "I mean…he wanted to make you some tea…because he still cares for you, and he feels really bad…and well…he planned to be gone by the time you get up…but you got up earlier than expected."

Sandry nodded. "It's okay Tris."

"It is?" tris said, relief flooding her face. "I'm glad. Now suggest you finish your tea." Sandry made a face as she remembered how bad the tea tasted, but obeyed her anyway.

The tea worked and when she had finished it, Sandry felt her hang over clear up until it was almost completely gone.

"Feel better?" Tris asked and Sandry nodded.

"Yeah. Briar's really good with his magic. I guess we all are." Sandry replied.

"Well, I'm glad you feel better." Tris said, with a small smile. "You drunk is amusing. You hung over, is less so."

'Yes, I'm sure I was incredibly amusing as I was crying all the way home. I think I even used your shirt as a hankerchief at one stage." Sandry replied bitterly.

"Yeah, well…" Tris made a face. "I never liked that shirt anyway."

Sandry laughed. "I'm sure."

"Good morning." Daja said, as she entered the room.

"Morning." The other two replied.

"Sandry how are you feeling?" Daja asked cautiously.

"Better than last night." Sandry admitted.

"I'm glad." Daja said, giving Sandry a warm smile.

"Yeah. Super." Tris said, but her tone was light and teasing.

"So what do you two plan to do with your day?" Daja asked.

Tris shrugged. "I planned to read."

"How entertaining." Daja said, and Tris looked up and smiled at her girlfriend.

"I think I might go fix things with Briar." Sandry said.

"Are you sure?" Tris asked, suddenly concerned. "I mean, isn't it too soon?"

"I'd rather have him as a friend than not at all." Sandry replied. "If I stay away from mind connection, I might stop the pain from showing. I want him as a friend anyway."

"Are you sure its wise to go there hung over?" Daja asked.

Sandry giggled. "I had a hang over cure. I feel fine now…" She paused as she suddenly realized something. "It's funny, I don't remember having that many drinks last night."

"Don't forget, you're a mage." Daja added. "It affects us differently to most people."

Sandry nodded, feeling completely stupid. How could she forget that? After all, that's why she never had wine at dinner when she ate with her uncle. "Of course! I completely forgot about that. No wonder I've been so drunk lately."

"How do you forget about being a mage?" Tris asked and Sandry glared at her. "Er…I mean…wow…that must be the reason you've been getting so drunk. Isn't that a funny realization?"

"Anyway." Sandry said, hoping to change the subject. "I should go see Briar and fix things up. Where do you think he would be?"

"One guess." Tris replied dryly.

Sandry nodded. "Yep. I'm going."

Amber woke up and almost jumped out of the bed, skipping to the bar.

"Quick Jonas, grab whatever weapons you can find, board up the windows and find somewhere safe to hide, probably behind the bar." Dean said in panic. "The appocalypse is coming."

"Ha, ha, very funny." Amber started to say, but was interrupted by some old drunk man who ran out of the bar screaming "appocalypse."

Dean looked at the door where the man just left then back to Amber. "No one will take him seriously…I hope."

Amber giggled. "I don't. Besides you were overreacting."

"Were my eyes deceiving me, or did I just see you skip?"

Amber blushed. "Well I…"

"Amber," Dean said, his eyes mock-serious. "There are three ways of movement we are never seen doing; skipping, prancing or frolicking."

"You forgot frog leaping." Jonas added, entering the conversation.

"And frog-leap…" Dean turned to look at Jonas in shock. "…Uh yeah, common sense prevents you from frog leaping."

Amber laughed. "I'm happy, so kill me."

"Ha, ha, that's a good one." Dean said sarcastically, making Amber and Jonas laugh.

"Besides, shouldn't you be happy too?" Amber asked. "I mean, you and Sandry were getting on okay last time I saw."

"We've decided to just be friends." Dean replied and Amber winced as she suddenly remembered what happened last night.

"I'm sorry." Amber replied, patting his shoulder.

"Nah, its cool. She seems like a nice girl." Dean said smiling. "Like a sweeter, kinder, more innocent and nice version of you."

"Gee, that's a lot." Amber repleid and Dean grinned.

"You're welcome."

"So, anyway. How long do you think Sandry'll be friends with him?" Amber asked.

"Oh, you mean how long with it take for her to realize he's a complete idiot, and there are many other people she could be friends with?" Jonas asked, giving Dean a teasing look. "Not long."

"Yeah."

"Hey, I'm right here!" Dean said, irritated. "And I'm not an idiot!"

Amber and Jonas looked at him for a minute, before Amber turned to Jonas. "Just smile and nod."

"Damn you!" Dean cursed angrily. "Is it so strange me being friends with sandry?"

"Yes."

"Hell yes."

"Stranger than the absence of rum in a bar."

"Thanks." Dean said, annoyed.

"Aw, come on." Amber said grinning. "You know we're just kidding."

"Yeah, Dean." Jonas added. "I'm glad you've got a friend besides us. Really I am."

"Shut up." Dean snapped, but the twinkle in his eyes told his friends that he wasn't really that mad at them.

"Okay, we'll shut up." Amber said, then looked at Jonas with a twinkle in her eyes. "I bet Dean'll never find a girl that doesn't want to be just friends with him."

Dean's mouth fell open. "Come on Amber, that's harsh."

"Yeah, Amber, that's really harsh." Jonas said. "Wanna put money on that."

"Okay. How much?"

"Hey, come on guys, that's not fair." Dean said in annoyance. "Amber, its not like we went around making bets about you and Briar."

"Yes we did." Jonas interrupted. "Remember, that night where she went to bed early and you started the bets about…"

"We didn't make bets about you and Briar." Dean interrupted firmly, a forced smile on his lips.

"Hey guys." Briar's voice broke in as he came up to the bar entrance and through the doors.

"Hey." Amber went over to him and gave him a big kiss on the lips, which he returned forcefully.

"Hey, look. Briar's here." Dean said a forced grin on his face.

"Yeah he is." Jonas said, looking at Amber and Briar in surprise. "Okay, guys, get a room. This is a public place."

Amber laughed, but broke away from Briar.

'How are you this morning?" Briar asked Amber.

She grinned. "I'm good. How are you? Have you seen Sandry?"

Briar nodded. "Briefly. She's still upset."

"Give her time."

"Or rum." Dean sang out, but quickly shut up when he got glares from everyone else.

"Briar."

Everyone turned around to see Sandry standing there looking nervous.

"Wow." Dean said. "First we talk about briar, and he comes, then we talk about Sandry, and now here she is."

Amber elbowed Dean in the ribs and he shut up, as they stood back to see the interaction between the two forster-siblings take place.

"You were talking about me?" Sandry asked, a small smile on her lips.

"Yeah, I was worried." Briar said, looking awkwardly at the ground.

"Briar, I'm sorry." Sandry said. "I let my feelings…I shouldn't have…I can't…what I meant to say is, I really like you, and I don't want to lose your friendship. Not over something like this?"

"Are you sure its not too soon. You were pretty upset last night." Briar said sheepishly.

Sandry nodded. "Now's as good a time as any. The longer I wait, the worse it will be."

Briar nodded, then pulled her into a big hug. "I'm glad you changed your mind."

"The four of us," Sandry said, referring to Tris, Daja, Briar and herself. "We have this bond that can never be broken. And we can't let it get broken now."

Okay, I didn't mean to end this chapter here, but I can't be bothered writing more at the moment. Please review, and tell me what you guys think and I'll try to update again soon. Thank you!