Ch 18

Sarah froze. She closed her eyes and prayed that she hadn't just heard that. But she had. Bayron's voice rang loud and clear in her head. "She doesn't know you're already engaged to another woman?" Sarah couldn't move, she almost felt like she couldn't breathe. She felt hot all over, and her heartseened like it had been pierced by a thousand daggers. Oh God, that can't be true, please don't let it be true. She was unaware of the tears streaming down her face as she slowly entered the living room.

Jareth and Bayron looked over at her as she entered, and Jareth's eyes widened in horror. By the tears in her eyes and the look on her face, he knew she had heard. He jumped up and ran to her, trying to embrace her. "Oh, Sarah, my love, please listen, let me explain, I-"

Sarah cut him off as she pushed him away. "Please don't, don't try to make any excuses. I heard it loud and clear. You're already engaged to someone else Jareth, you already promised to marry someone else." She struggled to keep her composure. "My God Jareth, I'm a fool. I'm a fool for trusting you. I just can't believe this is happening." She sat down heavily on the couch and stared into space.

Julie had come in the room as Sarah was talking, and she gave Jareth a death look. "You son of a bitch, I could kill you for hurting her. And you," she said, turning her glare to Bayron, "don't tell me you didn't know about this. I should kick your ass too." Julie rushed over to Sarah and put her arm around her, trying to comfort her. Julie looked up at Jareth and Bayron and said icily, "You assholes are free to leave now."

Jareth couldn't bear to leave her like this, he had to explain everything to her, he couldn't just let it end like this. Damn it, I knew I would end up hurting her.

"Sarah," he said pleadingly. "Please, let me-"

"No," Sarah said emotionlessly. "Just go. Please, all of you, I just want to be alone. You too, Julie, I'm sorry but I just need to be left alone."

Julie didn't question Sarah, and she stood up to leave. "Call me later if you feel like talking, honey," she said softly to Sarah. Sarah gave her friend a small, unhappy smile. "Thanks."

Julie glared at Jareth and Bayron, saying, "You heard her, get out of here." To Bayron, she added, "I'm going home, and I'd rather you didn't come with me."

"No Julie wait, this isn't my fault, don't be angry with me," Bayron pleaded to Julie. As much as he sympathized with Jareth, he couldn't help being mad at him; if he had just told Sarah the truth to begin with, this wouldn't be happening. He couldn't stand having Julie angry at him.

Julie had been stalking towards the door, and she twirled angrily to look at Bayron. "Not be angry with you? Sarah's my best friend, you know that, and you let that asshole hurt her," she said, gesturing to Jareth. Jareth had been standing there, practically is a state of shock at what was happening, but Julie's words revived him.

"You dare call me names? You don't know the whole story, so I suggest you mind your own damn business," he said nastily.

"Oh, you have a lot of nerve-" Julie was cut off by a shout.

"All of you, get the hell out of my house right now! I can't stand this, I just want you all out of here, now!" Sarah had stood up and had her hands tangled in hair on either side of her head. She was so angry she was about to pull it all out. "I mean it, get the hell out, now!"

She looked so furious that, without thinking, Bayron snapped his fingers and transported himself, Julie and Jareth to Julie's apartment.

Sarah looked at her living room, startled that they had disappeared so quickly. When she was sure they had gone, she sank back onto the couch, and with her head in her hands, she began to sob uncontrollably.