The Chronicles Of A Belikov: Memoirs Series Book II

by maymay330

Book II to the Memoirs Series. As classes wrap up and summer is creeping in, Rose, Alana, Lissa and the rest of the VA gang are faced with a whole new load of problems that has them spending their time at Court. A war is unfolding in theMoroi world and everyone is on the brink of having to choose a side. Follow the crew as they are faced with death, danger and unexpected

9. Chapter 8: 24 Hour Love Maintenance

p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="355919f6becc6e5edcdc0fc00caf4bf1"Before reading, I want to point out that this chapter may contain some adult rated language or actions./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d2bd4aa27b60e8f90c68dec768576881"Chapter 8: 24 Hour Love Maintenance/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ae9efca90c7f4af8a86f0390b629018e""If I let myself love you, I won't throw myself in front of her. I'll throw myself in front of you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="881098c341d91017b56f5d46ce81145c"― Richelle Mead, Vampire Academy/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="78fe3daaa154f2ebe9b5977b3e31c751"ALANA POV/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fca9a5a30cf28927fb9923e26fb8945a"I followed Eric as he rushed out the door in a flash, making twists and turns down the streets of Court and asking questions as he went. However, the gossip mill was already working wonders because everywhere we turned, we knew Leila had been just by the swarm of chitchat filling the air./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a0cd291243bb251d5a2b2d479fbd4db5"I rushed to keep up with Eric, but he began to slow as we approached a quieter area of Court. An area I did not recall ever really visiting before. The streets here were a bit damper and grimier then the streets I was used to that were filled with freshly watered trees and music. These streets seemed almost abandoned as there was barely passerby roaming around./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5a4de49ee89e52747e48cf4e8dc482a4""Eric, where are we?" I asked as he slowed enough for me to keep in step with him. I didn't see any signs of Leila and I truly didn't believe she would be caught anywhere near here, angry or not./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="58e8af4c8d837cfe49d06dd57955c516""This is the slumps, Alana. Not all Moroi are filthy rich you know. But then again, it's not usually everyday Moroi who roam here. This is what Court likes to refer to as blood whore country. Filled with bars and brothels."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d0eb139c33e866088a2a41efb79d3f76"And as he spoke, I knew he was telling the truth. The buildings all seemed to be unmarked around here. And the ones that were marked read things such as "24-hour service". I felt my nose crinkle a bit that there was a community of dhampirs who chose to live this way. But then I felt ashamed for being judgmental of the other half. I had always dreamed of being a guardian. There had never been another choice for me. But what would have become of me if I didn't have a mother like Rose Hathaway? Would I have ended up here?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="caa39f2f06d4ae14ecc4b7e324dc4f1b"The thought had chills running down my spine as I felt myself shrink a bit closer to Eric. He took notice of the action, and a peculiar look crossed his face. He still would not meet my eyes but the expression he held I could not tell if it was understanding or disappointment./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3b601ecfa8e3a2dd361ced46d91c4263""I don't think Leila would be here." I said as we took yet another turn./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="244770da6f1aefa4b06a884bff2d0fc0"Eric sighed, "No I don't think so either. But in all honesty, I've never worked these streets yet. I have no clue where we really are."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6b955978579a972929e91fd4315bfacd"I felt the urge to prompt him that we should stop and ask but ask who? The streets were bare now. The only signs of life where the clinking of glasses behind doors and the flickering lights in the drape covered windows./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="04d84445c6adc9ef1ee60042295b7e62"I was about to suggest we enter one of the establishments, until we stopped in front of a maintance elevator with the Ivashkov family crest. The royal family crests./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="da17e0fa1170f1a91bbe79e8a5df22ee"Eric stopped and pulled back the metal grate that was covering the elevators front./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8664a8b2a959b961e94bce7f4ab2c01d""Come on. Theres a whole other side of Court you have never seen before. All we must do is take this elevator to the bottom levels and navigate back to the Royal Quarters. I'm sure Leila went back to your room."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="52c4977345e790e9c7a69218bdcc7f99"I was rather skeptical of how an elevator was the answer to all our questions but edged my way inside as Eric held the grate open./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f13ae09f16db24482911cf2f9b972a2d""And where is this going to take us?" I questioned as he closed the grate and the elevator door shut./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e6a2b1711011e69a4b64f2c898b3e4ff"Eric wiped his hands on his pants and pressed a button, "It should take us to the bottom levels. There's a whole town underground basically that guardians use. Well mostly just the royal guardian staff but we all know about them."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a7a9bd432c86bfaac2c66f2b7195919f"The elevator clanked and seemed to make a rusty, old sound that had me doubting it would even make it to the next level. But luckily it did. Right before the lights flickered and the whole thing broke down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6ce6bbb1019bebf96ad4a6a8f280380b""Well, that doesn't sound good." I said as Eric started fidgeting with buttons in the dark. A red light illuminated the elevator bringing him back into view./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="44fdd9d4a41e33aca6fdd444b84f7d94""No, no its not. The thing broke down. And the emergency call switch seems to be broken."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3f0105e0b7e42c0d2dae79d1a42ac6d9"I sighed and wrapped my arms around me. It was cold down in this lower level. Eric noticed my movement and started fidgeting with his jacket./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dc86863d1001122fd10eb23a8b6a7824""Here." he said handing it to me. I wrapped the jacket around my shoulders all too aware of how it smelled like him./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4063cca7c93dedc8248298752c7c07e4"He rubbed his hands together and slide down the wall of the elevator as he sat down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a1b479cede2b3ca3055249a719efe67c""Might as well get comfortable. With the emergency switch not working we probably will be stuck here until the next maintenance checks. Which only happen every 24 hours so...we may be down here for a while."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c8ac87070949f603d425d6817eac6d94"I followed suite and slid down to sit across from him. He seemed to be trying to avoid any sort of eye contact. But my eyes were glued on watching him. And he must have noticed because finally his eyes met mine and we stayed starring at each other for what seemed like hours but was probably only a few minutes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0de9bf6d01182accc351835cd869c583"In those few minutes, I hadn't noticed how we both had started to lean forward. None of this seemed to register with me until we were faced to face leaning forward and close enough I could feel his warm breath on my face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c68ca8f2d00abfc6d15eb6260ac061c7"And then the moment ended as Eric pulled back and seemed to straighten himself out. Which made me very upset. I felt a whole whirlwind of emotions as he fidgeted with his hands in his pockets and acting as if nothing happened./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9a2899e98b5662d9b35c9f71e9af0d05""I can't keep doing this." I whispered, but I knew he heard me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="84f9e5035cc6e406add726ab7abea94a"His response was to remain in silence and try very hard to avoid any sort of eye contact with me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="64bc029de850c820ac3eb38bce63c0a4"We sat like that for what seemed like an eternity. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes feeling suddenly very exhausted with my life./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="39f891896f4adebc6a18ed5741b92d74"Leila POV/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="55489941653166c4183c5420e672df87"I rushed down the streets of Court. I didn't even care about the numerous stares and glares I was getting. I felt like I was truly losing my mind and worst of all no one believed me enough to care. I could feel the tingling of spirit that Adrian had used to heal me up, but I could feel my own spirit darkness starting to form a ball in the pit of my stomach./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="41005e4c27b1c72da118693c2aad9d31"I was not paying much attention to where I was walking when I felt myself run right into someone. I looked up and was not surprised one bit that James was staring down at me. It was like he was everywhere when I wanted him to be the least./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dbf5328899ecb7e8d7acac335e6883ff"His smile quickly formed into a frown and his forehead scrunched up in worry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3b39eba3985d297c673b9655b2a5b93f""Leila? What's wrong?" he asked gripping my shoulders. I felt myself leaning into his touch suddenly unable to hold myself up. Spirit swirled in my veins and the familiar tugging of, yet another vision was presenting itself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7c10dd902565a53daab41dc8dbc4d2e6"So, I did something I never thought I would do. I asked for help./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="22277a90bc40936abefbba65c476729f""I'm about to have a vision and these aren't like normal ones. I need you to take me somewhere. Anywhere. Away from everyone." My voice was laced with panic and desperation, and I was extremely grateful as James swooped me up into his arms effortlessly just before I was dragged into yet another vision./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d99b90ffcbcb2cf0cc1ab1d30d62c9a"Before I knew it, I was back in the moonlight listening to waves crash. Alana's fingers were digging into my arm, and she was still wearing the blood red dress meant for my wedding day. Her eyes were frantic and the blood on her cheek was still flowing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5c1330d38f2a3ed5b877725dbc5cdec5""Leila? Leila please. Please listen to me. I'm sorry I never believed you before. I'm sorry I doubted you, but I need you to come back. I need you to try and fix this! It's the only way!"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="71d7ba8ffd1b2c107f1bd9d7737a6a74"It was then I realized I was thrown back into the same vision as before, but it felt somewhat different. More tangible. More real than ever before./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9f9a62e4b1102ddc86bf7157c9887076""I'm here Alana. But I don't know how much time I have left. You said someone died. Who died Alana?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="575a951b8d5374cdb119ea96adfff63b"Alana paused taking me in before a silent tear ran down her face, "He hasn't died yet. But you told me he would die by the end of the night. Leila I can't let that happen."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3cff31a53e5b4128fae66c1a6c2c28b9""Who is going to die?" I demanded trying to focus as spirit closed in on me. I didn't have much time before I would have to pull back to reality./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7f4c2a2ae5b40832f6328ffb3f451e1a""I don't know who Leila! You said you saw two futures. One where...one where...where... Asher died and one where...where... Eric died. You said the only thing that was the same was that they both died for me. I can't let either of them die Leila! I can't! Please Leila. You've never had a vision that was so open ended before. You can change the future! You can ensure they both live."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fe4a747e225130c1e00eebe7bc63946d"Her face and voice where so shadowed in panic and guilt and love that it was unbearable to look at. I looked down, finally seeing the red splashes of blood coating her arms./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0af87fb5536b677820b0cf46f25c4c97""What happened Alana? Why are you covered in blood?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6815f34d16bdceebd7f5abfd0de12000"She gripped my face, her nails digging in again, but I realized it was out of pure panic./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="19587458579128d3c68c1bfa1fa12e1f""Leila, I don't have time to explain everything."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="080f0bb8fb825b4f5ece2bbc843a9413"A scream and clash rattled in the distance. Alana stiffened, looking over her shoulder before turning back./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bca8424853f6184538a66a6b7c3aef05""Alana, what is going on here?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c5ed06823adcd5394ae7d83c576e41a7"She seemed to be contemplating how much she could tell me before I disappeared again, but she finally caved./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e40e357e5569b7d40738d2c48610350d""War Leila. We are under attack."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="986f22be68ef021c695a91938f7fedfa"Before I could ask anything else, I was being pulled out by spirit./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b4efc19b245dbef7cabc213d213c83ce"My head was pounding. I felt as if I had been slammed against a brick wall multiple times./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="96998190cdef9f28ff52679b6fa79c87"The room was dimly lit, only a few candles burning and a blazing fire in the fireplace across the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dc5879ba3f67a0182a7fecf756a27ce6"Before I could investigate more on where I was, the door opened, and James walked in with a tray filled with water and two steaming plates of pasta./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="810e2ec4b490795dc75a657cfe642f16""I figured you would be hungry when you finally came to. You've been having that vision for almost an hour. I was starting to wonder if I should call Ivashkov and see what he could do but..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="630746a8dbdfcfa389a10adab0f53aaf"His cheeks turned pink, and he smiled a bit./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="40b4cf94c3b288b4d3392b09c0e4d133"I swallowed finding my throat raspy and dry. The movement made my head pound more and I winced at the pain./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7cc79c803536dcfd809a428a1224ee00""Here., I know you usually get headaches after a vision." James said, placing the tray on the chest at the end of the bed and handing me a bottle of pain killers./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e637c79486862fe7a0ef1b980574c913"I silently grabbed them and popped two in my mouth as he handed me one of the tall glasses of water./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2650a4c69accbd207b91aef035cf998f"After I had downed the entire glass, I leaned back and closed my eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b3d7b6e8bf1d02789ec6fd69cc588910""Thanks." I spoke. James wasn't a bad person. I was the bad person to constantly be pushing him away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3f9d7199a4a44d5c0513b2cbdd88df8a""You don't have to thank me, Leila. It's the least I can do after everything..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0ae83ecdd0f8a669dd106047f23c207f"His voice trailed off and I sighed. Our complicated past was something I never tried to dwell on. Especially since I blamed him for something he would never know about. He em style="box-sizing: border-box;"could/em never know about. I was happy allowing him to think he knew the entire story when he didn't. Because if he did, he would realize I was the monster./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8c1750a0d80ef869da62e979ef8ab4df"I quickly sat up not wanting to think about any of the things I had created a cement wall to block out in my mind. James was sitting on the edge of the bed, his face lined with worry and a small smile./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6879dc701be3bb9a65b34032537b93de""I remembered last summer you liked the pasta at my family's cabin so I thought you would like it now." He handed me one of the steaming plates and I gulped trying to keep all those memories of last summer behind the confines of the cement wall. But I was epically failing at it as he handed me the steaming plate and I picked up the fork twirling the pasta around./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6198e7ee7ee10ed532590015f3ecd98b""I'm surprised you even remember I was there considering how wrapped around Julia Drozdov you were." I hated the fact my voice betrayed the hurt I felt over that./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5bad57eacaafe940e70071d47b64e828"James either didn't notice or chose to ignore it, "I think you can forgive me for that considering how you spent that summer." His voice was flat, and I felt myself pausing before I took a bite of the pasta, forgetting all about it as I set my fork down./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="90e601ce55abf6bc846e8a6e61231fca""I don't know what you are talking about." I said looking down. There was no way he knew about what happened that summer. Alana didn't even know. No one knew. And I had worked hard to keep it that way. Heck, I refused to think about it myself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1e5d20bd807519bf7327a69b1b537ab7""You can cut the bullshit Leila." James said a bit firmly but I when I gazed up, I noticed his face looked pained and hurt instead of angry./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="69537b8130f864cadc4f71dd9fc3dea4""How the hell do you know about that." I asked pushing the memories away. The memories of the night that I had.../p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="83e217d719561f989ffd516857fc65c8"I gulped refusing to think the words. My headache long forgotten and my pasta looking less appetizing./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="19561685da57468853513645fb8ef8ef""A few weeks ago, after you told me I saved you last New Year's from Stefan, I realized I was missing something. So, I confronted him when I got to Court. Asked him what really happened. He told me everything."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="565d671cbc30b895368f1ba2a6caca19"I swallowed again finding my mouth dry and parched. I looked down at my hands as the cement wall seemed to crack open and I was flooded with memories of the past./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7273374e25ba608141eeb9f334ee136b"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I loved the Zecklos cabin. My family had only been here two weeks so far, but it felt like home. Something I had never felt anywhere but at the academy. I tiptoed out of the cabin as the party continued. I had seen James slip out about ten minutes before and I had planned to sneak up on him and tell him how I felt. Let him know that I loved how he had been flirting with me all summer. Loved that when he smiled his eyes would crinkle and his dimples would show. I creeped along the path to the dock where I knew James would be. We had been meeting at the dock the last few weeks after dinner, starring off as the moon gleamed off the lake./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2299b9f92967c3762d0e393b62954f9e"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I was almost there when a giggle made me pause. I peeked around the last turn in the path where the dock was. James was sitting on the edge, his feet in the water and a shadow of a girl was on his lap. She giggled again, and James shifted, the moon casting a glow on the face on none other than Julia Drozdov as she straddled James in nothing but a bikini. My heart began to race as James said something and she smiled brightly before leaning in and kissing him. I watched as his arms wound around her waist and he pulled her down on top of him. My blood pumped faster, and I felt my heart cracking at the sight. Julia was grabbing at James shorts and before I knew it her bikini top was gone. I turned around quickly not wanting to see anymore and paused when I saw Stefan staring at me with a smile./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="82ce2929e528dceb4961237dd75b5c91"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""It's not nice to spy Little Voda." He said glancing behind me just as our ears were graced with a breathy giggle. My spine straitened and I felt tears brimming in my eyes. Stefan paused looking at me before he sighed and offered me his hand./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="dbc24de75dcb2410693791f2d9c010e5"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Come on Little Voda. Let's go drink our sorrows away."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f1eac060035760fb5de2c6f9e7e0e04a"The memory swirled and formed again to later that night./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="75078afef2d4429ddf1c48e3e67b7a21"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Before I knew it, Stefan and I were in a lavish tree house that was just a bit away from the Zecklos cabin. Stefan was swinging in a hammock with a bottle of something dark in his hand. He chugged it down, depositing it on the floor next to the two already empty vodka bottles we had polished off./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ab9ce41996f0ae78eb121b1fa4fa570f"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I was giggling and laughing as he stumbled out of the hammock. He laughed too not bothering to sit up. I was truly drunk. I had never drunk this much in my entire life. I felt so free and relaxed, that I began to understand why Adrian Ivashkov drank so much. I leaned back laying on the hardwood floor of the treehouse with Stefan./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="28e55a583f2d327611ac60b45c2dbcc3"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""Don't worry about James, Leila. He'll get tired of Julia soon enough. I know I did."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5cfdc7cd825839eec165204187e955ad"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I sat up leaning on my elbows looking down at Stefan./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="03715e6c42e3efdb6f6189236c2d2da0"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""What do you mean you did?" I asked. Trailing my fingers down Stefans's bicep that he was using to prop his head up. How had I never realized Stefan Zecklos was so good looking?/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1b595a7ff55b27ec5b1ff5b40f083d22"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"He didn't seem phased by my wandering fingers as he sighed, "Julia and I broke up two months ago. She's just using James to get a reaction out of me."/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0356313d3d1b57e080dafdacd7de17d3"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"I continued my grazing of his bicep and Stefan seemed to finally notice smirking as he flexed it a bit. I laughed before leaning up a bit more, but I was truly plastered and before I could catch myself, I was falling on top of Stefan who caught me effortlessly. My hair cascaded down around us. Stefan was really good looking. How had I never noticed him before?/em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7d9acb04e8035fcec1c8ca8c1ef1cf9c"em style="box-sizing: border-box;"Stefan seemed to be drinking in me as well as he loosened one of his hands from behind his head and swept my hair behind my ear./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c7b2bae903d122e78051f70749c44a90"em style="box-sizing: border-box;""James is a fool if he doesn't notice how hot you are Leila." He licked and wetted his lips and I nearly groaned at how the sight of that looked. Before I knew it, Stefan was gripping my waist and pulling my down on top of him as he leaned up and kissed me./em/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="a0b01af72c1f3209fabd7157ce19a6c2"I turned away from James shutting down the memories./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="99a8c5ca342ef9e4469ff4fca202efa6""James..." I started but he interrupted me, standing, and turning towards the fire where he started adding another log./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1b1d3f3f035e4d2727d00716d079fa8e""You don't need to explain Leila. So, you slept with my brother. It's not like we were together. But it makes a whole lot of sense now why you've been so adamant on pushing me away."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="333b4e99743afb822990f9dbba1fb98a"He continued kneeling by the fire as he continued, "He also told me how on New Year's he tried to get you to sleep with him again and you refused before I walked in."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8a5c48c4f2f6e3c849c6987f54f580e4"I gulped, "That's a lie. That didn't happen." I said wringing my hands in panic. I never wanted to think about that night ever again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3254a437dc0e2c5181cd53a7e1606165""It's fine Leila. But now that all that dirty laundry is out between us, I think we really should start to try to make the best of this marriage."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6eaa41bf5cbbf240b7cb0dabafc941cb"His voice was hard. Something I had never heard from him before. Emotionless and empty. Completely void of all emotion./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="347b2813eb4478aa68df350ba0ef4ec5""James..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="80d218f5827bd2d3ae0818603cd03e1b"But I didn't get the chance to say anything yet again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="340e0d416aae50669d511fd75889e7cc""I have no right to be upset Leila. You're right. I chose Julia last summer. I can't be upset about you being with someone else...even if it was my brother...when you were never mine to start with."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0abaac85221feca4a333f79695534199"And before I had time to ponder anything else, the aftereffects of spirit took over and a blinding rage filled my blood./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c873e084d4c3fd02e0bf5550a8e24395""God, James do you hear yourself? I didn't sleep with your jerk of a brother. He kissed me, made a move. I was drunk and at first, I let him kiss me and make me feel something other then what I was feeling after seeing you and Julia all over each other on that dock. But I soon came to my senses when he tried to take my shirt off and I told him no. I pulled away and he got angry. Threw a glass bottle across the room and called me a tease. Told me it was no wonder you had chosen easy Julia over me. What you walked in on New Years was Stefan drunk and wanting to prove point. He wanted to continue what we had stared over summer, and I refused. That's when you walked in. So don't you ever dare try and tell me I slept with your brother James when I've been stupidly saving myself for you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9e374fe977d8034ef0c246581311a1c6"James paused, starring back at me stunned. But that was quickly replaced with his own anger./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="7dcf48f2c09f3c3b7fb940ffb0e7fb6c""So, Stefan lied. I can believe that. He probably wanted to get back at me for Julia. But that doesn't explain why you've pushed me away Leila."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d2245365cd470d93550d1eca52d06549"He leaned against the wall, almost obscured by the thick darkness and only the reflection of the fire and candlelight illuminating his face. He crossed his arms across his chest./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="115007583884bfa3cc0e987ad2c647b7""Because I'm angry you chose Julia. You chose Julia to be your girlfriend. When I thought I really meant something to you." I said, feeling my anger dim a bit./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d9f09857bc684f0163ee9ff60a1f2df5""I was stupid Leila. You and I had been playing this off and on game all summer. Heck, longer than that. And anytime I went to kiss you, you would casually brush me off. I had been drinking a bit on the dock before Julia showed up. The next day after I woke up, I knew I had messed up. Especially when you seemed to not want to speak to me and soon after your family announced you were returning to the academy for the last few weeks of break. Julia and I spent the next few weeks together and once we returned to the academy, you completely ignored me, and Julia was dead set that we were a couple. After I made t clear to her, we weren't, you still wouldn't speak to me Leila. Not until our parents arranged this marriage."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cb0eb0e2940a0da8a5b0f231138ca3ab"I stayed silent processing his words and trying to let spirit seep away. My skin was buzzing with it and my head was already pounding from the vision I had had./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e0dfae65c8ffcd98c1b9b93b0b29eaca""So yes. I stupidly chose Julia. But I was stupid Leila. I chose the wrong girl. Because the right girl was you. Is you. It's always been you. The girl who can make me laugh effortlessly. The girl who has overcome so much shit in her life and still overcomes. The girl who is so beautiful, with blond hair and such unique violet eyes that see so much. But I'm choosing right now. I choose you Leila. I don't care if you kissed my brother. I don't care that your mother in a monster. I don't care that you wield spirit. Because these are all things that make you, you. And I love you. I always have loved you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="73a6adc6dcfe24f63f04c02fbdd1f49b"Before I knew it, James had left the wall and was approaching me. He knelt in front of me and grabbed my clammy hands into his thick warm ones./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3a947b8c58012e14254c89d8ad9eb98d""And I want to marry you, Leila. Never like this but I want to have a life with you. So will you forgive my stupidity and make me the luckiest man in the world and be mine?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="454a7b96b30ecbeb9f549673b19a56b5"I felt myself smiling a bit as I grasped his hands, "I don't really have much choice, do I?" I said gazing into his eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="47a917a8d58887fd04ce4489973d1312"He smirked and squeezed my hand, "If you did would you choose me, Leila Voda?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="16f4193639e17b6e96ec9f5a0ccbc720"It was a simple answer. Yes, yes, I would always choose James./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="32a820fdc1301af89ba6ff558f127c25""Yes James. I choose you."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="38392f6a865f149a5565a8acb7dced30"And like that he pulled me into him and kissed me. And all my worries and fears disappeared. Because I was finally allowing myself to be loved. He had said he loved me. And I knew deep down I loved him too, but I just couldn't bring myself to admit that to him. Not again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c226ba6e2ab09c281ec3130903494c3d"Because deep down, I knew our futures were doomed. I wasn't sure how, but spirit had given me visions for a reason. And I knew that reason was approaching. And if a war was coming like future Alana in my vision had stated, then I knew the time I had left with those I loved was limited./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="08188222b7b0e5fc7252d8b71f7ceb3f"Eric POV/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="375110804c4ac3aa14c291981de2098c"Torture. This was complete and utter torture./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="06fb28e17b9cded3b0c1160120759c7e"The silence stretched on between us as we sat in that elevator./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f9f76fc146d016f9ad844e1101eed3ec"Finally, Alana sighed, and I turned to look at her. She was already staring at me seeming to be deep in thought before she spoke./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2c978ab86350ef252f85d9e234e4eed4""What did you mean last night when you said you've hurt people close to you?" Her voice was low and shaky almost like she was scared to ask./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2cddd10fcf36fc9523150904e872a9e5"I stiffened recalling what I had said to her the night before. Thoughts of Nadia swarmed my head, but I pushed them away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f757131cc040fb6ecb4aea812fbba441""Nothing Alana. Its best kept that way."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="28dbc2d0181dbc0b25ac96601fd0b653"She sat up straighter pulling my hoodie closer to her. I hated how much I loved seeing her in my clothes. It made me ache to have her only in that hoodie. I shook my head slightly shaking that thought away. I needed to get a better hold of myself./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f11b36aced42d83aaa4cbb0e780aa2f""If I'm stuck down here for 24 hours, the least you could do is be more transparent about why we can't be together." She bit her lip, and I looked away not able to see her do that. It made something primal stir inside me, and I was not that type of man. I did not need to start fantasizing about Alana right while she was in front of me. I had more control than that. At least, I hoped I did./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="25a710e9a011e8f22f1be8d28fb0eaf7""I meant that when people get close to me, they get hurt. My sister is dead because of me." I gulped turning my gaze to the metal door wishing that it would slide open so I could escape this enclosed space with Alana. It was torture being this close to her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3a48fb05c635ba70e841d8ed047d6a36"Alana shifted and before I knew it, she was in front of me, turning my head towards her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="be61f34c12be450dfefa429ccbc61e19""Hey...I'm sorry I shouldn't have pried. I didn't realize..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f961be8d140202f0baa53f7d46d3c89""it's fine." I said shaking off her touch./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d546ec1eaa9c5ab01d7fbf85daa3cfc1"She shifted back to her side of the elevator, and I thought the silence would drown on before she finally spoke again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f39426e72b99af528beae02af8344e48""What happened?" She asked her voice barely above a whisper./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9be63defa5c2198338dcb3ae8403a923"I gulped in a deep breath. I didn't talk much about my past with anyone. The only person who knew even a bit of that past was Eliza and even at that she barely knew the details. She had never pushed enough to get them all. But somehow, I felt relief being able to talk about this with someone. And I knew that relief was in part of because of who that someone was./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0f597b6815c9e55f38926df4ec12bfdc""She was killed by my father. I was at a party with Elizaveta and some other friends. My mother and Nadia were left at home. Nadia and I had different fathers. Something my father hated. He loved to punish my mother for having had another child with another man. Nadia was only fourteen. For years, my father believed her to be his as well until one night Nadia's birth father showed up. Things went downhill after that. My father was never a kind man, but he had a soft spot for my mother, even if he had a wife and another family. That night while I was away, Nadia's father called on my mother. My father caught wind that she was entertaining him, and he burnt the house down. Nadia, my mother and Nadia's father all died. By the time I got home, the fire was out of control."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="37dbb00a611025bb137c762409887dfd"Alana was silent but I could see the shock in her eyes as I continued, "If I had stayed home that night like my mother had asked, I would have been able to get them out or talk my father out of losing his temper. But instead, I chose to go to a party I didn't even really want to be at if I'm being honest."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2b78c7d4abf30bbfbac2a3b34a50190f"Alana seemed to suck in a breath before she moved and was grabbing my face to look at her again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="0a4159922fdf29b231dc168965faef5e""I'm so sorry Eric." She held my face and her eyes shown with so much intensity that I tried to look away, but she wouldn't allow me to. I knew I could overpower her too, but I liked how she held my face. Much too much to be okay./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6c06601f73857f07ada6d166f6031158""You can't blame yourself for that Eric. You didn't do that. Your father did that. Not you." Then before I knew it, she was kissing me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="73ffacd3b9ad7d45bf80300e7b9c0506"It was soft and sweet and full of so much emotion that I couldn't bring myself to pull away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9298af30467dc6ce644a9b67408b0e21"I didn't want to pull away. I wanted to drown in her kiss. I wanted to drown in her arms./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="45f1caefcce714d4e502eaa7efd55701"The better sense of me slipped away as I grabbed her waist and brought her into my lap. She fit perfectly and as her arms wrapped around my neck, I knew I was doomed. If staying away from her was torture, then having her in my arms and knowing this couldn't last was hell./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c322626a03a3681dc1bd4d06b58b365a"Her arms wrapped around my neck and the kiss changed. It was no longer tainted with sorrow and pain from the past. It was now coated in pure and static electricity that could never be put out. Her arms trailed down my chest as she fisted my shirt in her grasp, and I found my own hands wandering up her spine./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1b533c0a81eac46d300935afc351b991"I was a fool for thinking I could resist Alana. A damn fool. This beautiful girl was going to be the death of me if she continued to kiss me like this./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4b4f59c753fcdbb5a6f19a5b4bdad444"Her hand found the edge of my shirt as she tried to lift it up, but something snapped in my brain./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="153a4eb92692afdaf3763b21b307d8e6"I caught her wrist stopping her and pulled my lips away from hers, hating how her hooded gaze turned to one of hurt as I pulled away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="225b12e32df9d91d00cdd8feddd84c59"I found my pulse racing as I brought her hand to my lips and kissed her wrist, right where I could feel her own pulse galloping like a stampede of elephants./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="bc099c80803c17b7bd70eedea91ded99""If you continue to touch me like that, I will have you right here and I don't think you deserve to have your first time hear in a shabby broken-down elevator." I said my voice raspy and covered in so much lust./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="263777301441803244ae9300e8559c32"I felt her pulse quicken under my grasp and her cheeks flush a deep crimson red at my brazenness. My own words shocked me. Because in them was an opening. Admitting that I thought of her that way. That I had fantasized about her being mine in every way possible before. It was just something Alana and I had never talked about or brought light to. But just as quickly as the crimson coated her cheeks, her tongue was lashing out with a quirky remark./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="716c6eefd245c4c0f74fe9a1d2f223ee""And what makes you think it would even be my first time?" She bit her lip a little, and I relished in the fact that I could still feel her pulse fast and steady under my hand./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="04a118e8adea188dfb143178e1a2e2e8"I smirked which only caused her to become more defensive as she narrowed her eyes./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e07db8229c79ac7c059ba81651c12e88"To be fair, I wasn't entirely sure of that statement. She sure didn't kiss as if she had never experienced the company of the opposite sex before./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="648ddb03adc4cc323bffa0c6c9af891f""I just know." I said, feeling that braze demeanor take over again./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5cd42fff4de43a07615168932c80b614"And just like that, her cheeks turned redder but not with embarrassment and more of what seemed like anger./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e9cc18c18c934282340604037e9159ae""Well, of course you would know since you're oh so experienced with Eliza."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f3e7c84f7a166385971b650101fcad65"My smile fell a bit as I felt her try and yank her arm free, but I tightened my grip. She was angry at me. It was written all over her face how angry she was. Her guardian mask she had been practicing seemed to be completely shattered as she showed me all her emotions. Anger, betrayal, hurt and...jealousy?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1318764a913c1766f52cc31ba3bd720d""Are you jealous?" I asked pulling her a bit closer as she tried to squirm away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c9050cc39854663ab6d6b66cf1f73f0e"I knew deep down I should have been the one pushing away. Not even entertaining this conversation. But something in me just wanted to pretend. Pretend that we weren't student and mentor. That there wasn't a five-year age gap between us and a thousand reasons to stay apart./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="859b1db2a9746ff86be7ca45f58089f9""I am not jealous!" She bit out harshly, her cheeks seeming to burn with anger. She looked like a little fireball ready to explode and some strange part of me found that madly attractive./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="50b695d83508e59557de5f140fa08c49"I lifted my other hand that didn't contain her wrist and traced my fingers down her burning cheek./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f8ac88ea9940fb7eb1df79c69c18dc94""You don't have anything to be jealous or embarrassed about Alana."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="907e334124423a4129671cc61f549ffc"I felt her wrist slacken a bit as she stopped trying to pry herself away. Her eyes seemed to flutter a bit at my touch. My own pulse picked up. I loved that effect I seemed to have on her. The same effect she seemed to have over me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c98a74b65e1cb8dc608e9c89f097af60""I already told you. I'm not jealous about your girlfriend." She bit out the words, making my fingers pause on the path of her cheek./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d675819abc73fc198f757ae1c1112b15""Eliza and I haven't been together in years. In both ways." I said meeting her eyes. Because I could see the burning question back there. I wasn't going to deny my past with Eliza. She was the first girl I thought I had loved. She was my first kiss. My first everything. But I had found out long ago that I didn't love Eliza./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9d14e1ccbf587baeec3ff1c2c733792d"Her eyes narrowed once more, "I don't want to hear about em style="box-sizing: border-box;"her/em."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b2f92261038baffa0f403a072b8b62b4"Leila's words from earlier in the dress shop came back to me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b98e19c03728258bf0083b714cc189ad""Just like I don't want to hear about Asher Castille." I said, feeling a little bit of my own anger seeping into my words./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c3e47481786d4c3925df19a9730d6b37"Alana seemed taken aback, "Why are you jealous?"/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="79323f01778ce5469af1a75db0cd4a4f"Was I jealous? Heck yes, I was. Alana could be with Asher. There wouldn't be questions and ridicule with them. She could openly claim him, and he could openly claim her. Everything her and I could never have. It would always be stolen kisses and forbidden love./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="684e9963d1dbc2882187ab84300c3b72"But I wasn't going to lie to her. There was no point. She had been right every time I had denied her. She saw right through the bluff I was trying to play out. And for some strange reason all I wanted to do was be honest with her and have her in my arms. To steal these kisses that I should never have been granted./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6a8e579f792ba7b10ca25f95605a0b66""Of course, I am." I said hating the bite of anger my voice held. I hated thinking about Asher and Alana together./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ae6bab0cdfaadb37bf4e1f1766dfb876"Her cheeks cooled a bit as she smiled a bit, leaning into me to where we were face to face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c4eb42510528e4d82e7372b01b3aa34b""Good." She said and then her lips were on mine again. Devouring my entire heart whole. And this time? I didn't hold back anything. Because in every kiss we had ever shared a part of me held back. Because I knew this was wrong on so many levels. But right now, I just didn't care. This elevator had become our little slice of heaven. Rules and expectations didn't exist here./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b2b9c829ddfe379b9a7204e12bbfd3ee"I wrapped my arms around her waist, bringing her closer to me and slipping my hand into my sweater that she was wearing grazing the edge of her shirt that had ridden up a bit. She seemed to pause for a second and I felt my pulse quicken as I began to think maybe she didn't want me to touch her like this. But she seemed to move closer if that were even possible, and that small sliver of her flesh that grazed my hand was searing as an invisible inferno took over./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f933cdba7e329c6c174fda5d9b5a2d56"Her arms twined around my neck and suddenly her lips left mine and trailed down my neck sending my breath to escape me. Alana's soft lips grazed down my neck as my fingers trailed along that bare flesh of her side peeking out from beneath her shirt./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f538a584da7e186e03b9d2b8d2eaca0d"Her lips continued their exploring as her hands found their way beneath my shirt and rested on my stomach./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="20a01546b6d22d65b6bfeb7961b5a3bb"The gentlemen in me were struggling deeply to behave while she touched and kissed me that way. But I knew I had to pull away. Not because of guilt but because I knew this would escalate to more if I allowed it and I didn't want to put that type of pressure or expectations on Alana./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2b5325d85709222d53676c5a4320969b"I reluctantly released her waist and grabbed her hands before she could trail them even further up my torso. She pulled away from my neck, her eyes looking hurt, and I realized she thought I was pushing her away./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="90a98af576df6f8a7b5e481ef4b9abf7"I leaned in and kissed her cheek./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="f8ccd207b5331d6a10921c4b4100a430""As much as I'm enjoying this Alana, I was being very serious when I said you deserved more than a rundown old elevator."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9e701c3553dbd6da895c291fe4b909e3"She bit her lip as I shifted a bit under her to avoid her noticing just how much this interaction was affecting me. But it was too late as she smiled, and her cheeks flushed as she noticed why I was moving./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5ab90cee3e1333679d109211b840aed5"She shifted and grabbed my hand as she laid down on the elevator floor and pulled me down next to her as we both starred up at the dim glow of the elevator back up lights./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2ef0006af71c557b1cedbb48fcfe8827"My mind was swarming with thoughts, but I was trying to keep myself in check. Even though one question kept popping up in my head. As if she could read my thoughts, Alana voiced the question./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e25f29a46db34322fcfbfdae7eabc070""What does this mean for us now? Are you still going to push me away when we leave this elevator or are we...? are we..."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3450fef79eedd248d91466b22af9654b"She hesitated and I saw how that realization seemed to make her scowl. It was a primal instinct drilled into us to never hesitate./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="739c9b4fcc8ee0152bdd74c34417576e""Are we what Alana?" I needed to know what she was thinking. If it was the same thing, I was plaguing myself over./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3f0d60e352f3911f58da011fde604bff""Are we...together?" She asked quietly unsure of her question./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4001de4567adedf06e79cfa761fc7b34"I sucked in a deep breath. It was what I wanted more than anything, but I knew I couldn't ask her to hide a relationship with me. It wasn't fair to her. But I also knew I was a poor excuse for a man because all I wanted was to say yes and take advantage of every small minute, I could steal with her./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="ffb5d2a3c0d471b0ee59d5b7cd5cb13b""I don't know what we are Alana. I'm not even sure we could be anything. But what I do know is that I want you, and I know you want me. We both want this. And I'm too weak to deny you anymore. I can't offer you a relationship Alana. Not the way you'd like or deserve. Not until after you graduate."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3e62f5b21e326a3a21ce96a16ee3d9c5""So that's a, no?" She asked, swallowing as she did./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6faae514a6f2f70967bfd573b909fee8"I sighed. I wanted this to be easy but there would never be easy when it came to us./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="e7cc0bf74c9c2d19039a34bf9d1d4583""It's not a yes or a no. I won't turn you away. Not like I have been. Because that has become a slow agonizing torture to me. But I think it's something that I would like to consider once you've graduated and there isn't a world of reasons why we can't be together."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3fb3e5086324a66f478b2985c56116d0""So, what you're saying is...we have to wait until I graduate for us to be more."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1a1e4b360be4f232b7ba7ceb30ee37dc"I looked over at her, her eyes were on me as she seemed to be holding her breath waiting for my response./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4d6b8f4f4806e06fe34197826a8c2548""Yes Alana. One year. One year and we can be more. If you'll have me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="aa5a3fc72a9f0ddcaa699a401f001944"Her hand slid into mine as she smiled, "Of course I'll have you. If you'll have me."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="28d4a37fd2f55ea020f599e9a5c75620""Always." I said without thinking. It was instinct with her. Because I loved Alana Hathaway. More than she even knew./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="4260b94f23f31a64b96115cfcdb158a7"Leila POV/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8084f10f34141047cb77d5390afd43c1"The pasta sat cold hours later. I couldn't bring myself to eat even after James had prodded me to multiple times./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8f048c9b4f18d4954749a5692c75826f"I sat in the armchair by the fire, gazing at the flames as they seemed to dance. The log James had put on the fire had almost burnt out already./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="8b22784f06a45aaa60e29506d653202c"It had been at least a few hours since James had fallen asleep next to me. My lips were bruised with how many kisses me had shared and eventually James had nodded off./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="c0524b9f0d00fd403dde4fa1744e2a58"But I couldn't eat, and I couldn't sleep./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="1f00e838b8f89460ba3c676851135d57"Because for once, I wasn't dreading marrying James. Of course, it wasn't something I would have chosen at this exact moment in my life, but the reality was I couldn't have chosen someone better then James to be stuck in this predicament with. Because James loved me. And I loved him. And we would overcome this endeavor our parents had put in motion and make it our own./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3462295610d82cdf15d0cb5d6fd82c01"And as if that was the biggest problem, I had in my life right now./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="80de98de18eaa500bdc2551732f66149"Future Alana wanted a miracle from me. How was I supposed to change two visions I hadn't even had yet. I knew Alana's love life was complicated when it came to Asher and Guardian Pavel. I knew there was some sort of chemistry between Eric and Alana. I knew they had kissed months ago but Alana had never told me more. Just that it was stupid and a mistake. And any time since that I had brought it up, she seemed to deflect the conversation. Then she seemed to be happy with Asher. Hesitant but happy. But was I blind? Was Alana in love with Eric? Is that why my vision had seen a future where both Asher and Eric died protecting her?/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="2b92f9a9fa4e91f4dd6cc872bd79dd23"I didn't get to ponder that much when a knock came to the door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="b1dc8bb894db22f087f317a5b16df3ea"James stirred in the bed, sitting up a bit as another knock came at the door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="cefc00d55830a71fe46528dc8ce7bf5c"James slid out of the bed giving me a confused glance and headed to the door./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="77a099bf5dffe88ddc41395cf4d11db1"The knock came again, just a second before James opened it up./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="43c4e492227f9ecee318ca224659970a""Where is she?" said an all too familiar voice and I felt myself stiffen./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="5a6b74f2daed100cc566d3f25a697a94"Veronica Voda would have been considered a pretty woman if it weren't for the stuffy pant suits and permanent scowl she carried./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="3903b0e61b77d9559a13994bc9e9704b"She strode past James as he shut the door behind her with fury in her eyes. She stalked right towards me and before I could offer a smart-ass remark to her presence, my head was whipped to the side by a stinging zap of pain as she backhanded me./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6ad83444096b6d492b534da61d376a5b""How dare you run around Court acting as if you're a savage Leila Voda. The amount of gossip swarming around your little stunt today. And walking out the dress shop like that. I had to pay for the rest of the session you walked out on today."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="6d142b29ebcec239b47ea29ce81e57fc"I gripped my cheek, fury rolling through me and the urge to release spirit like I had against Julia rose over me but I was momentarily stunned by the look of fury on James face./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="25863ccdc9a34348365c6c471b87be73""What have you to say for yourself?" My mother asked again. She lifted her hand again as if she planned to slap an answer out of me again but her look of fury quickly turned to one of shock, as James gripped her hand and yanked her across the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="fc6f2e4b6d5dfb214a2a953e435c8512""I suggest you keep your hands off my fiancé or I will have to have a word with my father about giving you his support during the election. MY father is a man of many sins, but I don't think he would take to kindly to learning that his candidate for the election has a habit of beating her daughter."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="9dc1f9e57ef5e316e57a33bb40360782"Veronica Voda looked a bit stunned as she yanked her arm out of James grip, gave me one last glare, and stormed out of the room./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="d15efce94221418dd96c754a2adc92d0""You didn't have to step in like that." I said rubbing my red cheek./p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="633bfcc8a58838b44e273555b374136a"James turned his eyes filled with a fury I had never seen in him, "Mark my words Leila. After our wedding, I will be making sure my father knows about all the abuse you have suffered because of that woman. And when I'm done with her, she will never be allowed to run for Queen let alone walk the streets of Court. You mark my words."/p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" data-p-id="56fb988756affa8ea77134961a680311"And as if I couldn't be more in awe and love of James Zecklos, we always seemed to surprise me more. /p
p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 24px; font-size: 18px; font-family: 'Source Sans Pro', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 24px; padding: 0px;" /p