Summary: AU What if a young girl fell in love with a guy from another world and he asked her to come back with him? Will she have the strength to give up everything she's even known to be with him?
Author's Note: I am soooooooooooo sorry it took me this long to update. I have just been so swamped with homework. I must have been trying to kill myself this semester when I signed up for two history AND two writing classes. Well, the courses are a lot of fun and I've been learning a lot, it's just so hard for me to work on my stories with the load of homework I get each weekend. Oh well, here's chapter four. Hope you enjoy this one as much as all the others.
Chapter Four: No Backward Glances"Someone mind telling me what's going on?"
An uneasily silence fell as I glanced back and forth between Jeff and Andros; neither one met my gaze. When it became apparent that they weren't going to answer, I began pacing.
"What exactly did you mean when you said, 'my heart now belongs to her'?"
Andros still didn't answer.
"I mean, it's not like you can't love another—" Jeff winced as an expression of fear flickered across Andros's face. Instantly my smile vanished. "Right?"
Fear's icy fingers grasped my heart as I leaned against the wall for support. Surely that wasn't the answer. I pressed my lips together while fiddling with my robe belt. What other kinds of secrets were they hiding?
"This is why I didn't want her knowing, Jeff."
Jeff's eyes narrowed and he glared at Andros. "Which is exactly why you should have told her in the first place."
"Would you stop talking about me like I'm not even here and tell me?" I said, throwing my hands up in exasperation. "Please. I want to know."
What was it with Andros and his mysterious answers? Why couldn't he just say it?
"Are you saying," I continued, "that by committing yourself to me you can't love someone else? That's insane. Things like that can't happen here."
"Ashley, I'm not of this world, remember?" His voice was so soft I barely heard. "I'm not bound by Earth's rules. Where I come from as soon as you say 'I love you,' assuming it's genuine, the bond's irreversible."
"Even if one of you dies?"
"We can only love once."
I gapped at him in disbelief. He had willingly given me his heart and destroyed any chance of giving it to another.
"Why…why would you do something like that?"
His expression softened as he reached out and caressed the side of my face. "People do crazy things when they're in love."
Numbly I stood there, unable to answer. Numerous, unanswerable questions tumbled restlessly through my mind. What if he met someone else: someone like him? Would he regret his young and rash decision? I swallowed hard. How could I tell him it wasn't his feeling that terrified me, but my own?
A sharp twinge of pain tore through my heart at his expression as he nodded and took a step backward. Without another word he turned and disappeared. As I watched him leave, deep down I knew if I didn't do something, I would loose him forever.
Jeff laid a restraining hand on my shoulder. "Let him go."
"I can't."
"Ashley—"
"Look, I can't explain what I'm doing, I just know if I don't stop him, I'll always wonder what might have happened. Jeff, please…"
He regarded me silently. "You really do love him."
"Yes." It slipped out before I had a chance to consider what I was saying, but strangely it was true. I did love him.
"Go."
Quickly I hugged him before hurrying out the front door. I hadn't gone far before I caught sight of a figure raising his hand to the sky. My heart slammed against my chest as I shouted,
"Andros, wait!"
The figure froze and turned toward me. I hurried forward.
"Hi," I said awkwardly once I stood before him. He didn't say anything; he just stood there, waiting. I sighed. Now that I had found I suddenly didn't know what to say. "Where-where are you going?"
"Home," he said, his tone devoid of emotion.
I swallowed hard. "Will…will I ever see you again?"
A shadow passed over his face. "Maybe someday…"
Hastily, I grabbed his arm as he turned away. "Did you mean it?" He raised an eyebrow in confusion. "What you said about wanting me to come with you? Am I what you really want?"
As he nodded, I smiled as I pressed my lips to his. He immediately stepped back.
"Ashley—"
My hand covered his mouth. "I've spent my whole life living up to others' expectations, striving to be someone I'm not. When I'm with you, I don't feel like I have to put on this show. I'm just me and you're okay with that. Andros, you're everything I've ever wanted and more. What I'm trying to say is…I love you."
I reached down and clasped his hand. He stared at me silently as if searching my face for any signs of hesitation; I didn't let him find any.
"I should have told you," he spoke softly, "but I wasn't willing to take that risk, and yet I expected you to." Andros's hand switched to now grip mine. "Ashley, I won't lie to you, I do want you, very much. But are you willing to sacrifice everything you've known? Once the portal's closed, you can't come back. It won't be like living across town and being able to visit." He took a step back and held out his hand. "Is this the kind of life you want?"
Although the idea of leaving still scared me, I would be a fool to walk away now. This is what I had always wanted; so what kept me from accepting? Fear? Cowardice? After everything we've been through, I knew I didn't fully understand his culture, which could take a lifetime, I had seen enough. If he could love an outsider, why couldn't I accept his lifestyle?
I moved forward and placed my hand in his. "Andros, if you're willing to love an Earthling, than…" I took a deep breath. No backward glances, I told myself, "I can face living in your world, but can I at least say good bye to my family?"
As he nodded, I wrapped my arms around his waist and buried my face in his chest. He held me close and rested his chin on my head.
"Thank you," he said softly while caressing my hair. "I don't know what I ever did to deserve someone like you."
Author's Note 2: Yes, sadly this is the end of my story. I can't believe I finally finished it. Please don't ask me to add anymore, because I'm not going to. Although I'm not fully happy with the chapter's length, but I'm content with where and how it ended.
Thank you to everyone who has stayed by my side since I started. I've really enjoyed hearing from you and have appreciated your support.
Now I'd like to individually thank my reviewers:
Arewnnicole: Thank you so much for your kind reviews and encouragement. I'm glad that you're enjoying the story and hopefully this last installment is to your satisfaction.
Ghostwriter: Hey girl! Yay! I finally had time to work on this after many weeks of drowning in homework. Thank you for faithfully reading and reviewing my stories. You don't know how much that really means to me. Hope you enjoyed this final chapter as much as the others.
Ashley Hammond Astro Yellow: Thank you so much for your faithful support as I wrote this story. I'm glad you have enjoyed it thus far and hopefully this final chapter will be to your satisfaction. Thank you again!
SweetSas: Thank you for your review and also for your continual support. I have really enjoyed writing this story. Hope you enjoy the final installment.
Star Fata: Thank you for repeatedly supporting each chapter. I have really enjoyed hearing what others think of each chapter. Here's the fourth and final chapter! Enjoy.
DarkHonda (Tal): Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love hearing from my fans. I'm glad you have enjoyed the story. Here's chapter four. Enjoy.
thepoweroflove: Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. I'm glad you liked it. Hope you enjoy the final chapter.