This update is for silverstrand1, a very devoted reader that I appreciate very much! I saw your review and immediately came and updated this-just for you!

Enjoy, everyone!

Disclaimer: I only own the plot and Leah.

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Chapter 12

Just as he claimed, Nick wasn't injured seriously at all and was up and about the next day as normal. Lea didn't get to spend much time with him at all-mostly just meal times- due to the fact she was suspended from any activities in camp for breaking curfew.

It really didn't seem fair that she was punished and Nick wasn't, but it didn't bother her at all, really, and the excuse that she was in a fight was used when Nick had tried to take some of the blame. It didn't make sense to either of them, but Lea assured Nick she didn't mind.

Lea walked around the grounds with a blank expression- it was yet another beautifully clear and sunny day. The sunshine accenting the rolling hills and little fluffy clouds drifted above in the bright blue sky.

It seemed that the kids took great amusement in talking and gossiping about her ever since the accident. Not that it really mattered, since everyone avoided having anything to do with her anyways. She shrugged it off easily.

"Hey, watch where you're going, trouble maker." A brunette girl snapped as Lea passed by, taking no notice the group of people she was passing. Had she even bumped into the stranger? Lea couldn't recall. If she had, she didn't even notice.

"Whatever." She muttered with an annoyed shake of her head.

"If you bother me, I know someone who will get you for it." The girl stated, making Lea bristle. Was this girl trying to get on her nerves? Because she was.

"Shut it." Lea spat, seeing out of the corner of her eye that several people of the group were watching the two girls. This would be no cat fight if that's what they wanted. Lea rarely hit girls.

"Make me." The girl scowled.

"Oh, you don't want me to, trust me on this." Lea scoffed, ignoring someone's remark that they both should break up their argument before someone got into trouble.

"Oh, that's right, you'll just punch me." The girl shot at Lea, "Because you think that makes you so cool."

"You want to risk it?" Lea asked challengingly, "You might break a nail."

"You won't touch me or you'll be dealing with James." The girl state arrogantly with a little bit of a head wag, making Lea smirk.

"I'll deal with him without touching you." Lea said in a low tone, brushing aside the little voice in her head warning her that this wasn't the best time to pick a fight. She could do with a little adrenaline rush at the moment. It wasn't like she would be doing anything interesting that day.

Lea didn't meet anyone's gazes as she headed back to the building her room was in. She could feel their eyes on her and almost hear their thoughts "There goes Lea Harper, the trouble maker- and she must have come from another fight." She wiped away the blood running down her chin with the back of her hand, looking up to shoot a glare at the nearest person staring at her.

True, she had just come from another fight, but she'd won this one. It was only just starting to dawn on her all the injuries she had received this time. A bit of a bloody lip, another sore stomach, giant bruise on the side of her head, and a cut on her leg-but that was from falling on some rocks.

Lea spit the blood on the ground, shooting daggers at the small cluster of teens who watched her curiously. They all looked away instantly, unwilling to meet her eyes. Hurrying on, her eyes remained staring straight ahead, until someone grabbed her elbow and spun her around.

"Dude, are you trying to get punched in the face?" Lea nearly yelled at whomever, still tense and on adrenalin from the fight. Any other words stuck in her throat when she met Nick's brown eyes.

Oh, crap.

"Lea," Nick whispered furiously, "What happened this time?" Not liking his tone, she jerked her arm away and kept walking. Why did he assume it was her fault? It was, but he didn't know that!

"None of your business." She tossed over her shoulder, scowling at the taste of blood. Spitting blood on the ground again, Lea avoided his piercing gaze, hating that he always made her feel guilty.

"I swear one of these days you're going to be a mess after a fight, and no one will be around to pick up the pieces." Nick stated angrily in a low tone, since people were watching even more interested now that Lea wasn't alone.

"Well, good for whoever accomplishes that." Lea muttered under her breath in response, "I'll have finally gotten into a decent fight for once."

"What is it with you and fighting?" Nick demanded softly, opening the building's door for them and practically shoving her inside. They walked down the halls, and Lea shrugged, not knowing what to say.

"It's what I do, okay?" she huffed. Nick took her arm gently to lead her in the direction of his room, but she pushed his hand away harshly and shot him a glare. She wasn't going to deal with going to his room so he could clean her up like a baby again-all the while listening to him scolding her.

"I don't want you around if you're just going to scold me." Lea stated curtly, walking quickly down the hall toward her room but hearing him close behind her.

"Someone's got to." Nick snapped.

"Don't you get it?" Lea whirled on him, her hand just gripping the cold doorknob tightly, "This is who I am. Like it or leave it, okay? Just don't tell me how to go living my life. I'm not perfect or a goody two shoes like you-get over it."

"Lea, jut because-" Nick began as she opened her door and entered, turning and obviously ready to shut the door in his face at any moment.

"I'm not like you, angel boy, and I never will be." Lea stated sharply, using the affectionate nickname as a harsh remark this time.

"You can change." Nick replied exasperated, "You don't have to fight."

"You don't know anything." Lea shot at him angrily before slamming the door and locking it. Why did her eyes sting from tears wanting to fall? She hated that he could do that to her.

Lea rested her back again the door and slid down to sit on the carpet. She hadn't heard his footsteps so knew he was still right there. Maybe he was debating whether or not to knock. Would she let him in if he did? Lea knew she would.

Wiping the tears off her cheeks, Lea saw the blood on her palm. All she could do was stare at the redness and listen to Nick's slow footsteps walk away-as if he didn't want to leave her.

More drama and fighting-fun, fun!

For some reason, I really really like that last paragraph. So sad….Lol

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