Jaime's P.O.V:
Annabelle didn't speak to me the next day. To be fair, I hardly saw her, but when I did she ignored me completely and she followed her parents everywhere. Jared had cursed on the way back to our rooms last night about how idiotic her parents were for even suggesting that he and Jeb might actually think that this was the reason they were pairing her with me.
I couldn't sleep a wink last night. I was so worried about what she thought of me now. My brain was in a constant turmoil of humiliation and panic. I just wanted to hide in the food stash until they left, but obviously I couldn't do that. It was the evening and dinner had finished. Annabelle had sat with her mother and father with Sharon and Maggie at a table on the other end of the room from me. Wanda kept casting me empathetic glances and she asked me to go to the glow worm cave after dinner. I nodded and told her that would be great.
When we finished, we put our dishes at the sink and headed there. I sat down beside her in the glow room and stared at the little shining stars. I sighed heavily and shook my head, "I feel so bad about yesterday. She probably thinks I'm a complete prick whose hormones control all of me, like her parents apparently do." Wanda whispered, "Well…I think Jeb is going to explain to them that you know how to take Souls out of humans. I think that might placate them a bit and make them realize those aren't your or our intentions."
I shook my head sadly, "That was just a really bad way to start off. You don't think I'm like that, do you Wanda?" She looked scandalized about the fact that I was even asking her that question, "Don't you even think that Jamie! You're the most innocent sixteen year old I know." I rolled my eyes, "And the only one you know." Wanda shrugged, "True. But I don't want you to start believing those nasty words are true." We fell into silence as she wrapped an arm around my shoulder and I rested my head on hers. I sighed, "Thanks Wanda. You're the best." She said comfortingly, "Hey, what are sisters for?"
There was a moment more of silence before a small voice asked, "Jamie…?" from behind me. I jumped, as did Wanda and we turned around. Annabelle was there and watching us curiously. I turned to face forwards again but Wanda still watched her. I heard her ask, "Can…can I talk to you guys?" There was silence as Wanda was contemplating this. Then she said on my behalf, "Of course you can. Would you like me to leave?" Annabelle was quiet but I guessed she shook her head.
She inched closer to us and then sat on the other side of Wanda. I asked tensely, "Did you follow us?" Annabelle sighed, "I did. I wanted to say I'm sorry for the way my parents reacted. They tend to get really overprotective of me. I know they don't really think that of you." I raised an eyebrow and snorted, "Really? You think they don't?" She sighed again, "Look I'm sorry is all. I don't want you to judge me on my parents' bad behavior." A voice interrupted us, "Jamie? Jamie?" It was Jared.
Wanda's P.O.V:
When we heard Jared calling, Annabelle immediately hopped up, "I better get going…" I shook my head quickly, "No, don't worry stay. I'll cover for you." She smiled gratefully at me, and besides I could see she wanted to speak to Jamie alone. I ran down the hallway and bumped into him at the entrance. He smiled, "Oh hey! Uh, have you seen Jamie?" I nodded and pointed down the tunnel, "He's in the glow worm cave talking to Annabelle." Jared grimaced, "And you left him there alone?" I shrugged, "He's fine. He needs time with someone his age. He's been deprived of it for too long." Jared smiled, "Always so kind," he murmured. I felt myself blushing slightly and we walked back to our bedrooms. Everyone else was still finishing dinner.
He suddenly asked me, "What do you think about Mrs Lewis' comment last night? I think it was really unfair." I shrugged and agreed, "I do too. We can't control what comes out of her mouth though, only ours." He nodded, "Wise words. Sometimes I think Mel misses how much you calmed her. As you know, she can get rather defensive. She's really pissed off." I laughed, "Typical Mel. Can't ever keep that temper under control." Jared smiled, "It's why I like you, Wanda. So kind, so thoughtful and so in control."
I didn't like where this conversation was heading even though my little heart told me otherwise. It was thumping anxiously in my chest and hoping beyond hope that he would keep saying these things. I smiled and turned to face him halfway down the bedroom hallway and smiled, "Thanks Jared. I like you too." He was facing me and smiling and suddenly I felt the tension fill the air. I could feel the heat coming off him in waves, far more powerful than it had been in a long, long time.
I felt so guilty while simultaneously enthralled at listening to these words. There was an awkward pause and he said slowly, "I've tried, so hard, to let go of my feelings for you, Wanda." My heart rate sped up and for some stupid, stupid reason, I whispered tightly, "Jared…" he cut me off and said, "I've tried, Wanda. I've really tried. I thought they would fade. I gave myself a year. It's been over now. What do I do?!" He sounded desperate-pleading for the answer. And I couldn't give him one. Instead I murmured, "I know the feeling." He glanced at me and I made the mistake of looking into his eyes. I felt myself melting again and then I shook my head slowly and choked, "Jared…we can't."
He nodded and sighed, "I know. That's the hardest part though isn't it?" I rolled my eyes and didn't even bother to answer that question. All I knew is that I can't stay there for much longer without giving in to what both he and I wanted-just one moment of passion. I sighed and shook my head, "That's life," is what I said. I knew the only person stopping me from acting on my instincts right now was Mel. I wasn't even thinking about Ian, although I should have been. And Jared clearly was thinking about Mel too. It's the only reason he hadn't acted on instinct, I'm pretty sure. I swallowed hard to try and break the awkward silence that had just fallen over us. I groaned in frustration, "This is so annoying. I've been trying to convince myself for over a year that those feelings I had were gone. But who am I kidding?"
We walked in silence. I wasn't even sure where we were going. I don't think Jared was either. We just walked. He laughed, "Ironic isn't it, that just a few months ago, I was ready to kill you?" I rolled my eyes, "Yes. Very ironic." We stopped pacing and turned to face each other. We were in a random hallway, at the far end of the caves, away from the kitchen which was where most people were right now. He sighed hopelessly, "Wanda, I want you to know that even though I feel these things for you and even though it's extremely hard to prevent myself from feeling them, I won't ever try and put you and Mel in that position with each other again. I've learnt from my mistake the hard way." I smiled and nodded, "I appreciate that Jared. I think Mel will too. She loves you more than she's ever loved anyone before- as much as she loves Jamie, and as you know, that says a lot. You two are meant for each other."
Jared raised an eyebrow, "Really? Sometimes I don't feel that way." I frowned, "Why?" He sighed and slunk down against the wall. I copied him and he whispered, "She's so independent. Sometimes I feel like she doesn't need me at all-that she could go on quite happily without me." I rolled my eyes, "Jared, you wouldn't think that if you had been stuck with her in your head for as long as I was. It killed her that she couldn't be with you. She's not as independent as you think even though she certainly gives off the impression that she is."
Jared chuckled and nodded, "Thanks Wanda. I've needed to hear that." I bit my lip and frowned, "Why? Was there a reason?" He shrugged and sighed, "I just…Don't know when is the right time to take the next big step that's all." I grinned, "Well, I know you've had sex so that can't be it." His eyes bugged wide and he groaned, "Yes, of course Mel wouldn't keep that to herself!" I laughed, "Have you kept it to yourself?" I raised an eyebrow high. He smirked, "No…but we never said we would."
I giggled, "So, getting back to the point. I can only think that the next big step would be…" He smiled in a sort of shy, embarrassed and non-Jared way, "Uh…proposing yes." I practically squealed with delight! He rolled his eyes, "Honestly, you can be such a girl sometimes!" I laughed loudly, "Yes! Maybe because I am!" He chuckled at my silliness and smiled, "So you think it's a good idea?" I beamed and replied, "Jared, she told me just the other day how she wasn't sure why you hadn't yet proposed, especially after everything you've been through in terms of being separated." He leant forward and gave me a massive hug, "Thanks Wanda! You helped me make that decision a lot easier!" I felt my heart beating and the heat radiating off him. I squirmed away and said, "Not a problem, but you've got to swear not to tell Mel I told you! You know how she gets about these things…" Jared nodded, "Of course, I will take it to the grave."
He grinned dazedly at me and then he chuckled, "You know, I feel like for the first time, we're becoming actual friends." I nodded and replied, "Yes, I agree. It's nice." That's when Jamie interrupted our conversation. Annabelle was with him and smiling shyly at us. Jamie asked, "Why are you two grinning like Cheshire cats?" I laughed and Jared asked, "Jamie, do you mind if I have a word with you, alone?"
He glanced backwards at Annabelle and she nodded before leaving and giving us some privacy. Jared suddenly became serious and I could tell he was nervous. He swallowed hard and whispered, "So Jamie, I just asked Wanda and she seems to think it's a good idea. But would you be ok with me asking your sister if…" he paused and then continued, "If I could marry her?"
Jamie's face split into a massive grin and he all but squealed with joy, "Jared! That would be the best thing you could every ask her! Of course you can marry Mel! I wouldn't want it to be anyone else!" He jumped into Jared's arms and they laughed happily. Jamie grinned, "Wanda, come and join the hug!" I rolled my eyes and did as I was told. We felt all blissfully happy that we were all going to be a proper family!
A/N: This might be my last chapter for this story. I'm not feeling very motivated to write it. So I hope that you guys enjoy!