Chapter 2:

Simons POV

I hadn't slept a wink and as the sun rose over the flat land around the house and the birds started to sing I decided to get up. Despite having no sleep, I felt rested. I had only left the girls side once, to run to my room and bring my coloured pencils. She had slept all night, so quietly - barley moving. So now here I sat, a sleeping girl and possibly the best drawing I had ever done. I took one final look at it, my drawing didn't compare to the girl. Her magic couldn't be captured in lines. I closed the book and stowed it under the cushion in my chair. Heaving myself off the chair, I shot a warning look at the girl. She was still asleep, only the movement of her chest proving she was actually alive.

I walked the hallway into the kitchen. Derek sat at the table, 4 pieces of toast in front of him.

"Good morning" I said as I passed him. Reaching for the tea pot, it was warm so I assumed Derek had made tea for me, he didn't drink caffeine. I poured myself a cup and added milk, no sugar obviously and sat opposite my brother. He pushed the toast towards me but I shook my head.

"Aren't you going to shout at me?" I asked him, I was expecting the kind of silence that meant Derek was mad. This morning he just seemed calm, happy even.

"I was wrong, she doesn't seem to be a danger to us" he said quietly. My mouth just about dropped, Derek admitting he was wrong?

"Well, that's a first" I smiled at him "Chloe is a good influence on you" I joked quietly.

"Yeah, she is" his eyes clouded over and his face turned oddly serene, the way he always looked when he thought about Chloe. Dad had told him it was a werewolf thing. To Derek - Chloe was everything.

I tried not to let the jealousy show but Derek saw it and looked away. It wasn't so much Chloe – although I did still have feelings for her. But more the closeness, the finality of knowing that one person was yours. Forever. I stood up and walked the length of the hallway.

She was sitting up, in the same position as yesterday; the blanket lay over her lap. Her eyes were open, but her face was sleepy. I walked to my chair and sat in it, sipping my tea.

"Good morning" I said with a soft smile, she did not move. Just stared at me.

"What, not speaking again today?" I laughed at her and took another sip of my tea.

"Good morning, Simon" she said quietly, her lips barely moving, as if afraid of making too much noise. I did not react, just studied her with interest, she did not shrink back under my gaze; instead her flaming eyes met mine. I was lost for a minute, lost in the intensity of her stare.

Chloe walked into the room, breaking the trance. She smiled at Ella shyly.

"I bet you would like a shower and some clean clothes, you look about my size" Chloe told the girl, she instantly moved further into the sofa, her wide, troubled eyes meeting mine.

"It's okay Ella, Chloe isn't going to hurt you" I told her, feeling a strange thrill as I used her name.

"Your name is Ella? That's pretty" Chloe said softly. Her eyes a warm sky blue. "Simon's right, I'm not going to hurt you, you can have a nice hot shower, change of clothes and come right back down to Simon, okay?" Chloe asked the Ella. She nodded as an answer; Chloe held her small hand out to her and Ella shot me a look. I nodded at her- saying it was okay. She took Chloe's hand in hers and I heard Chloe pull her upstairs. Derek followed behind them, I was about to protest- sure he would frighten Ella. I knew that Derek would not leave Chloe, when there was any chance of her being in danger so I stayed silent.

I decided I needed a shower too so I followed the hallway to my room. It used to be a study, with a sofa bed and lines of files. I pulled out a clean tee from my backpack and clean jeans. I walked into the adjoining bathroom and turned on the shower. Pulling my clothes off I looked in the mirror, my brown eyes were wide, my hair spiky and messy. My tanned skin looked suddenly silly against my blond hair and dark eyes. I had never been self critical and I wondered why now I felt I wasn't good enough.

Good enough for what? I asked myself. I was scared of the answer, so I stepped into the burning shower as a distraction. I showered as quickly as possible, running shampoo through my hair. I wanted to be there for Ella when she came downstairs. Stepping out of the shower I pulled on my clean clothes and walked into the hallway. I could hear running water and Chloe and Derek laughing so I assumed everything was okay. Picking up my mug from the living room, I went into the kitchen, turning on the water I started to clean the dishes.

I had just finished them when Chloe came into the kitchen, Derek behind her. Her small hand wrapped securely in his. I smiled a hello.

"Where's Ella?" I enquired quietly as Chloe sat down at the table, picking a huge red apple from the fruit bowl and biting into it.

"She's getting dressed, I left her with Tori" Chloe said quietly, I cast her a shocked look.

"Don't ask me why but Tori was being strangely nice too her..." Chloe said with a bewildered look. I shrugged and dried my hand on the tea towel by me.

"I see you got her to talk? What did you find out?" Derek asked , his low voice was curious.

"Her name, she wouldn't say anything else" I told him, pulling the muesli from the cupboard, my breakfast among the boxes of sugar puffs and coco pops.

"She's not much of a talker then" Chloe smiled, biting into her apple.

"Bit like you then" Derek rumbled beside her, she looked up to meet his eyes.

"And you" neither looked away, they stared into each other eyes. Having one of those silent conversations that neither me or dad could understand. Suddenly Derek leaned down and kissed the tip of her nose. Chloe turned bright pink and looked away, Derek eyes stayed glued to her. While I had been watching them, I hadn't seen Tori come in.

She coughed to get everyone's attention. When we turned around she rolled her eyes.

"Could you two be any more clichéd?" she shot a venomous look at Derek. He looked away as she wondered into the room grabbing a piece of Derek's toast as she went by. He growled quietly and she stuck her tongue out at him and sat next to Chloe.

Ella stood in the door way, her dark curls were damp and her eyes were watching Derek and Chloe. She wore a plain white long sleeved top over tight black jeans- both Tori's. She wore a blue shirt over her top that I realised was mine. Chloe saw me looking and shot me a small smile. I turned away from the group, pulling the navy pack from the window sill and checked my blood. I gave myself a shot, wincing slightly as the needle went into my skin.

"Are you sick?" Ella's soft voice was right behind me. Her eyes were on my arm, worry in her stare. The room was silent now, the first time all the others had heard her speak.

"I have diabetes" I told her. I had forgotten that not everyone knew, I didn't hide in the bathroom to take shots anymore. Everyone here new, her brows creased with confusion. I realised the needle was still in my skin and pulled it out with a wince.

A small drop of blood fell from the hole and she cocked her head to the side as she watched it slide down my arm. I watched, shocked as she reached towards it. Trailing one finger over the hole in my arm, she closed her eyes, breathing slowly. She moved her finger away and where the hole had been was just smooth tanned skin, not even a mark. I looked at her in awe, her expression did not change.

I turned to the group and saw no one had noticed this small exchange, Derek was talking to Chloe, and Tori was reading a newspaper my dad must have left. Seeing that reminded me of dad.

"Where's Dad?" I asked Derek.

"Aunt Lauren called him last night; she thinks she has found some people who can help us. He went to check it out" Chloe answered.

"He said he was sorry, he didn't want to leave us. He said we need to keep our heads down for a couple of days until he comes back" Derek told me.

"He put Derek in charge" Chloe told everyone, it was clear she was with him when dad called, probably when she was supposed to be in her own bed.

"Of course he did" I muttered darkly.

"What is that meant to mean?" Derek asked, standing up with a force that pushed his chair down.

"Dad trusts you to look after all of us" I met his gaze. He knew what I meant, he trusted Derek more than me – his own flesh and blood.

"I'm the eldest" Derek said softly, as an explanation.

"I know exactly why Dad put you in charge" Dad thought I was irresponsible, reckless, stupid. I looked away from Derek, the kitchen fell silent. Derek stood up and left the room, Chloe's eyes following him.

"You didn't have to do that" Chloe told me, disappointment in her eyes.

"Yes, I did" I said, she sighed and followed after him. Tori laughed.

"Someone needs to tell him where to get off, and Little Ms Blue Eyes is hardly going to do it, is she?" Tori gloated quietly, smirking like anything.

"Stop it Tori" she scoffed quietly and left the room, taking the paper with her. I sat in the chair near me, sighing loudly and putting my face in my hands. I heard the chair opposite me scrape as Ella sat down. She watched me with troubled eyes, reaching one small hand out towards me. She touched the skin of my arm softly, her skin ice cold. I jumped in shock and she dropped her hand and her gaze.

"Sorry you had to see that" I told her quietly, groaning as I lifted my head up. I took the bowl of muesli from the counter behind me and began to eat. She watched me in amazement.

"What would you like for breakfast?" I asked her, turning on a smile. She blinked up at me then looked at my bowl.

"You don't have to have this, it's not very nice" I motioned to my bowl and laughed. "My dad calls it rabbit food, well he used to..." I cut myself off, sighing quietly. She looked at me again, then the bowl, curiosity in her eyes. I pushed it towards her and she took the spoon in her hand and picked up a mouthful and ate it. She closed her eyes as she ate, chewing slowly. She swallowed and opened her eyes slowly, her face breaking into a grin.

"You like it?" I asked her quietly, and she nodded. I got up and made her a bowl of muesli, adding all the things I wasn't allowed, strawberries, blackberries and poured cream over the top of it. I put it in front of her and she watched it for a few seconds.

"Go ahead, eat" she picked up her spoon and took a small mouthful. She ran the taste in her mouth and closed her eyes, her face turned up in pleasure.

"Nice, huh?" she smiled at me.

"Thank you" she whispered.

"What for?" I raised an eyebrow.

"For this" she motioned to the bowl "for being so kind to me"

"You're welcome, Ella" I told her and we lapsed into silence, occasionally I shot a look her way. She didn't look up, her eyes on her food. By the time I had finished she was only halfway through her bowl.

"Are you finished?" I asked, she nodded and I took her plate. She sat still, the kind of still only she could do. I watched her as only her eyes moved, drinking in the room. Her eyes were curious and I could almost see her itching to get up and explore.

"Would you like a tour?" I asked her, her face lighten instantly. She broke into a shy smile, her perfect red lips turning up slightly at the corner. I held my hand out shyly, she looked at it for a second.

I was about to drop it when she put her hand in mine, her soft skin was cold again. I pulled her up, she stood beside me. All I could hear was her soft breaths. We walked into the hallway, and up the stairs. Her eyes followed the room, watching the swing of the pendent in the grandfather clock, seeing the faces in the pictures on the wall of the stairs - trailing her hand over the soft oak banister.

I took her the length of the hallway, telling her the doors as we passed.

"Chloe's and Tori's room" I said quietly. "Derek's room, Dad's room" she watched in interest, we didn't enter the others room. We stopped at a dark mahogany door, her eyes turned towards me, interest flaring.

"That's the library" she turned towards it, her brow wrinkled. I reached across her body to pull the door open. She let out a shocked gasp as she saw the room, shelves on the wall, large red chairs dotted around the room, an old desk in one corner.

"Books" she whispered, dropping my hand and walking over to the nearest bookshelf. She trailed her fingers along their spines, feeling the soft covers of the old books and the hard paper of the newer ones. I leant against the nearest bookshelf and watched her. This was the first conscious move she had made without being told to do so, her hands ran over the spines so softly, barely brushing them. Her quick orange eyes reading title after title, her soft lips turned up in a small smile- a smile that touched her eyes for the first time since she had been here.

"You like books, huh?" I smiled over at her, folding my arms over my chest. She didn't look at me, eyes still on the books, she nodded in response.

"Would you like to take one, you know to read?" she turned her scorching eyes to me.

"Could I?" she asked her eyes straying back to the books.

"sure, pick out one you want" I laughed at her as she turned back to the books, pulling some out, reading the blurb and putting them back. I sat on a nearby sofa to watch her, she would inspect each book, bending down to see the lowest shelf and standing on tip toe to reach the higher ones. I watched her in amusement; occasionally she would meet my eyes and smile at me. My heart would tumble slightly; I crossed my arms over it, trying to get it to be quiet.

After 20 minutes of nothing but silence and the smell of old books in the air she chose one. It was one of the oldest in the room, the cover a faded blue, she took it in her hand and walked over to me. Her eyes on her feet again as we shuffled out of the room. I started towards the stairs when her voice stopped me.

"Simon?" I turned round to meet her questioning face "where is your room?" She enquired, her face turning an awfully cute shade of pink. I motioned for her to follow me and took her downstairs. I lead her to my bedroom door and opened it.

She stood in the doorway, watching me as I picked up my spare sneakers and put them behind my bed, picked up my towel off the floor and put it in the bathroom. She was still in the doorway when I came back into my room.

"You can come in Ella" she hesitated for a second befog stepping into my room. I sat down on my bed as she wondered over to the wall by my bed. Studying the drawings and photo's stuck on it.

"You did these?" she asked pointing to my drawings; it was my turn to nod this time.

"They're beautiful, perfect" she smiled over at me.

Like you I said in my head. I patted the space next to me on the bed. She took a picture from the wall, sitting next to me she handed it to me. It was the picture taken at Andrew's - me and Derek in his back garden, roasting marshmallows.

"You are brothers? "She asked, pointing at Derek.

"Foster brothers" I corrected her. She looked down again.

"Do you feel like brothers?" she asked, placing a hand over her heart. "In here?" Her gaze was steady as she studied me.

"Yeah, we do" I spoke the truth, Derek was my best friend. We were much closer than some blood brothers I knew.

"You shouldn't fight then, your all each other has" she said imply, her eyes back on the picture.

"No he has Chloe and Dad" I said bitterly.

"And what do you have?" she turned her head to the side, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"I don't know..." I said quietly, my eyes tried to stray from hers but I couldn't manage it, flecks of gold and silver danced round her irises.

"He has his father and his..." she asked quietly.

"Mate" I told her.

"Mate?" she questioned.

"His soul mate" I sneered quietly, jealousy leaking in my speech.

"You don't believe in soul mates?" she whispered, her mouth turned up in a small smile.

"I never used too..." I said without thinking, my eyes already lost in her shining eyes. She fell silent and still, as if she forgot that she wasn't meant to be comfortable.

"What about you?" I asked quietly, expecting her to stay silent. The way she always did when I asked about her. To my surprise she opened her lips.

"If everyone has a soul mate, why do some people die alone?" She raised her eyebrow at me, expecting a replay. I didn't say anything, her skin colouring as I locked her in a steady gaze. I noticed a faint scar running down her neck, without thinking I reached out to touch it.

When I was close enough to touch her a small spark erupted between my hand and her face, I pulled it away and put it in my mouth -nursing a hurt hand and a thoroughly hurt ego.

"Did you do that?" I enquired, she answered with the cutest giggle, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.