CHAPTER TWO

It was a month since Amber had holed herself up in her room, and following a chat with Lex – actually it was more like an argument – she realised how selfish she had been, and re-instated herself as leader of the Mallrats once again. However, she was completely unprepared for the events that had unfolded in her absence: Pride's shock departure; Jay and Lex in a bitter struggle for control of the militia; Cloe's pregnancy – she felt like she had just entered into a circus as opposed to her own tribe!

Today was the day she was to meet with the other tribe leaders at the hotel. She was feeling very nervous and unsure of what to expect, and worried about what was still to come – how could she help restore peace to the city when she couldn't even restore peace in her own tribe.

"Hi, Amber", Jay said bashfully upon seeing her in the breakfast bar.

Damn it, he still had feelings for her! He should have moved on by now, just like she had!

Ever since she had broken up with Jay, she had been trying to avoid him, but she knew she couldn't avoid him for ever. He was a confidante and a trusted friend, but more than that, she had come to rely on him for moral support, and to help her to help control the city.

"Hi, Jay! Didn't see you there! Listen, are you ready for this meeting that Ebony has called for all the tribal leaders? I can't believe that she has taken over the Locos again!" Amber rambled. She felt unsure of how to act around him, considering their history, and feeling embarrassed, she blushed. Jay, however, mistook this as a sign of her continual sentiments for him, and moved closer to her.

"Well look who it isn't!"

Lex had just marched in, and Amber had never been so delighted to see such blatant rudeness from him. After all, she didn't love Jay anymore, did she?! Not that anything would have happened without Lex's presence there, but for once she was pleased to hear the on-going debate as to whether Jay should train and lead the militia, or whether Lex and Dee ought to, considering how well they had done heading all security operations for the past few months. Her mind drifted back to the dispute.

"But why not?" whined Lex. "Dee and I have built a rapport with the militia, and they trust us. You would be starting straight from scratch, and that takes time; time is something we just don't have!"

Siva walked up to them, having been awoken by all the commotion, and snaked her arms round Lex's shoulders.

"You know, that actually makes a lot of sense, Jay! You've gotta admit it!"

"Aw, thanks babe!" replied Lex quite cockily now that he had someone on his side, and planted a kiss on Siva's lips.

Jay moaned, "Yeah, but you're biased, Sive! Amber, you're impartial. Who would do a better job – me or Lex?"

Amber shook her head in despair. "Guys, we don't have the time to discuss this now. Jay, are you coming? Let's brace ourselves, cause knowing Ebony, this'll be hel/!"

"I'm sure it won't be that bad! She's not a bad person you know! She just…," faltered Jay.

"Come on!" sighed Amber, "She can't be as bad as Ram was, I suppose. I just hope her main priority is to find all those prisoners the Technos had captured but never returned to us!"

Jay let out a heavy sigh as he lolled behind and watched Amber march on ahead. Why couldn't she forget all about Bray? It's not as though he was gonna come back, and everybody would just continue smoothly from then on anyway! She was wasting her life away, consumed by the memory of Bray, when Jay was there ready and waiting for her whenever she was ready. He couldn't help but love her, despite her many faults. Love was blind, he guessed, but love was very painful too, especially when he suspected that she felt more for him than she would let herself feel! Oh well, he thought. He would wait til eternity if he had to just to be loved by her as much as she was loved by him. And if his suspicions were proved true, it wouldn't be long now!

"Come on, Jay!"

Not long now!