Chapter 2: Confessions and Revelations

Sorry for the super short chapter :/ Ugh, been so busy, I WISH I had more time to write! Anyway, I'm having fun with this story, but I'm still kind of undecided on where it's going. If you have any suggestions, PLEASE let me know! Or if you're confused on anything, too.

Thanks so much! And please R&R!

~Twihardfan3194.

(Ren's POV):

Being near her was almost too much to bear, but I had to know her. I had to know how I had caused this one girl so much pain and anguish, and who she had been to me before my incident. She seemed so sweet, but there was a nagging frustration that also came from just the mere mentioned of her name.

Kelsey Hayes.

The name brought me small joy from the sight of her image that clouded my vision, but then filled my very soul with bitter disgust.

What was happening to me? Why did I feel this way?

"Why are you talking to me now?" Her sweet voice filled my thoughts as her wide brown eyes met mine with ambiguous hope and uncertainty.

My eyebrows furrowed and my eyes tightened, assessing her dubious words. I wanted to reach out to her—and get out of the room as fast as I could. Being around her was bringing an aching pain and desperation in my chest; a perverse desperation to get away and flee from her very presence. It was almost too much to bear. But I had to know…

"How did we meet?" I murmured, gazing into her eyes. They widened a smidgeon at my words, but then she regained her sense of thought and stared down at the hands folded in her lap. I had heard her conversation with Kishan last night, and I was itching to know why she had ended things so poorly with him. Everything had seemed fine between the two, but then I could always sense that there was something missing in their relationship.

She swallowed, folding and unfolding her porcelain hands as she spoke quietly, refusing to meet my gaze. I hesitantly leaned forward, the pain itching at me to get away, but feeling undoubtedly sorry for the girl in front of me. I wanted to comfort her physically, but I was not sure how to do so. There were surprisingly many things I wanted to do to her physically, as wrong and confusing as it all was. The very thought of touching her warped my insides into a sickening twist but then also left me gleeful.

"I had gotten a job at the circus you were being kept at. I was in charge of caring for you. I would read poetry to you and visit you. You were always particularly fond of William Shakespeare. At first I was a little frightened and cautious to even come close to you,"—she smiled halfheartedly—"but we both warmed up to each other pretty quickly. You were my best friend." Kelsey stopped and coughed, hiding a dry sob. "Mr. Kadam came wanting to know if I was interested to come to India to work with him. Kind of like an internship, I suppose you could call it. You wouldn't believe the surprise I got when I found out you were a cursed man! I almost didn't even want to help you, but I couldn't leave you." She shook her head. "I couldn't. You were too…important…to me."

I cocked my head to the side, assessing her words, deep in thought. That was not the story I had planned or even prepared myself on hearing. And the way she spoke to me, I could tell she had meant a great deal to me. As well as I meant so much to her. I was beginning to truly understand how much she meant to me…

"I truly am sorry for the pain that I have caused you, Kelsey." I swallowed, fire coursing down my throat, the flames licking my insides at the mere mention of her name. "You don't know what it's like…being held accountable for something out of your control. I don't know who you are, and I'm not sure that I ever will."

I watched as her chest rose and fell, slowly and deeply, as she finally met my eyes. Her eyes were beautiful and so was she, as rare as a rose. I couldn't even being to identify or understand what I was feeling. I couldn't be falling for her…could I?

"I was thinking we should be…friends," she murmured, still gazing into my eyes. "I do not want to pressure you into anything, and you can choose whether or not to believe me when I say you aren't being held accountable for anything. This was Lokesh's doing." She took a deep breath once again and hesitantly reached out to touch the hand on my leg. The fire there burned, but almost in a surprisingly good way. "I haven't given up on you. And I've even forgiven you."

"Kelsey, I…" I swallowed hard and wrapped my hand firmly around hers, the pain intensifying. I knew I would not have much more time to be around her, but there was something I had to say before I fled from the room. "I may not remember you, but you are still important to me now that I have gotten to know you. And although you may not be looking for anything with Kishan and I right now, I won't give up. I will keep fighting for my memory." I took a deep breath, figuring I owed this girl that much. And because I had grown so fond of her in the past few weeks we had spent with each other.

I knew the revelation at Phet's house that I had been the one to do this to myself had hurt her. And I was going to do everything in my power to get her back in my life where she belonged.

Even if I had to burn in the excruciating process.

Kelsey bit her lip, something she often did when she was nervous or unsure, and bowed her head before pulling her hand away.

"What's wrong?" I wondered.

"I don't want you to feel like you are…expected to do anything about this. If you want to be with Nilima, I understand. Or anyone for that matter. I don't want you to feel like I own you in any way."

"But you already do," I whispered, pulling her hand back to mine. I had almost grown accustomed to the burn that was their now over the past time we had been with each other. "You've always had me. Subconsciously or not, I will not hurt you again. I will find a way to make things right," I said, brushing the hand that held hers against her soft cheek, making her blush. "Or I'll die wondering what could have been."

She smiled sadly. "You immortal," she reminded me.

"Immortal or not, there are still ways for anyone in the world to die. Even the all-powerful Lokesh." I laughed sadly, gazing into her deep brown eyes and smiled softly. "I care about you, Kelsey. And I want you to be happy again. I apologize that I've hurt you so much." I flinched and pulled my hand from hers before rising off the couch. "Perhaps I should leave. The pain…"I stopped, biting my tongue when I saw the hidden expression twist behind her masked features.

Kelsey nodded. "I care about too, Ren. You're a great friend."

I shook my head and turned towards the door. Before departing out of the room, I murmured, "That's not how I meant it."

Although I wasn't even certain she had heard me.

Please R&R and again SORRY FOR THE SHORT CHAPTER! Gah, kicking myself as we speak :p Let me know what ya think ;)