A/N: OHHHHH MYYYYY GOSHHH. I don't even have the right to apologize to any of you. -bows lowly- I shall plead for all of my reviewer's' forgiveness. SO, PLEASE FORGIVE ME! :(

Since it's been the summer and all lately, I've been going out a lot to the river and pools and with family and friends and whatnot. Then, when I usually arrived home, I was braindead and tired. Finally, after being VIOLENTLY urged on (violently is an exaggeration by just a bit) to type another chapter forcefully by my lazy and fruitless editor ( ^^;; ) and close friend, I have decided to try my hardest to give you another chapter. My deepest regret to all of you. I apologize. A LOT.

I am, however, pretty sure I should be updating a lot more when school starts. I can focus on my homework and chores AS SOON as I get home, get a snack and get working RIGHT AWAY on another chapter. So, anyways, I had better stop this author's note before it becomes a chapter in its entirety… therefore, here is the next chapter of Rebel. I sincerely hope it's okay! -bows again-

…I vowed when I got back home, I'd definitely clear things up with Lukas.

I had thought those words over and over again throughout the day, but as I sat in the passenger's seat with Rylan beside me driving, my hands were shaking. Just what was I going to say to him?

"Sorry Lukas, I no longer have any interest in you, and I'd like to try it out with Alec."

Try it out with Alec? I blinked and stared blankly ahead of me. What the hell was that? That wouldn't show that I had any determination toward a relationship. So of course, Lukas would reply in his usual playboy way:

"I'm much more experienced than him. Please think it over, better yet, let me rape you right here and right now."

I snorted. No, no, he wouldn't rape me. That's what Rylan would do. When I heard a low snicker from beside me, I looked over at said vampire. Ah, that was right, he could climb into my mind. Damn bloodsucker.

"I really hope that won't be your conversation with him when the time comes. That will definitely disappoint both Alec and I." Rylan said smoothly, glancing at me from the corner of his eye.

I clenched my nervous fists. "Of course not! I'm still thinking! Now shut your trap and allow me to do so in peace!" When he went quiet and focused back on the road, I looked ahead again to peer at the sky.

What could I say that would throw Lukas off? No matter how hard I tried, the possibilities I came up with were ludicrous. Of course, Lukas would be able to find a way around it easily. Burying my face into my palms, I groaned loudly. Still, Rylan did not comment. Although, he did suddenly talk about something.

"Perhaps you can initiate a kiss?"

I froze, my mind reeling in three different directions. Then I slowly looked up at the other vampire. "Huh?"

Rylan's eyebrows furrowed in irritation. That was Rylan. Whenever he were to be annoyed, he'd show it, but in different ways. It was really opposite of Alec. "I mean, in front of Lukas with Alec in the same room, admit your feelings to Alec and then kiss him. This may show Lukas that nothing can come between the two of you."

Blinking slowly, I tried thinking of the outcome of that situation. I found nothing. Did that mean it may work? If only, if only I could get into Lukas's head! Suddenly, a thought occurred to me.

I slowly looked up at Rylan, a sly smile on my face. I leaned over and gripped his sweater sleeve. "Rylaaaaaan?" I began in a sing-song voice. He made no move to look at me. His face was expressionless, and he turned the wheel slightly. I felt the bump of dirt and rocks, meaning we were getting closer to the Darquecaster mansion. I leaned closer to the vampire, anxious for help.

"Absolutely not."

My heart fell. "Why not?" I cried. "I let you suck my blood and almost kill me!"

Rylan parked the car, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw their house. He looked at me with his sharp, scary green eyes. "And I've compensated that by keeping my fangs to myself with Elly, did I not?"

I gritted my teeth. Damn, this guy was good. I huffed. "Fine!" Then I unlocked the door and shoved it open. As I did, Alec's car drove up behind us. The others were in there.

I took in a deep breath and turned to face the car as they climbed out. "Lukas, Alec, we need to talk."

They both looked at each other in confusion, and then shrugged. Now how the hell was I supposed to pull this off?

"Sorry Lukas, I no longer have any interest in you, and I'd like to try it out with Alec."

Oh, my God. I cannot believe I said that! I slapped a hand on my forehead and groaned. Lukas, who was sitting across from me, blinked. That was the reaction I had had when I even thought of the words.

Alec, who was sitting in the armchair between our couches to the side, snorted. Ha, that was the other reaction I had had. What a coincidence!

"Is that really it? Just try things out with me?" Alec demanded, obviously frustrated and probably deeply angry with me. Obviously it hurt to be told that, didn't it?

I didn't dare look at him. Patiently, I ignored him and waited for Lukas's response.

"Alright, I'll let you go if you can admit that you love Alec and then kiss him right here." Lukas suddenly said after a long moment of silence. My head shot up and I looked at him with wide-eyes. Say what?

"Right here?" I asked weakly.

Lukas nodded. "Yep."

"Right…now?"

It was Alec who spoke this time. "Obviously she isn't serious." He then stood up abruptly, turning his head to face away from me when I looked up. It only half occurred to me what he said.

Lukas and I watched him go. Then I realized he'd meant I wasn't serious about liking him. I shot to my feet. "Wait! Alec! I-"

He looked back at me, and his expression froze me and my words caught in the back of my throat. If there was ever a moment Alec had hid his pain, it was now being let out…and through facial appearance much less. His eyes were now a dark blue, his pupils dilated halfway, and his mouth was pulled taut into a thin, straight line. The way his eyebrows were creased together, it was obvious he was thinking hard. My breath left me with a whoosh, and he turned away again to leave the room. I didn't move until I heard the front door open and slam close.

Shakily, I sat down and grabbed my head with my hands and squeezed my eyes shut. "What have I done?"

"You're just going to sit there and sulk?" Lukas asked. I threw him an icy glare.

"What else am I going to do?" I snapped. Lukas didn't seem affected by my terrible mood.

"I figured you'd go after him."

"Go after him and then what? Be shamelessly insulted? Just what I want to experience!" I bit sarcastically. The male vampire raised an eyebrow.

"You're pretty vicious when you're angry. So is he. If he insults you, insult him back. Isn't that what you've always done up until now? You used to hate even the idea of Alec Darquecaster." Lukas paused, letting everything sink in. Then he bent forward to place his elbows on his knees and rest his chin against his knuckles. Staring me deep in the eyes with his midnight colored ones, he then said, "If you're really the rebellious Ava that I and everyone else knows, you'd defy your ego and go throw some of your own words against his insults. Then, when you think you both no longer have any insults, admit your true feelings and get the damn kiss done and over with."

I couldn't help but stare in shock at Lukas. Was this even Lukas? Never before had I ever heard such intelligent words coming from his mouth. Had he ever been so serious like this before? And since when did he support mine and Alec's' relationship?

Lukas smirked and leaned back. "You're probably wondering where I suddenly came up with that advice, huh?"

I stood up slowly. "Actually, at the moment, I don't really care. I'm going to go after him." Turning, I raced after Alec. I just hoped I could convey my true feelings. I felt my heart pounding. I wanted to be with that asshole. I didn't care if he couldn't show his feelings for me mentally, because I'd never been quite the person to open up my own feelings either.

I exited the house, only to see Alec's' car gone. I stopped halfway through the threshold of the front door and stared in shock. Where had he gone to?

"He couldn't have gone far. Chase after him." Rylan's voice said behind me. I turned, and narrowly caught the keys he tossed at me. I would have missed them if it weren't for my new reflexes. I stared past the keys in my hand at Rylan. "Take my car. With your old habits, you can catch up to him easily."

I smiled and nodded, pivoting on my heel. "Thanks! I'll try to return your car in one piece!"

"I have insurance." He reassured me. I felt a rush of relief flood through me. I just hoped my skills hadn't washed away as a cop escapee. After all, if it hadn't been for my foster father, Joshua, then I wouldn't have avoided being arrested all those times.

And so, I entered Rylan's precious vehicle and started it without hesitation. I couldn't allow Alec to get any further. Shoving the gear into reverse, I wheeled out of the driveway, Rylan and Lukas watching after from the doorway, and made it safely on the road.

As I went into drive and pressed on the gas, my only thoughts were on finding Alec.

My speed all the way into town was over one-hundred. By the time I reached the boundaries of the town, I slowed down considerably, because it was still daylight. Cops would have a much easier time finding me. Now, I just had to hope and pray I'd find Alec's car somewhere around here. After all, what if he went somewhere else? Somewhere secretive: like back along the roads I just went on?

That thought irritated me and I feared it was true. However, I drove on, trying not to doubt anything. Other drivers honked at me when I didn't pay attention to stop signs or pedestrians as I frantically looked around for Alec. The scar on my wrist had not began tingling. He wasn't close yet.

As I turned a corner, I slammed on my breaks, just as a young girl and her mother stumbled back onto the sidewalk, staring at me as if I were a monster. I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. The mother flipped me off as I drove forward again.

It was when I was about to turn around and go back from where I came after nearly thirty minutes of driving around town when I felt the tiny prickle of the bite scar. Instantly, I slowed the car down, not caring if the people behind me honked.

I looked around, my vampire eyes concentrating on every object, looking for Alec's' car. I spotted it, parked beside a small, antique-looking shop. Instantly, I parked in front of him, and realized he wasn't inside the car. Where the hell was he then? My eyes landed on the shop. It wasn't much bigger than an ice cream parlor, but what caught my eyes were the words written in giant, dazzling gold letters above the door;

Golden Jeweler's.

Well, it was cheesy, but from what I could see from the window, the jewelry was gorgeous. I paused a moment, suddenly wondering if I was looking at the wrong store. I could wait for Alec to get back to his car, but then I'd be sitting here bored. Sighing, I shut off Rylan's car, climbed out and then locked it.

Looking both ways up and down the sidewalk to make sure no one from school was witnessing this, I swiftly made it into the jewelry store. That was when I came face to face to Alec, who looked at me in pure surprise.

I too, looked right back at him with the same expression.

No. Way.

He'd been in this store too? Had we both just been caught in a guilty act?

I couldn't help but burst out laughing. The others inside the store peeked around jewelry racks and counters with an odd expression. I was sure if Alec ever blushed, he would, but instead, his eyebrows furrowed.

"What are you doing here?"

I snorted, holding in tears and then sucked in a large breath. Standing straight, I smirked at him. "I should be asking you that same question." I retorted. Alec crossed his arms defiantly. I heard a shuffle of something, and my gaze dropped to his hand. He was holding a small, black and silver decorated bag that was tied at the top with a silver ribbon.

I raised an eyebrow. "Alec buying jewelry for a girl? No way. I better spread the news!" I pivoted as fast as I could without showing off my vampire speed to the humans, and took off to Rylan's car. 'Spreading the word' was just an excuse. Actually, I clenched the keys tightly in my hand as they indented my palm. Was I upset? Was I mistaking something? Misunderstanding what he bought the jewelry for?

Before I could open the door, my wrist was grabbed harshly, and I was spun around. At first, I expected him to push me against the car and kiss me. But instead, he stared long and hard at me with a very troubled expression.

"I think turning you into a vampire killed some brain cells. Were you this dense before?" He mocked. Then, right when I was about to snap back, he held out the black and silver package. "It's for you, dimwit. I figured you wouldn't accept something if it was too expensive. Plus, I couldn't imagine you wearing something like pearls or crystals, and this design was the only one I'd seen for miles around and I thought it would suit you and-"

I put a finger to his lips, staring at him in astonishment. Just what had come over him? Slowly, I accepted the package, scared to see what was inside of it. Just what design was he talking about? Putting all of that aside, he suddenly seemed to know me all too well. What he'd just said was true. Absolutely. Hesitantly, I met his eyes with my own.

"Are you really Alec Darquecaster?" I asked warily.

His eyebrows furrowed a bit in embarrassment. "Yes, I am. Now shut the hell up and just open it. Better yet, wait until I'm gone." Then he turned and climbed into his car before the shocked-out-of-my-own-mind thoughts could comprehend. I watched him leave in the car, knowing he was heading straight back home.

With a deep breath, I pulled apart the strings that tied the opening of the package together. Just what was going to be inside of it?