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We lined up outside of Nick's house, preparing to say goodbye.

My heart throbbed painfully, and I had a sick feeling in my gut. "This could be the last time I see him." This thought replayed in my mind like a broken record, stabbing me painfully in the heart area. "I guess I'd better make it quick, it will be easier that way."

He walked around our small gathering, giving out hugs and consoling the few that wept. For some reason that I cannot explain, he saved me for last.

I watched him as he stooped to hug his mother. She started tearing up as he pulled away. A pained look crossed his features. I am sure I am the only one that recognized it as pain though, I knew him too well.

He hugged her once more before straightening and turning to me. His face was devoid of all emotion, I stared into his eyes, daring him to tear up before me. Sadly, my resolve to be strong and impassive faltered when he lunged forward and wrapped his arms tightly around me.

I let a few tears escape in the safety of his shirt. However, when he started to release me, I quickly wiped the tears away before he could see them.

Nick pressed a gentle kiss on my forehead, and then whispered for my ears only, "I will miss you."

He turned on his heel and strode to the waiting horse, Nick mounted up then waved and with a smile he said, "Be back in a little while!" Every one laughed at this, he made it sound like he was just going hunting or something.

We waved until he was just a speck in the distance, then we all dispersed to our own homes words of comfort were directed towards Mrs. Jackson.

Matthew and I walked in silence all the way home, and then he excused himself to his room while I fixed a small supper for us both. I was not very hungry at all, but I knew Matthew would have a hissy fit if I tried skipping.

I soon escaped to my room to wallow in self-pity before bed. I heard Matthew talking to someone in the living room, but I did not care, even if it turned out to be that man from the other night. "We forgot to ask Matthew about that man." I thought sadly.

I lay down on the bed, squeezing my eyes tightly shut. A headache was pounding in my ears. As I lay there, I remembered that I had not uttered a word of goodbyes to Nick. I moaned as another one of the sickening pains erupted in my stomach. "Is this what it feels like to miss him terribly? Or is this the feeling of not being loved by him?"

Someone knocked on my door, "I swear if it's Matthew I'm going to rip his head off." I grumbled.

I grabbed my pillow and covered my ears with it, and sank deeper into the blankets. "Rachel, someone is here to see you." Matthew called through the door.

"Make them go away, I don't want to see them!" I screamed at him, I hoped whoever was out there heard me and took the hint.

I heard him sigh then his retreating footsteps. Soon I could hear him coming back, he opened the door and sat down on the edge of the bed. I made a disgruntled noise.

"Now now, that is not the way to welcome an old friend!" I jerked up, that was not Matthew's voice, in fact…

"Annabelle!" I squirmed out of the covers, and as soon as I saw her face I tackled her with a hug, successfully knocking her to the floor. She laughed. Her laugh was the best in the world. It was one of those girlish giggles, but there was always a snort at the very end of it.

I smiled at the sound, it brought back wonderful memories. "That's better." She said between giggles.

"Bell! What are you doing here? I mean, I thought you were in Quebet!" I said questioningly.

She smiled at my confusion, then answered playfully, "Andrew didn't want to miss your birthday!"

I made a face at her, "Yeah right."

"No, It's true! We missed you and Nick." She said seriously.

I whimpered a bit, that pain was back, except now it was more prominent. Her face turned into a worried look. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing really, Nick left a while ago for a war. You barely missed him."

She frowned at this, then she said, "Andrew's over there now, he won't be happy about missing him. After all, he hasn't seen his best friend in three years"

"Has it really been that long?" I said as I stood and pulled her up with me.

"Yes, the time seemed to fly did it not?" I smiled a bit at her accent.

"Annabelle?" We heard someone call from the front door. I burst out laughing, then grabbed Bell's hand and pulled her into my wardrobe, hiding from her brother.

We heard the heavy footsteps in my doorway, and Bell started to giggle quietly. But her laugh was contagious, soon we were both laughing uncontrollably.

That was when Andrew found us. When he opened the door to the wardrobe his face fell into an amused smile. My laughing soon died down as I looked at him, he was much more handsome than I remembered. His short blond hair was curling in all directions, unlike his sister's which was perfect long blond ringlets. And his green eyes seemed to be extra green.

"Ah, this brings back some dejavu." He said as he helped us out.

I stared at him, until he finally asked defensively, "What?"

"What the heck happened to your voice?" They laughed. The last time I had seen him his voice was still changing, and now it was a deep rumble. "And when did you get so tall?"

"Are you saying that the same thing didn't happen to Nick?" He said with a grin, looking hopeful.

I laughed, "No, he is taller than you I believe. I'm sorry that you two didn't get to see him." Then I remembered something, "Are your parents here?"

"No, they were busy back home, so we made this trip by ourselves." Replied Bell in her bouncy tone.

"Where are you staying?" I asked hoping they would stay here.

"Well, we were going to stay at The Inn, but it is owned by someone different now, and the cost is outrageous. Mrs. Jackson asked me to stay in Nick's room." Andrew paused, then looked at me hopefully, "And I was hoping you would let Bell stay here."

I grabbed Bell's hand, "And I was hoping she would ask to stay here." I said with a smile. "Do you have a trunk, or bags to bring in?"

She smiled sheepishly, then answered. "A trunk. I was hoping we could stay for a while. If that's okay…"

"That is perfect! I would love to have you!" I said excitedly.

Andrew went back to the Jackson house while Bell and I sat on a couch in the living room, bringing each other up to date. Bell looked around the room, then her eyes fell on a recent picture of me and Nick; I was on his back like a monkey, I was pointing to something in a tree, probably a squirrel or a bird, Nick had his signature grin on and he was looking at me like I was the most interesting thing in the world.

"Whoa, Nick is so handsome!" She said as she grabbed the picture. Something inside me twisted as she said this, but I brushed it off as missing him.

She talked for awhile, and I half listened. Though soon she got sleepy so we retired to my room.

When we were under the covers, she asked me a question. "So, what do you think of Andrew now?" I could hear the smile in her voice.

I wasn't sure what to answer. I was glad that she couldn't see my face in the darkness. "He's… grown up." was all I said.

"Grrr, you know that is not what I meant." She said exasperated.

I laughed. "What do you want me to say? I love him and his amazing good looks…?" I said sarcastically

She was silent . "Bell! You can't expect me to fall in love with your brother over night! That kind of thing takes time." I said the last part a bit softer.

She sighed, and took my hand. "I know Rachel. I just love you both so much. And I think you could make each other happy."

I shut my eyelids tightly, but a tear slipped out, I didn't think I could make anyone happy. Especially ever since Nick's confession.

I soon slipped into a deep sleep, hoping that life could somehow get easier.

A/N

Finally a longer(ish) chapter!

It took me a while but it is up! :)

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