As promised, the new chapter's already here! Thank you for both reviews and follows, again, please, keep going with that :D Okay, so Richelle Mead owns this, and it has spoilers. I'm sorry for mistakes – now check out how Christian ozera gets magic done! ;) Enjoy and please review!
The beach really was perfect for such things as magic fight practise. Especially since it was practically impossible to do it at Court or any other supervised place with wards or, um, people.
"So, you have anything new? Has anything changed? I was stuck at a human school for almost a year, with the only chance to use my powers when they needed me to save their butts. And that only lasted until the guardians got there," I sighed. Christian laughed and wrapped his arm around my shoulder in sympathy.
"Yeah, I have a few new things, Lissa's been trying to make magic fights legal for the people who want that but hasn't succeeded yet. I also have a few new fire spells, like this one," he said and pushed me a bit back. I knew I got myself a show.
A huge yellow flame bursted from his hand into the air. He shaped it into all kinds of shapes. A rose. A heart. A butterfly. A beautiful rosette spinning higher and higher in the sky, looking amazing in the dark and changing colors frow yellow to orange, red, purple and even blue. In the end it exploded into the air like a firework.
"Wow..." I breathed. It could easily be the only firework display on New Year's Eve.
Christian came closer and stroke his arm with a smile. "This was just a bit of a show. I can't fight with it. It does make me more precise, though. I hit the target easily. But you could easily do the same thing with water," he said.
"Well, there are some more things I learned that are actually useful," he added and moved away again. He burned one of the bushes with just one move without a huge flame, so efficent it didn't even leave ashes. It was like it was never there.
"And then there's this," he said and sent sparks out of his hand. They looked like fireflies, flying around in a tight group and it was obvious he had them completely under control. Then he sprayed them around so they landed on the floor and burned out without making any harm.
"These, you can use as pepper spray," he said with a smile. I laughed.
"You know what's too bad? I can't do any of this," I sighed. Christian bit his lip. "I know. You're right. But I've been thinking and, frankly, Mia's done most of it. You could do the sparkles thing with ice crystals."
"That's an awesome idea!" I exclaimed. "Let me try."
I took some water from the sea and removed the salt first. It made it easier to control. Then I froze it, even though it was hard in the hot air. At last I broke the ice and made the crystals fly around like Christian did with sparkles before. It suprised me how hard it was to keep control over them. After a minute or two of directing them around in the air I lost the strenght and they fell on the floor melting.
"Ugh, I need some practise," I told Christian. He shook his head. "No, I mean, yes, sure you need practise, but you did amazing! When I first tried... Well, I better not tell you. Let's just say there are a few less trees at Court," he said with a smirk.
Braved with his encouragement, I tried the same spell a few more times, but taking the water from the air. It was harder, even though there was lost of humid here. But I knew whenever I was going to have to use spells like this in fights, I probably won't have unlimited sources of water like the sea around. It was just hard switching from one state of matter to another. That's why this spell was so hard, especially in hot weather like this. I was happy to see my skills were slowly improving.
"Oh, and I got another idea," Christian said after some time passed. I gave him a curious look.
"You know how you can't always get water out of thin air? Especially in cases like Palm Springs or summers in Pennsylvania. Well, isn't human body, like, 40 percent water?" he asked. It was pretty obvious it wasn't just a retorical question.
"Been a while since the last time you've had biology, huh?" I asked in a pitying tone. "Isn't it?" he frowned. I laughed. "It's been more than a year," he admitted. My expression didn't change.
"Come on! Just tell me!" he laughed. I stared at him with a mean look for a few seconds while he kept begging in joke, until he started to trample.
"Alright, alright. Human body is somewhere between 50 and 70 percent of water," I said chuckling. "Wow, I used to know that?"
Then I gave him a humorous lesson about paying attention in school and he kept teasing about how "geekish" I got at Amberwood. It lasted until we laughed so hard we couldn't talk anymore.
"Wait, what was your point anyway?" I asked him after I caught some breath. "Oh, right, right, we had a point in this conversation," he laughed.
"So, since human body is whatever percent of water you said," he gave me a meaningful look and I rolled my eyes, "You can drain the water from the person you're fighting. They can be your source of power, and you weaken your opponent a bit. Or a lot. Not Strigoi, but we both know they aren't the only enemy in our life anymore. You think that could work?"
That was actually an amazing idea. I never thought in that direction before. This methode only had pros, no cons.
"You're right, I could totally do that. I just can't practise," I said. "Yeah, I really wouldn't volunteer for that... But don't worry, we'll figure something out at Court," Christian told me.
Later I also tried the firework thing. Just for fun, to get better control of water, to aim better. It was easier than I expected, probably because water really was quite easy to shape. Fire... Not so much, from what Christian told me.
The heart was easy to shape, I even managed to create a rosette and a butterfly and added a few desigs of my own. But the rose was too hard of a nut to crack. It looked more like a helix to me.
Christian told me that part was depending more on your artistic skill and that the rose took him quite a time to figure out too, since he 'stunk at art stuff'.
It would be amazing to see what Adrian could create.
I was kind of suprised when the sun started to rise. It meant that it was already 6 pm and that I spent at least three hours with Christian. It passed like a few seconds.
"Guys?" I heard someone shout from the top of the hill. It was Eddie. I quickly smiled and accidentaly dropped the water I was just wielding. It fell directly on me and Christian.
Mostly me.
The water splashed everywhere and left me soaking wet. I felt all the blood in my body rush into my face. For the first time in my life, I hated water.
"Looks like we won't have to shower today," Christian laughed. "You're welcome," I sighed.
Eddie came running down the hill. "You two okay?" he asked. He wanted to sound worried and serious, like any guardian should, but I could see he thought it was hilarious.
"We're fine. Aren't we?" I asked Christian. "Very freshed up," he smiled.
"Good." Eddie was smiling too. It was nice to see doing something so awkward didn't make a fool out of me in his eyes.
"I came to tell you we're about to leave. Are you comming?" he asked. I looked at Christian and he nodded.
"Looks like that's a wrapp for today," he said. "We did a lot," I agreed.
We followed Eddie up trough the bushes. It suprised me I was shaking a little. The water that splashed me before was warm, and now, at night, it felt a bit chilly while drying.
Everyone was already packing their stuff, getting ready to leave. I too stuffed my things into the bag I brought with me.
"Hey-" I heard behind me and turned around. It was Eddie and he awkwardly wrapped his towell around my shoulders. "I figured you're probably cold," he said with a small grinn. I smiled and looked at the ground, feeling a blush comming up. "Thanks."
While walking back to the hotel Rose stepped to the beginning of our line and clapped her hands to catch our attention. "Guys, some girl told me about this awesome restaurant down in the city. They have live music and not everything's coconut and stuff."
Looks like she noticed too.
"So, I'm gonna go check on it with Dimitri later anyway. Anyone wants to join?" she asked. We all agreed to go. It was almost a bit creepy.
The moment I was back in my room with Eddie, I decided to shower and wash my head. The dinner was in two hours and I had just enough time to fix myself up. The salt in my hair and on my skin was annoying.
I also wanted to look my best, although I'd probably notice by now if Eddie really cared about the way I looked. I still wanted to wow him.
After a refreshing shower with warm water and coconut soap I wrapped myself into one of the hotel towells just enough that I wasn't naked. It was freaking hot in the room. I was just plugging in the hair dryer to dry my hair when...
...Eddie walked in.
He was, like me, only wrapped into a towell that was covering nothing but the most neccessary. It wasn't helping that I was leaning towards the floor, probably showing him everything there was to show.
According to his wide open eyes that was true. "Oh, my god, Jill, I'm so-" he started to say, when I shrieked and, in an automatic reaction, threw the coconut soap into his head.
My aim was actually pretty good, because it hit him right in the forehead.
"Oh, crap, are you okay?" I exclaimed. He was still standing, which I thought was a good sign.
"I'm fine," he said chuckling. "And really, really sorry," he added. "I seriously didn't mean to break in. I thought it was empty."
Yeah, that brought the worry from before back. What exactly did he see? And what did he think of it? Not every girl had her guardian crush break into her bathroom accidentally.
Well, not every girl was a shadow kissed vampire princess.
"It's okay. Maybe next time I should lock myself in," I smirked. I was trying to play calm, when really, there was a hurricane inside me.
"Maybe I should trust you about being able to defend yourself. I don't wanna know what would happen if you were armed. Or in real clothes," he said with a small smile.
That reminded me I was still wrapped into a towell.
"I, um..."
"I'll go now," Eddie said and closed the door. He seemed suprisingly calm about this.
Oh, man, I couldn't figure guys out. I'd have to ask Adrian about it.
Eddie was gone when I returned from the bathroom. It kind of suprised me. I mean, where could he go? I shrugged it off, thinking he probably left tl have a shower in someone else's room.
I wanted to wear a dress. I knew that since Rose mentioned the dinner. Luckily, I packed quite a lot of them.
I picked a light blue one that reached my mid thigs. It had short sleeves and it floated down gently. I wore it a lot the summer before and kind of loved it because, well, Adrian once said I look good in it. I was all over him back then. Now, I didn't exactly care. But I still loved the dress.
By the time I was done, we were already meeting in the lobby. Eddie still didn't come back, so I just went there by myself. Some of them were already there. Mostly guys.
And Sydney. Adrian was still in the shower, which always took him quite a while, so he just let Sydney go ahead. But I did feel he was already on his way. Promising.
"Hey, have you guys seen Eddie?" I asked. Trey nodded.
"Yeah, he came to our room. We told him he can shower after we're both done. That's right now. Angeline's still dressing up," he explained.
I frowned. "That's not like her. She didn't hesitate wearing shorts that were smaller than her underwear."
He smiled. "Honestly? I don't mind." Christian slapped his shoulder. "I know what you mean," he laughed.
I rolled my eyes and pulled Sydney aside. "Guys are weird," I muttered.
Adrian, Lissa and Rose came then, all at the same time. I'd think they arranged it if I didn't know better.
"Wow, Jailbait! The dress?" he asked. "Yes, the dress," I nodded laughing. "I think it's a holiday or something. First our Queen shows why she's our Queen, then Little Dhampir in a dress after... After way too long, now you in this little sugar-" then his look stopped on Sydney. He caught his breath and the power of what hit him almost knocked me down.
"Well, I guess the best's for last, huh?" he breathed. Whatever bullshit he was elaborating on before, I knew this was real. I didn't even notice Sydney's dress until he did.
She smiled and he stepped forward to kiss her. The two of them and their feelings always hit me straight in the heart.
Well, then something else hit me. It was Eddie.
His hair was still wet from the shower and he looked just about perfect in a gray T- shirt and jeans. And he was staring too.
I quickly turned away, straight towards Adrian smirking at me. "Damn, you guys are adorable! You should see the look on your face. And his. I bet you're blind to everything but... Well, whatever it is you're staring at," he told me trough the bond. I rolled my eyes. At least he didn't say it out loud.
Olive and Angeline joined us in the lobby too, so we headed towards the restaurant.
"No, but seriously, what's up with Castile?" Adrian asked me on the way. "I mean, his aura looks like... I don't know, he's afraid of you? No not afraid, more like..." He didn't know the word.
I really had to ask him about what happened before, so I decided to tell him. It made absolutely no sense whatsoever that Eddie'd break in, laugh when I hit him with soap and then leave like nothing happened.
"He, like you, doesn't know what to say to me?" Adrian snorted as I continued: "Might be because he broke into the bathroom while I was in." He looked at me amused and mostly suprised.
"I wasn't naked," I quickly added, knowing he barely believed me. "I was wrapped in a towell."
"So, what did you do? What did he do? What happened?" he asked.
"Um... I..."
Then I realised what actually happened.
"Did I really..." I paused in disbelief, leaving Adrian in suprise, "Throw soap... At him?"
Adrian bursted out laughing. I rolled my eyes for the second time since we started to talk. "It's not even funny, and yet, he reacted the way you did," I said. "Yeah? How did he laugh? The way I did? Like he can't believe it? The mean way? The nervous way? The creepy way?" I held my hand out in front of him.
"Whoa, stop right there. I'm starting to think there are way too many ways to laugh."
I looked down and kicked one of the stones lying on the ground. "No, the way he laughed was... Like he thought of something funny. Or just something nice. It was so cute..."
Before I noticed, I was staring at the perfect sky, twirling my hair and playing with my dress... I just realised how much I loved the way Eddie laughed before. Or his laugh anytime. It was warm and sweet, kind of restrained, like everything he did. I wanted him to laugh more, to burst out laughing every day, even if it was because of something I did.
"Love rules, huh?" Adrian asked gently. I nodded. "Yeah, it really does. And it sucks too."
We walked in silence for a while, and then I asked: "So why do you think he reacted the way he reacted? I mean, then he just left like nothing happened... I don't get it."
Adrian thought about my words for a while. "Well, you can't know for sure. Maybe he was just suprised. You don't get attacked with soap every day. And for sure you don't see the girl you're madly in love with in the bathroom wearing unsufficient clothes every day!"
I sensed he was hinting at something, but didn't realise quite what for a while.
"Wait. Are you trying to say he liked it?" I exclaimed. Although it made no sense asking, because I already knew the answer to my question.
And really, Adrian looked at me like I'm ridiculous. "Jailbait, of course he liked it. He's a guy. He loves you. You were wrapped in a towell. That's how the world works."
It felt weird to admitt it, but he was probably right. I mean, I also liked Eddie shirtless. How could I not?
Rose was right, the restaurant really was cool. It had a warm, cozy, but modern effect with wooden cusioned chairs and matching cream carpets and table cloths. The stage for the live music was also made of wood and a probably local band was playing jazz. There were white leather sofas in a corner for the people waiting for their table. The place wasn't crouded when we got there, though, so we got a table right away. Or, well, we put two of them together.
The food was also delicious. They had everything I could think of, so I ordered a lasagna. I liked those.
We sat there for a while after we were finished with the dinner. Once in between Angeline went to the toilet and came back all excited.
"Oh, my god, guys, you gotta check this out!" she shrieked. She was holding a light blue paper that looked like a flier. And she had it wrinkled up well already.
"What is this?" Lissa asked.
I was curious what was on the paper that Angeline cared so much about. It turned out it was a flier for a band called Smoking Blue. There were four guys in it and Angeline was pointing her finger at the one most in front. I had to admitt he was cute. He wasn't Eddie, but... Cute.
Especially his eyes were standing out. They were intense blue, brighter than I've ever seen. I wondered if that's how the band got its name.
"Isn't he the hottest guy ever?" Angeline gasped. "Angeline!" I exclaimed, glancing at Eddie. His expression was weird. I couldn't explain it to myself.
"Now, Jailbait, he's the jelous one this time," Adrian mind-messaged me, obviously realising my confusion. Sometimes the bond was also very helpful.
I was thorn for a second. Just a second.
"You can't have all the guys for yourself! Leave me some!"
Everyone laughed, but Eddie's smile wasn't geniue. I knew him well enough to see it by now. He'd get over it in minutes, that was for sure. It bothered me more that... I did it again. Made him jelous. That wasn't something I did!
"Yeah, I agree with Jill," said Trey. It took me a moment to realise he wasn't talking about whatever was wrong with me.
"Remember me, Angie? Your boyfried?" he asked reluctantly. Angeline stroke her arm.
"Don't worry, you're my one and only. I just..." She looked at him confused. "Wait, did you just call me Angie? OMG, stop flirting with me!" she exclaimed laughing and pecked his cheeck.
I sighed, looking at Eddie again. How could I be so mean to him when something like Trey and Angeline had was all I wanted?
"No, but those guys are really good," Olive told us. "They've had a few gigs around for a couple of times before and now I heard they got a record deal. I think you'd like them."
Neil wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Cute, he didn't even have to pretend he's yawning.
"What kind of music do they play? It sounds interesting," he said. Olive smiled. "Oh, practically everything you can think of. Most of their own songs are pop rock, but they also play covers from any time you can think of, sixties, eighties and today." She looked really excited about it. I was seriously starting to warm up for them.
"Ugh, old songs," Rose whined. "Comrade gives me enough of that shit already." Dimitri snorted at that. "Roza, not every song older than you is bad. Olive lived here, she knows what she's talking about."
"He's right, they only play like, best of the best. You won't ve sorry," Olive assurred us.
"Okay, they sound awesome, I'm going," I said. "You guys decide."
"Damn, but he really is cute. I'm gonna give them a chance," Rose said at last. After a few minutes of talking the others also decided, one by one, that they're going to go. Then we went back to the hotel.
It was late when I returned to my room, and considering I barely slept last night since Eddie was there, I wanted to go straight to bed. But while I was waiting for him to get out of the bathroom (it had no use going to sleep knowing he was about to come in), I found an interesting movie on that awesome TV. Eddie joined me watching it, so we stayed up for about two more hours. It was a comedy and my wish from before came true; Eddie laughed until he almost cried. So did I, of course.
We really did go to bed after the movie was over. Or, at least we intended to. I just wanted to pick up a glass of water from the mini fridge, when everything went black.
I was probably only out for a second. My head suprisingly didn't hit the floor, because Eddie caught me in a blink of an eye.
The room was still spinning, maybe a bit because of Eddie's touch. I didn't know what even happened, and according to his expression, my brave protector didn't either.
"Jill, are you okay?" he asked. I looked at him with a loose smile and nodded.
Then I realised.
"Damn it! Adrian!"
I stumbled to my bed and stepped into Adrian's mind. He was actually asleep, with Sydney laying on his chest, but it felt like his whole body was on fire, and not in the good, passionate kind of way. The reason for that could be found in his latest memories.
So, it turned out about an hour ago Adrian got the idea to also go to the beach in daytime. Sydney agreed to it, which suprised me. Did they both forget Moroi can't stand much sun? Especially at 12 am? Okay, I honestly believed Adrian was capable of doing something so reckless, but Sydney? Weird! Irrisponsible!
Of course Adrian's body was, except from the part Sydney was covering, covered with sunburns. Bad ones. He was sweating hard, and if he got up, he'd surely feel just as dizzy as I did. He probably couldn't even walk to the hotel on his own. The worst part was that he still didn't know that.
I opened my eyes and saw Eddie sitting next to me worried. Worried about me, obviously.
"Oh, Eddie, you need to go help Adrian," I cried.
"What... Is he okay?"
I sighed. "He fell asleep in the sun." Eddie snorted in disbelief. "That does sound like him!" Then he snapped back to serious again. "Damn, that's why you were all limp and stuff! He's gotta be burned!"
"Yes, and that's why I need you to go out there and help him!" I begged him with my eyes. If I wasn't all 'limp', I'd totally do it myself. He did save my life. But now I relied on Eddie.
"Sure, I'll do it. Just..." He looked reluctant. "Are you gonna be okay? You need something?"
I stroke my arm. "Yeah, yeah, I'll eventually get to the fridge and get that water. I'll be fine. But Adrian won't if we don't do something soon. So go, go!" I waved my hand to chase him out and fell back on the pillow, watching him leave.
Worried and with nothing better to do, I jumped into Adrian's head again. It really was a nice feeling, lying on the hot sand, hot sun was stroking his skin, Sydney's hand was tangled in his hair, they were just enjoying eachother. If I wasn't so worried for his health, I'd be sorry to bother them. The temptingness of such an opportunity was understanding. Sometimes I just wished I was human.
Adrian's peaceful state was interupted when someone punched his shoulder lightly. He opened his eyes and found himself face to face with Eddie. If it happened to me, I wouldn't mind waking up one bit.
"Castile? What's up?" he asked in a sleepy voice. The sun was blinding him. He still didn't realise it was hurting more than just his sight.
"What's going on?" Sydney muttered, trying to sit up. One of them was more sleepy than the other.
"You guys fell asleep on the sun," Eddie said patiently. "Oh, fu... No! How could I be so stupid?" Sydney exclaimed.
"I don't get it," Adrian said confused. He was all blurry, but he thought it was just because he just woke up. Also, he felt his skin burning now. He, although, didn't realise why.
"Seriously?" Sydney looked at him in disbelief. "Sun? Moroi? Sunburns? You look red like a lobster!"
Adrian thought for a second. Then he finally managed to clear his mind.
"I... Oh, I get it! Yeah, I should probably get out of here," he smirked.
"You're just like... Way too calm about this," Eddie snorted.
Adrian got up on his feet finally and almost fell immediatelly. His knees were weak, of course not from the same reason as mine when I saw Eddie. In fact, the same thing that happened to me before was happening. Except that he didn't faint, because he caught himself on Sydney's shoulder.
"Whoa, can you even walk?" Eddie asked with visible concern in his eyes and, well, aura. Man, Adrian was never gonna change. Barely standing, and using spirit. I smiled to myself.
In twice as much time as normally and with slight help from Sydney and Eddie Adrian eventually made it to his hotel room and threw himself on the bed. It hurt him because of the sunburns. A lot. But he refused to show it. I had to smile again.
Sydney gave him a piercing look. Eddie was still there, also looking at him. Adrian didn't have a clue what they both wanted, but he thought it was hilarious.
"You guys okay?" he asked amused. "Adrian, you can't stay like this. You have to... Call Lissa. Or something," Sydney said in concern.
Adrian sighed. "Yeah, you're right."
He picked up his phone and dialed Lissa's number. It rang quite a few times before she answered. In the middle of the night, they were lucky she was even awake.
"Adrian? Sure, who else in the middle of the night," Lissa softly laughed.
"Hey, cousin," Adrian replied. "Listen a need a small, small favor."
"Oh, let me guess! You fell asleep on the sun and need me to heal you" she said.
"You're psychic, aren't you?" Adrian asked.
Lissa entered the room only a minute or two later.
"Holy crap, Adrian, I can't believe you!" she exclaimed.
"I know, right," he said with a grinn. "It's hard to admit I look awesome even lobster red."
Lissa rolled her eyes smiling and reached her hand forward to heal him. I already knew the amazing feeling when someone used spirit on you. Adrian did too. It was like the endorphins from a Strigoi bite, except better, because you were aware of yourself perfectly. Every time I felt spirit, I felt respect for it and for all those rare people wielding it. If it wasn't for it, I'd be dead.
It was worth it, getting Adrian out of trouble anytime he got into it. I knew I have nothing at whine about. He was the way he was. I loved him for it, and even that careless part of him was a big part of what saved my life.
Also, I knew I'd help him anyway. And he'd help me. He'd always be there for me, by my side. He was my best friend; we could rely on eachother.
Adrian wanted to text me something, even when he knew I was in there. So I picked up my phone and overtook him.
Yes, it was me, I wrote. How did you even- I added, but then deleated. I knew he just let everything go.
Thanks, Jailbait. I owe you, he replied.
No, I texted back, you don't. I'll owe you for the rest of my life.
Baby you prevented me becoming roast beef. I think we're either, he answered. I smiled.
Good night, you grill meat, I sent.
Night, he wrote with a smiley face.
Then Eddie came back to the room. "Now I really think we should go to bed," he told me. "Mhm, you're right. It's late."
I watched the view of him getting ready to slip under the bed covers when a thought hit me.
"Did I really make you go outside in boxers?" I asked. He laughed. "Yup, looks like you did."
"Sorry?" I said with what I hoped was an impossible-to-be-mad-at face.
"Oh, don't worry. No one saw me, and I didn't even notice myself until you mentioned."
I shrugged and closed my eyes.
"Jill?" he asked a few minutes later. I sat up in bed and yawned. "Yeah?"
"Oh, sorry, did I wake you up?" He slapped his forehead. "I'm so sorry, just go back to sleep-"
I stopped him: "Damn, Eddie, let a girl answer!" He smiled as I continued: "No, I wasn't asleep yet. If I was, you wouldn't be able to wake me up."
We stared at eachother for a little bit.
"You were saying?" I finally asked.
He didn't seem to know how to say it. He opened his mouth and closed it for a few times, looking for the right words. Damn, did I even want to know this?
"How is it... You know, to have the bond?" he stuttered at last.
I didn't know how to answer at first, and he looked like he thought the question insulted me or something, because he started to talk again: "You know, I'm just wondering. Since I saw the way it affected you, and I thought it'd be better if I knew. It was kind of my fault and-"
I just kept interupting today, didn't I?
"Eddie, it was not your fault! Why do you blame yourself for everything that happens? A Strigoi attack, a group of rebel Moroi attack, being a PERSON! Would you stop?" I exclaimed.
"Okay, okay. Sorry. Don't get upset. I just wish I'd react faster back then," he said. "So, uh, how is it?"
I sighed and considered my next words.
"How is it to have the bond? Sometimes its great. Its great to know you have someone who loves you enough to bring you back from death no matter how hard it was for him. Its great to escape from your own trouble into someone else's head. But sometimes our minds mix up and I don't know where do I stop and where does he start anymore. He feels stronger than I do already, so I just don't feel like myself from time to time. I get so confused. And it's so weird, whenever he feels all those private things even he doesn't want to know, and I don't want to be there, but I don't have a choice, because it's so strong, so powerful... He thinks he's going crazy; how do you think I feel?"
And suddenly, I felt tears stinging in my eyes. But it felt shockingly good. I was relieved, like all the weight of holding it in was off my shoulders. Now I knew why all those people said how conversation helps. Eddie got me and he wanted to listen. I wanted to speak up for so long, but I never realised it.
"I'll never keep it inside for so long anymore," I promised myself in my mind.
"Jill..."
Eddie's eyes were on me, filled with regret. He saw the tears that were comming up, and he was really sorry he even mentioned anything. But now when I started, I had to go on.
"And when spirit gets to him. It's choking him, and it's choking me as well. He can't sleep, and I wake up in the middle of the night... The effects... They're horrible. I wouldn't want my worst enemy to go trough it. Sometimes drinking helps him. But the hangovers are the worst. Only Sydney can really make it better. But... It's so awkward, when they kiss, or even more, and I feel like an intruder... It's an incredible feeling. The love their relationship posseses. It's just that I'm not a part of it!"
I was already choking with the next words I said.
"I just want him to be happy! Both of them! But sometimes it's so hard..."
Then I bursted into tears. Again, I didn't know who was expressing the feelings. I realised Adrian could use talking to someone too.
Well, actually it was too late for that. I haven't seen spirit effects for a long time now.
Eddie ran over the room when I started to sobb and climed into my bed. He wrapped his hand around my shoulder and pressed me closer to him. That's when I knew the tears were mine. I felt his body next to mine, I was too aware of my own reality. Eddie was so warm and supple and comforting...
I loved him, maybe even more than ever, but it was one of the rare moments when I didn't want to kiss him, although he was closer to me than he's ever been before and my heart responded to his closeness just as powerfully as was behind the line. That's where I wanted him to stay.
In that moment Eddie was my friend. And a small part of me deep inside realised that was also a reason I loved him and a reason why it'll hurt even more when he'll start to hold his distance again.
I sobbed loudly, making him press me closer again. He even kissed my forehead gently, and I lay my head on his chest.
"What's wrong with me? Really?" I asked. He sighed. "I have no idea."
"You know what the worst part is?" He looked at me, tilting his head.
"Like, half an hour ago I was thinking all about how happy I am he brought me back and how the bond doesn't even matter. How I'll be just fine, how it's a small price for being alive."
I almost choked down with a weep again, and then took a deep breath. Eddie gave me an ecouraging look.
"And it is! It is a small price," I continued. "I'm absolutely happy to be alive and I realise what a risk he took. I just... I... I don't know."
I gave him a desperat look.
"You were right. I'm nothing like myself lately. Just... What is this?"
Eddie took my hand in his and squeezed it gently.
"I don't know," he said. "But we'll get trough it. Together."
I dug my face into his chest with a sigh.
We stayed like that, with no need to move. My sobbing calmed down soon with him whispering comforting words into my ear. His warm voice was stroking my ears. Even though it started with crying, it was the most pleasant position I was in for a while.
It wasn't long until I fell asleep - in his arms.
Okay, I'm sorry, I myself am in love with this last part. I melted while writing it. And OMG they're sleeping in the same bed! Does anything happen? I guess you won't find out before the next chapter… Which, no matter how corny it is, I hope to post on Valentine's Day… Or maybe even on February 10th.
Oh, my god, the new trailer! I just… Like… Have no words. Love wll conquer all? I hope so.
However, please review, and the next chapter's comming up.