New chapter's here! And it's a long one! I'm sorry for leaving you with an ending like that, this might help… Or not. Thank you for the new reviews! Please, keep reviewing, I'm one review to 25 right now and that would really mean so much! Of course, Richelle Mead owns everything, and there are spoilers for sure. I'm sorry about the mistakes. And I hope you enjoy!

God knows how long I was there. I was just sitting on the bathroom floor, hugging my knees, feeling nothing and everything. The tiles under me were cold like ice, but I didn't really mind it. They were a welcome change from my swollen red face that was burning from the tears. Although I could eventually turn the water off because I managed to stay quiet, the tears didn't want to stop.
My future suddenly didn't seem one bit promising. All the options that were opened before have now narrowed down to one: St. Vladimir's. And as promising as that alternative sounded before, I just didn't know if I still wanted it without him.
Eddie.
He was the only thing on my mind all this time. I knew we weren't all that far apart, but it felt like miles. At least between our souls. His mind was also on me, I knew it. How could he do this?
My throat zipped up again and I moaned trying not to sob out loud, my voice kind of squeeking. The tears were comming more wildly with every second. I collapsed on the floor shaking. With the cold soothing the heat on my face, I hoped it'd stop.
Once again, Adrian was the one to save me.
He still didn't realize he turned the bond back on, and I knew when I'd tell him he'd feel guilty. But still, I felt him comming. As usually, we were supposed to meet for dinner, so he decided to make sure everything was okay when neither Eddie nor I showed up.
I'd locked the room's door before to stop people from seeing me in this pathetc shape. Now, sensing Adrian, I unlocked it. I wouldn't get rid of him anyway, and I didn't really want to. I needed to talk to him. I still didn't completely realize what had happened and Adrian always got me.
So, when Adrian reached Eddie, he was doing exactly what I guessed he would. He was sitting on the floor, leaning on the wall with his face dug into his hands, trying to work the whole thing out.
"Jeez, she kicked you out? What did you do?" Adrian exclaimed. Eddie looked up with a face so miserable it brought the tears back to my eyes.
"I kicked myself out," he replied numbly. Adrian nodded slowly. While I got a mind message saying "What did you do to him?"
"But the door unlocked two minutes ago, so I guess that means you can go in," Eddie continued.
"Thanks," Adrian said and walked in. I deliberately waited comming out of the bathroom until he closed the door.
Adrian was always good in unexpected or awkward situations, but his jaw dropped when he saw my face.
"Okay, I have a strong feeling I missed something huge," he said. I nodded, feeling the tears again. It was surprising how much that happened lately. "Oh, Jailbait," he sighed and hugged me.
We both sat on the couch and I leaned on him like the first night we were here, except that I was still fighting tears. Adrian didn't say anything, because, well, in my current state, it was impossible to reply. The cries were shaking my whole body and frankly, I don't think I'd ever shed tears as badly before. I dug my face into his shirt and sobbed out loud, not even caring that Eddie would hear me anymore. Adrian held me in place, that alone making me feel better. I had to let it all out.
It took a while, but I calmed down eventually.
Adrian gave me a piercing look. "What happened?" he asked simply. "And don't pretend it doesn't have to do with Eddie," he added.
I smiled with a sniff. It was weird Like I could still feel Eddie's kiss on my lips, every place he touched was still burning. After making such a scene, I knew I can't avoid telling Adrian what happened. But I could still try. It wasn't for the lack of trust, it was the fact that I couldn't stand him feeling guilty about it. He wasn't, but he wouldn't believe it.
"It doesn't matter," I replied.
"You made it kind of obvious that it does," he told me. We actually started to fight about wheter it matters or not.
"Why do you even want to know so much?" I asked in the end. It took him a second to answer.
"Because you always helped me. I want to do anything I can to do the same. You saved my life more times than I saved yours. Remember how many times we went over and over everything that's happened with Sydney? And I love you. I care about you. And Eddie. Also, I'm pretty sure you're blaming yourself for something that's not even your fault. And, of course, I'm curious."
I sighed. I had to tell someone anyway. And he was right. He could help me better than anyone else.
"Okay, fine. But just... Listen for now," I told him. He nodded.
"Here's the thing."
I sighed, feeling chills when I thought of it all over again.
"I, um... We were in the room. He went to pick us up some snacks... That are still here, actually," I realized. "So if you're hungry..."
Adrian shook his head pationatelly and I continued: "While Eddie was gone, you let go of the bond blockade." His eyes widened and I felt he realized it was true, but he didn't say anything.
"What happened was you were making out with Sydney, and you forgot. Which is completely understandable. But I suddenly, with no reason whatsoever, couldn't take it anymore. So I freaked out-"
"Jill, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to-" he started, feeling as guilty as I knew he would. He thought he'd falied again. Exactly what I didn't want to happen happened.
"Shut up, it's not your fault and this is exactly why I didn't want to tell you," I said.
"But look, I let go and I shouldn't have. I'm sorry," he said with a sad look in his green eyes.
"Stop apologizing, I'm talking," I told him. He gave me a small smile and left the word to me. I was about to continue, but then I felt he closed the bond again.
"No, don't do that. It doesn't help either of us," I said gently. Adrian shook his head. "Jill, I can't let you take the effects. What do you think this was, when you couldn't take it anymore, if not spirit? The moment I let go, you started to take it over."
"But there'd be nothing to take over if you just let go. It's too risky, you damage yourself too much by constantly using this amount. You haven't used spirit ever since you got to Court, except in small amounts. You can hold it back, and we'll both be okay. And I need you in my life. I missed you when you held yourself away," I told him, begging him with my eyes. All I was thinking was that I couldn't let him do that. The funny part was that he was thinking the same thing about me.
"But didn't you say you couldn't take it?" he asked me. I sighed.
"That was just a second. Adrian, please."
He nodded. "You may continue," he told me and let go off the barrier in in his mind.
"Alright. Well, I started screaming that I can't take it anymore and that I want it to stop..."
Adrian opened his mouth to apologize again, but bit his lip right away.
"...Of course he didn't know what to do right away. But then... He kissed me. HE kissed ME. And it was magnificent. Like with you and Sydney. It was even a bit more than just kissing. It was the best moment of my life..."
I got lost in reliving that moment for a second, with Adrian giving me a knowing look. Until I remembered what followed.
"Then Angeline walked in. And... I think he realized what he's done. Well, I told him I just want to... You know... Be with him. Then he gave me a bunch of ridiculous reasons why that's the worst idea ever. And I told him why it's not. I mean, come on! We love each other! So he had to tell me the complete truth. First he told me how he can't tske the judging and what the people would think... And then, when I was already feeling all sorry for him, he said he believed all that stuff too. That we can't be together because I'm a princess and he's a guardian. Isn't that the biggest nonsense ever? I mean, it's not true! Maybe some people would stare in the beginning, but it's not like no one's ever seen it before! The problem is, he thinks he's not worth me and I should live happily ever after with some prince or something... He practically dumped me from a relationship that never happened," I cried. Adrian wrapped his arm around me with a sigh. I leaned my head on his shoulder.
"You know why this is shit?" he asked. I looked at him. "Cause I'm pretty sure you don't want to hear that he's a jerk and not worth you. We both know that's not true. Just... He doesn't. Fuck, I don't know what to say. You guys are getting your moment. Definetly. He just needs to see it. On his own. And if I know him as much as I think, he will sooner or later. Look, Jill, I promise, eventually, he will change his mind. He just needs to realize already," he sighed impationately. Yeah, I wanted that too, but it wasn't reality.
"How can you promise something you don't even know?" I asked.
"What if I do know?" he returned misteriously.
"You can't know. I know everything you know. You don't know," I replied. That was definetly something I'd bother finding in his mind. I knew everything Eddie ever told him.
"Yes, I do. You're in the exact same situation I was in with Sydney. And look at us now, we're married," he smirked. I smiled. They were just lucky, even if it was hard to believe after everything they'd been through.
"Yes, but... Just because it happened once, it doesn't mean it has to happen again. Life's not always the same, you know. And with you guys, and with others, like Rose and Dimitri, there was this impossible love with barriers you guys could barely defeat, and with us... There's nothing forbidden. He's the only thing holding us back."
"I know. But he loves you. No one can resist that for so long. He'll let it go," he said gently. But I didn't buy that any more.
"I don't think he will. I don't even think he loves me," I almost whispered. Adrian gave me a look that was letting me know I'm being ridiculous.
"Of course he does! He's just afraid of loving you!" he exclaimed.
"So? What's the difference between not loving me and being afraid of love? Either way, we won't be together. Not everything ends with happily ever after," I sighed and leaned on him again. He gave me a sad smile, neither of us saying anything for a while.
"What are you going to do?" Adrian asked at last. I closed my eyes and exhaled. Yeah, I had one more not so pleasant thing to tell him.
"I'm going to try to get over him. I'm going back to St. Vladimir's. Without him."
Adrian stared at me, eyes wide open, face pale. His mind was... Empty. For a second, I thought he got a heart attack.
"You can't do that!" he exclaimed at last. "You can't leave me! How am I supposed to survive without you?" A faint smile crossed my lips.
"What else do you expect me to do? I can't stay around him, you know it. I can't stay at Court and ask him to move away so that I can get over him. I need some time away from him to get over it succesfully. Remember how Palm Springs helped you with Rose?" I asked. He shook his head with a smile.
"Jailbait, when it's real, you don't get over it."
"It's my choice! I'm going!" I exclaimed. He sighed.
"Yeah, you're right. Sorry. I mean, we still have the whoke summer."
He was right. I was going to miss all of them so much! I had to take advantage of this summer.
But Adrian just told me I wouldn't be able to get over Eddie. Was that true? I had to get over it if it wasn't happening! I couldn't just cry about him for the rest of my life. I didn't want to. Wait...
"If it doesn't happen, it can't be meant to be," I said. Wow, was I really quoting Luke?
Luke!
"I know what I'm gonna do!" I exclaimed eagerly. Adrian gave me a curious look.
"I'm gonna go ut with Luke!"
A tornado of thoughts hit me. Adrian's thoughts, to be precise. Ever since the Rose incident happened, he was strongly against being with someone you don't love. Suddenly, he saw himself and his own mistakes in Luke. He was about to tell me not to do it, to wait for Eddie, because he didn't want anyone to go through what he had to. I didn't want to do that to Luke either, because I felt everything Adrian felt back then too. That's why I said no in the first place. But now, Eddie wasn't happening. Ever.
"Jill, be careful. Don't break Luke's heart," Adrian told me. I smiled.
"I won't. Eddie and I aren't going to get together anyway, so. And I'll let Luke know it's just a one time thing. We live the whole country apart anyway. I won't give the wrong impression. And besides, I already told him about Eddie. So he knows I can't be all that over him the next day. I can't just sit and wait until the rest of my life, can I?" I asked, not really sounding all that convincing.
"I know, you're right," he sighed. "I still don't think it's a very good idea, but as you said. Your choice. I'm not gonna tell you what to do. I'm just... Ugh, I'm really gonna miss you, you know."
I hugged him, which came out a bit more awkward than intended, since we were still sitting next to each other. Oh, well. We've reached the point where we didn't care a long time ago.
"I'm gonna miss you too," I whispered and pressed myself closer to him.
A knock on the door interrupted our bromance hugging. "It's open!" I called. I still didn't want to face Eddie.
The visitor turned out to be Sydney.
"I, um, brought you guys some dinner," she said insecurely, making it sound like a question.
"Thanks," I replied. Adrian smiled, which was a surprisingly calm thing to do, since he was a second away from getting up and kissing her. I hoped everyone wouldn't hold their lovelife back because of me.
"And we still have the snack," he added. "We better start eating."
Sydney also brought something to Eddie. He still refused to come in. I still refused to face him.
I wasn't really hungry, after everything that's happened, but I still managed to eat something. Then Adrian and Sydney both left and I took my phone to call Luke up.
It didn't happen immediately, though. Because I got pulled into Adrian's mind again. This time, it was by his command.
Eddie stopped him when he left my room, asking him if he can pass him a 'message' for me. I knew, Adrian knew, Sydney knew and Eddie knew that he was counting on the bond.
"So, could you please tell Jill," Eddie repeated (the first time he said it Adrian pulled me into his head) and sighed, trying to put himself together, "That I'm really sorry about what happened earlier." He looked into Adrian's eyes and reached right into my soul. His look was telling me he's telling pure truth and he spoke with a broken voice.
"I didn't mean to hurt her or upset her in any way. I just... She asked and I told her the truth. I really do love her and I want to be with her, but it just can't happen. I can't let it happen, I can't take it. I'm not strong enough. Hell, I'm not even strong enough to tell her this myself, and I'm sorry for that too. I can't face her... But tell her I wish things could be as normal between us as possible," he said and closed his eyes for a few seconds. When he opened them back, all the broken feelings from before were gone and he looked all guardian-like again.
"I'll let her know," Adrian said warmly without a single message through the bond.
Since my phone was still in my hands, I texted him my answer to this touching speach Eddie gave: Tell him a few words can't fix a broken heart and that he could at least try if he really wanted to. And that after doing what he did, he has no right to be all adorable on me. I'm still going out with Luke. But I agree with the 'friends' thing. I have to get over it.
Adrian replied with a mental sigh.
Since I was still going out with Luke, I had to call him for it. I took my phone back to type his number. But first, I had to work through where I'd put it. The last time I remembered having it in my hands was when I squeezed it and went back to our table to get hit by a splash of questions. Where did I put it then? My dress didn't have any pockets or anything. Knowing myself, I probably left it on the table.
I sighed. If anyone kept an eye on it, it was Angeline. So I called her up. Soon I learned I knew her too, obviously.
"Um, yeah, you left it on the table when we went to the after party. So I took it. Sorry, but I just couldn't leave his phone number there, okay!" she exclaimed, making me laugh.
"It's okay. The fact that you apologized is a sign of how much progress you've made," I scoffed. It was hilarious, the fangirl we'd turned a country savage into. And yet, she was still, um... Tough. Feisty. "And I'm glad you took it, because I need it now," I said hesitatingly. I was aware of the reaction I'd make.
"Oh, my God are you finally going out with him!?" Angeline shrieked so loud I almost dropped my phone.
"Yeah, actually," I replied. I was blushing (when wasn't I blushing), even knowing she can't see me.
"Okay, I'll be right there!" she exclaimed, shrieked again and cancled the call.
She really was right there. But she didn't give me the paper until I explained the short version of why Eddie's in the front of the room and until I heard all of the instructions about what do I say to Luke. Then she passed me the number, acting like a drug dealer. She even told me to keep an eye on it from now on.
I saved the number into my contacts the moment she left, but I just couldn't get myself to dial it. There was no reason to be nervous, but somehow, I still was. What if Luke changed his mind? What if Eddie'll change his mind? What if I really do break Luke's heart?
Well, there always were risks in life, I thought. And besides, Luke knew my situation, and we'd be leaving in three days. And as hard as that was to admit, I knew Eddie wouldn't change his mind.
So finally, I exhaled and clicked the 'call' key. At first I thought he wouldn't even answer, because it rang empty for a while, but then Luke answered, all out of breath.
"Hey, it's me. Jill," I said, feeling kind of insecure again.
"Oh, hey, princess. What's up?"
I took a deep breath, trying to relax. It was just Luke! I met him the night before, and felt the first moment I could talk about nothing forever with him. And anyway, I was on the phone with him already. I couldn't just hang up.
"So, remember that date you mentioned?" I asked and paused to let him answer. The silence on the other side was probably a sign of agreement.
"I changed my mind. I really think we should go," I said. A bit more of that silence followed.
"Oh, great!" he exclaimed the second I was about to ask if he's still there. "Yeah, we really should. You know, princess, I knew you'd change your mind. They always do. But I didn't expect it that fast. What gives?"
I laughed.
"Well, I realized you were right yesterday. Eddie and I aren't very likely to happen. So, I should just live right now. And as I said, you seem to be an amazing guy and if you're willing to go out with me, why not?"
Luke snorted.
"And what led you to that realization?" he asked. Too bad it was none of his bussiness for now. And a depressing topic to talk about.
"It doesn't matter. It's a long story," I told him.
"Okay then, you'll tell me tomorrow. I'll pick you up at eight?" he said, making it sound like a question. Since I didn't have any plans for the next day, and even if I did, I'd have to change them because of the awkwardness that might happen with Eddie, I agreed.
When the phone call was over, I texted Angeline about the arrangments I made, because I knew she'd want to know anything related to Luke.
Then, after she'd banged my phone with about 5 thousand texts, I showered and was about to go to sleep. But as I wrapped myself into the covers, Eddie's empty bed next to mine looked wrong. He couldn't just sleep outside, that would be mean...
I sighed and got up from the comfortable shelter I already made, walked off to the door and peeked my head through it. Eddie's brown eyes with a troubled look met mine. He didn't expect me, I could tell.
"You're not really going to sleep outside, are you?" I asked him. He shrugged.
"I was about to, actually, why?" he replied, making me realize I missed his voice the whole four hours I hadn't heard it.
"You can't. That would be ridiculous. Come back inside."
He followed me, his lips twitching in the about-to-smile mood. I climbed back into my bed and pulled the cover over my head while he was in the shower. Then he told me goodnight, but I pretended I'm asleep already. Because I couldn't reply without starting to cry again. It was clear we wouldn't stay up all night again talking. Or that I wouldn't wake up in his arms the next morning. The fact that everything changed this much in one day was choking me. I fell asleep in tears.
The next morning I woke up to an empty room. He'd already left God knows where. That brought a flashback of yesterday's events. I smiled, thinking of the kiss, then moaned when I remembered what'd followed.
No, no depressing thoughts. Not today. I had to get ready for the date and look great on it. I had to get over him.
I got up and put some clothes on, then left for brealfast, feeling like a zombie. I might have sat next to Eddie only minutes after our second kiss, but this time I didn't even dare to look at him. Most of the day was again spent at the beach, except that I wasn't really feeling it this time. I was just mostly craving for shots of vodka, because I knew from experience (althought not mine) that it was a good way to forget. The worst part was that everyone knew something had happened, and they all pitied me. They weren't to blame, but still. As if I didn't feel lame enough.
In the end I left back to the room early. I had to get ready anyway, and I knew my friends'd be back in time I'd need their help.
I wore the jade green halter dress I bought yesterday, also known as 'the dress that'll win Eddie over'. Or was supposed to.
It still hugged me just as tightly and smoothly as the day before and I felt beautiful in it. I just hoped I'd wear it on a different opportunity.
The next half an hour was spent in front of the mirror, while I was trying to work through whether the dress is too excessive. I decided it wasn't, it was actually perfect for this and loads of other opportunities, and it's not like I had something else to wear. The shoes I went with were the stilettos, because - although that wasn't very often with human guys - Luke was much taller than me. Then I also tried to put some make up on, the way that would be natural, but still nice, like I made some effort with it and not just threw something on.
It would, however, probably be helpful if I had any idea about make up whatsoever.
The whole thing took me quite a while, during which I went through the phases of a clown, a racoon and Gollum from Lord of the Rings. Then I washed my whole face and decided to let the experts help me.
Speaking of which, I called Adrian up. From the bond I knew he was back already from the beach with the rest of the crew.
"Listen, I have a small favor to ask you," I said. He waited for me to go on, so I continued: "Remember all the times you asked me if you can help me with my hair so it won't look that horrible?"
He bursted out laughing, but just for a second. He held back for my sake, although I could feel he was still tourturing. "Yeah?"
"Well, you can do that now," I told him.
"For the date? You sure you don't like that guy?" he asked, still smiling despite himself. My silence was a clear enough of an answer. I also gave an eyeroll, which he couldn't see.
"Okay, I'm comming," he said and cancled the call. Two minutes later he was at my door with a full lap of hairstyling products. Especially the ten bottles of hairgel stood out. And I was never able to work through why he needed a curling iron. But so what, it still made me laugh.
"No mocking, Jailbait, this is serious bussiness," he told me with suspiciously twitching lip corners. I still laughed, even though he was probably right. My hair was a horrible mess for as long as I could remember, and if he was able to make it work, then take a bow.
He sat me down on a chair and told me to get comfortable, because I'd be there for a while. Which wasn't easy, because the palm leaf seat had kind of a stringy effect on my butt.
What Adrian started with felt like he was just stroking my hair. It turned out it was actually more hurtful for the comb than me, because, well, it broke. We both laughed at that.
"Okay, let's try with the brush," Adrian commented. That was slightly progressing, because I felt brief tugs while he was brushing my hair. But we still needed to use a conditioner, a straightener and a blow dryer before anything else could be done.
The final result was a gorgeous side-swept messy braid. I couldn't hide a smile as Adrian passed me the mirror and I saw the reflection.
"Thanks," I said. "I look amazing."
Adrian smiled. "You really do. And Eddie's stupid if he can't see it," he said. I sighed, thinking of him.
"Where is he anyway?"
Adrian shrugged. "I don't know, he came back with the rest of us, then I lost track."
"I hope he's not comming here. I just can't..."
He put his hand on my shoulder and stroke it gently.
"Well, then we'll probably have to stop talking about him, huh?" he chuckled.
"We're like two gossiping old ladies!" I exclaimed, making us both burst out laughing. Then I looked back at the mirror, admiringly gazing at the masterpiece he'd created out of an impossible material.
"But I had no idea you were that good at this. From now on you're my official hair stylist."
He grinned. "Thanks, I kinda miss dealing with hair." He wasn't wearing hair gel ever since Sydney was taken. Well, barely ever. It was weird to get used to it for both of us. "And I had no idea too," he continued. "I just... Threw something together. It's my artistic streak working. This might fall apart in two minutes."
"By the amout of hair spray you put on, I don't think so," I laughed. "Hey, you don't happen to know anything about make up, do you?" I asked. He shook his head with a smirk.
"Sorry, my skill ends here. But find me for Halloween of you need a skeleton on your cheek. If you want make up done proffesionally, call Lissa and Rose."
I nodded. "Yeah, I was about to anyway. Thanks."
I called them up as soon as he left. And Angeline too. This wouldn't he happening without her, and I knew she'd want to be a part of this. Although that still didn't mean I took any of her fashion or, God help me, behaviour advice.
"The dress that'll win Eddie over?" Rose exclaimed with a sad voice without even saying hello. She threw herself on Eddie'y bed and studied me carefully.
"I think we both know it won't," I replied just as miserably.
"What I think is that it will if you let him see you today. You look amazing! What did you do with your hair?" Lissa asked cheerfully. I dropped my gaze blushing and touched the braid gently with a smile.
"Thanks. The hair was actually Adrian's part," I said, making Rose smirk.
"Well, who would've thought. Lissa's right, you look fantastic," she said.
That's when they started with the make up part. The consequences of having the bond for years were still visible. Rose and Lissa were in perfect harmony, passing each other things like they're reading minds. I could just stare in awe when they were done. My jaw actually dropped when I saw myself. I looked so nothing like myself, but still exactly like myself. It wasn't too much, but you could still see it. I wouldn't even try to describe what they'd done, because I still didn't have a clue, but the results were gorgeous. Thank God I had a bunch of proffesionals for friends.
"Thank you guys so much," I said, barely tearing my look away from the mirror. I'd never looked this good in my whole life. It felt magnificent.
The girls then left the room, leaving me in an anxious waiting mood. Angeline came towards me one more time before leaving, squeezing both of my hands tight, looking like a happy bubble that's about to blow up. It looked like she couldn't even say a word.
I sighed as the door closed and sank into the couch. I had 15 minutes of waiting left. Two minutes later the clock'd barely moved. Would it hurt Luke if he showed up a little early?
Finally, right on time, a gentle knock on the door sounded. I got up with a deep breath and opened up. Luke's perfect face smiled at me. His grin even widened when he saw me.
"Wow, princess, you look amazing," he said. I chuckled. "So I keep hearing. You look great too."
He really did. His eyes were even more blue than I remembered and, the weirdest part, he was surprisingly tanned for a Moroi.
Well, however, we set off. He took me to a tropical bar that looked a lot like the hotel's, except that it was bigger and a bit more fancy.
I ordered orange juice that seemed to have something else mixed in. Not alcohol, luckily. I couldn't stand it, especially after the experience I'd had with Adrian. The drink was still delicious, and I spent about five minutes just quietly sipping it. I didn't really know what to say.
"Hey, what's your not-so-friend doing here?" Luke suddenly asked. He nodded into some direction and I followed his gaze, seeing no one but Eddie awkwardly sitting there, pretending he's not watching. The blood in my veins boiled. Did he have to ruin this?
"I... Excuse me for a second," I told Luke and ran towards Eddie, feeling terribly guilty about leaving after five minutes. But it still only seemed to amuse Luke.
"Eddie, what on Earth are you doing here?" I cried. He frowned.
"Lissa sent me to look after you. And she's right. You can't just leave to the middle of the city you barely know with a guy you barely know!" he exclaimed. Oh, God, I couldn't believe her. Seriously? I fumed with rage as I walked a bit away and took my phone to text Lissa.
Why would you help me fix up just to sabotage my date? I wrote. Her response came almost immediately, like she'd been waiting by the phone for me to contact her. I'm not sabotaging your date, I'm just looking out for you was the answer. Again: seriously?
But why Eddie of all guardians that we have with us and are at the hotel? I sent. I could practically see Lissa scoffing as I read her reply: Because everyone else's busy being coupled up. And, I mean, you bought that dress for him. He should at least see you.
I didn't even try to answer that. I just returned to Luke and smiled.
"He's also my guardian. It's kind of annoying sometimes," I explained and dropped my gaze back to the drink.
"So, um..."
The silence was still awkward and I didn't know what to say. It barely ever happened with Eddie. We could even talk about things like Star Wars. Wait... Star Wars... Luke...
"Does your dad ever go all like 'Luke, I am your father' on you?" I asked. Oh, God. Did I really just say that? It sounded way better in my head. Why was I so nervous when I didn't really like him that much?
"He used to," Luke said and looked down. I immediately thought I hit a tragic topic. He looked really hurt. How did I do this kind of fails?
"Oh, I'm so sorry... What hapoened? Did he... Leave, did he die?"
I should probably shut up before digging myself even deeper, but I was never good at shutting up.
Luke snorted, and I completely lost track of what's going on.
"What? No. He..." Luke put his hand dramatically over his heart and spoke with a pretend broken voice: "He saw Star Wars for the seventeenth time, got sick of it and stopped quoting it..."
I opened my mouth and punched his shoulder, trying to look outraged, but couldn't hide a smile. We both bursted out laughing.
"I can't believe you," I muttered with a frowny smile.
"Oh, admit it, you love me, princess. And with my drama skills, I'll be able to play myself in the novie they'll make about my awesomness," he said, making me laugh again.
"I can take care of the budget, I'd love to see that," I said. From then on the conversation went smoothly. As I knew from before, Luke was easy to talk to. First he convinced me to tell him what had happened with Eddie (who was still there). Then he saw I became a bit more quiet talking about that and brought on a few lighter subjects. We ended up talking about their band. Then, out of nowhere, I asked him to sing something to me.
"But I don't have a guitar or any kind of backup," he said. Oh, he was trying to sneak out of it. That was enough of a reason to make him do it.
"Come on, it's just me!" That still didn't seem to convince him. "Or I'll tell everyone you sing on playback!" He sighed and shook his head smiling.
"Okay. What song?" I shrugged.
"Your choice," I said. He hesitated for a few seconds and then hit his leg with his hand a few times to get the rythem. He started to sing a slow romantic song. I didn't recognise it until he got to the chorus: "I can be your hero, baby. I can kiss away the pain. I will stand by you forever. You can take my breath away..."
The song was called Hero and its original performer was Enrique Iglesias. But it also suited Luke and his voice very nice. Its calmness made me a bit melancholic.
"What did you think?" he asked me after it was over.
"You don't know what I want from a hero," I replied with that gloom still in my voice. He chuckled.
"We are so adorable and romantic," he said.
"Watch out, you might catch diabetes," I laughed. He did too.
And so, the night went on and on, we never ran out of topics to talk about and I laughed so much it was like doing 150 situps. We had a lot of fun. The sun was already high in the sky and I didn't feel like going home.
"But, you know, you really do look beautiful. Not only in this dress, always," Luke said and held both of my hands. I smiled and even managed not to blush. It was a perfect romantic movie moment. Of course, Luke leaned in to kiss me.
And I suddenly started to panic. I didn't want him to kiss me! Especially with Eddie watching! I wasn't ready to kiss someone else after a day! I didn't even like Luke that much!
Luke closed his eyes. His lips were comming closer and closer, I felt like it's all happening in slow motion. I grimaced and leaned back. And back and back, but I was too careful and too slow. Luke's face was already above mine, then his lips hit mine, and... I fell backwards into the sand.
I tried to aviod kissing someone who wasn't Eddie so bad I fell from my chair. And all I could think about was that Eddie's watching.
I definetly wasn't getting over him.

This still doesn't say much, does it? I need your comments for this one so bad! What did you think about the date? I'd write it till the end but the chapter's already longer than intended. So you'll have to wait until the next one ;) Oh, and I also started a new story, a Marly one, if you didn't notice. It's called Break Free. I won't finish it as long as I'm busy with this story, but feel free to check it out! And until the next time, please, review both!