Elements: The Gifted
Chapter 17: A Burning Heart

A few months went by and Ibecame envious of Jordan and Alicia’s relationship. Not because they werealways together, but because I was getting nowhere with my relationship withAlex. I was dying for Alex to make the next move. I was too shy to kiss him firstso I always waited while we hung out on the top of the roof or when we lingeredoutside my room as he wished me goodnight. I would often lean into him, makingmy intent clear, hoping that he would make the next move and press his lipsagainst mine. But every time I tried this technique, he would just look at mestrangely before walking away. After that I would drag myself into my room andland face first on my bed, while trying to muffle my screams in my pillow.

The next day was the beginning of February and all aroundI could see posters and banners that hung in the corridors, reminding studentsthat on Valentine’s Day, at exactly eight o’clock in the gym, everyone was toprepare themselves for the Valentine Ball, by purchasing tickets and gowns beforethe deadline. I instantly wondered if Alex was going to ask me. Oh, I hope so.Maybe then he’ll kiss me and we can both live our happily ever after orwhatever the hell happens after it becomes official. I just wanted something tohappen – to let me know that his feelings for me were mutual.

So I waited every day when we got the chance to hang out,hoping that maybe he’d ask me, but he never brought it up. Surely he must knowabout it. For God sakes, the information on the Valentine Ball was everywhere!So what was the deal?

I was laying spread eagle on my bed, these thoughtsheavily on my mind, when I heard a knock at my door. I shot up from my bed andpeered through the peep hole to make sure it wasn’t a creeper, waiting outsideto kill me. When I saw that it was Alex, my heart beat started picking up,beating faster and faster as I gazed at his handsome profile. He gave me afinger wave. I giggled as I opened the door.

“Hey, what’s up?”’

“Hey,” Alex replied. He seemed nervous, which instantlymade me wonder if he had come to ask me to be his date for the ball. “Do youmind if I come in?”

“Of course,” I said, as I held the door open for him. Hesmiled as he passed by me. I closed the door and sat down on my bed, whilewatching as Alex took a seat at my desk. I repressed a frown. Why did he haveto sit all the way over there? I don’t bite. I forced a smile. “So what’s up?”

“Um…I came to ask you something…and you can say no if youwant.”

“Okay,” I was trying to keep the excitement hidden frommy voice. In the end, I sounded like I had inhaled helium.

“Well, I was wondering…if maybe…”

“Yes.” He’s goingto ask me. I know he is.

He blushed. “Well, I was wondering if you could help mewith an assignment.”

“What?” Even I could hear the disappointment in my voice.So much for hoping.

“I’m having trouble writingthis stupid poem that we have to write in Communications class.”

I couldn’t help but agree that the assignment was stupid.Mrs. York wanted us to write a poem to our “future soul mates” as she calledthem. I believe that there is someone out there for you, but I wouldn’t callthem soul mates.

“I’mnot very good at poems. My friend Jordan, however, is. But good luck gettinghim to help you.” I frowned. “He’s too busy with his girlfriend nowadays.”

“Oh,” Alex said, blank-faced. “Well, maybe you could helpme come up with some bull crap anyway.”

Or maybe you couldask me to the Valentine Ball. Instead I said, “Sure.”

I decided to do mine along with him. I mean, it didn’thurt to get it over with. And even though he never asked me to be his date forthe stupid Ball, I still had fun.

When we had it finished, I walked him to my door.

“That was fun.”

“Yeah, it was.” Maybe he’ll ask me now!

But to my dismay, all I got was a small smile as he openedmy door and left. He didn’t even bother to say goodnight.

“So I’ve got some greatnews,” Ms. Hardwick said as everyone turned their attention to the front of theclass. “I’ve been thinking awfully hard about it, and I realized that you guyshave been a really good class this year.”

Everyone whooped and hollered at this, except for me andAlex. Neither one of us really cared about what was going on. I looked at Alex,hoping maybe I could send a psychic message to him.

Ask me to theValentine Ball.

What?I was startled when I realized thatit wasn’t Alex that had replied, but Jordan. I turned around and saw Jordaneyeing me strangely.

Sorry, Ithought back. That was supposed to be toAlex.

Jordan chuckled. Iwasn’t aware that you had an N’Sync bond with Torchwood. Should I be worried?

Naw.I’m just being silly.

Jordan smiled before turning back around.

“So,” Ms. Hardwick said. “I was thinking we could have aValentine party. Don’t worry about providing anything; I’ll take care of that.But I think it will be fun and it will give you guys a day to relax from allthe studying you’ve been doing. I’m thinking we should do it next Thursday.What do you guys think?”

What I thought was irrelevant. I just want Alex to be mydate to the stupid Valentine Ball.

When the bell rang, I gathered my stuff and said bye toAlex as I joined my friends. I was walking a few steps behind them, my headlost in the clouds when I became aware that Jordan had fallen in step with me.I noticed that Alicia was watching us very closely as she and Jenniferwhispered to one another.

“Hey,” he said.

“Long time, no see.” I answered in return.

Jordan laughed. “God, I know. I’m sorry. I haven’t beenmuch of a friend, have I?”

“You’re fine, Jordan. You guys are just in that placewhere you want to be with each all the time. It’s okay.”

“So what was going on in class? You were acting reallyweird.”

I groaned. “I’ll tell you later. I’m giving myself aheadache just from thinking about it.”

“Whatever makes you comfortable.” Jordan said. He gave mea gentle smile. “But know that I’m here for you.”

“I know you are.” Even if he’s always with Alicia, I knowhe’ll always be my best friend.

To my surprise, Jordandecided that he wanted to spend the evening with me and catch up. We were in myroom, both of us lying side-by-side on my bed as we talked and laughed like oldtimes. It was nice, just me and him. It felt like it was just us again. Ilistened as Jordan told me that he and Alicia were both going to the ValentineBall, along with Morgan and Jennifer. I felt some sympathy for Jennifer. Shewas going to be having a long night.I couldn’t stop myself from feeling a little bitter though. It seemed likeeveryone had a date, but me. Then I realized that wasn’t true. Gabrielle,Scarlett, and Mia didn’t have dates either so that made me feel a littlebetter. If all hope fails and Alex doesn’t ask me, I’ll just make Gabrielle mydate instead.

Jordan kicked my leg, making me smile.

“Soit’s later. Are you going to tell me?”

I sighed. I was hoping he’d forget about it. “Alex hasn’tasked me to the Valentine Ball. I’m starting to think maybe he only sees me asa friend.”

Jordan sat up then, his face outraged. “Then he’s crazy.Any guy would be lucky to go to the dance with you.”

“Thanks Jordan,” Though I didn’t really believe him.Usually people only say that when their feeling sorry for you.

“Have you ever wondered if maybe dances aren’t really histhing?” Jordan asked abruptly. In a weird way, it was almost like he wasdefending Alex. How odd.

“Why would you think that?”

“C’mon. Dances involve people. Alex hate’s crowds. It’snot rocket science, you know.”

I looked at Jordan with wide, sad eyes. “I’m going to bedateless, aren’t I?”

“Now don’t think like that. There are plenty of guys hereat the academy that would love to beyou’re date at the ball.”

“If you say CameronI’ll kick you.” I threatened.

“Not Cameron,” Jordan scoffed. “Even I wouldn’t want younear that! I was thinking maybeGeorge Dawson.”

“He’s got big ears.” I whined.

“So what? He thinks you’re hot and he’s an earth user,which means he’s a nice guy.”

I rolled my eyes. “He’s not Alex.”

“No, he’s definitely not. I don’t understand why thatmatters.”

I didn’t say anything for several minutes. How could Iexplain it to him so he’ll understand? “I love him.”

Jordan did double take at my words. “I’m sorry, what?”

“I love him. He makes me feel beautiful and doesn’t evenhave to tell me. And I can relent to him.”

“Really? How so?”

“Well, we’ve both been shunned most of our lives. I’venever had friends until I met you and the others. The only people I really hadwas my mom and family. And to this day, most of them still don’t understand me.Some are even afraid me,” I started thinking about my two cousins, Carmen andKelsey. Neither one hardly even looked at me during Thanksgiving or Christmasbreak. “Alex is the only one I have ever met who truly understands what itfeels like to be rejected and unseen. Maybe that’s why I noticed him the way Idid. Because on some level, I knew that he had suffered in life too. I mean, Ihad it rough, but it’s nothing compared to what he’s gone through. And I thinkthat’s why God brought him to me. “

“You thought about this long and hard, didn’t you?”Jordan asked, dryly.

“Well, yeah. It’s Alex.” He didn’t reply. Instead hesmirked at me. I pointed a warning finger at him. “You better not set me up ona date with George Dawson. If you do I might have to kill you.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” he said. “I wouldn’t do that to you. Justlet me know if I can help.”

It was my turn to kick his leg. He winced. “I thinkyou’ve done enough, butthead.” Jordan laughed, before mussing up my hair. Ifrowned and slapped his hand away, which seemed to amuse him even more. Thensomehow we started wrestling on my bed, kicking and slapping one another.Eventually we both fell off my bed, our limps tangled together.

“You really know how to show a guy a real good time.”Jordan teased.

“Yeah, I bet you say that to all the girls you hang outwith.”

He chuckled. “I better go.” I crawled away from Jordan ashe stood up. He held his hand out to me and pulled me to my feet. “I need tosee my girl before we both have to go to bed.”

“Okay,” I said as I watched him head to the door. “Besafe.” I hope he heard the double meaning in my words.

He squinted his eyes at me, making me laugh. “Bye,Spence.” The door locked instantly behind him as he left. What a day. Of courseit wasn’t over yet. I had to talk to Alex. I suddenly had this urge to see him.I checked the clock. It was a little past nine-thirty. He should be in his roomby now. I grabbed my sweater from the back of my chair, shrugged it on as Imade my way to the door. I peeked outside, making sure there was no one aroundand snuck out of my room.

I pounded on Alex’s door,hoping to God that he wasn’t about to go to bed. To my relieve, he was stillfully dressed when he answered the door. I waved sheepishly at him.

“What are you doing here so late?It’s almost curfew.”

“I wanted to see you,” I said. Icould feel my cheeks reddening. Why is it so embarrassing for me to say thesethings? “Do you mind if I come in?”

Alex didn’t reply. He just held thedoor open, his face unreadable. As I entered his room, I couldn’t help but takein my surroundings. For a boy’s room, it was surprisingly clean. His bed was onthe right side of the room, black bed sheets unmade, with a small nightstandbeside it. I nearly gasped when I saw the rose that I had given him pinned tohis head board. It still looked lively and beautiful. I'm just surprised thathe kept it. Part of me was so sure that he would throw it away. With my heartabout to pop right out of my chest, I started looking around some more. Thewalls were mostly covered with his drawings, which were marvelous. I wascaptivated by one drawing that was of a man that, to my surprise, lookedexactly like Alex.

“That was my dad,” he said,following my gaze. I felt a chill go through me. So this was Azazel. Alex doeslook a lot like him. I turned around in astonishment.

“Why do you have a drawing of him?”I asked, wearily.

“It’s not what you think,” he said.For the first time I felt unsure. For someone who hated his father, why did hehave a drawing of him? “That was before he became possessed. When he was a goodman. I keep it to remind myself that he was once just like everyone else. Itgives me a reason not to be afraid of him. My father – like everyone else – can be killed.”

“Because everything has a weakness.”

“Exactly.” Alex said, deadpan. “AndI can’t wait to see him suffer. The way Isuffered.”

“Alex,” I said. Suddenly theValentine Ball didn’t seem so important anymore. “Are you ever going to tell mewhat happened that night?”

“Why would I ever want to talk aboutit?” he snapped. “It’s in the past.”

“Yes,” I said. “But it’s your past andI want to know. Please.”

I stared at him with pleading eyesas I watched him. He seemed lost and unsure. Oh, Alex, I thought sadly. I staggered towards him and took hisface in my hands. His skin felt surprisingly soft and he smelled wonderful. Asa matter fact, this room smelled of him. Soup and mint, with the scent of papermixed in. It was intoxicating. Alex still remained apprehensive.

“Talk to me. You know you can trustme.”

“I know,” Alex conceded. He sighed,crossing his arms. “It’s just so hard to talk about.”

I dropped my hands from his face,suddenly feeling helpless. I noticed that Alex was wearing a white a t-shirt,the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. I gasped. There was a visible scar on hiselbow that seemed to stand out on his pale skin.

“What happened there?” I asked, as Itraced the scar from his elbow to his wrist.

He seemed uneasy. I wasn’t sure ifit was from the memory or me touching him. I’m hoping it’s the former. “Let’sjust say that scar has a part in the story.”

I looked back up at him, suddenlyfeeling hopeful. “Are you going to tell me?”

“Yes.” Alex said. He didn’t seemhappy about it. “But I’m warning you now it’s not a pleasant story. There is nohappy ending to this tragic tale I’m about to tell you.”

I didn’t answer; I just went and saton his bed, patting the space beside me. “I’m all ears.”

Alex sighed once more, beforereluctantly crossing the room and taking a seat beside me. I grabbed his hand,holding it tightly in mine.

“I don’t remember much, but I was five years old atthe time my parents had just split up. I didn’t know why. I just thought theywere having some difficulties living together and just needed some space. I wasunder the impression that my mom and dad would get back together eventually.Being five, I didn’t worry about it much. I was more into drawing pictures atthe time.”

Alex took deep breath, trying tocalm himself, I think. “I remember that it was a cold winter night when my dadarrived. You see, my parents had an agreement that my mother would keep methrough the week while my father kept me on weekends, and I remember feelingreally excited about seeing him. I had drawn him a picture for Christmas and Icouldn’t wait to give it to him. But when he arrived something was…off –different. He looked the same except I remember his eyes being the color ofblood. I hesitated before I gave him the picture, for I was unsure. I watchedhim very carefully, hoping maybe he’d smile, because there was this look on hisface that made me think that the man I once knew…was no longer there. It waslike a monster had taken his place. I never forgot when he suddenly crumbled mydrawing into a ball and threw it in the fire.

“He walked passed me after that andwent straight for my mom. I didn’t know what was going on. So I freaked outwhen he backed my mother into a wall and started squeezing her throat, his eyescompletely filled with blood lust. It frightened me.

“Without thinking about it, I startedhitting and screaming for him to let her go, and without even looking at me, hepushed me into our coffee table that was completely made out of glass. Ofcourse, being a Reaper, I had good reflexes so I only managed to hurt my elbowin the process.

“I do remember the pain. It hurt andthere was so much blood that before I passed out, I saw my father twist mymother’s neck and watched as she crumbled to the ground, no longer moving. Icried, because despite being an ignorant child at the time, I was well awarethat my mother was no longer with me. I was so scared when he turned around. Helooked at me with such hate. It was unbearable and it hurt for him to look atme like that. I knew that he wanted to kill me, and as he started movingtowards me, a man jumped through the window and attacked my father,” Alexsmiled at my startled expression. He caressed my face. “A man that became myhero.”

“Did you get a good look at him?” Iasked. Maybe Alex could give me some answers.

He shook his head ruefully. “I’msorry, but no.” I felt disappointment wash through me. “By the time you’refather came to my rescue, I had already passed out. It was kind of hard to makeout his appearance while he was wearing a brown hood.”

“So what happened after that?”

“I awoke in the hospital the nextday. After that they sent me to an orphanage. I had no family left. I couldhave gone and lived with my grandmother, but sadly after my father had killedmy mother, he had decided to murder grandma as well. His mother.”

I felt my hands ball into fist. Alexwas right. There was no happy ending to this story. The tears came before Icould stop them.

“Alex, I’m so sorry. I know the last thing you wantfrom me is pity, but I am so sorry.” I wrapped my arms around him, burying myface into his shoulder. I began to sob uncontrollably, my tears falling ontohis shirt. Alex hugged me back as he pulled me towards him, our bodies pressedup against each other. This was the first he had ever held me like this. Inever wanted him to let me go.

When I finally stopped crying, I hesitatedbefore pulling back. Alex was staring at me with some unknown emotion, one thatwas beginning to make my pulse quicken.

“I’m sorry for attacking you likethat.” I whispered.

“It’s okay,” he said. I could feelhis arms still wrapped tightly around me, our faces only a few inches apart.“It’s nice to finally tell someone. I’ve never been able to tell anyone thatstory before.”

I brushed my fingers through hishair. It was soft. “It makes me hate Azazel a lot more now. It just gives meenough reason not to be afraid of him.”

“You shouldn’t be,” Alex said.“Because what is he? He’s a coward. He needed a demon to become more powerfuland now look where he is. He can’t even show his face right now he’s so weak.”

“Yeah, right now, but it’s onlymatter of time before he returns and starts destroying lives again.”

“I’m not worried about it.”

“I am,” I whispered. I was ashamedto admit this, but it was true. I was scared of him and I don’t think I havethe courage to face him. “He’s trying to kill me, Alex. And when he succeedshe’s going to come after you next.”

Alex face went from gentle too hardin a second. It made my head spin. “He won’t touch you,” he growled. The promiseseemed to ring in each word he spoke. And I believed him. I knew in this very momentthat Alex would protect me no matter what. For the first time in a long time Ifelt safe. “I won’t let him.”

It was then that Alex startedleaning towards me, his eyes filled with anticipation and uncertainty. I closedmy eyes, waiting eagerly for his lips to meet mine. I could feel his warmthenveloping me as our lips were about to connect—

I jumped when I felt my phonevibrating in my back pocket. Part of me wanted to throw my phone on the groundand crush it under my foot, but I refrained. I smiled apologetically at him asI pulled my phone out of my pocket. I looked to see who was calling so late atnight. It was my mom.

“Hello.” I said breathlessly.

“Hey, I hope I didn’t wake you.” Ipeeked at Alex and mouthed It’s my mom.He nodded in understanding, and remained quiet as I listened to my mom blabberon the other end of the phone.

“So I just got home and received aletter from the academy.”

Oh, crap. I hope it’s not anythingthat may involve me getting grounded for a whole summer. “What kind of letter?”

“Oh, don’t worry. It’s just about theValentine Ball. Are you excited?”

I completely forgot about thatactually. I had been too caught up in Alex’s story. “I guess.”

“Has anyone asked you to be theredate?”

“Not yet.” I replied. Mom, I love you, but you are killing me. Getoff the phone! “Um, mom, I gotta go. I got school tomorrow and I don’t wantto be tired in the morning. I’ll talk to you later, okay.”

“Alright. I’ll send you some money to buy a dress andyou’re ticket, okay. I love you.”

“I love you too. Bye mom.” I pressedthe “end” button and dropped my phone on Alex’s bed. He seemed amused.

“What was that all about?”

“She just wanted to know if I wasgoing to that Valentine Ball and if I had date.” I said, nonchalant.

“Oh,” he said, frowning. “Are yougoing?”

“Well, my mom is sending me money soI guess so. Are you?”

“I don’t know if dances are mything.” I tried to keep a straight face, but I don’t think I fooled him.I knew that Jordan had been right, butstill hearing the words out loud stung.

“Well, I gotta go.” I said abruptly.“We got school in the morning.” Alex seemed bemused by my sudden behavior as Ikissed him on the cheek. I grabbed my phone and got to my feet as I walkeddejectedly to the door.

“Spencer, wait.”

I stopped in my tracks and turnedaround. Alex was on his feet and started walking towards me, a look ofconfidence on his face that hadn’t been there before. I stood still as heneared me and before I knew it; his lips were on mine – warm, soft, and unyieldingas he wrapped his arms around me. I placed my hands on his shoulders, trying tokeep myself balanced as I deepened the kiss, our lips moving slowly together insynchronization. We stood like that for a couple minutes before Alex pulledaway, a smile tucking at the corner of his lips.

“Thank you.”

“No,” I giggled. “Thank you. That was the best first kiss ever.”

Alex smirked. “Whatever. You’re justsaying that because you’re trying to be nice.”

“Okay, you sucked and I never wantto see again. How’s that?”

Alex laughed, before kissing me one more time.“I think that sounds about right.” He released me. “I’ll see tomorrow.”

“You bet.” I said. “I’ll save you aseat in Magic and Spells. You don’t want anyone stealing your seat, do you?”

“Not if they want to replace themselveson fire.”

A week seemed to go byrather rapidly, and before I knew it, it was next Thursday. It was third periodand we we’re in Magic and Spells enjoying the party that Ms. Hardwick hadthrown for us. I had to admit it was fun, although my mind was more focused onAlex’s hand as he held mine under the table. I smiled shyly at him.

“This party isn’t as lame as Ithought it would be.”

“I don’t know. It would be better ifI got the chose to leave.”

I punched his arm. He winced. “Whatare you saying? You don’t want to spend time with me?”

“Of course I do. I just don’t likeparties.”

“You don’t like anything.”

“I like you.”

I couldn’t help but grin at hiswords.

I noticed that Jordan was watchingus very closely, his face unreadable as our eyes met. I wanted to roll my eyesat him. As if sensing my annoyance, he smiled and turned back around. What am Igoing to do with him?

I sighed and looked down at theempty heart shape plate in front of me. It looked to pretty to eat off of. Ialso peeked inside my cup to see if there was any liquid inside. Nothing. Whenare they going to start passing that stuff out?

As if by answering my question, Mrs.Hardwick suddenly called Abigail to the front of the room. She handed Abigail abig jug of fruit punch.

“I want you to start pouring drinks into everyone’scups, okay.”

“Of course,” She said politely. Forsome reason, her good manners bugged me. Abigail surprisingly followed Ms.Hardwick’s directions, by pouring fruit punch into everyone’s cups as she madeher way down each aisle. My smile disappeared. No doubt, by the time she getsto our table, she’s going to give both of us hell. She might even pour fruitpunch on my uniform, knowing her.

Before I knew it, she was at ourtable, a sardonic smile on her face. To my relieve, she didn’t spill juice onmy uniform as she poured fruit punch into our cups.

When she finished, she said sweetly, “Enjoy.” Beforewalking away.

Alex and I exchanged confusedglances before picking up our cups and taking a sip. For some reason, my juiceseemed to burn as it made its way down my throat. I wonder why that is. Ismiled to myself. Maybe Abigail spiked it with alcohol when she thought Iwasn’t looking. I took another sip, wincing as the burning started to takeplace in the pit of my stomach. I tried to ignore it.

When Ms. Hardwick announced that shewas about to start passing out cookies, the burning in my stomach started tointensify. I stood up abruptly, clutching my stomach, hoping that if I stifledthe pain maybe it would disappear.

It didn’t.

“Spencer,” Alex said. He seemedrather surprised by my sudden movement. “Are you alright?”

“No,” I panted. “My insides are burning!”

Alex continued to stare at me, hiseyes full of concern. He was about to stand up when I suddenly startedscreaming. I was aware of everyone’s eyes on me as I fell to the floor,clutching my stomach. I curled into a ball as the agony took me. I felt Alexand Jordan rush to my side, both of them staring down at me anxiously

“Alicia, get headmaster Death inhere, right away.” I heard Ms. Hardwick say. I heard someone running out of theroom. It wasn’t long after that that I felt someone by my head. “Whathappened?”

It took me a minute to realize thequestion hadn’t been for me.

“I don’t know,” Alex answered. Icould hear panic in his voice. “She just took a drink and that’s when thisstarted happening.”

Ms. Hardwick got to her feet again,making her way to my table. She picked up my cup and sniffed it. She frowned.“This is not good.” She put my cup down before rushing back to her desk.

“What do you mean?” Jordan asked.Even he was having a hard time keeping calm. His eyes flickered to Alex, hisgray eyes darkening. “You did this, didn’t you?”

Alex was affronted. “I would never—“

“Every time something happens toSpencer – you’re around. I never once thought you were innocent. After all,you’re just like your father!” Jordanseethed.

Alex went pale at his words. A lookI recognized as hurt seemed to spread across his face. I was surprised to seethat he didn’t bother trying to hide it.

“Jordan, stop.” I demanded. I wincedas the pain was becoming unbearable. I could barely even breathe. I screamedwhen the burning seemed to enter into my heart. Was I going to die? Oh God – Ihope so. Anything to get rid of this pain. I wish someone would put me out ofmy misery and kill me.

Jordan didn’t reply; just shot Alexone more accusatory look before grabbing my hand and holding it tightly in his.I squeezed back, but only because I was in so much pain. I felt somethingbubbling in my throat, choking and making me gag. I rolled onto my side andthrew up, my eyes widening when I realized it was blood. I started whimpering.

Jordan and Alex’s eyes widened aswell.

“You need to hurry, Ms. Hardwick.”Jordan exclaimed. He stroked my face, his hands cold. It took me a moment torealize that I was shivering. “She’s burning up.”

“I’m coming,” she said, walkingbriskly back to my side. In her right hand she was holding a silver flask.“Open up, dear.”

Jordan lifted my head up, while Iopened my mouth weakly. I barely felt the liquid as it made its way down mythroat. I couldn’t even make out the taste. Jordan laid me back down after that,trying to wipe the sweat off my face with a red napkin.

“You’re going to be okay,” Jordan whispered. Hesounded more like he was convincing himself than me. It was seconds later thatthe pain started to subside, leaving nothing but a sort of throbbing behind. Ididn’t know if that was a good thing or not.

Alex, on the other hand, seemedskeptic. “Is she going to be okay?”he asked Ms. Hardwick.

“She’s going to be fine. Once theheadmaster gets here, we’ll move her to the infirmary where the nurses can takecare of her.”

I noticed that everything was becomingblurry, even Jordan and Alex’s faces as they stared down at me, both of themashy pale. I smiled at them; just to reassure them that I was fine, beforesuccumbing to the darkness that took me.

I awoke in an unfamiliarroom – everything white. The walls, the sheets I was wrapped in, the longcurtain that was pulled aside, revealing some women walking by, wearing whitescrubs. It made my eyes hurt. I squeezed them shut before opening them again.Something moved in my peripheral vision, making me jump. I winced. My insidesstill ached. I turned my head and saw that it was Jordan. He was sleepingsoundly by my bed side, his body curled into a ball, while his head hung offthe back of the chair. I giggled, but stopped as a pain shot through my chest.I had a feeling it was going to take a while before I recovered.

My laugh must have woken Jordan up, because he blinkedsleepily at me, a smile appearing on his face. “Hey.” he said.

“Hey.” I replied. I cringed at the sound of my voice. Itsounded raspy and horrible, like I had a frog in my throat or something. “God,my throat hurts.”

“Well, don’t worry.” Jordan said. “You’ll recover beforethe week ends. Until then, just rest.”

“How long have I been asleep?”

“Since yesterday afternoon. It’s lunch time right now.”

“You’re kidding!” Jordan shook his head. “Well, if I’mgoing to be here for a couple of days, then how am I going to get any schoolwork done? I don’t want this to get in the way of my studies.”

Jordan smirked. “Iknew you’d say that so that’s why I brought you you’re stuff.” He gestured hishead at the nightstand by my bed. On it was my text books and all my homework.

“Thank you,” I said, truly touched. “What would I dowithout you?”

“Ah,” Jordan said. “That is a good question.”

“You’re a goodfriend.”

“I know,” Suddenly his carefree smile disappeared andlook of horror seemed to take its place on his face. “God, Spencer I’m so gladyou’re okay. When I saw you in the state you were in…” He cringed. “You can’tpossibly know how awful it was watching you suffer the way you did.”

“And you can’t possibly know how much that stuff hurt,” Iwinced at the memory. The feeling of burning spreading through my body, thedifficulty of trying to breathe, the constant questions concerning if I wasgoing to make it or not. I frowned. “What was in my drink?”

“Ms. Hardwick said that it was a fire serum. No one issure how it got in there. The only person they suspected that could have doneit was Abigail, seeing as she had the punch.”

“What’s a fire serum?” I croaked.

“It’s a serum made to torture demons with. It’s notsupposed to be made for Reapers of any kind.”

“And everyone really suspects Abigail, did it?”

“Well, no, but she’s under investigation right now. Ofcourse, her father is hiring the most prestigious lawyer in all of Eden,Rodrick Hemsworth. If she did do it, she won’t replace herself convicted anytimesoon. More than likely, she won’t even stand trial. Rodrick Hemsworth is thatgood.”

“But what do you mean ifshe did it? You make it sound like you think someone else is to blame.”

Jordan looked uncomfortable. He opened his mouth about tosay something, when someone cleared their throat. Jordan and I looked to seewho it was. I smiled when I realized it was Alex. He stared back at me blankly.I felt my smile disappear.

“What are you doing here?” Jordan asked coldly. I turned myhead to scowl at him, but his attention was still focused on Alex.

“I just want to talk to her for a minute.” Alex answered.His voice was emotionless as his face. Somehow I feel whatever he’s come to sayis going to be the opposite of comforting.

Jordan looked like he might protest, but thought betterof it as he got up and left my room. He closed the white curtain, cutting offmy view of the people that seemed to pass by. Alex sat down in Jordan’s seat,his eyes disconcerting.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

“I’m okay,” I answered. I still didn’t like the look onhis face, and yet it seemed so familiar. “My insides ache and my throat hurts,but it’s nothing I can’t handle.”

Alex looked away then. “I’m sorry that you got hurt.”

“It’s not your fault. It could have happened to anybody.”Though we both knew that wasn’t true.

“It’s still my fault this happened to you.”

“How is this your fault?” I demanded. “You didn’t dothis.”

“I just feel likeI could have stopped it somehow.”

“Alex, listen to me. No one knew that this was going tohappen. It’s really not your fault. I mean, how were you supposed to know?Please,” I begged. “Don’t let this get you down. I’m fine. I’ll be out of herein a couple of days.”

“Everyone still blames me,” Alex said, bitterly. Iblanched. “And maybe their right. Maybe I really am like my father. I’m justnot aware of it yet.”

“You are nothing likeAzazel. You know who you are? You’re Alexander Torchwood and you are the mostamazing, most wonderful boy I have ever met. It doesn’t matter what anyonesays. What matters is that we’re together. I don’t want you to hate yourselffor something that wasn’t even you’re fault.” I grabbed his hand, squeezing itgently. He looked down at me, his face bereft of any emotion. “You mean a lotto me.”

“You mean a lot to me, too,” Alex answer took my breathaway. His face was still blank as he took in my expression. It was unsettlingto see him look at me like that – like he was trying not to care. “But I’m notgood for you. You need to be with somebody who won’t hurt you in the future.”

I gasped at what he was saying. I barely noticed the painin my lungs. “Why would you say that? You would never hurt me. I know youwouldn’t.” I gripped his hand tightly, while staring deep into his eyes. Alex winced,but didn’t complain about the pain. I could have easily broken his hand if Iwanted to. But he had to know how much he meant to me. How much it would hurtif he gave up on us now. Tears started spilling down my face. This pain wasunlike anything I’d felt before. “I’ve fallen in love with you, Alex.”

I felt Alex tense at my words, but he didn’t reply. Ifinally know why I recognized this face. It was the mask he wore before hestarted opening up to me. The mask I feared that would someday return. Heremoved his hand from mine and stood up.

“I can’t see you anymore. Sorry.”

Withtears still falling silently from my face, I watched as Alex pulled aside thecurtain, and walked away. Jordan peeked inside after Alex’s departure, I guessto make sure I was okay. But I barely saw him. I was still looking past him,hoping maybe Alex would turn around and come back to me, telling me that heloved me too. But he didn’t. Indistinctly, I heard the bell ring. Jordan gaveme one more smile before grabbing his stuff. He closed the curtain behind him,and I knew he was gone.

Once alone, I let the pain take me. I put my face in myhands and started bawling, not even caring if I woke up the other patients. Itried to reassure myself that I would still see him, but his words were stilllike a stab to the chest. I can’t see youanymore. Sorry. Part of me always knew that it would come down to this –that I would indeed get burned. I winced as I remembered the burning spreadingto my heart, wishing desperately that someone would kill me. Now that I thinkabout it, that pain was nothing compared to what I felt now.

A nurse did come in to see if I needed anymore pain meds, but I just shook my head at her and resumed crying. Shelingered for a bit before leaving, turning off the lights as she left. For onceI wasn’t afraid of the dark. In fact, I accepted it.