Two Paths, One Decision

•Chapter Twenty One•

"Well sorry, darling." But his voice didn't show any speck of sincerity. I gave him a look but noticed his face was contorted in pain when he sat next to me.

"So sassy," I mutter, "You think, after having a near death experience, I would have some sort of revelation about forgiveness or what not. But no, I didn't, because some wounds go deeper than just dislocations." I muttered the last part and looked at him. Fane and Ranessa looked at each other awkwardly.

Ranessa coughed and said, "Gramps is going to go get some ice from the house, right?" Ranessa elbowed Fane in the ribs, making him flinch but it was just enough for him to get the message.

"Okay." And with that, Fane had gone Rapid and left.

"And I am going to leave for about..." Ranessa checked her imaginary watch, "Enough time for you two idiots to make up."

I pleaded with her, "Please Ranessa! Don't do this to me!" Ranessa smiled and cackled evilly (that's what it seemed like to me.)

R turned her back, waved, and said with a chuckle, "It's not like you can go anywhere." And she too, vanished into thin air. I look everywhere but him, and I pick out all the leaves that were stuck to my clothing. Luckily, Jeremiah started the conversation first.

"There's no use in lying to you, okay?" Jeremiah huffed aloud beside me, but I still won't look at him, I only look far enough see his worn down tennis shoes. They must be for training, I thought. "Alice I know I don't deserve being an Other for you, and that you can't stand looking at me. I get that, I really do. The reality was that I had been dating Dianna since eighth grade." I continue picking at the leaves, and draw swirls in the sand. Four years they have been together. And he didn't even say anything about it to me. I would have understood had he just told me after I knew everything.

"And I know what my arrogant sister has said to you about me being a manwhore and all of that, but it's not true. Okay, maybe a little part of it is, and that's why her Instincts didn't really sense my relationship with her. But it's because Dianna and I hadn't agreed on being exclusive. But that's besides the point-"

"Are we really doing this Jeremiah?" I asked him under my breath. "Are we really just gonna sit here and talk about our feelings until everything's okay? Because it won't be, well, at least for now."

Jeremiah doesn't hesitate when he says, "But you're thinking of the future, and how it might be okay. Just, please, let me finish my story. So we can make that okayness be insured for the future." I slightly nod my head even though I'm listening to this reluctantly. But maybe I need to hear this to get some closure.

"So anyways, I have always felt a strong connection to Dianna." Okay, no closure needed. But Jeremiah proceeds relentlessly, "But it wasn't love. But I didn't know that at the time. So of course, I lost my virginity to her, but I wasn't her first. And this was irresponsible for a Fae and the list of bad things went on, but I chose to ignore them. All because of my 'love'." I feel depression radiating off of his shivering body, it was getting dark outside. But I also feel the need of forgiveness.

"I continued on through high school with plenty other girls, but mainly Dianna. Everything was great until one day in science class a soaking wet girl comes in late, and my whole world shattered."

I scrunch my nose, "Well sorry."

Jeremiah whispered, "Just let me finish. My whole world shattered, but in a breath taking way. In a sudden realization kind of way. A way that wants me wanting more, but enough to make stop and slow down. Alice, have you realized that we don't even know each other? And-"

I break, I look up fiercely at Jeremiah, "You, out of everyone should know that I realize that. If you feel that bad about meeting me, why pressure me into a relationship that you know was a bad idea to begin with? Especially with hmm. I don't know. Your girlfriend? Oh, and let's not forget how all of this Fae stuff was just sprung up on me that time, I wasn't ready; I was weak and vulnerable. But no, no, no. You had to show me off to all your family - who are really nice by the way - and make yourself look good in the process. Because hell yeah! We are special! But being special doesn't take away or limit our morals Jeremiah." This whole time I've been ranting I didn't realize I was getting closer and closer to him. Our hands were almost touching and his face was inches from mine. Why didn't I feel my knee hurt in the process? Oh I did. But I was too frustrated to notice.

Jeremiah releases a breath, probably thinking that I was going to hit him our something, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say that. What I meant to say was that we don't even know each other and I feel so strongly for you. And that scares that shit out of me, okay? I have never felt this for anyone or anything. Not even Dianna." He grabs my hand but I flinch and pull away.

"So what were you doing with her then? At the party? Where you know, I was harassed?" I glare at him, and shake the electricity off my hand that he touched.

Jeremiah opened his mouth, closed it, and deep meaning hit him. "You were harassed?!" He bellowed.

I roll my eyes, "Not really, but yes, definitely. But it's okay I handled myself juuuuust fine." I chuckle when I remember Blake and his surprised face when I kicked him in the jewels.

Jeremiah reached for me, but I dodged by forcing myself to stand up. I looked down at him from where we were sitting and feel a pang of guilt. I say, "Don't feel guilty, that will make me look like an idiot for winding up in that situation in the first place. And it's fine if you don't want to tell me what you guys were doing-"

Jeremiah stood up fast, interrupting me momentarily, he said, "I was asking her on a date."

I glared daggers at him, "Okay, I said I didn't need to know." I turned my back to him and started walking away but he pulled me back to face him. He was holding my wrists and we were face to face.

"Alice, listen to me. I was asking her on a date so I can break all ties with her." Jeremiah said.

I looked at him skeptically, "And were you going to tell me about the date too?"

Jeremiah released one of my wrists to scratch the back of his neck. I scoffed.

"Oh my god! I can't believe you!" I pull my wrist free.

"Wait!" I hear Jeremiah say. I was too fast to break loose, and lose my balance, causing me to trip. I squeeze my eyes shut, waiting for the routine impact. But I never feel it. All I hear is a heartbeat, and feel warmth spread through me. I press my palms flat on Jeremiah's chest and look up to see his face. His eyes were shut too, and he grunts because of the fall.

"I'm so sorry!" I say with a red face. I try and push myself up but I can't because of my limp leg. Jeremiah opens his eyes and slowly snakes his arms around my neck. He stops halfway to see if I'm okay, and I'm frozen still. Electricity is swarming my body. He pulls me closer to him and he surprisingly, hugs me.

Jeremiah whispers in my ear, "This is what I was afraid of losing. I was afraid of losing this feeling every time I thought about telling you. I broke up with her you know, that's why I was gone for so long. That was my 'business'. And I'm sorry for being mean to you, I constantly remind myself that you hate me and that, well, it makes-"

"You a sourpuss." I say with a light hearted chuckle. I unwrap myself from him and stare him in the eyes with a smile, "I forgive you, but I need you to do me a favor."

Jeremiah sighs with relief, he says, "Anything."

"I need you to fight with me again." I say to him with a straight face.

(A/N SUPER LONG CHAPTER YAY LOVE YOU GUYS BUNCHES :D)