Amber Mikelson

The bell jingled and I excitedly looked up. He walked in and my heart thudded lightly like a butterfly flapping. Someone or something knocked sense into him and he had stopped ignoring me for a while now.

Today was the day for photo shoot and I choose the lake side for this. The scenery there was beautiful and I wanted them to pose in front of the rock and water, two things that matched their image perfectly.

Some stylist was coming over since Liosa had connections and now wanted the band to get some outside world promotion. Hoods are a star in Westwend but their talent should be known to the world now.

Something about Laserian changed because his amber eyes were more like the eyes of the dream Laserian and less like his cold ones. Terian even noticed this and said that he was softer and happier around me. I hope that was true.

"You look over worked Amber." Laserian stood there at the counter looking really good like always.

His hair was slightly wet, apparently he showered for the photo shoot. I reminded myself to not ogle at him.

"Nah, I am fine." Then I bend closer and whisper, "Nightmares."

Pain reflect clearly in his eyes.

"I wish I could help you." He said looking straight at me.

The intensity in his eyes and in his words was unnerving yet pleasant. He wanted to help. He always did but was never so clear about it.

"You are." I mutter shyly hoping he would not hear.

As much as cold and stiff he was around anyone, I felt warm and secure around him.

I sighed and moved away moping the counter, grateful that he didn't hear what I said.

"Your usual?" I asked since he didn't show any interest in moving away and the girls in the cafe were eyeing us weirdly.

"No, today you surprise me." He said with a smile that made his eyes sparkle.

"Okay, now please go and sit." I said awkwardly my peripheral vision noticing girls pointing fingers.

Sometimes I forget Laserian is a celebrity but times likes this I remember.

"You seem bothered by my standing here." He said but not annoyed, more amused.

"Those girls might kill me after you leave." I said sarcastically.

He laughed lightly and I had to allow myself to register the wonderful sound.

"They won't try to touch something that belongs to me." He make a casual statement but my head snap up.

I blink and spoon slips from my hand causing a loud clatter.

"Are you fine dear?" Josephine came out looking worried.

"She is fine Josephine, just a little flustered." Laserian said with an amused smirk.

Who are you and what have you done with Laserian O'Fearghaile?

"Can you please repeat the words you said?" I asked in a furious whisper not giving a damn about the girls now.

"I will if you give me a five question deal?" He said with that new found sexy smirk.

I inhaled sharply. He was someone else since we met that night. It felt like he ..he almost flirted with me. Did my ignorance effected to bring out this new Laserian.

"Deal." I said and pleaded with my eyes for him to leave.

He shook his head and decided to stop torturing me. He sat down on his usual seat and I went in to get his order.

"You look flushed M, are you okay?" Terian asked bringing in a fresh batch of cookies smelling heavenly.

My hands reached to my heated cheeks.

"I am fine." I said lying.

I was not fine, I was over whelmed with new Laserian. Did my not calling him Ian bothered him that much?

Terian chuckled for some reason and then left me to get the coffee.

"Josephine, please do me a favour and give this coffee to Laserian." I said not sure I can handle him.

She looked confused and took the order from. I sighed and get busy with making other orders. After a while Josephine returned with the order and my worst fears (exaggerated) came true.

"He says he will not drink anything if you don't bring it." And Josephine didn't even seem offended, instead she was grinning.

A thirty year old grinning was weird.

I sighed and took the cup from her hand.

"I never took you for a drama queen Laserian." I said and placed the cup in front of him with a smile forming on my lips.

"And I never took you for a coward." He said looking at me intently.

I scoff and his eyebrows cocked.

"Well I was not the one who said that kiss was a mistake." I said and bit my tongue at my sudden harshness.

Guess I was still annoyed at his behaviour.

He winced at my words and I turned to leave before I did something stupid. But his familiar grip formed on my wrist making my heart jump.

"Amber, please." He said a conflict raging on his mind that was clear on his face.

He was not used to making a request, saying please.

"I have to work." I stated shortly and pulled my wrist out of his grip.

Girls are going to kill me now, I knew as I saw them glaring at me.

Moment later one of them walked up to me.

"Yes." I asked politely.

She gave me what we call a fake smile.

"It seems you and Laser are close?" She asked blatantly.

"No, I just messed up his order. He was angry about it." I said giving her an equal fake smile.

She look relieved. Before the danger could walk away, he walked up.

"This coffee was perfect Amber, like always." He said with that deadly smirk.

I just mentally smacked myself, because he basically told his fan that I was lying and that he indeed was close to me.

"Thank you." I answered curtly.

He then turned and gave the most ice cold look to the girl. She was intimidated but smitten nevertheless.

"Why?" I asked.

"Forgive me and I will stop with this." He said with a desperate fire in his eyes.

"Like I said earn the forgiveness." I said not letting his know that I was already melting.

He smiled, a smile fit enough for a devil that made my inside recoil. He is going to do something to earn that damn forgiveness.

***

Ailis Mattix, sister of Talfryn Mattix was the cursed, stupid, slutty sister was the designer for the Hoods. I was seething with anger and hell yes I was jealous.

She was practically drooling over the Hoods, but especially Laserian. But being Laserian he looked totally bored and ignorant. I am never violent, but right now I wanted to rip out her throat.

Because besides that she was bitchy, she considered every one around as her slave.

She was slim, with raven black hair and shocking blue eyes. She had those Angelina Jolie high cheek bones that made her look gorgeous. But she was nothing like Talfryn, she was evil.

She was cursing a lot, giving me glares and eye rolls. And I was glad Mattix was around. He kept me laughing and relaxed. These siblings were nothing alike.

While the sister kept setting Laserian's hair and setting his collar, I pretended to fidget with the camera.

"Make sure you complete your work fast, don't take stupid shots and try to focus on better members, the lead ones." She said teaching me my job.

I gritted my teeth together and nodded avoiding to look at her.

"I will make sure you get solo shots of Laserian , since he the best looking of them all." She said eyeing him in a sickly sweet way.

"I am not sure that will be right, they are a band, paying attention to only one of them would be bad." I said snapping a bit.

She gave me a mocking laughter.

"I am professional here and I know that bands work that way. They need a face." She said acidly.

And then her eyes flashed, a different shade then her normal blue to a different shade.

But then she blinked at it was gone.

"What are you doing Amber?" Laserian walked up affecting me immediately.

"I was just telling her how she should focus on important members rather than whole band. We will have more shots of you." She said seductively running down his arm.

I cringed and looked away.

Laserian curtly removed her hand from his and looked at me intently.

"I will rather not get any photo clicked than leave my band out. They are more like my brothers." He said flatly.

Shock registered on Ailis' face but she quickly recovered. But my heart fluttered a million times on his words.

Not because he defended me but because he loved his band like his family. I loved his caring side because that was something he didn't show it usually. And we all love rare things.

Ailis turned and left with a dramatic hair flip.

"Okay?"He asked.

I looked up at him and smiled.

"Great. Now get ready for the shot Ian." I said forgiving him.

And his usual brooding face lifted into a dazzling smile. He gave me slight head shake and with that small smile playing on his lips he left me.

Megan Park as Ailis Mattix in the banner!

So, how was the chapter. It might suck a bit because I am writing two stories at a time...blame the nano. Somehow I can't seem to leave this story and just because you awesome people out there read and comment and keep me highly motivated!

Thoughts? Vote  and ENJOY! :)

Note: Marc got the awesome Hood award as per the vote (mind you Laser was not in the  run :D)

Question?

Whose friendship is fun to read?

Terian/Amber

Anna/Amber

Marc/Laser

Marc/Amber