PHOEBE'S POV:

I awoke with a start. What was the woozy feeling in my head and belly! I put a hand over my mouth and the other clutched my stomach as a feeling of nausea washed over me. I hurriedly managed to get off the bed and straight to my bathroom where I undid the lid of my toilet and let out the content of my belly.  It felt awful, I hated throwing up, it always felt as though all your guts were going to come forth.

My mouth tasted funny and still clutching my belly, I went over to the washing sink where after I put paste on my toothbrush, furiously began to wash my mouth. After I was through, I washed my face and stared at myself in the mirror. I didn't look very good, my complexion was pale. Suddenly, I realized how awful I smelt and felt. I needed a thorough shower right away.

At once, I stripped myself of my clothes and stepped under the warm shower. The water felt very nice against my skin. As I washed up, I suddenly started to remember. After brunch the previous day, I had gone up to change when Michaela made me feel cornered as she came into my bedroom uninvited. I was not pleased with it at all and asked to leave and I'd see her later. She had smirked and that smirk transformed that angelic face I had always to that of a tyrant.

All of a sudden I felt terrified as I've never felt in my life as Michaela set her face and advanced towards me, I found myself unconsciously step back, away from her but she wasn't deterred. She kept on coming closer with her expression very grim.

"You have no idea how long I have been around and have waited for the day that Zach would finally take notice of me differently but you just appear and his gaze never strays far from you. What are you? What did you do and what is it you have that makes him so entranced with you?" She drew a sharp breath, I stepped further away from her. "You have no idea what it feels like to be me. No one has any idea. All they see is the girl who smiles and poses in photos and makes them laugh in teen comedies but they don't know how alone I feel every single hour of the day. No one cares." she had said in a small voice as she looked away from me and my fear diminished.

"Elaine..." I trailed and her eyes snapped back to me. Nope, trying to reason with her was definitely not a good idea as her eyes were filled with more venom than before.

"You are an ordinary person, how dare you try to relate to our life, our world? You have absolutely no idea whatsoever." She had sneered. I nodded, she was terrifying me and everything about the terror she was inflicting on me had absolutely nothing to do with her words or her size, it had everything to do with her ability. She was using it expressly on me and I was defenseless. As she cornered me against a wall, I pressed my back hard against it and she just continued.

"You think you can relate. Fine, I will make you relate. You will everything I feel only ten times more intense." She said very determined. Her eyes focused on me, more grim than ever and I felt it all. The heartache, the depression, the loneliness, the agony, the pain, the feeling that life was being sucked out of you and you were dying a slow, painful death. I wrapped my hands around myself as those frightening, dreadful memories poured forth. She had left there on the floor afterwards. Trembling and shaking with fear of the unknown and a need to hide and never come out again. My memory ended there and then....

"Oh no!" I mutter. "It could not have been." I simply felt horrified. "Aish" I face-palmed myself. "What did that girl do? Oh my world, what to do?" I said quite ashamed and feeling quite hapless. I wanted to hide out in the shower but I remembered that our Portugal guests were leaving that morning and that meant I had to bid a proper farewell to Luke and Estelle.

"Those cuties..." I said to myself. In a matter of two days, we had grown quite close and I had given a piece of myself to them. I had promised to spend their last night in Emperor city with them but it hadn't turned out that way. I was going to miss them a lot. I pushed other daunting and disturbing thoughts aside as I washed my hair and thoroughly washed myself before simply letting the warm water wash everything away.

As I stepped out of the shower, I grabbed a towel and dried both my hair and body. I contemplated walking into my room nude, it was a certain bad habit of mine but that morning, I thought better against and reluctantly wrapped a towel that covered my breasts and stopped a few inches after my buttocks. At least it covered something. I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked a whole lot better and felt it too.

Stepping into my bedroom with confidence, I lifted my eyes and my eyes met that of Zachary's. I was stunned and beyond embarrassed. My feet wouldn't even budge from it's position. It was annoying, memories of the previous night with Zachary as Sara flooded my mind and seeing that I had nothing on except a tiny towel, I felt so exposed. I suddenly found my mobility once again and quickly dashed back into the bathroom where I covered my face in humiliation. What just happened? How was Zach even there. Right, he stayed with Sara till she slept off but wasn't he supposed to be gone by now? I didn't even see him when I woke up but then again, I was distracted my the queasy feeling. Oh God! How will I look him in the face after this. Am such a blithering idiot.

"Um, good morning. I will see you when you are decent?" Came Zach's voice and he sounded unsure, nervous even? Of course not. I soon heard the door to my bedroom slam shut and I knew he was out. God bless him for being so thoughtful. What to do now? If I could murder Sara, that 'd be the first thing on my list of priorities but she just had to be a part of me.

"Urgh" I grunted and sighed. "It's a new day. I will make it through." I told myself.

In an hour, the digital clock beeped 8.00am and I was dressed up for the day in a full-length silky ash jumpsuit with short sleeves and a waist belt. I let my wavy hair down and it cascaded down my back to my waist. My makeup was extremely light but gave a healthy flush to my cheeks. I slipped my feet into a pair of cream high-heeled pumps and after assuring myself that all would be fine, I made my way to the dining room where I met Zach, again.

He was lifting a cup of what I perceived was coffee to his lips when I came in. He gingerly set it down and stared up at me quite casually.

"You look beautiful and set. Good. Breakfast?" He said in a strangled voice. He had much he wanted to say alright but I appreciated that he was holding back at that moment. I needed a little time. Talking to him about the whole thing was something I needed to do and no matter what, I just couldn't avoid it.

"Thank you." I said in reply and took a seat opposite. The muffins smelt so good. After a brief grace, I poured myself some tea and served myself a few muffins. I had not realized how hungry I was until I took a bite. I downed the whole thing in about two minutes. I had had nothing to eat since brunch the previous day and Sara because of her drinking had made me throw up every darn thing probably remaining in my system.

I reached for more muffins as there was an abundant but noticing that Zach was staring at me, I lifted up my eyes to meet his.

"You want more?" My voice came out more assured than I actually felt. He shook his head.

"I've had enough." He said and took a sip of his coffee.

"Where is Elly?" I asked distractedly as I bit onto a muffin.

"School." he replied. I had almost forgotten that it was school period. The previous had been very tedious and yet exhilarating but thinking about it, I missed school. The house felt so quiet now that everyone was out. I finished breakfast soon enough and I and Zach went to the guest house where we parted ways. I went to see Luke and Estelle first.

On closing the door behind me, I turned in time to see Estelle throw herself into my arms.
I just hugged her back and smoothed her caramel colored hair.

"Why didn't we see you yesterday again?" She asked quietly. I could see she was sad.

"Am sorry. I was... indisposed." I said. "But I hope everything was alright."

"Of course it was. I tried playing basketball with Luke but it wouldn't work because am not very tall and he easily scores, we couldn't go swimming either because we were reminded of yesterday when Luke accidentally set you on fire and had to use the hose to put it out." She said more quietly. "But anyway, we had a lot of fun in the evening. Rachel stayed with us and we had a great time together. Right Luke?" She turned to her brother who had come to stand beside her. He nodded. "But... but... we still missed you." Estelle conceded looking down at her palms.

I found myself unable to resist a smile. "How in the world did I get best friends like you. It's going to be alright, I promise you. We can video chat, call and text one another. I will miss you guys very much as well. The past few days with you was simply the best. Thank you for helping me make such amazing memories, it's a very good thing I have a lot of pictures also." I said.

"Of everything?" Luke asked in a small voice. I knew what he meant.

"Yes. Of everything. But don't feel bad, I liked it all. The good and the bad. They went hand in hand and gave me something I 'd truly talk about for a long long time." I said.

I believe my words reassured them because we spent time simply talking as though they were not set to leave anytime soon. Later, Rachel dropped by when we were in the cozy sitting room upstairs. She looked entirely casual yet stunning in a white full-length jumpsuit with short sleeves and a v-dip at the neck region. She wore a t j design necklace and Cynthia Rowley sunglasses which she removed when she joined us. I beamed at her.

"Hello missy. You look killer today. Why is that?" I asked playfully.

"Paparazzi and the media." Came her reply. I must have looked flustered because she went on to elaborate. "There are people out to see what I wear and do not wear and how it reflects on my mother and I as a young adult. Besides, every girl loves dressing up every now and then." She shrugged.

"I agree on that one. But how is it that we both decided to wear jump suits?" I asked.

"How am I supposed to answer that? You sometimes do ask questions I just can't fathom the answer." She said sounding quite amused. I shrugged sheepishly. We all conversed for a while on random things until it was announced that they were leaving. I saw them to the front of the house where their cars were waiting, Sir Adrian, Lady Aria and Zach were already out front saying farewell to the guests. Estelle hugged me first and held on so tight. I lifted her chin and looked in her eyes. They were moist. A tiny tear ran down my cheek but I quickly swiped it away.

"Let's meet again, okay?" I lifted my eyes to Rachel and Luke. "All of you. We must meet again." i found myself promising and right there, I knew we would definitely meet again, perhaps it had something with me being the fate writer or simply because I believed. We ended up in a round hug and when we stepped away, we were all smiling.

After they left, Sir Adrian immediately went out. It was a Monday, it was a business day. Lady Aria had engagements as well and in the end, I was left in Zachary's care. I had no need to change right away because I had no training that morning and Zach said we were likely to go out. Honestly, I wanted to go out. I've been cooked up in the estate for a whole week and despite was very sparse and beautiful, I longed to go out, see people and have fun.

I received a text on my smart phone where Zach asked to meet upstairs. I groaned inwardly, I had to face him. The sooner, the better.

Zach was seated on the couch beside the fireplace but there was no fire. It was a warm day, sorta. I took a seat on the couch directly facing Zach. His eyes were shut as he leaned back casually in the couch. Why did he have to look so relaxed whereas I was a bundle of nerves?

"Okay, I know now that you know everything and that is just the way it is." I stated nervously.

I waited for his comeback. For him to say something but his eyes still remained shut. His calmness was frustrating me.

"What caused Sara to come out yesterday? Was it Michaela?" He asked quietly as his eyes slowly opened and once more, I was in awe at how much his eyes resembled Killian's. I merely nodded. He said nothing but I saw that his jaw was set tight and I didn't like it. I didn't want him to do anything. I survived it and Michaela was my fight.

"Zach, please do not do anything or say anything to Michaela. Promise?" I asked with a small voice. I knew I was comfortable with Zach but asking this sort of favor of someone who I just know as my partner's brother did not sit right with me.

"Phoebe please don't ask that of me. Michaela acted out of place. She intended to hurt you and I am responsible for you." His voice was pained and it sounded personal. I knew that Zach had feelings for me but could it run deep?

"Zach, Michaela is not a bad person. She is angry and lonely and a little disturbed. Punishing her will not do any good. We need to just be there as her friends. I was quite hurt, I cannot deny that and I can't deny that I thought of ways to get back at her but in the long run, it's going to be a continuous process of trying to hurt the other person and it would never end well." I said.

Zach just stared at me, his expression quite soft and my heart did somersaults. I looked away and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I regretted I wore contacts, I needed my glasses at that moment to hide certain feelings that only my eyes would betray.

"Um, about Sara, sorry she gave you such a hard time. She is a little crazy but she is good, I've always wanted to discipline her but you probably know that is impossible by now." I said quickly and from the corner of my eye, I saw Zach chuckle. Why was he chuckling? I turned to look at him. "What's... funny?"

"Oh no, it's nothing. Do not mind me." He started to chuckle again and I had to look at myself to make sure that nothing was amiss. This action of mine only seemed to make him laugh and I was embarrassed. "Sorry. It's just that it's hard to imagine you and Sara being the same person. Sara is way too carefree whereas you are conservative and analytical. It's a wonder how you both get along at all." He said. "And about last night, no worries. Sara was very entertaining. I haven't had much fun in a while." he conceded and for some reason, I felt jealous of Sara. It was absurd, I was jealous of myself.

He must have noticed my expression because he cleared his throat and sat up straight. I cocked an eyebrow.

"Well since you prefer Sara, no biggie." I said casually as I rose to my feet.

"Phoebe calm down. Could you sit back down, we are not done talking yet." He cajoled rising to his feet. I felt stupid. I was over reacting for no reason at all. I very calmly sat back down on the couch and lowered my eyes. Zach towered over me for a bit before he sighed and resumed his position on the couch. His hands ran through his hair roughening it up. I said nothing. He was tense too. "I have something to tell you." He announced. I nodded. "It's huge Phoebe."

"Get right on to it then." I replied quietly. I peeked a view of him and saw he looked so hassled, hurt even. I lowered my eyes.

"Why do you always do that to me Phoebe?" He asked all of a sudden. I knew that was not what he wanted to say. "You open up and when I think that we are finally heading somewhere, you shy away. What do I have to do to make realize that am here for you? We were just talking and it was fun. I got to laugh because you were being you which is perfect and all of a sudden you are quiet and trying to be formal. What is the reason for this?" He asked.

I was stupefied and marveled that he got me right on target. I was hurting him more than I was hurting Xavier. I tended to want to be friends with Xavier and showed it while I often communicated to Zach out of necessity. It was not fair to him one bit. He was a good person. Responsible and self-assured and very caring. I couldn't tell him that I was afraid of him because he made me feel things that I wasn't ready for and I was very scared of getting hurt.

"Zach, I do not know what to say. Am sorry am like that toward you. There are just some things that I can't put into words." I said with a small voice. He made a curt nod and looked away. My heart tore, literally. We were teenagers, we weren't supposed to feel so intensely. Why then do I? Boy, I hated growing up too fast.

"I want to ask something of you on behalf of Sara." He said quietly. I just looked up at him and let my gaze stay. "She..." he paused. "She 'd like to have a day this week if you 'd let her. What do you say?"

"No." Was my abrupt reply.

"Phoebe..."

"No Zach. Absolutely not. Sara did what she did with my body yesterday and she told you my secret and because of her, I suffered a major hangover this morning. I still feel queasy and whole body hurts. How did she dance so much? And you tell me to let her out and for what? To cause more hassles for me. Be honest with me? Do you enjoy watching me make a spectacle of myself?" As soon as those words were out, I regretted them.

"No. Of course not Phoebe. Okay am going to make you a promise. If you let Sara out, I will be thoroughly responsible for everything she does. If anything goes wrong, it's all on me." He said earnestly.

"Sara must be so proud of herself. She got a perfect prince charming." I scrunched up my nose. "I will think about it." I conceded. He beamed.

"Thank you. You won't regret it."

"I wish. How is it that my... condition doesn't frighten you?" I asked.

"Because it's not a condition. Even if it were, it 'd make no difference. No matter what Phoebe, you are beautiful. Even if you had a hundred personalities, they 'd all be beautiful to me." He said and I melted inside. However he held my gaze and I couldn't tear my eyes away but a sudden glint in those eyes made everything click into place.

"Oh my God! What am thinking right now can't be true, can it?" I said more to myself but Zach heard and he was momentarily dazed. My mind pieced the puzzle. Our first meeting, he knew me. His amused eyes whenever he saw me as though he knew something no one else did and not because he was watching me. He knew how I liked my food, I was too comfortable around him to the point my sixth sense never alerts me he is around as though he is a piece of me and he was always slightly nervous whenever I called him Killian by accident and finally he was a shape shifter who had a little trouble changing eye color. Thank you Sara for the last piece.

How was I just realizing this now? Oh my! "You are Killian, aren't you?" I spat.His eyes were momentarily lost until he darted it about. "Answer me truthfully. The white Akita that never left my side for three months, you are him, aren't you?" I asked. He slowly nodded.

"That was what I was going to tell you." He said in a small voice.

I had no idea how to react. What could I say? It was huge for me. To realize that the guy you were heads over heels for was the same as the dog whom stayed loyal to you for three month; slept at the feet of your bed or on your bed, fed from the same plate, washed in the same place as you did, was your everything, your best friend, your confidant, your strength and one day, he ups and leaves and after almost five years, you meet again and realize he was a person after all. A very important person. I wanted to let it all out but the tears that endlessly streamed down my cheeks wouldn't let me.

Trying to stop the quake in my voice, I turned to him. "Sara will be out by morning and for the rest of tomorrow. Am sorry but I want to stay in today, excuse me." He didn't stop me when I rose to my feet and left the room.

I found my way to my bedroom, undressed and got into shorts and a t-shirt and crawled under the sheets where I planned to stay till the day was over. As I shut my eyes, the tears came and continued to flow freely for a long time. I missed Killian so much, the past five years without him was not easy. I created Sara and Gail because he was not there and funny how he was the one who first found out about them. I sniffled. I couldn't be angry at him even if I tried. He's been so good to me but he should have told me earlier, I would have understood. Would you have, really? A small voice in my head asked and I realized I probably would have fled.

I shut my eyes and all the memories came back. My knight in shining armor. Fairy tales sure were nice to believe in.

I don't know when I fell asleep but when I woke up it was late in the afternoon and I felt well-rested. A tap came onto my door. I turned in time to see Elaine come in looking a bit frazzled. I offered her a warm smile and that made her features relax.

"May I join you in bed?" She asked. She was dressed in shorts and a tank top that looked like it cost a lot since it was fancy and the design was unique. I moved over to make more space and she climbed in.

"How was school?" I asked her.

"I wish you were there." She replied. I chuckled. "I mean it. I have gotten accustomed to having you around such that when you are not there, it's very different. Michaela doesn't even pay attention any more." She pouted. I laughed.

"Am sure it's not so bad." I said.

"Still, you have to be back in school by Monday next week plus it's double A week." She said.

"Ooh, it's going to be the first time I experience it. Can't wait." I said genuinely excited.

"Don't you worry. You will have the best first experience. I will make sure of it." She assured me and I merely nodded. She smiled toothily at me but I could see that something else weighing on her.

"Elly," I put a hand over hers. "What is it?" I asked her. She looked at me and sighed.

"Are you okay? I heard what Michaela did to you from Sam. Am sorry." She said quietly.

"Did you say Sam as in Samantha?" I asked a bit bewildered.

She nodded. "She accidentally entered Michaela's mind since Michaela was so out of it today and she found out and told me. She didn't ask any questions though I could see that she wanted to ask a lot. She was more concerned about you. So, how are you?"

"Fine. I got through it." i said with a mild chuckle.

"You can hate Michaela, I 'd understand." She whispered.

"Never. It's too much of a burden to hate someone or even think ill of the person. She hurt me because she feels so hurt herself. You are her friend, you have known her since forever. You can help her. What she feels is not healthy, she needs to feel good about herself and she needs to see that she is surrounded by so much love." I relayed. Elaine stared at me for a while, her eyes moistening up. She gently drew me in for an embrace.

"I do not know how you came into my life but you are not leaving." Elaine said jokingly after she released me and I chuckled.

"I also feel that there is something more." I said. She nodded as the side of her mouth twitched.

"Yeah there is." She paused. "I might have a crush on a certain someone." She admitted.

"Uhh, that is juicey news. Who is it?" I teased and she laughed.

"I don't want to tell today but I want to tell you about my first love. Unfortunately, I've had one." She mused.

"Don't say unfortunately." I chided. "People often say that love is like the wind, you never know where it may blow and when." I said.

"Oh wise one! Instruct me in the way I should go." She playfully teased and I glared at her, she laughed. "Fine. Sorry. As I was saying, his name was Axel. He was an enabled, had the abilities of a hawk. I first met him when I was fifteen and he was sixteen. It was a trying period in my life but he was there for me and he never laughed or scorned or took advantage. He was Axel. However, he was in Pris Tine on scholarship and his family background wasn't all that great but Axel had spirit and he wanted to make something of his life no matter what.

"Even after we were friends, he wouldn't let me help him financially no matter what and he was never impatient with me no matter how much I threw tantrums. Axel was a genius. He had so much to offer humanity and he had a beautiful mind. He made researches and went on road trips on behalf of the school a number of times. There was nothing he couldn't build." She paused. "I started falling for Axel against all common sense and I always tried to push it away telling myself that he was only my friend and never probably felt the same. I only realized he did on my sixteenth birthday where I'd foolishly gotten drugged and he found me and saved me from my captors, a bunch of crazy people, students like myself who had stupid grievances against me.

"He confessed to me that night and we shared our first kiss. The memory is still so very clear in my head. Mom and dad liked him and didn't oppose to anything we might have but only told us to be careful. Likewise Zach. But Axel didn't tell me one thing, he didn't tell me he had a critical health condition which he had been managing. It got so bad that no matter today's health care, he was a goner. I felt betrayed when he told me. He was going to leave me and he was not coming back. I had loved him with everything I had and he always told me that I was the biggest gift life could have possibly gifted him but he was leaving anyway.

"I wanted to have nothing to do with him in his last days but I couldn't stay away. I wanted to be there for him as he has always been for me. I wanted to be strong for him. I lavished all I could on him in his last days. I practically lived with him because I feared to go and he 'd be gone when I return. I gave him my all Phoebe, everything." She wiped her tears but I did not bother wiping mine. She continued. "He died on the second of November 2035."

"My birthday will be the first anniversary of his death." I blurted.

"I guess so. Deal with it friend. But you know what he said to me before he passed away, he told me never to be afraid to love. He told me to live and that when I think of him, to only remember him as the best."

"That would take no effort at all." I mused. What Elaine said made me realize something, my own best friend was still there reaching out and he was not going anywhere in a long time. It was time I learned to appreciate what I had.

Thank you for reading. My apologies if it is not very good. I hope you enjoy all the same. Please send me comments and votes. They brighten my day. Good night!