(Chapter 11  - You've got some Explaining To Do)

"So are you going to tell me what you're doing here and what's going on or are you going to let my imagination run wild?" Crystal nagged.

"I told you once we get to Chase's house I will explain." I reminded her.

She had been really upset and confused about what was going on. She was always the type to get upset if she felt that she was the only one that didn't know something. I mean I don't blame her. If someone was keeping things from me I would be upset to, heck I was upset. I will be glad when we finally get to where we are going so I can explain.

"You have some serious explaining to do you know." She stated.

"I know."

She turned to Josh and gave him a strange look then back to me. I know she was trying to figure out why Josh was always so close to her and acting all protective. Anybody would be confused by some guy you barely knew all of a sudden acting like they care for you and don't want you leaving there side. I just hope she takes it better than I did. I defiantly don't want my best friend going through that.

I may seem all ok with everything right now but believe me I still have my doubts. I may be trying to forgive Chase and move on from the things that have took place but it's going to take some time to totally trust him again.

"Finally we're here." Crystal said looking out the window of the car.

"How do you know where Chase lives?" I asked her as the car almost came to a complete stop.

"I...uh...I didn't. You told me... yeah you told me remember." She said stuttered. I would be lying if I didn't say I was a little confused by that. I'm going to have to ask her about that later. To tell the truth I can't remember if I did actually tell her where he lived or not. I am a very forgetful person sometimes.

"Ok enough with the chit chat let's get inside so we can get some things straightened out." Chase interrupted.

Chase sounded a little worried and nervous with his response. I can't help feel like something is being kept from me now. I looked at Josh who had the same confused look on his face as I did. Well it's safe to say he don't know what that was about either.

"Yeah let's go." Josh agreed.

We all got out of the car and walked to the door. Chase unlocked it and we all went inside. I could help but think of the last time I was here. It sure didn't go to well. Please do let there be a repeat of then. I haven't had much time to prepare for what I was going to say to her so I hope I don't make anything worse. Maybe she won't freak out like I did. Let's just hope for the best.

Josh moved beside her again and wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her to him. She really wasn't expecting that because she had a look of shock and confusion on her face.

"Um...look Josh." She started and pushed him away. "I don't know who you think you are or what you have heard about me but I don't go for the first guy I see and I most certainly am not easy. I would also appreciate a little personal space if you don't mind. Oh and another thing I don't mess with guys my friends like."

I heard Chase growl at that. I slapped myself in the head and groaned. This is just great Crystal. Well this isn't going to end well. I know firsthand about the links vampire will go to when they are jealous. I have to figure out a way to make this batter before it goes from bad to worse.

When Josh didn’t let her go she started getting agitated. "Um...Didn't I just tell you to back off?"

Too late it just went from bad to worse. I could see Josh looking mad and tightened his grip on her. I have to get her out of here before he loses control and hurts her. After all I know all about that to. I quickly moved to Crystal's side and pulled her out of Josh’s grip. He growled and tried to pull her back. Crystal looked frightened by his actions.

"Josh your scaring her. Let me talk to her and explain things to her first." I pleaded.

He contemplated it a minute before letting go. I pulled her behind me leading her up the stairs before turning back to the guys.

"We will be upstairs talking. Please respect our privacy. When we are through talking we will be back." I told them leaving the room.

I took Crystal into Chase's room and sat her on the bed. I sat down next to her. I quickly tried to gather my thoughts and figure out a way to explain things to her.

"Well explain." She said impatiently.

"I will I'm just trying to figure out how." I replied.

"Josh and Chase are vampires aren't they?" She asked calmly.

"You know?"

"Well after what I just witnessed at my house and after dating one yeah I figured it out." She explained.

"So it's true? That guy was your boyfriend?"

"Yeah, he was really rude and mean. I don't even know why I was with him. He's not even my type."

She may not but I think I do. What other explanation is there for people all of a sudden doing things that they normally wouldn't? I know my parents wouldn't normally just let me go off to a foreign country with guy even if he was my best friend.

"I do. You were convinced." I told her.

"What?"

"It's my word for when you are controlled into doing something and you can't do anything about it. It's like it's your free will has been taken away and you have to do what the convincer says. You wouldn't remember even if it did happen to you."

"They can do that?" She questioned. I nodded my head. Poor girl I bet this is the part where she is going to freak out. I hope she don't yell to loud. "That is so cool." She exclaimed.

"Wait, what?" I asked confused by her reaction.

"Come on you have to admit that would be an awesome power to have." She laughed.

"Ok I'm a little scared at how well you are taking all of this." I replied.

"Are you kidding? Vampires are awesome!" She squealed. 

"Crystal this isn't twilight. Vampires are very possessive, ill tempered dangerous beings." I explained.

"Oh really then why are you hanging out with Chase?"

"It's a long story but to make it short I’m his One."

“One?” She questioned amused.

I nodded. “Yes, it’s my word for the person you want to spend the rest of your life with. The person that consumes you.”

She looked at me seriously and then burst out laughing. She started saying something but I couldn’t understand her through all of the laughing.

"I can't understand you." I stated a little peeved. Why would any of this be funny?

"I said that's a good one, like you would ever be with Chase. You are the one that said you would never be with a playboy. That's one of the biggest things you couldn't stand about him." She laughed.

"Yeah I know but he says he has changed and plus I kind of have to just accept it and make an effort. Trust me save yourself the trouble of putting up a fight and just make it work. Who knows maybe it will be the best relationship of your life. You never know until you try right?" I justified.

"Ok now I'm lost why do you have to make an effort and why are trying to convince me?" She asked confused.

"Like I said long story. You see when a person is turned vampire the first thing on their mind aside from feeding is the first person they have ever loved. They can't rest, function right or even think strait if they are not with them. When Chase told me I was his mate I freaked and then he became really jealous of Josh and then he got possessive. I also got kidnapped and taking to Italy for rejecting him. Look all I am trying to say is just save yourself the loosing fight. "

"Wow sucks for you." She stated.

"Yeah and you two if you don't accept Josh."

"What? I'm not accepting Josh I don't even know him and plus you like him. I don't do that to my friends."

"It's ok I don't like him like that anymore, and besides he loves you. Just give him a chance."

She looked like she was going to argue again as I gave her my best pleading look and puppy dog eyes.

"Please?" I begged.

"Ugh fine but I'm only doing this for you." She groaned.

"Thank you but you're actually saving yourself the trouble."

That went over better than I thought. I was so afraid this was going to go really bad. One of the things I loved most about Crystal was that she was one of these go with the flow people and that she always gets overly excited about stuff. She has always been my closest friend, well other than Chase. I could tell her anything and she would always support me. She is also very opinionated so I'm sure Josh is going to be driven crazy with this one.

"Ooh do you think we can be vampires too? I would totally kick some butt." She smiled.

"Actually we will be before long and also you will be living in Italy now with Josh."

“I have always loved Italy. This is so cool." She said jumping up and down in excitement.

"Maybe to you." I mumbled so only I could hear.

Crystal jumped up and hugged me excitedly. See squeezed me tight making it hard to breath.

"Now we can literally be best friend's forever yay. I can't wait to tell Amy."

"No." I yelled quickly. "You can't. No one can know."

"Aw, well at least we know." She replied. “You know I can’t keep anything from you.”

"Yep, at least we have each other." I said hugging her. "You ready to go back down?"

"Sure." She said getting up.

"Just please remember to just go with it and for heaven sake please don't say or doing anything to piss them off ok?"

"I know, I know. You have warned me enough times to get it." She said rolling her eyes.

She looped her arm in mine and pulled me out the door. Just as we were outside the door I remembered I needed to grab one of Chase's shirts and change. I spilt a little soda on me on the plane and my stuff was still in the car. I pulled us to a stop and turned back to his room.

"Where are we going?" Crystal asked.

"I need to borrow one of Chase's shirts mine has something on it."

"Oh please that little speck you can barely see it." She stated.

"Don't argue just help me find where Chase's shirts are."

"Second drawer down." She stated.

I walked over to the dresser and pulled out a shirt from the second drawer. Well that saved me some time. I'm glad Crystal knew wher- Wait how did Crystal know where his shirts were? I immediately stopped what I was doing and turned back to her. She had a look of panic on her face.

"Crystal how did you know where Chase's shirts were?" I questioned.

"Um...umm."

"Well?" I said getting upset. They only way she would know where anything is if she had been here before and I know that can't be. The only girls he ever has over are me and the ones that he sle- Oh god. Please tell me it's not what I'm thinking. Wait of course it is. It's Chase after all. All of a sudden I seen Red.

"Ashlyn it's not as bad as you think. It only happened twice." He said nervously.

"Twice?" I yelled.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think you would care. You said you didn't like Chase anymore." She said scared.

"That's not even the point. The point is you didn't tell me and Chase can't seem keep it on his pants." I screamed."

"It was a long time ago."

"How long?"I questioned.

"Last year." She said cautiously.

Oh I am so going to kill Chase! How could he do this to me? The only thing I told him not to do is sleep with my friends. That way when he decided to have one of his flings he wouldn't hurt them. So this just means he went behind my back. Oh I need to hit or throw something before I explode. I walked over to the bedside table and grabbed the lamp I threatened Chase with the last time and threw it across the room resulting in it breaking.

"You know that think you said about not pissing them off? Well if Josh finds out the he will flip and probably attack Chase." Crystal warned.

Ugh she is right. I mean Chase would totally deserve it but I still cared for Josh as a friend so maybe I will just take this up with him privately. I don't want to hurt him by telling him that Crystal slept with Chase even if it was before they were together. I know that I should be mad at Crystal to but I know she has been head over heels for him since forever. She liked him before I did. I'm just pissed that he risked hurting her. I forced myself to calm down until I get Chase alone. Just then I heard the door open and saw Chase and Josh ran in.

"What's wrong? I heard shouting." Josh said.

"It's nothing. Ashlyn just got worked up about something but it's ok now. Right Ashlyn?" Crystal asked.

"Yeah." I lied.

**********************************************

We all boarded the plane and headed back to Italy. The plane ride was long and I refused to speak to Chase the whole way. I could tell he knew something was wrong.

"Come on, I will have our stuff brought up later." Chase said pulling my out of the car by my hand.

We left to give Josh and Crystal some time alone together. If she is going to spend the rest of her life with him they may as well get to know each other.

I yanked my hand back out of Chase's and walked about five steps in front of him. He followed me up to my room and shut the door behind him. I stood there watching him with my arms crossed and an angry face.

"What is going on Ashlyn? One minute you are willing to make this work and the next you are all attitude again. I don't get you sometimes. I am trying to-"

"Did you sleep with Crystal?" I asked cutting him off from his rant.

Instead of saying anything in return he just stood there silently not sure of what to do or say. As bad as I wanted to hit him right now I would probably only hurt myself in the processes.

"She told you?"

"Wrong answer." I yelled. "The one thing I tell you not to do you go and do it anyway. Were you ever really my friend?"

"Ashlyn let me explain."

"You can try." I told him.

I really wanted to hear his excuse. What could possibly justify what he did? Nothing that's what but I would sure like to watch him try to explain it anyway.

"It was last year after you told me that you didn't want to be with a guy like me. I was upset and hurt and she was there. I needed to get my mind off of it so I did it by sleeping with Crystal. It was never anything more."

"Maybe not for you but Crystal has had a crush on you since before I even liked you. She was head over hills for you and you never paid her any mind. Can you imagine the hurt after you used her?" I spat

"She knew that was all it would ever be. She agreed to it before anything happened." He defended.

"She may have agreed to it but I know she didn't mean it. The one rule I ever gave you Chase is to stay away from my friends and you couldn't even follow that. How am I supposed to trust you after something like that?" I questioned him.

"I know it was stupid and I would take it back if could but I can't. All we can do now is move on from it."

"How do you know that Crystal can? She was crazy about you."

"If she hasn't she will once she gives Josh a chance. Then once she is changed she will feel the pull to Josh and won't ever feel anything for anyone else ever again." He explained

"You know you betrayed me." I said hurt.

Chase moved closer to me and held me in his arms. I didn't react; I just stood there trying to figure out where we go from here. I don't know if I should forgive him. He betrayed my trust and did the one thing I asked him not to do. Then on the other hand Crystal seemed ok when I talked to her so maybe she didn't get hurt. I really want to forgive him but I don't know if I can. Ugh I'm so confused right now.

"Please forgive me Ashlyn. Mistakes are called mistakes for a reason. Without them we would have nothing to learn from. I would never ever do that again. The person who betrayed you was the old me. I have changed in more ways than one and all I want is you. You are my world now. I love you Ashlyn."

Hearing those words made me swoon. He kissed me on the head held me to him. What do I do now? His speech sounded sincere and something is tugging at my heart to forgive him. Should I believe him now? Should I trust him again? I mean he has gone to great lengths to get me and show me he loves me. That counts for something right? Grant it he didn't go about it the best way but this was all new to him. I'm still trying to forgive him for it.

I sighed in defeat. I knew I was slowly giving in. Ever since that stupid bonding thing I have been acting different. I am more forgiving and understanding and I think I might be starting to like Chase again. All this is confusing. My whole life has changed completely from what it used to be and all of this is new to me. I lifted my arms and hugged Chase back. I hope I am making the right choice.

"I love you Ashlyn. I mean it. I will never betray you ever again." He said sincerely.

"Don't make me regret this Chase. I don't know that I can forgive you for something like this."

"I won't." He assured me.

************************

I yawned and closed my eyes as Chase held me to his chest. It had been a long flight and I was ready to sleep. Chase noticed how tired I was and picked me up and carried me to the bed. He laid me down and covered me up and started to walk away. I quickly grabbed his arm and stopped him. He looked at me with a confused face.

"Will you stay with me until I go to sleep?"

"Anything for you." He stated and climbed into bed next to me holding me close.

I snuggled to him and closed my eyes. This is the first time in a long time that felt peace. Right now laying in Chase's arms feels so right, I feel like I could just stay like this forever. I sighed in contentment and drifted off to sleep.

****

I was woke by a banging at the door. I opened my eyes and looked around for Chase. He must have fallen asleep to because he was just waking up as I was. He yawned and rubbed his eyes and went to answer the door.

"What?"He said groggily.

"We need to tell everyone what happened earlier." I heard Josh say from the door. "I suspect there is more to come."

"Alright I will be there in a minute." Chase told him. Josh nodded and left. He walked back over to the bed and smiled at me. I have to go but I will be back soon ok?"

"Ok." I said and just before he turned I pulled him down to me and kissed him on the lips. He paused in shock then smiled and kissed back. After a minute I reluctantly pulled away letting him go. I don't know what is going on but I am starting to develop some new feelings for Chase and I think I like them. It must be the bond.