Ivy

"Tonight was really amazing." I said, handing my helmet over to him as I brushed my hair, which I'd let out of its ponytail earlier. He watched the action all through with a smile. I swallowed, clearing my throat awkwardly. "I'm so glad I got to see the Inc." I added, taking in a deep breath and hugging myself.  "... even if it was just a sector. I remember you saying something about visitors not allowed in your Inc and how no one knows about it."

His eyes still didn't leave my face. "You're not the only one who knows about my Inc. there are other people out there who order for my kind and some get the opportunity to visit, some don't."

"Oh." I nodded. "Anyway, I appreciate it. I know it must have taken a lot for you."

He shrugged. "It's cool. I'll be safe. I have more friends than I have enemies."

I smiled, letting the silence drag on before I asked the very question that had been bugging me. "How is it that people don't visit the site often? I mean... It's out there, right?"

He hesitated, but answered all the same. "No. It opens up in every four years for about 30 minutes or so, and just about a few people get the opportunity to check out the site. Depends though... Not everyone's willing to pay the huge sum of money, so not many people get the opportunity to visit it. It's closed up now. I guess you were the last buyer, or the first, maybe only... I don't know."

"Oh? Since when has your Inc been in existence?"

He led the way into the house. "I don't know." He said, sounding super honest.

I nodded.

We walked into the house together, no words were exchanged into the comfortable silence and it felt nice. But still, there was this pending tension hanging in the air.

Maybe I felt like this because I wasn't being totally honest with him as he had been with me today.

He had shown me something he swore secrecy to.

Why? Because he thought it was the only way to protect me. He knew I would do whatever it took to find his Inc, so he thought taking me there would quench my curiosity.

But it didn't.

I wanted to see all the sectors, know the amount of people in there.

I just wanted to know.

All through the stairs climbing, I played with my fingers, feeling like the bad guy. All I was trying to do was help. He might hate me for this later on but- he should understand.

He will.

I felt a strange connection to him and as each day passed, it got stronger.

The surprising thing now is, I wasn't scared of my feelings. Ethan Murray is a real person. A person who doesn't remember his family, a person who only knew his real name but not his real identity. Someone I could help.

Someone I will strive to help.

We stopped in front of his room. He turned to face me, shoving both hands into his pockets as he gave me a smile I'd never seen before.

This particular one was genuine because it reached his eyes and it was so easy.

"So, till tomorrow then?"

I gulped, hugging myself tighter. "Yeah, it's another school day tomorrow. If my parents were here, I'd be asleep already. It's pretty late."

"Sounds like I'm the bad influence." He said, raising his brows.

"Nah, you're good. You're not bad at all, honestly, I'm kinda disappointed."

He cocked a brow. "Careful what you wish for, Ivy Fisher."

"Wasn't careful enough when I wished for you."

"Is that regret I hear?"

I shrugged. "Can you blame me? You've not even been here for three weeks and I already have a lot to worry about."

"You're too smart for your own good." He said, the smile still on his face. "Anyways, like I said, you're stuck with me. Whether you like it, or you don't."

I gave a light chuckle. "Whatever."

"Yup. I guess it's time for goodnight." He said. "I'm sorta tired-ish."

I smiled. "If the word tired is coming from a machine, I wonder how tired I, a mere mortal would be."

He grinned. "I'm not entirely built with iron, Ivy. Besides, I've got practice tomorrow and I have to get a clear mind and all..."

"Yeah yeah... I get it." I smiled. "Goodnight Ethan."

He placed his hand on his door knob, pulling the door open. "Night." He said, about to enter his room, but my voice stopped him.

"Wait," I said. "One more question."

He turned towards me, his hand still on the door knob. "Yeah?"

"Would you give everything to reunite with a member of your real family?" I asked.

His face fell, and an unknown emotion rested on his green eyes. I knew the subject was still raw for him and I didn't want to put him in a bad mood. But I needed confirmation, I needed to know if he'd appreciate what I plan to do in future.

His hand left the door knob, coming to stroke my cheek, immediately igniting a warmth from within me. At this moment, it felt like I could feel whatever it was he was feeling, it felt like we shared the same emotions. My heart beat sped up as he cupped the side of my face, his thumb caressing my cheek before he spoke. "I'd give up everything in a heart beat."

My shoulders relaxed a little.

"Why?" He asked.

"I was only curious."

"You need to tone down your curiosity Ivy Fisher, I don't want you to get hurt by it. Okay?"

I nodded. "Night."

He leaned in, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. "Night."

_

"... In conclusion, we can promote world Peace by being at peace with ourselves. If we're all peaceful with ourselves, if we have no demons to battle with, the world would be a better place. So let's promote peace by starting with ourselves. Thank you." The round of applause made the hall so small.

It was an impromptu speech for the peace convention, but I knew I nailed it... Especially with the reference to cute whales and sea lions. I knew I got their hearts there.

Everyone began to chatter as they made their way out of the hall.

I made my way towards Ethan who was still clapping at my speech. I could see the pride shinning in his eyes and it made me feel all warm inside.

"You were awesome up there." He said once I reached him.

"Thanks." I grinned up at him.

He took my hand in his, intertwining our fingers. It was a simple gesture, but somehow, it made my heart change its rhythm.

We walked hand in hand and side by side to my locker.

School today was fun, but normal. Everyone stole glances at me and Ethan as usual, and I got more recognitions today.

I hadn't gotten the chance to speak to Roman yet cause Ethan wouldn't leave my side. I found it really cute at first, but now I needed to speak to Roman. Like in urgent need to speak to him.

"Uh, Ethan?" I called on his attention as we walked towards the second hallway, towards my locker to grab a book before fourth period started.

"Yeah?"

"I think you should start making friends."

He furrowed his brows, clearly he wasn't expecting that statement. "Friends?"

"Yeah," I scratched my nose just to fake the casuality of the topic. "I mean, you can't hang out around me the whole time, people are gonna ask questions- I know, making friends would be kinda hard for-"

"It's not hard." He said. "I can make friends if I want to."

We reached my locker.

I stopped, then turned to look at him. "So, why aren't you making friends?"

His eyes scanned the hallway, hesitating before his eyes met mine. "Isn't it obvious? I like spending time with you... Not because it's my job, but because I find you interesting."

I gulped down, fighting the sudden warmth rushing up my cheeks. "Oh."

"I didn't mean that as a compliment Ivy... I really do find you interesting, you're different... Like a puzzle with so many shapes."

"Okay? You didn't mean it as a compliment, but I am gonna take it as one."

He simply shrugged, his eyes not leaving mine.

His stare made my heart race abnormally, so I looked away, placing my thumb on the thumbprint device beside my locker.

"What's so interesting about me?" I asked, as I pulled open my locker, picking out my needed notes and textbooks.

I heard him take in a deep breath and just then, I knew he was shoving both his hands in his pockets as he spoke. "Well, your eyes for example... They have this mysterious thing about them, almost as if they're holding back a lot of secrets."

I scrunched my brows, knowing my face was blocked from his view. "What do you mean by that?"

"Your eyes are sorta deceiving."

My heart slammed against my chest.

I gulped down. "What else do you find interesting, other than my eyes."

"Your character. You're bold, you ask questions without thinking of the consequences, you go against better odds, you see the good in people, even if there's obviously no good in them. That's all I've picked up and each day, there's this new thing that pops up and I just want to be around you when they do... See? Interesting."

I smiled, shutting my locker. "You're a real sweet talker, you know that?"

"So I've been told... But now I'm being serious." He said, his eyes killing every last reserve I had.

How could someone be so good looking?

His lips showed the hint of the smile his face carried, his sexy eyes refused to stop staring at my dreamy ones, his hair just had the perfect wave to them, his leaning posture was something you'd pay a billion dollar to see, his full but well shaped brows was something you'd love to kiss every morning, he was the definition of 'classic beauty' he was just-

"Ivy!"

I blinked, snapping out of my short daze to find Fiona coming up to me.

Before I knew what was happening, she threw me a hug. "Hi! I forgot to get your number yesterday. But I'm gonna get it today right?"

I smiled. "Yeah, definitely Fiona." My smile quickly disappeared when I saw her nose... It was all healed up and perfect, almost as if the death ball thing never happened. "Your nose, it's- it's fine." I said.

She opened her mouth to say something, her eyes were full with panic as they took a quick glance towards Ethans' annoyed face before coming back to mine. "Uh... My Mom's a nurse? Yeah, she's a really good nurse... Back then, she was top of her class, even smarter than-"

"I'm Trevor." Ethan spoke, extending his hands towards her for a handshake.

She gave a sigh of relief and accepted it. "Fiona Smith... I'm new."

"Nice to meet you." He said, his eyes speaking the opposite of what his mouth said.

"Same here, and you're Ivy's..."

"Boyfriend." I filled in for her.

Her eyes widened. "No way," she took her hands from his in an instant. "I didn't mean that in a bad way, he's just- really - really, good looking. I'm sorry, I've not really been around- I didn't really think you and Ivy- I'm so sorry, this is stupid- I'm so stupid."

I chuckled. "No Fiona, it's okay... I get that a lot. Most people think it's impossible," my eyes met Ethan's. "... Even I sometimes find it impossible but - it is as it is."

Fiona smiled. "Well, it's nice to meet you, Trevor... You both look really cute together."

Ethan still had a stoic look on his face.

"Hi guys." Romans' voice wasn't missed as he halted in front of my locker.

"Hey, Roman... Hi." Leave it to me to be so awkward about this.

Fiona's attention shifted to Roman's. "Hi, I'm Fiona Smith I'm new here. Nice to meet you." She said politely to Roman as they both shook hands.

"Do I know you, you look kinda familiar." Roman said, squinting his eyes like he was trying to remember where he'd met her.

Fiona laughed. "Except you're one of aunt Marie's long lost son who was my only neighbor back in Ohio." She smiled.

Roman nodded with a shy smile. "I'm Roman, Roman Huxley. Nice to meet you too." He returned the smile.

"Well, isn't this nice." Another voice cut in.

We all turned to find Caramel, in all her black glory, resting on a locker behind us, with a lollipop stuck between her lips.

"Morning Caramel, you look well." I said.

Her eyes lingered on mine. "Shove your good girl attitude up your ass, Ivy Fisher, you know I hate you." She said with a sweet smile.

"Last I checked, it was for no apparent reason." I said.

She scoffed. "What is this? A squad meeting? By all means, count me in." She smiled.

Damn, she had a really cute smile.

"Back off, Caramel." Ethan voiced out.

"And... He speaks. Never thought you'd ever speak to me again, Trevor, ever since the janitors closet incident?"

I frowned immediately, turning towards Ethan to see his face still expressionless. "You mean the one where you tried to get with me and I rejected you instantly? That doesn't really sound like something I'd stop speaking to you for."

I turned to Caramel again.

A smile pulled at her lips as her attention turned towards Fiona. "Your nose seems fine Fi? She heals pretty fast, don't you think so Roman?" She asked, turning to a clueless Roman.

"What?" He asked.

"Oh? You didn't know? Fiona had a broken nose just yesterday, it was really bad and-"

"That's impossible, a broken nose doesn't just look like a normal one the next day." Roman cut her off.

"I know, right? That's kinda abnormal, don't you think?" Caramel said.

Roman's confused eyes turned to meet mine.

I gulped.

What the hell is she aiming at?

"Or don't you think it's abnormal, Ivy?" She asked me.

"What's your point exactly, Caramel?" Fiona broke in. "I don't see how my healing situation is any of your business... Why don't you just leave us alone."

"I don't think she understands that sentence, Fiona." Ethan said.

And just like that, a stare down went on between the three of them.

Roman and I stole glances at each other.

"Uh..." Roman started, breaking the silence. "I'm just gonna go to class now." He said, rushing down the hallway.

"I think I'll do the same, cause I have the same class with Roman there." I said.

"Really?" Ethan asked, his eyes snapping to mine in an instant.

"Yeah... See you later." I said, rushing after Roman before he could get another word out.

I caught up with Roman in no time. "Hey!"

He turned to me. "Well that was awkward." He gave a side smile.

"Yeah... Too awkward. But that's the least of our problems now."

"Okay, what's up?" He asked.

"Trust me... It's a really long story."

_

Vote and comment:-)

How long do you think it's gonna take Ivy and Roman to figure out the relationship between, Ethan, Caramel and Fiona?

What do you think Ethan thinks about whenever he looks at Ivy?

Do you think Ivy's gonna tell Roman about last night Adventure to the Inc?

Read on to find out!