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44
Ivy's pov

The golf-day had ended up with everyone assembling at Kyle's house for a barbeque, beer and soda evening. With a dull music playing in the background, and people chatting non-stop with each other.

This was my neighborhood.

Everyone knew each other, and everyone organized cool evenings like this when they're in the charitable spirit... If there's even a word construction like that.

Anyway, it had been a wonderful day.

It was exactly the kind of distraction I needed from every single little thing happening around me. I wanted to cultivate the habit of not having to worry about things I had to forget.

Things like The Inc, or like the fact that Roman had found thousands of ways to avoid me through out today. Then there's Ethan who for some reason, was ignoring me. Or even the fact that Fiona wasn't even bothered about Ethan's appearance after she saw him dead the other day.

When I brought up the issue earlier today, she had smiled and told me that she doesn't even want to hear my explanation. Infact, she said she was definitely cool with everything.

I found it all weird, and somewhat confusing.

I mean, putting myself in Fiona's shoes, I would have gone crazy trying to piece everything together. And if not for the fact that Ethan made me promise to drop all this, I would have been wracking my brain for possible reasons why his Inc would manipulate him to that extent.

But... Fiona was so cool about it. She was acting like nothing happened.

Well, I have decided to drop it, since it was also in my favor. I wouldn't have to make up an explanation for her.

Over to Roman...

He had stopped talking to me.

I tried approaching him countless times today but the moment he sees me coming, he'd move away to another direction, pointing it clear to me that he doesn't want to talk. I wonder what could have happened? Has he also started pulling back from me? Has this Inc dilemma made him feel unsafe around me?

On one hand is a brother who ran away from me like I was a signature of a plague and on the other was a brother who got extraordinarily clingy.

Kyle had been all over me, and I couldn't bring myself to get away... Ethan, well- ever since we got to Kyle's, he had mostly kept to himself, at least, not until my Mom got to him. His eyes were a shade darker and he looked lost in his own world.

I wonder how my Mom could carry on a conversation with him when he had that look on. I wonder what they're even talking about.

Why was Ethan paying attention to everyone but me?

First it was Janie.

That was probably the only thing that made my day a little bit horrible. The moment I noticed Janie by his side today, my first instinct was to head on to his other side and pull him far away from her. But Kyle had been really interested in spending the whole of today with me.

That reminds me... I was supposed to be talking about Kyle... Not Ethan... Yet.

Kyle wasn't bad company, infact, it felt nice to actually get to know more about a guy that had been hunting my Cinderella dreams since well- since as long as I can remember.

In all, today had been fun, yet it felt- wrong.

It felt like I was on the wrong track. It felt like I was wasting time doing things I wasn't supposed to be doing.

I took in a deep breath, and rubbed my bare arm in a motion to create a little bit of warmth as I watched Ethan's face crack up in a small smile at something my mom said.

Suddenly, I felt a warm clothing enclose around my back from behind.

I turned to find Kyle, standing right behind me.

"You looked like you needed the jacket." He said with a soft smile.

"Thank you." I said, sliding my hands into both sides of his warm jacket. "I didn't know you were watching." I said.

"Well, when you see a priceless jewel, brightening up the evening with her beautiful face and aura, it's difficult not to stare." He said.

I smiled. "You really know how to butter a girl up."

"You're not just any girl." He said, his eyes piercing intently into mine. It felt like he could see and hear every of my thoughts.

It made me feel quite uncomfortable.

"Are you okay?" He asked.

I managed a nod. "Yeah... I'm fine."

He looked ahead, towards Ethan's direction, diping his hands into his pockets. "You don't have to lie to me... I see behind the 'i'm fine' quote."

"Really?"

He smiled, his gaze meeting mine again. "Yeah... Infact, I think I know the reason why you're not fine."

I chuckled. "Do tell."

"Your boyfriend?" He inquired.

I raised a brow at him. "What makes you think Trevor is responsible for my I'm fine facade?"

His shoulders lifted up an inch. "I just know. I mean, he literally hasn't talked to you since morning and that's not a way a guy is supposed to treat his lady."

I suppressed a scoff. "Really now? Says the guy who didn't even spare his girlfriend a glance through out today."

"That's different." He fought back.

"How is it different?"

He hesitated, his eyes narrowing.

"Janie and I aren't exactly in a good place with our relationship. Things are falling apart and she barely even has time for me."

My brows etched in a sad frown. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah... In fact, I feel relieved."

"Oh... But I thought-"

"Kyle! Over here, come check this out!" Someone yelled his name from somewhere behind us.

He gave me an apologetic look. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine." I said with a smile.

With that, he walked away.

I let out a sigh of relief, my eyes landing on Roman, standing alone beside a soda stable, just looking around.

With a determined look on my face, I walked over to him.

When he spotted me approaching, he didn't look pleased. Rather, he looked uncomfortable, almost as if he was looking for an escape route.

"So, care to tell me why you've been avoiding me all day?" I asked, crossing my arms over my chest, pinning his gaze with mine.

"I haven't." He said with a half shrug.

"Oh really? Then how would you explain the fact that everytime I try to approach you, you just run away or look the other direction?"

He sighed, looking away. "I'm not avoiding you, okay? There's just a lot on my mind right now, and I just need some alone time to figure myself out."

There was an unsteady edge to his voice that had me worried. "Did something happen?"

"No."

"Well, why do you need to figure yourself out? You were fine the other day."

"I was- and then I realized that everything happening now is just- it's just too much for me to handle. I-" he sighed. "I just need to be on my own for now."

I blinked, my brain still finding it difficult to piece this all together. "Is this because of what happened to Ethan? Is it bothering you?"

"It's part of it." He said, raking his fingers through his hair. "Look, Ivy- this- this whole thing we've gotten ourselves into, it's- it's dangerous... They are dangerous and- they're everywhere. I can't help but watch my shoulders every damn time, and I don't feel safe. It's always like there's someone watching every step I take." He said.

I frowned. "We're not doing it anymore... I mean, yeah you're right, the Inc is a dangerous place and it's filled with dangerous people, that's why I've decided to just leave everything, in hopes that maybe one day, someone would be brave enough to take on that task without failing."

He scoffed. "You don't get it do you?" He asked. "Once we're involved... We're involved. They've seen our faces, they know where we live... They know everything Ivy."

"I don't think so-"

"You don't think so?" He shot back, looking a bit frustrated. "Ivy listen to yourself. These guys aren't just a small organization. This thing has to do with dimensions, dimensions Ivy. They're not playing around. They mean business." He said, looking around, and leaning in, just enough so only I could here what he was about to say. "They could be anyone Ivy. Our teachers, doctors, our neighbors... Friends. Anyone. There's no differenciating between them and we humans, physically. That, Is what I mean by danger."

He was right. But he was at the same time, over thinking everything.

"You're right, Roman. They could be anyone. But we can't concern ourselves with that anymore. It's the past... Let's move on and get through highschool, and forget this ever happened."

He gave a humourless laugh. "You still don't get it. We can't just forget it. We can't erase our faces from their sick systems. We're in trouble Ivy... I feel like people are watching our every move. We could be in danger-"

I shook my head. "Ethan wouldn't let anything happen to us-"

"Is that what you think?"

"It's what I know."

"Well good for you. I'm glad that you've found your peace of mind. I on the other hand still need sometime to figure myself out. Alone."

I sighed. "Roman, I'm sorry for dragging you into this- but I don't regret it. I don't regret these last few days. It didn't yield any good results, but at least I had an epic time and I got meet a really great guy, and I got to know someone as awesome as you. I don't want our new found friendship to get ruined because of this."

"I know. I don't want that too- but in the circumstances I find myself, I'd rather go back to being the Roman nobody noticed. I'm sorry."

I furrowed my brows in a frown as shock overwhelmed me. "So this is it?" I asked, unsure of what to actually say because this was unexpected. Roman was a great guy, and I valued the relationship we had. I haven't known him for the longest time, but it felt like I had.

Hearing him say this was like a big shock and pull to me.

"Roman don't-"

"This is for the best Ivy. I think it's for the best." He said.

He wasn't okay... He doesn't feel safe anymore. I did that to him.

So therefore, his actions were totally justifiable.

"It was really nice getting to know you, Ivy."

I couldn't even reply to that.

He sled both hands into his pockets and let out a deep breath. "See you around, I guess?" Was all he said, before he walked away.

I stood there with my shoulders slumped, gulping down the lump on my throat, as I looked back at his retreating figure.

I sighed, finally making my way towards Ethan.

My Mom was long gone by his side, and he was holding a soda can on his grip. When his eyes swayed to my direction, he raised a brow.

"What's wrong?" He asked almost immediately, a frown pulling down his raised brow when I reached him.

A smile tugged at my lips, his tone told me he knew I wasn't really in a good mood.

"Roman just told me he doesn't want to be friends anymore." I said, grabbing a soda from the table beside him.

"Is that why you have that look on your face?"

I nodded.

"Oh, for a minute there I thought it was because Kyle left you to attend to his friends." He said, taking a swig of his soda.

I frowned. "Excuse me?" I asked indignantly.

"Well, don't look offended now. You've ignored me all day and I had that time to figure out why that is."

I went quiet, my heart giving an unsteady thug. "What did you figure out?" I asked carefully, my gaze never shifting from his.

He shrugged. "What everyone else knows?" He said, dropping the can on the table. "Listen Ivy, I had a small talk with Janie today, and she told me about your history with Kyle. About how much you really liked him. And then I just got to realize the real reason why you ordered for me."

I remained silent, not liking where this was going.

"You just wanted to use me to get Kyle to notice you. That's the reason right?"

Confusion and hurt slapped me in the face like a hot bowl of water. "What?"

"I mean it's only logical. You didn't talk to me today, and since I rode to the park with your Dad, earlier than you and your Mom did, you didn't even acknowledge my presence."

"You were busy playing a game with my Dad... Was I supposed to interrupt? You looked like you were having fun. So many things happened lately, and last night I begged my Dad to take you along so you could feel a little bit relieved. You died just recently Ethan, and I know you made me promise not to talk about this anymore, but don't think this still isn't bothering me. I just thought we both needed the distraction. Why would you think I was using you to get to Kyle?"

He sighed. "Ivy listen-"

"I'm not gonna listen to whatever you have to say. I risked my life and Roman's life trying to find a way to free you from that stupid dimension, and with just one conversation with Janie, you conclude that I'm only trying to use you? After everything?"

"I didn't mean for you to take it this serious Ivy-"

"Well I'm taking it serious, cause you're making me feel like a bad person, and all I was trying to do was for everyone to get a distraction from all this... Now, Roman doesn't want to have anything to do with me, Fiona's just- I don't even know what to conclude about Fiona. And then you're here, thinking that I'm trying to use you to get to Kyle."

He sighed, raking his fingers through his hair. "Okay, I'm sorry."

"You're not sorry, you're only saying that so I'd stop talking." I said.

He smiled. "Jesus, you don't know how cute you look with that frown on your face."

My frown deepened. "I'm trying to be serious here."

"Eh- I'm not really paying attention to that." He said, pulling me closer to him, untill I was basically standing right in front of him. "Are you that clueless, Ponytail?" He asked, tugging at my ponytail.

My lips almost broke in a smile. "What do you mean?"

He gave a side smile that seemed to awake that addictive evil and submissive warmth in me.

"I was Jealous, Ivy. I don't like seeing you with Kyle and I know it's not my place to dictate who you want to be with, since that choice remains with you. But- I don't know why I just don't like him and I feel like he is trying to take you away or something- I'm not saying you shouldn't be with who you want to be with, I'm just asking you to be-"

"I want to be with you." I blurted out my feelings at that exact moment.

"What?"

"I like you Ethan. And this is not just our weird connection talking. I care about you, and I want to be with you, for real. I want us to start afresh and forget what I did to get you."

"You mean, forget you paid for me."

A laugh bubbled out of my chest. "Your Inc can dwell on that money, I don't care. All I care about is you."

He placed a gentle stroke on my cheek. "I want that too."

"You do?"

"Yeah... I do, I really do Ivy. I really do want you to be mine, for real and not because I have to."

"Then yes, I accept."

His smile broadened as he cupped my cheek and leaned in for a kiss.

The moment his lips met mine, I lost myself.

He tasted like the sweet lemon soda he had been drinking, as his lips tentatively moved on mine. So soft, not demanding, just perfect.

We kissed in perfect sync and it made my heart jump with excitement and love.

Jesus, I haven't felt this alive since forever.

It felt like we were the only ones in that backyard garden. I felt every cool breeze hit my skin with a different force, causing goosebumps against my skin.

I felt it even though I was putting on Kyle's jacket. It was like a cold wind of electricity, pumping through my veins vigorously.

It was so awesome it had my heart going extraordinarily crazy this time.

Well, this wasn't normal... Or was it?

I pulled away to catch my breath, due to the fast beating of my heart that seemed to have my adrenaline flowing like crazy.

When my eyes pulled open, I couldn't catch my breath because they suddenly caught in my throat as I stared into Ethan's- Ethan's glowing blue eyes?

Immediately, I placed my hand over his eyes, shielding them from anyone's view.

"Okay?" He chuckled. "Should I be expecting this kind of reaction everytime I kiss you?"

"Just- shut up, and come with me." I said, pulling him with me towards a secluded area, not before grabbing my mom's purse from the table.

"What happened?" He asked, sounding so clueless.

I took my hand from over his eyes. Gulping when I still saw the striking electric blue hue of his eyes.

"Your eyes, Ethan." I said, sounding so breathless.

"Let me guess, they're glowing green again?" He asked with a light tone.

"No- no they're blue."

He frowned. "That's a new one."

Quickly, I fished for my mom's mirror in her purse, so I could show him.

I handed the mirror over to him.

He took it and placed it over his face.

He stilled as his eyes met his own reflection.

When he blinked, the glow faded away, bringing back that Emerald green eyes I was more familiar with.

Speechlessly, he handed the mirror over to me.

When I took it, my eyes went back to his clueless looking face. "What does it mean? Is it normal? Is there an explanation to it? Is something wrong with you?" I threw the questions at him frantically, worried that he might be in danger again.

I don't want him hurt. I won't be able to stand that. I won't.

"I wish I could give you an answer, Ivy. At this point, I myself am as clueless as you are. But- but I feel fine... I'm fine."

I shook my head. "No- no you're not- you're not fine, Ethan."

"Hey," he said, cupping my chin. "Don't worry about me."

"I can't help it-"

"Listen, I'll be fine okay? All I know is, there are more people who wants me alive, than-"

"Don't say it." I rushed out. "I don't want to put you and that word together in a sentence."

He sighed, pulling me to his chest and engulfing me in a hug. "Thank you for being here, Ivy. You don't know how much you mean to me."

"I'll never leave you." I said, listening to his unsteady heart beat. "I'll always be here for you."

Always.

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Vote and Comment:-)

Thanks for your patience... I was supposed to update yesterday, but I wasn't doing too well, and I'm still a little bit unwell now, but I just wanted to put up this chapter... And besides, I couldn't find all my books yesterday, I guess it was the Wattpad glitch thing.

Well, what do you think of this chapter?

Comment for early updates, I'll like to know your thoughts on this chapter.

Till the next one, bye beauties!

Nora.