Reaching for You. //Jack (Matthew)

[Jack Lexington]

Now that I sit beside her and we're about to restart our relationship I get a little overwhelmed by my own feelings, so I'm glad when she offers to take it slow.
"Slow's good." I confirm.

Kyanite tells me about the procedure she just had to undergo because of Vy, which makes me cringe. Not only does it mean a lot of pain for her but also even longer rehabilitation.
"Oh shit." I voice what's on my mind first.
Here I am, almost healed up with only that small brace left on my upper arm, that I'll get rid of within a few days and she's looking at 2 or three months of agony and doctors visits.
"Why did that bitch have to do that?" I don't get it at all. The fight was over and I truly hate her for it.
"If you need any help I'll be there for you, okay?" Hopefully Kyanite won't be as stupid as I was and accept it.
"I like your new goal."
She plays with my fingers for a bit and then asks about my future plans.
I sigh heavily and run my hand over my head.
"If only I knew. My internship's almost done. Couple of days left. My father wants me to start a real job with him but I'm not sure. I want to see something else first before I settle on engineering for good." I become a little silent for a bit and watch the fluid fall drop by drop into the tube that's connected to her arm.
"Maybe I'll go into nursing...that'd be handy." I'm just joking though.
"No, definetly not as I have the same goal as you. I have an idea but am not sure yet. I'll let you know if I really do it."
Tyren has told me he'll join the peace keeper academy but I'm surely not cut out to be a pk. It does sound like an adventure though, which is rather tempting.
"What about you?"
I watch her out of the corner of my eye.
"If you're getting sleepy let me know. I can come back later. Pick you up if you want me to."

[*]

"Oh shit. Why did that bitch have to do that?" I shake my head. From what I remember, it was that there was no rules. I didn't know that once someone called it for it to be over, that even that didn't count. I'm assuming that's why she still decided that she wouldn't leave well enough alone. I look over at him when he offers himself up to help me if I need it, that he'll be there for me. I nod my head a few quick times. Just subtle nods, but I like the way he says that. He'll be there for me. Who am I to deny it? I won't do that to him. I denied his help just once, and it killed me. I'll never do that again and especially what I saw when he denied me for so long.

"I'd like that, Matthew. And I'm glad you're here for me right now." I let him know that him coming here to see me is just the thing I needed. What's going on right now between us is already easing my mind. It's almost comical how he even agrees and likes my new goal of staying out of the hospital. I want nothing more than to stay out of this place unless it's for someone else, and I seriously don't want it to be Matthew, either.

"You make the goal to stay out, too, alright?" I ask him, pleading with him through my eyes. Silence takes over again for a few minutes before he answers my question about where's he's going now. He tells me that his internship is almost up and his father's expecting him to start a real job. I wish my father expected that out of me. He still wants me to train. Still wants me to focus on the games. One day, i'll be past my reaping age and I'll not have anyting to do. Perhaps, I'll follow Matthew's dad's advice. Maybe it's time to plan for my future even if it is bleak for two more years...

"Maybe I'll go into nursing... that'd be handy." I note the tone and get the humor in it, but what if he has a point? What if nursing would secure a future for me? Maybe? Then he tells me that he's got a plan going on of something else and he'll let me know more about it if he goes through with it. That makes me curious, but the question is turned on me so suddenly.

"I honestly don't know, MAtthew. My father's plan for me still stands. The games. Training. Never though more about anything else other than that. Though, you mentioned nursing... You think... maybe one day I should see about persueing that? I ean, I know the hospital grounds like the back of my hand already." I joke, but for some reason, there's a bit of seriousness in my tone.

"Nah, I'm not sleepy. Sore, but not tired. If they do let me out tonight, would you... pick me up?" I ask him even if he already mentioned it. Automatically, I get lighthearted at the thought of him taking on that task he offered. It'll give us some time together and I couldn't ask for anything more than that. "Though, if you need to go, you should. You're probably busy, anyways." Why am I saying this? I don't want him to go, but I don't want to keep him either if he's needing to meet up for internship. It's up to him though. I let my hand move up on his arm near the scar again and trace it with my fingers before bending down to kiss the mark.

[Jack Lexington]

"I'd like that, Matthew. And I'm glad you're here for me right now." Her words are kind and spoken softly but they also imply that I wasn't thee for her when she needed me when she was sick as a dog.

"You make the goal to stay out, too, alright?" I thought I'd already told her so but I nod to reassure her.
"I'm only coming back here twice. One time to get you, the other to get this freaking brace off my arm that's bugging the shit out of me. A few more days, then I'll never come back here again, promise." We all know that most likely the choice is not ours but we try anyway.
"Since I'm not at the center anymore, nor am I doing illegal underground fights or volunteering for the games the chances are good." I smirk at her.

Apparently Kyanites life is dictated by her old man, which I don't like very much.
I wish she could make her own choices rather than living on her fathers rules.
"You should do whatever you want to. Maybe try something new, like nursing. Try something your father doesn't approve of." I'm sure that's great advice. Reuniting with me is probably already something he doesn't approve of.

She sounds like she's ready to let me go but I don't want to. I've only just gotten that beautiful girl back. "I don't have anywhere better to be right now." I look deep into her eyes because I'm trying to let her know that I want to be here with her because it's been far too long.
When she runs her hand along the faded white scar she left on my arm I place mine on hers and wrap my fingers around hers.
"I'm going to try a lot harder this time, Ky."
That is a promise. For her to take me back is not something I expected, nor do I deserve it but I appreciate it. I might even make our relationship public this time.
"No more hiding." There's a slight smile playing on my lips before I capture her lips again.

[*]

Time is given in spurts. A little bit of time for this. A little time for that. Right now, I've been given more time. Time with Matthew as he sits with me on the bed; our voices intertwine withing each other trying to catch up with what's been going on lately. Promises and questions that litter the air between us. Answers to those questions are what we seek though. Just the little things to start off with since neither of us really kept up for two months; two months alone. Even as I try to explain my dad's plans for me still, I offer up a new idea to Matthew and he takes it well. He actually seems to support the idea.

"You should do whatever you want to. Maybe try something new, like nursing. Try something your father doesn't approve of." I'm sure that's also one way to get him more angry with me than he has been. I let the air draw deep into my lungs through my nose then slowly exhale trying to figure out what ways I could go about seeking that area of interest. Where would I begin? How would I do it and hide it if I had to? Should I have Matthew there when I tell my father of my new inspiration to seek a better life after I'm not reaped and to tell him that I do not plan on volunteering anymore? I've made my choise in my head, but outwardly, I still think I need to follow through with my dad's dream since his was dashed. I know Jeran won't volunteer; he expects me to, though.

"I will see about it, but would you be there when I do?" He probably don't understand the reasoning behind it but he's seen how my father is to me. How he even tried to make me sleep at the center to train the next day after the first break. I look at him with wondering eyes. Why have you changed all of a sudden? I like it. You seem more set with yourself.

Then, he mentions leaving if I was tired, but I threw that off but still offered to let him go should he need to. I was half expecting a kiss on the forehead and an agreement to tell me that his father was waiting for him or something but my eyes lite up the moment I heard him say, "I don't have anywhere better to be right now." I come up with a huge grin as he stares at my eyes. I can see the clarity in the color and I can't seem to tear myself away from him.

He don't want to leave me.

"I"m going to try a lot harder this time, Ky." My nickname from him. It sends this type of butterfly effect into my stomach cause when he first came in, he just used my full name. Kyanite. It seemed tired when he used it, but when he shortens it, I know we are officially back on terms of a relationship. I also don't care if I have to only eye him in the complete blackness of night where no one can even see us, I will do whatever it takes since he is mine again. I give him a nod.

"No more hiding." What does that mean?

I give him a puzzling look when he said that only to have him lose the distance between us as his lips move onto mine and I move with him to give back. The hunger inside to have him kissing me, brings my right hand up to gently move against his cheek then let my fingers trace softly behind his neck. When we part, I let my forehead lean against his for a moment then I move my head down to rest on his shoulder. Breath in. Breath out. You're going to be fine now.

"Just as I remember..." I whisper out and keep my head resting on his shoulder. I'm not sure what's going to happen now, but I've felt more calm now then ever before and I don't ever want to lose this again. "What does that mean... no more hiding?"

I turn my face upward and bring my hand to gentle glide my finger along his chin and to let my palm rest against his cheek.

[Jack Lexington]

Our kiss lingers on for a whiel. This one I can actually enjoy because I feel I'm not stealing it from her but she wants it just as much as I do. I feel so close to her. The heat radiating off her skin while our lips connect, the hair dangling in my face, her eye lashes as they briefly flicker against the bridge of my nose.
then our eyes lock as if we're trying to look right inside. I can see her iris move but her look tells me she didn't get what i just siad about no hiding.
"What does that mean?" She wants to know as if it wasn't obvious. For a moment I contemplate not telling her so I can back out if I feel the need but today, since she's giving me another chance, I feel that I need to stick myself to a good plan.
"It means that I'm not going to try to hide our relationship anymore. You can tell whoever you want what we are." I expect some sort of cheer for this.
"And that I'm going to do this in public....if you want"
her hand on my face seems to be the only thing that stabilizes my head from spinning out because of so much realtionship gutts on my side.
Today's a good day.

For a while we sit together, then I ask.
"What did your brother and dad have to say about me? Are they going to kick you out if you let me back in your life?" This could become a problem and that's the last thing I want. Maybe we need to keep our relationship secret for her sake now.

[*]

I wanted to know what he means by saying that there's no more hiding. I could hardly understand what that might have meant. Does he mean that he won't hide from me anymore? Now that we're back with each other, will he allow himself to be more open about what's going on with his feelings or something? I let my palm rest on his cheek as he explains what he means.

It means that I'm not goign to try to hide our relationship anymore. You can tell whoever you want what we are. And that I'm going to do this in public... if you want."

Whoa? Where did all this come from? Before we split, he wanted no one to know about what we were. He even became angry when I had mentioned it to one person to sever the ties before anything happened between me and Mark. I still can't understand what has brought on this change.

"I would like that, Matthew, but, no one has to know if you don't feel comfortable." I also let him know in case all of this is too much just starting back again. I remember all too well that he's never let it out before and now he's willing to let the word out? Actually, it's a little overwhelming to me now, but I won't say a word. Though after a while, he seems to say what I've been thinking of with the only two people that really matter in my life that could possibly have any impact on our relationship.

"What did you brother and dad have to say about me? Are they going to kick you out if you let me back in your life?" I lean up from his shoulder, drawing my legs up to fold them on the bed. I reposition my arm in front of my body, letting my right arm cradle it. Just thinking about it is hard to come to a real answer.

"My brother don't like you, but I'm sure there's something inside of him that might be okay with it, if I make him listen to me. He should trust my judgements, but dad... I'm not sure." I go silent for a moment cause I have to consider the possibility if dad might kick me out just for getting back to with the guy whose challenged him from the first day he met him. "I don't care what he thinks or what he does. He can make me train till I drop dead, but he shouldn't have to control who I want to be with."

I turn to look at him. "I won't let him do that to us." If he even tries to keep me apart from MAtthew, he will not like me at all. I wonder what Matthew thinks about that. It already has me wondering what I'll do to make sure my father won't mess up what I just got back. What comes out next, seems to make my voice come out in a low tone. Is is nerves? Am I really that bothered by what my father will think if he knew? "When I tell him we are together, will you be there with me?"

[Jack Lexington]

My words surprise her , no doubt about that. heck, they surprise me. Since when do I ever go to any troubles for a girl. Yet here I am offering the unthinkable. Ky 's nice enough to offer me a way out though.
"I would like that, Matthew, but, no one has to know if you don't feel comfortable."
That's not good. because if she tells me that I'll never admit to anyone that I have a girlfriend.
"You'd better stick me to my offer." I warn her seriously.

Our conversation changes to her family and what I hear is somewhat expected because her faher seems ruthless while Jeran is the caring type, no matter how much he dislikes me, which I'm aware off. I don't like him either.
But he was nice enough to let me stay when she was sick, even if it was just for a little while.
"I can't stand your brother. He still seems like a good guy...but your dad. I don't know. Does he still make you train so hard? Does he know about the underground fight?" I can only imagine what he'd do then.

My father is the complete opposite. He encourages me but let's me do my thing. He's demanding where he needs to be like work.

"I won't let him do that to us." She states firmly.
"Us...I like that." that just slipped from my lips before I could prevent looking like a sap.
"When I tell him we are together, will you be there with me?" She asks but I'm not sure what to say to this.
"Do you really think it's a good idea telling him?" I shake my head but then look at her again. "I will be there but I think he'll try to keep you away from me. Your old man thinks I'm bad for you." In thoughts I add. 'which might be right'.

I place another brief kiis on her forehead before I get off her bed.
"Let me talk to the nurse, see if I can find out when I can come and pick you up."

Outside I find one of the nurses on staff who tell me that she'll ask for me.

So i return to the room and sit down on the chair again.
It doesn't take long until the woman pokes her head in and informs us.
"The doctor's on his way now, so you can probably take her home in a hour or so."
"Thank you." I offer the nurse a smile and tell Kyanite.
"I'll go borrow my fathers work truck. Then I'll come and pick you up i an hour, okay? Can't wait."
There's a sparkle in my eyes that gives away how excited I am about being with her again. being by her side, seeing her smile at me, holding her hand. It just makes me feel like there was a piece of me missing that I didn't even know and now it's back where it belongs.

[*]

"You'd better stick me to my offer." He tells me with this seriousness in his tone that makes me want to really believe him. Fully and truely beleive him. He really wants me to be able to tell anyone that we're together now and that puts so many happy thoughts through my body. A true giddy feeling now, cause it's not just about him being comfortable, but me as well now. Just having that bit of information and allowance makes me feel that suddenly, this relastionship anew is going to be different from last time.

"Oh, I will now... stick to it or face the consequences." I begin a tease with him, giving him a full grin, but that's suddenly shattered by the thoughts of my family knowing that I'm going to be dating him again. We will be together more often and if he's not going to hide it, then the sooner the better they know because I don't want to have to deal with the reprocussions of it when I get home one day to find that my father has seen us out, holding hand or kissing or something.. Anything could happen. Someone who knows me might spill the beans before I would be able to. It would seem logical to do that, but I have to ask Matthew to be there with me. Surely, he won't just 'blow up' in my face with MAtthew there. Would Matthew let him?

"I won't let him do that to us." I tell him and I'm being completely honest and even when Matthew states that he likes the sound of 'us', it just seems to make my heart flutter even more.

What comes more of a shock to him, is I ask for him to be there with me which earns me a concerned reply of even telling him. I nod my head. "I think it's better he know straight up rather than finding out from someone else down the road. You know? I don't want him to find out from Jeran or one of his work buddies. I can already see how that will go. I know he thinks you're bad for me, but I really don't care. I've been worse off without you." I playfully notion to my arm and crack a smile while he suddenly kisses me on my forehead and leaves to find the nurse.

The bed feels awfully void now without him. A few minutes pass and he still hasn't come back and the tubing on the IV seems to get tangled up in my fingers as I play with it. After realizing it, I let the tubing go, and gently lay back down, using the pillow to cushion my arm as I stare hopelessly at the door awaiting the return of my guy. Just the sound of that makes me smile and no sooner did that thought cross my mind, he walks back in and sits in the chair.

The nurse comes in once again, and informs me that I'll be able to leave in an hour or so and that sounds absolutely wonderful because one more night here will kill me. I'd rather spend my time with Matthew then cuddled up to a pillow and morphling.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll call Jeran. Get him up here to sign the release papers. Dad's put him him in charge of my care while I was here and just relayed messages. Father of the year, right?" I laught solemnly and watch as he expressing his need to hurry to get the truck and return to pick me up and he's gone like that.

The room is empty once again.

But my heart is full.

Soon enough, a nurse comes in to releive me of all my medical equipment. The IV is pulled and all the wires used to monitor my heart is taken away. I feel free. I feel like I could just take off and fly. Jeran arrives soon after, signing some of the papers and looks at me.

"Jeran... I've got a ride home with someone. I hope you don't mind." I can see that look in his eyes like he don't really approve but I keep a stern, yet gentle face. I don't want to lie to him, but right now, he don't need to know who it is that I'm getting a ride from.

"Who?"

"Just a friend. Someone from the gym. They came to visit me earlier and offered me a ride home. I told them yes. They'll be here soon." I say and I can already see the gears working in his head, but for some reason, he doesn't seem angry. No, infact he seems more than okay with it as he nods his head. Does he just not realize that it could be Matthew or is he just so sure that it won't be him?

"Just take it easy, Kya. Get home though. You need to rest." He tells me like he was my father... yet, my father is never this kind. Maybe, I should tell Jeran about Matthew? No. Not now.

"I will, thank you!" I raise up on the side of the bed and give him a half hug as the nurse begins to help me change into my clothes and Jeran walks out of the room. Now, to wait for Matthew to come and get me and everything will start to return to the way it used to be.

[Jack Lexington]

I'm nervous to say the least. Not only do I hardly ever drive the truck of my dads company because it's a priviledge that not many enjoy but I can't believe I'm back together with Ky.

I have to ask my father for the car keys at the office and when he sees my beaming face her knows something is up.
"What is it? Why are you grinning like that, Matt? What do you need the car for?" He holds the keys out on his index finger but won't give them to me until I tell him what"s going on.
"I'm picking up my girl." I mutter a little shy.
"Your girl?" He wrinkles his brow and I knwo I'm in for his trade mark frown when it comes to women.
"Why? I though you split up."
"Not anymore, dad. Give me the keys now." I pleade with him because I know she's waiting since I had to walk all the way to the company.
"Don't try to impress her...no scratches, son."
I nod eagerly and grab the key while I see his disapproving look. He thinks girls are bad for me.

On my way to Kyanite I almost run a red light because I'm so eager to get back to her. I even take two steps at a time at the hospital and by the time I reach her room I'm completely out of breath.

OOC: Your call whether Jeran is there or not.

[*]

Just seeing Kyanite getting out of the hospital makes my nerves calm down, though there's this prickling feeling about who is going to be picking her up. There's really not much that I'm worried about. Maybe Gala came by and is having one of her siblings or someone to pick her up to hang out. Who am I to deny her that opportunity? My old man doesn't seem to really care what's going on, so I end up taking the role instead. At the moment, he's stuck at work, working overtime and the nurse has just released her, so when I walk out of her room, I never expect, who I end up seeing. My eyes befall upon him within a second. My blood begins to boil. All at once, I'm ready to turn around to go back and wait with her until her ride comes.

Instead, I halt directly in my step. My hands get stuffed in my pockets as I greet this guy and I know my expression is anything but happy to see him. Will he notice? Already, my fingers itch to lay into him again like I did that one day.

"Matthew. What brings you here? Visiting a relative?" I seem to get a protective voice going already without knowing it. I'm just expecting for him to walk on by me and pass up Kya's room and hit the elevator to go to another level, but there's this horrible Idea that he's not just here for a relative. So, I hit the nail on the head while I've got a chance.

"Don't even think about being here for Kyanite. She's waiting on a ride, so you might as well turn around before you make yourself look like a fool going in there."

[Jack Lexington]

There are not many occassions in my life when I felt truly excited and happy about anything or anyone. Today I am though. To get back together with Kyanite is something I secretly wish for but didn't deem possible. Now that she's told me that she still wants to be with me I feel a little overwhelmed with joy.

My heart is thumping heavily against my chest while I walk down the hallway towards Kyanites room with fast steps because I can't wait to see her again.
But when I\m almost there I see her brother standing out front her room.
"Shit". Why is he here? Why does he have to ruin it for us already?
My steps become slower as I approach him and he lays eyes on me and tenses up.
It's easy to see how he feels about me being here.
"Jeran." I greet him somewhat friendly.
"Matthew. What brings you here? Visiting a relative?" He asks.
is he kidding? He must be able to tell that I'm here for his sister.
"Nope." I answer with a straight face. I'm really trying hard to stay happy or at least neutral here, Jeran!
His attitude is much less neutral.
"Don't even think about being here for Kyanite. She's waiting on a ride, so you might as well turn around before you make yourself look like a fool going in there."
I stop and take a deep breath before replying so my tone's not nasty or anything.
"She's waiting for me." I explain. But in thoughts I add. 'Who's looking like a fool now?' Maybe he can read it in my face?
"Look, Jeran. I know you want to protect her..." 'Yeah, where am I going with this?'
"I'm not going to hurt her. It's not your choice, buddy." My voice is still purposely slow and friendly while I brace myself for a shit storm.

[*]

It may seem a bit of a hit into left feild, but asking if he's visiting a relative actually sounded like a good idea. Though, his reply comes shortly after and I counter his answer with a threat. A very harsh threat and something to make him feel awkward should he try to go in there only to get shoo'ed away when her ride gets here.

"She's waiting on me." I fell my eyes drop down to his feet, my jaw instantly clinches and tenses up with my arms folding up in front of me; sizing myself up to him. I can't let him take her. Not after what he did to her in the first place. What I saw that he did to her when she was sitting on the porch completely out of it and from that could have died. Now, she's taken him back? She's let him back into her life without my say. What about dad? What is he going to say about it? I shake my head with a death glare. My eyes completely conveying everything I want him to realize that's going through my mind.

"You almost killed her." I chuck that statement at him. "Do you think you really deserve her back? She's a good person, Matthew. She deserves someone better than you. Someone who won't hurt her again. From what Kya told me, you even messed that up with her at that party she went to. How is she just letting you back in?" It's then that I begin to wonder about Kya's mental stability. What makes her think that he won't do that to her again.

"Not my choice? She's my sister, bucko. I have every right to make sure she don't end up with guys like you." I look over to the nurse's station and eye them. One of the nurses seems to catch my eye contact as she readily watches our conversation. "Stay here."

I turn my back on Matthew and go back into the room with Kyanite, only to get a confused look on her face as she stands up, when the nurse helps her to her feet and refits the sling around her shoulder. I close the distance between us with lightning speed.

"Matthew? He's your ride? You lied to me! You said it was a friend coming to pick you up. What does this mean, Kya? You've forgiven him for what he did to you?" My voice starts getting a little loud at this moment, prompting the nurse to give me a hateful look and with a calm voice tells me to settle it down or she'll have to call security. At this point, that might not be a bad idea if I can get Matthew to start in on me. I hate the idea that they might be getting back together. So much. Kya, on the other hand, shakes her head.

"He's apologized, Jeran. He's not going to hurt me... I wanted him back. You just don't understand. Matthew and..."

"And I never will, Kya. If you leave with him, the next time you end up on the porch freezing to death, you can just stay there. I don't care what happens. Understand? I won't be there for you the next time that ass does anything to you." With that, I turn around to meet face to face with him and shove my way by him with enough force to make him stumble back, but I don't stick around to find out. I can hear her voice call my name, but I don't stop. I take off without a hitch, and disappear through the doors out into the parking lot.

[Jack Lexington]

Judging by his posture and the way he clenches his jaw he isn't happy, which probably means he's about to shove me into the wall again. Only that today I don't have a broken arm and am not feeling so low. 'Watch out, Jeran.' I hold his gaze.

"You almost killed her."
Did he really just say that. "How so?" I make a face at him because he is clearly exagerating.
"Do you think you really deserve her back? She's a good person, Matthew. She deserves someone better than you. Someone who won't hurt her again. From what Kya told me, you even messed that up with her at that party she went to. How is she just letting you back in?"
She really talks to her brother a lot. I can't believe she told him about the party.
So I fall quiet. What happened there is a pretty dark chapter in my relationship book.
All I can say is a quiet promise that I've already given her. "I won't hurt her again. Never meant to."

Jeran becomes quite agressive about this, so it's become really hard for me to remain calm. But I know I need to because I don't want to mess things up between me and her before they can even start again. I know now that even if I get punched I'll be the one receiving the blame for pushing his buttons. So I just listen to his rant.
"Not my choice? She's my sister, bucko. I have every right to make sure she don't end up with guys like you."
He casts a glance at the nurse station, so I do as well. They are watching closely so I give them a quick nod to assure them everything is under control.
"Stay here."

For the next five minutes I stand outside in the hallway like I've been told with my arms crossed. Subconsciously I rub my hand over the brace under my plaid shirt that is barely necessary now. Would I suffer the same fate as I Kyanite if I got into a fight now?
That's not an option though.

I hear their voices but can't make out the words but when he comes back out Jeran doesn't seem happy. He bumps right into me as hard as he can making my right shoulder swing back. That actually hurt a little. Enough to make me blow my top on a bad day. Not today though. I don't even look at him but keep my head straight and ignore him.
My eyes connect with Kyanites who is rushing after her brother to get him to wait.
Great, I caused her trouble again.
For a second I wait for her to scream at me but then I offer softly.
"You can go home with him. That's no problem. C'mon, if we hurry up we can still catch him..set things right."
I hope she knows I'm serious.
"I don't want to cause you any more trouble."
We both knew right away her family wouldn't be happy but this quickly?

[*]

"And I never will, Kya. If you leave with him, the next time you end up on theproch freezing to death, you can just stay there. I don't care what happens. Understand? I won't be there for you the next time that ass does anything to you."

I can't believe Jeran just said that to me. He's making me take a side to be on when I want nothing more than to just be happy and what better way then to have him understand my need for this kind of affection that Matthew can offer me. But he's hardheaded. He just won't listen to me because at the next moment, he turns around and darts out of the door. The nurse that was in the room helping me change had barely gotten my clothes over my bandaged arm before Jeran had came bursting in and before she could even adjust the sling for my arm, I pull away from her, cradling my arm and chasing after Jeran trying to get his attention, but he just wasn't having it. I let my eyes find Matthew after he returns my gaze, but there are no words this time, but he offers for me to try to catch up to Jeran. With a shake of my head, I decline that offer.

"He'll just have to get used to it. I'm not a baby. I can make my own decisions. I just with it wasn't this hard." I can't help but hiss just a little from jarring my arm in the dash to try to stop my brother from leaving me hanging like that. I pull my arm up and look the the unlatched sling the nurse was trying to apply before I pulled away from her. From behind me, she lightly touches my back to get my attention and she gives me a comforting smile.

"Miss Ruze, let me help with that real fast and since your papers have been signed, you're welcome to go right after, alright? This is your ride? Boyfriend?" She questions as I turn to look at Matthew and give him a cheeky grin then turn back to the nurse, but I don't do anything but nod shyly. I know he mentioned that people could know about 'us' now, but it still felt too weird. I'm not used to just being open about it.

A few minutes later, she hands me my release papers and doctors notes on the at home care. I take it and turn to Matthew. "Let's get out of here?"

[Jack Lexington]

I like that she decides not to chase after her strange brother but let me take her home. Still I ask. "You sure?"
Things between us have been very strange lately so I want to be extra nice today. I value what she's offering me.
Patiently I wait for the nurse to adjust her sling and wonder why I never got that sort of royal treatment? Maybe it was because I was such a grumpy ass after the pregames.

I do notice how she doesn't answer when asked whether I'm her boyfriend. At the first second I freeze hoping she won't say anything but then I overcome my inner barrier and state. "Yes. I'll take her home."
With a smile at the nurse I grab Kyanites bag and then offer her my hand.
"Let's go."

It feels great to walk side by side with her again. I surely didn't expect it after she told me to get lost. That hurt but I deserved it for telling her the same thing in not so many words. To be by her side again makes me happy but it also gives me the feeling I have to walk like on eggs in order to do nothing wrong.

Outside in the parking lot the weather has turned grey and wet so I hurry over to unlock the car. By the time I actually get around to the passanger side to help her inside my short hair clings to my head and my shirt is stuck to my back.
"Quick, hurry up." I urge her to get inside the car and close the door behind her.
Then I run around to the other side, put the keys in the ignition and turn on the heat.
Breathing heavily I wait for a moment and look over at her. "Are you okay?" I search her face wondering whether she's already regretting her decision.
Then I place my hand on hers and offer her a gentle smile. "I'm glad you and me...we're going to give it another shot."