Shattered Jewels

Chapter 21 - What just happened?

"Hey, Eve" James called, I turned and he continued "Walk with me". I followed James but then he gently pulled me to his side and said "I said 'With me' not 'Behind me', Eve", he gave me a small chuckle and release his hand from my hand. We walked in silence until he sighed "I don't know how to tell you that I'm sorry", I glanced at him, he stopped walking and turned to me.

"I'm sorry for doubting you. I'm sorry for telling you to go home" he apologized staring straight to my eyes, I blinked a couple of times and looked away "That's okay, I felt like I was no use either" I confessed started walking again but then I felt James hand on my wrist "Eve, I mean it" he said approaching me. My heart was beating fast, James touched my chin and gently lifted my head up then he whispered "May I love you in silence?".

Did he just...confessed?!

My eyes widen and I didn't know what to say then he confessed "You... amazed me, Eve. No one ever made me feel the way that you do, just by the look of your eyes make my heart beats fast. I don't want my feelings to be a burden to you but...", he leaned in and only a few inches from my lips, I heard someone cleared their throat. "Velvet needs you, James" Zach informed making James took a couple steps back away from me. Zach gave both of us a glare but he locked his eyes towards mine while James walked passed him.

I have no idea what to do.

"Excuse me." I mumbled pacing to Giselle's bedroom. As I walk passed Zach, he stopped me with his hand holding my shoulder, I looked at him but he just looked awat and let go of his hand. I got into Giselle's room and still speechless, did James just confessed? But why?

There was a knock on the door and I heard Leo called my name, he opened the door and saw me with my face of what-the-hell-just-happened. "Angie? You okay?" He asked sitting beside me on the bed, I stayed speechless, "Okay, not funny, Angie. What's wrong?" He asked again, I blinked a couple of times and replied "nothing... You shouldn't be outta bed, Leo. You need to rest"

"Ciah, right. What's up with you? You face looks like you just saw a ghost"

"What?"

"You're not even listening to me, Angie."

"Sorry, Leo, you were saying?"

Leo put his hand on my forehead and questioned "Are you drunk or something? Hangover? I know something is up", "Seriously, I'm fine." I lied. Leo stared at me, his face was saying "Stop lying to me, Angie", I sighed "Something happened that got me speechless" "And that is...?"

"I don't think I should tell you, Leo, it's... it's..." I muttered, Leo kept on staring at me with a serious face until I blurted "James confessed to me!"

"Well, do you feel the same?"

"He said that he wanted to love me in silence..."

"Then let him. You can't stop someone from loving you"

"But...I don't know, Leo..."

Leo pulled me to a hug and carress my hair "James is a good guy, I know him all my life. If you don't feel the same then it's okay, he did say he wants to love you in silence, right?" I gave him a nod, he continued "Then don't let it be your burden, alright? You can't force love, Angie" "Thanks, Leo" I whispered rising up from his chest, he ran his thumb across my cheek and gave me a smile. "Leo, you should rest" I told him, "Pfft... I fainted, Angie, that's enough for me to gain energy" he replied with a chuckle. He got up "I have to take care of things with Velvet, tell him I'm still alive" he joked leaving the bedroom.

I slammed myself to the bed and let out a heavy sigh, Leo's right though I shouldn't make James' feelings a burden, I like James but not in that way. I got up and took some comfy clothes from my bag, I put it on and went out to the training basement room, I gotta give that place a name.

As I got there, I heard someone was training with blades and I saw the symbol of Ruby on one of the doors was glowing, must be Zach. I remembered when he stopped me earlier, was he trying to tell me something? I shook my head and proceed walking to the Sapphire room, I put on my pattern and went inside.

"Physical or chants?" I asked myself "Try chants." Someone suggested behind me, as I turned it was Zach. He walked towards the light switch and the book shelf appeared "You did good on your physical training, now try to use your jewel" he told me. Zach gave me a book and told me to do a shield chant. I mumbled the chant that was writen then suddenly a blue shield was attached to my arm, I smile of satisfied then I saw Zach unleashing his sword, he grinned "Now let's see how strong that shield is".

My eyes widen when Zach ran towards my shield with his sword, I put the shield infront of me and as Zach got near he was thrown away. He got up and chuckled "Well, it is strong." I approached him with pride and helped him up. He stood in front of me, we stared each other for awhile then I asked him "You okay, right?" "Oh yeah yeah.. I'm... fine" he stuttered.

I felt awkward without any reason.

"Maybe I should... leave you to your training" he said walking towards the door "Hey, Zach?" I called, he turned his head and I spoke "Don't forget to close the door", he chuckled and gave me a nod. Karma exists, bro.

I continued to try some more chants and when I got tired, I closed the book, turned the switch, and went to Giselle's bedroom. As I walked upstairs, I bumped into James. Goddammit, it just had to be him.

James cleared his throat and let me pass but then he called "Eve.", I turned to him and he muttered "I... I don't know... I..." "Sst... It's okay, James. I'm flattered and no, I won't make your feelings a burden. Let's just continue all of this like the way it started" I told him with a smile. He returned my smile and said "You really are amazing". I got to the bedroom and freshen up, after that I walked to the dining room where food greeted me.

"Finally! C'mon, eat!" Leo said excitedly pulling me to a chair beside him "Where is everbody?" I asked when I saw each chair was empty, "James went training, Velvet is at Crystal Empire, and Zach... God knows where that bastard is" Leo inform with his mouth full of food "So, it's a date, Angie." He teased taking some of my mashed potatoes.

"Hey! Ain't no one messin' with my potatoes!" I complained reaching for the spoon from Leo, but he immediately put it into his mouth he laughed "Oops too late, I pouted then I took Leo's chicken from his plate and took a bite on it "Hmm... food is much more delicious when it belongs to someone else" I teased chewing the chicken.

Leo is like my loving big brother I never had.

When I was done eating, I walked to Giselle's room but then I heard a melody in the corridor, I looked up and Zach's secret attic was opened. I smirked and climbed up, I heard someone playing the harmonica and there he was, sitting in front of his creations of painting. "You look like those fugitive in the 80s" I joked making him turned around and stopped playing, "Don't you ever knock?" He said with an annoyed tone, "Have you eaten yet?" I asked because I didn't see him in the dining room earlier.

"Yes." He replied focusing on one of his paintings "Hey, Zach. Why don't you paint me?" I asked approaching him, "I only paint of what inspire me or give me feelings" he answered started brushing on his canvas, "Well, okay then." I said looking around trying not to feel offended.

"Oh yeah, Zach? I had a feeling you were about to say something"

"When?"

"You know... when... me and James..."

"Sorry for disturbing you, that's what I wanted to say"

"Really?"

"Mmhmm"

I had a feeling Zach was lying but I don't wanna get him mad if I keep trying for him to tell me, "Well, nice chatting with you. See ya" I sighed going back down and walked to Giselle's room.

I slammed myself straight to the bed once I got there. God, what a long day.