Electric Blue Rose - Book One. [COMPLETED] Undergoing Edits

Chapter Nine - Believe Me

Jade tossed and turned all night, hardly sleeping a wink. Alex wanted to get up and console her, but she needed this time alone to cry, and he didn't want to intrude on her privacy. Her tears tore at his heart, exposing the pain she kept hidden and the loneliness she carried. He should've taken her with him on his tour, showing her the world instead of leaving her behind to suffer. They could've been happy together; more importantly, Jade would have been safe.

The bed dipped as Jade stood up and crossed to her desk. Pulling out a notebook, she wrote until the tears stopped. Setting the book down, she paced a few times, debating something. Finally, she wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and left the room.

Alex wasted no time getting dressed to follow her. When he descended the stairs, he saw Jade sitting on the steps, gazing at the fields. He sighed and crossed outside, apologizing for startling her. "What are you doing up so early? And out here?" he asked, sitting beside her.

"I can't sleep. I'm terrified about going to Omega 5. The thought of sitting in class with a bunch of Arcs—"

"You're an Arc too, Jade."

"No, I'm not. No one grows up like me and becomes an Arc. I'm just an ability-wielding Serf."

"You are not just anything. You're amazing." She turned her head away from him. "I see how much pain you hold back. Jade, let me be the one to lessen the load. Don't carry the world on your shoulders. You don't have to."

The lack of response twisted his stomach and sent a dull, pulsating pain through his chest. The longer he looked at her, the more he saw how frail she had become, and how scarred her body was. "I'm sorry."

"Do you love me?" she asked bluntly, cutting him off.

"I love you as brightly as the sun shines upon your face and as deeply as the pools of your eyes." A small smile crept onto her face. He placed his hand on hers, and she stared down at it. "Telling you those lies tore me apart, Jade. You are my person. I've never had any doubt."

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. Alex leaned toward her, pressing his lips to hers. "Is that okay?" She nodded, and he kissed her again. "I thought you might believe my actions if you couldn't believe my words."

"It's not that I don't believe you."

"It is, and it's okay. I gave you reasons for doubt, but I swear to you, Jade, I'll never hurt you again." Silence passed as something turned in her mind.

"Were there other magazines before?" Jade looked up at him. "Did they say cruel things about me too?" Alex frowned, and Jade nodded. "They, um, got a photo of your back."

"What?" Jade's eyes widened. "Like they saw my scars?" Alex nodded. "Oh, Asai. Why do you want me, Alex? I mean, come on. You say I'm pretty. But my body's a tattered battleground for Arcs to do as they please."

"Jade—" Alex said, trying to get her attention.

"All they care about is painting me in the worst light possible. No one even stops to think about the damage it does to me. How many nights I prayed for the morning not to come."

Alex pulled her into his arms. She buried her head in his chest. He could hear her sniffling, trying her hardest to keep her composure, but the pain went beyond his rejection. It went beyond the tabloids. She was ashamed of herself, and the thought of others seeing her was too much for her to bear.

"Look at the sunrise," he whispered. She pulled her head from his chest and gazed up. They watched as the sky changed colors, the rising sun captivating them for a moment, the previous conversation slipping away. He felt her eyes on him and turned to meet her gaze. Leaning down, he kissed her. When they broke apart, they rested their foreheads together. "I will protect you, Jade. I swear it."

"You could have any other girl, so many superior Arc girls. You shouldn't let guilt tether you to me."

"Nothing but love tethers me to you." Her eyes widened at his words. He had her. He was finally saying the right thing. "I love you, Jade. I truly and purely do." She smiled. His heart warmed as she did. "There she is, the most beautiful girl in the world." He placed his hand on her face, and she leaned into it.

"Your father's not going to be happy," Jade whispered.

"He's never happy. Besides, he sees himself more in Brian than in me. He thinks it's shameful that I'm choosing music over joining the Dark Eclipse Army, but..." Alex shrugged.

"Your music makes the kingdom better. You bring happiness and love to people's hearts. Your music does more than being another soldier in an army."

"You're perfect." Jade shook her head, but Alex nodded, pulling her lips back to his. He couldn't help it; he had years to make up for, and all he'd done in the meantime was fantasize about her lips, smile, and wide eyes. "Well, should we go inside and make some coffee?"

"Yeah," Jade nodded. "I think I'm beyond sleep now."

"Yeah, and I think I'm already dreaming." She blushed. Alex smiled, enjoying that he could still get a reaction from her despite everything. He was finally getting through, and this was the first step toward redemption, toward their future.

Alex helped her up, and they crossed inside, heading to the kitchen to brew coffee. Alex stood beside her, catching her glances. He reached for her shaky hands and pulled her close. Her breaths grew heavier as a blush warmed her cheeks. Alex spun her and pulled her against him for a short sway. Jade's eyes never left him. It was working—his plans to show her what they could be. He lifted her onto the counter and kissed her.

"Good morning," Craig chimed. Alex pulled away, both of them blushing. Craig raised an eyebrow at them.

"Coffee fresh?" he asked.

"Um, yeah," Jade said, getting off the counter and stepping away. Craig smirked at her lack of composure, glanced between her and Alex, and chuckled before leaving the kitchen.

"So, what should I expect at Omega 5?" Jade asked, quickly changing the subject.

"Well, I'll be bunking with you for a bit," Alex explained. "They want to ensure no one harasses you in your room. We'll head over to the Enlightened's office later today to have your ability identified. Then we'll get your schedule sorted."

"What happens if I don't have an ability?"

"That's not going to happen."

"What if it does?"

"I honestly don't know, but it won't. The machine is never wrong."

"Do you think my mom was an Arc? Or just my birth father? Nothing makes sense. I don't understand why she kept this from me. Why did she seem to hate me for being weak when she knew I had an ability all this time? I can't imagine how much of a disappointment I was..."

"You're not a disappointment," Alex said softly. "Your mother was—well, honestly, Jade, she was horrid. You deserved so much better. Amorio loves you, and he's been here for you every step of the way."

"I know, but essentially, he adopted me. My mother birthed me and hated me, and it just..." Jade turned away. "Everything hurts. I feel like I start to get over one thing, but then another dozen things keep me tethered."

"Pain doesn't just go away. It takes time. I'm here to help make it a little quicker, okay?" Jade smiled and nodded. "My oh my, Jade," he whispered, her eyes shining at the quote from his song.

"My, oh my, Alex," she returned with a smile.