Faults

Chapter 9: Archie

I need to talk to Aydin. His brother's antics need to be discussed. I should also mention Taylor's sentencing and punishment for committing arson. We should also talk about what happened a few days ago at the lake with Christian.

I feel horrible about what happened. I feel like I've led Aydin on but in reality I haven't. I'm not sure what came over me. I haven't thought about Christian like that in a long time.

Aydin happened to make it to the lake right at the wrong time: when Christian was about to kiss me. Honestly, I don't know if I would've kissed him back or not. He had me flustered and I definitely wasn't thinking straight. If he can still make me feel like that, what does this mean about my feelings for Aydin?

The more I think about this, the worse I feel. It makes me feel cheap in a way. I know I like Aydin and I can't be around Christian if this is what happens. Or what if this is a sign that Aydin and I aren't meant to be together?

No, no. I can't be thinking like that.

When Christian realized there was someone there with us at the lake, he quickly moved away from me and introduced himself to Aydin. The look on Aydin's face said it all. He felt betrayed by me. I really like Aydin but my history with Christian bleeds into my feelings for Aydin at times.

Yet, seeing Aydin hurt made me hurt. Maybe I'm just not ready to enter a new relationship with Aydin right now. Christian and I were so close, even though we were never formally romantically involved. Right after I got my ability, we started to spend all of our time together which caused problems between me and Aydin, but we made up soon after. During the time Christian was helping me with my ability, it started to get rather interesting.

The sexual tension was obvious and one day, we just gave in. It was nothing more than making out, since even though the tension was there, I wouldn't let it go any further. Even though all we did was kiss, I feel guilty about it for some reason. Maybe because it was somewhat at the cost of Aydin's happiness. And the fact that I liked him and Christian at the same time. I should probably explain all of this to Aydin as well as give him a huge apology.

On another note, the fresh topic of Taylor's antics, it's lucky that nobody was injured in the fire and it didn't spread too far. The law still calls for punishment and I don't disagree with it by any means. Surprisingly, torture is the least of the options and death is the worst of it. I wonder how Aydin is feeling about all this. Surely, he can't be feeling too great, even if he doesn't like his brother. My guess is that he's feeling a bit disappointed.

Aydin knows that Taylor and I don't like each other, or rather, he knows about the resentment and hate that Taylor holds for me. I'm just reciprocating. I won't let him win a battle.

Avoiding my squire, I run over to the Wright's cottage. To my surprise, Aydin answers the door right away. "Hey," I say as I step inside.

"Hi," he replies.

"I need to speak with you regarding your brother," I tell him as we walk to the back door.

Aydin opens the door and we step into the yard. "What about my brother?"

I let out a breath. "As you probably know already, he's been arrested for trying to burn down the castle. His punishment is enduring three months of torture while being kept in the dungeon. It's the minimum sentence and because nobody was hurt, I decided to give that to him."

Aydin just stares at me, looking slightly concerned. He's definitely off today, but then again, his brother did just get arrested.

"Three months?" Aydin chokes out.

I nod. "I told you, it's the minimum."

"I see."

"Don't worry, he'll be kept alive," I reassure him.