Beginning of the End

XXI

I stepped back, in shock, almost tripping over the chair behind me, dropping Edge.
"H-H-How'd you get in here?" I asked, breathlessly. He stepped forward, placing the bottle on the table.

"Jade..." He walked up to me, grabbing my arm, pulling me to him.

"Get off me!" I pushed him away.

"Jade. Stop. Just fucking stop!" He raised his voice.

"How did you get in?" I whispered. I felt my heartbeat racing.

"I jumped the fence behind your house," He sighed and ran his hand through his long blonde hair, "I just, I have to talk to you." He stepped forward, extending his hand to me. I looked at it. I slowly placed my hand in his. He pulled me to him, and embraced me. I wrapped my arms around him. He tightened his embrace. I felt tears swell in my eyes. I closed them tightly, feeling them trickle out.

"Goddamn you..." I whispered.

"I'm sorry... For every fucking thing I ever fucking did to you," He pulled away and looked into my eyes, "I'm sorry... I loved you. I loved you so fucking much. I... I don't know what happened." His eyes started to water.

"Alek... I don't think you understand... I told you I loved you. I cried my fucking eyes out that day..." I choked back tears, "You told me you loved me. You were with... That stupid fucking bitch Oiya... You told me you couldn't leave her. But you said you loved me. She took you away from me!" I shouted, anger rising in my voice, "I was so broken... Almost a year, thinking about you and only you. I fucking loved you!" I broke down, tears flooding my face. He shook his head.

"I know," He wiped the tears, "I know... And I wish I could take it all back. I do, I really do." He pulled me into another hug, resting his head on the top of mine. I rested the side of my face against his chest.

"I hate you..." I whispered, "I hate you so fucking much."

"I don't hate you..." He whispered back, "I hate myself. That I gave you up..." He pulled away, looking into my eyes. We stood there in silence. Just looking at each other, with tear filled eyes. Then I heard my door open. I shooed Alek into my room. I quickly sat in my chair.

"Hey," Aysa walked in and sat down. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply, "Are you okay? Have you been crying?"

"Yeah, but it's nothing. Just thinking." I tap the table, impatiently.

"Well, What's wrong?" He takes a seat next to me.

"I'm thinking of going to try and make a truce with my parents. I mean, they're my parents..." He nods.

"If you need back up, I'm sure we can do that." He smiles.

"I hope you don't mind, but I think I'm gonna sleep alone tonight." I sighed. He nodded.

"That's okay, I understand. Elyas is probably up and bored anyway. I'll go talk to him," He stood up and walked over to me, "Goodnight." He kissed the top of my head.

"Goodnight." I followed him to my door, locking it behind him after he leaves. I turn and walk into my room, seeing Alek standing, looking through a photo album. I inhaled quickly. He turns to me, holding open the photo album.

"You still have all of these?" He asked. I looked down and saw a picture of us. His head was resting on my shoulder, he was hugging me from behind. I was wearing a red and black dress. I cleared my throat.

"Yeah. It reminds me of when times were okay, I guess." I walked over and sat on the edge of my bed. He smiled slightly, setting the album on the dresser. He looked over at me.

"I miss those times..." He sighed, then stepped over to me. He looked me deep in the eyes. His blueish green eyes were burned into my mind. So many times I would wake up beside them. He sat down next to me.

"What now..." I whispered. I couldn't look away, his eyes always drew me in.

"I want to end this war. I want to be at peace..." He placed his hand on mine, wrapping his fingers around it.

"I don't think that's possible." I chuckled.

"Let me in..." He insisted, "Let me stay here. They took that chick, whatever her name is. It's a trade." I sat there, in silence. I gulped.

"I don't think that would go over well with the community..." I sighed.

"I can dream, can't I? The life we should've had before..." He smiled a weak smile. I shook my head.

"Alek, I..." He put his finger on my lips to shush me.

"Don't. I get it." He removed his finger, and leaned in. He placed his lips on mine. I closed my eyes and leaned into the kiss.