Elysium(second book in Ambrosia)

One Wish

""Please Amb. Let me Explain," he said, trying to take my hand.

I jerked it away, the rain soaking me.

"Don't touch me," I said quietly.

He looked at me with defeat in his eyes and I felt my heart beat faster at his mournful gaze.

"Amb I didn't mean to hurt you...it was a mistake," he said.

I stared at him, watching as rain steadily dropped from his hair onto his face, his clothes completely soaked through.

"A mistake Percy? You didn't look very sorry," I replied.

"I am Amb. I was drunk and-"

"No you weren't! Don't lie to me! I could see it in your eyes...You knew what you were doing!" I yelled, tears pricking the corners of my eyes.

"Amb..." his voice trailed off as he watched the tears streak down my cheeks, mixing with rain.

"You...you..." I felt frustration build in my chest as words failed me.

Percy opened his mouth to say something when a hand suddenly appeared on my shoulder.

"What's going on here?" Thomas asked, standing next to me protectively.

"Nothing," I said quickly, hoping the rain masked my tears.

"Percy...what happened?" He asked, looking at me and instantly recognizing my tears.

"It's just like she said. Nothing," Percy replied coolly, stuffing his hands in his pockets.

"Did he hurt you?" Thomas asked, looking down at me sternly. He cupped my cheek tenderly and I flinched.

I opened my mouth when Percy's laugh interrupted.

"Me? Hurt her? Id never sink to your level, you bastard," he growled.

"Excuse me?" Thomas said, looking up.

"You heard what I said," Percy sneered.

Thomas snarled and stalked over to Percy, grabbing his shirt.

"You'd be smart to watch your mouth. The alcohol has obviously gotten to your head and loosened your tongue," Thomas growled.

"I'm entirely sober. I know what you do to her. You think I don't notice the bruises on her arms and under her eyes? Or the way her eyes fill with fear when you hold her?! You're wrong!" Percy spat, shoving Thomas away.

Thomas pulled his fist back and punched Percy.

Percy stumbled back then recovered and threw a punch of his own. But unlike Thomas' he never gave him a chance to recover.

"Stop! Stop it!" I screamed, pulling Percy away.

He was breathing heavily with a crazy look in his eyes. But as soon as he saw me, the wildness drained out and he put his arm over me protectively.

"Let's go Amb," he said quietly.

Thomas stumbled up, snarling.

"You can't take her!" Thomas yelled.

"I'm not taking her at all. She chose me." Percy replied.

"As if she'd chose you over me!" Thomas' voice was mad, angry and strangled.

I held my head as the full memory came back, telling me how it had all started.

"Amb you ok?" Lowell asked, putting his arm around me.

I nodded, giving a sickly smile.

"I'm gonna get her home. She doesn't look too well," Lowell said to Robin,"Let's go Amb."

Robin nodded, watching me with concern.

Lowell led me towards the car parking lot, helping into his red convertible. He settled in next to me, buckling his belt.

"Here we go," he said, starting his car.

We sped off, leaving the school far behind us.

The whole trip Lowell glanced at me occasionally as I stared out the window vacantly.

He stopped before my house, turning the engine off. We sat in silence, the only sound the occasional clank as the engine cooled down.

"What's going on Amb?" He asked, looking straight at me.

"Nothing," I replied, opening the door,"Thanks for the lift."

I walked towards the door, the snow up to my ankles.

The sound of footsteps reached me as Lowell followed me, stopping me.

"Amb wait. Something's wrong. I can tell," he said, his hand on my shoulder.

"Nothing's wrong," I said quietly, tears choking me.

"I know you're lying."

I bit my lip, trying to stop the tears from falling, but to no avail.

Tears cascaded down my cheeks and Lowell said nothing, just looked at me knowingly and hugged me tightly.

"I'm remembering things Lowell. Things I don't want to," I cried, burying my head in his chest.

"It's ok Amb. We'll get through this. I promise," he said soothingly, hugging me tighter.

His words caused even more tears to fall and before I knew it, I was sobbing into his chest.

All the while he held me, never once letting me go.