Us *Editing*

CHAPTER 13

Chapter 13

March 17

It had been about a week since Arelie had talked to Trystan. Yeah, she had seen him a few times, but that was at school. He never talked to her. Well, not intentionally, of course. Sometimes they'd bump into each other, and he'd mumble sorry and leave quickly.

Everyone at school saw the change in Trystan and Arelie. Trystan was easily agitated now, no one messed with him. He always had a scowl on his face, but Arelie knew that that face was to pull off how vulnerable he felt, because she had felt it too.

Sometimes Arelie wondered if she was doing the right thing. Was this right? Was this supposed to happen between them? If so, why did it hurt so much? Why couldn't she stop thinking about him?

Tori was trying to cheer her up and, although, she was upset with her and Trystan's relationship she respected that Elie needed more time to think things through. But it was so obvious to everyone that they both loved each other very much and was being very stubborn about the situation.

Ben hadn't called her either, Arelie thought. Was he still bent on taking her with him on exile? Was he still stalking her? All these questions popped in her head now that she wasn't around Trystan anymore.

The first few days when they started the break, Trystan came by and tried to talk to Elie, but either she wouldn't answer the door, or Bea would just tell him she's not feeling well.

Trystan knew she was avoiding him, she knew it, too. But it was heartbreaking to realize that after two weeks of dating Trystan they were already done.

Elie sighed and sat at her window seat.

She missed him, she needed him back. She was still shocked about everything, but . . . now she knew and got it processed through her head that Trystan was in a gang.

"Oh God," She muttered, "help me."

@>------

"You're still moping about?" Kyle asked.

"Shut up." Trystan growled.

"He still is." Daren shook his head unbelievably. "I can't believe it."

"Shut up." Trystan warned.

"Why?" Julian wondered. Trystan clenched his fist.

"Just shut up." Trystan repeated.

"Wow, you're whipped, Tricie!" Emmett laughed.

"Damn, I feel bad for him!" Noel grinned.

"C'mon, Tricie, she's just another wh-." Victor was cut off when Trystan grabbed him by the throat and clenched his fist tight.

"Trystan . . ." Carter started toward him.

"I said to shut the Hell up!" Trystan bellowed, throwing Victor across the room with a flick of his wrist. Victor gasped for breath, glaring slightly at Trystan.

"Why the Hell do you care? You're not together." Victor argued. Trystan stopped. "She doesn't like you anymore."

"Victor." Carter warned. The gang watched the tension grow in the room. Everyone shifted nervously on their feet.

"No, why should I stop?" Victor taunted. Trystan shook his head. This was his gang, his other family. The only family. He walked away, Victor was just trying to get his mind off Elie, but they all knew it was impossible.

He missed her like crazy. He missed her laugh, her smile. He longed to sift his hands through her curly red hair that felt like silk.

Oh God! He thought. What am I doing? She doesn't even have feelings for me anymore! He thought ashamed of his on-going feelings.

He walked around the small cabin. It was his house; he had worked his butt off trying to earn it, his gang chilled with him sometimes there. But now . . . he didn't find comfort and happiness in his gang's company anymore.

He wanted Arelie back. Seeing her at school intensified his yearning. He wanted to drag her up against the wall, demand why she was making him and even herself suffer from this torture. Then kiss her as if there was tomorrow.

His dreams were constantly of her. The way they made love played constantly on his mind. He wanted her back. He wanted this 'break' to end, so that he could hold her in his arms again, kiss away her worry's . . . and his too.

But he was also afraid.

He still loved her . . . but did she love him?

@>------

Who feels like Arelie is being STUPIDLY stupid right now? I mean, so what? He's in gang.

Chicks these days ... always gotta have some kind of drama, eh?

Anna