Chapter 8

Jace:

She laid so quietly in the huge hospital bed. It'd been almost two hours. Her body was so fragile and thin. Her lips sealed but light and her eyes shut in the most careful manner, as if she was sleeping and lost in a dream. The doctor said that she had bitten her tongue so hard that there was blood in her mouth when they had cleaned her up.

I was a mess. I couldn't bear to see her that way. Her silence, her numbness, it was killing me. She wasn't wrong, I realized. Nothing was easy with this condition and to think, she was dealing with this first hand.

Selene's mom informed about how almost an hour ago, Mr. Arly and his men, raided our school from one exit and had taken over the men. Luckily, all were safe.

I wanted to see my friends but not without Selene, happy and healthy, back with me.

I knew I should've never left her be. No matter how much we fought, she was still my girl, she was my responsibility.

Tears spilled and rolled down my cheeks as I kept staring at her limp body.

I was still lost in her when the door of the bright and white, medicine smelling room, opened. A frantic looking Sean came into sight. His Asian friend followed and then the blonde girl, Selene loved hanging out with.

When the last two boys entered the room, I stood up and William wrapped his arms around my shoulders. I hugged him back and he landed a caring fist on my back. Draco and I had a brief hug too, he tapped my shoulder with assurance when he released me.

"Sean?" I called him as he kept his eyes on Selene. I placed my hand on his shoulder and before I knew it, a punch landed square on my jaw.

I didn't retaliate. He had the right to do so.

"Sean!" Draco hissed, holding him away from me. I stood guilty, holding my jaw.

"You had one job!" He cried, "You had one job to protect her! Damn you, Jace!" He yelled and I moved forward. I signalled Draco to let go and Sean cracked his knuckles when released.

"I'm sorry. I should've never left her." I bowed my head in remorse.

A soft cry filled the air and we saw the blonde girl, sobbing next to Selene. The Asian guy held her shoulders and she dropped her head back, on his stomach, and cried a little lighter.

"Alex, she's okay." The guy caressed her hair.

"Tane, Alex, I need some time with Jace." Sean stated while keeping his gaze fixed on me. He looked at William and Draco, who nodded and headed out with Tane and Alex.

"Sean, I-"

"She was crazy about you, you know?" He started as he moved around the bed, turning his gaze from me to Selene, sitting on the opposite side of bed and I. He looked at her like she was some kind of an angel dropped from her grace.

"R-Really?" I asked. I never knew that. I thought she cared for me as a friend but I was too foolish to see it at first.

"Yeah, she had been looking forward to you since the beginning of this school year." He ran a hand through his long and black locks.

I sat on the green sofa that I had been on before.

"She would care so much. Always saying how perfect you were, how you were the guy who made her happy. Never complained once when you would pretend like she didn't exist." He smirked coldly and I felt a pang of pain. That wasn't true. I was always aware of Selene's presence, I just didn't know how to show that to her.

"I always knew everything about her." I confessed and he looked up at me, "I felt the same way, you know." I chuckled, "I was just a piss-ass at showing that."

"You were." He nodded and I gave out a small smile.

"She deserves her happiness now, Jace." He looked at me intently as he took her hand in his and made a sandwich of his big hands around her tiny one. He was so careful for her, like a best friend should be.

"Y-yeah. I-I know." I dropped my head to my hands that rested on my knees.

"Keep her safe." He sighed and I looked up at him. He bent forward and laid a kiss on her forehead. I found so much in this man's eyes but what really hit me, was how much he cared for her.

"Thanks, Sean." I nodded in appreciation.

There was a knock after a couple of moments and when I allowed the person to come in, it was Mrs. Arly. I stood up and so did Sean.

"Oh, you boys are here." She twinkled and walked in. She smiled and walked over to Sean, before enveloping him in a tight and comforting hug.

"How is my boy?" She asked as she cupped his face.

"Been better." He sighed and she tapped his cheek. Then she turned to me and gave me a smile.

"I'll get this boy fed, you want something Jace?" I appreciated how she knew that there was no way, I was leaving Selene. I shook my head and she chuckled.

"I'll think of something." She chuckled and walked with her arm chained in Sean's. Sean gave me a nod and left the room, leaving me alone with Selene, who was still as pale as the the snow.

Selene:

What was that thudding? That rapid beeping? God, my head hurt so much and my mouth! Who ate my tongue?

I felt like releasing a wind of breath but nothing came out and I thought I was choking. I gagged and then something tickled my nose. I raised my hand to touch but instead of focusing on the feel of my nose, a voice caught all of me. 

"Selene? Baby?" Jace!

Oh God, Jace! He was here, but where? Why couldn't I see him. I tried to call out his name, but my mouth hurt so much. I groaned and when I heard my voice, I heard his, as well. 

"Oh, God... Selene! Open your eyes, please!" I heard Jace cry and I knew he was somewhere and I had to crack past this darkness. I grunted as pain enveloped me and I pushed my senses harder to regain some consciousness. As soon as some light flickered to me, I found my lids and focused on where to push.

I poked at that point again and felt more light illuminate its way into the darkness of this pit. When pressed a little harder, a wave of bright light stung my sight and then a breathtaking view held itself before me.

"Jace." I whispered as his face, hovered over mine. His lips were parted and worry structured his face. His brown eyes were wider than usual and his furrowed brows complimented his locks that draped over his forehead, "Jace." I whispered again and a smile broke on his face.

"Selene." He cupped my face and tears stung my eyes. His face formed a frown and he gulped, blinking hard.

"Never do that again!" He growled lowly.

"Okay." I sobbed and he placed a gentle kiss on my forehead. The pain that lingered there, soothed me a bit.

Loving the pleasure of it, I hummed.

He kissed my forehead again.

"Again." I smiled and he kissed my nose and then forehead.

I chuckled giddily.

"He-he." I whispered, biting my lip and he chuckled. He kissed my forehead, then lowered to my eyes, planting a peck on each. He moved further to my nose and when moved lower, I released my lower lip.

He found my eyes for attendance of my encouragement. I didn't waste a breath and moved up, just a tad, so our lips locked. He moaned as our lips fit perfectly with each others and our faces set together.

He bit gently on my bottom lip, before releasing.

When he laid another kiss on my forehead, I smiled and took in the warm feeling that spread through my entire body.

When he lifted himself up a bit I looked at his wonderful face.

"I think I shou-"

"I love you." I confessed and his eyes widened as his words choked him.

"What?" He asked bending back to me.

"I love you." I cried and smiled but a sob let itself out of me.

"I love you, Selene." He croaked and I lifted myself up. A mumbled yelp escaped my mouth due to the severe headache and he moved forward.

"No, no, lay down." He held my shoulder and the back of my head in his palms.

"No." I placed my hand on his arm. His muscles tingling me in all the intimate places.

"I want to- " I paused and pursed my lips, holding his arm as the strong push I needed, "- I want to hold you." I mumbled with a cry, "Wh-" I paused as he helped me sit up. I cupped his face as I came face to face with him.

"When- when I was in there, I kept thinking about the mistakes I made in life. I kept thinking about how many times I prayed for a better day, a better place. Then, I realized that-" I bit back my tears. I couldn't believe that I was holding Jace Anderson, "-that you are all of that." I sobbed and he leaned into my palm, "You are this one person who will ruin me to want to live more and you are the answer to all my prayers that I have begged for, you- are my love." He chuckled with me and we dropped our foreheads together, "I love you, I love you so so so much." I cried, placing both my palms on his cheeks.

"Selene?" He muttered after a second. I opened my eyes and looked up at him.

"Just remember to trust me. Please." He begged and I nodded before he captured my lips in the most searing kiss.

I ran my fingers through his hair as he held my waist, my nose nuzzled in his cheek while his did the same. I moaned when he bit on my bottom lip.

"Jace..." I gasped as he released me and then sucked on my lower lip again.

"You're my drug." He growled lowly, causing me to laugh at the pick up line.

"Jace?"

"What?" He looked up at me.

"That was so cheesy."

"I promise I can flirt, Ms. Arly." He laughed but his laughter died down when we heard someone clear their throat.

"Dad?" I whispered as dad appeared in the slit of the door. Jace dropped his head briefly and then turned to look at dad. They shared an eye contact which I didn't get.

Dad moved forward and placed his hand on Jace's shoulder. I smiled brightly at the level of acceptance.

"This boy is crazy." Dad uttered and I chuckled, "I like him."

"Thank you, Sir." Jace nodded. It made butterflies float in my heart when Jace didn't release my hand from his.

"How's my Enie?" Dad bent forward and kissed the top of my head.

"I'm okay, dad."

"You catch them?" Jace questioned as Dad took a seat parallel to my bed. I saw fury raging in Jace's face.

He knew dad was a cop?

"One of them got away." My hand tightened around Jace's hand. He looked at me and our eyes connected. He cupped my face and blinked.

"No one can get to you. You've got all of us." The words were simple yet so sincere and firm that I felt my body shiver at them.

"Jace." I smiled.

"No one, Selene." He stated, "I will protect you, from all those who would want to hurt you." He stated and I nodded in his hold. I leaped on to him and wrapped my arms around his neck. He hugged me gently yet so tight. I felt so warm, so safe.

"The man-" Dad interrupted and when we separated and looked at him, my own lips twitched in amusement as his lips held the same pose, "-was Tony DeRabel. He's a wanted criminal in Turin, a local one really." Dad shrugged. However he remained so chill during this, blew my mind.

Then I thought.

"Dad, do you have a-" I gulped, "-a picture of the man?" I didn't know how but this question was embedded and asked by me because I had my power. I was good.

His hold tightened on my waist and I cleared my throat.

"Yeah." He nodded and then he knew what was coming next, "No." He quickly shook his head and stood up.

"Does he have a moustache and a beard?" I blurted out and he shoved his fists in his jacket pockets and looked at me, "Blue eyes? Tall?" I knew those were vague details but his face told me that I was smack dab on the right details.

He opened his mouth but I beat him to it.

"He was the man Officer Reynolds saved me from." I confessed and his jaw visibly clenched.

"Did he touch you?" Jace questioned. I turned to look at him and my heart clenched at his agonized yet angry sight.

"Erm-"

"Did he physically harm you?" This time, it was dad.

"He just hel-"

"Held onto your arm." Jace finished for me and I looked at him with confused eyes. He gently removed his left hand from my hold and touched my right arm, before moving up the huge sleeve of my hospital gown. My eyes widened at the blue and red bruise on my elbow. I winced as it pained a little and my breathing grew heavy when I heard my dad cuss under his breath.

"Well, you know-" I pulled the sleeve down quickly, "-it doesn't even hurt dad." I chuckled and turned to him.

Before I could say more, dad raked a hand through his hair and left the room. I sighed in defeat and dropped my head.

"Ja-" I looked up at him but the grim look on his face dissolved my heart. I felt the urge to bawl like a baby. So I did.

The only difference was that my head was on his shoulder and my arms around my waist.

"I didn't hide this from you. I-I- he was going to shoot- Jace, I had to run." I cried. My shoulders felt pain at the amount of shaking they did. I buried my face further and let his warmth gather around me.

Suddenly, I felt a small dab on the back of my head and I realized how he left a small peck there.

"I can't- I can't forgive myself fo-"

"Don't!" I quickly picked my head up and found his bowed in the other direction.

"Please don't. We fought; you left. You have no idea how relieved I was to know that you were safe." I assured him and he looked at me. There was a cute pout on his face but dread in his eyes. I kissed his pout and a small smile graced his lips.

"Perfect." I chuckled, running my thumb over his bottom lip.

The door burst open again, revealing, mom, Allan, Sydney, Sean, Draco, William, Alex and Tane. I dropped my head on Jace's shoulder in amusement.

My family.

Jace:

She loved me. Damn it, she loved me. I felt like dancing around with joy when she confessed. God, her words when she confessed!

I loved the way she kissed me, how she held me, how she stayed close to me. Even when her father talked to her, her feel around my palms felt so good. She kept on squeezing on my hold as if asking for energy, and nothing was more consoling than that feeling.

When Mrs. Arly, her sister, Sydney, and her brother, whom I had see around school, Allan, introduced themselves to me, we sat and chatted. Selene looked so peaceful that my heart melted at her sight. She giggled and laughed, causing my heart to vibrate in unimaginable ways.

When Sean's turn came in end to meet her, she leapt onto him as he sat on my spot on the bed. She cried on his shoulder and he kept on breathing comforting thoughts on the back of her head.

If she wasn't my girl, it would've been a heart warming sight for me too.

"Glad to see how you feelin', but I have the right brother." Sean patted my back as he got up from the bed. I shook my head as a smile broke on my face.

When we were left alone, I sat back, next to her on the bed and smiled at her beauty. So breathtaking, and she was mine.

She was all mine.

"What?" She chuckled as I stared at her.

"I can't believe it."

"Me neither." She blushed with a bitten lip.

"So, Sean told me about your little interest in me." I winked and her eyes widened. A blush crept up in her cheeks and thousands capillaries expanded, like a million fireworks. So bright, so beautiful.

"Uh, uh, I don't know wh-what you're talking about." She dropped her head to her lap.

"Oh, yeah. You had no interest in me, not at all." I mocked her blush and she narrowed her eyes at me.

"Yeah. You know what?" She raised her chin. I followed the action. Our faces were only inches apart, "It doesn't matter, because I also liked this other guy." She smirked and I knew she was kidding, but my blood rapidly boiled and no evaporation was taking place.

"Oh yeah, Harris. Oh, he was so cute. We would always share this intense eye contact and I just,..." she bit her lip, looking in the air, "-wanted to, you know, get closer."

I frowned.

She laughed.

Then she cupped my face and gently tapped my lips with hers. When my frown remained, she moved to my nose. Still seeing little progress, remaining unknown to the killer fire in me because of her lips; she kissed each of my eyelids, spreading radiation to every corner in my body. When she kissed my forehead, I pressed myself against her.

When no control worked, I took her waist in my arms and pushed her to the bed, hovering over her as she laid.

I kissed her lips. So sweetly and so gently that it shocked me and electrocuted me. She sneaked her fingers in my hair and let me in.

Our tongues danced to the rhythm of our hearts and our breaths mixed as one. Ourselves were one and neither of us were none.

She was mine and I...

Well, I could never be anybody else's.