Jace was so into the book that he was oblivious to the noise surrounding him. It was just him, the wind, and the book. The Ravenclaw shifted in his position, flipped another page of the book and continued to read. Oh how he wished everyday was like that. No school work, no lectures...just nature at its best, and a good book to read.

It took him a good while until he realized that he wasn’t alone, and that someone called him out. Blinking, he bookmarked the page of the book, gently placed it to his side and peeked at the person below.

Jace blinked as he stared back at a pair of two familiar purple eyes. The Ravenclaw crouched back, peeked at her like a scared cat, hiding half of his face while still lying face down on the Eagle’s back.

Now what? He’s suddenly visible to her now?

Quietly, he nodded his head at the girl, and said his greeting. “Hi.” Can he go run now?

Ohhhh.. Azura bit her lip as Jace seemed to hide from her and she felt her heart pounding as she looked up at the half Japanese boy. He seemed terrified of her right now and she was moments away from taking back ALL of it.. Taking back her feelings, saying that it was the potion talking..

She just wanted her friend back.

She took a deep breath and moved a warm smile over her face. "Umm, Jace? Can we talk a little? I swear it's nothing bad this time.. It's not like I can tell you I like you again." Small joke? No.. Nothing? The weak smile on Azura's face faded..

*sigh*

"Please, I want to apologize for how I've been acting." Azura sat down at the bottom of the tree and looked upwards.. "You can stay up there if you want." She just wanted to talk to her friend again..

Please?

She honestly hoped it wasn't too late, she didn't know what she would do if it was..

Right.

Not as bad as before? Jace thought things became worse ever since that talk happened. There were things that the Ravenclaw boy wanted to ask her too, but thought that it was pointless since, from what he’s heard so far, he is the bad guy when he just told her the truth. Jace could feel the anger form in his belly, but quickly released it with his good chi. Thank Merlin for Kendo training.

But even if he did breathe in and out slowly, he could still pain in his chest.

Yes. Yes, maybe he should tell her things too. It was just fair.

The boy slowly rose from his position, and jumped off the back of the Eagle and landed next to Azura. Since she was going to apologize, Jace wanted her to do it up close. It was just respectful, and he thought he deserved it.

The Ravenclaw looked at the purple-eyed girl straight in the eye. He wanted answers too. Burning questions graced his tongue.

Oh Blazing Basilisks.

Azura watched tensely as Jace jumped down silently from the tree and landed next to her. Her fingers curled in the grass as he sat down and looked into her eyes. No flinching.

And sadly, not at all like how he had looked into her eyes before.

The silence between them was deafening..Azura could feel her heart pounding in her ears.. And pulsing behind her eyes.. And trying to thump out of her chest.

Her gaze didn't leave his though..

She took a deep breath as she looked at him and she opened her mouth.. Closed it.. And then opened her mouth again, finally getting words out.

"I'm sorry Jace, for how I've been acting. I.. Haven't taken all this very well and quite frankly.. I've been a jerk about the whole thing. " She said softly. "I know this isn't an excuse, but my feelings surprised me as well, and.. I acted unbecomingly. "

A lip bite, revealed how shaken she was and her fingers curled tighter in the grass. "You deserve so much better in a friend and I haven't been acting anywhere close to what a good friend should be. So you don't like me.. I wouldn't like me right now either. "

Purple eyes still gazed into his.. Not moving them.. She had to get this out.

"I don't care that you don't like me back, what hurts the most is that I don't have you as a friend anymore that's what's painful. "

Okay..

" Let me have it. "

She felt like she was going to cry, throw up and faint all at the same time.. But she wasn't running this time.

Jace sat on the grass in front of her, watching her every move like a hawk. Jace could feel his blood rise to his face, and he was sure that his façade is as red as a tomato. The Ravenclaw considered every word she said, and felt…numb. He wanted to understand her, but he just can’t! No book, or experience from the past told him what to do, or say next.

The Ravenclaw let a very pregnant pause hang in the air, and just stared at Azura. He didn’t like confrontations, but he too, was very hurt with what she did. “I suppose you’re aware of the threats I got?” he asked quietly, tilting his head to the side. “You have great friends Azura-san. I’m at awe.” He said nodding, but deep down he wanted to cry. Jace made a loud sigh, and blinked back tears. “I was just being honest. I didn’t want to hurt you by leaving your side with questions unanswered, like…what Jasper did to you. I wanted to be honest, because I trust you will understand me. I trust you, because you’re my friend.” He continued, finally inclining his head, and stared at the grass in between them.

“I never said you’re not my friend anymore. I stayed away from you because you didn’t like me being honest…” he trailed off, suddenly realizing things. “And if I stayed, you might hurt even more…” and get beaten up by an anonymous student, whom he assumed was Azura’s friend.

Finally looking up at her again, Jace shrugged. “It’s up to you really. Whether you still want me as your friend or not.” Another pregnant pause, “And I’m truly sorry for being honest with my feelings. I didn’t mean to hurt you in anyway. It was never my intention.” He said bowing his head toward her. Maybe he did deserve to be knocked out by another boy, yeah?

Azura felt the tense air around her, it felt suffocating and it was so very hard to breathe.. she fought every urge to run.. She was going to stay here until this was worked out.. one way or another. until.. finally..

FINALLY He spoke.. and then.. Everything just shattered into pieces.. "What?" She started almost violently as she heard that he had been threatened? "I.. I.. I didn't know.. honestly..I.." She felt tears come to her eyes as she shook her head.. "You.. I.." She was swallowing hard.. trying to listen, but at the same time.. He had gotten threatened? But.. why? WHY? No! NO!

Everything felt like it was spinning around her and her heart felt like it was breaking.."I.. swear I didn't know." She had barely told anyone..She had barely spoken for weeks! But.. the whole class had heard her in potions.. She put up a hand to her anguished face.. Merlin.. She.. hadn't meant any of this to happen! Gah! If only she had taken it all back! "I'm so sorry.. I.." She had tears coming from her eyes as he spoke next..

Of course.. He knew how upset she was when Jazzy left without a word. He cared for her.. and so he was just trying too.. Oh Fwoopers.. she was the biggest idiot in the world. She slowly nodded.. "Oh course I trust you." She whispered softly.. He was the greatest boy on the planet, being put through this because of her.. As he looked down at the grass, tears fell down her cheeks and onto her hands that were folded in her lap.. gripping each other tightly, so that her knuckled were turning white..

She shook her head as he spoke next.. "And I assumed you hated me, because you stayed away.." She whispered softly through her tears. "Hurt or not.. It's.. no matter really." Azura shook her head as she bit her lip again..

She should really stay away from him.. Look at all the trouble she caused him..

"Of course I want you as my friend." She said softly as she looked up at him, yeah.. she was crying.. but she wasn't leaving this time.. "Don't apologize for being honest.. I appreciated it.. I really did." She wanted to hug him.. it was taking everything in her being not to.. Mainly because she felt about three inches tall..

And the threats.. that still lingered in her mind.. "I'm so sorry Jace.. I.. really.. I didn't know..I.. can't.." Tears choked her. "I swear.. I barely told anyone.. three people.. if that.. and I.. said I didn't blame you.." She made a helpless gesture..

"I'm so sorry.."

Jace kept silent as he let the revelation sink into her thoughts. He was very upset to get such threats, when all he did was to do Azura a great favour. The Ravenclaw questioned himself for being transparent to his feelings, wondering if he did the right thing. Was it selfish of him? Was he only protecting his honour without regard for his friend’s feelings?

Merlin, it made his head spin real fast. He dealt with a situation that is neither black, nor white. Definitely not answerable by a yes or no.

The eleven year old kept his gaze on the grass, and grinned weakly. “It doesn’t matter, Azura. If I got beaten up, I suppose I deserve it too. I did hurt your feelings.” He said nodding. Somehow, he felt he owed her a lot by hurting such a fragile soul.

“If I hate you, I wouldn’t even be talking to you right now.” It was simple logic, really. Why face confrontation if she didn’t deserve his attention, correct? “I care, Azura. And if I have to step away so you’d be comfortable, then so be it.” He said shrugging. It doesn’t matter to him if she ran away from him without an explanation, just like what Jasper did to her. He’d totally understand. Painful truths aren’t for everyone anyway.

“It’s okay, Azura. Really.” He said looking at her, and just…felt awful seeing her so miserable. “I’m still here. I’m still your friend.” He said, inching closer to her, and without much thought, hugged her gently. He can’t bear the thought of walking away from her, when Jasper already did. He felt responsible somehow. And he felt good talking to her again.

He.Had.Gotten.Beat.UP?

Oh FWOOPERS NO!

NO.. no... Azura felt something burning inside of her when he said that and she looked at him. No one should lay a hand on her precious flower Jace! Especially if it was her stupid feelings that caused this!

She wanted to ask who it was that had hurt him! She had gotten sort of good at dueling! She had even landed a spell in her last match! On that bully was getting his feet stuck to the floor so hard!! SO HARD!!

"You didn't deserve anything like that.. Not even remotely close." She whispered as she looked at him. So he had hurt her feelings.. It didn't matter. He had just told her the truth.. and well.. Yes it hurt.. but..

Her tears were still on her face as he spoke again, but this time, her purple eyes looked up, hope lighting in their amethyst depths as she looked at him as he spoke.."I guess that's true." She said a little weakly, before she felt her heart melt at his next words..

He still cared!! She felt like the weight of the world had been lifted off her shoulder and she shook her head.. "Please don't step away.. I'll be okay." and she would be.. eventually. Yes, she still liked him though, her getting over him wasn't working so well..

She had tears in her eyes again as he said that he was still here, and that he was still her friend.. and she lost it though as he hugged her! She wasn't used to being hugged, usually she was the one doing the hugging! She sniffled as she hugged him back and nodded. "Good, because I don't know what I would have done if I had lost you." She whispered softly.

There was nothing much to be said. Slowly, Jace released her from his hug, and sat near in front of her. “Please stop crying.” Because…it didn’t feel good to see her all emotional and just…miserable. She should be happy now, right? They should be happy because they got through a hurdle in their friendship, and neither of them had let go.

“Everything will be okay now, right?” he asked, hoping that the confrontation part is already over. He already said what was supposed to be said, and it’s a good thing that they’ve forgiven each other despite their current situation.

“Erm…” Jace awkwardly ruffled his hair with his right hand, and carefully picked his next words. “Azura?” he started, staring down at the grass between them, “I—um…thank you?” he said, trailing off and clamped his hands together in front of him, leaving his hair tousled in many directions. “I mean…thanks for liking me.” He added, shrugging his shoulders in the process. “I never got to tell you that before…” So, hopefully his thanks wasn’t too late?

Azura nodded as Jace released her from his hug and she slowly started to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffling as she tried to stop crying. She should be feeling happier! She was! She hadn't lost Jace and that was the most important thing ever!! She bit her lip as she swallowed back her tears and managed to look up at him and give him a small smile.. "There.. I think I'm done crying." She said as she looked up at him.

She nodded at his words a wider smile coming to her face as he spoke. "Everything will be okay now..I promise." She repeated as pushed some of her hair behind her ears. Even if it might hurt a little bit that he didn't like her.. He was still her friend. Her amazingly precious, caring, absolutely wonderful friend.

Azura leaned back a little on the grass and was about to ask what he had been up to, seeing as they hadn't spoken for awhile and she was anxious to hear about his life... when he started to stammer.. "Yes Jace?" She asked him as he ruffled his hair and Azura had to nearly sit on her hands in order to not straighten out the messed up strands!

Thank you? For..

Ohhhh..

She felt herself fluster ever so slightly as she looked over at him.. "You are welcome.. How could I not?" She said softly. [/color]