HIYA!

Here's chapter 18, ;D

Excuse the lateness.

Enjoy!

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I pulled on the jeans and the t-shirt Mom brought me from home, careful not to put to much pressure on my stomach. As I slid the t-shirt over my head and pulled my jacket on, I couln't help but notice how pale I looked. Was this normal? Or was it from my stress?

Either way, I look like complete and utter shit. And what's worse? I haven't told Jackson about the baby thing. And what's worse for me? I wanted kids later in the future, when I was older.

Well it's no use pining over something that might not happen, I thought glumly. I shook my head furiously. It's still a small chance I could have kids later in life.

"Faye?" A knock at my door pulls me from my thoughts. I look at the door.

"Yeah?" I ask turning to the mirror and gripping the sink.

"You almost ready?" Mom asked.

"Yeah," I reply. "I'll be out in a moment."

I watch as the jet black markings crawl down my arms like vines. As usual, the marks were gorgeous. I turn to the door, pull it open and ask, "Mom?"

"Yes, sweetheart?" Mom asks, turning to me. 

I zip my jacket up. "Why do my markings move?"

She stared. "What?"

"The markings on my arm." I pull my sleeve up. "They're on my back too."

Mom studied them, then smiled. "Oh. The Markings! I forgot to mention those."

"What are they?"

Mom shook her head. "I'll tell you when we get home. There's too many humans here."

I nod, to tired to protest anyways.

-*-

 When we got home, I wanted to sleep in my own bed  before anything else. I was exhausted out of my mind. And that's exactly what I did.

When I woke up, the first thing that jumped into my head was food. I need food. I'm so hungry I might eat my mattress.

Okay, maybe I'm just a little bit dramatic, but it's actually true. I'm hungry..

I get to my feet and go upstairs. The kitchen was empty, it was as if the whole house were empty.

I grab an orange from the bowl of fruit on the counter and go to the island and lean over it, beginning to peel it. As I did, I thought over some things in my head. Like, is anyone getting closer to solving Jen's murder?

Where was Arch? Jordan?

I sighed, peeling the rest of the skin from the orange and pop a small peice of the orange in my mouth. The juicy taste sent a pleasure of flavor throughout my mouth as I chewed. I slowly ate my orange, knowing eating too fast could not be good for my stomach. 

Once I finished, I threw the skin in the trash and grabbed a yogurt from the fridge and opened it. I grabbed a spoon and sat down, putting a spoonful of strawberry banana yogurt in my mouth.

"You should be eating light," a voice to my right says.

I turn and see Ken leaning against the door-frame, watching me. I smile at him and wave my spoon at him. "I am eating light."

"Then why do I see orange peels in the trash?"

I scowled at him, to which he smiled. "I'm hungry."

"Yes," he says sympathetically. "I understand, but the doctor said-"

"Ken." I set down the spoon in the yogurt container. "The doctor said I can eat fruit and yogurt for breakfast if I wanted to. Just not anything like pizza or chicken right now. Salad, yes. Bacon, a little bit. Eggs is fine, too."

He sighed. "I know, I just worry."

I smiled at him, and get to my feet. For the first time in a while I walk over and pull him into a hug. He hesitates at first then hugged back, wrapping his arms around me. I lay my head on his chest and listen to his heartbeat.

"I missed your hugs," he murmured into my hair, his body heat warming me.

"I missed yours, too," I tell him, snuggling deeper into his chest. "I'm sorry."

"For what?" he asks, surprise and confusion in his voice.

"For everything," I say, close to tears. Maybe if I kept to myself and not bugged my family about dragons or riders maybe Ken and I wouldn't of broken up, or gone through this shit.

But in a way, I'm glad I did. I found Leto.

"Don't be," he whispered in reply, kissing the top of my head. "Now, go see your dragon."

"What?" I look up at him.

"Go on." He nodded towards the door.

I nod at him. How did he know Leto was here? 

Well, he is kind of on our side now..

I shrug and make my way outside into the backyard. I walk for around five minutes and finally reach the empty field. "Leto?"

A swoosh sounded above me, along with a flash of white. Now, standing in front of me was Leto.

"Leto," I whispered, walking towards her. She bent her head down to me, and I grabbed it in my hands and wrapped my arms around her neck. She let out what sounded a dragon-sigh of content and relief.

"How do you feel?" Leto asked me after I pull away from her, watching me with her light blue eyes.

"Better, now," I told her, smiling. "I missed you a lot."

"And I you," Leto murmured, nuzzling my hand. "I've been feeling guilty."

"Don't," I tell Leto in a stern tone, "This is not you're fault."

Leto sighed, her tail gliding across the ground. "Still. If anything had happened to you.."

"Leto." I look her in the eye. "I was shot. Yes, I said it. But I'm alive, and I'm right here. I'm safe now, and you have nothing to worry about."

Leto shook her massive head. "I know, I know. I just..I almost lost you."

"You didn't," I whispered, wrapping my arms around her again, petting her scaly neck as she put her head on my back. I felt her breath on my back as I ran my fingers down each one of her scales on her neck. They were sleek, white, and beautiful. "I'm right here, my friend, I'm right here."

"Good." She huffed softly, a rush of breath running down my back as I held her close.

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Oah MAHA GOAD DONT HATE ME

I'M SORRY. I AM I REALLY AM

THIS IS MY LAST UPDATE BEFORE SCHOOL.

School starts tomorrow, so from here to now I might only be posting on weekends unless my mom says otherwise. 

Until next time! :)

-Grace xx