Things are going to heat up a lot more from here on out. A lot more pairings will be brought in unfortunately (sorry, I love love circles XD)

Chapter 9 – Mysterious woman

"What is awaiting in the path ahead? I promised to protect to, and that is what I'll do, No matter the cost."

Zoe's P.O.V

"Tell me, Hope. What is the best thing about being able to forget? I looked at her. I was startled. On our way to school together, she hadn't said anything, but now she finally speaks with something so unusual.

"I don't know. I guess the fact you can erase something that you don't want." I looked at her. Her face was looking down at the floor. "Why do you ask?" My questions made her raise her head. I already knew why. Raines told me.

"No reason. It's just that….some people forget things, and they seem happy about it. She thought she was fooling me, but I saw right through it. She hadn't forgotten it like Raines said. She remembered everything. Even him and she wanted to forget, so she made herself forget.

"No one can truly forget something" I said looking away. I felt her looking at me. "Even if we want to forget it, we never truly can. It'll always be somewhere deep inside out memories." I felt her stare still on me. "You might want to forget it. In fact, you may have fooled yourself and everyone else that you had forgotten, but you'll always know the truth." I gave her a side glance and saw the shock on her face. Did I hit it dead on?

She suddenly looked down. "I guess you're right. You can fool others, but never truly yourself." She continued to look down.

"Whatever it is, you can tell me about it." She looked up at me puzzled. "I know something is eating you away.

"You never told me what happened to you, Hope." I noticed her staring at all my injuries from last night. "Tell me."

I didn't want to tell her, but I had to, didn't I? "Well, on my way home, I ran into some people from school and got into a fight." I didn't look at her, although it was clear she was staring again.

"It was Rygdea, wasn't it?" She looked away "I'm sorry. It's my fault." I felt my heart sink. As she walked away, I grabbed her hand gently.

"Please don't go." A few moments passed. We just stared into each other's eyes before I spoke again. "I am happy it happened. I learnt something amazing. I feel stronger and I feel like a CAN do something. You have shown me that I am strong and I can fight for what I care for." I didn't look away from her at all as I spoke. I don't know where it all came from. It all just bellowed out, "I need you. You are the one thing I care about, Zoe. I lost my mother, the only caring woman in my life. And my father is useless to me. You've given me hope." I know I sounded cheesy and all, but it was all true.

She gave a gentle smile "I will always be here, Hope. I have been so lonely for so long. You finally came and brought me out of the dark." It was all so weird, but I felt my heart pound harder than ever. I wanted to pull her close into my arms, but I knew I couldn't. Even if it was just as friends, I'd feel awful and as though I had broken our trust. So I resisted the idea.

I gave a smile back and we continued on.

Raines P.O.V

I sat at the desk, reading some book when I noticed Zoe and Hope outside. They had walked to school together and were chatting happily when all of a sudden; their faces became that of sadness. I watched closely, trying to make it all out when suddenly, Zoe turns her back. I felt my heart pound for a moment. Then, I saw Hope grab her by the hand. I felt so much rage. I didn't know what to do. Unlike him, I am aware of my feelings towards her. Even if it isn't aloud now, I was once her lover. I'll forever hold that love.

They quickly resolved whatever had happened and were smiling again. I couldn't help but feel hate towards Hope. It was wrong. He was my student. It was forbidden for me to have feelings for Zoe, let alone a relationship. I shouldn't get like this with Hope.

Zoe's P.O.V

For some reason, I felt strange. Like something was missing. I felt confused. I didn't know what to say. I felt a happiness with Hope that I hadn't felt since…back then. It was weird for me to admit that I cherished my time with Hope. I never wanted to leave his side. I just wanted to stay with him forever. But I can't get this attached. Everything has an end, right?

As me and Hope sat at out desk, I noticed Raines seemed down. I stared at him for a moment. That face, those eyes. They all seemed too similar. Only just now I had realised this. Why did I feel empty when I looked into those gazing eyes? Just then he looked up at me. Our eyes clashed and just locked onto each other. I couldn't look away, his gaze kept hold of me. Then he simply looked back down to his book. What was he thinking, in those brief moments?

I looked back at Hope to see him looking at some posters on the wall. I was in a room with two men that I trusted. I didn't know why I trusted Raines, although I'm sure it was valid. And Hope, I knew I could count on him. I felt safe, just like I did when I was with her.

"What do you do when happy moments die?" I spoke with a soft voice, both Hope and Raines looking at me with confused faces. I smiled and continued. "Say if I was happy, being here now. What about when things change and that happiness dies? What do I do?" they both stared for a moment.

"You find more happy things." I looked up to find my eyes meeting with Raines's again. "More things and more people to keep you going, People to give happiness" I was surprised. Why was I so captured by his eyes?

"He's right. " Everyone turned their heads to the door to see Vanille. "That's why you can't give up, Zoe. Didn't you make a promise that you would live on?" My eyes widened. Did she mean….? "You might be confused as to how I know. But Zoe, you already know how I know. You just pretend you don't." Vanille's words hit me hard. I've always forced myself to forget, yet it always lingers. I know it's there.

"Vanille….." I didn't look at her. I simply stared at the floor. "It was Fang, wasn't it?" I asked with a calm voice. She stared at me and nodded slowly. So Fang remembered. I forced myself to forget it all, that's why she hates me so much. The fact that I made myself forget her sacrifice. I took her away from Fang, and that's why I never fought against Fang. I truly deserve everything she gives. I figured it was time to explain it to Hope and even Raines. Considering both were here now. I trusted them both.

Short chapter, but I haven't had a lot of time. Next will be longer, I swear. Next chapter will have a lot of ice breaking, so it'll be longer.