Author's note: I would like to apologize (yet again) for not being able to update consistently. Exams and exam preparations are to blame! However, I think I've reached a point where I needed to update at least once this month - or I'll end up feeling really bad for neglecting this story and not be able to study. I don't think I'll be updating again until AFTER exams :(

Anyways, I sincerely hope you readers enjoy this and are able to hang around with me until this stories comes to an end. I hope the late updates don't put you guys off!

Yet again, infinite thanks for the continued support and wonderful words. And I promise to come back and fix any glitches in this chapter when I have time!

Chapter Fourteen – Gone…

People say that your body falls into auto-mode during times of crisis, but right this instant Aura wished that her mind would do such a thing. Her sense of smell and sense of sight seemed to be magnified as she literally felt the emotions that were running in the hallway. She was perfectly aware of her surroundings – nurses were entering and exiting the operation room in a flurry, voices were mumbling to one another in the background.

She felt helpless as she remained seated in the hallway with Jenna and Mrs. Belmont as well as Tynan. James’ family were huddled a few feet down the hall – Jenna and her mother taking comfort in one another as Aura stood there, numb and lost in her own world. Her mind was overfilling with thousands of images that ranged from flashbacks of the past few years with James, right back down to the horror of the situation now. Approximately a room away, her best friend was lying there in critical condition.

Ever since the phone call from Jenna, Aura felt as though she was suffocating. And now that she was forced to wait for news regarding James’ condition, time appeared to be ticking by slowly. Each second that lapsed felt like eternity as her eyes remained fixated onto the closed operation doors.

By now the tears had ceased but her hands wouldn’t seem to stop shaking from the trauma. She was afraid that she would lose her best friend – absolutely mortified by the mere thought of not having James around for a day, let alone forever. After all, they had endured the highs and lows of high school together – Aura had been there when James had nowhere to go and he in return had offered her a friendship she could have never dreamed of.

Glancing down at her trembling fingers, she was slightly startled by the warm, masculine hand that grasped them. As her eyes trailed up a pair of arms to meet a pair of azure eyes, she found herself feeling less negative.

Tynan squeezed Rellie’s cold fingers in a reassuring manner. He was certain she was overwhelmed by her own thoughts – her mind overloading her with the possibility that she might lose her best friend. Able to spot a fresh wave of tears prickling her golden eyes, he found himself pulling her fragile figure into his arms, engulfing her body in a warm embrace. In response, she buried her face into his shoulder, silently sobbing and shuddering as he rested his chin atop her head.

“He’ll be okay,” Aura heard the soft, low grumble of Tynan’s voice say. She noticed his statement was filled with a certain confidence nobody could provide throughout the night.

The nurses hadn’t offered any assurance in regards to James’ fate, but hearing Tynan’s comforting words made Aura feel that she could believe him.

As she stood there in the refuge he offered, she found herself instinctively wrapping her arms around his waist, her body leaning into him as she closed her eyes. This was her haven – the place where thoughts halted in her head – a place where she didn’t have to feel for a short while.

Her worries were momentarily forgotten but she was brought back down to reality when the door to the operation room opened. A nurse emerged from the doors, pulling a mask off her face as Jenna and Mrs. Belmont approached the figure. The petite woman offered a weak smile just as Aura shifted out of Tynan’s hug – her right arm remained glued to his waist.

“H-how is he?” Jenna choked and anxiously waited for the reply that was to come.

The nurse didn’t waste any time to explain. “He’s no longer in critical condition,” she began and the expression etched across her face was one full of regret. “However, there’s a lot of bruising as well as multiple fractures. And although the doctor has done what he can, it will take time to heal, and he will need to take therapy classes.”

Although the news wasn’t entirely good, a deep relief swept through Aura – knowing that James was no longer in a life threatening condition was a great burden that had been lifted from her shoulders. She barely had a chance to react when she felt herself being led into a room where she was allowed to settle down in a seat. As she regained focus, the image of Tynan sitting next to her greeted her as she felt the urge to run and find James.

“His mother and sister are having their time with him,” Tynan whispered.

She nodded her head in understanding, allowing Jenna and her mother to have their brief moment with James as she remained in the hallway with Tynan – her hand clutching him. She didn’t know what to expect or what to say or do when she saw her best friend when she did see him. She was trying so hard to pull herself back together and the silence wasn’t helping.

Lifting her head to face Tynan, it was then that Aura noticed the glassy look to his eyes that made her feel something was amiss. Before questions could escape her lips, the doors swung open to James’ room, and Mrs. Belmont threw both her and Tynan a watery smile. Aura didn’t waste a speck of time as she entered the eerily quiet atmosphere, only able to hear machines buzzing. As she neared the bed, her eyes focussed onto the immobile figure lying atop the bed. With a cast over his right leg and evident cuts and bruises on his face, Aura felt her heart tighten.

The instant those dark blue eyes met her golden gaze was the moment she found herself tearing up and half running to close the distance between her and James. As emotions took over, she engulfed James in a tight embrace that threatened to crush his bones.

“Ouch Hercules,” she heard him mumble and immediately pulled away.

“I’m so sorry,” she responded with feeling and was welcomed by the sight of a soft grin.

Breathing in, James was pleased that he was overly drugged up to feel much pain as he leaned back into the pillows on his bed. He was certain that once the drugs wore off, he’d be feeling like hell – but today wasn’t about him as his mind reeled back down to reality. Though his mind was up in clouds, he could still recall the significance of today. Shifting to fully face Aura, he shook his head when she placed a hand on his shoulder to stop him from moving.

“Before I forget or I’m knocked out from drugs: Happy birthday Aura-dearest,”

Blinking, Aura found herself only able to study James. There were a few scratches that marred his face, but as her gaze moved down to the brace around his right leg, she knew that it was going to take a while for full recovery. It pained her to see him in such a condition.

“I would have loved to come to find you, but I’m in a bit of a state here.” James joked – cutting through her concentration. The next thing he knew, a soft punch landed on his arm and he winced. “I’m already hurt enough as it is Miss. Blake. I don’t need any more punches from a man like you.”

Shifting his head, James spotted the figure of Tynan lingering in the doorway and automatically his face brightened.

“Aura dear! You brought someone here to make my day!” he explained and beckoned Tynan to come closer with a wave of his hand.

There was an expression of awkwardness etched across Tynan’s features as he ran a hand through his blonde hair. He lingered in the doorway for a second longer before striding into the room with an air of bashfulness. Aura could only watch as her boyfriend took a seat next to her best friend’s bed, a small smile crossing his face when James made a remark about his presence.

“I’ve seen you in better shape before,” Tynan responded light-heartedly.

Aura noted that his approach to James was one that made her best friend smile. James Belmont had always been a joker – no matter how serious the situation was, he would always seem to leave the atmosphere feeling lighter.

Never in her life had she thought that James would pull through a life or death situation and crack it off as a joke. And this time instead of him being the only one making fun of the situation, she was surprised to find Tynan approaching James with the same sense of twisted humour too - she knew that it was the right way to go. If there was anything that James liked, it was people with a knack of humour in the most inappropriate times, and Tynan had definitely received extra cookie points for his light-heartedness.

Only just realising that she had completely tuned out on the man-to-man conversation occurring before her, the next question that reached her ears caused her to take a slight intake of breath.

“Did you see a face?” Tynan queried, a pensive expression across his face.

The atmosphere in the room got heavier as everyone waited for James’ answer. It appeared seconds elapsed before the voice of James Belmont huffed out a reply.

“No.” He breathed, “I couldn’t see anything. One moment I was opening my car door, and the next I’m being beaten up by some dark figure. By the time I regain consciousness, I find I’m here in the hospital with my mother and sister bawling their pretty eyes out.” James explained, his dark blue eyes resting on the figure of his twin sister. “Dramatic much Jen?”

Before anymore words were exchanged, two men dressed in police uniform knocked on the door. They entered the room with an apologetic look on their face for interrupting. The larger cop pulled out a notepad and pen and approached James’ figure.

“James Arthur Belmont?” He called in a deep, masculine tone.

James could only lift his chin in response.

“We’d like to ask you a few questions.”

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Physiotherapy had been hell for James. It was frustrating to not have your legs respond the way you wanted and it was also infuriatingly difficult to take a step without wincing in discomfit. After waiting two whole months for his fractured femur in his right leg to heal nicely, he had thought that life would finally return to normal. However, his dreams had come crashing down when the doctor said that he needed therapy classes as well as more time for his femur to fully heal in order to regain full use of his legs.

During the two months being bedridden, the muscles in his legs had shrunk due to lack of use, and even now he couldn’t apply his full body weight on his right leg. It was during the times when he was locked up at home that he became angry with himself. He was frustrated with how slow the healing process was taking and furious with his inability to stand properly.

After numerous therapy classes and coming back home feeling lower than dirt, it was his twin sister that had given him a little hope…

Being a nurse, Jenna Belmont had made many links with various contacts. It had taken her a few phone calls and queries before she managed to get the best professional help for her brother. And after an entire day’s worth of arrangements, she had somehow got James into a specialised physiotherapy clinic that suited her brother’s case.

So now here James was, all packed and ready to leave. He was limping, but he’d be damned going back to using those cursed crutches again. As his sister started up the engine to her car that was packed with his belongings, the dark haired male didn’t fail to see the tears blurring his best friend’s vision.

“Aww… Aura not again,” he remarked and went to engulf her in a hug. “I swear I’ll be back soon.” He murmured into her hair and felt her nod into his shoulder. Pulling her at arm’s length, a devious smile crossed his face. “Just because your gay best friend isn’t around to keep you company, you now have a hot, blonde boyfriend that will keep you warm in bed.”

The only way to describe the look on Aura’s face was a deer being caught in front of headlights. Her eyes were wide and watery, as she froze momentarily to comprehend his statement. By the time she fully digested the sexual connotation, Aurellia Blake was no longer the teary brunette she had been all morning. Instead, she had instinctively lifted a hand to smack James across his upper arm.

“At least that got you to stop crying as if it were my funeral,” James remarked and saw the way Aura pursed her lips.

“I swear sometimes your humour is frustrating.” The golden eyed beauty claimed in a half-laughing half-crying tone.

Only able to smirk, James lifted his blue gaze to find Tynan a mere few feet away. Shifting to Aura, James made a request for her to go into his house to retrieve a scarf for him. Like the obedient, but caring best friend she always was, Aura nodded her head and disappeared through the front entrance of his home.

Turning his attention to Tynan, it appeared the blonde had unveiled his true intention of getting rid of Aura.

“I’m guessing you wanted a few words?” came the masculine, husky tone of Tynan's.

Nodding in answer, James stared at the eye candy before him. Tynan Christopher Welling was every gay man’s and straight woman’s wet dream – and that was definitely something hard to achieve. Clearing his throat so that his mind was no longer conjuring up indecent thoughts, James watched as Aura’s boyfriend stood before him with his hands in his jean pockets.

“I have a request mister Welling,” James prompted, only continuing to talk when he was certain that he had the blonde’s full attention. He hesitated briefly – unsure of whether to come off as a commanding bastard or to be soft and demanding. Believing that he’d be more believable if he came off as soft and caring, he finally expelled the words.

“Take care of my Blakey-poo while I’m gone.” He ordered and observed Tynan for an answer. He was relieved when he received a dashing smile and a curt nod and this encouraged him to continue to speak. “But I’m only giving her to you for the time being. When I’m back, my brunette princess is one hundred percent mine again.”

A chuckle escaped Tynan’s lips at the sound of James’ words. The entire scenario was as if James’ was acting like Aura’s big brother. Instead of using brute strength and deadly threats to Tynan to take care of his Aura, James was styling the request with his odd charm and humour.

“No worries. But I think Rellie gets to decide who she wants to spend more time with when you’re back.” Tynan laughingly challenged.

James’ brows arched in answer. “Of course it will be me,” he stated and there was silence for a moment as the two males stood awkwardly. “Well,” James began. “I think this is the part where we seal the deal with a manly gesture.” At the last two words, he rolled his eyes which caused Tynan to chuckle harder.

Unsure of the usual way men shake hands, James paused for a moment. He was greeted with the sight of Tynan’s proffered hand and with a pleased grin; the dark haired male grabbed the tan hand of Tynan’s.

As Aura stepped out onto the front porch with a grey and black chequered scarf grasped in her hand, she was greeted with the most absurd image she had witnessed in her entire life. There standing before her in all their ten feet glory was Tynan and her best friend, James. The two of them were shaking hands in a man-to-man manner, a feint grin etched across her best friend’s face.

For once in Aura’s life, James Arthur Belmont was partaking in one of the manliest acts of hand shaking. Her usually clean, and rather feminine male best friend who liked gossip and fashion as well as looks, had Tynan’s hand in a firm man-handshake. And the play displayed before her didn’t end there. She observed as James extended the shake, bringing the blonde male in for a brief male hug. Tynan had accepted the gesture with an air of grace.

With wide eyes, Aura found herself running to James just as he pulled away from Tynan. Her best friend appeared to catch her in time and she embraced him one final time before regretfully letting him go.

“I'm glad your boyfriend knows I’m gay.” James laughed, the corners of his eyes crinkling. “You literally jumped me then,” he informed and spotted the way Aura transformed to the usual prude she was.

She stood with her back straight, with her lips pressed together firmly at him. She had tried so hard to keep a straight face, but in the end the corners of her mouth twisted upward – betraying her façade of ‘prim-and-proper’.

He watched as she placed his scarf around his neck, fixing it in a gentle manner. It was as if she was tying the damned thing around his neck to keep him from leaving. Grasping her hand in his to stop her from fiddling, he gave her a weak smile and she nodded her head in reply.

“I’ll call you every day,” she breathed as he shifted and headed for the car.

Aura watched as James stepped into the car, a smile on his handsome face. As the reverse lights to Jenna’s car turned on, James rolled down the window to share his final words, and Aura tilted her head fractionally higher, waiting for his sentence to reach her.

“If you forget, I’ll call you in the morning, noon and night.” He called and just like that, he was gone, but standing beside her to provide some support was the one and only Tynan Welling.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hazel eyes could only examine the feminine figure of Aura seated beside him. Once again he had a lab buddy and was pleased that this semester he had only Aura in his practical group and no Tynan. This meant that things were beginning to slowly settle back into place – and he was back on track.

At first the chances of reviving their friendship appeared to be slim due to Aura always spending her time with either Tynan or her bedridden James. But now that the faggot Belmont had moved a few cities away for recovery – which he was certain would take an extra few months if the gay was lucky – Leigh couldn’t help but become ecstatic.

He loved having Aura back by his side. He revelled in the fact that he was filling the shoes of being her confidant. And now that they were on talking terms again, Leigh was pleased that he could invite the brunette out for coffee whenever he wished without having a specific best friend of Aura’s intervening.

As the demonstrator collected their practical write-ups and dismissed the group of engineering students, Leigh stalked beside a smiling Aura. What had been a tedious practical turned out to be very enjoyable for Leigh because there was nobody around to take his Aura away from him.

Trekking down the hallway, Aura noticed an awkward grin on Leigh’s face. Though she wasn’t sure what he was smiling about, her curiosity grew since he had been wearing that exact expression for the past few hours. As they drew near the female lockers, she took off her lab-coat and shoved her safety goggles into the pocket.

“Care to share?” she inquired and spotted Leigh’s startled expression. “You’ve been grinning like a mad man for the past hour or so.” She explained.

Little did she know Leigh was a mad-man whenever it came to her. He was willing to do anything and everything just to have things go along their merry way so that he could achieve his goal of obtaining power…

Turning the corner, the hazel eyed male was just about to respond when his words caught in his throat.

Able to hear the evident discomfit in Leigh’s choked tone, Aura shifted to examine her friend to find that he was staring at a something ahead of them. As her eyes swept over to the object Leigh was gazing at, Aura felt the air around her grow heavier. There standing before her with his back against the wall was Tynan.

He seemed to have seen her at the exact moment as he casually stood and made his way to her, a heart-melting boyish grin playing on his lips. As Tynan stood beside her, Aura couldn’t ignore Leigh’s piercing hazel gaze that was set on her. She never could understand why the two males didn’t get along, but now that Tynan was here, she knew what was going to happen and she found herself smiling apologetically in advance.

“Thought we’d have lunch together today,” Chris voiced and gave Leigh a once over before turning back to face Rellie.

In all honesty he hated seeing Rellie apologetic and battling to choose a side between him and Leigh. And although he had made various attempts to befriend Rellie’s lanky friend, he just couldn’t seem to create common ground between them. The guy was like some kind of anti-social clam that snapped shut if you weren’t Aurellia Blake. It somewhat unnerved Chris and it became instinctive to dislike the guy.

As Rellie’s voice broke through his concentration, Chris noticed the flash of anger that crossed Leigh’s eyes.

“Just let me put away my lab-coat,” Rellie said and bid Leigh a quick farewell.

As Leigh accepted Aura’s goodbye with a smile, he felt his insides burn with rage. Whenever it came to Tynan Welling, he always appeared to be second best. Walking past the blonde male, images commenced flooding his head. He knew that this battle for Aura wasn’t over yet. Even though he had somehow managed to get rid of the faggot James, he still had another boulder to throw off a cliff.

But question was, how was he going to get rid of an obstacle like Welling?

To: girlygirl101: Thank you for coming back to find me on FP and I'm glad you enjoyed TCIK! I hope this stories turns out to be something like TCIK - being able to put readers on an emotional rollercoaster. Hope you are enjoying this so far :)

jayniee: Haha, bet you never thought 'till next week' was gonna take this long. And I'm still waiting for an update from you :P But I totally understand - exams and the daily life obstacles are hard to conquer without having to update on time. Hope you're well

twilight24: Don't worry, Aura and Chris will definitely have more limelight in the next few chappies. But I'm afraid I won't be touching on those chapters until after exams. Thank you

jillie4eva: Thank you for reviewing :) And I appreciate the kind words all the time! I'll try to keep writing, but due to exams my updates will be late :(

SmashedIce.X: I simply had to update this chapter just to let readers like you know that James is okay :) Hehe, couldn't leave you guys waiting FOREVER (okay maybe it had been a while since I've last updated BUT) James is okay.

Brit Girl 101: Leigh will continue to get worse, I assure you. On another note, thank you for reading :)

pinkeclipse: No no, James is still around. I think I like James heaps, he's a fun character to write :)

sw33tdaisie: Haha, your threat to stop reading entertained me heaps :) Thank you for your enthusiastic review and I guess you'll be continuing on reading this because I didn't get rid of a certain character

KimmiLight: Yet again another long review! :) Would honestly love to explain to you that paragraph, however I guess I'll have to come back to it since I'm pressed for time! Enjoy

reeka7: Hehe, your prediction is quite close to home. Things are definitely not over yet and hopefully things will finish off with a POW! Okay... not literally but you get my point

Anonymous: I'm utterly sorry for ending it with a cliffhanger. I had no such intentions! I hope this update made up for it :) And I must sincerely apologise for not updating sooner! Please forgive!

butterfly-angel-babygirl: Yet another update :) And hopefully I've managed to answer your questions in this chappie! Enjoy and many many thanks