As a friend~

•Previously•

"eh- urm Isabelle how do you plan on cleaning all this up?" Jack questioned while still in air. Isabelle waited till they landed to answer him.

"We are a total of nine people and if include Ted, Crusty, Olive and twinkie the cleaning should only take about three to four hours of work. What do say guys!? Ready?"

Everyone groaned in response.

|•••|

•Lia's POV•

We scattered across the castle grounds to take a better look at the damage done. We went in pairs and I really hoped that I could go with Isabelle or Penelope but heck I had to go with Jack. I still didn't figure out how I was going to tell him.

I am sure that everybody changes after living another whole life! … I can't help but think he did too. The thought of breaking his heart scared me. It hurt me. Yes, I had a little confusion about my feelings but I did care about him.

As soon as we got split into pairs I started to take the lead and talk about anything but us. 

"Ah that wall needs to be filled eh? And what do you think about the fountain? It's awfully damaged here don't you think!?" I kept blabbering on and on flying my hands everywhere almost hitting his face. He clutched my wrists and looked me in the eye.

"Woah there princess! Slow down!" He chuckled nervously as I blush and turn to a tomato. 

Please don't notice! I kept thinking.

"Cute~<3" He smiled.< p>

"Stop smiling like a fool and stop calling me princess! I am not a princess!!" I pouted.

"But you are though! You are my princess!" He pouted harder.

He is making this harder for me… I need to tell him before it gets harder.

"We need to stop!" I blurted out.

No! That came out wrong!

"We need to- to stop fooling around and start working!" I laughed loudly in attempt to cover it up. Jack being confused nodded as we got back cleaning. We cleaned the floor at the speed of a werewolf. The ashes on the ground was then collected to one place. 

"Uhhh we need to lift all that pieces of wall and dump near the river…"

Jack clapped his hand and tried to lift the concreate pieces, "Don't overestimate your powers Jack!" I commented while patting his back.

"We Ted, Crusty or Olive here!" Jack blushed and scratched his nape. 

"Yes! Yes!" I agreed looking around to find Penelope. 

When I finally spotted her near the fountain petting Crusty I yelled "Hey Pen! Can you send Crusty over real quick! I need her help!"

"Sure!" She yelled back. She patted Crusty's back and it came flying towards us elegantly with the speed of an eagle. I looked her in the eye while softly brushing her feathers. I learnt that the kinder you are to a hippogriff the fonder they grow of you. 

"Can you help us carry this to the river please?" I whispered into her ears. She knelt down and screeched. Jack chuckled and patted showing her the pieces of wall. We carefully wrapped them into a cloth and placed it on her back. She screeched loudly and threw it off!

"What is it crusty? Does it hurt? Sowwwyyyy!" Jack whined. Crusty turned around taking the wrapped junk into her beak and tilt her head cutely. We cooed at her innocence and cuteness. 

"Isn't she a baby!" I pouted.

"Yes, she is! And you know who is a bigger baby!?" Jack started "You" 

Oh god, stop flirting!! was what I wanted to say but "Jackson Luca Villin! If you don't shut up…" I threatened him. 

"Aight! Aight my princess" He teased and bent forward to kiss my cheek. I placed my palms against his wide chest. "Jack, we need to talk…"

•Jackson's POV•

Those four words that I absolutely hated… She said them. She said 'We need to talk' Those four words can never be good news. I heard her out though. She moved her hands that were placed on my chest around my torso as she attached her head to the place where my heart beats. I wished she hadn't noticed my heart beating faster than ever. It always does, whenever I am around her…

"I- You know, Jack uh…" She stuttered and struggled to talk. Her breathe became heavy and started hitting my chest. She averted her look now looking me in the eyes, staring straight through my soul. Her eyes turned red as they rapidly dwelled up with tears. She grabbed my shirt and held them tight into her fists. Her face suddenly saddened as she broke down and started hyperventilating.

I panicked at the moment but then again, I held her tightly against my chest and took turns on patting her shoulder softly. "One… Two… Three… It's alright baby, it's alright… Talk to me" I whispered into her ear and continued to count until ten. She caught her breath and finally let go of my shirt.

"I don't wanna hurt you" She mumbled under her breath.

The fear and hurt deep inside me started to spread through the body and make me go numb. I knew what she was going to say but I really hoped it wasn't it… "Don't worry about me! I am made of steel!" I joke and laugh hiding the tears forming inside my eyes.

She playfully hit me and continued "We changed after living like humans… as mortals… and we- we need to take a break and build our story once again. We can create our memories once again… but until then, I think we need to take a break…" 

Pang! My heart ached and my eyes threatened to open a dam of tears. I can't let her see my cry… She blames everything on herself. 

With thinking twice, I pulled her into a tight hug as I sniffled and silently let the tears slide and fall onto her silk top. "I can still hug you as a friend right?" I managed to let out.

"Yes, as a friend" She replied.