I'm crawling in my skin

She held her hands up. “I offered to help you save a girl, I don’t even like. But forget it.I’m the asshole. Goodbye Cailan.”

Cailan stared across the room. “Well, I don’t want your help... no doubt you’d use it against me later. I really care about Hazel and what you just said about her... I’m sure Gerry would love too. You say things... then act like this innocent sweet girl. You’re not. Go meddle and make things about you elsewhere. Goodbye.”

Penny shook her head. “I am not manipulating you, how dare you. You’re the one who told me you loved me while i was pregnant” She moved down the steps. “Of course i fucking care, she was never my friend. But i care. I just you know… have a werewolf daughter to look after on full moons. I am not using anyone.” She held her hands up. “You’re fucking out of order Cailan. So maybe I will.”

“You had no reason to bring it up. It’s been seven months and I have never said it again. I had to tell you or regret not telling you for the rest of my life. But you don’t feel that way and I have moved on with my life and I don’t need your permission.” He shook his head. “Blind fucking innocent Penny as always. We’re done.”

Penny shook her head, stepping towards him again. “Don’t you dare put that on him. She was your girlfriend. And she was bitten… he was scared. Fuck… did you ever think it might’ve been Hazel that bit her? He’s fucking terrified for his family. Even if it’s not her…” She shook her head. “He has to deal with the pack.”

“You’re showing your true colours, Penny. Manipulative and using people when it’s suits you. Scared... she was bleeding in my arms and he just fucked off. I thought she was dying... he thought she was dying... he fucking left her to die. She wasn’t my girlfriend. You only pay interest in my life when... Penny is centre of attention. We broke up... we never really together together anyway. And now she has no idea who anyone is... not that you and your selfish bubble would care.” He narrowed his eyes. “Or maybe he did. Then you better go be by his side then, huh?”

She shook her head “Oh, you’d like that wouldn’t you.” She huffed. “And i’m your best friend. Hazel told Gerry. It meant enough to her.”

“Not really, no. I’d just like you to say I hope you’re happy.” He shook his head. “Well, guess what... I didn’t even have time to enjoy it... because I ended up soon after with Aria almost dying in my arms... ‘cause your boyfriend was a selfish dick. So screw you.”

Penny shook her head. “I don’t want that Cay. You were with Aria and i was happy for you despite how i feel about that woman. I was just surprised to hear about it. I was even more surprised not to hear it from you. “

“You made it that... you just have. You sounded like a jealous girl.” He shook his head. “Because it’s new and it’s mine. I’m enjoying the early dating with this girl. We haven’t even kissed yet.”

Penny sighed, putting on her own tea. “No i’m not saying that. I’m not saying i don’t think you should be… It’s good for you. I”m just surprised, that’s all. I’m allowed to be surprised.”

“No... all it sounds like is that you want me to pine and be perfect for the rest of my life,” he picked his book up again. “Don’t... with your bullshit of it’s good for me. You’re just being selfish.”

“Isn’t that life in this town?” She half laughed, leaning forward. “Because… you cared about me. You said you liked me..”

Cailan’s brows furrowed, finding himself stepping back from her. “That’s not fair. You can’t expect me... not to make a life for myself. When you don’t even like me like that. When you’re with someone else.”

“Of course i do, but i’ve worried about you my whole life. It’s not going to stop.” She shook her head. “No… no that’s great. I’m really happy for you. I’m just surprised, that’s all.”

Cailan nodded, standing slowly. “I know... I know. I guess... I just feel like things are going crazy,” he half laughed. “You paused... why did you pause? Why are you surprised?”

“Nothing… i’m just wondering what you’re thinking.” He narrowed his eyes. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“That... I wish I had known what to say to a human covered in blood... who suddenly had no memories,” he sighed. “She had no idea who I was... what had happened.” He looked up at him. “I... want to save her from the bite and give her her memories back.”

Link kept his eyes on his fellow witch, he was starting to worry about him. He knew what he was doing when he investigated dark magic… he wasn’t messing around and he wasn’t using it for a serious cause he cared about. He was worried Cailan wouldn’t take the same precautions. “You have a gorgeous manly beard. Even if you look like crap and like you haven’t slept in three days.”

Cailan raised a brow, watching the way Link was looking at him... almost like he was trying to read his thoughts. “What?” he asked gently. “Thank you, I am proud of the manly beard. Even if I do look like shit... I probably haven’t slept in three days.”

Penny’s brows furrowed, Cailan’s growing powers was only another problem added to her list to worry about. “You’re welcome, it’s what friends do.” She sighed. “You’re a regular casanova aren’t you? I heard about Hazel.”

Cailan rubbed his hands together, he could feel the energy bubbling beneath his skin... though he was getting better at ignoring it. “Still, thank you. I know you have other things to worry about.” He looked at her. “I wouldn’t say that. I just... I’m only seeing her. Is that okay? I’m assuming Gerry said.”

Penny glanced at him, he was highlighting his power again and it… was constantly on her mind. “You saved her life…” She rubbed her lips together, holding her hands out for book. “Come back to the boat. You can have a sleep, we can study and work it out together… we’ll figure it out. You… care about her huh?” 

Cailan nodded, glancing back at her. “I guess... I did. I didn’t even do it... like the spell did...” He rubbed his lips together, pulling the book from under the paper. He handed it out to her. “I... yeah. Okay. I feel like I haven’t slept in days. Thank you... Penny. Really.” He paused. “Yeah, I don’t not care about her.”

Penny glanced down at the mention of her partner holding Aria, it was a sore spot in their relationship. Penny squeezed his shoulder, resting her head on it. “You saved her life. You need to remember that. Whatever… happens. Her memories… we can find a way to give them back to her again. We couldn’t do that with her life.” 

Cailan nodded, clutching the cup between both hands. He knew she was right... it just had all been traumatic. He glanced to her when she squeezed his shoulder, he was glad to know she was there. “I know... I clicked on... when she said the burning was getting better. Then... she kept repeating her name. I realised... well the power in that amulet is strong... it’s why the coven is looking at me.” He looked to the book under the paper. “What I am looking for.”

Aria had already comforted Gerry, she hadn’t expected to be this for Cailan too. She held out her hand. “Oh… I should let Gerry know. She’s…” She sighed. “That’s not our fault Cay. You probably saved her life. You know that don’t you?” 

Cailan sighed, lifting the coffee to his lips. The warm liquid tasted good though his thoughts were distracted. “Yeah... he should know. I... I saw them. She was angry at him... but clearly letting him hold her ‘cause she... couldn’t.” He rubbed his lips together. “She lost her memories... while I was holding her. She had blood on her... on me. I didn’t know what to say to her. But I... yes. I think she was dying before the amulet took over.”

“You are that to me.” She half smiled. “He told me… did she… Cailan you need to tell me what happened.” She’d been digging Cailan out of trouble her entire life. That wasn’t going to stop now.

“I accept that title,” he smiled, trying to feel like himself again. Though her question quickly threw him. “She’s... she’s alive. She’s... human. I... but she... is back to pre amulet Aria. My necklace it sucked... the magic... the bite.”

She half smiled, knowing that she was going to make him talk. “I do like you.  You’re my soul sister… and I heard some things. About your ex girlfriend.” 

Cailan rubbed his lips together, his dark eyes glances at his best friend. “Soul sister... I like that,” he gave a little laugh. “Ah, Gerry told you then? I thought he would. Yeah, that happened... I was covered in her blood.”