No computerised voice warned me that I had only ten minutes to bathe; I guess Rafe didn't have that restriction.

But I stuck to it, because the restriction applied to me. I bathed really fast, unsure how long I had before ten minutes were up because I didn't have the computerised voice to warn me.

Dumping my wet suit into the compartment that opened up for cleaning (having already removed my communication device and placed it outside), I pulled out some soft cloths from the adjacent compartment to wipe my body and cover my hair in.

I pulled on Rafe's night suit and I sighed as the soft material caressed and clung to my skin, shrinking from Rafe's size to fit mine.

I wrapped my hair in a cloth and dumped the other wet cloth into the compartment with my wet suit.

I stepped out and looked at the wall that depicted the time. I let out a sigh of relief. I had only taken nine minutes.

I stretched and yawned, going in search of Rafe in the connecting room.

I stilled when I stepped in.

This room was a computer genius' version of Disneyland. There were screens covering every inch of the wall, depicting symbols I didn't understand, attached to the wall at the height of my waist was a large semi-circular glass-like slab with something that looked like a touch keypad on it and finally a large cushioned chair in front of it that was facing away from me.

When a wet nose nudged the back of my hand, I looked down, "Hey, big guy." I whispered, still eyeing the things around me in awe as I rubbed my hand over his head.

I looked around for Rafe when I saw another Identity Screen to my right.

My jaw dropped. He had two bathrooms?

The unfairness of it all.

A small voice in my head said, At the cost of being electrocuted? No, thanks.

Good point, brain.

I figured Rafe must be bathing as I yawned again, heading back out to the main room with Ryx at my heels as I wondered if I could sleep anywhere for a few minutes.

No way I was taking the bed, that would be way too weird.

The couch on the other hand...

I walked to the couch, and settled on it, lying back and I realised the couch was gigantic enough to fit Ryx next to me even if I was sleeping on my back.

I tapped on the spot beside me, rubbing my eyes. Ryx hesitated, but when I tapped again, he got on and settled his big body beside me and I threw one hand over him. I was sleeping sideways, Ryx's tail curled around my thigh, his snout next to my face as his deep breathing and the warmth he threw off lulled me to sleep.

The soft sound of words I didn't understand brought me partially back to consciousness, as I felt Ryx get up and off the bed. My eyes opened and I met fire and coal as Rafe sat on his hunches in front of the couch.

"What time is it?" I asked, sitting up, the cloth unraveling itself from my hair and my hair falling down around my face.

I rubbed my eyes and yawned as Rafe said, "Time for you to leave."

I looked at him, stung, but didn't let the feelings show.

I just nodded and got up. I stretched, running my hands through my hair, pulling it up to the top of my head into a messy bun. I walked to Ryx, leaned down, smacked a kiss to his snout and whispered words of good night, grabbed my communication device and started to head to the door. Then I realised I couldn't get out without Rafe opening the door for me.

I waited patiently, not looking at him, catching a yawn in my hand. He came silently to me and I felt the heat of his chest against my back, as he leaned around me to run his bracelet over the Identity Screen. I didn't let myself think about why he had to come so close when he could've come to stand next to me and done the same act. I just continued to walk out, half-asleep, heading towards the elevator, trying to dismiss Rafe's smart reply telling me I was to leave.

I got into the elevator and realised Rafe had followed me. I blinked at him, but I didn't say anything. If I asked him why he was coming, he would realise I was annoyed about something, and he would ask me why and I would tell him the truth and we would have an unnecessary argument that I didn't have the energy for.

So, I just appeased myself by saying that it must be C'Riel tradition to kick friends out at night.

And why am I upset anyway?

Maybe he turned into an Ogre after sunset or his carriage turned into pumpkins, who knew?

He was watching me. I know he was, but I acted like he wasn't, looking straight ahead. When my floor appeared, I walked to my room to see that the entrance to it was already open and I stepped inside.

He caught me before I could enter completely, with a hand on my forearm.

He turned me around to face him and I looked up at him, schooling my features to look neutral.

His eyes flicked between the both of mine, "Something is wrong." He told me.

Don't react.

"What?" I ask, looking at him through scrunched eyebrows.

He caught my chin, his fingers in gloves again, with his index resting on one side of my jaw and his thumb on my chin.

His eyes continued to search for something, taking in my eyes, nose, lips...

"Are you upset?" He asked.

I tilted my head, a movement that was restricted because of Rafe's grip on me.

"Why would I be upset?" I asked.

Rafe growled out an impatient noise.

"Do not play games with me-"

I cut him off by catching hold of his wrist and releasing his hold from me, and letting him drop his hand back.

"I'm just tired. It was a long day." I said.

Rafe looked at me for a few more seconds and then held his hand out.

I looked at it and back up at him.

"Your communication device." He said.

I handed it to him without question and he stared at me again, his hand curling around my device. He dropped his hand to his side, a nerve in his forehead pulsing slightly.

"Tell me why you are upset." He demanded.

React carefully.

"Rafe, what are you talking about?" I asked, sighing.

Rafe's jaw clenched before he looked back down and quickly began typing something on it.

I was too out of it to even ask him what he was doing. When he handed it back to me I looked at my screen.

My breath hitched.

It was Ren's Chip ID that he had once promised to get for me.

I looked up at him, a true smile parting my lips.

"Thank you," I said.

His annoyance didn't dissipate, but the sharp edges of his emotion seemed to soften, because his shoulders relaxed.

But then he crossed his arms.

I could feel an argument coming on, so I sighed, looking down.

The action seemed to still Rafe as he considered me for a few more seconds.

Then he just said, "Do not close the door on your own, I will have to do it."

Then he left.

Huffing out a breath in relief, I waited for the door to close.

When it did, I quickly typed out a message to Ren.

Ren. It's me. I miss you.

Then I was so tired, both physically and emotionally that I fell asleep, face first onto my bed.

__ __

My mood was sour in the morning. My eyes looked dull, my hair was in knots, I looked tired and Ren had still not replied.

I took off the suit Rafe had given me, then held onto it, running my fingers over the soft fabric. I ran my bracelet over the Identity Screen and waited for the computerised voice to tell me that I had ten minutes to bathe.

I blinked when I received no instruction.

The door had opened. I was allowed entry to the bathroom...so why wasn't I told about my time restriction.

"How much time do I have to bathe?" I asked to the computer in my room.

"You have unrestricted access to the water," it informed me.

I blinked. What?

"No, I don't. I have a time restriction of ten minutes."

"The restriction was revoked yesterday at 3:28 in the afternoon." It told me.

I frowned in confusion.

"By whom?" I asked.

It took a few seconds to answer.

"I do not have access to that information. Is there anything else you would like to know?" It asked me.

"No. Thank you." I murmured, confused to the extent of just standing there wondering what had just happened. Then I stepped in, dropped the suit into the compartment that had opened up and after pulling my hair up into a bun, I got into the shower.

I took less than ten minutes, figuring it was some glitch in the system and stepped out, grabbing a soft cloth to wipe myself with and pulled on my suit and shoes.

I pulled my hair down and ran the bristles of my brush through it and pulled it into French plait, with much difficulty.

I felt like I had developed muscles by the time I had finished.

I was about to leave, grabbing my communication device to check (again) if Ren had replied when the computerised voice informed me that I had a visitor.

I stilled.

It had to be him.

I couldn't not open it. He knew I was in here.

Huffing out a breath, I stepped towards the door and ran my bracelet over the Identity Screen, allowing the person entrance.

To my surprise, I saw Kylee on the other side of the door. She had been worrying the finger nails of her right hand, when the had door opened. When she saw me, she dropped her hands and bum-rushed me, wrapping her hands around my neck and squeezing me tight.

"Are you okay?" I asked, worried.

"Yeah, I just..." I felt her take a deep breath. "I just needed a hug."

When the door opposite my room opened and Freesia stepped out, her eyes widened at me and Kylee. She raised her eyes brows in a what's-going-on look and I made a show of hands behind Kylee's back indicating that I had no idea.

I just rubbed a hand down Kylee's back as Freesia stepped towards us.

"Kylee?" She asked hesitantly, pressing a hand to the girl's shoulder.

Kylee jerked back and looked at Freesia, her eyes widening.

"Are you okay?" Freesia asked, hesitantly.

Kylee then threw a bright smile at Freesia, "Of course! I just missed Amour."

Then she turned to me, told me she'd meet me in the Common Cabin and skipped away.

After she got into the elevator and left, Freesia and I stared at each other.

"Okay, she looked really sad when she came." I said.

Freesia's eyes narrowed, "Whatever it was, she didn't want to say it in front of me."

I made a non-committal grunt and stepped out of my room, running my bracelet over it to shut the door.

"You look like shit," Freesia said.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"What's wrong?" She asked me, nudging her shoulder to mine.

I sighed, then explained to her about Ren, who he was to me, and how he hadn't replied. Freesia looked at me thoughtfully.

"You can go to his District for awhile." She said.

I looked at her in shock, "I can?"

She nodded, "Sure, get permission from your District Leader and you can do a temporary District Shift."

That sounded amazing.

Except...

Both of us looked at each other.

"Anya," we said together.

"What do you rate the chances of you getting a yes from her are?" Freesia asked.

In negatives.

I squared my shoulders, "I'll have to try." I said.

When we entered the Common Cabin, my eyes searched for a lighter-than-honey-blonde-hair head amongst the masses. I told Freesia I'd meet her at the couches we usually sat and went in search of Anya, dodging the C'Riel and apologising to the Humans I accidentally bumped into.

I finally found her standing near a bookshelf. Weird. She was standing with her profile facing the books on the shelf, her arms crossed.

"Anya," I said, when I reached her and my eyes shifted to the person in front of her who had originally been hidden from my view because of the bookshelf.

Rafe's eyes perused me, hair to toes, as he stood with his arms crossed and feet braced apart. I gave him a small smile before looking back at Anya.

Anya's expression was neutral when she looked at me.

I cleared my throat, "I would like to talk to you about something." I said.

She nodded her head, letting me know I could continue.

"I was thinking, after the three weeks of my punishment are over, that I could do a temporary District Shift." I said.

Anya's expression blanked in shock and Rafe's arms dropped.

"What?" Anya asked me the same time Rafe said, "Absolutely not."

I threw him a frown, before looking back at Anya, "My friend is in a different District than mine and I would really like to-"

"This is not up for discussion," Rafe said, his voice low and his eyes drilling holes into the side of my head.

Anya and I looked at him, before Anya looked back at me.

"Continue." She said much to my surprise.

I cleared my throat, "So like I said, I would like to visit him."

"I will consider it." She said and Rafe said, "No, you will not." to Anya, looking down at her.

Anya raised her eyebrows at him, "I do not see what the problem is. She is a District Member under me and any permission to be granted to her falls under my jurisdiction."

I almost snickered at her use of the word jurisdiction as if this were some legal action, but controlled myself. Inciting her anger would not help me in this situation.

"Maybe so, but in superiority, I preside over you." He told her and her hands fisted by her sides. She quickly started speaking to him in their language.

He looked at me, dismissing her mid-sentence, much to her anger.

"You are denied permission for a temporary District Shift." He told me.

I looked at him for a few seconds, wondering how I should handle this.

I decided I would wear him down. Killing him with kindness (metaphorically) and all that.

So I smiled sweetly, "I understand." I said, then added to both of them, "Thank you for your time."

I left them, with Anya looking confused and Rafe with narrowed eyes.

I headed towards the rest room. I needed my cleaners and then I needed some food.

Stepping out of the restroom after having my teeth brushed with my cleaners (something I still wasn't used to), I headed towards the food stalls, grabbing a bowl.

But when I stood in front of the stalls brimming with food, I somehow...lost my appetite. I rubbed my forehead, placed the bowl back and grabbed a smaller, cylindrical container that looked similar to a cup and filled it with some hot broth and cupped my hands around it, letting it's warmth permeate me.

I thought about heading to the couches, but I just wanted to go somewhere quiet.

I bit my lip, I would've chosen the bookshelf as a sanctum, but with the chances that I might run into Barbie and Ken there, possibly having a Lover's Quarrel, ruined any prospect of me heading in that direction.

Then I remembered the room I had entered once when I had been searching for Anya to talk to her about shifting me out of Infant Care.

The room with the pool.

I quickly headed in that direction, being cautious of the steaming broth in my hands. When I reached the side of the wall that lead to the pool-room, I waited for the Identity Screen to pop out. When it did, I quickly ran my bracelet over it and entered, having the door shut behind me.

It was blessedly empty. The pool glittered like it had the first time, a mesmerising blue.

I took a spot on the benches that were placed along the walls, stretching my feet out in front of me and crossing them at the ankles. I placed the broth beside me and laid my head back against the wall, rejoicing in the silence.

Worry pricked at me.

Why hadn't Ren replied yet?

Was he in trouble of some sort? Punishment?

No. Ren wasn't the type to get caught in any trouble. Then again, neither was I, and look at me now.

An urgency to meet my childhood friend and companion hit me hard and I squeezed my eyes shut.

"Amour," a voice said and my eyes snapped open.

I straightened and blinked.

Rafe stood before me, looking down at me, his face expressionless.

I took my broth in my hands and stood, "I was just leaving." I said and started to head out, passing him with safe distance.

"I can see through your lies you know?" He told me and I stilled.

I turned around, "My lies?" I asked him.

He turned to face me.

"You are a terrible liar. Your eyes give away too much." He told me.

"Good to know," I said, starting to turn.

"This is not about your friend," he told me and I turned back.

"Excuse me?" I asked him, anger flickering through my blood.

He stepped closer, a smirk on his face.

"You are not upset with me for not letting you shift Districts. You are upset because of yesterday. I asked you to leave and it made you angry." He told me.

The simmering anger turned into a raging fire inside me.

I let out a laugh, "What are you trying to say?"

"Do not fall in love with me Amour." He said, looking down on me.

"Don't flatter yourself, Rafe." I said to him, stepping up close and glaring up at him.

Something about my reaction seemed to amuse him.

"There she is," he said, his lips lifting in a pleased smile.

"Who?" I asked, confused.

"My girl." He said.

I half-snorted and half-scoffed. His girl! His girl!? His?

I didn't know what to say to him except:

"I cannot tell you how much I'm not your girl, besides, you have my suit," I snapped at him.

"And you have mine." He told me.

"I won't give yours back." I growled.

"I will not be returning yours, either." He said.

"Fine!" I said.

He shrugged his large shoulders, "Fine." He said.

I huffed out in annoyance and turned on my heel and started stalk to the door.

He caught me by the arm, whipped me around and my cup went flying, broth spilling everywhere.

My eyes followed the cup that was spinning on the floor.

"Do not walk away from me." He said, his dark eyes glaring into mine when I looked up from where the cup was lying, still spinning.

I glared back up at him.

"You can shout, scream, rant and rave at me," then his eyes softened, his free hand lifting to touch the ends of my braid, "But you cannot ignore me or walk away from me."

"Why not?" I challenged him, my chin lifting in defiance as I knocked his hand away by pushing it at the wrist because he wasn't wearing gloves today and I didn't want to touch him.

"Because." He said, lifting his hand back to my braid.

I pushed it away again, trying to twist my other hand out of his grasp.

In a swift tug, he had my hands behind me, with the fingers of one locking my wrists together, our chests close together, as he looked down at me, while I glared up at him.

How was he doing all this without touching me?

"Because what?" I urged him, trying to wiggle my hands out of his grip.

"Because I do not like it." He said finally.

"Why?" I snapped.

"Because I like you, alright?"

I stilled, looking up at him.

"You are different. You get angry with me all the time, you touch me when you want, you tease me when you like and you aggravate me whenever possible," his eyes bore into mine, "And I cannot get enough of it."

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*falls asleep*

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