Chapter Five

"Blush or no blush?" I murmured as I primped myself in front of the mirror. Maybe I was putting too much thought into this. I ran my fingers through my hair one more time before heading back to my room and getting dressed. Today, everything changes.

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Directly after school I raced to the busy city streets. I hailed a cab, gave him the directions, and sat back in the firm leather seat. As the car pulled to a slow stop at the destination the driver turned to look at me. 

"You okay kid?"

"I-um yeah. Yeah. Here." I passed him the money before hopping out and straightening my dress.

I spotted his tall frame by the railing. What do I say? I twisted my fingers as I walked over, my shoes making a soft tap,tap on the stones. Taking a deep breath I climbed the stairs and headed over and stood beside him.

"H-Hi." I tried to keep my voice level but even to my own ears it sounded strained.

"You came." He said quietly, half to himself.

"I did. So...I-uh, what did you want to say to me?" I looked down and scratched at my elbow.

"This might sound a bit strange but I can't stop thinking about you." Reece said breathlessly. My heat skipped a few beats. "I had a dream a night or two ago and you were in it. But you were still a kid and in the fancy house and someone was coming to...to kill you. And I could tell it was a dream but even though I-I couldn't stand seeing any version of you dead. So I tried to wake your younger self up." I turned to face him.

"Reece I had that exact dream. And it was your voice calling for me to wake up." I said, smiling slightly. 

"I knew it meant something." He said. Reece slowly wound his arms around my waist. "Vinnie." he whispered.

I held my breath. My heart was pounding.

"But Mar-"

"Maria doesn't matter." Reece said as he looked up at me through his eyelashes. I felt heat spread across my face. I couldn't hold back anymore.

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We stayed together for hours just talking. He told me about his life and I told him a not-exactly-true version of mine. 

The two of us watched the sun set and gazed out at Bridgeport as the city's lights turned on.

"Reece, what does this mean. I mean, us are we...a thing?" I asked. Reece chuckled and twirled a piece of my white hair between his fingers.

"I wouldn't say we're 'a thing'-"

"Oh."

"I'd say we're a couple." He gave a smile that showed the tips of his fangs. I leaned back against him and inhaled his scent. He smelled like mint and the ocean. Somewhere in the city a clock chimed loudly. 

"Oh my God! What time is it?" 

"12:30."

"Lauri's gonna kill me." I groaned. Reece pulled me closer.

"I'll see you tomorrow." He stepped back.

"Goodnight. Be safe going home." His eyes glittered with worry. "Maybe I should take you home."

"No, Reece, it's fine." 

"C'mon V, it's the least I can do for you." Reece tossed another one of his irresistible lopsided smiles at me.

"No I'll get a cab."

"Alright."

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"Hey Lauri." I called as I stepped inside.

"Hey Vinnie." The acidic tone in her voice did not make be feel good.

"Well I'll be going to bed now."

"Vinnie. Butt in chair. Now."

I slid into a chair. Lauri clicked off the TV and calmly walked over with a clearly unhappy face.

"Now Vinnie," She smacked her hands down on the table, making me jump.

"Where the hell have you been?! I've been sitting her worried sick! You know Vinnie I don't have to look after you! I could've dropped you off at my parents house and we all know what they would do." She screamed. I put my head down.

"Vinnie, when I promised your mother I'd take care of her only daughter I meant it! And this is how you repay me?! Run off after school and not return until after midnight?! Hell, how do I know you even went to school?!" She dropped into the chair across from me.

"Lauri I-"

"Save the excuses. Just...just go to bed. you have school."

"Lauri please-"

"Vinnie! I said go!" Lauri shouted, clearly ending the conversation.

"I'm sorry." I whispered as I opened the door to the bedroom.

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What do I do.

She's gotten older and she's only going to get more rebellious. I can hardly afford this house. I'll never be able to send Vinnie to college.

Oh Maddy. I miss you so much.

I don't know if I can do this much more.

I'm sorry.

Chapter Four

I couldn't go back to sleep after that dream. It was just too...freaky. On my way into the school I could feel Maria's breath behind me. I looked at Wallace instead. 

"So um, how are things with Anika?" I asked. 

"Fine." 

After our awkward little conversation was over I headed inside. My first class was one of the only classes I had with Abby. In fact I had to sit next to her. I slid into my seat and brought out a blank notebook. When I was about to start writing Abby came sauntering in. She sat beside me, tossing her expensive purple purse down beside my old canvas bag. 

"Hey sugarcakes."

"Fuck off Abby. " I spat. She look shocked. 

"What was that for? Oh right, yesterday."

"Yeah. Yesterday." I mutttered. 

"Well that was um, bad." She said. 

"That was 'bad'?! You humiliated me in from of our whole class, and don't think that I didn't hear you two gossiping about me." I snapped. 

"Ms. Matthews and Ms. Nelson, are we working back there?" Mr. Keld called from his spot at the chalkboard. 

"Yes." I replied, turning to Abby. "I'm done with you. Ok? So go ahead, team up with Maria. I don't care. I already know you're a backstabbing bitch." Abby's expression of utter shock masked the hurt I saw in her eyes.

"Vinnie, I-"

"Save it." I said, looked down at my notebook. The rest of the day flew by. I was alone for most of it except for my AP History class. Kaya and Axel sat on either side of me. I was able to talk to Kaya and Axel smiled at me. It's nice to have people like them around. After the last bell rang I stayed late to clear off the whiteboards.

I heard a light patter of footsteps come up to me. A voice coughed.

"Vinnie?" My breath hitched in my throat. Could it be? I slowly turned around.

"I-I..hello." I could have sworn he heard my heart beating. Reece smiled, his canines showed only slightly against his lips.

"Can you do something for me?" He asked, his yellow eyes pleading.

"Yes, anything." I slapped a hand over my mouth. My cheeks flushed with embarrassment. His smile grew and he took my empty hand in his.

"Meet me at Bogard Overlook after school tomorrow." He said.

"Oh, uh sure. I'll be there." I whispered. Reece lifted my hand to his lips and gave it a peck before letting go and leaving the room.

After I was sure he had left the classroom I shrieked with excitement. Finally, he had noticed me. I ran out of the school and hailed a cab.

"Where to Miss?" The driver asked.

"The Butterfly Esplanade." I sat back in the leather seat and sent Kaya a text;

"MEET AT BUTTERFLY ESP. URGENT."

I checked my phone every few minutes once I arrived. Pacing back and forth through the grass I was trying to calm down my excitement. It might not be what I thought. But maybe it is!

"Vinnie? You here?"

"Kaya!" I ran over to her and spun her around like we did when we were little kids.

Kaya giggled. "So what's up with you? I haven't seen you this giddy since 4th grade when your father told you that you had a new pool." Realizing what she said, Kaya's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"Well, it's a bit difficult to tell you."

"Well you can tell me over dinner ok? I'm taking you out." Kaya said with a grin.

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"So Vinnie. Tell me." Kaya said after we had finished eating. I scratched my neck absentmindedly.

"It's like I can't stop thinking about him. I can hardly think straight when I'm in the same room as him. And, ok this might sound crazy but you have to trust me." Kaya raised an eyebrow. "I had a dream last night. More of a memory really. But at the end I heard a voice. Calling, crying for me to wake up. It was Reece's voice." Kaya blinked in surprise. She definitely wasn't expecting that.

"You know Vin, It could have been just a regular dream." I shook my head.

"I don't know." I ran my fingers through my hair. Kaya stood up. 

"Well I'll talk to you later."

"Be safe." Kaya said as she pulled out of a hug. She waved as she headed down to the sidewalk to hail a cab.

"Bye." I waited until after she had left to hail a cab of my own. Once I arrived at the house Lauri was sitting on the couch.

Lauri made no noise as I slipped past her on my way to our bedroom. I felt no need to interrupt her TV watching with my silly teenager problems.

I crawled into bed and closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to come.

Chapter Three

"Vinnie baby look at the camera!" FLASH

"Hunny, leave the poor girl alone." 

"Am I not aloud to marvel over my beautiful daughter David?" An older couple bickered playfully while their young daughter sat waiting. Her white her glowed in the moonlight. 

"Maddy, don't you have a reservation to catch?" The mother's younger sister stood by the door, having been called earlier she dropped by to babysit her 12 year old niece. 

The woman gave the girl a hug. 

"You're sure you'll be ok?" The mother asked anxiously.

"Of course Mom. Go have fun with Dad." She giggled. 

All four sat down in the living area. 

"Just remember, her bedtime is 9:00. And don't even think about letting her stay up later. All the emergency phone numbers are on the fridge. I'll have my cell-"

"Maddy I got it. Just go, enjoy your anniversary." Her sister said. 

"Thank you Lauri bI really appreciate it." Maddison said. The couple gave their child one last hug and kiss before walking out of the house. 

"Alrighty kiddo. Go ahead upstairs and put your pajamas on." The small girl nodded and headed up the stairs to her small bedroom. 

She pulled out a pair of green pajamas to change into before going back down to the living room and watching TV. The white-haired girl heard a soft THUMP THUMP. She shrugged it off and padded down the stairs.

She sat down onto the couch and turned on the television. THUMP THUMP. There it was again. Louder, and closer to the front door. The older girl grew worried. What if something bad happened to the girl? Her sister would never forgive her if her only child was hurt or...worse. THUMP THUMP THUMP.

"Vinnie turn off the TV!" She whispered. The child huffed and reluctantly shut it off.

"WHO'S  IN THERE?!" A voice bellowed from outside. The teenager grabbed her niece and ducked behind a nearby dresser, shielding the young girl with her body.

"Lauri...what's going on? I'm scared." She whispered.

"Shh baby. It's gonna be ok." Lauri, the elder girl, tried to reassure the child, even though her quivering voice betrayed her. The two clung tight to each other. Both without knowing, where quietly saying goodbye to their loved ones. Lauri thought of her parents, who she had run away from only a few months ago. She never told them that even though they didn't understand her, she was still their daughter and she still loved them. The smaller child also thought of her parents. She'd only ever known them, her aunt, and her best friend Kaya.

"God damn. Rasco, you got your gun? I think someone's in there." The voice called. 

"Run, get upstairs!" Lauri whispered.

The two of them ran as quietly as they could past the front stairwell, up to the second floor to the master bedroom.

Lauri held her small niece as she started to cry. They hunched beside the bed.

"I don't wanna die. Please someone come." The child whispered.

"She's has to be in there! Daminer told us about 'the silver child'. He said she was their daughter!" The voices called from outside.

"Vinnie, you have to open your eyes now. Come on baby it's ok. Vinnie. VINNIE!"

I leaped out of bed. Tears stained my face. I was sweaty and gasping for air.

"Rasco...Daminer." Those names stuck to my tongue. Was that a dream? Or a memory. The only haunting thing was the voice at the end. A man's voice.

Reece's voice.

Chapter Two

Warning: A bit long and picture heavy

Last period of the day was Algebra. I sat in the back. Alone as usual. I tuned out Ms. Wilkins and listened in to Maria and Abigail gossip. 

"Did you see the way he looked at her?!" Ugh, just regular High School gossip. 

"Maria, it's not Vinnie's fault." 

"Reece is royalty! He isn't meant for that low-class peice of shit!" Maria hisses, her nails digging into her desk. 

"Ms Duran! I suggest you be quiet or you'll spending the next week in detention!" Ms. Wilkins shouted, smacking her hands on the desk. The room fell silent. Ms. Wilkins eased herself back into her chair. Adjusting her glasses she said, "Thank you. Please continue Axel." Maria and Abby giggled and went back to whispering.

 

Tears started to trickle down my face. I hunched over in attempt to hide myself. I admit, I'm scared. Maria Duran is the daughter of the second most powerful vampire in Brideport, who knows what could happen if I upset her. For the rest of class I sat quietly in the back, just hoping to disappear. Once the bell rang I bolted to my locker. 

                     My fingers shook as I fiddled with the combination  My heart was pounding and I could feel someone staring at me.I turned around to come face to face with Maria. Her eyes gleamed with malice. 

"Listen up sweetheart." The words came out in a snarl, inhuman. Like her. 

"You're gonna stay the hell away from Reece you got that? If you do anything I will kill you." 

"I-I didn't do anything." I whispered. She chuckled. 

"You little bitch. You don't think I see the way you stare at him. He looks the same way towards you." My heart soared momentarily before remembering who was in front of me at that moment. Maria snapped her fingers and Anika and Abby were behind me. 

"Sorry Vinnie." Abby whispered. 

"What-?"

"Ow! What the hell?" I cried. Maria leaned close. 

"Just remember, I won't hesitate to slit your throat." 

"Maria that's enough!" A booming voice made us all stop and turn around. Reece had a firm grasp on Maria's shoulder. He stared into my eyes, his golden ones turning soft and caring for only a heartbeat before shoving Maria into the wall.

"Look Maria, I don't know what your shit is with her but drop it." He said. I didn't stay to see what he said next. I was already crying as I ran down the hall.

I didn't even stop when I got outside.

I headed for the bleachers. Our school never had any sports events so it was always abandoned. It was my safe spot. 

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I thought about everything in my life. My parents, my family, my friend, Reece, and all the horrible things Maria might do to me. Would she slip in through the window at night? Would she kill me? What about Lauri? She's the only family I have left! Well, I doubt Maria cares. But Kaya would. Abby...I'm done with her. She's sided with Maria now. And Reece. Gorgeous, mysterious, Reece. He stood up for me. I'd have never of guessed something like that from him. Those eyes. Those golden eyes. Reece seemed to care, I could at least tell that. But I just don't understand. What do I have against the ever-perfect Maria?

"Vinnie?!" I looked up. Kaya stood above me. Seeing her brought on a wave of emotions. Happiness that she found me, looked for me. Horrible sadness that she had to find me. I cried harder. She bent down and held my face in her hands.

"Vinnie, what was that about? Why are you just crying alone?" Kaya's worried voice brought me to my senses. 

"Maria! She threatened to kill me if I did something with Reece. I'm so confused and scared. What do I do?" All my words tumbled out at once. Kaya's face softened and she wrapped her arms around me and sat silently, stroking my hair, as I let out my hysterics.

"Now, Vinnie," She said. "Are you able to go home? Face Lauri?" I took a deep breath and wiped my eyes, mascara and eyeliner coming off on my sleeve.

"Yes. It's a long cab ride back so I'll be fine." She looked unimpressed but guided me down the bleachers anyway.

"Thank you." I hugged her, forcing a smile onto my face.

"Anytime. Now, go home, eat, sleep, and I'll see you tomorrow." Kaya said, patting me on the head like a dog. "I have math homework to do." With that she headed off and hopped into her family's limo that waited on the corner. I dusted myself off and went to hail a cab.

The ride home was long and quiet and I was grateful for it. It gave me time to think of what I would say to Lauri.

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Thankfully she was still at work. I slipped into the bedroom and got undressed. Without eating I headed to bed, the soft blankets helped me relax.

I heard Lauri walk into the bedroom. Staying still, I pretended to be asleep so she wouldn't try to talk to me. She sighed and turned out the light. Leaving me in the dark room with nothing but my thoughts.

Just before I fell asleep I thought I saw a pair of

golden eyes 

watching over me.