(A/N: I found an actor that embodies almost exactly what I picture Corey to be.

So here's a picture; only difference is Corey has green eyes and the actor has blue.)

Chapter 18:

I heard a car door open and close; I looked up and saw Corey.

"Arabelle come back in the car." He had to raise his voice over the pounding of the rain on the car.

I shook my head.

His clothes were already soaked and his dark hair fell in his eyes as he looked down at me the water dripped off his chin. "Come on Arabelle, please?" He asked, squinting his eyes to keep the water out of them. I shook my head again.

He looked up at the sky for a moment then looked back at me; he sat down beside me and leaned against the car. "I'm really, really sorry Arabelle."

I looked over at him.

"I understand that you're mad but you have to understand that I didn't really mean it like that. I just don't think its best that we're friends, not that I don't want to be friends. I do want to be friends...but I don't think its right."

"Why isn't it right?" I asked.

"Because vampires are slaves to humans not friends, that's how it's been for the past 100 years, I've been a slave for 20 years, I hate humans."

He saw the hurt in my face and immediately added, "I don't hate you, just other people."

"So because it's been like that for 100 years you don't think it should change?" I asked.

"Not that I don't think it should, I don't think it will."

"Didn't I tell you?" I asked.

"Tell me what?" He asked looking confused.

"When I become queen I'm making it illegal."

"Making what illegal?"

"Having slaves."

He looked down, "No you didn't tell me that."

After a moment he looked back up at me, "Well now I feel stupid."

"It's okay, you didn't know." I said.

"Do you forgive me?" He asked.

"Yes." I replied.

"Good. Can we get in the car now?" He asked.

I breathed a laugh, "Yeah."

"I have towels in the backseat." I said.

"Why do you have towels in the backseat?" Corey asked.

"Because this isn't the first time my car has broken down in the rain."

He nodded.

We got in the backseat; Corey shut the door making the noise of the rain fade into the background. I handed him a towel, I took off my black hoodie and draped it over the back of the seat in front of me. I used a towel to dry my hair and my face; I couldn't really do much about the rest of my body without taking off my clothes.

I dried off the seat the best I could, didn't want to ruin the leather.

"So...are we friends?" Corey asked.

I looked at him, "Yeah."

He smiled, "Good. Hug?" he asked extending his arms.

I laughed and hugged him.

After a moment I pulled away and put my hands in my lap.

"It seems like we've been in this car for a really long time, is it just me?" Corey said.

"No it's not just you." I replied.

Corey sighed.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"I still feel bad." He said.

"Its fine Corey let's just forget about it."

"Easier said then done. I feel like such a jackass."

"Stop it; know your making me feel bad."

"Well thanks that makes me feel worse." He said.

"Sorry."

"No don't apologize!" He said.

"Sorry it's- I stopped mid sentence when I realized what I said.

"Do not apologize to me. If anyone should be apologizing it's me." He said hanging his head.

"I forgive you Corey, really I do." I said.

"But you shouldn't forgive me so easily, you should cuss me out, slap me, do something!"

"It would do know good to slap you, and I'm not gonna cuss you out. I already said I forgive you any of that stuff would be pointless.

"Stop being so nice to me, I don't deserve it."

"Yes you do."

"No I don't."

"Yes you do. Corey you're a good person, you made a mistake, so what? I forgive you that's all at matters."

"You mean vampire." He said.

"What?"

"You said person, you mean vampire."

"No I mean person."

He smiled.

He leaned down and laid his head against my chest and wrapped his arms around me.

"I can hear your heartbeat...god I love that sound." He sighed.

I was frozen in shock for a moment but relaxed after a few minutes.

"I'm really sorry Arabelle."

I looked down at him; his eyes were closed and he looked very relaxed.

I leaned my head against the seat and closed me eyes.

I was woken by a tapping on the window.

I opened my eyes, I couldn't see out the window because it was too dark.

Corey was still holding on to me, I think he fell asleep too.

"Corey?" I said.

I leaned my head down closer to his, "Corey?"

His eyes opened and he sat up straight, still holding on to me.

There was another tap on the window this was louder.

Corey let go of me, he opened the door and got out.

The cold air hit me and I shivered.

I wish my damn jacket was dry.

I heard talking; I got out of the car and saw Corey and Drake standing there.

Corey was explaining what was wrong with the car; I didn't follow most of what he was saying. I may love cars but I had no idea how they worked.

I crossed my arms and shivered again.

It was slightly windy out and it had stopped raining, thank god, it had to be less than 30 degrees out here.

"Hey Bells, how ya doin'?" Drake asked.

I walked up to him and hugged him.

"It's good to see you too." He said hugging me back.

I closed my eyes and sighed, he was so warm.

"I'm cold." I said.

"Oh, I thought you just wanted to give me a hug, how foolish of me."

I laughed.

After a minute Drake said, "Come on Bells, we can't stand here forever we need to get home."

"I don't wanna move."

"I have the heat on in the car." He said.

I opened my eyes and let go of him, "Let's go."

He smiled, I followed him to the car and Corey and I got in the backseat.

It was even warmer in the car.

The clock radio said it was just past 4 in the morning.

Drake smoked a cigarette, he rolled down the window a little bit and tapped off the ash.

It was silent except the radio playing faintly in the background.

Corey leaned his head against the window, his eyes closed.

We got home in less then an hour due to Drakes insane driving.

There were no cops out so Drake took that as an opportunity to go increase his speed to 100.

When we arrived I hurried out of the car and waited on the steps while Drake and Corey got out of the car.

Drake searched his pockets and looked at me, "I forgot my key."

"What?" I said.

"Don't you have yours?"

I thought for a moment, "It's in my jacket pocket."

"Where's your jacket?"

"In my car."

Drake sighed.

"I can climb up to that window and unlock the door." Corey said pointing to the window that was cracked open on the 3rd story.

Why is there a window open in the middle of winter?

"Do it. Quickly." I said.

I watched as he jumped on the 2nd story balcony with ease then jumped and caught the window seal of the open window and swiftly climbed in.

"Whoa...your boyfriends cool." Drake said.

I looked at him, "He's not my boyfriend, Drake."

"Then what is he?"

"...My friend."

"I don't know you two looked pretty cozy when I saw you in the car back there."

"How could you see in?" I asked.

"I used my hands to look inside and see if you two were in there, didn't know if you'd been killed or something."

"I still don't know why he did that." I muttered.

"It's obvious-

The suddenly opened and Corey stood inside, Drake and I walked inside the warm house.

"I'll see ya tomorrow Bells." Drake said.

"Night." I said.

"See ya, Corey." Drake said to him.

Corey nodded at him.

Drake disappeared down the hall and Corey and I walked up the steps.

I walked in my room and closed the door after Corey; the room was dark but was light enough to see.

I ran over to the bed and collapsed on to it.

Corey got in a few moments later after he undressed, "Aren't you going to change?"

"Nope." I said.

"Are you that tired?"

"Yep." I replied.

I snuggled under the covers and sighed.

I felt Corey's arms warp around me; I opened my eyes and looked at him, his eyes were closed. I laid my head down close to his, our lips were close enough that if I wanted to I could kiss him with only a slight a movement, but I didn't do that; even though I wanted to. I still wasn't sure what he would do, from what he did in the car I'm guessing he wouldn't mind but it couldn't have been a friendly gesture...

He confuses the hell out of me, so for now I'll play it safe.

No need to go upsetting him at this hour, all I wanted to do was sleep.