Chapter 38:

I woke up, the sun streaming in my still-closed eyes.

I covered my eyes with my arm, grimacing.

The memories from last night started to drift back to my mind and I smiled slightly.

Last night was...nice.

Ha, nice. Yeah, right.

It was awesome!

Corey was...let's just say if I hadn't said something I wouldn't still be wearing my purity ring.

I could hear music playing very softly, it was Green Day; one of their early albums.

I moved my arm, opening my eyes slowly.

I inhaled deeply then sat up, the blankets wrapped around my half-naked body.

"Good morning."

I jumped slightly, looking over at Corey who was standing on the opposite side of the room, still shirtless.

I put a hand to my chest; "Jesus, Corey, don't do that."

He smiled, taking a sip out of the mug he held.

"Sorry, it's not my fault you're unaware of your surroundings." He said.

He sat down on the bed next to me; "Blood?" He offered with a grin, handing the cup to me.

"No, thanks." I replied, smiling softly.

"You sure? You don't want to at least try it?"

I looked at the mug; "I'm sure."

"Just take a sip; I wanna see what you think of it." He prompted.

"Why?" I asked.

"Just...an experiment."

I took the mug from his hand, peering down at the red liquid inside.

I put the cup to my lips, taking a small drink from it.

I swallowed the warm blood.

I felt an odd sensation at the back of my throat and I felt my cheeks heat-up.

I handed the cup back to him; he was staring intently at me.

"What?" I asked.

"What'd you think?"

I shrugged.

"Nothing?" He asked. "You didn't...like it?"

"Did you think I would?"

"Um, no, I just..." He trailed off.

He sighed and took a drink of the blood.

I could still taste it slightly, lingering at the back of my throat.

I swallowed.

"I guess I was wrong." He muttered.

"About what?" I inquired.

"Oh, nothing, not important." He smiled at me. "So did you sleep well? Any nightmares?"

"Uh, no, surprisingly." I replied.

"That's good."

I nodded, glancing around. "I need clothes." I stated, remembering I was just in my bra and underwear.

He leaned over and picked a shirt off the floor and handed it too me. "That's good enough for now."

I took it from him; it was his black T-shirt that had a skull on it.

I slipped it on.

It smelled like him, which was very nice.

I glanced at the clock on the table; it was a little past eight in the morning.

I'd only been asleep for a couple hours at the most.

There was a knock on the door.

Corey got up, unlocking and opening the door.

Jake stood in the doorway; he glanced at Corey then at me, smiling slightly.

"Um, could I talk to you for a minute?" Jake asked Corey.

"Sure," Corey opened the door wider, inviting him in.

Jake came in, looking rather nervous.

"So?" Corey prompted.

Jake looked at him. "I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

"About what?"

"You know what." Jake replied.

Corey crossed his arms.

"I see you're not going to accept my apology." Jake mused.

"Why should I?" Corey asked.

"Look, I-

Jake cut off then began again. "I don't know why I left you, I know that was wrong. I should have stayed, should've helped you. But I was scared, I wasn't thinking. I ran."

"What happened afterwards?" Corey asked.

"I came home, I told everyone what happened. They were very upset. Pissed at me. Ivy cried."

Corey looked down.

I noticed Ivy standing just outside the doorway.

She looked at me and I smiled at her.

She smiled back shyly.

She seemed like she wanted to come in but was hesitant.

I beckoned for her to come in.

She hesitated but came in, coming to sit down on the bed next to me.

Jake glanced at us then looked at Corey. "Why don't we go find Mikey? He's dyeing to talk to you again."

Corey glanced at me then back at Jake. "Uh...sure."

Jake and Corey left the room, leaving me and Ivy.

"So how old are you?" I asked her.

"Technically 15, I was early when it came to turning into a vampire. Most usually don't turn until they're around 18." She replied.

I nodded. "So I'm guessing it's kind of weird to have Corey around again?"

She nodded. "Yeah, I'm not really sure what to say to him. I mean he can be kind of...intimidating sometimes. And plus we weren't really that close to begin with."

It was silent for a moment.

"So how much do you love Corey?" She asked.

"More than anything, I would do anything to be with him."

"Obviously," She appraised. "I mean I can't believe you went to all that trouble just to be with him. I saw what you said in that church...that was really...amazing."

I smiled. "Thanks."

"So you're getting married soon, right?"

I nodded. "In a week."

"Wow, I wish I could be there. I never thought I'd see the day that Corey got married."

"Well you can come if you want too, actually you should all come. It only seems right." I replied.

She smiled. "Really? Wow, okay. My mom's going to be thrilled. She's always been worried that Corey would always be alone. She was happy to hear that he was getting married. And don't tell Corey I said this but you are waaaayy out of his league."

I laughed.

"I mean he's good-looking and all," She explained. "But he just...I don't know. Maybe it's his personality but you're like gorgeous, plus you have an awesome personality."

I laughed again. "Well thank you, I think."

She laughed. "Although I guess to you, he's really good-looking, right?"

I nodded. "I happen to think he's insanely gorgeous."

She laughed softly. "And as for his personality?"

"I love that too."

"It doesn't bother you at all that he's a vampire?"

"Nope, I like vampires." I smiled.

"Well then I guess we're gonna get along."

* * *

Corey's POV.

Jake, Mikey, and I stood outside, Mikey and Jake were smoking as we talked.

It felt like old times.

Mikey offered me a cigarette. "I'm sure you haven't had one of these in ages."

I grinned and took it, placing it in-between my lips and inhaling.

"Man, it's good to have you back." He said.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"I can't believe it's been-what? 15 years?"

I nodded. "Somewhere around there."

"Jeez, time flies."

"Not when you're a slave." I stated, flicking the end of the cigarette in my hand as I leaned against the side of the house.

"Now, now, let's start that again."

Jake nodded, inhaling his cancer-stick. "Better subjects."

That was the good thing about being a vampire, you can smoke all the fucking cigarettes you want and you won't get sick.

My mind flashed back to Arabelle smoking.

I couldn't even bare to think just for a second about her getting sick.

I pushed away the thoughts, the usual worries that flooded my over-active mind.

Damn. I'm so uptight sometimes.

"So Arabelle," Mikey Began.

I looked at him.

"Have you fucked her yet?" He grinned.

I chuckled. "I wish."

"What? Your saying you haven't got that yet?"

I shook my head. "She has a purity ring. And she's stubborn."

Mikey and Jake laughed.

"I bet you're just itching too-

Jake cut in. "Fuck her?"

"Somewhere along those lines." Mikey said.

We laughed.

"Have you seen her naked at least?" Mikey asked.

I exhaled, leaning my head back, as the smoke flowed out.

"Again, I wish." I said.

I took a deep breath. "Man, I can't even count how many times I've thought about that. I keep wondering what the first times going to be like with her. I mean, I've had sex before. But I wasn't really attracted to those girls the way I am to Arabelle. Like, the other week she walked out of the bathroom with just a bra and underwear on." I breathed deeply. "I swear to god if I had been standing my knees would have collapsed."

Jake looked at me with surprise. "Wow, you must really love her." He said.

"Is it love? I feel like it's more but maybe I'm wrong. I mean I've never been in love before so I have nothing to compare it too but it seems...different. More strong. Just the thought of her..."

I trailed off, taking a drag on the cigarette.

The cigarette trembled slightly; I could feel my hands starting to shake.

I relaxed, fooling with my hair as I glanced around the yard.

I still wasn't use to it; feeling like this.

I mean should your hands start shaking just at the thought of someone?

Should your knees feel weak?

Should you feel light-headed, almost like an out of body experience?

Should your emotions have this much control over you?

I didn't think so.

Well not until I met her.

The funny thing is, I thought I was going to hate her.

If I could go back in time would I do things differently?

Would I have kept my feelings to myself and let her marry some other jackass.

No.

We had to be meant for each other. 'Cause I wouldn't spend my life with anyone else nor would I love anyone else.

It's just impossible, even before I met her I knew I wasn't ever going to love anyone and I was fine with that.

I'd accepted that I was going to be alone forever, when I was like 14.

What the hell changed?

I guess we were made for each other; no one else could make me feel this way. Not even close.

The only thing I'm capable of feeling for other people is hate.

"Corey?" I heard Jake speak.

I looked over at him slowly.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"I think I can guess." Mikey said.

Jake glanced at him and he said Arabelle's name.

Jake nodded.

I shook my head slightly.

I really need to start thinking less.

It's getting annoying.

If I had to guess, I would say I'm insane.

But in a good way, not an I'll-kill-you-in-your-sleep sorta way.

Though, I might kill someone in their sleep, if they pissed me off enough...

I rolled my eyes at myself.

Mikey handed me a bottle, grinning as usual.

"Just like old times." He said.

I took the bottle.

I leaned against the house, just in black jeans and black sunglasses, a cigarette in one hand and a bottle in the other.

I took a swig from the bottle; alcohol.

"What is this?" I asked.

"Lemon vodka." Mikey replied.

I smirked. "Nice,"

There was about half of the bottle left, I chugged it down, handing the empty bottle back to Mikey.

"Well, I'll go get the whiskey." He said, taking the bottle from me and strolling back inside the house.

I threw the cigarette on the ground, as it was about done with anyways.

Mikey came back out, holding another bottle. "This time you share!"

"No promises." I replied.

He opened it, taking a swig, and then handing it to Jake who took a drink then handed it to me.

"Where's the weed?" I asked.

Mikey pulled out a small plastic bag from his jeans, holding it up.

I grinned. "Sweet!"