Chapter 55:

As I pulled the car into the driveway I noticed a small black cooper parked in front of the house.

I didn't recognize it but had a suspicion it was my parents.

I strolled to the front door, sour gummy worms hanging from my mouth, with the package in hand; Corey followed close behind.

As I was just about to reach the first step when the door swung open and my Mom came out.

I saw my Dad hanging back in the doorway, Drake beside him.

"Oh my God, Arabelle. How did this happen?" Mom ambushed me, putting her hands on my shoulders tightly.

"What?" I asked, through a mouthful of candy worms.

"Spit that stuff out. This is serious!"

I took the candy from my lips. "What are you talking about?" I decided on playing dumb.

"You being a vampire!"

"Oh, right."

Dad stood by the door, Drake was now standing on the porch; smoking.

"I'm way behind." Drake claimed. "What's going on?"

"How did it happen?" Mom questioned me, everyone ignoring Drake as usual.

"I don't know, god." I replied.

"How can you not know?!"

"Uh, it's not like I did anything. It just happened."

"Is this why you were asking about my parents?"

"Yeah, speaking of which, were they vampires?"

She looked down, her hands falling from my shoulders. "...Yes...they were."

My Dad's face turned from blank to shock and Drake's was amused shock.

"O-o-oh," Drake hummed. "I get it. It skipped Mom and went to Arabelle."

My mouth opened. "Eh, wha- how did- not fair!"

I heard Corey laughing quietly; I glanced back at him, seemingly more close than I thought, he was easily in touching distance, directly behind me.

"Looks like your Brother knows more than you do about vampires." Corey muttered.

I hit his shoulder, turning back to look at Drake, before my hand fell back to my side I felt Corey intertwine his fingers with my mine; our hands linked together behind my back and out of view.

"Drake, how did you know that?" I asked, trying to be less distracted by who was holding my hand.

He shrugged. "It's not that hard to put together."

Mom spoke up; "It's okay though. You haven't completely turned into one yet, right?"

"Uh, yeah." I replied.

"Good. We can still stop it. I already called the priest."

"Wh-what?"

"I called the priest. He's on his way. He'll be able to rid the evil from you." She stated hopefully.

I stared at her, knowing she was serious but still thinking she had to be joking.

"Wh-how?" I questioned.

"I'm not sure exactly what he does, but I know one of the things involves drinking holy water."

"Um, and this will help how?"

"Just go inside and get ready, he'll be here soon."

I sighed with annoyance and started towards the door, not wanting to talk to her anymore anyways.

Corey let go of my hand and followed beside me.

When we got inside I closed the door, Dad, Mom and Drake all standing in the driveway talking, Mom having a sympathetic, worried expression on her face, Dad looking blankly at her as she spoke and Drake smiling.

I took my eyes away from them, looking at Corey.

"It doesn't do anything." He stated.

"The thing she's talking about?" I replied.

He nodded. "I've seen it done before many times. It just makes you really sick. You'll probably have to go to the hospital afterwards if you have it done."

I bit my lower lip.

"I never thanked you." He said, making me bring my attention back to him.

"For what?" I inquired.

"Ya know back in the grocery store, I didn't thank you for helping me. I actually kind of acted a little rude."

"Ya think?" My voice filled with sarcasm.

"Hey, if you're not going to appreciate the thanks then I won't bother." He stated acidly.

"I-I didn't say-...I do appreciate it."

He avoided looking at me and I just walked away, sprinting upstairs to my room.

I walked hastily, my eyes on the floor and it wasn't it long before I ran into someone in the hallway.

I looked up to see Trey, stepping away from him after colliding into his chest.

"Hey, Bells." He greeted me with one of his small pleasant smiles.

"Hey, Trey." I responded, returning the smile.

"I haven't seen you in a few days, you been busy?"

"Um, kind of. Just...dealing with some things."

"What things?"

I bit my lip. I always felt like I could tell Trey anything but I wasn't in the mood to talk too much.

"Um," I headed towards my room a few feet away. "Just, well, um, I think I'm a vampire."

I turned to look at him; we were now standing in my room.

His expression was one of surprise. "How did that happen?"

"Um, my Mom's parents were vampires apparently."

"Wow, I didn't expect that. You have been dealing with some things."

I breathed a laugh. "Yeah,"

"So, I heard that you weren't feeling well I'm guessing that has to do with this?"

I nodded. "I wish it was just the flu."

He smiled. "You don't want to be a vampire?"

I shook my head.

"I can't blame you. Is that why your parents are here?"

"Yeah, they called a priest or something I don't know."

"Oh my."

I laughed.

"So how are you and Corey?" He questioned.

I shrugged.

"Not good?"

I shrugged again.

"Hmm, well I have to go, Nick asked me to do something but I'll see you later, okay?"

I nodded, smiling faintly.

He smiled at me and left the room.

I closed the door and collapsed onto my bed.

I was feeling aggravated and I took my angst out on my pillow, flinging it across the room.

I briefly heard it hit something, things clattering to the floor.

I wish I wasn't turning into a vampire.

I wish Corey was less of a...

My mind trailed off, thinking a few different insults but fading away.

I sighed, exasperatedly running a hand over my face, covering my eyes from the faint light coming from the cracks of the curtains.

A few moments later I heard my door open and softly close.

Not moving, I left my hand over my eyes.

I felt the bed shift and could sense someone hovering above me, their hands on either sides of me.

"I'm sorry." I immediately recognized Corey's voice, speaking softly in a sweet tone.

The contrast between his tone downstairs and now was a world of difference.

I didn't respond in anyway, not feeling like talking.

He kissed my cheek. "Are you okay?"

After a few seconds he moved my hand from my eyes but I kept them closed.

He shifted his body, making his hips graze against mine.

He laughed at my sharp intake of breath.

I opened my eyes, met with Corey's eccentric green ones.

"I came to tell you that priest is here." He stated.

I sighed, looking away.

"It's funny your Mom thinks this is actually going to work." He went on. "When in reality it isn't gong to do anything but hurt you."

I stared dully at the window.

"Something wrong?"

I shook my head slightly.

"Okay now I know your lying. Why don't you ever tell me anything? It's aggravating. I want to know what's wrong."

"I don't want to be a vampire." I stated bleakly.

There was a heavy silence for a few moments.

"...Why?" He finally spoke, a puzzled, mystified question.

I shrugged. "I just don't want to be."

"I...expected you to be kind of happy about it. I mean you seem to like vampires so I thought you wouldn't be to upset about becoming one and you're the Queen so you don't have to worry about being a slave or anything...I don't see what's wrong with it."

"I just don't like the situation and I don't like that's it happening right now."

"Well you can't control it..."

"That's exactly why I don't like it."

Before either of us had a chance to say anything else there was a knock on my door and with only a moments pause the door was opening.

Corey, and his swiftness, was already sitting beside me on the other side of the bed by the time the door was completely opened.

"Arabelle, come on, we must begin." My Mom prompted from the doorway.

I sat up, sliding off the bed and following her downstairs to where the priest was.

I took in a deep breath, seeing the crosses and holy water set up in the living room.

I can only hope it doesn't go as bad as I think it will.