Sketch:

The wind blew my hair from my face, and the laughter of all the other teens played like a melody in my ears. The smell of spring grass and flowers filled my nose with such hope for the upcoming season. We had survived until spring. The winter was rough but it could have been worse, I could have died. Luckily we didn't get much snow, and the temperature didn't get below twenty that often. It was nice that we lived in a remotely warm area, even in the winter it didn't get so cold or vice versa in summer.

Now it was spring and everyone was outside, enjoying the warm air that greeted us so kindly. The trees swayed with a new breath, the birds flapping their beaks almost as if they were having a conversation on their own.

Despite the liveliness of the area, I wanted to escape it all.

Right now, Sam was placing planks against the house, doing his spring time renovations as he called it. His bare back was in my view, so in other words he wasn't paying attention to me. I looked back at the border of the woods and as if it were a race I took off for it.

I looked back once I made it to the borderline, but saw no one was paying attention to me. I dashed in the opposite direction of my home to the small meadow where the flowers were, dodging branches and logs on my way.

I loved smelling the fresh blooming flowers of the season. It was as if I had found my own personal space where I could stop time and enjoy the little things left in this world. I laid down on the grass, loving the way it tickled my skin.

The sound of a bark had pulled me from my peace, it even scared meat first. I looked up, feeling the uneasiness of the mood shift around me. Out of no where, a wolf appeared in front of my eyes.

The pup looked confused to see me but it didn't stay that way for long and proceeded to jump on top me. I laughed, running my fingers down his fur trying to push his stinky dog breath away from my face.

He must have an owner, right? He couldn't have survived all this time, I mean living out here in a shelter was hard. I laid back down on the bed of grass, the dog laying next to me.

"I'm gonna name you sparky, that's a good name right?" The pup actually barked as if he understood. I took that as a yes, closing my eyes and enjoying the company of my new friend.

Time had passed, maybe only an hour but the breeze did not chill. It was warm as ever, but I knew I had to get back before I'm missed. I got up, heading back toward the clearing, noticing that my new friend, Sparky, was following me. I shrugged and kept on walking, he'll turn around soon enough and go back to his family.

When I made it to the edge of the clearing, Sparky was still following, and even if the pup didn't turn around now he would eventually. Sam was still building, so I snuck around to the side with Sparky on my tail.

"Sam!!" I shouted, making him stop what he was doing to turn around and look at me. He smiled before frowning, looking at the dog behind me.

"Why in the living hell is there a dog with you?" he asked.

"His name is Sparky," I shrugged, kneeling down to pet his soft fur.

"You know what kind of dog that is?" Riley asked.

I shrugged again, did it really matter?

"That's a German Shepard, good guard dogs,"

I nodded as if knew that, picking at the dirt on his coat, he licked my face, and I wiped it quickly. He did have a stinky breath, a bath and toothbrush were in order.

"I'm going to give him a bath, catch ya later." I told Sam but he just looked at me as if I were stupid.

"Sketch, we can't keep a dog," Sam said, picking up his shirt.

"Why not?" Riley asked.

Sam wiped his forehead with the red cloth, wiping his grimy fingers on the fabric, glaring down at the dog. "Yeah, why not?" I asked.

"Well look at it, it's filthy. Plus we will have to feed him."

"So? That's why we have baths."

"Whatever, but giving him a bath won't be easy."

"Sketch, it's time to wake up." Orion coaxed me awake, pulling back the covers that hugged me warmly. "Did you sleep okay?"

I blinked my eyes a couple times lifting my head to look around the room, feeling nostalgic.

I nodded , placing my head back on the pillow. Sam was on my mind a lot nowadays but I could only assume I was homesick.

"Do you want me to dress you?" he asked, and all I did was nod. I laid my head back on the pillow, as he slipped on some tight pants that felt snug to my body. After I was completely dressed, he held out his hand for me to take.

"Come on Sketch, let's go have some lunch." he smiled. "You look so nice in these fitted skinny jeans," he whispered, making my cheeks burn with sentiment.

"My Mom didn't buy ones like these." I said. "I guess they're comfortable."

Orion chuckled, grabbed my hand, and kissed the tips of my fingers. "Are these not good enough, Your highness? Should I order something else for you to wear?"

His sarcastic tone made me laugh, and that gleam in his eyes also had my stomach fluttering.

"Whatever, I said they were comfortable didn't I?"

"I suppose you did."

He opened the wooden door to the dining area and motioned his hand for me to go inside. I took his gesture with a scoff then a smile as he came up behind me to press a kiss on the side of my head.

Our little moment was short lived when I looked up to see his family, already seated, all of them looking at us. Now seeing various vampires look at you in different ways could make your stomach turn uncomfortably. Orion's hand was on the middle of my back, pushing me forward. I gave him a glare out of the corner of my eye, but proceeded forward toward the cult of vampires before me. I sat down in the chair that was hopefully designated for me, and I came to the conclusion I guessed right when Orion sat next to me.

Once Orion was seated, the servants rushed forward, pouring crimson blood into all the empty clear glasses. Seeing it clump into the glasses could make any human sick from watching, so I looked away and focused on my heartbeat and how to calm it. Each pitcher had a different label on it and the servants knew which kind was going to who, but it was really freaky if you ask me.

A very small hesitant boy, a little younger than me, placed a smaller glass on the table before me. The liquid that sloshed around was a darker shade of blood, making me cringe silently but did however pick it up, knowing Orion was watching.

"Xanthe, what have you been doing these past months?" Orion asked, giving me a look out of the corner of his eye that said 'you better drink that'.

The boy with the colored eyes answered. "Well the twins and I have been patrolling the outer lands,"

I sighed, and looked away from the glass, feeling uneasy at the moment.

"What about you Ducky?"

"I've been exploring a lot, Xelia even tagged along a few times."

I gazed along the room then looked at each of the vampires faces closely. I could say without a doubt that the most beautiful out of all was the guy that Orion was talking with the most. Xanthe, I think Orion called him, was in his own way gleaming. Xanthe caught me staring and looked on me interestedly, his multi colored eyes gleaming. I quickly looked away and suddenly took an interest in the white shirt I was wearing.

We finished up quite early and I was happy for that, although I did have to finish the blood cup. Orion and I took a detour back to the room and I was thankful for that. Staying in his room for most of the day was boring, and this time of the day was the best.

"What happened to Xanthes' face?" I asked suddenly and Orion looked at me briefly before he continued his gaze straight on.

"Well, it was a long time ago, way before you were born." he paused, looking away from me. "There was a fire, a large one at that. Xelia and Xanthe were trapped inside, but they were merely human at the time. I was too late to save him from harm entirely, a beam fell on his head."

"You didn't get hurt, did you?"

"No, I didn't." he said. "I didn't save them all though."

"Them all?" I asked.

"The youngest, Nora, died in the fire. I didn't make it in time to save her."

I looked over at Orion, but his usual playful gleam and lovable smile were stricken from his face.

"I'm sorry, that must have been hard." I said softly.

He hesitated before he spoke. "I'm not the only who's lost someone, Sketch, I'm sure you've lost your share of family."

"I don't remember that much, only bits and pieces." I said. "All I have is Sam now."

"Don't look so glum, you'll see your brother again and besides, you have me."

"That's true, and I hope it stays that way."

"Of course, anything for my Sketch."

We laughed together, reaching the door to his chambers. I plopped down on the bed, and Orion followed laying right next to me.

"How long have you been alive anyway?"

He looked over at me. "That's a secret."

"You won't tell me?"

"Well...let's say I've been around before the birth of man kind," he smiled.

"You're an old man."

"Haha." he faked laughed and pulled me into his arms. I took advantage of our situation and pushed his shoulder so he would lay on his back. I jumped on top of him, straddling his waist so I could place my hands on his chest. He looked on me with curiosity, that playful gleam in his eye but being honest I wasn't sure what to do.

I leaned down and kissed along his jaw, something that he usually does to me. My hands wondered on their own, running a path down his chest to feel everyone muscle on his body. I sat up again and tried to move into another position so I could make it easier for me to kiss him. He grabbed my waist to keep me steady as I bent down to press my lips on his. My kisses weren't the best but he knew exactly what to do and quickly took control of the situation.

That weird feeling came upon me, but I knew exactly what it was. I wanted Orion now but before it started to get good, he pulled away and held my face with his big hands.

"If we don't stop now, I won't be able to later."

"Then don't," I said softly, tugging his hair.

He smiled, kissing me again, but this time it was more forceful - it was enough to make my legs shake. Orion picked me up, his hands grabbing my ass, chuckling at the embarrassing sound I made from it. We never detached through this all though, and even if he was the one taking the lead I was still ready for whatever came next.

He placed me down on the table where I did my tutoring, pressing me against the flat surface where my homework was.

But this time, I wasn't studying.