Chapter 2. First Night

I didn’t know whether to run in fear or stand my ground. Here was a beautiful girl, telling me that she was a vampire. Was the world ending or something? This was too much of a coincidence. Clearly I was losing my mind. I looked around the room in the corner of my eye. Maybe someone would jump out and scream SIKE!!!! I would have to pretend that I was surprised by it all and punish them later.

A few moments passed, but no one came out. I was still alone with her, and she just stared at me openly. I couldn’t help but glance back. I saw that she was wearing tight faded Levi’s that clung to her perfectly shaped thighs and ass. Her blue v-neck t-shirt fits her toned, slender body. My eyes trailed downward and I noticed that she was donning platformed knee-high boots that looked devilishly sexy on her. My body heated up in response, with my heart beating wildly. I couldn’t believe that a woman- a complete and total stranger could bring out this feeling in me. I shook my head. No. This is not right, I told myself.

I began to feel self-conscious when I realized that I was only wearing a thin blue camisole over my cotton underwear. I saw the girl grinning to herself, looking straight at my chest. I grabbed a jacket that I previously left on the chair near the bed and wore it quickly.

“I thought vampires are supposed to look old and formal,” I said with a mocking tone, trying to hide my own embarrassment.

She tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I don’t know which books you’re reading,” she mumbled.

“You don’t sparkle either?” I continued in a sarcastic voice.

She smiled at that. “I don’t know of any werewolves as well, though I heard they are large in Arizona right now.”

Her statement made me laugh out loud. Was she really a vampire? Her perfect looks were out of this world, but God she was too charming. And what was it with the killer get-up? I stared at her round chest and couldn’t help but blush. This must be a misunderstanding. I need to sort this out.

I raised an eyebrow. “So you read that book?”

“I watched the movie too- all five of it, though I hated every single minute of it,” she shrugged.

“So you’re a vampire freak?”

“What do you mean?”

“You know, one of those people who think they are real vampires. Where did you buy your fangs anyway? They look so real.”

She stared at me quizzically, her blue-silver eyes glinting.

“I’m the real thing.” She raised her hand to her chin and after a moment’s thought, she added.

“Want to touch?”

She got up from the bed and walked slowly, deliberately to me, a sexy devilish smile on her face. I took a step back as she advanced, until my back hit the wall. Damn! What now? She leaned near me, her strong, alluring scent overpowering my senses. I couldn’t move from the spot, my body frozen in place, and felt a combination of fear, anticipation, and awe for the beautiful creature standing in front of me. She opened her mouth, her glinting fangs coming nearer and stopped just in front of my face. I felt her breath against my cheek, noting how exotic her scent was.

“Do you believe me now?”

Did I?

“Yes.” I said breathily.

“Good.”

In a second, she was back in the bed, acting like nothing happened, while I had to stop my poor heart from exploding inside my chest. It was beating so hard, it was a wonder the neighbors didn’t wake up. It took a while to calm myself down.

“What is a vampire- if you’re a real one doing in my room?” I looked at her questioningly; fear still lingered at the back of my mind.

“I came for you.” She met my eyes, the silver in her pupil glinting again.

My breath caught in my throat. “Are you here to make me one of you… an undead?” I dug my fingernails in the flesh of my palm.

Her expression turned all serious. “No. On the contrary, I’m here to suck your blood.”

The world seemed to stop for me. Did I hear her correctly?

“W-what did you say?” I stammered.

“I’m here to suck your blood,” she said matter-of-factly as if it was the most normal thing to do.

That was not a good joke. I’d suffered enough the past few weeks and the last thing I wanted to hear from someone who was claiming she was a vampire was her desire to eat me. Something in me seemed to snap, and all the anger, frustration, and fears I kept bottled up for a month surfaced. How dare she say that when I was already dying? She was going to rob me of my remaining days here on earth so she could have something to snack on? Not in a million years!

I did the most rational, or you can call it irrational thing I could do. I went straight to my desk, grabbed my stuff, and started throwing it to her one by one, not caring if it breaks; my iphone, my hairbrush, even my ukulele, which she just dodged easily.

I caught sight of her face, looking all surprised and panicked. That’s right you bitch. Run! I thought with a small satisfaction. With all the noise I was making, I was surprised that my mom and siblings hadn’t barged in the door yet.

When I ran out of things to throw, I suddenly felt empty. What was I doing? I’d resorted to violence because I was so frustrated by my predicament. I was just taking my anger out on her. My hollow chest fluttered helplessly, the hopelessness creeping in, as if it was a disease that was slowly plaguing my mind and body. I didn’t know what else to do, so I simply sat on the floor and cried my eyes out, bawling like a child who got lost in a crowd.

I heard her footsteps closing in. “You are Clover Valentine, are you not?” she asked me gently while kneeling beside me.

I sniffled, “Yes I am. What the hell do you want from me? I don’t know you. I don’t care about you, and I want you out of my room this instant.” Tears continued to run down my face, and I silently cursed her for seeing me in this condition.

She attempted to touch me, but I stopped her with my words. “Go away!”

“You really don’t want me to drink your blood?” she inquired, the confidence gone from her voice.

I took my head out of my hands, wiped my eyes with the sleeve of the jacket and glared at her hard, daring her to lay a single finger on me. Who did she think she was? Couldn’t she see that I was having a breakdown?

“Vampire or not, I will never, and I mean NEVER allow you to drink my blood. I’d rather die first,” I said forcefully.

Emiri’s face fell a little. She stood up from her kneeling position and walked towards the window. “Very well,” she said. Her eyes glinted as she gave a half-smile. “But I’ll be back.”

With that, she jumped out the window, vanishing in the dark.

I didn’t sleep a wink- I couldn’t. I stayed up all night, thinking about dying, vampires, and Emiri. The whole encounter was too surreal and strange, leaving me aching, bothered, and full of questions. It was all F’ckd up. I didn’t know what’s what anymore. I wondered what I did in my past life to deserve this fate.

Someone knocked on the door. “Clover honey, breakfast is ready.” I heard my mom’s worried voice outside my bedroom.

“Just a second mom,” I called back.

Her footsteps retreated down the hall, and I got out of bed slowly, fatigue creeping in. After washing my face in the bathroom, I headed down the stairs. From the sound of it, the twins were already there, bickering with each other as usual.

“I’m going to take her out today,” Jack began.

“She’s coming with me,” Amanda countered.

“What are you arguing about this time?” I peeked inside the dining room. That immediately shut them up.

“The twins just want to spend the day with you, that’s all.” Mom came in, carrying a stack of pancakes.

I stared back at the twins. “Don’t you have classes today?”

“It’s summer remember?” Jack said, already shoving a spoonful of pancake in his mouth.

“Oh yeah, my bad,” was all I could say.

I forgot that class ended a week ago. I couldn’t attend my high school graduation because I was in the hospital, taking more tests. The school just sent in my diploma. I thought about college and how I’d never be able to go. I felt a pang in my chest that has nothing to do with the sickness. My friends Marley, Max, and I promised to go to the same university. Well not anymore.

“Hey Clove,” Jack began.

I took a seat in front of him. “Hmm?”

“What were you doing last night in your room?”

Beside him, I saw Amanda discreetly elbow my brother. My face turned white as I realized what he was talking about. Shit! Did they hear me and the vampire? I gripped the table for support and lied.

“That’s nothing. Don’t worry about it, I was just . . . frustrated.” I widened my eyes to look innocent so they’d believe me.

I heard Amanda whisper, “I told you not to bring it up idiot.” Jack turned red and got back to eating his pancakes.

“Why don’t the three of us go to the mall?” I said quickly while filling my own plate with pancake. I wanted to steer the conversation away from me, fearing that I’ll accidentally blurt out something about last night.

Amanda stuck her tongue at me. “I thought you’d pick me over ugly here,” she pointed at Jack.

“Hey! I look just like you,” Jack retorted.

I chuckled softly. It was true though. The twins looked the very image of each other. Both sported blonde hair which they got from my mom. The color of their eyes was mocha like mine, and their straight nose and full lips made them very popular in school.

I saw my mom hunting for the other syrup in the fridge. “Want to go with us mom?”

“Sorry honey, I can’t.” She found what she was looking for and walked towards the table.

“Tony needs some of his things, and I’m going to send it over later.” My mom gave me an apologetic smile.

Tony was my mom’s husband. After my real father left us, she met him on a business trip and they fell in love almost instantly. They married after a few years and she got pregnant with the twins. He was a great guy, but he was always away for business. I pity my mom a little, but she looked very happy and in love with Tony, so I couldn’t complain. Besides, the twins were a riot. We all had our differences, but I loved them the same. I knew that underneath their nonchalance, they were scared for me. At least someone will take care of my mom when I die, I thought sadly.

After we finished eating, I went straight to my room and took a long bath. I wore blue skinny jeans, a plain black v-neck, and sandals for the day. Before I left the room, I remembered about my phone and searched for it. I found it lying underneath the bed, making the encounter with the vampire more real. I quickly checked to see if the screen got damaged, but thankfully everything was intact.

I walked down the stairs and found the twins waiting near the door. “You guys ready?” I gave them what I hoped was an encouraging smile.

“Are you?” they said in unison.

I raised the car keys. “I’m driving.”

The day went by quickly. The twins were super fun to be with, and we tried doing everything we could for the day. To be honest, there were times when I almost ran out of breath, but I managed to keep it a secret from the twins so they wouldn’t worry.

When afternoon came, my body was so fatigued that I was afraid I’d black out. I held it in, wanting my siblings to enjoy the short time we could be together. When we arrived at the house, I excused myself and quietly went back to my room. I lay on the bed, closed my eyes, and went to sleep.