Bitten – Episode 32

 

Chapter 32

 

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“Yep, I knew it, you look amazing in plaid,” I stated proudly, hooking Sebastian a thumbs up.

 

He frowned, pulling at the collar of his dark green and lime colored plaid shirt. “You said every guy looks good in plaid…”

 

“It’s true,” I responded, grinning. “But you look great! That shirt really brings out your eyes too. You look better than most guys anyway. Hmm. You are a vampire though…”

 

“Not all vampires are handsome,” he pointed out. “I told you that. And do I have to wear these jeans?”

 

I crossed my arms. “Yes you do.”

 

“They’re quite uncomfortable.”

 

“All guys wear jeans, Sebastian.”

 

He gave me a sarcastic look. “Yeah, but these are so stiff . I can barely walk. Why can’t I wear a pair of my other jeans?”

 

 

“Darker jeans look better with that outfit. Now stop complaining. You’re the one who asked me to help you choose an outfit for tonight.”

 

“Actually, I do believe I just asked you for advice,” he corrected, running a hand through his shaggy hair. “I think we’re done here.”

 

I nudged him in the ribs with my elbow. “You think you’re hot enough now?” “I-I wasn’t trying to look hot—”

 

“Don’t lie,” I interjected, a smirk slipping onto my face. “You want to look great in front of Fiona tonight. That’s why you asked me.”

 

He crossed his arms. “I just figured you would know what girls like her liked to look at.”

 

I laughed. “Different girls have different types, Sebastian.” “Am I your type?”

 

My face gave me away before I could answer, causing Sebastian to laugh. “I’m not interested though,” I snapped at him, feeling embarrassed. “You know I only like Vincent.”

 

“Oh I know.”

 

“I wish you were my brother,” I said with a sigh. “You’re so much cooler than Jake.”

 

He smiled gently at me. “If I was your brother you wouldn’t like me as much, I think. You might act the same way Vincent does.”

 

I frowned at him. “It’s not like he hates you.” “It’s close.”

 

“Not even,” I disagreed, shaking my head. “He definitely cares about you, Sebastian. He just has a hard time showing it. That’s just his personality. Like, he calls me stupid all the time but I know he just continues saying it because it’s his own nickname for me. It’s not meant in an offensive way anymore… Well sometimes it is, but that’s also just his personality.”

 

Sebastian stared at me for a moment before ruffling my hair. “I’m glad he found someone like you. I’d hate to see him go on with life without someone who understands him like you do.”

 

 

I pulled his hand off my head, pursing my lips together. “I don’t understand him completely. I don’t even get the gist of him.”

 

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“You’re doing well,” Sebastian complimented me. “I’m impressed. I just wish that…”

 

“Just wish what?” I asked accusingly, narrowing my eyes.

 

“You know,” he replied, letting his shoulders sag. “I want you to really think about becoming one of… us.”

 

My stomach twisted uncomfortably. He was bringing this up again? We were having a good conversation until now! “Sebastian…”

 

He held up his finger. “I know, I know. You don’t want to.” “It’s not that,” I protested. “It’s just…” “You don’t think you belong here.”

 

“There was enough trouble with Fiona. Imagine if the same thing happened with me. I’ve already caused enough trouble for your family.”

 

He gave me an unhappy look. “We’re more than willing to welcome you in. Reputation isn’t as important as happiness.”

 

“I still have my family, Sebastian. I’m not willing to give them up.”

 

“You don’t have to,” he pressed. “You could still visit them as much as you would like!”

 

My eyes dropped down to his shirt and I noticed he’d buttoned it up incorrectly. Moving forward to fix it, I tried my best to keep my voice even. As much as I loved him, his constant imploring was driving me crazy. “You buttoned your shirt wrong. I’ll fix it for you.”

 

He allowed me to do so, but his body was tense. “It would work out fine, you know.”

 

“No, it wouldn’t, Sebastian,” I countered, my hands shaking as I undid the first few buttons. “Haven’t you read Twilight?”

 

He cocked his head to the side. “No…”

 

“Well you should be able to figure it out. While Bella was some stupid, heels-over-head-in-love-with-that-Edward-bloke-with-no-regard-to-anything-else-she-was-messing-up-and-not-taking-in-other-people’s-feelings girl, she at least knew her family wouldn’t notice that she wasn’t aging anymore.”

 

“Then just tell your family.”

 

I paused in my unbuttoning. “Yeah. I don’t think my family will take it as well as Bella’s dad. In fact, I’d be worried if anyone did take it as well as her dad.”

 

“Stop comparing everything to that embarrassing book,” Sebastian snapped.

 

“Did you know she had a baby in the end?”

 

He mocked an angry expression. “Thank you for spoiling it!”

 

“I guess it’s good vampires can’t get humans pregnant,” I mused out loud, dragging my hands down to the bottom of his shirt. “That would just be weird. It’d be like a dog getting a human pregnant.”

 

“Ouch, Emily.”

 

“Ah! That came out wrong. Maybe I shouldn’t have used dog… Okay, let’s say it’s the same as a panther getting a cheetah pregnant. They’re close, but they’re not the same.”

 

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Sebastian suddenly pulled away from me, an uncharacteristic smirk on his face. “Want to hear something interesting?”

 

Wary, I raised an eyebrow. “What?”

 

“There are some humans that can become pregnant by vampire. Want to know what ones?”

 

“I have wild guess,” I muttered. “Blue Bloods?”

 

“You’ve got it. It’s impossible for another Blue Blood to be born without some ancestral vampire blood.”

 

My eyes widened. “What? Does that mean my great grandma was a vampire?”

 

 

“Blue Blood,” he corrected. “Not a vampire. She probably mated with one. It could’ve been your great, great, great, great, great, great—”

 

“I get it,” I interjected. “I thought it was random.” He blinked at me. “It is random.”

 

“But that’s… never mind,” I gave up. “Here’s another difference between Bella and I. I won’t ever, ever get pregnant before the age of twenty-three.”

 

“Why twenty-three?”

 

I shrugged. “It seems reasonable enough to me. Hopefully by that age I’ll be with someone I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

 

“Vincent?”

 

Flushing, I refocused my attention to accurately buttoning up his shirt. “Will you stop with that, please?”

 

He chuckled. “I’m sorry, Emily. I just love you. In a brotherly way.”

 

Involuntarily, my heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t every day an incredibly handsome guy told you he loved you. Even if he was a vampire. “I-I love you too. In a sisterly way.”

 

“I want you to be in my family. I’ve always wanted a little sister like you.”

 

“I’ve always wanted a brother like you too, like I said earlier,” I responded, slipping the next button through its slit.

 

The door suddenly burst open and Vincent appeared at my side in a flash, scowling. “Why is it always you with Emily, Sebastian?”

 

Sebastian faked an embarrassed expression. “Oh, did you hear my confession?” “What confession?” Vincent snapped. He turned to me. “Emily?”

 

“He’s joking,” I told him, trying not to smile. “We’re just talking… Oh, and I’m fixing his shirt,” I added, holding up the last button. “Almost done.”

 

Vincent didn’t look satisfied. “I’ve been looking for you all over. Are you guys ready yet? We have to leave soon.”

 

“Where’s Fiona?” Sebastian inquired.

 

“Already in the car.”

 

“By herself?” he asked skeptically.

 

“Obviously, since I’m here.”

 

He frowned. “She doesn’t like being by herself, Vince. I’m going out there with her— Emily, thank you for the help.”

 

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“No problem,” I responded, waving him away. “Go save your princess.”

 

“Emily…” He shook his head at me before hastening toward the exit of the room. “I guess I’d like to be the Knight in Shining Armor once.”

 

Grinning, I turned back to Vincent, who was brooding. He frowned deeply at me. I cocked an eyebrow. “What?”

 

“Why do you act like that with him?”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Like… Like you guys are dating or something,” he muttered, crossing his arms. “You don’t act like that with me.”

 

I stared at him, a bit taken aback by his bluntness. “Um… well…”

 

Narrowing his eyes, he took a few steps closer to me. “You said you liked me, right?”

 

“I do!” I told him, stumbling back a few steps. “Sebastian is just… you know, less intimidating?”

 

Vincent stopped. “You think I’m intimidating?”

 

“Well, yeah,” I mumbled, dropping my gaze. “Have you seen yourself?”

 

“I’m Sebastian’s brother. We’re not that different.”

 

I kept my eyes glued to the floor. “It’s different with you…”

 

“Why?”

 

I stayed silent.

 

“Why?” Vincent repeated more forcefully, his cool finger forcing my chin up so that I was looking at him. “How am I different?”

 

“Y-you just are,” I stammered.

 

His eyes pierced into mine, smoldering. “Give me a reason.”

 

“I don’t think of you like my brother,” I admitted quietly. “I have to be more conscious about myself. I don’t want to act like a fool in front of you.”

 

“You do anyway.”

 

I scowled. “Vincent! God! You’re so annoying! See? I’m trying to be honest with you and you can’t see how hard it is for me to say the things I’m saying! It’s embarrassing!”

 

“You think it’s not for me?” he replied, removing his finger from my chin. “I’m not used to people saying this stuff to me, stupid. And you don’t have to call me God.”

 

“I wasn’t, you…” I trailed off, biting my tongue. He was definitely doing this on purpose.

 

A few moments of silence passed between us. I stared at him, trying to figure out what he was thinking. There was an unreadable expression on his face. Finally, he spoke. “We should go.”

 

He turned around and started walking, but I quickly grabbed his hand. “Wait, Vincent.”

 

“What?”

 

“You said Sebastian and I were acting like we were a couple.”

 

He set his jaw. “What about it?”

 

“Are you…? Are we…? Um, are you…?” A blush was threatening to spread across my cheeks. It was kind of embarrassing to say what I was about to ask out loud. “Are we a couple?” I burst finally. “I mean, we like each other, and we kiss… A-and…”

 

He gazed at me for a few moments, his face complete emotionless. Then he laughed. Surprised, I took a step back. “You’re stupid,” he said through his laughter.

 

I scowled at him. “You’re such a jerk! I was asking a serious question! I fail to see how you find it funny!”

 

“It’s because I said it to you.”

 

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“Said what?”

 

“I said you couldn’t have a boyfriend unless it was me, and you said you’d never want me as your boyfriend, and here you are, practically begging—”

 

“I am not!” I cried in denial.

 

He smirked. “I know.”

 

Grinding my teeth together, I marched toward the door. “You know what, forget it. We’re just friends with benefits.”

 

Vincent easily grabbed my elbow, pulling me to a stop. “Emily, wait.” “Okay,” I breathed, my heart skipping a beat at the use of my real name. “Will you be my girlfriend?”

 

My mouth nearly dropped to the floor. All I could do was goggle at him. That was the least expected thing I’d imagined he’d say. To my ongoing amazement, a small blush spread across his cheeks. “Stop staring like that!” he snapped, turning his head away. “You’re annoying.”

 

“You’re blushing!”

 

“No I’m not!”

 

“You so are!”

 

“Shut up!”

 

“It’s so cute!”

 

“I will kill you.”

 

I grinned giddily at him. “Well, I suppose if you went through all that embarrassment just to ask that, I should say yes.”

 

He shot daggers at me. “Seriously.”

 

“I’m kidding,” I responded with a laugh. “Of course I’ll be your, um, girlfriend.”

 

The smug expression returned to his face. “Now who’s embarrassed?”

 

“S-Sebastian and Fiona are waiting for us,” I said quickly, turning my back to him. “We should go.”

 

He picked up his pace to keep up with me. “Now look who’s blushing.”

 

“Go away.”

 

“Aw, look,” he said teasingly, pulling at my cheek. “So pink!”

 

I slapped his hand away. “Stop it! Of course I’m embarrassed! I didn’t expect anything like that from you! It’s almost like Sebastian…” I trailed off, my eyes widening. “Almost like Sebastian put you up to it.”

 

Vincent kept his face impassive. “He did not.”

 

I narrowed my eyes. “You liar! He did! What did he say? What did he promise you? Ugh, that guy!”

 

“He didn’t put me up to anything,” Vincent growled, turning to give me a dirty look. “Now stop shouting.”

 

“No! What did he promise you?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

“I know you’re lying.”

 

Vincent stopped, causing me to bump into him. “He might have requested I do it, but I figured I’d have to do it sooner or later.”

 

“Have to?” I repeated skeptically.

 

“I didn’t want you feeling like I was just using you,” he told me, crossing his arms. “I just assumed you’d think we were… like that… but Sebastian said you didn’t think that and I wanted to clear things up.”

 

I relaxed a little bit, easing up on my glare. “Really?”

 

“Really.”

 

“That’s okay then,” I told him. “As long as you mean it.”

 

“I mean it. Now stop making me say it.”

 

Smiling again, I snatched up his hand. He jerked it back. “Hey,” I protested.

 

 

“Sorry,” he mumbled, shyly taking my hand up in his. “I’m not used to hand holding. It feels weird.”

 

“It’ll feel good eventually,” I told him.

 

Another smirk spread across his face.

 

“What?”

 

“Nothing,” he replied casually, speeding his pace up. “Come on, we’ve gotta get to the car so we can leave before anyone arrives.”

 

I frowned at him, but allowed the conversation to drop as he led me through the maze of hallways. Going out to dinner would be fun… I grimaced. I was going out to dinner with vampires… This was going to be an experience.

 

__________________________________

 

“Center of attention… We’re the center of attention,” I murmured as we entered the restaurant Fiona had chosen to eat at. “Or should I say you guys are.”

 

Literally every customer glanced up from his or her table at us as we passed. It felt like I was walking around with a group of famous people. I was actually expecting someone to jump up and ask for our autographs. So much for vampires not being ostentatious. Vincent and Sebastian trailed a few feet behind Fiona and myself, Vincent with a moody expression on his face, Sebastian taking in his surroundings. Every few seconds he’d wrinkle his nose and make a face. I figured it was due to the thousands of aromas lingering around the restaurant from the dishes.

 

Fiona, who looked like she was having the time of her life, smiled flirtatiously at a few of the men we passed. “Come on, Em! Flirt a little bit!”

 

I shook my head at once. “No way! I wouldn’t flirt when I already have a guy I like. It makes me feel like I’m betraying him.”

 

“Ah,” she responded, the smile slipping off her face. “Do you really think that?” “How would you feel if Sebastian started flirting with other girls?”

 

She did a double take at me, but because she moved her head so fast it seemed like she only spared me a quick glance. “S-Seb?”

 

I grinned evilly. “Are you blushing?”

 

 

“I’m not!” she cried, her cheeks blossoming with color, betraying her words. “W-what are you even talking about?”

 

“Oh, come on, Fiona. Don’t act so innocent. I know you like him—”

 

“Shh!” she silenced me, pressing a soft hand over my mouth.

 

I blinked at her.

 

“He can hear you,” she whispered, removing her hand.

 

“Oh, yeah, oops,” I responded, scratching the back of my head in embarrassment. “Sorry, Fiona.”

 

She suddenly snatched up my hand, dragging me in the opposite direction we were headed. “Come with me.”

 

“H-hey!” I protested, stumbling over my feet. “I thought we were eating?”

 

“Where are you going?” Sebastian questioned as Fiona tried to move by him. He easily blocked her way.

 

“Lady’s room,” she answered easily, “Emily said she had to pee really bad.”

 

My eyes widened. “What I—”

 

“Right?” she interjected sharply.

 

“I-I… Yeah, guess so,” I muttered, lowering my gaze to my feet. “S’pose I have a bad bladder or something.

 

Vincent snorted and I quickly shot him a glare. “We’ll meet you guys at the table. Order our drinks. I want a Coke.”

 

“I’ll have a Sprite,” Fiona added, hooking her arm through mine. “Our table says Rutherford.”

 

“Eh? We have reservations?”

 

“You didn’t know what?” Sebastian inquired, furrowing his eyebrows.

 

I shook my head. “Nope.”

 

“Does this restaurant seem like a place you can eat at without one?” Vincent asked, smirking at me.

 

 

I puffed out my cheeks. “Whatever. I don’t know if I brought enough money for this—”

 

“You’re not paying at all,” Sebastian cut me off. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll handle your bill.”

 

.

 

.

 

“No, I will,” Vincent told me, crossing his arms. “You pay for Fiona.”

 

Sebastian frowned a tiny bit, but shrugged. “Okay, sure.”

 

“We’ll be back then,” Fiona stated, dragging me forward. “Have a nice conversation while you wait.”

 

I sent Vincent a helpless look to which he replied with a smirk. After narrowing my eyes at him, I turned myself around so I wouldn’t stumble over my feet while Fiona was towing me toward the restroom. A few people gave us amused glances as we hastened between tables at an unusually quick pace. Instead of having a multi-stalled bathroom like most restaurants, it only had single person one. Fiona grabbed the handle, ready to wing it open.

 

“Wait, it might be—”

 

“Hey!”

 

“Oops, sorry!”

 

“—Occupied,” I finished, grimacing as she shut the door again, a silly grin crossing her face. Sighing, I covered my face with my hand. “Don’t just walk into bathrooms like that, Fiona. You’re supposed to knock.”

 

She sniffed. “I’m a Princess. I don’t have to.”

 

My jaw nearly dropped. “Fiona,” I started in a scolding voice. “You—”

 

“I’m kidding,” she laughed, waving her hand in my face. “You actually believed me? I’m not that awful.”

 

Just then the bathroom door opened and an elderly gentleman came out of the room, avoiding all eye contact with Fiona. It was an awkward moment. Fiona briskly swept me into the room and closed the door behind us. Swallowing

 

 

nervously, I eyed her as she locked it. Somewhere in the back of my mind I felt like she was about to murder me.

 

“What am I going to do, Emily?”

 

“Huh?”

 

Fiona was wiping at her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffling quietly. Completely thrown off guard, I could only stand in my spot and gawk at her. Her change of emotion had happened way too fast! Awkwardly, I moved a little closer to her and put my hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

 

“On Friday,” she snuffled. “Sebastian…”

 

Realization dawned on me. Sebastian was going to find a wife. “Fiona…”

 

“It’s not fair!” she exclaimed, her eyes catching mine. Even with tears in them, she still managed to look stunning. “I didn’t even hear of this until a few days ago! No one told me! Even Sebastian! Why would they keep something like that a secret?”

 

“You do still have feelings for him!”

 

“I’ve never stopped loving him!” she confessed, gesticulating wildly. “Why else do you think I’ve stayed with the Rutherfords? I don’t belong there at all, Emily. No one likes me in that family aside from the immediate family— Luella, Solomon, Sebastian, and Vincent. The only reason I’ve stayed is to be close to Sebastian!”

 

Still a little bit shocked, it took me a second to respond. “Have you told him this?”

 

“No! I couldn’t! Because of me… Everything that’s happened with Vincent… I couldn’t put him in such a position, Emily. But with the marriage…” Tears spilled over the edges of her eyelids again, rolling down her cheeks. “Why didn’t he tell me?”

 

“Fiona, I think—”

 

“Is he going to marry someone else?” she cut me off. “I can’t live in that house anymore, Emily.”

 

“Fiona, calm down,” I demanded, putting both my hands on her shoulders. “Sebastian won’t marry someone else.”

 

She shook her head. “He has to, Emily! He’s the next king!” .

 

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“No, Fiona—”

 

“Yes, Emily! You don’t understand! Do you know who I am? I was human. It’s impossible for me to become queen!”

 

“Fiona!”

 

“You don’t get it! Even if we tried—”

 

“ Fiona! ”

 

She flinched back at the sound of my voice. “W-what?”

 

“What is with you vampires?” I demanded, scowling at her. “You and Sebastian! You’re so negative all the time! What if this? What if that? Guess what? Have you ever watched the Princess Diaries? What’s-Her-Face was supposed to get married to a man, but she didn’t! She ran the country on her own! Sebastian could do that too! You guys can start something new! Screw the rest of the world! You haven’t been waiting this whole damn time for nothing, Fiona! Don’t give up so easily! Stop crying!”

 

With wide eyes, she nodded her head, wiping her eyes again. “O-okay.”

 

Breathing a little heavier than usual, I could feel my cheeks starting to heat up from my words. “Honestly, Fiona. If you’re in love, don’t let anything stop you. I don’t know much about your world, but you can’t just give up so easily. Sebastian loves you too— don’t give up so easily! ”

 

“How do you know?” she whispered.

 

“Sebastian and I are really close,” I answered with a wink. “But both of you two are so… so meek . Stop being pushed around by those above you. If Sebastian is going to be king, he can do something about this. King is higher than Court, right?”

 

She slowly nodded her head. “Y-yeah, I guess.”

 

“Don’t worry about the ball. Sebastian won’t enjoy it one bit,” I told her confidently. “Just get on the dance floor and make him jealous.”

 

A grin broke across her face. “Isn’t that evil?”

 

 

“Well I think it’s a fair trade. Him being forced to dance with women he doesn’t have feelings for… You have to watch it.”

 

She laughed. “That doesn’t sound very fair to him.”

 

“Make sure to tell him you love him.”

 

Her eyes widened. “What? No way! I told you I can’t do that!”

 

“He needs to hear it, Fiona. He doesn’t believe me when I tell him you still have feelings for him.”

 

“How did you know I did?”

 

I rolled my eyes. “I can just tell. It’s not that hard. Well, actually, it’s a little more difficult with you than Sebastian, but you have signs.”

 

“Signs?”

 

“The way you still call him Seb is one,” I informed her, pursing my lips. “And how you’ve never dated any of the guys at my school…”

 

She blushed. “I-It’s not like I rejected everyone because of him…”

 

“Yes you did. Just say it.”

 

“Say what?”

 

“Say you love him.”

 

“No way!” she cried, waving her hands in front of her body. “I can’t do that! Emily, that’s too embarrassing—”

 

I gave her a flat look. “Don’t you think it’ll be harder saying it to his face?”

 

She became more flustered, whipping her head back and forth. “It’s impossible to say that to his face!”

 

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“If you don’t say it he might think you don’t care and find someone to marry at the ball.”

 

 

Silence filled the room after my comment. It looked like Fiona was struggling on what to do. Finally she sighed, tugging at a piece of her hair. “Fine… I… I love Sebastian,” she rushed.

 

I shook my head, grinning like a maniac. It was fun playing Cupid. “Nope, say it louder.”

 

“I love Sebastian.”

 

“What? I can’t hear you?”

 

She glowered at me. “Really?”

 

“What?”

 

“I love Sebastian!”

 

Taken aback by her sudden shouting, I jolted back. Her face was completely red and her shoulders were heaving. Without warning, the door to the bathroom opened. I turned my head to tell the person it was occupied, but my breath caught when I noticed it was Sebastian.

 

How cliché…

 

“Oh my god!” Fiona cried, her eyes widening.

 

“Fiona,” he started, his face completely blank.

 

She turned on me. “Emily!”

 

“I didn’t know he was there!”

 

“Fiona!” Sebastian repeated, moving toward her.

 

“I’m sorry!” she cried, putting her hand down. “Excuse me—”

 

“Fiona, wait!” Sebastian demanded, twisting on his heel as Fiona disappeared from the bathroom.

 

I stared after her, my mouth hanging open. That wasn’t exactly what I planned. Sebastian was staring at me, flabbergasted. I shooed him with my hands. “Go! Go get her! I told you, Sebastian! Now get!”

 

After a moment he nodded, stepping back into the restaurant. With his hand on the doorframe, he paused, turning back to me. “Thank you, Emily…”

 

 

“It’s no problem,” I responded with a smile, mocking saluting him. “Go get her back.”

 

He grinned. “Vincent’s alone at the table. The waitress is trying to flirt with him.”

 

Nodding, I quickly hurried out of the bathroom, shutting the door after me. It only took a few moments for me to locate our reserved table. Vincent was sitting at his, crossing his arms, a grumpy expression on his face. Grinning at the sight, I slowed my pace to a crawl to keep him waiting. When he noticed me, he beckoned with his finger for me to hurry up.

 

“What took so long?” he demanded as soon as I was close enough.

 

“Oh, you know, just helping a friend out,” I responded with a smirk.

 

He frowned. “Don’t tell me…”

 

“Don’t you think Fiona and Sebastian are meant to be?”

 

He dropped his head back and groaned. “I knew it.”

 

“What? You should be happy for them!”

 

“I am,” he told me gruffly, avoiding my gaze, “but I also know what this is going to cause. I’ve had enough trouble for a lifetime.”

 

I stuck out my chest. “Good thing you have plenty of those.”

 

He rolled his eyes. “Whatever. This is a good thing I guess. No more awkward tension between the two.”

 

“Don’t you think they’re just so cute together?” I gushed excitedly. “It’s like a fairytale! They get to live together happily for forever! You know, because they’re both vampires! If Fiona was still a human, she’d die…” I trailed off, realizing my words. An uncomfortable feeling washed through me. Human’s died…

 

.

 

.

 

Vincent seemed to be guessing my thoughts. “Are you afraid of dying?”

 

His question took me by surprise. “Huh?”

 

“Are you afraid to die?” he repeated.

 

 

“Oh, um, yeah. Who isn’t?” I responded, cupping my elbow with my hand. “It isn’t a pleasant idea, but it happens to everyone.”

 

He hummed his response, his sapphire eyes smoldering into mine. “Do you want to die?”

 

My heart skipped a beat. What was he thinking? Was he planning on asking me if I wanted to become a vampire? Was that what was hidden behind his words? “N-no I don’t, but I-I mean I guess I have to one day. I hope it’s when I’m old and wrinkly.”

 

“I see,” he said, grinning. “Old and wrinkly? Ew. I won’t want you then.”

 

“Hey!”

 

“It’s true.”

 

I fake scowled at him. “You could be at least friendly about it!”

 

“You want me to lie?”

 

“You’re so annoying!”

 

“Wouldn’t it be creepy if I said I wanted an old woman?” he pointed out, giving me an eye roll. “Think about that seriously, Stupid.”

 

Crossing my arms, I let out a huff of annoyance. “Whatever. I don’t want to think about getting older. I’m still a ripe, prime seventeen year old.”

 

Vincent suddenly grinned maliciously. “Jail bait, huh?”

 

“How old are you again?” Was it mean that I couldn’t remember?

 

“I’m—”

 

“In human years!” I added quickly.

 

He smirked. “Nineteen. I do believe I told you that before.”

 

“I forgot,” I admitted bashfully. “Sorry.”

 

“Don’t apologize,” he told me, reaching over to gently knock his fist against my head. “Humans have weak minds.”

 

I wrinkled my nose at him. “I don’t, remember? You can’t erase my mind.”

 

 

He shrugged. “You’re a Blue Blood, remember? You’re already different than everyone else.”

 

“I still age the same.”

 

“Yeah.”

 

My stomach twisted. Yes, I still aged the same. That meant I’d look much older than Vincent one day. When I was thirty, he’d probably still appear to be at the same age as he was now. But I couldn’t become a vampire. I couldn’t change into one of them! I didn’t belong with them. But…

 

“What?” Vincent demanded when he caught me staring at him.

 

“Do you want— ah!” I gasped, cutting myself off. I couldn’t ask him that! What was I doing? What was I thinking? There was no way I was ever going to become a vampire! Even if Vincent wanted me to change… it just couldn’t happen! “Sorry, it’s nothing,” I finished lamely.

 

He gave me a suspicious look. “You sure?”

 

“I… Yeah,” I murmured, sending my eyes downcast. “It’s nothing important…”

 

“Whatever.”

 

“Vincent?”

 

“What?”

 

“Would you like me even if I was thirty years old?”

 

He cocked an eyebrow. “No?”

 

I chuckled in relief. “Oh, okay.”

 

“Why would you even ask that?”

 

.

 

.

 

“I just figured if you were like Edward I’d be too creeped out to keep dating you,” I explained.

 

He scoffed. “Please don’t ever compare us. You would have to be crazy to be attracted to an old lady.”

 

“What if you really loved me?”

 

“I couldn’t ever love you that much.”

 

I gaped at him in disbelief. “Wow! You really are a jerk!”

 

He snickered. “Yeah, and?”

 

“I can’t believe you! That’s so mean!”

 

“Look,” he said flatly. “If I really loved you, do you think I’d let you continue living on as a human?”

 

I opened my mouth to reply to him, but found I couldn’t say anything. For some reason, I felt disappointed. Did that mean he didn’t love me? No, I thought, shaking my head. Of course he didn’t love me. We’d just become a couple. That would be silly…

 

But still I felt a little put out.

 

“Of course,” he continued when he realized I wasn’t going to say anything, “you’re still a little young, so I’d wait until your face matured before I did anything.”

 

“Yeah, we wouldn’t want you looking like a pedophile,” I remarked slyly, smirking again.

 

He shot me a dirty look. “I don’t look that old.”

 

“Or do you?”

 

“If I did, would you really think I’m handsome?”

 

“Who said I thought you’re handsome?”

 

“You don’t have to say it. It’s obvious. I’ve looked in a mirror before.”

 

Laughing, I shook my head at him. “Try not to be too pompous.”

 

He suddenly flicked something at me. “Here.”

 

I glanced down at the table, startled to see a red rose on it. For a moment I was too stunned to move. “A rose?”

 

“Haven’t you read the story? A Rose for Emily?”

 

I shook my head, picking up the fragile flower. “This is unexpectedly romantic.”

 

“It was Sebastian’s idea.”

 

“Figures.”

 

“Doesn’t it count that I went along with it?”

 

Well, since it was Vincent… “It does,” I decided. “I wouldn’t expect you to come up with something like this. What’s the story about?”

 

He smiled wickedly, an amused glint to his eyes. “An old lady sleeping next to a dead body.”

 

Immediately I tossed the rose away from me. “Ew!”

 

He chuckled. “I’m kidding, it’s just a creepy love story. That’s just the ending part.”

 

“What do you read?” I muttered, snatching up the rose again. It didn’t relate to the story… and it was too pretty to waste. “Thank you though.”

 

“Your welcome,” he mumbled, looking away from me. “Oh look who it is,” he said before I could comment about his embarrassment. “The future King and Queen have returned.”

 

Following his gaze, my eyes landed on the two vampires who, to my great satisfaction, were holding hands. My heart jumped a little in joy. Fiona caught my gaze and grinned happily. I just smiled back at her.

 

“Have our drinks came yet?” Sebastian asked, trying to act like nothing happened. “It’s been awhile.”

 

“No, they haven’t,” Vincent told him. “It’s a good thing too. Maybe you’d like to share one with Fiona instead.”

 

Sebastian scowled at his brother while Fiona blushed. I nudged Vincent in the side disapprovingly. He just laughed to himself.

 

“I’m sure you wouldn’t mind sharing one with Emily, since you two have shared spit before,” Sebastian retorted casually, obviously proud of his smart comeback.

 

This time it was Vincent who glared at his brother while I felt my face heat up. I could tell it was going to be a very long night.