ADRIA’S POV
Wait… What was Derek doing? Was he trying to kiss me? He leaned in with his eyes closed, but I immediately moved back a little, placing a gentle hand on his chest.
He opened his eyes, and looked at me, and I shook my head a little.
“I was just talking about someone I still love.” I said in a little voice, so he could know how weird his action was, and he chuckled, then moved back.
“It’s my way of comforting. You just seemed so sad, and depressed, that I thought a kiss would help take it all away.” He explained, picking up little rocks, and throwing them against trees, as he was used to doing.
“I appreciate you, Derek. Humans see you, and scream, but honestly, you’re a great guy. You’ve got a kind heart, handsome face, charming voice…” I started to list out his qualities, and he blushed.
“That’s cringy. Come on, stop.” He said, pushing my shoulder lightly.
“I mean… why do those human girls scream? They should be happy that a handsome as hell vampire is giving them the last experience of their lives. They should be happy you’re touching them, and you’re the last person they’ll see.” I told him dramatically, and he burst into laughter.
“I said to stop it…”
“Honestly, if I hadn’t met Lucien first, I’d be head over heels in love with you. I wouldn’t be able to speak when you’re near, and my cheeks would be all red whenever I’m gazing at you. My dreams would be filled with you, and gosh… you wouldn’t rest until you accepted to go out with me.”
He laughed, and fell back on the rock at my words, and I laughed with him.
“You sound like you’ll be a stalker when you’re in love.” He commented, sitting back up, and I giggled.
“We never know. I’ve never met a man who hasn’t liked me back, yet.”
“Take a look at that confidence. Where was it when I was pleading with you to have your first drink?” He asked, and I hit his shoulder playfully.
“My confidence was busy in the gym, trying to get stronger.” I replied, and we both laughed, and continued to exchange silly remarks.
“Alright. You made me blush today, which is something that I’ve never done in all my life, so I’m going to give you a present. I’ll bring you a human. You won’t have to deal with the stress of hunting, and I’ll make sure the human is very delicious.” He promised, and my eyes lit up in excitement.
“Oh really? I hit the jackpot then.”
“Yeah, you did. So, let’s go hunt for something to eat now.” He replied, jumping down from the rock, and stretching his hand out to help me.
“I can do better than what you just did, but why not?” I said, taking his hand, and he laughed.
“Your confidence really did some serious working out.”
I, and Derek bounced, hand in hand outside the forest, ready to find prey, and I had never felt the sense of belonging that I felt at that moment.
He was so accepting, encouraging, and even took jokes, and returned them.
If, truly, I hadn’t met Lucien, I was very sure I would have fallen in love with Derek.
~
The next day was a school day that I couldn’t avoid. I wished I could just stay home all day, resting, before my hunt with Derek, but of course, it was a luxury I couldn’t afford.
In the hallways, as I walked, I happened to see Professor Lucien with a female student. She was giving him a few textbooks, and she said something, but he looked like he couldn’t understand her.
Then, I noticed she was Indian. She stressed her words slowly, and when Lucien heard them, he laughed, and I felt jealous.
The jealousy I felt was so strong that it felt like it gripped my heart strongly in its hold. Why did she get to talk to him?
I was the only student who was allowed to talk to him. Derek had asked me to starve myself, so I’d be hungry enough for the prey he’d present to me, as a gift, but I really felt like sinking my teeth into her neck.
The both of them laughed again, then he opened her textbooks, and started pointing out some things for her.
Still pouting, I turned around, and walked away, ditching class.
I was no longer in the mood to sit at a boring lecture, and listen to some lecturer drone on about something I already knew.
After all my classes that day, I waited for Stacy, and the guys to join me, as we had agreed to go home together.
She arrived shortly, and I hugged her, and the boys.
“Stacy told me I’ve been a real bighead to you guys. I’m so sorry.” I apologized, trying to sound cute, so they’d forget whatever grudge they nursed against me.
“Aww.” Tommy squealed, ruffling my hair, while Daniel laughed, then threw a canned drink my way.
“It’s fine.” He replied.
As we walked, we intended to go to a cinema together the next day, and I was excited. It meant I’d have to leave Derek hunting alone, which was very sad, but I had left my friends alone for too long. I had to show Stacy that I truly loved her.
~
Later that night, Derek showed up with a broad smile.
“This one smells really good. I think you’ll love her.” He said immediately he saw me.
“Alright. Show her to me.” I replied, but he suddenly stopped walking, then he sniffed the air once, and his expression changed.
“I smell something weird. Hang on, I’ll be right back.” He suddenly said, and dashed away, without me being able to say a word.
I sighed, and took out my tumbler of blood. I hadn’t tasted blood all day, and I didn’t want to drink the blood of the prey he had gotten for me, without him being there to see how much I enjoyed, and appreciated it.
However, as I took a little sip out of the blood in my tumbler, I realized I couldn’t wait. I would have to drink before he returned.
Then, I turned in the direction the girl was standing. She had broken out of the hypnosis Derek had put her in, and she walked backwards, looking all around in fear.
She didn’t know she was walking right into the hands of danger.
My claws stretched out, so did my fangs, and I walked slowly to her, making no noise.
She, however, suddenly turned, and I froze.
Facing me with fright on her face was Stacy.