I awoke to the sound of my aunt's car leaving. The fading echo left a cold emptiness. The same haunting memories always followed, and I was alone once again. I didn't care if I loathed people, but four walls filled with nothing but me and air was enough to make my brains want to crawl out of my head and wander to the corner of the floor. I had to get out. It appeared to be a nice day with the sun shining.

Once quickly dressed in jeans and a bright blue t-shirt, I headed out, not bothering with makeup. It was doubtful I would see anyone of importance.

Once at the all too familiar park, I sat at my swing and watched the people around. I wondered what really went on inside of their heads as everyone passed by—the track people jogging together and kids playing with their parents. I also saw a couple—mister baggy pants and emo-haired girl. My eyes went to their hands that grasped onto each other. 

I knew what all these people had in common that I didn't…and that was friendship…at least in some form. This, I guess, was by choice. Really though, what did it matter in the end?

A tall figure on a skateboard now came by. I froze. I knew that same tall, skinny body. His head slightly turned and gave a quick mindless glance at me and then continued on. I guess he didn't recognize me…

His head then shot back. Shocked eyes stared at normal looking me.

Never mind…

He stumbled on his skateboard, having to jump off and then chase the runaway board. Now would be a good time to sneak away…but I didn't move.

His pants were worn. Jean strings hung down from his pockets. His boney hand gripped his board, then he looked back for a moment. Even from a distance, his eyes stood out.

He jumped back on his board, heading down the pavement away from the swings where I sat. He tried a kick-flip but didn't land it. He kept riding back and forth on the same path doing tricks. From time to time, he would glance at me. It didn't seem to bother him that I was glaring at him continuously. He finally left, rolling down the path till out of sight. There went my entertainment.

A few silent moments later, a swift body came from behind and sat on the swing beside me. Again, I almost jumped. It was skater boy…

"Is it your habit to sneak up on people?" I shot at him.

His light eyes only smiled back.

"I don't try to." He spoke softly.

Though, I knew perfectly well it was his full intention to sneak up on me and attempt to not be totally awkward. Well, it didn't work.

"Avery, right?" He asked. After some time, I nodded. "I'm Donavon. I like your drawings. You're really good."

I looked down at the well kicked ground under my swing. Most times my sharp remarks made ease out of my mouth, yet this boney, skater boy made me feel as if one rude word might fall on his frail body and break him.

"Alexander, he's my bunny." What was I doing? I shouldn't be encouraging him to talk to me. "He felt bad you were spying on him." That was dumb to say…

He laughed. "Well, maybe if I get an invitation, I won't be sneaking anymore."

My eyes went wide. I could say a number of things to get him to leave. Why didn't I? Was it his soft approach unlike the others? 

Stupid boy. He was really putting me out for words today. So I didn't speak.

He started to swing as high as a kids' swings could, the metal chains squeaked like crazy. He finally jumped out of the swing. I looked at him as he walked back.

"As you saw, I'm actually not much of a skateboarder." He laughed. "I really am more of a snowboarder but was forced to pick up skateboarding once snowboarding was no longer an option. I miss Colorado." He paused. "So what about you? What do you do? Other than drawing."

The question alarmed me. I wasn't used to being asked things…other than my aunt asking how my day was. If people ever did talk to me, they didn't care one bunny fuzz about my life.

For a peaceful moment, my eyes locked with this stranger. Was he really any different from the others? He almost seemed like a person I might want to know. All the others I had figured out—nothing hidden within their simple, selfish minds.

I looked back out at the darkening sky as I gripped the swing's chains tighter, trying to slow my heart rate down.

I finally answered. "Other than sitting at a swing with a snowboarder guy that sucks at skateboarding, that's about it." 

He laughed. It was soft but genuine. I guess he didn't get offended.

"Well, I hope he doesn't bore you," he answered.

I almost wanted to look over again but didn't. Almost in a way, I was just thankful I didn't have to be alone all day.

He asked question after question. First about my drawings—what I liked to draw the most, when I started drawing and why. I paused a bit at that one and accidently let my mind drift off a little too deep.

"Well…it was really all I had."

"What do you mean?" His eyes were always on mine. I always had to look away.

"Well, my aunt's a painter, so I learned from her." I answered part of his question.

He nodded and went on to ask my favorite color and favorite whatevers. There were so many things I wondered about him, but I dared not ask. I shouldn't have even spoken to him at all.

"What foods do you like?"

"Hot Cheetos are the best. There is no doubt."

"I'm starved, wanna get some?"  

Why did he even care about spending time with me? Was it my good looks? Or did he want to figure out the weirdo?

"I have to go. My aunt's going to be home soon."

"You live with your aunt?" He asked.

With a huff, I rolled my eyes. I really didn't mean to give out that information. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. It was too dangerous. I got up and started walking.

"Do you live far? I can walk you home." He said, getting up.

"No skater boy." I kept going without a look back. Was I being too mean? "See you at school."

"What about tomorrow?"

~*~

I was sitting on the couch with Alexander by the time my aunt got home. The sound of her entering the door brought comfort of sorts. I never knew where she had been going off to so often these days, but I never asked her about anything. Her social life was about as nonexistent as mine, and she usually only left the house for work, as far as I knew.

"Hey, sweetie, how was your day?"

"Merf-lug."

She ignored my gibberish and sat by me with her tea, her legs casually tucked aside yet with dignified posture.

"What did your father get you?" She asked. I stared out blankly with no reply. "Did you even open it?"

I gave her a look. "He doesn't care, why should I?"

"Avery, your father has made some mistakes, but he gave you over to me because he thought it was best for you. After your mother died, things have been very hard on him." I looked pathetically at her. "Not that I'm making any excuses." She breathed in deeply, leaning back into the couch.

How long would she keep giving me these lectures?

I kept my glance at Alexander. "He doesn't want to get hurt again, whatever I get it. We both know that's why it's best we just stay away from each other. I don't blame him." I paused and lowered my voice. "No one wants to love a monster. I don't know why he was ever with that woman, but now he sees it was a waste." I was being way too honest now. I hated for my feelings to seep out like this. My hands were now tightly gripping bunny fur.

"No one wants you to stay away." She was looking straight at me now, leaning closer in. Her voice was so soft and filled with concern. 

"It really doesn't matter. It won't be long now," I said.

"We don't know that for sure. Your father wants to spend time with you."

"You kidding? After all these years?"

"Your dad has been tormented all this time from what he's done in the past. Please, just give him a chance."

I said I didn't blame him, but I did. At least my aunt tried. My head was spinning. All this time I had told myself I was protecting them. But was I just being selfish all along? Like a stupid human?... Like a stupid vampire...

I laid in bed awake for hours. Not much of my life as being "normal" was left. Was I really just going to keep going on like this? I was tired of it. Tired of not telling my aunt what was really on my mind, tired of acting like someone I wasn't just to keep away from any kind of friendship. But it wasn't safe. Not for me, not for them. 

To be honest, I was just scared. I didn't want to be who I was, yet I had no choice. I hated my mother for having me, hated my dad for marrying her, hated that he had cared about her more than me. What was she to him? She was a monster. Just like I was…

~*~

Morning finally came as my dry eyes strained to open. I honestly didn't want to get up. Was I finally seeing that my life truly had no point? I thought sleep might swipe away clean all my frustrations, but things only felt worse. It was a numb feeling that dearly wished not to be disturbed again. So I would just forget about all of this and keep going on.

I got up and rummaged through my closet for fresh clothes. My father's gift sat on the floor. I honestly wondered what he had gotten me. My curiosity gave in. I ripped it open and lifted the lid. I didn't know whether to laugh or to be disturbed. I dumped the pocket knife in my hand. The blade was extremely sharp.

"Wow, thanks dad. Way to go helping me with my monstrous future." I flung the junk back into my closet. I definitely wasn't going to see him. I knew what he saw me as.

I looked at all the drawings on my walls. This was what little I did have. Would I even care about this later? And what about Alexander?

I sat on my floor listening to my aunt doing her workout video downstairs.

Park? Nah, he wouldn't be there. Why did I care anyway? His last words echoed in my mind. What about tomorrow?

Why would he care about spending time with me? I kicked my wall.

"Seriously! This is so dumb." I got dressed and headed to the park.

I couldn't believe I was going. I told myself to turn back, yet something begged against it. Each footstep followed another till I saw him—my dreaded hope. 

He was sitting on a swing. He stood. I stood still—just looking. He was looking…staring. Then came his smile. I almost wanted to smile back but didn't.

"Well…how long are you gonna keep me waiting?" He shouted from the distance. I slowly walked closer. "So what took you so long? Been waiting for hours."

Really? He had been waiting for that long?

"What, is it a sin to sleep in?"

He smiled, shaking his head as his hair flopped about.

"Besides…" I added. "I never said I was going to come."

"Look what I brought." He pointed to his skateboard alongside another one. I squinted my eyes at him. Really?… "Here." He dropped one by me. "Hop on."

"Do you want to murder me?"

"I hope I'm not that bad of a teacher!"

Did he really want to teach me? I stood for a moment just staring at it.

Everything in me begged to not get on that thing, but he had brought it all the way here for me. Something about him almost seemed so innocent, like a stray puppy that makes you feel compelled to pet it.

Finally, I awkwardly put a foot on the board and then the other. He stood closely by me as he directed me how to push myself. 

What was I doing? This was crazy.

Standing on the board, I was eye level with him. For a moment our gaze met, and I almost stopped breathing. I hadn't been this close to another person in a long time. His hand was then on my arm to stabilize me as I went forward. Panicking, I jumped off.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"This isn't a good idea." I felt hot. Really hot.

"I promise not to let you fall."

"No…I mean…spending time together."

He just stared at me for a silent moment—his eyes so soft. I wondered what was going through his head, but he gave no clues. Now I was just making things awkward. I was better at being weird and not normal. Turning, I started to walk away.

"But I like spending time with you," he called after me.

I stopped. No…this was all wrong. I couldn't be making friends with anyone, especially a loner guy who just moved and didn't have any other friends. I couldn't be depended on. No one could need me…and I couldn't need anyone.

"Please, just give me an explanation," he pleaded.

Uh, I'm a vampire for one. I couldn't explain.

"People would like you if you gave them a chance."

That was the thing, I couldn't give them a chance.

He went on. "I don't know you well but enough to know whatever front you put up at school isn't the real you…but…I would like to know who that is." 

His words stabbed. He could never understand. I could never have a normal life.

I felt a wetness trying to fill my eyes. Crying? I didn't cry—haven't for years. 

I wanted to run. I wanted to stay. I wanted to hide. I wanted to share who I really was with someone. For the first time, I felt that someone cared. Yes, my aunt was always kind, but she had her obligations. 

"Don't feel sorry for me." My voice sounded cracked.

Before I even knew it, he had walked right in front of me looking full into my tear filled face. I shoved him away, then ran. I hated him.