I walked to school as I always used to, but now feeling much different, actually feeling excitement rather than dread. Donavon soon pulled in with his black car and met me in front of the school. At first, he didn't say anything but just stared with a smile.

"What?" I asked.

"Nothing. I'm just happy to see you." 

"You see me almost every day."

"I know, but I'm happy about it each time."

I stood awkwardly, not knowing what to expect around him anymore. I kind of secretly hoped he would hug me again or something, but he didn't. We then made our way to class. 

~*~

"I'm good at math, but that biology stuff really messes with my brain," Donavon said as we started eating during lunch hour.

"It's actually not that hard."

"How can you say that!? There are way too many weird names for everything. If they named things like 'the middle golf ball' or 'the outer squiggle thing' and such then, I might get an A."

I found myself smiling until two bodies walked up to our table. It was Jennifer, and Kyson Conway was beside her holding her hand. Of course he would go after a fresh victim like her, being fairly good looking. Poor, pitiful girl…

Jennifer quickly introduced Kyson to Donavon.

Seemingly amused, Kyson smirked at me before sitting down. A few of his followers joined our table and seemed to hang on every word as he dominated all conversation, acting like a showy clown.

My insides were growling at the invasion, but there was nothing I could do but blankly stare at Donavon. I finished my food as quickly as I could and started to head out, giving a glance back at Donavon. He took it as a message and followed me. Finally, all the laughter was far enough away for me to be able to think.

"You might want to let your cousin know that she probably doesn't want to date that guy," I said, looking at the floor.

"Do you know much about him?" He asked.

"Just that he's a jerk, and the school's biggest flirt. That's all." 

His expression seemed a bit uneased, but I wasn't sure if it was about Jennifer or not.

"You seem pretty bothered about him," he said, studying my face. He pried more when I didn't answer. "Has he ever hurt you or anything?" I wasn't sure if he meant physically or emotionally, but I didn't want any unanswered theory left in his head.

"No, of course not. And I have never dated him or anyone ever for that matter. I just notice a lot after so many years of watching people. It doesn't take long to realize that he's a very dis-pleasant guy."

"Just so you know, I haven't dated anyone before either."

"Really?" I said, feeling I sounded kind of dumb. 

He took a step closer as our eyes locked. His hand gently reached down to mine. It was the hoped for yet dreaded moment.

"I haven't cared for anyone till I met you," he spoke softly.

I simply stared back dumbly in the intense moment. He glanced at my lips for a split second, and I feared he might kiss me, but he didn't. The school halls started to fill up again, and we went back to class.

Donavon drove me home after school—a new trend I'm sure would continue.

He walked me to the porch in a slow shuffle feet sort of way.

"Well, I guess I will see you tomorrow," he said.

"Yeah…" I answered, pausing in front of him. 

He didn't hug me or give any affectionate goodbye like I expected. He seemed to be waiting for something as well—permission perhaps? I couldn't expect him to do all the work could I? I wanted to hug him, but somehow my arms didn't know how to move.

"You know, we could probably hang out after school sometimes. I mean if that's okay with you," he said.

"Yeah…" Was all I said again, wishing I was better with words. He then left—no hug.

It left me feeling confused and jilted, but it was probably my fault. I hadn't necessarily given him any clarifications of how I felt about him.  Stupid girl… What was my problem?

~*~

Inside, I met my aunt in the kitchen, rummaging through cupboards.

"Hey, Avery, how was your day?"

"It was alright…." I paused a moment. "So, Aunt Lil….how do you know when people are like…you know…together…officially?"

"Well, has he held your hand yet?"

"Aunt Lil!... I'm talking about people in general…"

She laughed. "Alright well, have these in general people held hands?"

"Let's just assume they have."

"Then I would most definitely say they are officially together." She smiled at me.

"You mean it doesn't take verbal agreement?"

"Not always."

"Oh…"

So if my aunt was right, was Donavon really my boyfriend? My face heated at the thought. So then why did I feel like I couldn't say the right things back or at least something simple like hug him? 

I felt relationships were really only official when made verbally. And then there was the vampire thing… It just didn't seem right to act like we were together before he knew. I would have to tell him.

Interrupting my thoughts, my aunt spoke. "It looks like we are having company for dinner tonight." I sat at a kitchen chair and let her continue to speak as she turned to me. "Jeffery would like to get to know both of us."

"He's coming tonight?" I finished her thought.

"Yes, if that's alright with you."

"It would be like a date but with me randomly thrown in. Wouldn't that be weird?"

"No, of course not," my aunt insisted.

"Whose idea was this?" I asked.

"It was a joint effort."

"Cause if you're just doing this so I don't feel left out, I can always hang out with Donavon."

"I know. Like I said, he wants to spend time with both of us. Sweetie, we aren't dating. He is just coming over for dinner."

I then started to think about future possibilities. What if they really liked each other? What if they got married? Would she go live with him? What would this mean for me? Would I go live with my dad?

My stomach started to feel crawly. This could possibly change everything. Living with my dad wouldn't be horrible. It was fine for a time, but would it feel like losing a mom? I wasn't a real daughter, so wouldn't it be weird if I was around? I knew I had tried to stress to my aunt that dating someone was fine, but deep down I think I still wanted her to myself. But I also didn't want to be selfish. 

Okay, I was really thinking too hard about it. Better to just not to worry and take a day at a time. That was starting to become my mindset. The future held too many worries already.

I helped my aunt with preparing dinner as we both remained in silence. It was hard to read her, but she acted calm—almost too calm, as if trying to hide a bit of uneasiness.

By five, Jeffery arrived in a very fancy looking car. 

"Is this guy super rich?" I asked my aunt as I spied on him from the window. He wore jeans and a button up shirt and carried something in his hand.

"I would say he is well off," my aunt answered. I gave her a look as if to say "must be way well off."

My aunt opened the front door to greet him. His whole face lit up in a genuine smile.

"Just like I promised, I brought a pie," he said, raising it a bit. "My sister owns a bakery, so I picked it up fresh from there."

"We really appreciate that," my aunt answered, leading him to the kitchen. They both sat at the table, but I simply stood back a ways, staring at them from the archway. It seemed I would be interrupting to step foot into their world. I wanted to be happy for my aunt, yet at the same time I didn't want any separation. I tried to shake that thought.

This guy clearly out ranked my aunt when it came to money, yet I knew that she possibly could have had a better career if she had finished her past dreams. But I liked the fact that this guy seemed to appraise her inner person higher than her outward worth. There was still something protective inside of me, just in case this guy wasn't as he seemed. His past actions pointed to noblement, so it did seem unlikely that he was a jerk.  After all, almost forty years should be enough time for a man to shed his diapers.

I couldn't help notice that my aunt's eyes seemed extra sparkly. She probably liked him more than she let on. For her sake, I would have to accept any future she might have with him.

A moment later, my aunt saw me simply standing there in the distance. She waved me over with a smile. Both of their eyes seemed to have true invitation in them, though I still felt like I was invading. I took my seat on the further side of the table and quietly listened to their conversation. 

Jeffery would slightly talk with his hands some, but in a dignified way. He then started to talk about his dog… Ugh not a dog… I couldn't believe he had a slobbery dog face. That was his only strike against him. Maybe I could forgive him of that one wrong…

He then turned to me, "Avery, your aunt has told me that you are into art as well."

It caught me a little off guard by the sudden attention shift. "Well…I'm not a painter like my aunt."    

"Drawing is still art, is it not?" He smiled. "But yes, your aunt is an incredible painter. I believe her work should be put on display and even sold." He turned back to her, "I'm surprised you never pursued it as a career."

She smiled warmly. "Though I would have not minded that, I liked the freedom of simply painting for the enjoyment."

He smiled back to her reply. "I believe that's what makes your art even more special." 

After more chatting, my aunt served the food.

As we ate, Jeff did a grade-A-job at eating politely, yet still keeping a conversation and balancing eye contact, making sure not to leave me out. My aunt always knew what to say. If only I could be like her when I was with Donavon… Would I always make things awkward?

After a while, my aunt started to cut the pie. "I'm assuming you will want some milk with this?" She smiled at Jeff.

"Why yes of course," he gleamed back. "Tell me where the glasses are, and I will serve us all."

"To the right of the fridge."

He headed towards the cupboard where my jars of blood were also kept.

"The left side," I quickly blurted, not wanting him to accidentally see the blood. They both looked at me from my sudden outburst, but soon everything went back to normal.

Pie was soon eaten and more chatting happened after. My aunt walked outside with Jeff to say goodbye. I wasn't sure what happened on the other side of the door, but my mind could only make wild guesses—a hug, a kiss, a ring? A goodbye to my future with my aunt?

After I realized that it was going to take a bit for my aunt to come back inside, I walked to the cupboard where my blood was kept—not there… My aunt must have moved it. But this really shouldn't have surprised me… Of course she would want to hide this fact to the guy she liked, that her niece was a monster. 

But I didn't blame her… I most certainly couldn't live with her if they really were to ever marry. And if she didn't even want to tell Jeff, how could I even start to begin to tell Donavon?

I sat still in my fallen hopes until my aunt finally entered the house, of course, with a bright smile.

"Well, what did you think of him?" she asked.

"He's really nice." And I did mean it but couldn't hide my gloomy tone.

"Avery, what's wrong?"

I wished more than anything to share all my fears with her, but I couldn't… If I let her know, she might let her chances go with Jeff. I couldn't live with myself to get in the way of that.

"I'm just tired, so I'll just be going to bed now." I started to head to my room and added with a quick turn, "Jeff seems great, you did good, Aunt Lil."

In bed I wondered if I was wrong to feel this way. It's not like she would neglect me just because she was with him. But it would still change a lot… 

My thoughts spun in a thousand different patterns and finally darkened to sleep.