I laid awake, wrestling with all the possible doom facing my future. How could I possibly tell Donavon? I had no idea what was really going to happen, right? I would just have to let things play out. I couldn't let it take over me.

Daylight finally made its way into my room, but my exhausted eyes weren't ready to meet it. Somehow I still dragged myself out of bed. I went to Alexander and held him a few moments. Stroking his soft fur relaxed me.

"I will always love you fuzz-ball," I whispered into his bunny ear. 

Next, heading to the kitchen, I found my aunt making her tea.

"Good morning, Avery."  

I went over and hugged her tightly. I truly appreciated my aunt, and I never wanted that to change. I almost wanted to tell her what happened, but the fear of admitting it to myself was too strong.

"Will we still get to do stuff together?" I asked.

"Of course, sweetie. Any time you want."

That morning, I drank extra blood. I was always told I didn't need much, but just in case. 

With each step to school, more terror echoed in my body. When I saw Donavon in the parking lot, I started to shake. I couldn't believe that the last time I was in his arms I didn't even care. Rushing to him, I put my arms around his neck. He needed to know how much I cared.

"Wow," he said softly, probably surprised by my unusual forwardness.

Once I pulled away, I looked intensely at him. "I just want you to know that…" I then stopped not really knowing what I wanted to say. Anything I could have said just sounded stupid.

"That???..." He prodded.

"That…I don't want to not be with you."

He laughed softly. "I want to be with you too, Avery." He then lightly kissed my head. 

Instantly, I felt my heart burning into goo. If only amazing moments like these could be separate from fear. I couldn't lose myself… I just couldn't…

Walking into school, I was shaking inside, but my hand in Donavon's gave me some stability. Thankfully, I didn't see Kyson but then came time for lunch break.

"Do we have to sit with them?" I asked as we headed to the cafeteria.

"Well, I kind of don't care for my cousin's friends, but I don't want to be rude."

"Did you ever tell Jennifer that she shouldn't date Kyson?" I asked.

"I didn't really feel it was my place, maybe you should?"

"But you know her way better."

"Yeah, but you're a girl. And you actually know Kyson. I don't think she would listen to me anyway." 

"Kyson seems to have a way of destroying girl's brain functions," I said dryly.

"Look, their table looks pretty full, we could probably find a different one," he said, leading me through the crowds of people.

I could smell Kyson, but it wasn't nearly as strong as before. Of course, their table was the loudest as Kyson acted his usual doofus self that made everyone worship him. He smooched Jennifer often, but I felt it was mostly just to show off.

It only upset me, so I decided to stop watching them. I was just thankful Donavon wasn't like that.

"My aunt's basically engaged," I made conversation with him.

"Wow, that fast?"

"They have known each other for years, so it makes sense."

"Why didn't they get married sooner then?"

"Honestly, I know it was because of me."

"How so?" He looked up from his food.

Pausing, I shuffled my feet under the table. "Growing up I didn't know how to handle things, so I distanced myself from everyone. I guess she just put all her effort into being there for me. She really did sacrifice a lot."

"Oh… I'm starting to understand better. I wish I knew more about you though."

I looked away from his caring gaze. If he really knew, he probably wouldn't.

On the ride back from school, I was starting to feel more positive. Everything seemed to be okay so far.

"So," Donavon started once we parked. "If you don't want to talk about it, it's okay, but I just wondered. I'm just trying to put pieces together."

Taking a stiff breath, I looked over to him nervously waiting for him to ask his question.

"You once told me that you didn't know how your mom died. How could you not know something like that?"

Looking down, I sat still a moment. "It just…wasn't something anyone ever talked about. My aunt just told me one day."

"And you never asked how later?"

"No… I just never wanted to think about her."

He let the silence still for a moment—probably testing to see what I could handle.

Donavon spoke slowly, "so is it that her death really bothered you more than you wanted to admit, or was she really that distant from you?"

"If you must know, my mother never loved me."

He put a hand on my arm. "It's not your fault."

I finally looked back into his caring eyes. "I know."

I rested my head on his shoulder, and we simply let the moment somber. My aunt had been like a real mom, and I knew deep down I didn't need to care about my actual mother's love. Yet something unresolved still hid deep within myself.

Before parting ways with Donavon, I got Jennifer's number.

Once inside I wrote a text: Hey, it's Avery. I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but Kyson has always been a player. Just thought I should let you know.

Was this just pointless? It would definitely make things easier if she wasn't with him, but for her own good I hoped she would heed my words. If not, it would probably only be a matter of time before he dumped her for another girl anyway.

The next day at school, Donavon met me with a shrug.

"I basically got grilled by Jen, but hey we tried. I'm glad you at least attempted to warn her."

"About Kyson? Is she mad?"

"Basically. She said don't judge, blah blah blah, and you ditched us at lunch blah blah blah."

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause trouble with your cousins."

"Nah, it's okay. She will get over it."

Once inside, I noticed Kyson's smell again. Ugh no…

He happened to be by my locker which I needed to get into. Ugh why…

Holding my breath, I walked past him to my locker. Of course, I eventually had to breathe. As much as I tried to breathe with my mouth, I couldn't help but smell him…that amazing smell. My brain started to fog up and got incredibly thirsty. I needed to get away…fast…

Trying to hold onto my sanity, I rushed my way outside. If I could get home and get some blood to drink, maybe I would be alright, although cow's blood wasn't what I was thirsting for.

Once outside, Kyson's smell got even stronger. I turned to see that he had followed me. Once again, blood was on his ear, and he gave me an unusual look as he placed a knife in his pocket. Had he cut himself on purpose?

My thirst took over, and I rushed to him. Putting my mouth right on his ear, I took in as much blood as I could through the small cut. Incredible tingles spread through my body.

I hadn't realized it, but Kyson's arms had been around me, but he finally pushed me back.

"You really are a witch or something aren't you?" Kyson asked.

"No, I'm a vampire, and I want your blood," I said bluntly.

He gave a strange contemplative smile. "And why should I let you drink it?"

"I'm the hottest girl to ever live, and you know it. Don't you want me to be your girlfriend?"

"True story but why did you never want my blood before?"

"It doesn't matter. I want it now."

"You're psycho. Vampires don't exist."

"I'm not crazy. They’re just aren't many vampires out there, so not many people know about them. Come on Kyson, I need you." I softly put a hand to his face, desperate to convince him. "I know you want to be with me and always have. You know it feels right."

He stared at me for a moment with his hands still holding my shoulders. "And what about your little boyfriend?"

"I only care about you now, Kyson." Quickly, I put both hands to his face and kissed him.

That for sure had to have put the final nail in.

He looked back smugly. "Well, when you put it that way."

I then noticed Donavon had been standing from a distance watching, his frozen eyes looking right at me. When I didn't respond, he turned and slowly walked back inside the school.

That day, Kyson and I skipped school together. I couldn't really recall what we did, just that he let me have more of his blood. That amazing blood. The blood that tasted so heavenly. The blood that soared my senses beyond the sun and the stars. His blood was life itself. And it was all mine. 

"I really had no idea some vampire babe would be all over me," Kyson commented as we sat in his car. "Would have to admit it is a bit creepy, but we have to take what we can get in life."

"I need more," I said, leaning closer to his neck where he had put a cut earlier.

"Hey, chill now. I need that blood inside of me to live."

"Please, Kyson, just a little more."

"Eh, okay okay…"

He pulled back his shirt collar and made another small cut. I slowly licked his neck, enjoying each taste.

"I really need to show you off to my parents. This weekend. But we got to get you some nice clothes first."

"But I only want to be with you."

"Chill, you will survive at least one dinner with them."

The back of my mind pondered that I was supposed to do something this weekend but couldn't remember what.

Once home, I quickly got to bed. It was like laying on a cloud with good dreams floating all about me. With a smile on my face, I peacefully fell asleep.