I frown and note that the lights are off in the apartment. Oh no, don't tell me. Even though I know it's coming as Joanna flicks the light switch on I still very nearly jump right out of my skin at the yell of 'SURPRISE!' and the sudden shower of confetti and tiny streamers making a mess not only in my hair and on my clothes but also all over the floor. Damn, it'll be me cleaning that shit up later. I bet I'll still find some by my next birthday.

My mother came forward and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. "Ah! Mom!"

"Oh, my little baby is growing up so fast! Eighteen already! What will I do?"

I kind of hug her back but she's also kind of suffocating me with her love. "Mom...mom, do you...ugh, want me to make it...to see my 19th?"

"Oh, sorry, honey." She pulls away but continues to look at me with watery eyes and messes with my hair. She's a mess but a swell in my heart grows as I look back at her. She's dressed casually, jeans and a simple tunic blouse. Her hair is thrown up and she's not wearing any make-up. The woman almost looks like a soccer mom.

I look around and see some of our closest neighbors. As they come up to give their well wishes and happy birthdays, my hazel eyes catch a pair of purplish blue ones near the window. My body stiffens while my heart rises just a little. His hair is down and he's dressed in a dark collared shirt and jeans. I want to glare and yell at whoever invited him, probably Joanna, but his expression almost looks anxious and pained. This makes me falter and feel a little bit of regret at accusing him of something so heinous. It's still fresh in my mind but though a part of me is wary another part is screaming that he could not have done it.

The apartment is only decorated with some balloons, streamers in my favorite colors, and colorfully wrapped presents on the coffee table. I think I even spy a cake on the kitchen counter. I manage to give Mr. Murphy the slip, who was once again boasting the merits of soccer on a young healthy lad or something like that. I could hardly pay attention, my sole focus on the tall and dark figure lingering away from the rest of the party.

I'm sure I felt his eyes on me too when I wasn't looking.

I feel the chills down my spine again as I stop in front of him but I am so used to them now they are almost comforting. I open my mouth to say I don't even know what but he's quicker on the draw.

"Colin," he begins, softly but still that velvety strong voice. "Happy Birthday."

"I..." I start but stop trying to decide what should I even say. I feel rather embarrassed thinking how I acted the last time we saw each other. Yet, I am full of those conflicting emotions I am not sure how I should act now. Strangely, his very few words have made me forgive him a little more. His smile is full of warmth and I feel some of that warmth in my cheeks as a result. "Yeah, thanks."

Fuck, this is sort of awkward. I really wish he wasn't here but this tiny part of me is elated to see him which kind of pisses me off.

"Colin," he speaks my name again and involuntarily I am lifting my head to meet those eyes. "Could we talk?"

I have a feeling he means privately but before I can make an answer Joanna is calling me over to do the cake. I tell her I'll be there in a minute and look back at this mysterious man in my life. My heart thumps painfully and I acquiesce under those pleading but captivating eyes. Damn.

"After the cake, wait in my room, okay?" I motion towards the direction of the room in question.

He stands and I feel so small but return with a tight smile as he nods. I sigh and make my way over towards the group gathered in the kitchen. I go through all the birthday motions, blowing out candles and everyone singing the song and cake passed around, but my mind is completely on the task ahead. The task of meeting with Felix in my room and hearing what he may have to say. Why am I so anxious, because he might be a killer? A bloodsucker? That's what I hope is the reason and not what that little throb in my heart might indicate.

"Hey, are you alright?" Joanna asks me in a low voice as she pulls candles out and hands me the honor of slicing up the cake.

"Huh? Oh, yeah...No worries, just a lot on my mind." I make a quick glance at Felix who seems to be having a nice chat with my mother.

"Ah, I see," Joanna says beside me with a very knowing smirk.

"What?" I say but I have a feeling she has caught me red-handed.

"Nothing." She practically snorts in laughter as she helps me plate slices of cake for everyone. I frown and try to keep my focus on the cake which looks delicious, red-velvet my favorite. I pause as I stare at the deep redness of the moist cake. Maybe I should change my favorite.

Crap, my eyes have locked on him again. He makes an excuse to my mother and glances my way with a slight nod. I watch as he makes his way to the little hall that holds my sacred space. Oh god, perhaps it was a bad idea to have a possible undead creature wander into my room. Yet, that's not my real worry or concern is but I'm trying to ignore that. My heart is throbbing so badly, I rub at my chest while everyone is grabbing plates of cake.

I kind of have a headache too.

With two plates of cake in my hands, I sneak away again and make the trek to my bedroom. I have to pause outside and gather my wits before I can push the slightly ajar door further open. I stop just inside the threshold at the sight before me.

Felix is seated on the edge of my bed with Mabel lapping up attention in his strong arms. The man's expression is kind and almost cheerful as he showers the cat in love and belly scratches. I think that crazy heart of mine just skipped a beat and I really don't know what to make of it. Felix looks up then and meets my own hazel eyes with that same expression still seemingly out of place directed at me. Shit, I think it skipped again.

I swallow hard and smile a little. "Hey, I uh...brought cake."

He lets go of Mabel who reluctantly hops on to the bed and then up onto the windowsill. I hand him a plate and he takes it but makes no move to indulge. I feel almost silly giving it to him. He says thank you anyway and we sort of awkwardly stand there a moment in silence.

"I have never seen Mabel take to someone so quickly." I blurt this out just to have something to say.

He peers over at the cat again and smirks looking back at me. "Well, I've always had a fondness for animals."

I nod and move toward the bed, settling down on the edge. I pick up the plastic fork and poke at my cake. Suddenly I feel less hungry. I don't look up until I feel a weight shift on my bed and find Felix beside me with only a handful of inches between us. There goes my heart again, beating wildly like a hummingbird.

I rub at my head this time though as the throbbing there is still going strong as well. Felix catches me doing this and he looks concerned. "Does your head ache?"

"Oh, well...yeah, but I get headaches from time to time anyway." This one just happens to be particularly painful. "Don't—"

I start as a cool, comforting hand is placed on my forehead. Suddenly the migraine feels weakened and I stare up in those mysterious pools. His focus seems to be on my head but they softly drift down to meet mine. His expression I can't read. What is he doing? What is he thinking? I really wish I knew.

"Felix?" Did he just lean in a little?

"Yes?" I can feel his breath on my face.

"What...What did you want to talk about?" With that I dispel the moment. Felix pulls away and stands up. His back is to me as he makes his way to my little bookshelf. I feel a little hazy and have those delicious chills running up and down my spine and down my arms and to my toes. I feel both hyper aware and like I'm floating on a cloud.

"Right," Felix mumbles but says nothing further for several minutes. Which is good I suppose, as it gives me a chance to gather myself and regain some sanity.

I notice his plate of cake is lonely on my desk so I set mine next to it and stand up as well. I stare at Felix's broad back until he finally turns around. He looks clouded but there's a mask of stoicism he's put on. I'm really nervous now. What is he going to say? Will he finally answer the big question? Or at least my last question I rather abruptly asked before hightailing it out of his apartment? I try to ignore the racing thoughts from whatever moment we just had and focus on what might be revealed this very night.

Felix clears his throat and takes a few steps closer to me. "You asked me about those jars?"

"Yeah..." I reply automatically, ready to hang off of every word. This is it!

He takes another step closer, we are hardly a foot apart. "You were right."

"I was?"

"Partially." I'm not sure why he does this as he's telling me his big secret but his hand comes up and gently touches the soft waves of my hair near my temple. I swallow as that heart of mine is working over time. My breathing feels a bit shallow too, should I grab my inhaler? "I am a vampire, as you call it."

Wait. What?