"Wakey wakey, Theo" my Alpha best friend, Fay, calls as he pulls the blankets off my head. Cracking one eye open, I glare at him breathing in the scent of Cajun spices and incense as I admire how sexy my best friend looks in his skin tight black V-neck shirt and dark wash jeans that hug in all the right places. Lafayette Darcy is a gorgeously well tanned six foot tall Louisianna native with dark hair and emerald eyes that sparkle with mischief to match the Cheshire grin that adorns his totally kissable mouth. Chuckling, he says "oh you know you ain't mad at me Cher."

"Oh shut up Fay. You know I hate being woken up" I growl at him as I roll my eyes shifting so my arms are up under my head.

"I know it but if you don't get that cute ass of yours out of bed we're gonna be late" he grins teasing me.

"Oh we both know you don't think my ass is cute since you lean more towards girls than guys" I say back before sticking out my tongue at him.

"That may be so but when you lay yourself out like that, it's hard not to think about doing dirty things to you" he teased me again. Rolling my eyes, I rolled over to sit on the edge of my bed as Fay moved towards my closet. Within seconds, he was back holding a pair of sweat pants and my favorite band t-shirt. Tossing them at me, he said "here, go grab a shower and meet me down stairs in ten. I'll make you something unless you need blood instead?"

"Nah Cher, I'm alright. You can cook for me if you want" I said standing up to go to the bathroom.

"You know, it still sounds weird when you try to talk like a native. I know you've been here for the last twelve years but you never did pick up the accent" he teased turning to follow me out of my room before heading down the stairs.

"Yeah, it still feels weird to try and use the native lingo" I mumbled closing the bathroom door.

Ten minutes later, I was draping my sun pendent, that all vampires wore to hide our vampire traits, around my neck as I walked down the stairs while the scents of andouille sausage and eggs drifted up from the kitchen. Rounding the corner into the kitchen doorway, I paused and leaned against the frame watching my best friend dance around to some R&B song playing from his phone while he cooked me breakfast. Smiling, I laughed shaking my head and said "you know, anyone would have trouble falling for you if they saw this."

"Oh but you know I'd only do this for you Cher" he teased sticking out his tongue at me. Rolling my eyes, I walked over to the counter and hoped up to sit next to him while he cooked for me. As he twirled away to the other side of the kitchen, I asked "where's Teia?" I watched as his matching sun pendent bounced against his chest as he sashayed his way back over to me lip syncing along with the words to the song, he handed me a mug out of coffee before answering "a friend came to pick her up." After asking about my younger sister, I shook my head again and said "are you trying to make me gay for you love?"

"And if I am Cher? Then what?" he teased before looking away as my heart did flip flops and then promptly sunk. The thing about Fay and I teasing each other is that most of my flirting is for real and not fake like his since I've been in love with him for the last few years but never had the courage to tell him. Looking into my mug, I take a drink and try not to let my disappointment show as I reach in my pocket to pull out my phone. Scrolling through social media, I come across a post he made this morning about a new gig he has tonight. Shocked, I reach out and bop his shoulder before saying "why didn't you tell me about your gig tonight?"

"Would you have really gone to the club to hear me play?" he asked raising a brow.

"You know I would have. I always go to your gigs even if you don't see me there" I told him hoping off the counter. As I turned to go sit in the living room, he grabbed my arm and said "I'm sorry Cher. You're right, I should've told you first."

"Yeah, you should've" I said removing my arm from his grip before going in the living room to check my bag and make sure I had everything for the day. As I looked through my bag, I glanced back at the living room door making sure he didn't follow me as I pulled out the sketchbook I kept drawings from his gigs in. Checking one more time, I flipped open the pages and looked at all the different settings he'd played in. When I heard footsteps coming towards me seconds later, I quickly closed the book and stuffed it back in my bag as he rounded the doorway. Quirking a brow like he wanted to ask me something, he instead said "foods' ready Cher."

"Alright, I'll be right there" I said zipping my book bag closed before grabbing my mug and carrying my bag to the table by the front door. Turning around, Fay still had that look on his gorgeous face making me curious. So, I asked "what's that look for?"

"Nothing, well... Are you really that mad at me?" he asked meeting my eyes.

"Annoyed, yes. Mad, no. I will still be at your show tonight so would you please relax" I answered honestly. Taking a deep breath, I watched as he visibly relaxed and his smile returned to those pretty pink lips. Forcing myself to look away, I turned and headed to the kitchen to find the food he'd made for me already on a plate and waiting. Moving the plate to the bar, I said "thanks for this" before digging in as I thought about how today would probably go. Three minutes passed before I was done eating and had grabbed my hoodie and book bag before we were heading out the door on our way to school.

Sitting in the passenger seat as Fay drove his beat up old ford pick up, I stared out the window wishing I could just reach over and take his hand but then remembered we're just friends and that would never be possible.

"What are you thinking about Cher?" he asked into the silence.

"Trying to remember if I did all my homework or not and wondering where your gig is tonight" I said as honestly as I could leaving out the part about thinking about him. Glancing over at me, he said "well the answer to the homework question is probably not that it matters mr smarty pants, my gig is at the Red Moon Club, and that's not the only things on your mind. I can see it on your face Theo. Remember, I know you better than most. So, what else is on your mind?" Taking a deep breath for courage, I closed my eyes and said "I have a crush on someone and I was thinking about how being with them will never be possible."

"And why is that exactly?" he asked confused.

"Because, I'm not their type and I'm sure they'd say no if I asked" I said still trying not to give away that it was him I was thinking about. Rolling his gorgeous emerald green eyes, he said "you never know until you try Cher." Turning to look out the window, I mumbled "oh but I do know this time." Changing the subject, I asked "so what songs are you guys doing tonight?"

"We're actually debuting a few original songs along with covering several country songs as well as a few pop, rock, and R&B ones" he shrugged smiling and then added "don't think I'll just drop that topic since you've tried to change it Theodore."

"Don't call me that. You know I hate my name" I grumbled slumping down in the seat like a five year old who just got yelled at. Laughing, he said "I know but it's the only way I know to get you to really listen to me. Specially when you believe you're right."

"In this case I know I am and nothing you say will change my mind on that" I said glaring over at him as he glanced at me before looking back at the road. When we had finally pulled into the parking lot, he put the truck in park but locked the doors to try to keep me from running away. Then unbuckling and turning to face me, he said "I'm betting you're wrong. How could you possibly know for sure unless you ask this person?" Getting frustrated, I said "I just do okay. There are still a few secrets I have that you don't know about and if you keep pushing you'll find out in a way I don't want you to. So, please just drop it already."

"Cher, you know there is nothing you can't tell me which is why I don't understand why you're being so stubborn on this" he said as I reached over to pull up the lock knowing if he kept talking he'd put it together and I wanted a way out for when he did. As I unbuckled, he kept talking making me close my eyes as I knew what was coming "the only thing that makes sense is if you're gay and like another guys who might be straight." With my secret spoken aloud, I bolted from the truck and used my vampire speed to outrun him while simultaneously using my magic to cover my scent so he couldn't track me.