“I’m sorry about my dad last night,” he said.
“You shouldn’t have to apologize for your dad Knight.”
“I know. I just don’t like when he acts like that around other people. He’s rude.”
“It’s fine. I’m sure he just wasn’t himself.”
Actually, I wasn’t sure of that. I didn’t know a thing about Knight’s dad. For all I knew, he was always drunk and that was the real him. Angry and bitter. If it was, Knight must have been going nuts in that house having to be alone with him.
“After my mom died, he’s just not who he used to be. He kind of checked out that day too. Sometimes it feels like I lost both parents, you know?”
“Yeah, I get it.”
Knight had such a hard life. If his dad started drinking when his mother died that would mean he was five. He’s been dealing with him since he was a little boy. It was a wonder he turned out the way he did.
“Has he ever tried to get help?”
“He doesn’t want help. Anyway, two years and I’m out. I won’t have to live with him anymore. Technically, I can live with my uncle, but I’m worried he’ll actually check out if I’m not around to make sure he doesn’t choke on his own vomit.”
I grimaced. “I’m sorry you have to go through that.”
“I’m used to it.”
“You’re a good son Knight.”
He looked at me and smiled. His brown eyes looked a shade lighter outside. Almost hazel. Knight was beautiful, inside and out. “Thanks Hope.”
I had to force myself to look away from him. It was like he had me in some kind of trance.
We were arriving at the school.
I spotted Hayden and the gang right away. They were gathered at someone’s car. My guess was it was Eric’s. I assumed that’s who Hayden was standing next to.
I waved at them and smiled. Hayden looked at Knight and then at me again. Her smile turned to an icy glare. She flipped her perfect chestnut hair over her shoulder and started walking into the school. The others followed her.
“What was that about?” I said.
Knight shrugged. “Hayden being Hayden.”
Jade walked up to us. “What’s up her ass this morning?”
“No idea.”
“Same thing as every morning,” Knight quipped.
I laughed. It was nice being able to laugh again.
Jade smiled. “What’s up Knight.”
“Jade.”
Jade looked at me and winked. Her eyes motioned over towards Knight. I rolled my eyes as we walked into the school together.
I was starting to like Salem Point. Aside from Hayden, things were really looking up.
I even had two friends already. Maybe even something more with Knight.
Chapter 15: Hope
During first period I was called to the main office to see the principal. I couldn’t think of any reason why he’d want to see me. I hadn’t been here long enough to be in any trouble.
Regardless, I wasn’t really the type to get in trouble. At least not at school. I was a good student. One of the best usually. School was usually my escape from my terrible life at home. But now, I didn’t need an escape. For once, I could just go to school and it could just be me going to school. I wasn’t escaping from the harsh realities of home. Or lack of a home.
I walked into the main office and was greeted by the office secretary. She told me to go right in and Principal Drake was already waiting for me.
Principal Drake, Doctor Drake. Maybe related somehow.
A man with dark brown hair and eyes greeted me. He stood up from his desk. “You must be Hope. I’m Principal Drake. It’s very nice to meet you.”
I smiled and shook his hand. “You too.”
“Please, have a seat.”
I sat down across from the principal. I didn’t like sitting in the principal’s office. It made me feel like I was in trouble. I didn’t like getting in trouble, so I didn’t. I didn’t do things to find myself in the principal’s office.
A huge part of me felt like my mom was looking after me. Like she could see me. I didn’t want to disappoint her. I know it sounded crazy, but if she could see me, I wanted to make her proud.
“Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble or anything. I mean you’ve been here five minutes.”
“That’s a relief.”
“No, I just wanted to introduce myself and let you know that if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“The other Drake said the same thing to me yesterday.”
“My brother. Twin actually. Wouldn’t know it by looking at him though.”
That must be neat. I always wanted a sibling. The two brothers were so close they even worked together.
“I also wanted to tell you how sorry I was to hear about your mom. I used to be good friends with her.”
I couldn’t find words suddenly. I should have been expecting this. My mother grew up in Salem Point. Of course other people knew her here. It wasn’t just Gemma I was going to hear about her from. Total strangers knew my mom. And I had no idea who any of them were. I didn’t know a thing about my mom’s life before I came into the picture.
“You knew my mom.”
He smiled. “Yeah, we were really close. I still can’t believe she’s gone.”
I sighed. “Me either.” I’d had years to deal with her death and it still didn’t feel real.
“I don’t want to take too much of your time. I just wanted to welcome you to town and the school. Also, my girls are in your grade, so they’re there to help as well.”
“Your girls?”
“Yes. Aria and Alexandra. Well, Lexie.”
I almost laughed. There was no way in hell I’d be going to them for any kind of help. Lexie seemed cool, but she was part of Hayden’s gang.
“I met them yesterday.”
He grinned. “Aria’s not going to be very helpful, but Lexie’s very sweet. Despite her choice in friends.”
It was as if he’d read my mind. I guess he knew his daughters very well.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. But I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Tell Gemma I said hi.”
“Will do Principal Drake.”
I kind of wanted to pick his ear for information about my mom. But that might be kind of weird. Maybe some other time when we weren’t sitting in his office at school.
* * *
The rest of the day was flying by. It was already lunch time. I grabbed a slice of pizza and went to find a seat. I wasn’t planning on sitting with Hayden and the other girls today.
Hayden was still giving me dirty looks after this morning. I didn’t get her deal. Frankly, I didn’t care. I didn’t have time for high school drama.
I was going to sit at the table with Rene again, but as I walked by Christian and Elizabeth, she stopped me.
“Hi there.”
“Hi.”
“We haven’t formally met. I’m Elizabeth.”
“Hope.”
“That is a beautiful name.”
“Thank you.”
She was a lot nicer than her brother, that was for sure.
“You should sit with us.”
I looked at Christian. He looked intensely at his sister before looking down at the food on his plate. He didn’t seem to share the same sentiment.
“I don’t want to intrude.”
“Nonsense. Please, I get bored of my brother. I spend far too much time with Christian. Isn’t that right Christian?”
He smiled at her, bitterly. “Yeah, you’re like a fly that won’t go away no matter how many times I swat at it.”
Ouch. That was kind of harsh. It looked like he treated his sister the same way he treated everyone else at school.
I sat down, regrettably. This was going to be even worse than sitting with Hayden.
“How are you liking Salem Point?”
“I like it a lot actually. It’s nice here.”
“I agree. It’s a
very quaint town, wouldn’t you say?”
“Yes.”
I’ve never used the word quaint before. The only reason I even knew what it meant was from SAT prep. Elizabeth was so proper in the way that she spoke and her vocabulary.
“Christian thinks it’s rather too quiet.”
I nodded my head in agreement. “Sometimes quiet can be good.”
“Indeed. Where do you come from?”
“Um, I came from California.”
“Oh, that must have been marvelous. I want to go to California someday.”
“You totally should.”
“One day.”
I got started on my pizza. I felt odd eating in front of Christian and Elizabeth. They used utensils for everything. Christian was eating his pizza with a plastic knife and fork. These weren’t my people at all.
“Wow, a girl who eats pizza. That is admiring.”
I looked at Elizabeth in confusion. “Sorry?”
“Carbs and all. Girls these days are so over the top about that stuff.”
Girls these days? She was a girl from these days.
“Right. Well, the more carbs the better for me.”
She laughed. Even her laugh was perfect. This girl could be a princess if she wanted to be. She could probably get any prince to swoon over her and melt at her feet.
“You are funny Hope. You should come over for dinner some time. We’d love to have you. Right Christian?”
Christian’s brows knitted even tighter together. His eyes met mine and I had a hard time looking away. His gaze was so intense. God, if he wasn’t such a dick he’d be amazing. It was crazy how much someone’s personality could change your perception of them. “Of course.”
“I just know what it’s like to be the new girl. It was just last semester that we were new. I know how difficult it can be to make friends and acquaintances.”
I found that hard to believe. She was gorgeous and she radiated this persona that drew you in.
“Yeah, I’m used to being the new girl so I’m fine.”
“Oh, do you move around a lot?”
“I did. But I’m staying in Salem Point until graduation.”
“As are we,” she said, beaming with excitement. “This is wonderful. I think we’re going to be really good friends, Hope.”
I smiled. “That sounds great.”
I looked over at Christian. He was glaring at his sister like he wanted to throw his tray at her head.
I couldn’t take the awkwardness with him for the entire lunch period.
“You know I actually forgot that I have to go meet with Dr. Drake about something. I’ll catch you later.”
“Oh, of course. I look forward to it, Hope.”
I grinned, getting up from the table and picking up my tray. I wasn’t done with my pizza, but I’d rather be hungry than sit across from Mr. Moody for another minute.
“Don’t forget about dinner,” she added. “Let me know whenever is best for you.”
“Sure thing.”
How about never?
I wouldn’t mind being friends with Elizabeth. But it seemed like she and her brother were a packaged deal. They spent every moment together unless they were in separate classes.
There was no way I would spend any extra time with Christian than I had to. The one class was more than enough. He made me feel so on edge. Like I was nervous I would do something to piss him off. I don’t like walking around on eggshells. With Christian it was more like walking around on glass.
No thanks.
Chapter 16: Christian
The second Hope left the table, my eyes went to Elizabeth. She looked back at me innocently. She was anything but innocent. “What the hell was that?”
“I was being friendly.”
“You don’t do friendly.”
There was a reason she didn’t have many friends. At least not friends she didn’t compel. She wasn’t the easiest girl to get along with. She was kind when she wanted to be. But you did not want to cross her. She had a temper. She didn’t like when people didn’t do what she said. Friends included. If you weren’t doing exactly as she wished, you were no friend to Elizabeth.
“I’m trying to turn over a new leaf.”
“After two centuries of being the vapid girl that you are?”
Her smile dropped. Her nostrils flared. “I told you never to call me that.”
“What are you up to Elizabeth?”
She sighed. “I’m being honest. I’m trying to consider your happiness as well. You deserve to be happy as well brother.”
I moved forward and placed my hands on the table. “And you believe this girl will make me happy?”
“You seem to like her.”
I did. I didn’t know the girl, but I could see the pain all over her face. And yet she stood with such confidence. I admired that greatly.
“I don’t even know her.”
“That’s why I invited her to dinner. So that you can get to know her.”
I pursed my lips and took a deep breath. She means well. For once in her life she means well. “I appreciate that Elizabeth, but I don’t need your help with meeting women. I’m not interested in young girls.”
She laughed. “Oh, you are something brother. You don’t have the best poker face.”
I always was terrible at poker.
“Besides,” she continued. “Avoiding her isn’t going to work. It’s a small town. You’ll keep running into her and it’s going to keep being awkward. The tension between you two is driving me bonkers.”
“You’re driving me bonkers.”
She grinned. “That’s my job. I am your annoying little sister, remember?”
“Yes, for the rest of eternity.”
“You’ll see. You and Hope are going to make a beautiful couple. Just don’t go telling her our secret.”
I wouldn’t dream of it.
The truth was, I didn’t want Hope anywhere near us. We had a lot of enemies. Most vampires did. Danger followed us around like the plague.
I didn’t want that danger to get a hold of Hope.
Chapter 17: Hope
The first week was officially over. To my surprise, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be.
Hayden was still being a bitch to me, but it’s not like I was interested in being friends with her anyway.
I did manage to make two friends. Jade and Knight were pretty cool. All in all, good for week one.
I actually liked being in Salem Point. Gemma was easy to live with. Plus, living in the same town that my mother grew up in made me feel closer to her. She lived in this house. I kept picturing her as a child running around with her siblings. I wished I could go back and warn her that something terrible was going to happen to her.
I couldn’t stop thinking about why she left. I wanted to ask Gemma about it, but she seemed weary about talking about the past. Something must have happened. The question was what.
Gemma had to stay late tonight so I was on my own for dinner. I had some leftover pizza from the other night. We got a lot of takeout for dinner. Gemma didn’t always make it home early enough to cook and when she did she was exhausted from the day.
I kept telling her she didn’t have to cook for me, but she kept pretty much telling me to shut up. In a good way though. Everything with Gemma was in a good way. I don’t think she had a mean bone in her body.
I decided to clean up the kitchen a bit. Gemma hadn’t given me any chores, but I didn’t mind at least helping out. I was used to chores. It felt weird not to have them anymore.
After washing the dishes and cleaning off the counter, I took the trash out of the garbage can and went outside to take it out.
I opened the trash bin and dropped the bag in. When I closed it, I jumped. The guy from the other night was standing against the side of my house. Wyatt. He chuckled, flashing his pearly white perfect teeth. He put his hands up in front of him. “I’m sorry. Did I startle you?”
“Sneaking up on a per
son outside of their house on a dark empty street late at night will do that.”
This guy was creepy as hell. He certainly didn’t look it, but he had the personality dead on. I had foster fathers less creepy than him.
He breathed through his nose and hummed. He crossed his arms across his chest. “You don’t strike me as someone that startles easily.”
“And how would you know anything about me?”
“I don’t. Not really. It’s just a hunch I get. I’m very perceptive with people.”
He tilted his head. His eyes roamed my body and then he looked me in the eyes and narrowed his. I had no idea what he was thinking, but I knew I should get back in the house and lock the door right away.
“Good night then.”
“Do you like it here?”
“It’s fine.”
“Just fine?”
“Yup.”
“Am I annoying you?”
“I just don’t like talking to strangers.”
He nodded his head. “That’s good. Yeah, stranger danger.”
“Exactly.”
“You should get to know me Hope. That way I won’t be a stranger to you anymore.”
“I don’t really have time.”
“All work and no play? That’s going to drive you crazy. You’re an overachiever aren’t you Hope?”
“I am. So I should go get some reading done.”
I turned around and saw Gemma driving into the driveway. I sighed in relief.
I turned back around to tell Wyatt he should get lost because my aunt was home, but he was gone.
I stared at the spot where he was standing a few seconds ago. Where’d he go?
I would have seen him walk off. He must have ran off when he saw the headlights. Wyatt was fast.
“Hey, what are you doing out here?”
“I was just taking out the trash and talking to someone?”
“Talking to who?” She looked around and then at me in question.
“No one. Nevermind. How was work?”
“Good. Sorry I’m home late.”
I followed her into the house. “That’s okay. You’re busy saving lives.”
Protecting Hope: A Reverse Harem Paranormal Romance (Bloodmoon Series Book 1) Page 5