Knowing I couldn’t fight it, “I guess I should call Mel and squeal with joy over my surprise trip to… Where should I say we’re going?”
“A ten day cruise to Mexico should suffice. That will explain our cars being here should she swing by.”
“Ok. Thanks.” I gave her a quick hug turning to go back upstairs.
“Lexi,” she called.
“Yea Mom?”
“I’m very proud of you. You’re handling this better than I did at your age,” she lifted her lips releasing a short smile.
“Thanks Mom. I’m trying.”
“I know,” she said walking back to the family room.
The truth was, I really was trying. I was struggling to wrap my brain around everything that’d been revealed to me; at times it still seemed like I was in a fairytale story, an on-screen movie. Was I getting Punk’d?! Where was Ashton Kutcher?! – at least that would explain Mike.
I lied down on my bed; I was still attempting to comprehend it all. In two days I would be a vampeen. I’d hear across yards, run fast, smell the tiniest crumb in the corner, and best of all, I’d be beautiful for the first time in my life. There were no repentance cycles here; no second chances would be permitted. Knowing all this inevitably, I might as well skip the procrastination and put on the best show ever with Mel. I flipped my phone open and inhaled deeply before pressing ‘send’. Too much was on the line for me to screw this up.
Zoning in on my acting abilities, what little there were, I sold the story to Mel without a hitch. My enthusiasm was perfect, my surprise impeccable and my story untouchable. She even forgot about my melodrama earlier today. I successfully faked the entire thing without guilt… until I hung up.
The minute I closed my phone the twinge of guilt pegged me. I’d just lied to my best friend. Why, oh why, did I have such a good conscience?! I said they surprised me with a cruise, that we were leaving tomorrow morning and kept the secret of my return as a different person, a changed thing. I didn’t know what to classify myself as; I just knew I wouldn’t test human. I would remain intact every way except physically, and I assumed there were several emotional ramifications to such.
Following my plot consistently, I called Mike and faked it another time. He was a little upset at first, but towards the end he was already anticipating my return telling me to have fun. Knowing where I stood, harboring my lingering doubts with Mike, I felt the separation was timed impeccably.
Again, the moment I closed my phone the guilt hit me like a ton of bricks. It was painful to lie to the important people in my life. Ordinarily I would be rolling in shame, and though guilt was present, I knew it had to be done; because as much as I loved them both as my best friends, they could never know the truth. That’s perhaps the most challenging aspect. Knowing I would have to retain this huge part of me, secure it away indefinitely from them.
Looking around my room, I observed every detail as if it would disappear shortly. My white dresser with crystal knobs sitting atop the light beige carpet held my favorite framed picture of me and Mel. My dresser matched my nightstand and colossal king-size canopy bed, solitaire without the canopy – I felt claustrophobic within its white cloth-paneled walls, so I removed them leaving the posters in place barren. Then there was my comfy chair next to my front window. It was nestled beside my bookshelf which was happily worn and filled with the books I’d come to love and appreciate. There was nothing like a relaxing evening by the window with a good book.
Looking around, I took in the light teal walls remembering, the day before my furniture arrived. Mel, my parents and I spent the day painting my huge 22’x26’ room. My eyes drifted to the large 60”x84” canvas oil painting my parents gifted me from Paris, easily recalling the struggle my dad had to center it on the wall behind my bed. It’s gorgeous with cool colors washed throughout the background with its depiction of the Eiffel Tower and street cafes popping out in black and gold.
Then there was my wall-mounted 48-inch LCD TV my parents insisted on getting me this past Christmas. I recalled the dozens of movies me and Mel enjoyed the first week of installation. We held a movie marathon week of our favorite romantic comedies, or as we deemed them, ‘our dreams on the big screen.’
Set in the far corner was my antique white desk which housed my MacBook and lone spelling bee trophy from second grade. Glancing around, the only other photo in my room was my favorite picture of me and Gran. I was about a year old in the photograph. Memorizing it now, she did look like my mother rather than grandmother confirming the genetic constellation that we stopped aging at twenty-five. Although recalling the picture on Kellan’s MySpace page, the adults present, with the exception, of about two or three, all seemed the same age.
Memories swirled me, overwhelming me. I recalled the many sleepovers with Mel, pillow talks with my mom, and more recent, my times with Kellan and Mike. I couldn’t remember how many times I’d fallen asleep with books in my hand dreaming of the science fiction world, but not once did I dream of existing within one.
Sighing, I picked up the remote and turned the TV on. I settled on MTV’s True Life. Somehow watching someone else’s struggles with life eased the stress of my own. I looked at the clock, shocked to find it was already 11:36pm. Let the twenty-four hour count down begin!
Chapter 14
Opening my eyes, I took in the light in my room. Squinting, still trying to adjust, I lifted my head to view my bedside clock, which claimed it was only 8:38am. “Ugh,” I groaned stretching as I rolled over to see why my room was so bright – my curtains and blinds were open. Hmm… that’s strange. Mom never opens my windows…
“Good morning,” Kellan greeted entering my room as if he lived there.
Caught off guard I fumbled with the covers trying to get them as high up over me as possible. “Umm… What are you doing here?”
“Your parents asked me to guard you for the day,” he explained sitting on the chair next to my bookshelf and front facing window.
“Guard me? Sounds more like babysit,” I grumbled.
I was still angry with Kellan for the other night. So I was frustrated that I had to spend my last human day with him. At the same time though, he’s the only one who knew fully what I was going through. My encounters with him over the past week had only strengthened my dependency upon his knowledge and experience.
“So how would you like to spend your last human day?”
“Umm… I’m not really sure yet. Any suggestions?” I fiddled with my hands atop my comforter. I assumed I would be subjected to school until the last waking moment I had as a human and therefore neglected an alternate balooza of want-to-do’s.
“Well, you should definitely eat your favorite meals. They don’t taste the same after. Other than that, so far, it’s all better than when I was human.”
“How so?”
“Well… a rose’s alluring scent is intensified now so I enjoy it longer. Sports aren’t a challenge anymore; I could beat any opponent one-handedly. My days are twenty-four hours now versus sixteen or less before. I have more time to do what I want now. I can read a five-hundred page book in two hours with my photographic memory; that’s how I get straight A’s. Life is enhanced when you transform. It’s simpler in most ways, but complex when crossed with other worlds. Best way I can put it is your day time life is fantastic, it’s the one you create for yourself at night that tends to induce a migraine,” he explained.
“I guess I’ll find out soon enough, right?” I lowered my head attempting to allow his words to settle. The creeping stop watch was the symbol I wished to avoid currently, yet the only thing I could think of.
“Hey, what’s your favorite breakfast?” he shot with a gleam of excitement, flashing his dimple.
“Chic-fil-a chicken biscuit,” I answered without hesitation. Ninth grade year, Mel and I made a pit stop once a week for the hearty entrée.
“Get dressed and let’s go. My treat.”
Quickly forgetting my anger, I hopped out of b
ed and into the closet for clothes. At the very least I’d like to venture outside my walls on my final day of freedom, or first depending on how you looked at it.
“Nice PJs,” Kellan commented as I walked towards my closet.
Looking down at my green Victoria Secret size XL Capri sweats and favorite comfy white tee, I smiled modestly before saying, “Umm, thanks.”
I grabbed my blue men’s American Eagle hoodie Mel bought me for Christmas. Our inside joke over the name brand automatically qualifying me for the preppy clique kept me from wearing it to school. I was quite happy in my artsy group of dramatics like Mel and didn’t want to blur any lines though I was sure Jenny would protest any consideration. This intrigued me, for the repercussions of my physical changes were on the positive spectrum alone. If I was as beautiful as everyone claimed I’d soon be, a rivalry truly would spark spontaneously.
“You mind if I bum-it?” I asked Kellan grabbing a bra and clean panties on my way to the bathroom. I wasn’t out to impress anyone. Kellan had already seen me at my worst anyways.
“No.”
Something about him seemed different this morning. He was acting kind of arrogant but in a nice way though. He also was out of his shell more, lighter in atmosphere. If I had to guess, I would say he’s mimicking Mike in some ways. He appeared relaxed, no longer stiffened by a cold world.
Giving up on my comparison, I put on my clean undergarments along with deodorant and re-clothed with the same sweats and tee I covered with my jacket. I quickly brushed my teeth and threw my hair back in a messy semi-bun style.
“My shoes are… umm…” I was searching my room when I saw they were conveniently absent from my closet. I’d been unusually disorganized lately; my discipline was slacking in many realms.
“Here,” Kellan answered dangling my tennis shoes in his left hand.
“Thanks,” I offered grabbing them.
“Now where is my cell phone?” I wondered aloud scanning my bed.
“Here, with a text from both Mel and Mike,” he announced tossing it in my direction.
“Nosy at all?” I pressed sarcastically scrolling to read. They both said for me to have a good trip. Mike of course added, ‘I miss you already babe!!’
I sighed reminding myself once again that I’d lied because I had to, not because I wanted to. Allowing it to sink in, a semi-yoga moment on my part, I replied with a safe, ‘Thanks. I’ll try not to have too much fun without you. ’ to both.
“It gets easier,” Kellan said after observing my dip in mood.
“I assumed so, but that doesn’t make me feel less guilty.”
“Lexi, you’re doing what you have to do to protect everyone. If word spread to an unauthorized human, they would be killed within twenty-four hours.”
“What do you mean unauthorized? And who would kill them?”
“Unauthorized as in not married to a vampire or vampeen but knowing our secrets. And we have vampers throughout our worlds to enforce our vow of secrecy and discretion.”
“English please. What the heck is a vamper?”
“It’s what they call military vampires and vampeens. They literally camp out amidst our circles in secret ensuring we keep quiet – which explains the title ‘vamper’.”
“Wait. We have our own military? And these vampers, do they work together? You know, vampire and vampeen? Cause I thought they hated each other after the other night.” I scrambled to obtain as much information as I could.
“The vamp army is the only branch where both kinds work in unison. Vampires and vampeens have secret militaries as well ready to attack on any kind caught rebelling. That is partially how the rivalry began and how it continues to be fueled,” he explained.
“So… how do you tell the difference?”
“You can’t. The vampers dwell among us in secrecy, remember? You will never know one distinctly unless you’ve broken a rule. That wouldn’t matter anyways though since you would learn of their service title only seconds before they destroyed you.”
“Wow! I have so much to learn.” I pushed my wallet and cell in my pocket.
“I’ll share what I know, but I’m still learning like you.”
“You already are,” I smiled chancing a look for the first time today into his beautiful green eyes. “I love your eyes,” I commented absently. He stared at me for almost a solid minute before I caught myself and broke away. He led the way to his car.
“So, if the vamp army is hidden from us, how does someone enlist?” I asked buckling my seat belt as he sped off down my street. It’s not like they’d have an office if they were a private entity.
“You can’t enlist, they only recruit.”
“How do they know you’re right for the job?”
“The vampers dwell among us. They see our every move without us knowing. So I’m sure they choose well.”
“Don’t laugh,” I pleaded before asking, “But if the vamp army is secretly among us, then how do you know about it?”
“Very overanalytical aren’t you?” he stated with a smug smile showcasing his amusement and his adorable dimple. I just shrugged awaiting his answer, but all I got was, “I can’t say.”
“What do you mean you can’t say? You just told me about it,” I whined.
“And I shouldn’t have,” he said dismissing my question.
It dawned on me then, the light bulb switched on. “You know one, don’t you?” That’s the only way. Kellan wasn’t one to gossip sheer myth or perception; he’s a factual person.
He sighed staring at me with regret visible in every pore on his face. Knowing it was my last chance to sway him into confession I put my best ‘you can trust me’ face on. “I promise I won’t tell a soul. Notice I said a soul, which includes every species and race.”
“I’m not getting out of this, am I?”
“Nope,” I confirmed, smiling inwardly knowing he was about to cave.
He looked around his parked car, as if someone was eaves dropping, and said, “My dad.”
“Seriously?” I questioned but his image came to mind from the other night and clicked as making sense. He definitely seemed like he would fit into that secret army category. Buff army body under a classic attire yet entwined with a rugged charm. Without his story, I knew Al had seen things beyond an average vamp. I definitely got the 1900s Sopranos vibe from him; family in the front of the house and business around the back of the house.
“Yes.”
“Wow. That’s really cool,” I added as if I was talking to Mel. What else was there to comment? The guy was James Bond army style.
“Let’s get your breakfast before it’s too late,” he pushed, no longer wanting to discuss the subject. I didn’t press; I’d mastered Kellan’s restrictions.
Inside I ordered my sandwich with a sweet tea. We sat at a booth and I began to eat. Midway through my meal the silence got to me; not because of the lack of noise but because of Kellan’s lack of a distraction. He was gawking at me while I ate, which was uncomfortable to say the least.
“Want a bite?” I asked holding out my biscuit towards him.
“No. Thank you,” he answered quickly backing away. He returned to observing me while I anxiously observed the pictures on the walls.
“So tell me more,” I requested taking another bite. Anything to lure his attention from my consumption momentarily.
“I don’t think this is the best place for that discussion.”
“Oh. Humans. Right,” I stated looking around at the random customers and employees.
“What do you want to do next?” It’s clear that he wanted to avoid all vampeen talk at this point. He had sat relatively motionless except when I offered him food a moment ago.
“Well, Barnes & Noble is next door,” I replied looking towards the left side of the plaza where my beloved establishment rested.
“Sounds good.” He reasoned, “You will never read a book at this pace again so you might as well do it once more.”
Knowing
I would be stuffing my face all day and realizing I wanted one more great tasting frappuccino, I wastefully discarded the remainder of my breakfast.
“Does it bother you to walk slowly in public?” I asked Kellan as we walked towards Barnes & Noble.
“I’m used to it.”
“But do you want to run past them?” I pressed.
“Sometimes. But then I stop and remember that I have forever.”
“Makes sense,” I shrugged as he held the door for me.
I walked up to the café counter and just as I was about to order Kellan stepped in between and said, “Your best grande, double-blended, coffee frappucino and hold the whip.”
“You got it,” Joe said from behind the counter. Joe was the epitome of a chess club and science-fiction loving college kid. He bragged about seeing Star Trek in the theatre twenty-five times. He was a nice guy though if you could venture beyond the nerd-front with him.
Kellan paid before I could even pull out my wallet. “You didn’t have to do that. You already paid for my breakfast,” I said. “But thank you.”
“No problem. Today is on me. All of it,” he emphasized the last words, but remained monotone when speaking it somehow.
“Drinks up!” Joe called.
“Thanks. I hope it’s good,” I smiled at him knowing my words and thoughts were in unison on this prayer.
“Have I ever made you a bad one?” he scoured with a chuckle.
“Guess not,” I shrugged taking a sip. “You’re record is still clean. It’s good.”
“Have a good one Lex,” he smiled turning to help a new customer.
“What do you want to read?” Kellan prompted walking back out into the rows of books with me.
“Research,” I answered heading straight towards my goal section.
“Enlighten me.”
“Vampires,” was all I said. Looking around the shelf of religious and cultural books for a minute, I finally located the one I’d caught Kellan with the past weekend. He watched me with intent as I retrieved the book from the shelf. “What were you reading about in here?” I asked flipping to the first page.
Diary of a Vampeen Page 15