“You’re a lifesaver; I didn’t even remember those.” She just smiled coyly and zipped downstairs in less than three seconds.
I turned back to Kellan, still statuesque in the position I left him. “Girl stuff,” I announced holding up the bag to show him. He did nothing to acknowledge my gesture though.
Feeling frustrated, I grab the box from my bed and walked towards the bathroom just as Kellan snapped out of his trance. “Lexi.”
For the first time I felt the carpet fibers twisted beneath by socks as I rotated back to him. “Yea?”
“I felt it,” he stated. “I felt it, I felt you; … your soul, the energy. Intense concentrated force,” he stumbled to blend his thoughts into cohesive words and sentences.
“I know,” I whispered. “I heard you.”
“I’ve never felt something, anything so powerful in my life. It’s as if creation manifested the earth between our souls,” he explained.
“I know,” I said softly as our eyes locked on each other. Looking in, I saw beyond his exterior to, as cliché as it sounds, to my destiny; to a love so intense I couldn’t look away. It radiated, permeated our energy fields.
Kellan closed the gap between us in one swift movement, never breaking concentration. He extended his hand in slow motion towards my cheek, all visible in my peripheral vision. The second our skin touched, the graze of his inner hand along my cheek down to my jaw released a tingling, magnetic sensation drawing me to lean into him. Chills ran down my spine as my heart skipped a few beats; a smile lifted my heart to a novel experience I’d never known or imagined. His teeth glistened a pure white as his skin took on the subtle honey glow I noticed in his dimple moments ago.
His fingertips reaching my temples were a cool relief amidst the chatter I heard downstairs. I zoned into him, closed off the distractions. Lost in his eyes of wonder, I finally stated, “I felt it too.”
“I know,” he replied.
“Wait,” I shook my head breaking the intensity of the moment. “How?”
“When we connected, we shared thoughts. I heard you calling for me to tell you I felt it,” he explained.
“O.M.G!” I noted in my best Mel impression.
“Oh my gravy?” he grinned.
I broke into laughter. “Way to ruin the moment.”
“I think you already did when you brought Mel into it,” he chuckled in a smooth tone.
“True.”
“Change clothes here, I want to be with you when you look in the mirror.”
“Promise not to peek?”
“I’m a gentleman, but not a fool.”
“Just say you promise,” I laughed smacking his arm playfully. He didn’t even flinch. Even with a hulk gene I couldn’t hurt him.
“Just change!” he smiled, dimple showcased as he turned his back on me.
My old clothes slid off me with little effort. I ran my hands along my thighs. “They’re so thin,” I commented sliding my new size small cheeky panties on.
I held out the pants my aunt bought me observing their measurements. They were so tiny compared to what I was wearing yesterday. How was this possible? It’s mind-blowing. Yesterday I was barely fitting in XL clothes and today I was wearing small undies and medium pants.
I removed my blanket of a shirt and bra replacing them quickly with my new items. “Ok. You can look,” I told Kellan.
“Much better,” he beamed looking me up and down. “You ready to see how utterly gorgeous you are?” he asked.
“I’m a little nervous actually,” I confessed, fidgeting with my hands.
“Lexi, trust me when I say no other woman is as beautiful as you.”
“That’s a lot to live up to,” I noted, my voice quivering lightly.
“Come on, close your eyes,” Kellan said taking my hand and leading me into the bathroom. His hand was still cool to the touch, yet not as cold as I remembered before. I heard the flicker of the bathroom light switch and felt the heat that radiated the room the instant the bulb filled with electricity.
“You ready?” he asked.
I inhaled a deep breathe, released slowly and said, “I am.”
“Open your eyes.” I could hear the suspense in his voice; he’s anticipating my reaction.
I lifted my lids slowly, unsure of what I would see reflecting back, praying it’s nothing short of my dreams.
I gasped, my hands flew over my mouth cupping the “Oh!” that escaped. Was this really me? Was I that pretty person staring back? It couldn’t be. This girl belonged in a magazine, in a fairytale story, not in my bathroom. “Is this really me?”
“Told you,” Kellan whispered from behind my ear though his eyes were observing my every move reflected in the mirror.
Standing in the mirror was a curvy, yet thin woman with brown shining eyes, full lips with a rosy hue, and long dark brown hair with new golden highlights when the light reflected certain strands. Her skin was light but clear, not one spot, not one mole or freckle was visible.
My beauty… I couldn’t believe it was mine… It’s unfathomable. I lifted my shirt to reveal a smooth, flat stomach. Though my hips were clearly there, wide in form protruding to create a perfectly balanced hourglass, not one stretch mark wrinkled my skin.
I twirled around, peering over my shoulder in the mirror to see no love handles, and, though it’s bigger than my mom or aunt’s, I was happy to see an instantly recognizable round booty – the kind that fills out jeans but doesn’t leave a huge pucker at the waist. It’s not J.Lo but certainly not Jessica Simpson.
I spun back around and held out my arms. No wave! There were no fat slabs on my triceps. And my boobs! They’re fully shaped – voluptuous and perky yet not overwhelming. They were proportionate to my figure, maybe slightly smaller by my keen-eyed calculations.
I glanced back up to my face, to my enhanced features. My eyebrows were arched and primped according to the exact map of my brow bone. My lashes were thick, long and naturally curled to frame my big, bright eyes that seemed awake yet dark and exotic returning my reflection. I turned sideways to see the little bump I once had from breaking my nose at five was gone. A flawless profile mirrored back at me. Gone are the days of a double chin. My skin was pulled, taught along my soft, yet strong jaw-line.
Leaning into the mirror, I saw the exact outline of my lips was straight, not one jagged edge or feathered color – think built-in lip liner without the hassle. I ran my index finger along my softly, filled lips. The color lightened as I touched them, but returned the moment I pulled away.
I finally pulled back and looked at Kellan through the mirror. I saw him watching my every move as I examined my new self. Wait! I leaned back into the mirror and smiled. Pearly white teeth all perfectly aligned were revealed. I clamped up and down a few times smacking my enamel. I pushed my tongue against my cuspids, but nothing happened.
I turned to Kellan and asked the ultimate question, “Where are my fangs?”
He burst into laughter. “You really are charming.”
I projected my bottom lip in a pout. “Well I don’t know.”
Still laughing he replied, “I guess so.”
Feeling a bit annoyed now, I decided to force the information out of him. “Kellan, if you don’t stop laughing and tell me where my fangs are I’m going to tackle you. I’m just as strong now, remember?”
That only made him laugh harder. “You’re being silly Lexi.”
“Ugh!” I groaned racing out of the bathroom and down the stairs in six seconds flat. Apparently I was still slow. As I reached the bottom, Kellan was grinning smugly up at me.
“Kellan, why didn’t you tell her?” Beth scolded from the couch.
“Mom,” he stated seriously, “Did you hear her?”
Beth just glared at Kellan. She gave him what I call the ‘mother’s look of death.’ The moment you get this glare, do as she commands or be prepared to suffer the consequences.
He sighed and chuckled to himself once more before explaining. �
�You don’t really have fangs that appear or disappear. Your teeth are sharp against foreign objects even as a human with enough force. Your perfect health has cemented your enamel and your increased strength is what allows you to pierce your victim effortlessly.”
“Oh,” I said, feeling foolish in my mythical beliefs.
“It’s ok sweetie, you didn’t know,” my mother advised.
“I didn’t know either,” my dad added.
“Thanks dad. Umm, I know you want me to stay close, but can I go for a walk in the neighborhood? I need some fresh air.” I was ready to explore my environment with my enhancements; scrutinize what I’d always overlooked, smell what I’d never encountered, hear what once was muted and, most of all, feel the exhilaration of driving a convertible by simply sprinting.
“I would prefer you not sweetie. It’s still very dangerous for you.”
“What if I go with her?” Kellan offered.
My mother looked around at every adult in the room obtaining approval with a quick nod before agreeing.
“Let’s go!” I squealed grabbing Kellan’s hand and running towards the door.
“Lexi,” he called pulling back on my arm.
“Yea?” I asked puzzled over his hesitation.
“Umm… shoes…” he smirked looking down at my socks.
“Oh. Right.”
“You’re a very amusing vampeen,” he laughed. His entire face glowed, eyes sparkled, and for a brief second, I felt his energy project the love and laughter of a child. I guess he really was entertained by me.
“Yea, yea,” I mocked and sped up to my room for my shoes. Those were the only things that still fit me.
Chapter 17
“I feel so exhilarated, so free,” I exclaimed as I walked down the sidewalk with Kellan. “I feel energetic, like I’m wide awake for the first time in my life.”
“That’s good,” he said, placing his hands in his pocket and lowering his head towards the ground below.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing,” he replied forcing a smile my way.
“I know I was kind of born yesterday, but I’m not stupid or blind. What’s wrong?” I repeated stopping mid-step to face him.
“It’s silly.”
“I’m sure it’s not; now dish,” I commanded with the same authority Mel held over me at times.
Mel… my best friend, the one who believed I was on an exotic vacation. She’s the one I needed most in this situation yet she’s the last person I could talk to. I was right in believing that things would change drastically, yet I still underestimated the challenge. Looking at myself now, I realized the complexity I faced in returning to school after merely a couple weeks.
“It’s, uh… just… well...”
“Spit it out. I know I have forever, but I don’t want to waste forever,” I teased.
“Wow, you’re feisty now!”
“Sorry. I guess I am a little edgy.”
“Follow me. Or do you want me to carry you?” he offered with a smirk and a wink.
“I can walk,” I quickly claimed.
“Oh, we’re not walking. We’re running,” the devilish part of him was glowing.
“Where to?”
“You’ll see.” And with that he took off towards the woods lining the backyard of my neighbors.
I sped off to catch up, but never could get close enough. I was literally following the wind and his shadow. Racing faster than any track star I’d seen, zig-zagging between trees, we finally came upon a short dirt path. I slowed to a brisk walk. I’d been trying to stay with Kellan to the point where I ignored the thrill of the wind beating my face in a pleasant way; I didn’t remember to enjoy my first sprint of freedom.
The path led straight onto a golf course that seemed oddly familiar. Observing my surroundings, I realized it was the same course Kellan brought me to before. I stood at the edge of the forest for several minutes listening, but alas, nothing caught my ear – no crickets chirped, no birds sang, no whispers carried from houses away and no wind rustled the leaves like most days in fall. More alarming, I’d been trying to hear nature so intently that I forgot to listen for Kellan who wasn’t within view.
“Kellan,” I called walking onto the mildewed grass.
I heard an awakening within the forest. Something or someone was traveling like a bullet, like a cheetah running on scent of his prey. Listening, the leaves on the forest floor were flying up quickly. It’d been three seconds since the noise erupted and already the sinking feeling within me sensed it was coming for me.
Judging the distance based off a muffled scattering, I realized I had three… two… one.
I closed my eyes, frozen, unable to face whatever it was. Locking all joints in my body, I braced myself for an attack from behind.
Cocking my head sideways I listened but heard nothing once again. The disturbance that swept the woods was gone. Reviewing my memory and calculations, I should have been hit and hit hard by that thing.
I slowly turned to face the path I’d arrived on, opening my eyes as I rotated and saw… nothing. My stomach began to churn as I heard footsteps, faint but audible from behind me. I inhaled jaggedly and returned to my previous position. But again, nothing.
“What the heck is going on?” I whispered to myself, creasing my brows attempting to rationally plot my next move.
“Boo!”
“AHH!” I took off sprinting across the field. The pace I did earlier was jogging compared to this. Half-way across the open field of green turf I heard him.
“Lexi!” Kellan called from behind me.
I paused abruptly, chucking up a bit of dirt and grass with my swift skid, and turned to see a clearly amused Kellan smirking yet shaking his head in a disapproving way.
“Kellan! That wasn’t funny!” I yelled stomping across the green. Couldn’t he at least wait until boot camp was over; until I was managing my new abilities cohesively?
“You’re right,” he said seriously, promptly standing to greet me. “We need to talk.”
“About what?” I demanded feeling hot-headed.
“Lexi, why didn’t you run?” he pressed.
“I froze, that’s all,” I replied brushing off his concern.
“Lexi,” he stated sternly.
“Kellan.” I mimicked his tone.
“Believe it or not, we’re more often hunted than hunting. You failed survival instincts 101.”
“Can I repeat the course?” I smiled wryly.
He took my face between his hands gently. “Lexi, I’m being serious. Keira came for you. We scared her off but she’s still here. I don’t want to lose you. I know you’re enjoying the feeling of being indestructible, but trust me, you aren’t,” he warned looking fiercely into my eyes.
I froze, like a deer caught in head lights. She came for me. I’d never done anything to this crazy vampire yet it’s her mission to destroy me because of my heritage, something I couldn’t change. Now I empathized with the victims of racism or hate crimes; I just struggled to comprehend that they existed in the vamp world.
I didn’t know what came over me. Fear? Anxiety? Relief? I burst into tears.
The overwhelming process of becoming a vampeen didn’t end after your transformation. It’s like the army, you don’t stop developing as a soldier after boot camp; you have to continue learning and practice drills daily. I focused so much on my transformation as the final step that I neglected the adjustments I would need to make ongoing outside of Mel and Mike.
Kellan carefully lifted my chin with his hand, “Lexi. It’s ok.”
“I’m being silly, huh?” I blubbered trying to choke back the unrelenting waterfall.
“No, you’re finally acting normal.”
“What do you mean?”
“Lexi, the entire time your mom and me explained this to you, you were Joe Cool. I freaked out for two weeks straight. I became a mad man. You just took it in stride as if this was always your destiny. It wasn’t natural.”
I didn’t say anything. Despite what he said, more tears filled my eyes and trickled down my cheeks. I couldn’t even look at him. I looked down fidgeting with my hands, trying to discern my emotions.
“Enough of this,” he commanded. “Look at me Lexi.”
I lifted my eyes to stare into his though my head didn’t budge. Despite my water works, my vision wasn’t blurry.
“Every waking minute this week I will be with you. I am going to teach you,” he advised.
“But what about school? Don’t you still have to go?”
“Not really. My parents will excuse me for this.”
“How do you know all this anyways? You’ve only been a vampeen for two months. Do you really learn that quickly or am I just that stupid?” I pressed, on edge from how out of control I felt.
“Promise not to be mad?” he asked warily.
I just stared at him. I didn’t acknowledge a ‘yes’ or ‘no.’
“Kiss me.”
“What?” I shook my head, caught off guard. “Kellan, just tell me!”
“Kiss me first.”
“Why do I have to kiss you? Why can’t you kiss me?” I challenged.
“Fine.” He grabbed my shoulders, pulled me into him, wrapping his arms around me so I couldn’t move back. He didn’t lean down and kiss me though; we just gazed into each other’s eyes, a fiery, feisty appetite flaring between us. I lifted my head but made no move to close the gap.
“Thought you were going to kiss me…” I whispered, lost in our intense no-blinking match.
“Can’t I admire the apple I’m about to eat?”
I chuckled. Playing along, I asked, “And this apple. Is it red or green?”
“Red.”
“Why red?”
“Because it’s my favorite color.”
“Oh.”
“Lexi?” he called softly.
“Yea?” I copied his volume.
“Please kiss me.”
I lifted myself into him and pressed my lips to his gently. I put no force behind it; it was meant to be nice. I didn’t linger and he didn’t pull me back in.
“Now,” I stated softly yet firmly, “Tell me.”
Diary of a Vampeen Page 18