Why are you so late? I thought it to him.
I was taking care of some business quickly and the time slipped by.
I wasn't sure if I detected a false note to his story, I let it go.
Math passed in a blur where I actually understood everything the teacher explained. I asked many questions to help those around me that were clearly lost. My questions helped to shine some light on some of their faces. Dom sat placidly by me and allowed this to happen- it didn't matter that he didn't care too much about his fellow students- I enjoyed having a familiar body sitting next to me, and smiling at me.
I was a little nervous when the lunchtime bell rang. I didn't know how to really interact with Kelly and her friends but Dominic would not have no for an answer, and he easily dragged me out to the cafeteria. I spotted them quickly, and then glanced around the rest. I wondered how
Mike and Acacia had not been seen by me all day- it's a small school and a smaller senior building, how could I not see them? I was puzzled by this.
The minute Kelly saw us she was like a bolt of lightning. She ran over to us- yes, ran, not walked quickly, but bloody ran.
“Em and Dom. You have to …,” deep breath, “… come and join us,” she panted.
I looked with trepidation at her group of friends that were clearly questioning their friend's sanity for inviting me. “If Dominic wants to.” I smiled.
“Of course we'll join you, Kelly.” He beamed.
Kelly Winters was the cheerleader prep as I had mentioned before, but she was also a good person- something I never took the time to find out until recently. She could easily ignore people and her group was handpicked by her, for the sole purpose of having contacts for the future. These kids were the most likely to go somewhere important; modeling, acting, politics, and things like that. I didn't think much of them- they were simple clones- but for Kelly they created her world. I knew that she was really insecure, but I still couldn't understand the need to surround oneself with so much falseness.
They smiled at us as we reached the table and I had to fight the urge to shout at them about being so damn fake. Dominic took my hand and rubbed the back with his thumb. The small circles tingled as he did it. We smiled back at them as we sat down next to Kelly. She was busy rambling on about how the prom committee was working really hard to get funds, so we could have an awesome prom. It's the little things in life that make people happy; this was one of those things for Kelly.
“If there is some problem with the funds for prom, you know that we'll easily donate to the cause. It's our prom too,” I said to her with a sweet smile.
She looked back and forth between Dom- who had started to nod his head- and me. Her mouth dropped open and then closed- she looked like a fish out of water. “Are you really, really serious? I mean it could get expensive.” Her cheeks flushed.
When you don't have a lot of money, and you talk about expenses, it tends to make people embarrassed.
“Yes, I am serious. Where is it being held?” I was hoping for some awesome place.
“The gym.” She answered like it was the most obvious answer and what planet was I living on.
“Oh.” I frowned.
“Well, it's the only place big enough.” She was trying to make it sound logical.
“Why don't we rent out a hotel or something? There is one in the city.” I beamed as I put the thought out there.
“Jeeze, Em. That is really out of our budget.” Kelly's eyes looked down as she fumbled with a piece of her napkin.
“Screw your budget! I will cover the entire damn cost. Now let's plan an awesome prom that no one will ever forget!” I was enthralled. I had found something to keep me occupied for the next weeks.
Kelly's eyes nearly popped out of her pretty little head and her entire table stared at me with open mouths. Good grief people! Dom continued to rub my hand.
“Of course, my family will also contribute for this event. But you have to understand that this cost is nothing.” He was trying to be diplomatic, the yutz.
Kelly's mouth was stuck in the shape of an O and her friends all had similar expressions.
Great going. Now they think we're rich snobs. I chided him.
“Perhaps, I said that wrong. The cost of this affair will be entirely taken care of by our families. There is nothing to worry about.” He tried to smooth it over.
So not working. I could've laughed at everything, but I kept it under control.
Kelly looked at me like a deer in headlights.
“Okay, let's say you pitched to us, as the possible fund raiser people that our prom would be at the snotty hotel in the city. You also added in the request to have a DJ, and lights done, as well as refreshments, top of the line souvenirs, and five-star dinners. Let's just say that you're pitching that at potential investors.” I waited for a reaction.
I could see her tabulating the cost of everything I had said and she flushed fiercely as she realized it was so much. She nodded her head once I raised my eyebrows.
“Okay, now that you've pitched the idea to us. We discuss it. We've agreed to fund this endeavor, but on the memory pamphlets we want an honorable mentioning. We also reserve the right to veto anything that comes through, so all purchases must go through us before something is added to the bill. Are we good, my dear prom committee?” I smiled a perfect business deal smile.
“Um, yes. Are you sure though?” Kelly added.
“Yes, I am sure … but I need a unanimous agreement from the entire committee to have us as the financial backing for the senior prom.” I didn't want Kelly getting all the blame if something was wrong with what we were doing.
I looked at each person at the table. The perfect blonde looked at me, thought about it and then nodded as she chewed on her lower lip. The tan, rusty haired boy came next. His deep, chocolate eyes pinched in concentration and then he agreed. A black haired girl who was more pixie like than anything else, raised an eyebrow and looked down her nose at me. I could've killed her right there- but I didn't. I guess she decided that she wasn't going to be the one to screw this up and her head jerked up and down as though it fought against itself. A guy wearing casual business attire focused his eyes on mine and smiled the same business smile I had, and then agreed. Kelly, of course, agreed. I knew there were other members of the committee. I wonder what happened to Julia? I decided they must've had a falling out of some kind and Julia was ultimately kicked from the group.
“You're gonna have to get the others to verbally agree to you as well. If you wish, I could draw up a contract?” I checked with Dom if this was possible, he nodded.
“No, no. It so isn't necessary. I trust you, Emma. I will get their okays. I will also start making phone calls tonight and getting the plans started. Tomorrow, everyone, including you guys, can agree on stuff.” She smiled and an excited light came into her eyes.
Man, she's like putty in your hands. Dom's voice cooed in my head.
Just know how to handle them. I explained.
The lunch bell rang.
I gave Dominic a goodbye kiss and watched as he sauntered off toward the gym. Then, Kelly and I walked into the senior building. She had French and I was going to History. Our rooms were right next door.
“Au revoir mon amie!” I called after her.
She smiled good heartedly. “Enjoy history.”
I sat through History after turning in my stack of homework with an amused expression on my face. Miss Henderson was talking about something that I had read before, so I enjoyed her drone as a background noise while I imagined what prom would be like, and what graduation would be like.
I felt nervous about leaving all of this behind. It was my connection to the human world that I belonged to- or used to. After graduation, I would be immersed in our own ways, with our own kind. My emotions pulled at me from the inside, this change was something I really was nervous about.
I was completely lost in thought when Miss Henderson came and placed a paper on my desk about what
we were discussing. Her hand touched mine ever so slightly and soon I was struck by a wave of information from her. The most predominate thing in her thoughts were vivid images of a man, half naked, in a bed. I assumed that the bed was hers, and I recognized the man immediately. Oh my god! Miss Henderson is having an affair with Coach Williams!
I wasn't sure what to do. I sat there and stared at her. I went back to her thoughts and tried to figure out when it started. I couldn't find a clear beginning. I did find images from the Coach's wedding, in which she was the maid of honor, and a few from her own wedding and divorce as well.
I looked back further- they were in a high school, this one, and he was dating his now wife, and then he met her. It started out as flirting and then went from there. Now, here we are, years later, and she's his mistress and his wife has no clue.
I knew this scandal would blow the town apart, as well as the school. I kept my mouth shut tight. I knew Dom had heard my exclamation, but he didn't say anything.
It was shocking to learn about people by accident. My accidents were very startling to me I found out.
I left class in a gentle haze as her thoughts began to leave the front of my mind. I looked back at my teacher, with a little pity; she would never be the one in the beautiful white dress she imagined if she stayed with him. Maybe I should tell her? I decided that would cause problems. I walked downstairs to Art class with Miss Ashley.
Miss Ashley was always my favorite teacher because she was so calm, collected, and young. She can sympathize with us about lots of stuff.
I walked into the room and handed her a sketchbook I had filled with drawings, while I was away. She hadn't assigned anything, but I figured I should do something. No one else was in class yet and she smiled at me.
“Your ball was lovely, Emma,” she said in a whispered voice.
She was at my ball? I felt confused, what would a human be doing at my ball?
Yes. It was very beautiful! Her voice caught me seriously off guard.
Oh my freaking God! You're one! I squealed with delight.
She turned her back to the door and let her fangs slide down very impressive.
I smiled and finally understood why she was so awesome. She winked at me and the room began to fill with people. Dominic was the last one in.
Em? He said.
I shook my head and nodded toward Miss Ashley and mimed fangs.
He looked at me in disbelief. No way!
Yes way!
It wasn't my voice that answered him and his mouth dropped open when he looked at her.
A thought suddenly struck me. Miss Ashley, if you were at my ball, why didn't we shake hands with you?
I called to inform your family I would be late, and so I was. She smiled as she was talking to the class about the technique of stippling.
I got up and grabbed the handouts that were on her desk as she demonstrated on the board what it meant. I passed them out very slowly.
I smiled through my entire Art class because now I had two secrets. I wasn't sure if Miss Ashley knew the first one, but I wasn't going to ask, and the second was the coolest thing ever. This was an awesome way to conclude the day.
Class ended and Dom and I went home. Everything fell back into routine after that; I got up, went to school, came home, spent as much time with Dominic as possible, and ate. Life was good in my opinion.
I worked hard with Kelly to ensure that the prom would be remembered for generations to come in this small town. I hoped that it would reach out and encourage other well off vampires to put in some dough so other tiny places could do great things too- but it was only a hope. Life was good. It didn't stop the feeling of missing something that wasn't there, but I got through that with everything else. Everything went on without him, and so did I.
Chapter Thirteen
With prom's fast approach, I decided it was time to go shopping for a dress. I wanted something custom-made, but I didn't want to go to New York alone. Dominic was busy with plans for his clubs, so he wouldn't be able to join me. I thought about asking Miss Ashley, because she would be able to afford an overly expensive dress, and she'd be chaperoning the event. She liked that we were the financial backing to this year's shindig. I asked Kelly to come with me and, at first, I feared that she would be uncomfortable, but I coaxed her into it. I decided that I'd buy her a dress too.
How many times do you get to be a teenager and go to your high school prom? I figured that if a vampire wanted to, they could easily attend high school hundreds of times- because of our slow aging, but that was besides my current point. This was my first prom after all.
I phoned Kelly and asked her if she was busy tomorrow. She had nothing planned and it was a perfect day to go to New York and meet with the designers. The day passed slowly, even for a Saturday. But somehow I survived.
When dawn broke on Sunday, everything was an ugly gray color.
I stuck my head out my bedroom window and saw it was overcast and slightly chilled. I called the airport at once and I was lucky- because it wouldn't interfere with the take off, or landing, of planes.
I drove into town at seven to pick Kelly up at the deli. For some reason, she didn't want me to get her at her house. I thought that maybe she was embarrassed by how small hers was compared to mine.
She was eating a muffin when I pulled up. She waved, but still looked glum. I opened the passenger side door for her from the inside and she bounced from the table to the car. I raised a brow and debated if this was really the best idea. After a minute, I decided it was.
She offered me some of her muffin; I declined and told her that we had a light breakfast waiting at our destination. I hadn't told her where we'd be going for the dress, or that she'd be getting one as well, but those were little details to me. I pulled into the airport and parked.
Her blonde brows shot up. “Um, what are we, eh, doing here?” Her voice cracked at the end.
“We are getting on that plane, right there,” I said as I grabbed my purse and hopped out of my new black beast.
Kelly hooked her arm through her bag and scrambled out of the Jeep. I could hear her feet scurrying to catch up with my longer strides.
“Now, don't say anything. This is going to be fun.” My voice was excited and I gently helped her into the plane.
“Emma, I, eh, I've never, you know, flown before,” she said, sheepishly.
I giggled. “The pilot flies the plane silly.” I stuck my tongue out at her.
Her laugh was shaky.
“Oh, alright, I totally understand. This is like my third or fourth trip. It's safe. Don't worry.” I smiled at her. “Just sit down, are you hungry, or want some coffee or something?”
She sat and looked around. “I'm not hungry. A coke would be nice. Is there a bathroom on this plane?” Her skin had a greenish tinge.
“Yeah, it's up here by the kitchen. Let me get you a 7-UP instead.” I shuffled into the kitchen.
I returned with a bowl of Count Chocula for me and a 7-UP for her.
“You gonna be okay?” I said around a mouthful of cereal.
“Yup.” She tentatively sipped the soda.
The pilot came into the back and told us we would be leaving soon, and to fasten our safety belts. I, of course, saluted him and he laughed and went back into the cockpit.
Kelly white knuckled the arm rests on both sides of her. I sat across from her and tried to chat to her about stuff that would take her mind off of it all. It didn't work.
The plane lurched backwards and she started to sweat. I knew she was going to puke, I hoped she could hold it off until we were in the air. We pulled out onto the runway and started to accelerate. I watched Kelly with concern.
We had lift off. Her face was covered in a gentle sheen, her eyes were shut tight, and I could see her nails digging into the leather.
When we were about to level out, she was fumbling with her belt. I quickly undid mine and got hers undone as fast as possible. Then I glided in front of her and opene
d the bathroom door. She slipped in and closed the door. I heard her finally lose it all. I was lucky to be one of those people who didn't do the same when they heard the sound of someone being ill.
I laughed gently, went in the kitchen and soaked a towel in cold water. I tapped softly on the bathroom door.
“Kelly …” I said to the door.
“I'm okay. Just got too nervous.” Her voice was shaky.
“Honey, let me in, and I can help calm you down and make some of the feeling go away.” I knew tricks from when I was younger that Grandpa taught me.
The door's lock clicked. I pushed it gently open and squeezed in. She had her head resting on the seat of the toilet- something we all seem to do when we feel that bad, totally not caring for the germ factor of having our face where butts go.
I put the cold cloth on the back of her neck. She jumped a little, but then relaxed back onto her porcelain pillow.
I opened the small medicine cabinet and pulled out a tiny, brown bottle, without any markings on it. The top twisted off easily, I sniffed it. Yup, just what I wanted.
I pulled one of Kelly's hands up from her grip on the edge of the toilet and flipped it over. She looked up at me like I might be crazy. I tipped the bottle's contents onto her wrist- only a drop- and rubbed it in. The small room filled with the scent of peppermint.
“Take deep, controlled breaths, and when we leave the bathroom, I'm gonna put you in the bed. If you start to feel nauseous again, smell your wrist, okay?” It was like talking to a sick child.
She nodded as I took the cloth from her neck, rinsed it in the sink, and cooled it off again. I helped her to her feet; let her rinse her mouth out, and splash water onto her face. Then I escorted her to the room in the back of the plane. She lied down without any complaints and I pulled down all the blinds. I put the cool cloth on her forehead and she drifted off into sleep.
I snuck out of the room and enjoyed the serenity of the front cabin, all to myself, as I sipped on some coffee.
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