Betrayal: Book 2 of the Non-Vampire Series

by Jennie Taylor

  I walked through neighborhoods I'm pretty sure no girl my age and size should actually walk through alone. There are some really seedy places up here. Not once did anyone even approach me, though. In fact, three little kids crossed the street to avoid me. 'cause, ya know, I'm all intimidating and stuff.

  There was a fountain in front of some building, and it was so peaceful and tranquil that I decided to sit and watch it for a while. If only the rest of my life could be as simple as that. The water splashed in a gentle rhythm that was very relaxing.

  I didn't realize how long I had been sitting there until my phone rang. I pulled it out immediately, a part of me hoping it was Marissa and a part of me praying it wasn't. And a small part of me thought just maybe Celeste had come to the conclusion that we could be together. Instead it was Peggy.

  “Hello,” I said into the phone.

  “We're here at the apartment Are you nearby?”

  “Um,” I glanced around. “Not really.”

  “We need to head back to Hanton tonight, Brynne, and we may not be able to make it back up here for a few weeks.”

  “That's okay, you guys go to dinner without me.” I told her.

  “Jessica tells me you're having a bad day.”

  “Jess should mind her own business sometimes.”

  “She's just looking out for you.” she said. That's true, I know it is, but I need time alone. “Why don't you tell me where you are and I can come pick you up. Then we can come back for the others and all head out to the restaurant.”

  “I don't really think...”

  “Just tell me where you are.” she said. More like demanded.

  I told her the streets that crossed at the nearest intersection so she could enter it into her GPS, and then I went to the corner and waited twenty minutes for her to arrive.

  “There you are.” she said. “Hop in, let's get back.”

  “Thank you for picking me up.” I said.

  “So tell me what is bothering you.” she said, going right after the one thing I didn't want to discuss.

  “Just personal stuff.”

  “I see.” she said, nodding.

  No, she doesn't see. Nobody sees. Ever. Nobody ever will. Every time I like someone, they suddenly think I'm not worth the effort.

  “In the past year I think we've gotten close, haven't we?” she asked. I nodded when she looked over at me. “With you living with us, being there all the time, you've become part of our family.”

  “Thank you for saying that.” I said. I felt tears welling up. I do love them all.

  “I think of you as a second daughter, Brynne. And I'm always going to love you and want the best for you.”

  “You're all so much better than I deserve.”

  “Nonsense. Now, that being said, talk to me. Like you would your mother.”

  Like I would my mother. I would never have told my mother anything that has gone on. Never. Times were different. She would have killed me just for Teresa, even before I had a chance to mention anything else that has gone on.

  “I don't know if I can.” I whispered.

  “Okay.”

  She pulled to the side of the road and turned the car off. After that, she undid her seat belt and leaned over and hugged me. That was it, I just let the tears flow and started telling her everything. It was embarrassing, and easy, all at the same time. The only reason I could even say it is because I trust her completely.

  “Brynne, you're fifteen.”

  “Give or take a century or so.” I said.

  “I remember fifteen. I was even younger than you the first time I had my heart ripped out and torn to shreds. Some boy whose name I can't even remember now, but who I had fallen for at the time, just flat out told me in front of everyone that he didn't like me.”

  “It's not the same.”

  “It is the same. I got over him, whatever his name is, in a few weeks. And got crushed all over again by a different boy later on. It's how it works.”

  “Marissa won't answer my calls.”

  “Then you move on.” she said. “You'll find someone special some day.”

  “I already did. She left me.”

  “I know, Brynne, but...”

  “You don't! You married your soul mate, mine left me because I'm a hideous creature.”

  “You have a lot of time to find...”

  “I'm sick of having a lot of time! I get so sick of... of living!” I shouted. “I want a normal, eighty year lifespan. I want to age at the same rate as Teresa does, I want to be normal, like Teresa is, and I want, more than anything, Teresa.”

  Well there, I laid that all out. It's true. Marissa was never going to be anything other than a time filler. She was never going to be all that special to me. So why worry that she won't talk to me? Who cares?

  “What about Celeste?” Peggy asked.

  “What about her?”

  “Jessica said...”

  “Jess has a big mouth!” I snapped.

  “She's trying to help.”

  “I don't need...”

  “I know. But you're part of our family, and that makes her the big sister. So she feels like she has to look out for you.”

  Ha, shows what she knows. Jess was trying to look out for me before I ever came to live with them. Before I told her I'm a monster, even.

  “Okay, well,” I sighed. “What do you want to know?”

  “Jessica said you like this woman.”

  “So?”

  “Do you?”

  “Um,” I shrugged.

  “Isn't she a little too old for you?”

  “That's kind of what she said.” I told Peggy, as my tears picked back up again. “Last night, when I...” Oh well, here goes. “When I kissed her.”

  “You kissed her?” Peggy asked, sounding really skeptical. “Did she know you liked her before she kissed you?”

  “I kissed her.” I said. I feel so embarrassed. “And she stopped me.”

  “Oh.”

  “Because I'm a child.”

  “Oh.” she said. She actually sounds happy about that. “Well you really should be looking for people you're own age.”

  “In the graveyard, maybe? Or is there some secret facility where they keep people alive for a couple of centuries?”

  “You're fifteen. You may be stuck that way for a long time, but you are fifteen.”

  “I don't even know why we're talking about this! Can we just go?”

  “We're talking about this because I don't think it's right for you to be dating an adult woman. You're not old enough.”

  “Well the point is moot, anyway, so don't worry. She hates me. She wouldn't even make eye contact with me today.”

  “I'm sure she doesn't hate you.” she assured me.

  “It doesn't matter.”

  “Brynne,”

  “Look, I...” I sighed and wiped at my eyes. “I understand what she is saying, and I... I mean I get it. And I will be okay.” Once my heart somehow seals itself back together over Teresa ripping it apart, maybe. If that ever happens. “I just don't want to talk about it anymore. Please.”

  “Well you can always call me and talk to me. Any time, okay?”

  “I know.”

  She put her seat belt back on and pulled back into the road. I know she thinks she can help, but... ya know, actually, I do kind of feel a little better. Just knowing she's there for me, supports me, thinks of me like a daughter.

  “Thank you.” I told her. I couldn't exactly articulate what I was thanking her for, but she smiled and nodded.

  My parents were never like these people. I know it was a different world, and they had a harsher time, but my mother would never have tried to talk to me about this kind of stuff. Even if it was about boys and not girls.

  When we got back to the apartment I grabbed onto Peggy's hand and wouldn't let her leave the car for a minute. She patiently waited as I worked to keep from crying an
d tried to come up with some way to say what I wanted to say.

  “I just...” I have no idea what I want to say here. “Just... thanks.”

  “You're welcome.” she said, patting my hand.

  “You are like a mother to me.” I told her, sniffling. “And I love you guys. You're the only family I have, and... so, um, just... thanks.”

  “We love you, honey.”

  I let her go and we went inside. Jess was giving me an angry look when I got in there, and I don't even know why. Maybe she's upset that I wandered off and didn't come back in time, I don't know.

  Our meal was very nice. I was able to kind of relax and enjoy a nice chat about things with them, with my family. It does feel nice to know I actually have a family. I've been all alone for so long, and now I'm not.

  It was hard when they left at the end of the night. I felt like I still needed a little more support, and Peggy was great at that. But I knew we'd see them soon, and we would talk to them on the phone. Jess and I can probably go back down there to visit next week, even.

  “We have to catch these vampires soon.” I told Jess. We were laying in our beds.

  “I know, right.”

  “I miss your parents. Even Barney.”

  “I miss our bedroom.”

  I don't think she even understands how great her family really is. She never had any other, so they've always just been there. But I can see how special they are.

  “Peggy said she thinks of me as a second daughter.” I whispered.

  “Yeah, I kinda get that.”

  “I feel so lucky. Honored.”

  “Brynne, you know whatever it is that has been bothering you the past few days, you can talk to me, right?” she said.

  “I have talked to you about...”

  “You have? I mean we've talked, but it seems like you're holding something back from me.”

  “I'm okay. Just a lot going on in my head, that's all.”

  “The invitation is always open, honey. Even if it's something you don't think I want to hear, I'll deal with it. No judging, no hassling. I promise.”

  “I know. Thank you.”

  Monday, June 2

  I woke to my phone ringing. I slid out of bed and looked at it for a moment before answering. Marissa.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Brynne! Oh, it's so good to hear your voice.”

  “I've been calling you.”

  “My phone was dead. We went to visit my grandmother in St. Louis, and I forgot my charger.”

  “You never mentioned you'd be gone all...”

  “My mom didn't tell me until the last minute, and we were only supposed to be there the one day.” she said. “But my grandma got sick and we had to stay.”

  “Miranda didn't go with you?”

  “No, it's my grandma on my mom's side and she still isn't too happy with my step father, so Mom thought it would be best if just the two of us went.”

  “Miranda didn't say anything to Jess when they...”

  “Are you sure? She said she did.”

  “No, she...”

  “Is there any reason Jess wouldn't tell you?”

  “What reason could there possibly be for her not telling me?”

  “I don't know, she's your friend, not mine. You tell me.” she said. She sounds angry.

  Jess would definitely tell me. I don't know what happened there. She wouldn't forget. I mean not after seeing how upset I've been about Marissa not being around. No, Jess would tell me. So Miranda is lying if she said she told Jess. But there is no point in me starting that argument right now.

  “So,” she said. She didn't continue.

  “So?”

  “Should I come over?”

  “Um,”

  I am so mad at her right now. Except if her grandma really was sick it was very nice of Marissa and her mother to stay and take care of her grandma. It was horrible that she didn't call, or text, or make sure that I had been told, but we did just start dating. It's not like we had plans, or anything.

  “I guess.” I said.

  “Wow, way to sound all enthusiastic about seeing me. Never mind.”

  “No, I just... come over.”

  “That's okay, if you aren't interested in spending time with me I can find other things to do.”

  “I want you to come over.” I told her.

  “Not so sure you mean that.”

  “I do. Please.” Okay, somehow I wind up practically begging her to come?

  “I don't know. I might come, I'm not sure yet.” she whined.

  “Marissa,”

  “I'll talk to you later. Bye.”

  She hung up on me before I could say goodbye. Great. She ignores me for a week, even if she had a good reason, and I end up being the one who feels bad for not being super excited the second she shows back up. I mean I think I had a good reason to be upset with her. Didn't I? I don't know anymore.

  Maybe I should just take a long break from girls. Not even think of dating. Just forget the very possibility. I did it for over a century, I could do it again. Except there's Teresa. I can't stop thinking of her, obsessing about her, and I'm never going to unless I can either distract myself with someone else or find someone who I like as much.

  I don't know how Jess slept through the phone. Apparently she is a much deeper sleeper than I thought. I figured since I changed her she would be a light sleeper, like I am, but she really is a deep sleeper.

  Celeste wasn't around, so I had breakfast alone. After eating, and cleaning my dishes, I sat on the sofa and watched cartoons.

  “Do I smell food?” Jess asked.

  “Not unless it's cereal.” I told her.

  “Huh. Someone made eggs somewhere.” she mumbled.

  “I don't smell it. My nose is a little clogged today.”

  “Huh. Anyway, I think I'm going to try cooking something. Wish me luck.”

  “Good luck.”

  “Should I make enough for you, too?”

  “I had Cheerios.”

  Jess began making sausage. It's kind of funny to see her cook. I mean she isn't... she doesn't seem that domestic, ya know? I went in and watched as she scooped the last piece onto her plate.

  “Hey Jess,”

  “Hm?” she asked, her mouth full.

  “Are you sure Miranda didn't say something about Marissa being out of town?”

  “She never told me anything, honey. I would have told you if she had.” she said, taking another nibble.

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “She's out of town?”

  “Yeah, she called me earlier. She said she was visiting her grandma, but they are back now.”

  “What, and she couldn't answer her damn phone?” she asked, her forehead crinkled.

  “She said she forgot her charger.”

  “Right. Sure.” She shook her head. “And you believe that sh... crap?”

  “I don't know. I mean I guess.”

  “Honey, you deserve better treatment than that. If she cared at all about you she would have at least called once.”

  “She said...”

  “Well even if her phone was dead, she could have made sure Miranda got a message to you to let you know what was going on. She just didn't give any thought to your feelings at all, and that is not acceptable.”

  “Jess, she just...”

  “She's just a self centered, thoughtless bitch.”

  “Hey, that's not very nice.”

  “Ya think?” she snapped. “You need to tell her to get lost.”

  “Jess,”

  “I'm serious. And if you don't then you're the one being stupid.”

  “I...”

  Great. That's what I needed, my best friend being grouchy with me and making me feel even worse. Ya, I know my girlfriend wasn't exactly thinking of me when she didn't call. I am mad about that, but I'm not ready to write her off for it. Jess just needs to mind her own bu
siness on this one.

  Less than an hour later Marissa showed up. When I answered the door she acted like everything was normal, that nothing had happened at all. And maybe that's the best way to handle it. Just move forward and not think about the past week.

  “I've missed you.” I told her.

  “Me too, Brynne.” She hugged me again. “But I'm here now.”

  “Yeah. Want to just hang out here for a while, then maybe get some lunch later?”

  “Sounds good.” she said.

  “Oh, look who's here.” Jess said. She was standing by the sofa.

  “Hi, Jessica.” Marissa said, smiling.

  “Did you apologize?” Jess asked.

  “Don't.” I warned.

  “Did you even think about Brynne one time during the past week?”

  “Jess!”

  “She's all I thought about.” Marissa said, squeezing my hand. “All week. That is why I had Miranda tell you where I was, so Brynne wouldn't worry.”

  “Miranda never said one word.”

  “She said she told you, and she wouldn't lie to me.”