by K. A. Poe
My lips curved upward slightly. “Salem, I’ve had nearly a month's worth of practice. I think it's just you that isn't ready.”
“You might be right,” he sighed and began pacing around the room. “What if I went with you?”
“How would that work? Paul would know you were there in a second.”
“I wouldn't have to be right beside you...just within the area.”
“I don’t know. It might work. I don’t really see the point in you being there though, I’ll be fine.”
“If anything happened to you...” his voice trailed off.
“You’ll be putting yourself in danger if you go. Don’t forget about Paul.”
“There is no reason to worry about me,” he said assuredly.
“He’s not as bad as you let on, you know.”
“Do you hear yourself, Alex? This is what I was afraid of.”
“I guess I'll tell Paul that I’ll do it. He said I didn’t have to if I wasn’t ready, but I just decided that I am,” I sighed, hoping I really was ready and partially ignoring Salem’s last sentiment. “He says he’s been hearing some strange things down by the graveyard towards his place - people going missing and such. He thinks it may be vampire related.”
“It’s possible,” he said simply, though still obviously upset by what was happening.
As Salem cleared my plate, I called Paul and told him I would meet him at the graveyard. I was not looking forward to it in the least. The first experience with changing had not only been startling, but also painful. I also wasn't quite sure I was ready to face a vampire, despite all of my practice. Salem and Paul being in the same place together made me even more nervous.
The day was dragging on slowly. Salem and I snuggled up on the sofa and discussed strategies for tonight's event. He was going to leave before I did and await our arrival, concealing himself behind whatever was available, and watching to make sure I was safe. As we talked, my phone suddenly vibrated. Plucking it from my pocket, I saw Jason's name across the screen.
“It's Jason again…” I murmured.
“Answer it,” Salem suggested, “I'll leave you alone if you want.”
“No, it's fine,” I replied and leaned up against him again after I hit the answer button. “Hello?”
“Alex!” Jason's voice was a pleasant, welcoming sound. It felt like forever since I last heard it. As I listened it began to sink in how much time I had spent away from my best friends. I missed a party, at my own house, because I was spending time with Salem instead. There had once been a time when Jason, Karen and I were inseparable and now I had practically replaced them with a boy I had just met merely a month ago. Yet, despite how wretched it made me feel knowing that I had abandoned my friends, I was happier now than I had ever been before – and that just made it worse. These feelings increased at the sound of Jason's voice as he continued talking, but I did my best to suppress my emotions. “I have been so worried about you. You still haven't been to school, and I have stopped at the house countless times and you never answer-”
“I'm fine, Jace,” I said, breaking him off. I felt terrible having to sound so stern with him, but how many times were he and Karen going to tell me the same stuff?
“Right…” he sounded sincerely worried.
“I am, honest.”
“That's good,” he paused for a moment, “I kind of wanted to ask you something.”
“What is it?” This couldn't be good.
“If you are feeling up to it...” he paused again, “would you want to go out for lunch, with me?”
“Um, when?” I stared at Salem hopelessly, wishing he could do or say something to save me.
“I was thinking today, but if some other time would be better...”
The only thing that led me to agree was the hope that it would get Paul off my back. “Where’d you have in mind?”
“There's this really nice diner down by my house. Mitch works there, actually. I’m sure you know the place.”
“Oh, that's cool. I guess that works.”
“Great!” his voice was over-enthusiastic. “Be ready in an hour?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Are you sure you really want to go? I mean…I’ve been trying to get you to hang out for like a month now and you always say no.”
“Well, you never asked me to go eat, did ya?” I laughed.
“Oh, I see how it is!” he replied, laughing also. “Alright, well…I’ll see you in an hour!”
“See you,” I muttered and hung up the phone. Salem stared eagerly at me, awaiting my story. To my surprise, he wasn't upset.
“You need time with your friends,” he insisted. “It has been far too long since you have been with them. I thought of pushing the subject other times you were on the phone but refrained.”
“I don't think you understand, Salem,” I sighed. “This is Jason. A boy. And he asked me out, alone.”
He shrugged, “Friends can eat out alone.”
“Fine,” I grumbled. “I have to go home so he can pick me up.”
“I'll join you,” he offered.
“Okay, but don’t let him see you when he shows up. I’d hate to have to make up some reason for why you are there. They still don’t really know about us.”
The drive away from Salem's house was frighteningly enjoyable to me now. The twists and turns no longer made me nervous. I found an unexpected thrill as we went over the hills and around the bends. Part of me didn't like this, but I tried to convince myself it was merely because I was so used to the roads. A light drizzle of rain began trickling down the windshield.
My house was freezing cold and depressingly empty when we arrived. It hurt more than I imagined, walking through the door knowing that I would never see Janet here again. I wouldn't see her anywhere again. Salem noticed my expression and pulled me into his arms. The uncontrollable tears came trickling down my face in moist, warm drops. I wiped my eyes and looked up into his eyes.
“I think I want to sell the house,” I blurted out.
His eyes narrowed. “But, it's your home.”
“It doesn't feel like home to me anymore,” I frowned. “I can stay with you.”
He smiled tenderly and wiped away one of my tears. “You can stay with me without selling the place.”
“There's no reason to keep it,” I objected.
“It's the home you grew up in,” he frowned, and I now understood why he felt so inclined to make me keep it.
“I’m sorry that your childhood home is gone, Salem...but this house really has no meaning to me anymore…it’s just a big painful reminder. And besides, I practically live at your place already. There and Paul’s.”
“If that's how you feel, then I won't stop you,” his expression finally softened again until he peered through the front windows.
My mouth fell open when I saw the headlights glimmering through the window, and a sudden downpour of rain reflecting in the light. I hadn't even had time to get ready! Groaning, I ran upstairs to find a pair of clean clothing, changed, then brushed my hair. It wasn't as if it really mattered, Jason had seen me in far worse conditions before. When I returned downstairs, Salem was gone. I sighed and gathered my slick red raincoat from the front closet.
Jason knocked loudly on the door and I opened it reluctantly. To my dismay, he held a bouquet of brilliant yellow daffodils before him. His expression was cheerful but apprehensive. With a shaking hand he offered me the flowers.
“Thanks, Jace,” I said happily, hiding my discomfort.
“You're welcome,” he smiled. I had never seen him nervous around me before, it was awkward. Was it just because we had not seen one another in so long? “Are you ready?”
“Yeah, just let me put these in some water.” I grabbed a tall glass from one of the kitchen cabinets, ran the faucet and let it fill the cup about halfway before plopping the daffodils in it. “That should do it.”
Jason led me out to his car, which was still running. He politely opened the
door for me and shut it after I got in. He walked over to the other side and got situated. Once we were both buckled in, he pulled out of the driveway and we were on our way.
19. THE DATE
The diner was smaller than I had imagined it would be. It was run by friends of the Banner family. The walls were painted a shade of deep burgundy, with lavender trim. At the entrance was a row of benches for when the place was packed. Fortunately, it was fairly empty this afternoon – possibly thanks to the sudden downpour. I recognized Mitchell standing behind the podium. He smirked at us, mostly at his older brother. His appearance was very similar to Jason's – the same shade of brunette hair, but his was curly and his eyes were blue rather than chocolate.
“Hey Jace, hey Alex,” he said casually. “I'll take you to your seats.”
We followed Mitchell to a cozy little booth in the back of the restaurant, right up against two large windows. The blinds were pulled up and the brewing storm was visible. I sat down on the left side of the table, Jason took the right. Mitchell handed us each a menu and asked what we'd like to drink – we both ordered sodas and he left to retrieve them.
“This place is nice,” I commented, looking up at my childhood best friend.
“Yeah,” he smiled. “My family comes here all the time.”
“What made you decide to ask me out for lunch?” I asked curiously as I began browsing the menu.
“I have sort of wanted to ask you for a while.” I looked up in shock, noting the color rising in his cheeks. “It wasn't until I ran into Paul at the supermarket that I finally got the nerve to ask. He said you could use some time out of the house.”
I swore under my breath. “It doesn’t surprise me he had something to do with this,” I fumed.
He frowned. “You didn't want to come?”
“No, that's not it. He's just been really bothering me lately about going out more, even though I’ve told him I’ve just been too tired.”
“He's probably just worried about you.”
I nodded, not wanting to talk any more on the subject. “I think I know what I want,” I said.
“Great,” he smiled. “I'll probably just get a cheeseburger. Boring, huh?”
“Probably more exciting than my grilled cheese,” I chuckled. I had missed spending time with him.
Mitch returned with our drinks and asked for our orders. He winked at his brother as he left with the information. Jason's cheeks flushed again. “So, any idea what happened to that boy from music class? Karen and I haven’t seen him since.”
My eyes widened somewhat at his mention of Salem. “I don't know. I haven't really seen him since then either.”
“Weird. Maybe he got suspended, or moves a lot or something. Or maybe he got sick.” I was glad Karen had not told him whatever it was she thought she knew.
“Maybe...” I mumbled. “How's Karen?”
“She's doing fine. She's been worried sick about you, too, though.”
“Oh,” I frowned and played with the wrapper from my straw. “Well, can you tell her that I'm fine? I just talked to her on the phone not that long ago…but maybe she will believe it if it comes from you.”
“Of course,” he grinned. “Would you believe she is actually jealous that I took you out?”
I blinked and dropped the paper. “What?”
“I guess she kind of likes me,” he shrugged. “I never noticed it before, we’ve all just been friends for so long, ya know?”
“Wow. I didn’t know that either.” I meant that more about him having interest in me than Karen being interested in him. That had never been a secret to me.
“You have missed a lot of school,” he commented as I took a sip of my soda. “None of it has been very exciting, though. This isn’t going to screw up graduating with us is it?”
“That's not surprising,” I laughed. I had forgotten what it was like talking to someone who understood what my life was like outside of vampires. “Well…”
Mitchell returned with a round tray of food at just the right time to end the conversation before it got uncomfortable. For that, I was very thankful. He placed a plate before each of us and sat a bottle of ketchup on the table.
“Thanks,” I said as he walked away. I had also forgotten what it was like to have food served to me without the use of magic, and how long it takes to have a meal cooked. I could hardly imagine what it would be like to cook anything again. I laughed to myself at the thought and Jason looked at me awkwardly.
“What’s so funny?” he asked as he bit into his cheeseburger.
“Nothing,” I mumbled. “I'm just happy to be here.”
“Oh,” he smiled wide, “me too.”
We ate in silence. So far this was going a lot better than I had feared. Maybe Salem had been right all along and there was nothing going on outside of friendship...but I still had my doubts.
“Hey, Alex...” Jason's voice broke the silence suddenly, and he reached a hand across the table.
I gulped as his skin touched mine. “What?”
“Thanks a lot for coming out with me today.”
“No problem,” I smiled, eying his hand. “I've had fun.”
“Me too,” he looked away for a second. “I was kind of hoping we could do it again sometime.”
“Yeah, maybe...” I said with a frown. I was glad he wasn't looking directly at me.
“I was kind of thinking maybe next week we could see a movie, maybe…If you’re up for it?”
“We'll see,” I replied, not wanting to hurt his feelings.
“Do you have other plans or something?”
“No…not exactly. If something comes up I’ll let you know.”
“Okay,” he smiled again. Mitchell returned, gave him the check and walked off. “There's something else I wanted to talk about.”
“What is it?” I asked reluctantly.
“My parents...” he sighed, barely able to speak the words, “my parents are getting a divorce.”
“What! How did that happen? They've always seemed so happy!”
“Exactly. They've seemed happy. But they haven't been. It was dad's idea, he said there is no more passion in their marriage and he doesn't want to go on if things are going to stay that way,” he explained. “I'm thinking of looking for a place to move to. I can hardly stand the arguing and fighting anymore. With the money I get at Howard's, I should be able to afford something’ small.”
I frowned. “I'm so sorry, Jason. I had no idea.”
“Yeah, me either really,” he said, smiling just slightly. “It will be okay, though. Do you want me to take you home after this?”
“Sure,” I mumbled, deep in thought about Mr. and Mrs. Banner. They had always been such a cheerful, happy couple. It was bizarre thinking it had all been a facade.
Jason let go of my hand long enough to pay for the meal and get out of his seat. As soon as we were standing, he reached over casually and took it again and didn't let go again until we reached the car. He once again opened the door for me before getting in on his side.
“Alex,” he said calmly, buckling himself in and glanced at me, “I had a nice time, really.”
“Yeah, it was fun,” I said, looking back at him. That was my first mistake. I was shocked at how close he was to my face. “Jason-” before I got the rest of my words out, his lips were against mine. I pushed him away, possibly a little harder than I had intended and his opposite shoulder slammed against the car door. All of the training with Paul had made me stronger than I realized.
“I'm sorry,” he mumbled, rubbing his shoulder. “I shouldn't have done that. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“It's okay...” I said quietly, averting my eyes. “I just...I just wasn't expecting it, is all.”
“You liked it, then?” his voice was hopeful.
I couldn't answer him. “Let's just wait before we do that again,” I murmured. “Just take me home, please.”
“Okay...” he sounded upset, but I tried to ignore the ur
ge to comfort him. “I'm sorry. I hope you aren't mad at me. I just…”
“I'm just...surprised, that's all. Let’s just go. Please.”
After a short, silent drive we reached my house. I said bye quickly and ran inside. Salem was waiting patiently on the sofa, reading a book. I hesitated for a moment, then walked into the room and greeted him. He could tell that I was upset.
“What happened?” he asked as he set the book aside. “Did you not have a nice time?”
“I did up until the end,” I grumbled and slumped down on the couch. “Jason kissed me.”
Salem stared at me, a flicker of anger illuminating his eyes with a hint of crimson. I had never seen him react in such a way, it was startling. He clenched his fists tightly. “Salem...” I whispered as I backed away slightly, “Your eyes…”
“Did you...” he didn't finish the sentence as he ignored me. He sighed and looked away from me. “Did you return it?”
“No!” I shouted. “I can’t believe you would even ask that!”
“I just wouldn't be completely surprised if you saw something better about him,” his lips were set in a firm, straight line, “the warmth, the lack of worrying about Paul, living a normal life again...”
I shook my head in anger. “You obviously don’t know me as well as I thought!” I got up to leave the room, but the cold fingers lacing around my arm stopped me.
“Don't leave, Alex,” he whispered in a gentle voice. “I apologize for my behavior...”
“You’re the one that said I should go. You’re the one that said-”
“You're right,” he sighed, turning me around to face him. His expression was more relaxed, and his eyes were natural again. “I'm not used to having competition.”
“You don't have any competition. He's my best friend, who clearly thinks I want to be more than that...and I think I have Paul to thank for that later.”
Salem didn't reply, instead he put his arms around me, dipped me downward slightly and kissed me deeply. My head was spinning, but I wasn't complaining – it was a good feeling this time. He pulled me up and kissed me again, this time more gently. “I want my lips to be the only ones to ever touch yours,” he whispered in my ear.