Astoria: Secrets, Lies and Vampires

by Theiler, Donna

  Evan and I walked hand and hand along Cannon Beach, the sun was beginning to set. We had been together all day. We continued to take turns asking each other questions about one another and about our families.

  “So does your family know you are here with me now?” I asked questionably as I pulled on his hand to stop so I could look at his face.

  “My mother would not stop hounding me about you. She asked me every day if I was going to just give in and talk to you.” He said as he rolled his eyes with a shy smile.

  “Wait, you mother knows about me.?” I said almost horrified.

  “Yes, she knew I liked you back when I saved you from the sign crushing you to death.”

  “What about the rest of your family?”

  “They are afraid of you knowing our secret.” He said with a small laugh.

  “Do they know you were going to tell me today? That you are a Vampire?” I asked with concerned.

  “Yes, they know I was going to tell you today. They are coming to terms with it. They want me to be happy. In our world any kind of happy is better than nothing. So they understand you are what I want.” He said. I gave a small smile, unsure of how to respond to that answer. “C’mon, it’s getting late and your Grandmother is probably getting worried.” As he said this I noticed it was darker and the air was cooler than before. I wrapped my arms tight around me and we headed back towards Evan’s car. The walk back was at least an half hour and I knew for sure by time we got to Evan’s car, then to the school and then I got to Grans it was going to be late and Gran was going to be upset with me for not checking in. As if he read my mind Evan spoke. “No one is around, I have an idea. It will get us back to my car faster than walking it” He said as he grabbed a hold of my arm. “Climb on my back” he said. “What?” I said really loud. “Trust me Emma.” he replied back. I did what he said and before I knew it we were running through the thick forest. The trees and bushes were passing by in a blur. I tucked my head in between his shoulder blades afraid that I may get hit with a passing tree branch or some other object. His speed was remarkable. Within seconds we were at the peak of the forest. He sat me down so we could walk out into the clearing in case anyone was around. As I started to walk I had to stop for a moment. I felt a slight dizzy from the speed in which Evan ran. “Are you okay?” Evan asked with a concerned look on his face as I was bent over trying to get my equilibrium back. I just nodded to him as I stood and started walking towards his car. When we reached his car, he opened the door for me and I got in and he shut the door and was to his side in seconds. I looked around to see if anyone was around in case they saw how fast Evan made it to his side of the car. When no one was in sight I let out a sigh of relief and relaxed in my seat as Evan started up the car and pulled out of the park. Now we were heading to the school where I could get my car and go home to face Gran. Hopefully she didn’t find out I ditched school and wasn’t too mad. Evan held my hand the whole way to the school, which was nice. Neither of us spoke until we reach the school, then Evan broke the silence as he walked me to my car. “I will be waiting for you tomorrow.” He said as he opened my car door for me. “So, you aren’t going back to ignoring me?” I asked.

  “Nope, you are going to have to beat me away with a stick from now on.” He said laughing. I smiled as I started my car. He leaned in and kissed me. Then quickly shut my car door and walked back to his car.

  I turned on the headlights and made my way out of the parking lot out onto the main road. Evan followed pursuit. Evan stayed behind me the whole way to the Reservation. And when I turned left into the Reservation he continued straight on ahead. I smiled knowing he followed me home to make sure I was safe. I pulled into Grans street and I took a deep breath, here goes nothing I thought. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw Grans car was gone. I hope she wasn’t out looking for me. If she found out I wasn’t in school today, she might have thought something happened to me along the way and maybe she was out looking for me. I pulled into the driveway and got out. As I walked up the stairs I could see headlights coming down the street. I stood on the front porch watching to see if they were Grans car. When they past, I unlocked the door and went inside. I turned on the lights in the kitchen and saw that there was a note on the kitchen table from Gran.

  Emma,

  I had to take Marie to Warrenton County for a doctor appointment. Be home late. Dinner is in oven.

  Love Gran.

  Gran was just gone and would never know I was home late. This worked out perfect. But next time I can’t be so careless. I would have to be more responsible, I didn’t need to give Gran anymore reason for her to hate Evan. And that was another issue. How do I keep her from finding out that I was dating Evan? I didn’t like to lie, and I am not very good at it at all. I could keep the secret about Evan and his family being Vampires. It’s not like anyone was going to come right out and ask if they were in fact Vampires. So as long as I am not asked a direct question I should be fine. And I wouldn’t be actually lying. I can’t lie about something no one knows about.

  As I heated up my spaghetti dinner Gran had made for me in the microwave my mind drifted off to my day with Evan. I dreamed of how his lips felt on mine. How his hand never left mine most of the day. How his soft eyes stared deep into mine. Three things I knew for sure, one, Evan was a vampire. Two, He was in love with me. And three, I was completely, one hundred percent in love with him.

  After I finished my dinner I went to shower. I let the hot water run on my back to help warm me from being out in the cold all day. The heat in the small bathroom felt nice. After I washed up I turned off the shower and dried off and dressed before walking out to my room. I could hear someone downstairs moving around. “Gran” I called out. No one returned my call. I walked slowly to the top of the stairs, trying to be as quite as possible just in case it wasn’t Gran. I wasn’t sure when she was due home. I could hear the shutting of what sounded like a cabinet in the kitchen. I started down the stairs as slow as possible. Taking each step on my tippy toes, as I reached the bottom step I heard another slam of a cabinet. I was now near the kitchen, I was creeping slowly towards the doorway when I saw a shadow. My heart started to race now, my palms was sweating. If it was Gran she would have answered me when I called out her name. I was looking around for something to pick up to use as a weapon, when nothing came in site I looked towards the door. Thinking I should just make a run for, I took off in a sprint for the door. I yanked on the door knob to find it locked, my heart raced even faster, that’s when I heard the footsteps coming my way, I started trying to unlock it, wondering what kind of burglar locks the door behind him. As I fumbled with the lock, I felt a hand on my shoulder, my heart sank, as I heard her voice. “Emma, honey. It’s only me.” Gran said.

  “Gran, oh my god, you scared me to death.” I said as I hugged her.

  “I’m sorry honey. I got home sooner than I thought I would.” She said as she hugged me back. I didn’t let go for a long time. After I finally let her go she asked if I was okay. I assured her I was and finally went off to my room. My heart was still pounding in my chest. I lay on my bed laughing for letting myself get so scared. I have always hated being home alone and let my imagination get the best of me, like I did tonight. I tried to think of other things to calm down. I let my mind wondered off to Evan and our day together and how things have change since I moved to Astoria. There were two things I was absolutely sure of. One Evan was a Vampire. And Two, I was undeniably in love with him.

  Chapter 11

  Evan was leaning against his car as I pulled into the school parking lot. As soon as I caught sight of him my stomach fluttered, my hands started to shake and my mouth went dry. This boy done things to me that made me feel alive, as I pulled into my parking space he walked over to me. I could watch him walk all day long and it would never get old. I sat in my car staring as he drew near, smiling at him as he opened up my car door. “What?” he asked.

  “Nothing.” I said shaking my head as I got out
of my car. Evan reached down for my hand and entangled his fingers with mine. “Are you sure this is okay?” I asked as I looked over to where his family stood by their 2013 canary yellow mustang convertible. All three was eyeing me with looks of concern.

  “Yes. I told you. THEY WANT ME TO BE HAPPY.” He said that part really loud, and I knew it was for their benefit, not mine. As he put his arm around me and walked off towards the school. I tried not to catch their expressions afraid of what I may see. I was certain they were not happy for him as he claimed.

  As we got inside Evan walked with me to my locker, his hand now in mine. Sami was the first of my friends to see us. She approached us slowly and cautiously, not knowing what to say as Evan spoke first. “Hello, I am Evan, you are Samantha.” It was a statement, not a question. Sami was turning beet red but finally managed to speak.

  “Um, yes.” She said as she looked at me with a questionable look.

  “It’s nice to finally meet you. Would you like to walk to Chemistry class with Emma and I?” he asked in an ever so politely tone. I looked at him with confusion, why would he be going with us to Chemistry when he didn’t have Chemistry with me anymore. It was though he read my mind. “I got my old classes back. I am in the same class with you again.” He said as he gave me a small grin. Sami smiled and giggled as we all started to walk towards our classroom.

  Of course Evan sat in the seat that had sat empty for weeks since my arrival to Astoria, and the day he ran out of the room on me. It was nice to see him back in it. I had to admit it was a lot harder to concentrate on my assignment with him next to me. I found myself looking over at him. He must have been having the same problem since every time I was looking over at him he was looking at me. The teacher called on me a few times, I was sure due to my lack of paying attention. Of course I gave the wrong answer every time. I was glad to see Evan back next to me, but maybe this was going to be a bad thing, since I wasn’t able to keep my focus on anything but him.

  At lunchtime Evan sat with me and my friends, instead of with his family. Sami was over her star stuck awe by time second period was over and talk to Evan like she did any other person at Astoria High. Amy didn’t really warm up to Evan by the end of lunch, but I was sure she would soon. Collin and Brady tried to talk with him some, asking him about his car. But the conversation fell short a few seconds later. I assumed it was because The Blake’s were such outcast for so long here and didn’t have much to do with anyone else but themselves it was somewhat of a shock to have Evan sitting at the table with them.

  I looked over at were Evan usually sat, too see his siblings staring over at our table. Evan didn’t seem to let it bother him. He held my hand tight and seemed to be relaxed. His sister Payton looked at me and rolled her eyes as she shook her head and then looked back to Everett. Everett never looked my way. I leaned towards Evan and whispered. “Your sister doesn’t like me.” I said, and it wasn’t as a question, it was a statement. Evan looked at me, then to his sister. She looked at him and I thought I could almost hear a low hiss coming from Evan’s lips. Payton quickly looked away. Evan turned back to me and pursed his lips into a firm thin line. By now everyone at our table was talking amongst themselves that no one saw the confrontation that just occurred between Evan and his sister. I tried to ignore what I had just seen myself but the thoughts of it kept replaying in my mind. I was coming between Evan and his family. And I hated the thought that I was.

  I was surprised to find that I had every class with Evan now. Somehow he had worked it out and got the same classes with me. “I got my ways.” He said as he winked at me, as he walked to last period, gym. Just great, I didn’t want Evan seeing me falling down every two minutes during basketball or whatever today physically activity may be. He walked me to the girl’s locker room and we parted ways. I hurried to dress down and change into my gym clothes. I am glad I chose jogging pants instead of shorts today since I hadn’t shaved my legs in over a week.

  Gym wasn’t too bad, it flew by in a flash and I didn’t fall down any, there for I avoided any embarrassment in front of Evan. After class dismissed, I hurried to change out of my gym clothes and back into my regular clothes and hurried out the locker room doors. I didn’t see Evan anywhere. I walked to my locker and I still didn’t see him. My heart started to sink, maybe his siblings got to him and got him thinking how much of a bad idea this is, being with me. As I walked out the front doors I could feel the old feeling of rejection coming back. I pushed opened the door and with my usual routine, I looked towards Evan’s car to see if I could see him, when my search fell flat I started to walk towards mine and there he was, leaning on the back of my car smiling at me waving. The sight of him was heaven. He was beautiful in every way possible.

  I could feel Evan’s sibling’s eyes on me as I walked over to my car where Evan stood. When I approached him he pulled me into his arms and leaned in to kiss me. I pulled back slowly at first. Evan whispered “It’s okay. I don’t care what anyone thinks Emma. I love you!” and then pressed his lips softly on mine. His lips were firm but somehow felt soft to me. His hands reached down to my waist to pull me in closer. The warmth cool from his hands on my skin felt amazing. Just as he moved in closer I got lost in the moment and gave in. Not caring if his family was watching anymore I ran my hands through his hair and pushed him up against my car. Getting lost in the moment I forgot where we were. But I was quickly reminded by an unfamiliar voice. “Hello.” I stopped kissing Evan and turned to see a blond haired bombshell staring at me. It was Evan’s sister Payton. Everett was flanked at her side “I wanted to come over and introduce myself. I’m Payton.” She said as she held out her hand to greet me. I held out my hand to shake hers in return. It was strong as Evan’s, but still had a soft grip to it.

  “I’m Emma.” I said in a soft voice. Barely getting my name out since my mouth went dry so fast. She was even more beautiful close up, just as Evan was.

  “And this is Everett” she said as she grabbed his hand in hers. I guess to let me know the territory had already been claimed. He gave me a small smile and wave. “I wanted to invite you over tomorrow night for our family dinner. Everyone would like to meet you.” She said excitingly as she bounced up and down.

  “Um.” I looked questionably to Evan to gauge his reaction before answering. I had thought all of Evan’s siblings hated me. I was confused by this sudden change.

  “That’s up to you.” He said as he gave me a reassuring look.

  “Sure. Yeah that would be great.” I said still unsure. I wasn’t sure what made me agree to go meet a house full of Vampires, all I knew was, I wanted to spend every second I could with Evan. As Payton and Everett walked off towards their car Evan stared at me with bright eyes and a wide grin. “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing.” Laughing as he reached for my hand to walk me to his car.

  “Where are we going?” I asked questionably as he was now opening the car door for me.

  “I want to show you something.” He said. Getting in his car he had a smile as he closed the door.

  Our drive to Cannon Beach was beautiful. It was only the middle of March but the trees and flowers were in bloom. As I stared out the window at the trees passing by me at fast speed I could sense Evan was staring at me. I stared mostly out the window, trying to keep from looking at Evan. When we pulled into the parking lot it was almost deserted. We only saw one person walking his dog. It was strange seeing a big muscle bound man walking a little Chihuahua. Evan and I both laughed as we over heard the man talking to his little dog like a baby.

  We walked along the north side of Cannon Beach this time. Neither one of us talking, he held my hand and lead the way as if he had somewhere he wanted to take me. After about ten minutes of walking he pointed out towards the ocean at a large rock formation with a Lighthouse. “Do you see that Lighthouse?” he asked as he looked around.

  “Yes.” I said as I was squinting to see it in the distance. Before I could even focus fully on the Lighthouse Evan h
ad me clinging to his back and was running towards the Lighthouse. The salt from the ocean burned my nose as the wind blew in my face at full speed. I buried my head in his back to keep the sprays of water from hitting me in the face like tiny little needles. It didn’t take but seconds and we were on the rock of Tillamook Lighthouse. I walked around in amazement, looking back towards the shore where we had just been seconds ago. I wasn’t even wet from our run on the Ocean. Evan ran on top of the water. The only thing that looked to be wet on him was his shoes.

  The waves seemed to be stronger out here, Evan stayed close by my side in a protective stance anytime I got close to the edge near the water. I walked over to the Lighthouse and could see it had been boarded up. “It has been abandoned for a long time.” Evan said as he went over to the door and gave a hard yank on it. It popped open with ease. “I like to come here to think.” He said.

  “It’s amazing Evan.” Now we were inside. Evan taking my hand to lead me upstairs, with another push on a door we were upstairs in the lantern room. The view was breath taking. It was cloudy, as usual. But something about being here made the skyline beautiful in its own way. The waves crashed against the rock that the Lighthouse was on with force, flooding the lower levels before draining back into the ocean. I see now why they had to shut down this Lighthouse. It couldn’t have been safe for the workers. As I stared out of the lantern room windows, Evan walked up behind me slowly as he put his hands around my waist, leaning in to kiss my neck. Goose bumps raised on my arms at the feel of his lips on my neck. Turning me slowly he looked into my eyes “Emma, you don’t know how long I waited to find you. I can’t ever lose you.” He said as he leaned his head onto mine and closed his eyes. My eyes filled with tears of joy. And I quickly lowered my head so he couldn’t see. He really does love me, but why me? I am just a normal girl, and he is this beautiful creature that I don’t deserve. “Emma, please don’t cry.” He said as his hand lifted my chin to raise my head to meet his gaze. “What’s the matter?”