“Mia bella, calm down, please. There is no reason to get so worked up. I believe that he and Acacia have both changed classes already.” He paused to see how I would handle this newest betrayal.
“Oh.” I tried not to let it get to me.
“I don't think that we will be seeing much of them in the future.” He took a breath. “Oh, I forgot to tell you that Kelly called and would love it if you would call her back, or email her.”
“Am I allowed to now?” I thought about the email I had gotten before from her that asked how I was doing and such.
“I believe it would be fine since you will be in school tomorrow.” Dom's smile was bright against the blackness of the cave.
We were silent and still for a long while, then Dominic took my hand and kissed my inner wrist.
“Cara mia, ti voglio bene.” He whispered the words into my pulse as though he was speaking directly to my heart.
Even though I didn't know Italian, I knew what he'd said. “Dom, I love you too.” I kissed him gently on his knuckles.
“Emma, you don't understand. Before you were back in my life, my life was like the night sky without stars. But you … tu sei una stella … you are a star. La mia stella- my star. And now that you are here with me, my life is like this 'vampire star', as it pulls everything into it. You are my everything.” He wasn't looking at me, I figured because of his confession.
“Dom, I don't know what to say. I mean, you know how I feel. My world was completely different before you strolled into it. It was like you threw a damned monkey wrench into all my plans … but I am grateful for that. I would have never known your love, or my life as it is now. I would be raging against my parents to see him. Or if Acacia came and I was left because of her, I would have been completely broken. You saved me from it all. And you did it by being you and allowing me to be me.” I flushed as I stumbled blindly over what I was trying to say. You know what I mean.
Of course I do. He kissed my cheek once more.
How about we go home? I am starving. I lowered my fangs for emphasis.
He laughed at me. No biting. At least for now. He winked at me.
I rolled my eyes and playfully shoved him.
We raced back home once we got out of the mine. I would have easily won if I hadn't stopped to check in my little bird friend; it was fine and cuddled up close to its mother.
I smiled the entire way back home as I moved like a flash of light through the trees. Dominic beat me by a few seconds- quite a lot when you think of our speed as vampires.
When I got there I realized he looked out of sorts.
What's wrong? My voice went an octave higher than usual.
Nothing, he grumbled.
I decided to test our theory about my emotions being the key to unlocking my gift and I fell into my concern. I let it color every thought as I vividly imagined all the things that could've happened.
I reached out and took his hand- the link took instantly.
I pulled my hand away after a minute with all the information I needed. I burst out laughing.
Emma? Dom was confused.
A bear? Can't we smell them quite easily? I giggled to myself as I watched the mental image of him racing smack-dab into a very unhappy bear. It was hilarious.
I was busy thinking about beating you; I wasn't paying attention to my surroundings- something that the youngest of vampires are taught from square one. I could feel his pity party. “Oh, take a chill pill. Drama queen.” I rolled my eyes at him and walked into the house.
“That is so messed up. You break into my mind, and then you tease me about it, and then call me dramatic when I explain myself.” Anger flashed in his words like a tornado warning across the screen.
“Grow up and let it go.” I didn't even turn to look at him but kept walking into the kitchen.
He growled … like full blown growl.
I started laughing uncontrollably; I couldn't believe he actually growled at me.
This set him off and he took off out to the sun room again.
Big baby! I shouted at him.
I giggled myself through my dinner alone. Apparently everyone had something to do without me. I hated not even being asked to join in all the little endeavors that go on in this household. I sighed as I rinsed my plate off and put it in the dishwasher.
Dom? I wanted to see if he was talking to me yet.
No response.
Fine, act like a little kid. I knew I was doing just that, but I didn't care.
I went upstairs and took a long bath. The hot water helped to ease out some of the tension that the day had brought. It was hard to sit in the tub without searching into the new information I had acquired from Mike. I let little bits slip through the wall I had mentally built around it. I knew he still loved me- I felt my heart pang- and it was hard for him to stay away. He wanted to be able to leave me alone, but even though he was with his kind, his life was changed without me. Another pang. Acacia was his perfect werewolf mate, but she wasn't the kind of person I was. He still loved her. Pang. I wasn't sure if this was a good idea as my heart was painfully throbbing in my chest. It didn't stop the flow of his thoughts and feelings. His family was forcing him to stay away and to take his place amongst his people. I felt the resentment; it must burn inside of him like the fuse of dynamite- just waiting to explode. I wanted to fix all these feelings in him, to set everything right, but I wasn't ready or willing to make it happen. I was still hurt, and my pain won over the desire to heal him. My water turned cold.
I got out of the tub and wished I would've taken a shower and kept the stupid wall in place. I immediately patched every hole that I had allowed things to seep through. I would not feel it again unless I was ready and wanted it. I felt a presence in my mind.
Em? Dom's voice was filled with remorse.
Yes? I didn't think it was fair to make him suffer too much.
I'm sorry. I was a jerk and over-sensitive. Forgive me? The hope flowed through every word.
Of course. Where are you? I was worried he had left town or something.
In the backyard. I didn't want to come inside without being forgiven. Besides non posso vivere senza voi, siete la mia aria. I can't live without you, you're my air. His Italian was beautiful in my head.
Oh, come inside, you big ogre. I laughed at him.
Ti amo, la anima gemella. I love you, my soul mate.
I decided that he must have done a lot of thinking while he was gone. I love you too, now get inside. I barked out the words. I heard the door close inside and I was relieved.
Dominic came straight up; I barely had time to slip into my pajamas. He didn't knock on the door or anything. He wrapped his arms around me in a way that was filled with a passion that I had never known before. I didn't know what to do or if something was wrong. I didn't want to invade his privacy again, but the thought was looking mighty tempting as he held on tight.
“You gonna explain to me what's up, or keep clinging to me like a lifeboat?” I was trying to play off my nerves.
“I think the lifeboat option sounds nice.” And he squeezed me tighter. “It was really hard to be away from you.”
His confession caught me off guard. “You are so strange, but I guess I enjoy it.” I rubbed his back gently as he held me.
I let him stay like that until he had worn himself out completely- it took about an hour. I was desperate to sit down by then, but he was happier.
I sent him to bed with a light kiss and demanded that he have good dreams. He laughed at me and went down to his room. I fell into bed and out of consciousness.
The next day dawned too bright for my sensitive eyes. I wanted nothing more than to go back to sleep and switch my body schedule into a story-tale vampire's. I wasn't as lucky as I had to attend high school. I secretly cursed the people that decided all mass education should be taught at the earliest possible hour. Damn them to the worst parts of Hell.
I rolled over and glared at my window. Even with the curtain
pulled tightly shut, the light still managed to squeak in. I was tempted to throw something at the window, but reason kicked in by then and I realized that, ultimately, it would bring more light in.
I dragged myself out of bed- no exaggeration. I wanted to shower but knew I would never get out of the house on time, and I wasn't allowed to run to school.
I pulled on a plaid pink and black pleated skirt, a black wife beater, and my trusty black combat boots. I did my makeup in a dark fashion around my eyes, but put bubble gum pink lip gloss on- tasted like cotton candy, yum. I pulled my hair into two braids that hung neatly on either side of my head. I grabbed my new black backpack and headed downstairs.
I found Dominic in the kitchen sipping on some coffee. Without uttering one word, he handed me a travel mug and a note. The front had my grandpa's neat handwriting addressing it to me.
Emma,
I hope you enjoy your new car. The keys are in the ignition. It took some time, but we think we got all the specifics down just right. We love you, darling.
Love,
Grandpa
My car? I was shocked as I read the note once more. “They got me my car!” I rushed to the kitchen side door and pulled it open. I stared back at Dom, “aren't you coming?” My excitement was pouring out of me.
I turned the garage light on and there, to my amazement, was a brand-new Jeep wrangler. It looked like a smaller version of a Hummer- the latest fashion in Jeeps, sadly to say.
It was covered in chrome and there were green flames licking the wheel holds and back. I loved it! No, love wasn't good enough … but I sure as heck didn't have a better word. It was a hard top- like my last one.
“Dom, would you mind helping?” I gestured toward the top; I wanted to feel the wind in my hair.
It took a few minutes to figure it out, but soon it was off and I could see the bumping stereo and black leather interior. I sighed. I crawled in over the door, who needs handles, right? And I found the keys right where Grandpa said they'd be- in the ignition, just waiting for me.
A singular silver bat hung from the key. It made me feel giddy. My grandpa knew me so well.
I threw my practically empty pack into the back. I decided they would have to pry my dead body from this car before I gave it up to be destroyed. If it got seriously damaged, I'd pay the atrocious amount of money it would cost to get it fixed. What did it matter when you had that kind of funds to use?
I gestured for Dom to get in. He eyed me suspiciously. I think he was afraid I couldn't be under the radar in this- he was so right. He got in anyways. What a good sport.
“Emma, you know you have to at least pretend to be human today, right?” His face contorted with fear and worry.
“I won't be any different than I was before the accident happened.” I smiled my best toothy grin at him.
He sighed.
The Jeep squealed in delight, wanting to be driven.
I drove fast down our narrow road out to the highway. I needed to get some of the 'need for speed' out before I was 'normal people'.
As soon as we pulled onto the highway I was idling at the speed limit. My foot itched to tap the pedal a little harder, but I knew what was expected of me. They probably gave this to me today to test me.
The drive to school wasn't nearly fast enough, but I got us there.
I parked in the student lot and felt a little pang in my heart for my old, gone, black beauty. I let it go.
We went to the office together. The check in was a breeze, and since we both had all the assignments from our classes, we weren't behind.
We walked over to the building, but instead of walking to class together, I had to hug Dom good-bye at the bottom of the stairs and climb the steps alone. I knew that this would be the first hurdle of the day, and I was determined to get through it.
The hall smelled of coffee- a sweeter scent than usual. It was chocolate, or hazelnut, I wasn't quite sure. I could taste the rich flavor as I sipped on my own cup and strolled down the hall.
Class hadn't started yet, and Mr. Fitzgerald seemed to be in a good enough mood when I marched into the class. I set my stuff in the very front and middle- the seat I had been confined to the first day Acacia was in this class. Our faithful teacher was in the back of the room, sitting on a stool, drinking his cup of Joe, and reading the morning's paper. It was such an odd contrast to the boringness of his lectures and the state in which he kept the room.
I walked to the back of the room to talk to him before people began to trickle in.
“Good morning, Mr. Fitzgerald,” I said with my sweetest tone.
“Ah, Miss Hutchinson, it is good to have you back in class. I assume you have your work done and caught up?” His brow arched at me.
“Yes, of course, sir. I was told to give you this form, but I already know that my parents were here and told all my teachers everything.” I looked timidly down at the floor.
“Yes, terrible thing to happen. So glad you are recovered and ready to come back to us.” His voice reverberated discomfort.
“Thank you. Let me get my assignments for you.” I skipped to my desk, very slowly and human like.
“Just put them on my desk.” And with that he went back to his paper, to enjoy his last five minutes, before there would be a steady flow of students.
I put the pile of papers on his desk and smiled to myself because I was more than caught up; I was actually done with the entire semester's readings, and it was all memorized. I could quote anything from any of the classic books that Mr. Fitzgerald had decided we would read. I was excited because I was certain to make valedictorian, not that it really mattered anymore since I would be in Italy next year, going to my new vampire school. I laughed to myself and sat back down at my seat.
Just as I said, five minutes later students began to come in the room. I was the center of all the looks. Some came up and said they were glad I was okay and back at school. Others nodded in my direction and I took that as their well wishes.
When Kelly bounced into the room- her walk had a little too much cheerleader in it for my taste, but to each her own- she rushed to my small desk, nearly taking the thing down.
“Oh. My. God. I. Am. So. Glad. You. Are. Back.” She shrieked at me.
I smiled.
“Emma, I was so worried. I mean we were starting to get past all the weirdness, and become friends, and then your car gets crushed by the stupid old bridge, and it falls off the freakin' thing! I was like holy crap when I found out. You have to sit with me at lunch. I missed you so much.” She hugged me and then sat down right next me and smiled.
When the person that usually sat there came in, he looked confused- I think his name was Brandon- but he shrugged and went to sit in the multiple seats, which were very vacant, in the back.
English wasn't as bad as I thought it would be as I actively participated in discussions and even prompted a few as well. Mr. Fitzgerald was clearly enthralled to have someone so interested in what he had to say.
When I got to Science, I thought I would die. I was completely alone in the back of the room. I couldn't even rely on Kelly to help fill the endless space because we had lab partners- Mike was mine.
I handed in all my assignments and got instant praise from Mrs. Roberts. She told me that we'd figure something out about labs. I told her I could do them on my own. I knew my expression was sad, and I think she understood- she didn't let on either way.
I went back to my little part of Siberia, and pulled out my nearly empty notebook. I took notes on everything she said verbatim. It was the only thing I could think of to do. I didn't really need notes anymore, since I could easily remember everything that was said.
I spent the quick break finding Dominic, and feeling quite sorry for myself.
Em?
I looked at him and raised an eyebrow.
I thought we were supposed to be normal humans?
I didn't understand why he was talking to me like this and not actually speaking.
I know. But I could feel something is wrong ... what is it? His brows pulled together.
It is a hard adjustment for me. I am alone in a lot of my classes now … minus Kelly. But she can't fix the fact that everything has changed now. My bottom lip jetted out and I was on the verge of tears.
Dom held me in his arms. Don't worry, you'll adjust. It will get better. I promise. I'll even change my schedule if you want.
No. So much has changed as is, I hate drawing attention to us. I'll survive. I exhaled the breath I had been holding and the bell rang.
I slumped off to Gym and felt a hundred times worse. Not only was I alone, but now I had to do physical activities on top of it all. What is wrong with the world?
It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I actually felt better after running laps and doing normal human things. I was now a fitness queen amongst my fellow classmates. Coach Williams- a big goon of a man- was whole heartedly impressed with my improvements. I could see him thinking about injuring the entire class on a bridge to see if it made them all athletic stars, just like it had apparently made me. I blushed at the knowledge that maybe I hadn't reined in my new abilities so well. But I didn't care too much, what was he going to say that wouldn't make him sound too much like an idiot … I could see it; “No, you don't understand, when she came back she could do all the things I told the class to do.” And Principal Taylor would say; “And they aren't supposed to be able to do it?” A confused expression would be on both faces. I laughed audibly and went to my math class, where I could sit next to Dom and feel better.
Mrs. Rogers was a very nice lady when she wanted to be and told me not to worry about having all the assignments done, because they'd fallen a little behind from her schedule during my absence. I wanted to laugh, but, instead, I handed in all my assignments and smiled. She was very pleased.
I went and took my seat in the back while waiting for Dominic. He came in before the bell rang and handed his work and form to Mrs. Rogers. She regarded him oddly, but let it pass.
Bella Notte Page 26
