by Quell T Fox
Then Mark happened. That’s when I realized who Layla really was. She was a thief and a liar, and I was an idiot for not realizing what was going on right underneath my nose. Blinded by love. No one helps out of the goodness of their hearts. No, what she took in return for her kindness was my money. The bills I thought she was paying for me, she was giving half to Mark until finally she was giving it all. She risked ruining her own credit, just to take my money and give it to her shitbag boyfriend. So, now on top of all the debt I already had, I now had more. I now have accounts with Layla that she racked up, that I had to pay off, because of blackmail. And because really, I just don’t want to deal with her bullshit. So, I paid it all. Every last bit. I made those bills a priority, because let’s face it – Mom and Dad were dead, yeah, the bill collectors could haunt me, but they couldn’t. They couldn’t hunt me down and threaten me the way Layla did. And sometimes still does.
I thought I’d paid them all, but I was wrong. There was one left that I didn’t know about. Not until about 9 months ago. Long after Layla and I split. I was in a good place then too, working enough to pay off things in a timely manner, so I paid that one off for her. Put everything else aside to get rid of that bill so Layla would get the fuck out of my life for good.
I took my sweet time paying it off, not because I couldn’t, but because this was my way of getting back at her. 100$, that’s what I left on the account. Just to piss her the hell off. My own way of getting the tiniest bit of satisfaction. Finally, last month, I was over the game. It was old and annoying, and I had other things to focus on. I had some equipment to replace at the garage the month before, and I needed to work things out. So, I was done getting my revenge. It takes time to drop from your credit, if she wasn’t such an idiot, she would know that.
Me: It’s paid, Layla. Be patient. It’ll drop.
Layla: You better hope it does, or we will be back in court and I’ll get twice as much.
I don’t know why I bother responding, she doesn’t care about what I have to say. She brought me to court once. Made up all kinds of shit about me being a loser and not working, and a million other things that I don’t care to remember. About me stealing from her, not the other way around. And well, the judge looked at me and my record and she won. I had to pay everything back in full. She wins. I lose. This is my life. I don’t want to go back. I can’t. Everyone in that court hates me, that’s why I moved out of that town, but unfortunately, she still lives there. So, if we go to court, that’s where it is. At the time I was working at a garage under the table, so it looked like I wasn’t working at all. Now? I own my own garage and in a year, everything will be paid off. I will be 100% debt free. And I’ll finally be able to buy my house. The house that Maddox currently pays for, that no one knows about. It’s one of those things that neither of us talk about. Ever. When I refused to let him help me pay off the debt, he instead bought the house that I was renting. Then, refused to cash my rent checks. I appreciate it, and I have to say, it’s the one thing he’s never thrown in my face. I’m not sure why, but he hasn’t. Of all the fights we’ve had, it’s never been brought up. Not once.
Layla: Mark and I are buying a house. I need my credit in tip top shape. I’ll give you a month.
I don’t bother answering. It’ll be gone in a month. I know that for sure. I know I made the last payment, and I have the receipt. I’m done with this and I’m done with her. I should block her number, but I’d rather have a heads up if she ever tries to take me back to court again. They’re buying a house? Well, good for them.
CHAPTER 6
Friday
I’m sitting on Maddox’s bed, staring at him as he holds a razor blade in his left hand with his opposite wrist raised.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this? You seemed like you didn’t want anything to do with it the other day.”
“Why do you suddenly have a conscience?” He’s never nice about anything, why is he being nice now? He’s the one that offered to begin with.
He lets out a sigh, “I’m trying,” he says quietly, lowering the blade to his side.
“I know, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be an asshole.” He raises an eyebrow. “Okay, maybe I did. Oh well. But yes, I am… okay with this. As long as you’re sure it’ll work, and this isn’t a lie to complete some fucked up ritual that entails me needing to drink your blood.”
“I don’t even know what to say to that.” He says, confused. I continue to stare, raising an eyebrow of my own. “Seriously? No, this isn’t a fucking ritual. I want–I just want to help you.” He sounds defeated.
“I appreciate this new you,” I wave my hand towards him, from head to toe, “but I do enjoy the old Maddox, so don’t try too hard. I wouldn’t want you hurting yourself. Killing brain cells or something.”
“Aw, are you worried about me?” His voice takes on that whiney tone that reminds me of Lenny’s. It’s both cute and annoying coming out of Maddox’s mouth.
“Can I cut your wrist for you?” I give my sweetest smile.
“If you really want to.” He offers the razor to me, and his wrist. I think about it. I really do, but I can’t do that. That’s just too… I don’t know, fucked up? “That’s what I thought.” And he’s back to the arrogant prick that we know and l… like. Yeah, know and like.
“Let’s get to it Maddox, I just want to get this over with.” I stand and place my hands on my hips, letting out a sigh.
“As you wish,” he bows and I roll my eyes. Reconsidering doing the cutting for him, just to prove to him that I can and will. He takes the razor and presses it to his skin (oops, too late.), slowly sliding the blade across. Blood drips from the vein instantly. The dark liquid slides down his skin and drops to the floor. Fuck, someone is going to have to clean that. How do you get blood out of a carpet? That is not something I’m willing to google. I’d probably have the FBI, CIA or some other shit knocking on our door tomorrow. You know, with them creeping on everyone’s phones and all.
“You don’t have to drink a lot, just a little suck should be fine. Your face isn’t that bad.” I stand and take a step towards him. I place my hand over his forearm, momentarily enjoying the firmness of it. My thumb brushes along a beautifully tattooed lily. I hesitate because this is just fucking weird. Why am I doing this? What has my life become?
I shake my head before diving in. I place my mouth over his fresh wound and suck in the warm, tangy liquid. I swallow once, twice… I know this is enough, but I can’t seem to pull away. I suck again, taking in another mouthful and my entire body feels like it’s been set on fire. Like my veins have been filled with lava. It’s the most amazing feeling I have ever felt in my life. I do it again, and again until a sharp pain to the back of my head snaps me out of it.
Everything around me comes into focus. When did it leave? Maddox looks scared. Actually fucking scared. He covers his wound with his hand and takes a few steps back. In that moment I realize that I’m on the floor. When did I get here?
“Are you okay?” He asks. He’s pale. A moment ago he was glowing, now he looks sick.
Am I okay? I feel… I feel like I’m on cloud 9. Like nothing could go wrong, ever. Like this is the best fucking day of my life. I picture myself twirling around in slow motion on top of clouds, with unicorns galloping by and rose petals raining down on me.
“I feel amazing.” I breathe out.
“Yeah, okay. Well, wait right here in all your amazingness and I’ll be right back.”
I lay down on the bed, a smile plastered on my face, unable to remove it. My body is in a state of euphoria. Warm and fuzzy runs through my veins. Why can’t I feel like this all the time?
Callan
Maddox comes rushing around the corner and I know instantly that something is wrong. I jump to my feet at the sight of him.
“What? What’s wrong? Is Friday okay?” He doesn’t say anything to me until he’s standing inches from my face. H
is fingers grasp around my upper arm and he pulls me towards the bathroom. Lenny looks up at us, he’s sitting on the couch on his phone, but quickly looks back at it without a word or a care of what is going on. He’s been quiet lately. Too quiet. Something is up with him.
“Friday just drank my blood,” he whispers through gritted teeth.
“Okay, you mentioned that was going on. Did it work? How does her face look?”
“No, Callan. Like, she was drinking it. She drank a lot. I couldn’t get her off me, it was like, like she was a newly turned vampire. Dude, her eyes went black. I–I don’t know what to make of it.”
I push past him and dash to his room, my heart pounding in my chest. When I open the door, Friday is laying on the bed with a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon on her lips. I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants, not entirely sure how to approach this situation. Did she turn? That can’t be possible… can it?
“Hi, Callan! How are you? I feel wonderful, absolutely wonderful. I don’t think I have ever felt better in my entire life.” Her voice is higher than normal, she’s truly feeling good. When she notices my face though, it changes. She pushes herself up onto her elbows, her eyebrows furrowed and a frown appearing on her lips. “What’s wrong? Why are you sad?”
“Nothing, Friday. I just… missed you.” Great, cause that’s not weird. I’m literally in the other room, why is that the only thing I could think of? And why did it come out so easily…
I do miss her. I miss being close to her, I miss kissing her. I miss her touch. I know I’m right here, and she’s there and we’re all together, but I need more. I need so much more from her.
“Awwww, Callan. Really?” Her face lights up at my admission, and I suddenly don’t feel so silly for saying it. “I miss you, too! Let’s go out later, k?” She lays back down, looking like she’s about to make a snow angel. That smirk still plastered on her lips, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s high.
I back out of the room, closing the door behind me. I run my hand through my hair and push my glasses up to their rightful place. I turn to face Maddox who is leaning against the wall by the door.
“I don’t know how this could be possible. Did she turn? She couldn’t have turned. She’s one of us. She has to be, she can’t be human. Human’s aren’t a part of us… we wouldn’t feel anything towards her if she was human… would we?” Most of these words I’m saying to myself, and all too quickly but still out loud.
“Callan, slow the fuck down, man. What are you trying to say? Did I just turn her? You’re scaring me, dude.” He’s right. I need to calm down. His skin is still a few shades lighter than normal, though no where near as bad as when he first came to me. He’s scared. I’ve never seen him like this before. Ever. Even after everything we’ve dealt with over the years, he’s never had this look on his face. I tell him the only thing that I can.
“I don’t know.”
Maddox
Friday naps for a long time. I check on her every fifteen minutes, terrified of what the fuck is going on. I don’t think I turned her, she’d be up and blood thirsty. She wouldn’t be sleeping, she’d be looking for her next meal. But what the hell was that? Why did she react that way? No one has ever acted that way before, not when it came to drinking my blood, and all of the guys have done it. All of them. I don’t think they’d be alive if it weren’t for my life saving blood.
I guess the good thing is that her face is healed. Her beautiful cream complexion is back to normal, no more yellows, browns and purples. At least it did what it intended to do. But what else did it do?
“Hey, she’s going to be okay.” I look up to meet Alec’s golden eyes, that shine almost as brightly as Friday’s. His are a few shades duller, which I blame on his mood. Back in the day, his eyes we’re almost cat like. It’s still odd to me how similar their eyes are. And why is he talking to me?
“You don’t know that,” I say harshly. Maybe a little too harshly…
“You’re right, I don’t. But I was trying to be nice, you don’t have to be a dick.”
“Fuck you, Alec,” I snap. He scoffs and leans back into the couch, pulling out his phone and doing what he’s best at. Hiding. Ignoring. Not caring.
“Lenny, what the fuck is your problem?” I’m picking fights because I’m worried. I know that. This is who I am, and I accept it. Clearly, they all have too, because they are all still here.
“Huh? Nothing, why?” He answers without looking up.
“You’ve been glued to your damn phone like a teenage boy that’s just found porn for the first time.”
“Just games.” He’s lying. I know he’s lying because he won’t look me in the eye. What the fuck is he doing? This little shit is going to get it. He never lies to me, why is he lying to me now? Does he know something about Friday?
“Maddox, we’re all a little stressed out here. There seems to be a lot going on ever since finding Friday. The break-in, the explosion and now this… whatever this is. But we aren’t going to get through it if we’re jumping down each other’s throats. We found our One. We finally did it, Maddox. Now is the time for us to put everything behind us and focus on the future.” Callan looks from me, to Alec and then back to me. “Everything.”
That’s easy for him to say. He hasn’t dealt with as much shit as I have. Yeah, his dad was a sick fuck, we all know that. But he had everything. A place to live, food on the table, clothes, and it was all handed to him. His mom didn’t do much, but he had maids and shit that waited on him hand and foot. He had homemade meals every single damn day. He didn’t have to work for shit. But I know he’s right. It’s going to take a while to knock this chip off my shoulder, but I’ll get there. Friday is here, and everything will be fine.
“Hey, guys!”
Speak of the Devil. Okay, she isn’t the Devil, but she would look super fucking hot in a devil costume. Close enough.
Friday
The guys are sitting on the couch. The air feels tense when I walk in, but I’m in too much of a good mood to let it bother me. I feel amazing.
“Does that always happen when people drink your blood? Cause wow. That was almost better than sex.” Maddox looks slightly offended, Alec raises his eyebrows, Callan’s face doesn’t change at all, and Lenny… still glued to his phone. Not even sure if he heard me.
“No, Friday. That is not normal.” Callan shakes his head slowly.
“Oh.” And there it goes. There goes my mood. Why does everything go wrong for me? I can’t even enjoy a nice helping of healing blood without if being wrong. Something seems good, but really it’s just shit wrapped in a pretty bow. At least my face is fixed. “Wait, what do you mean? Did you–did you turn me into a vampire?!”
“What? No!” Maddox exclaims, sitting straight up on the couch. He moves so quickly that he actually startles Alec, who looks up from his phone. Lenny doesn’t look phased in the least. His thumbs tap away at his phone a mile a minute, the tip of his tongue sticking out of the side of his mouth. It’s kind of adorable. No, I’m mad at him. I can’t let his good looks make me forget that he’s being a royal jerk.
“Let’s all relax,” Callan stands. Looking between Maddox and me. “Friday, have a seat please. Maddox did not turn you into a vampire, that I am sure of. You’d be acting very differently right now if you were a newly turned vampire. But, with that being said, we are still not sure what happened. That is not what happens to us when we drink from Maddox, and I’m not sure why you had a different reaction. Until we figure it out, how about you refrain from doing it again?” His hands steeple in front of his mouth, as he paces back and forth through the small living room.
I nod, so does Maddox. Alec stares at me with a blank stare, and Lenny is in his own world. What is going on here? Everything I thought I knew about these guys is suddenly flipped around.
Callan sleeps with me that night, as my protector from Alec. Thoug
h, that doesn’t seem to be our main issue right now, since we successfully slept together without incident. We do still need to tell Maddox and Lenny about what happened with Alec, though I need to talk to Alec about that first. We should do it together.
Callan lets me cuddle with him and we don’t talk. Something I didn’t know I needed. Callan’s lack of words is comforting, at times. Sometimes you need someone with you – but not someone that is going to talk and ask questions – to make you feel better. Sometimes all you need to feel better is companionship, in silence. We sleep all night without any interruptions.
CHAPTER 7
Friday
-THURSDAY-
“We’re going out. Everyone get dressed, in comfy clothes.” Maddox tells us but doesn’t seem excited about going anywhere. He’s back to being grumpy 24/7. I guess a little bit of sunshine is better than none at all.
“Where are we going?” I ask. It’s starting to get dark out. I’m still feeling some aftereffects of whatever it was that happened yesterday with Maddox’s blood. Mostly in the form of being tired. I remember some of what happened, but not all of it. And to be honest, I’m not too worried about it. Yeah, it was kind of weird, but it was amazing. It doesn’t feel wrong, either. Which is why I’m brushing it off. That, or I’m in complete denial. Whatever it was, mostly wore off. I feel completely fine and unfortunately normal. I’d give my left tit to feel whatever that was again, but Callan said no more drinking Maddox’s blood until we figure out what is going on. In the end, I know that’s the best idea. Callan and his logic. Eye roll.
Party pooper. That’s what he is.
“It’s a surprise,” Maddox answers as he ties up his vans. A surprise from Maddox? Should I be scared?
“Maddox got laid! It’s the only time he’s nice.” Two things. One, is Lenny just realizing this now? I guess it would make sense, since he’s barely been here at all. Well, he’s here but he isn’t here. His nose has been so stuffed into his phone I’m surprised it’s still there. Two, this is Maddox being nice? Because I was just thinking that he’s grumpy all over again…
