by Amy Miles
“Hey, watch out!” a shout rang out through the deserted hall.
A ball whizzed through the air, heading directly for her face. Roseline’s hand reached out just in time to save her nose from being rearranged. Heavy footfalls announced the arrival of the football’s owner.
“I am so sorry about that,” the boy’s cry choked off when he found Roseline’s aqua eyes staring back at him. “Hey, it’s you!”
Roseline’s eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
Gabriel blushed furiously. “No, I mean…I saw you at the game a couple weeks ago.”
“And?” Roseline questioned, curious as to why Gabriel’s pulse had sped up. He hadn’t even been around her long enough to feel the attraction.
Rubbing the back of his head, Gabriel smiled sheepishly. “And I was hoping to run into you sometime.”
Roseline smiled, tossing the football into the air. She caught it easily and handed it back over. “Well, it looks like you succeeded.” She turned and headed away.
A cute boy at the end of the hall called out, but Gabriel waved him off. He disappeared around the corner with a shrug. “Wait a second,” Gabriel called after Roseline, jogging to catch up. “Aren’t you going to let me apologize?”
“I think you’ve already done that,” Roseline pointed out, not slowing.
Gabriel reached out, gently placing his hand on her arm to stop her. Roseline gasped, jerking away as she felt the intense heat radiating out from his hand. It was like someone had just used a blow torch on her bare skin. No mark, no searing flesh, but that same intense feeling. Gabriel’s eyes widened as he felt the burn.
“What was that?” he whispered, staring at Roseline.
Instead of answering Roseline hurried away. The bell rang and doors opened, slamming against the concrete walls. Sadie burst out of the room at the end of the hall, rushing full out to Roseline’s side. She noted Roseline’s blank stare, the way she cupped her arm and Gabriel’s glassy eyed gaze. “Come on,” she called, pulling Roseline away from the main crowd rushing through the hall. Gabriel was quickly swept away.
“Thanks,” Roseline muttered.
“Where the heck have you been? And with Gabriel Marston no less!” she cried, huddling close to Roseline. “What were you thinking?”
Roseline blinked, trying to clear away the confusion fogging her brain. “I didn’t…wait a second. What are you implying?”
“I’m implying that you’re messing with the wrong guy Rose!” Sadie hissed. “That’s Claire Scofield’s boy toy back there and you know what happened when she messed with me.”
Roseline nodded, clearing her throat. “Trust me, it was an innocent introduction. He nearly hit me with a football and came over to apologize. That’s it.”
Sadie rolled her eyes scathingly. “Oh don’t try to patronize me Rose. I saw the look on his face. If that guys not smitten I’ll give my car to charity!”
***
“Oh not again,” Oliver groaned, watching Gabriel frantically search the growing crowd. “I thought we were past this.”
“I met her. I mean I nearly took her head off a couple days ago with a football, but I finally did it. I’ve been searching for that girl for weeks. I was starting to think I’d dreamed her up.”
“Definitely not man,” Conner said as he plopped his helmet down over his head. “That girl is out of this world hot. No way could you dream her up!”
Oliver punched Conner’s helmet, jarring his brain. “Shut up,” he hissed as a group of cheerleaders walked by. They hid their giggles behind pompoms but there was no mistaking the object of their gaze. Gabriel Marston.
There wasn’t a girl in school that would dare to go behind Claire Scofield’s back to talk to Gabriel, but the desire was definitely there. Not only was he the most popular guy, a super star on the field, but there were rumors that he was pretty amazing off the field too!
“Dude, get your head in the game,” Oliver reprimanded as their coach shouted at them. “Tonight is the state qualifiers. Don’t screw this one up!”
Conner nodded in agreement as they moved towards the huddle. “I heard from Sara that if you win the game tonight, Claire’s gonna make it worth your while.”
Gabriel spat in disgust. Claire was head cheerleader and his long time girlfriend…but not by his choice. Sure she was pretty, but that was where her attributes came to a grinding halt. Her annoyingly petty personality and slutty manner didn’t sit well with Gabriel. She flaunted her looks to any guy that walked by. It sickened Gabriel.
Not long after they’d started dating, false rumors had flown around the school about their personal relationship. Gabriel had been furious but there was little he could do about it. The more he denied it the more Claire ramped up the dirty details. If it weren’t for the fact that nearly every male in the entire school wanted to be in Gabriel’s place, and his father Steve would throw him out on the street for embarrassing him in front of Claire’s dad, he would have folded under the embarrassment.
This wasn’t the life Gabriel wanted, but no one seemed to notice. Everyone viewed him as some rich playboy with a bright future. A full ride scholarship to an Ivy League school was almost a sure thing. But that wasn’t his dream, it was his father’s.
Steve had long since stopped listening to what Gabriel wanted in life. All he cared about was his image. Pride wouldn’t allow him to let Gabriel pursue the career he wanted. No, Gabriel had been set up for the perfect life, but he wanted no part of it. And along with that came Claire Scofield.
“Whatever man. Let’s just get this win,” Gabriel said as he called his teammates around him.
***
“Can you believe it? We’re going to state!” Sadie cried, bouncing up and down on the metal bleacher. The crowd lingered, no one wanted to leave after such a spectacular game. The final score was 21-14 and Gabriel Marston was the talk of the night.
Roseline rubbed her arms, trying to hint at a chill that she didn’t actually feel. She was painfully aware of the intense green eyes that watched her every move and it grated on her nerves. “Why did we have to bring him?” she muttered, cocking her head back at Nicolae who’d been forced to sit two rows behind them after Sadie went ballistic on him for spilling hot chocolate on her coat.
“My mom made me,” Sadie groaned, her spirits plummeting at the mention of her shadow. “The guy is really creepy. All he does is ask about you.”
That’s what Roseline had been afraid of. “What does he want to know?”
Sadie shrugged. “I don’t know. Really random stuff. Like do you ever go to church, if you ever go outside on really sunny days or if you like garlic on your pizza. I’m telling you the guy is mental!”
Roseline nodded, trying to hide her smile. So Nicolae did know about her, but he’d been sucked into all of the silly vampire myths. When would humans learn that Vampire’s don’t exist? “I agree. I’m just sorry you’re stuck with the guy!”
“Hey, it’s not just her that’s had to suffer,” William added, climbing over the bleacher seat. “I’m the one that has to share a room with the freak. He’s like anal to the max.”
Roseline’s eye brow rose. “Excuse me?”
William grinned. “Sorry, um…he’s like freakishly neat. The guy even rolls his underwear. All of his socks are color coded and don’t even dream of touching his picture album! The guy totally went loony toons last night when I accidentally knocked it off the table.”
Roseline made a mental note of that. “I’m getting cold.” She shivered for added effect. She would stoop to anything just to get out of there.
“No problem. I’ll go grab us some hot chocolate.” William ducked out into the stairwell and took two steps at a time.
“Wait up!” Sadie called, hurrying after her brother.
“Aren’t we leaving? The game is over,” Roseline called at Sadie’s fleeting back.
Sadie grinned over the head of a toddler girl dressed like a Rosewood Prep cheerleader. “Leave? This is when all o
f the fun begins!”
Roseline groaned and sank down onto the cold seat. The warmth from her bottom had faded long ago. “Great. I knew I should’ve stayed home,” she mumbled. She shot a glance over her shoulder and found exactly what she expected. Nicolae was staring straight at her, unblinking.
She felt Nicolae shift and whirled around. “What’s your deal?” Roseline asked, using a phrase she’d heard Sadie use countless times.
Nicolae’s eyes widened. “Pardon me?”
“You heard me,” Roseline growled, stomping up the bleachers to where he was sitting. Thankfully the rowdy fans were still cheering loud enough to mask their conversation. “You’re staring at me and it’s really starting to tick me off.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize,” he mumbled, averting his gaze from her for the first time since they’d arrived at the game.
“Cut the crap, Nicolae. We both know it was you I saw in Brasov. Why are you here?” she demanded, keeping her voice barely above a whisper.
She didn’t think it was possible for his eyes to widen anymore, but she was wrong. They bulged, looking like they might actually pop out of their sockets. “You saw me?” Nicolae scowled. He hadn’t meant to be so obvious.
“Duh,” she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest. Oh how quickly she was adapting to American life. She’d even managed to become a sarcastic teenager. Sadie would be so proud!
“I didn’t know it was you. You were kinda covered up that day,” he retorted.
Roseline leaned over, meeting him at eye level. The glow in her eyes was unmistakable, but that didn’t matter now. He knew what she was. “If you tell anyone who I am or where I’m from, I promise I will enjoy ripping out your spine.”
Despite his bravado, Nicolae visibly blanched. “I understand.”
“Good,” Roseline smiled, patting Nicolae on the head like a little child. “Oh, and give Sadie a break. You’re driving her crazy. I’m tired of hearing her moan about how annoying you are.”
Nicolae glared but managed a curt nod.
With that she turned and came face to face with Gabriel. “Oh!” she cried, flustered so badly she tumbled backward. Roseline fell ungracefully into the space between the seats.
Gabriel was instantly at her side, offering her a hand up. “I’m sorry to scare you like that. I just wanted to say hi.”
Roseline thrust herself upward, rising to her full height. She sent a scathing glance back at Nicolae and headed away. Gabriel trailed behind her. “Aren’t you going to say something?”
“What’s there to say?” Roseline said through gritted teeth as she rubbed her sore hip. Her limp was slight but enough for Gabriel to offer his hand. Roseline stopped, warily glancing up at Gabriel.
“I won’t bite,” he grinned, holding his arm evenly for her. Roseline shrugged and allowed her gloved hand to wind around his arm. Even through the thick material she could feel the intensity of his warmth. Roseline was shocked to find that this heat didn’t drive her away like all of the rest. What was it about him that defied all logic?
“Thanks,” she muttered, allowing him to help her reach the bottom of the steps. “So…”
Gabriel cleared his throat, glancing at the curious eyes following their departure. Surely word would spread quickly about their conversation. “You’re a very mysterious girl. Do you know I’ve asked all around school and no one seems to know your name?”
Roseline shrugged. “I mostly keep to myself.” She stared up at him, amazed at how blond his hair looked under the stadium lights. His breath hung in the air, pumped from lungs that were buried under a broad chest and a swatch of rigid abs that pressed against his thin cashmere sweater. Surely he must be freezing!
“I noticed that. But it seems like you’re pretty close with Sadie Hughes.” This fact still puzzled him. Of course Sadie was a nice girl, he’d lived next to her for most of his life, but he’d never dreamed that Roseline would continue to be seen with her. Why couldn’t she see what was glaringly obvious to everyone else?
“Oh so people do know her name,” Roseline laughed. “I was beginning to think I was the only decent person at this school.”
Gabriel chuckled. “Sadie’s great. But I didn’t peg you for the type to hang out with a girl like that.”
“A girl like what, exactly,” Roseline asked, crossing her arms over her chest. She jutted out her hip and waited for what needed to be a really good explanation.
Realizing he was on slippery ground, Gabriel amended his original statement. “I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just…Sadie’s not really a football fan,” he covered lamely.
“Well neither am I,” she replied, feeling oddly protective over her friend.
Gabriel leaned in closer, unable to resist the pull he felt towards Roseline. He tugged gently on her arm and they resumed walking. “Then why are you here?”
Roseline shrugged, beginning to wish Sadie hadn’t talked her into attending the game. “I didn’t have any other plans.”
Gabriel’s stunning grin took Roseline off guard. She was used to seeing beauty. It’d surrounded her every day since Vladimir had stripped her humanity away. But Immortal beauty and human beauty were two different things. This teenage boy was appealing in ways Roseline had never dreamed possible. The softness of his hair, the smooth curve of his lightly stubbled jaw, the subtle scent of tantalizing cologne and the easy smile all added to the charm that sucked Roseline in.
The light mist of freezing rain glinted on his sun streaked blond hair. His eyes were the palest blue color she’d ever seen. So pale they looked transparent. In the light they appeared iridescent, a startling quality that Roseline found appealing.
It was obvious Gabriel took pride in his looks. From his body hugging cashmere sweater to his designer jeans and rain dampened leather shoes. He knew he looked good, and yet oddly enough he didn’t come off as overly cocky.
“So does that mean you’re free now?” he asked, pausing as they reached the end of the bleachers. He took a step closer to see her in the dim light. Gabriel’s eyes lingered on hers; the hope shining from them stole her breath away.
Roseline braced for it. The inevitable was about to happen. The harder her heart pounded in her chest, the faster the hormones would seep from her skin. She watched his pulse thump against his neck. The instant her feminine scent hit Gabriel his eyes dilated. His pheromones kicked in…but there was something wrong.
He had all of the usual responses to her and yet he wasn’t trying to drag her under the bleachers for a spicy make out session. Gabriel should have been pleading to touch her, but he wasn’t. His restraint was deeply unsettling.
She decided to test his resistance. “What did you have in mind?” Roseline asked, her voice low and sultry as she stepped closer. She marked the increase in his pulse and yet amazingly enough he still resisted.
He wanted her, there was no doubt about it, but somehow he was able to keep his wits about him. Gabriel shrugged and instead of moving closer to her, he actually backed off. Leaning against the bleachers, he glanced away.
Roseline bit her lip to silence her cry of indignation. No man, human or otherwise, had ever backed away from her once she decided she wanted him. Gabriel, unknowingly, had just physically rejected her.
She’d seduced many humans before, every time to spite Vladimir, but never once had one of them had so much control around her. Gabriel was not only holding his own, he was actually making Roseline beg for him!
“Oh there you are Rose,” Sadie gasped, holding the stitch in her side as she and William rounded the corner. Her eyes opened wide, rain streaked mascara lining her cheeks, as she noted Gabriel’s presence. William glared at the quarterback, not the least bit happy to find Mr. Popular moving in on Roseline. His fingers dug into the Styrofoam cups, the rapidly cooling cocoa flowing over his fingers.
“Nicolae said you wandered off with some guy but I didn’t think it’d be him,” Sadie said, pointing at Gabriel.
“And what
were you two doing in the dark, Gabriel?” William asked.
“What’s it to you?” Gabriel challenged.
“Hey now,” Roseline spoke up, inserting herself between the two guys. “Gabriel and I were just talking. That’s all.”
“So you do know my name,” Gabriel grinned, backing away. “And you’re Rose, right?”
Roseline merely nodded, painfully aware of the tense situation she’d caused. She glanced at her friends before turning towards Gabriel. “So I guess that answers your question then.”
“Yeah,” Gabriel frowned, his gorgeous smile drooping in disappointment. “I guess it does. I’ll see you around.”
Nodding, Roseline turned her back on Gabriel, refusing to give in to the urge to watch him walk away. Sadie pounced. “What on earth are you doing back here with Gabriel Marston? Didn’t I warn you about him?”
“Of course you did, but it wasn’t like we were doing anything bad,” Roseline countered, annoyed that she had to defend her actions. “He just wanted to talk.”
“Sure, that’s all Gabriel ever wants to do with beautiful girls,” William scoffed.
Roseline eyed him up. His possessive nature was beginning to grate on her nerves. She knew she was thinking irrationally, but her brief meeting with Gabriel had thrown her for a loop. And to add more fuel to the fire, Nicolae chose that moment to pop his head around the corner.
“Everything alright?”
Sadie groaned loudly, whirling around. “I said wait by the car Nicolae. Can you not understand basic English?”
He raised his hands in surrender and turned, but not before glaring icily at Roseline. He’d made his presence known and it irked her. Nicolae was checking on her…or more accurately, he was checking on Gabriel.
William chucked the nearly empty cups aside as they headed towards the parking lot “So are we gonna go party or not? Sophie Reynolds is throwing a huge bash at her house tonight. Wanna crash?”
