Chapter 29 The In-Between
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The sound of turning pages came, followed by a slow heartbeat. I opened my eyes to see Dennis still reading near my feet, one hand holding his book while the other rested atop my shins. Ari was across the room leafing through one of his books. I sat up, catching them off guard.
“You’re awake.” Ari set the book aside.
“Yeah. How was your exam?”
“Amazing. I think I aced it.” She hesitated before asking, “How’d your appointment go?” I didn’t answer. Dennis glanced up from his book, but he didn’t say anything. “Are you mad at me?”
“No. I’m gonna go get Frankie. If I can find him.” I couldn’t remember where he was.
“It’s in my room,” Dennis said.
“Frankie’s not an ‘it’,” I said. He gave me a dull look, which I disregarded and left to get my cat.
“I’ll come with,” Ari said, hopping up to follow. “Are you sure you’re not mad at me?”
“I’m sure. I was at first, but I know you’re trying to help. And you were right. I wouldn’t have let you drag me in this time.”
“So we’re really okay? Even after yesterday and all the things I said, and leaving you?
” She barely smiled when I nodded, then pulled me into a hug.
When she let go her entire mood was lifted.
“You don’t have any plans for tonight, right?
‘Cause some friends from school and I are going out to celebrate the end of midterms. Wanna come? I’m leaving in a few minutes, but I was waiting for you to wake up just in case. ”
“No, thanks.” It wasn’t anything against hanging out with her. I really did miss spending every waking moment with her. It was just… “Your friends don’t like me.” I picked Frankie up as she frowned.
“Yeah, they do. I mean, it’s not like it matters.
Don’t worry about them. I don’t give a fuck what they think.
I like you way more than them any day,” she was rambling, probably because we both knew the first part was a lie.
“I promise they don’t dislike you. They’re just a little scared of you. Most of them think you’re aggressive.”
“Why the fuck would they think I’m aggressive?”
“Because of that. You’re aggressive as shit.” She laughed when I gave a ‘meh’ of acceptance. “Are you sure you don’t wanna come? I hate leaving you alone when you’ve been this upset.”
“I’m not alone. Dennis is here. Go have fun. I’ll be fine.”
She eyed me for a minute before deciding I was being honest and finally agreeing. We walked down the hall until she disappeared into Sean’s room, then emerged with her keys and favorite purse in hand.
“You’re leaving things in his room now?”
“Shut up.” She glanced past me, where Dennis could most likely hear us. “You’re positive you don’t wanna come?” She waited for confirmation before saying, “Alright. I’ll be back in a couple hours. Love you.” We hugged before entering the living room. “Bye, Dennis.”
“Bye.” He looked up from a book to acknowledge her in a normal way for once.
“Make sure she’s okay while I’m gone, yeah? That she doesn’t do anything. I normally ask my dad when I leave if she’s visiting, but he’s not here, so…” she trailed off when Dennis didn’t say anything.
He was watching me, his darkened eyes full of something I couldn’t decipher. I pretended not to notice and played with Frankie’s arm instead. She was right. It was best not to leave me alone like this.
“Yeah,” he said. “I’ll be here.”
“Thanks.” She smiled and said one last goodbye before leaving. Footsteps echoed past the pool until they jerked backward. “Fucking shit, Sean! What are you doing? You can’t just pop up in front of me like that, I was trying to walk here!”
He laughed and dodged the sound of her swinging purse.
“Did you really think you were going all by your lonesome? Someone might kidnap you.”
“Okay, fine. But you’re not driving.”
“Cool. I wanna meet your friends. Are they all as cute as you, or do the rest of them act normal?”
The sound of their conversation drifted past vampire earshot. I turned to sit but nearly fell from dizziness. I braced a hand against the wall to catch myself. Dennis was already halfway up, but I motioned for him to sit back down.
“I’m okay. Just being clumsy.”
“What’s wrong now?” He set the book aside when I didn’t move. “You look like you’re about to cry.”
“Nothing’s wrong, I’m just happy. Thank you so much for everything you’ve done.” I sat beside him, placing Frankie on my other side. “This means so much to me. I don’t think I could even tell you.” I wrapped my arms around him, playing with his soft hair.
“You’re still not really happy, are you?”
“I’m kinda happy, but at the same time I’m not. If you know what I mean.” I wasn’t making sense. No one ever knew what that meant.
“I know what you mean.”
“Really? You’re the only person who gets it.” I let go to smile at him.
“Yeah, because I can feel it. I don’t know how you always forget about that.”
“Right.” My smile dropped. “Can we watch a movie?”
“Let me guess, cartoons?”
“Of course. You’ll watch with me, right? Ari isn’t here to cheer me up, so this time it’s your job.” I grabbed the remote to scroll through options.
“If it’ll make you happy.” His voice was unenthusiastic, but it didn’t deter me.
I chose a movie and settled in, playing with his fingers in one hand and holding Frankie in the other. I was happy with the movie but Dennis was staring elsewhere, toying with his lip ring while lost in thought.
“What’re you thinkin’ about?”
“Did you ever drink before everything happened yesterday?” he asked. I shook my head. “We should go drink. You’ll start getting weak. That’s probably why you’re dizzy.”
“I’m not feeling weak.” I pulled him down when he tried to stand. My head was suddenly pounding—I couldn’t think about outside without panicking.
“You are. I can tell.”
“Nope. Not at all.”
He paused the movie and turned to me. “Are you depriving yourself because of what that girl said?”
“No.” I laughed. It came out convincing, even to myself. “I don’t give a shit what she said. I’m honestly not thirsty.”
“This isn’t funny.” He moved the remote when I tried to take it. “It’s dangerous to go days without drinking so soon. Get up. We’re going for blood.” He tried to lift me but I shimmied out of reach.
“I don’t wanna go outside.” I took the remote and restarted the movie. “Why are your eyes so dark?”
“Because I haven’t drank in two days, either.”
“You didn’t go before you came back yesterday?”
“No. I figured I’d wait until you got thirsty and then we’d go. I’m okay without it for a couple days, but you’re not. Not yet.”
“Are you mad at me?” I asked quietly.
“No.” He paused to assess me before asking, “You really don’t wanna go outside?” I shook my head. “Fine. Drink some of mine.”
“You’ll be okay if I do that?” I asked.
“It won’t hurt me, if that’s what you mean. But I’ll need to drink right after.” He held up a wrist despite my hesitance. “And don’t think we’re doing this all the time.”
“Thank you.” I took his wrist and gingerly bit into it.
It wasn’t the same as drinking from his neck, but it was still amazing. His natural scent was enticing enough. That coupled with the taste of blood straight from his body was enough to make my heart flutter. I closed my eyes, taking in the flavor, his scent, the feel of his skin…
“That’s enough.” He touched my arm and I quickly withdrew.
“Sorry.” I licked my lips, savoring the last drops. My body felt stronger already. Even my voice was magically back to normal.
“It’s fine,” he said, standing as I sat back. “Will you be okay alone for a bit? I need to drink.”
“Yeah. I won’t do anything you or Ari wouldn’t approve of. Promise.” I smiled and held out a pinky, but he only looked at it. His eyes were nearly black. I dropped my hand. “Are you sure you’re not mad at me?”
“Positive. I’ll be quick,” he said. “Call me if you need anything. I can be back in an instant.” And then he was gone.
I stared at the door for a while, then turned to the tv, trying to ignore the emotions. Several minutes passed before footsteps approached. I perked up at the sound of keys, hoping it was Dennis, but it didn’t sound like him.
“Hey, what’s up?” Mateo asked as he walked in. “You feeling any better?”
“A little bit.” I smiled as he shut the door, glad to have company again.
“That’s good.” His dimples showed as he smiled back. “What’re you watching?”
I patted the couch for him to join, then curled up on my side, leaving enough space for him to sit comfortably while I laid down.
Only a few minutes passed before my eyes began to close.
I heard Mateo chuckle before the couch shifted, followed by a soft blanket being draped across me.
I murmured a thank you as sleep took over.