Writing Prompt

Everything was perfect.

I laughed, adding to the harmony of clanking glasses and soft chatter around the room. In my own glass was a bubbly yellow liquid, with an umbrella rested against the side. A summer themed bussiness party had never occured to me as a good idea before, but now it seemed perfect.

All the most important company members were there, and I could finally propose my plan and get a promotion. I smiled at that, ready to down the rest of my alcohol, before the door opened.

I recognized his eyes as soon as he walked through the door. I froze. I couldn’t do this right now.

“John, nice to see you joined us! How about a glass, eh?” My boss, Bradford, greeted John, motioning his own glass in the air. He then looked down to John’s clothes, causing amusement to flash across his features. Then second hand embarrassment- I was assuming.

“Oh… did you not get the memo about wearing the tropical shirts?“ Bradford chuckled lightly, looking down to his own light blue floral shirt.

John’s face grew red with something between embarrassment and shame. “Sorry Boss. I… I didn’t know…” John said, before spotting me staring.

𝘖𝘩 𝘨𝘰𝘥. 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦?

“You and Pierre know eachother right?” Bradford added when he followed John’s gaze to me.

“Yes. We’ve met,” I replied, trying my best not to glare. John scoffed, turning to Bradford. “Yeah. I know him. That piece of… nevermind. Where’s the drinks?” John asked.

I turned away, trying to focus on the task ahead rather than the horrendous disease that had entered the room.

I just had to get Bradford and Pat, the CEO, talking, then I could propose the idea to both of them.

“Hey Mr. B. Need another drink? I’ll get you one. I see Pat over there is looking like he needs someone to talk to. Why don’t you tell him that joke you told me last week? The one about the cow,” I offered to Bradford, gesturing to the old man in the corner who was sitting alone.

Bradford almost responded, but a hard hand came down on my shoulder first. 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘥.

𝘖𝘶𝘤𝘩.

“No, no, no. I’ll go talk to Pat. I’ve been wanting to talk to the old guy for awhile anyways. Pierre, you can get our boss a drink can’t you? Since you’re so kind?” John said from behind me, making me internally furious.

I smiled viscously as my eyes narrowed to slits.

𝘑𝘰𝘩𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘪𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘳𝘶𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘰𝘯‘𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺?

[Viewer Reading Discretion Advised]

(Due to Sexual Themes, Adult Language, Drug usage, Adult themes, Violence,and Trigger warning)

Nessa (Venessa Jones) 21

Lily (Lana Jones) 19

Cole (Collin Smith) 21

Zaz (Zavier Roberts) 20

Nicky ( Nicole Peterson) 22

Esme (Ethan Peterson) 18

Max (Markus Salomon) 23

Izzy (Isabella Salomon) 18

Harley (Quinzel Myers) 19

Chase (Chase Wetzel) 20

Chad (Chad Wetzel) 20

Madie (Madaline Rodriguez) 19

Kar (Karsyn Rodriguez) 17

Aaron (Aaron Ortiz) 28

Ships -

Max / Lily -

Cole / Nicky -

Zaz / Madie -

Esme / Harley -

Nessa / Izzy -

• Zaz -

Tj Max was a store he’d never ventured into, upon inspection it was just another Ross or Burlington. A lot of stuff that didn’t or couldn’t sell at the larger retailers or was out of season. Not exactly his style but he understood it.

“You know you can go anywhere you please to get clothes?” Zaz wanted to make sure she knew he didn’t care about the tags.

“This was one of the first stores we went to after we got here” Kar added in, still in front of Madie and him.

Madie glared at her for a second before turning back to Zaz. Instead of words she just nodded her head up and down.

Standing in the isles holding all of the many different outfits like a coat rack for the girls hadnt been his exact picture for this moment. Yet watching Madie and Kar, Esme, and Harley all smiling and going over different close made him smile. They were having a blast and it was showing.

“Sooo somebody’s old aunt ester?” Esme giggled pulling out a god awfull sweater that looked like a moth feast.

“Oh gosh” Harley giggled.

“Put it back before the moths get you!” Kar laughed.

“Thank you” Madie said breaking his concentration away from the girls.

“For what?” Zaz tried to rub the back of his neck but couldn’t due to all the stuff he was holding.

“She’s never really had friends to laugh around with like that. Well not since home anyway.” Madie just watched them all goofing around as she started to pull a red dress off the rack.

“I feel that, until I found the guys I was just an awkward loner” He coughed a bit realizing how honest he’d been accidentaly. “But once we found each other we all just got better together”

“I’m glad. Not sure if we’d have met otherwise” Madie looked at the sparkly red dress for a second and put it back down.

“That would look amazing on you” He grabbed it as she moved on for the pile.

“Don’t! It won’t look good on me” Madie huffed, staring straight at him like a bull about to charge.

“If everyone else disagree’s with you. You have to have dinner with tonight and after let me lick Texas Roadhouse butter off of you?” He gave her the old rock one eyebrow wink and a smile.

“That was so cheesy” Kar giggled.

“It was cute thou” Esme added in.

“Points for it being cute” Harley added.

“No” She giggled and started towards the next set of racks.

“So I gotta try harder. Fine. But you still gotta try this dress on” Zaz added it to his right shoulder where her pile was.

“What’s the point?” She called back across that rack.

“So you can see how fire you look in it.” And with that he just continued to chat with the other girls. Keeping an eye of Madie every few moments.

“I’m going to change into some stuff” Harley said slipping over to his right arm, where her pile sat.

Of course Esme and Kar followed suit. Grabbing there piles and starting for the changing rooms.

“Guess we are all alone now” Zaz tried a Spanish sultry voice like Zoro but failed. “So why not dinner?”

“So why not just leave it be? Find someone else to mess with and leave me be?” Madie said slightly harshly.

“If that’s truely how you feel. Like not playing hard to get. We can just be friends? I kinda thought it was gonna be a fun cat and mouse game. But if your serious I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.” Zaz sighed and stuck his hand out to her. “I’m Zavier Roberts fair maiden. What might your name be?”

“Zaz you don’t get it. If you get mixed up in this bad things could happen. You don’t even get it.”

“So explain it to me? Tell me what I can do?”

“If your serious about dinner tonight. I’ll tell you the whole story”

“Only if you wear that dress” He chuckled.

“I’ll try it on. Why are you so annoying?” She grumbled.

“Persistant!” He corrected with a grin. “So go try it on”

“Fine” Madie groaned and headed off towards the changing rooms and the three girls.

Of course as she got there only three rooms were avalible. Harley was the first to move, locking arms with Esme and dragging her into the first changing room. Kar laughed and grabbed the second key. Madie stood there for a few seconds, hoping and praying that someone would come to use the room.

“You gonna grab the key?” Zaz questioned, giving her a confused look.

“Of course your over here” A sigh escaped and off she went.

“Make sure you step out here” He smiled biting his lip and she melted a bit. Of course it was only to herself, he wasn’t gonna get any sort of reaction.

A moment or two later and out she stepped. Dress red and glitery, a single cut on the right side showing off her thick thigh, her eyes weren’t angry anymore. Instead it was replaced by a cheerful acquisitions of his thoughts.

“Damn sis” Kar gasped and she smiled brightly.

“So who was right?” The grin on Zaz’s face as the other people around looked at how well the dress fit.

“Fine. Can I take it off now” She cooed, trying not to blush at how hot his gaze was making her body.

“For now” He wispered into her ear and she realized how close he’d gotten. “Your the most beautiful girl in the universe and this dress proves it. We can be whatever you want. But I proved my point”

Faking an angry scowl, she retreated into the changing room only to hear Zaz hiss “Damn” As she turned around.

• Nessa -

Izzy won rock; paper, sizers. Of course Max made it a best two out of three. Yet here they all were headed towards Victoria’s Secrete. Nessa could feel the tension between the two of them as they walked side by side behind everyone.

Izzy reached her hand out, letting two fingers rub the back of Nessa’s palm. She turned around to look at her the moment she felt her fingers.

“Can we?” The question was of a small girl, trying to get her way. Puppy dog eyes flickering as her lashes batted a bit.

“Whatever you want Peaches” Nessa grinned and grabbed her hand forcefully. Izzy staggered for a second and then Max turned and grinned.

“Told her she was your problem” Max added in with a wink.

“Wait. You knew?” Nessa questioned while Cole started laughing.

“Well not completely but yall been spending a lot of time together”Cole added in.

“There may have been a convo that you missed the first night. Someone was smitten” Max chuckled and Lily smacked his arm.

“You didn’t even tell me?” Lily gave a huge “wow” open mouth expression.

“I didn’t know what was gonna happen” He shrugged. “Also didn’t know Nessa played for that team.”

“It wasn’t exactly a set in mortar thing” Nicky grinned thinking back to the few times they’d fooled around in a drunken stuper. “Bound to happen thou”

“Hush. Your sisters a little Minx and she’s very persuasive” Nessa winked, grabbing her by her chin roughly. “Just wait I got a plan for you peaches”

Victoria Secret was on the second teir in the right corner of the mall. Once inside they all split up and Nessa nearly dragged Izzy off to the closest corner.

“You little shit.” She hissed pushing her against one of the outcrofts before the hanging hoodies. “You just let me freak out about Max knowing that you already said something?”

“It wasn’t like that” She winced at the light pain that shot across her back from the corners edge. “I just told him how bad my last relationship ended…..” She sighed and looked to the ground.

“Well don’t get silent now peaches”

“It was more like asking permission to fuck his roommate….. Your gorgious and I figured it be fun” She mumbled a bit at the end. “Instead when I went downstairs nearly naked you were sleeping peacefully so cutely that I cuddled up next to you.”

“When I woke up you were on the other couch?” Nessa questioned.

“I fell off the one with you, and just laid back on the other” She grumbled. “I lied…. I was sent here to get away from a boy who was beating my ass for a whole year…. I loved him… but I had enough and so did our parents….”

“I’m sorry hun” Nessa had unintentionally reached out, rubbing her cheek and looking at her watering eyes.

“I didn’t want you to think I’m just some dumb bimbo who would allow that”

“Smack!” It was hard enough to make a sound but it hardly stung.

“Your my little minx. Nobody will hurt you” Nessa grabbed her face and smashed her lips to hers. “Love makes you dumb sometimes. I get that. Yet your far from actually being dumb so don’t ever say that again”

“That was hot” Izzy giggled a tear running down her cheek.

“I figured that’s how it started” Nessa sighed. “Go find some cute stuff to wear for me. Because I’m gonna eat you up tonight”

“Please…” Izzy whined.

“I’m thinking you earned a ravishing… or at least being teased a bit” Nessa winked grabbing her hand and pulling her into an embrace. “I have you now and I’ll protect you peaches, no matter what.”

“Thank you” Izzy was snuggling against her chest when she tried to mischievously twist her nip.

“Bad girl” Nessa giggled, tapping her on the nose.

Izzy had picked out three different lace outfits, one of them with a full out fanny flap. It was really just a joke between them. Of course Cole and Nicky were joking and making out every other second. Nessa just laughed and grabbed Izzy’s butt.

“What was that for” Izzy blushed looking at a few of the people who’d seen.

“Because it’s mine” Nessa whispered in her ear. “How about you try those on”

“Only if you come in with me” Izzy bit her lip hoping that it wasn’t to much of an ask.

“I guess. But you’ll be without something once we leave” Nessa watched her mind wrap itself around the possibilities.

It hardly took until the door was closed on the medium sized changing room. A long seat was nestled against the back with mirrors circling. Another smaller stool esc daisy looking seat off to the corner. Nessa was pinning Izzy to the door, mouths locked in a battle for tongue superiority.

“You gonna be good?” Nessa said breathing against the nook of her neck.

“Yesss…” Izzy hissed already pulling at Nessa’s shirt.

“Well then, get changed” Nessa left her to slide back onto the long couch. “I just wanna see you” She winked and giggled a little.

“Come on” She whined more.

“If you don’t want to babe it’s fine. I just figured you’d enjoy a bit of play”

“Babe….” Izzy sighed. “That sounds really good”

“We should be an item? I mean. Will you be my girlfriend?” Nessa bit her lip and rubbed the back of her neck like she’d watched Zaz do, a hundred times before.

“Nope” Izzy grinned from ear to ear as Nessa groaned. “You gotta take me out to dinner and treat me like a proper lady”

“Or” Nessa grumbled stepping to her feet and crossing the room, pinning her against the door again. This time with a single hand holding up both her arms. “Are you mine or no little minx?”

Nessa nuzzled against her neck, not planting any kisses or nipping at her nape. Just slidding her lips ever so slightly above her soft skin. Izzy exhaled an insane amount of air like a runaway ballon and sighed.

“You know I am Nesi” Now her eyes were a very light brown staring into her soul.

“No…. I don’t like that” Nessa attacked her mouth again with her own. No that was a terrible nickname, it wasn’t going to stick. Yet nobody had ever given her a pet name amongst babe, baby or something to that nature. So it was a clear change of pace.

“Are you sure?” Izzy asked between breaths.

“No I don’t” Nessa bit down hard on Izzy’s bottom lip and she moaned out loud.

“Are you girls good?” The young employee girl asked on the other side of the door.

“Sorry. I stubbed my toe” Izzy lied as Nessa grinned devilishly.

“I’ll make you mine” Nessa cooed and Izzy could only watch as she bit her neck, causing an audible squeak. Then started across her chest, down to her belly. Hooking her fingers in the waistband of her shorts. Grinning up at her.

“No babe” Izzy struggled to even get the words out low enough.

Then they were at her heels, a whisp of air across her snatch sent goose pimples up both sides of her thighs. “You little hussy, no undies. In the mall” Nessa was enjoying every second of this, smelling the scent of peaches in the air.

“My plan was to steal them and make you do this anyway”

“Can’t steal what’s not there” Izzy grinned down as Nessa gripped her left thigh from under. Lifting it just onto her shoulder.

“So peaches? Can you be quiet” Nessa hummed as she quickly started to nibble across her mound, under either of her thighs, and down to where he cookie had to be dripping.

“Yes” Izzy groaned, slapping her fingers across her mouth.

“You taste so good” Nessa mumbled, still licking up and down her folds. Savoring each drop as it came in contact. “I could do this forever”

Deeper her tongue went until it found her love tunnel, gushing with the savory dew. Then back up across her nub, looking up at the horrified expression on her face. People shuffled and changed in the rooms adjacent to them, unaware that right beside them. Someone was having an amazing time with their new girlfriend.

“Pleasseeeee…” Izzy whispered, still stuttering her words through her fingers.

“Please what; Peaches?” Nessa stopped for a second, relishing in how much wetness was covering her face. “Would you like to cum?”

As the words came out of her mouth, Izzy shook once with a quick spasm. Then a second as Nessa started to lick her numb faster. Skidding two fingers up her left leg, tickling her skin a bit. Till they traced up, just below her folds.

“No! pleaseeee” Izzy yipped as Nessa slid two fingers across her folds to get them nice and wet. “Don’t… I’m still…” Izzy tried to speak out above the waves of please still riding across her body.

Nessa didn’t understand and quickly jammed those two fingers deep into her tunnel, down past her knuckle but felt the resistance for a second. Izzy’s body tightened around her finger like a vice grip. Wetness blasting across her knuckles. Izzy started to fall forward and Nessa grabbed her pulling her into her arms.

“I’m sorry” Nessa started into her ear, but her eyes were glazed with lust as she rode out the second orgasm.

“Your my first” Izzy was starting to come to hanging her arms around Nessa’s neck. “I’m sorry I lied…. I just didn’t ….”

“Your fine babe.” Nessa kissed her on the cheek, still holding her against the wall. “I’m sooo not mad. Your so obnoxious, acting like your a little hoe”

“People expect it…. So I just let them think it” She hung into Nessa’s body, cuddling up.

“You really make me crazy” Nessa groaned, biting her bottom lip again.

“Oh really” Izzy sighed breathlessly.

• Madie -

Zaz was at her right side, the girls were standing a bit down the way looking at one of the many mall maps. Time stood still for a few seconds as she heard Kar scream. Instantly pulling her eyes from Zaz.

Turning she was met with a sight she’d seen only one other time. Standing only an arms length away, stepping through the entrance door. Stood a taller white boy, black hair that hung over his shoulders. A black leather jacket on him and the two guys on either side. A wicked smile crossed his flat lips as he looked at his prey.

Esme and Harley turned in shock at Kar’s outburst. Zaz dropped the bags at his feet. The world itself was moving so much faster then normal. Yet it all seemed so slow. “I can’t do this right now; please” Her mind cried out watching Zaz surge forward. Sprinting straight towards the girls.

“Zaz don’t!” She shouted!

I recognized his eyes as soon as he walked through the door. I froze. I couldn’t do this right now.

“Shannon, take off the mask.”

“Why? This is awesome! I look exactly like you! It’s unbelievable!”

I made a low, deep growl and clutched my hair with both hands, tugging fiercely. The pain distracted me from the irritation I felt over being dismissed. I straightened and stared at her without saying another word. Shannon gave an angry snort of her own and did as I asked. Matt/Shannon became simply Shannon again.

“You’re never going to get over this irrational fear if you don’t take chances,” she griped. She tossed the silicone mask at me carelessly. I managed to catch it before it bounced off me and hit the floor. I gazed at it. Dangling limply, the eye holes now shapeless and empty, it could have been modeled after anybody. Except maybe it reflected the inner me, usually kept well hidden. Maybe that was why I hated looking at it. Damn.

Epiphany revealed, examined and rejected, I tossed the mask onto the floor after all.

I recognized his eyes as soon as he walked through the door, I froze, my mind started racing and my heart started pounding out my chest. I can’t do this right now, not after what he did to me all those years ago. I barely remember it, but I do remember his face. His smooth face with a small mustache and peach fuzz on his chin. His face was etched with deep lines from years of hard living, and yet there was a softness to it that held a deceptive charm. Sometimes it will come back in parts as flashbacks. My dad still doesn’t believe me, he thinks he was the best babysitter. This was because my dad would often blast music, smoke unknown substances, drink, and engage in sexual activities with his girlfriend in the other room. It starts with overthinking, then I get dizzy, and finally I start to have a panic attack. The flashback me again. I don’t remember most of what he did, but I do remember the important part of it. The part that nobody should remember, but will always be scratched in the back of your head. I also remember the good parts. The parts where this guy would bring over alcohol and we would drink together while he was on parole. My dad didn’t think anything about it, he didn’t realize how crazy it was to be having a 17 year old guy on parole. Watching a 9 year old girl who thought that since her dad liked him and trusted him what he’s doing to me is ok. Never again will I let a man do that to me again. He wasn’t the first and he wasn’t the last. My PE teacher was the first guy to do anything to me. I told my school resource officer, my principal, my counselor, and my dad and nobody believed me. I still hear things from kids at those two schools that he’s still doing the same stuff. I hate him I thought he would always win. I’m glad he didn’t win. I recently was informed by my informant(11) who he did stuff to as well, that her friend(9) finally reported him enough times that he was fired. That nigh me and my friend celebrated the achievement. It was the best night of my life. I’m so happy that he will never be able to hurt a kid again.

of course he had to be here. him of all people. to see me like this. he walked over to my curled up, shaking figure and sat next to me.

“well? whats going on? the whole party is out there and you’re in here, crying like some child.”

i looked up at him, fear on my face. not from him, but what was happening. was i seriously letting myself have a panic attack in front of my enemy? i bowed my head, laying it in my knees, hiding my tear filled eyes and quivering lip. there was silence for a bit. nothing. then i heard him sigh and shuffling. his warm hand landed on my shoulder, his thumb rubbing it gently. i looked up at him, through my tears, and before i knew it, i was clinging to him, almost if i was dying. he let out a soft huff of surprise then quickly wrapped his arms around my shaking body, pulling me onto his lap.

“deep breaths yeah? match mine ok?”

i nodded. he instructed me, very patiently.

“breathe in,” i followed, “and out…”

i clung to him tighter, causing his arms to tighten. he started rubbing my back, drawing random shapes on my skin to calm me. he slowly rocked me. i didn’t believe that i was crying in my enemies arms.

“y’know, your tears kill me. i’ll do anything in my power to make them stop. it hurts me when you cry. it means i wasn’t there to protect you. im supposed to protect you.”

i started to say his name but he cut me off.

“you’re mine to protect. and you know where my dorm is. in case this happens again.”

he lifted my chin, rubbing away my tears.

“thank you,” i said, my voice a bit dry from crying, “for…staying.”

i hugged him again. it genuinely hurt me, thinking that i would have to leave this. leave this moment behind. my friend turned the corner, and found me on the ground.

“whats wrong? why are you out here alone?”

he’s not real. he never was real. i was alone.

I recognized him as soon as he walked through the door. While he made himself at home on my new couch, I froze. His hands felt around for the missing cat fur, for the stains he used to never care about sitting on. I couldn’t do this right now.

“Where is the box of my things you were supposed to return weeks ago?”

My weekend chores exhausted me. I was a useless, dead battery. A confrontation, or even a heart to heart talk, wasn’t something my body could handle.

“It’s in my car, Cleo.”

I rolled my eyes, gestured to the door. “Go get it then. Stop wasting my time.” The words don’t spit out the angry venom I wanted to give him, but they conveyed my disappointment enough.

“Let me talk to you first.” His eyes pleaded to me as if he were groveling for his life.

“No, Ryan.” My cat, Mercutio, hissed at him. His soft head gently rubbed against my calf.

“Give me a chance.”

“You ghosted me for five months! You treated me like I didn’t exist to you! You wouldn’t even look at me!” Now my rage came to light.

He shot up from the couch, holding his hands out to me as if taming a rabid, angry animal. “There is a reason for that.”

“How am I supposed to believe you? Leading up to you ditching me, you would cancel plans left and right! You were trying to slowly pullout of the relationship so you wouldn’t feel an ounce of remorse after breaking my heart you stupid, worthless—“

He slammed a piece of paper in front of me. It was a photocopy of a drivers license. Ryan’s unsmiling photo stands out, his eyes in a resting position. I look over at his full name: Jacob Lee Stewart. The details show his date of birth as April 22nd, 1999 when it should be today’s date: December 3rd. His eye color is described as brown. I looked up at his blue ones.

“What the hell is this?”

He takes out two thin contact lenses and slips them into his eyes, transforming him into the man on the license. Snatching the paper from view, he quickly put his shoes on.

“Ryan, wait!”

He shot me a glare. “Do not call me that.”

“Then explain what the fuck is happening!” Mercutio let out a loud, desperate meow. His tail swung against his metal food bowl.

“I’m sorry, but that is all I can show you for your safety and mine.”

The front door swung open, then slammed in my face. The rusted hinges screamed, echoing my internalized frustration.

I rushed to the pantry to grab Mercutio’s treat bag. He eagerly pawed at my foot until I poured out five treats. Gentle, thankful purrs rumbled in his chest.

During the day’s remaining hours, I resumed my chores. Mercutio wandered as he pleased, living his flawless life. While I slowly folded towels, I caught him burying his claws between the cushions of my new couch.

“Mercutio, no! Get down!”

I swatted at him with my hand when I saw what he’d caught.

It was a dark blue scrunchie.

One I had left at Ryan’s (Jacob’s) house.

When morning came, my father and mother came to find me with my sisters. I instantly hugged them all and cried. I cried so hard, but we just held each other.

My father gave us a report. The vampires were waking up again. The House of Vampire had nothing to do with the attack. We would continue the festivities like nothing happened. He demanded it.

I boarded myself up in my room all day. I didn’t want to see anyone. I was scared now. I was terrified. We had been attacked. I could have died.

Damian was the reason I hadn’t.

I wondered what happened to him, but I would probably see him tonight. I wasn’t ready for that. I don’t think I could do that. I would break down crying just thinking about last night. We had to seem like we were in control, though. I had to avoid him.

I still didn’t trust him. He had something to do with this. My father was naive, but I wasn’t. I knew that I had to be strong. So I just had to ignore him.

There was a knock on my door. “Come in.” I said.

My maid poked her head in. “Your father wants you to get dressed for tonight. Tonight is for couples.” She said.

I nodded. Right. Tonight was when my parents tried to find me a husband and I rejected all of them. Great. “Alright.” I said.

I dressed in the shortest dress I could find. Mother said showing off my legs made me more desirable. My dress was a black dress that went to my mid thigh and showed off my cleavage. It was flowy and pretty. I braided my hair and put on a little bit of blush. I didn’t want to try though. I wanted to hide away.

I knew I couldn’t though. The show must go on.

I made my way down the stairs. My sisters didn’t have to go. They were too young for couples night. I was the only one who had to go. It was disgusting.

Soon, I was at the festival area and I wanted to cry again. Alll I could think about was last night. Damian had me pinned against a wall and I had lost control over the situation fast. I was weak.

I slowly made my way around the tents. I felt miserable. I scanned the room and my eyes locked with someone’s.

I recognized his onyx eyes as soon as he walked through the tent flap. I froze. I couldn’t do this right now.

I immediately started walking the other way. I didn’t know I was running until I was all the way into the streets. I was breathing rapidly and my heart was pounding. I just couldn’t do this. It was all too much after yesterday.

I tried to hold in my nerves. I tried to ignore the way my heart was pounding. I tried to hold back the flashes of those vampires last night.

“Princess, are you alright?” A voice asked.

I looked up to see Dane standing there. He looked handsome in a white suit and with his golden hair groomed back. His eyes looked bored, but he sounded genuinely curious.

“Yes, I’m just nervous.” I replied.

He smirked. “Maybe I can help you with that.” He said and started walking towards me. There was a dark look that entered his eyes. “You have no idea how sexy you look in that dress.”

I gasped as he pushed me up against a wall. My breath hitched in my throat as his hand pressed against my thigh. “Dane, I, um, don’t think this is a good idea.” I said.

He laughed and whispered in my ear, “Princess, stop talking.” Then his lips were against my neck. They were hot against my hot skin and felt…wrong. His hands were rough against my sides. His hand was inching towards my chest. My heart was pounding.

What do I do? What could I do? “Dane, stop.” I said and pressed my hand against his chest.

Dane groaned. “Stop being such a buzz kill. Just enjoy it.” He went back to kissing my neck. It was rough and disgusting.

“Stop!” I cried.

“I know you want it, Vesper.” He whispered in my ear.

“No, I don’t. Stop it!” I pushed him off me.

He grabbed my hands. “You listen here, you-“

“Can everyone report to the main tent for some speed dancing? Please and thank you.” My father’s voice came through the streets.

My heart was still pounding. “See you soon, Princess.” Dane whispered and placed one last kiss on my neck before biting down on it.

I gasped and then he was gone.

I slumped down on the wall. I felt the tears come back. I felt the fear return. This time, it all spilled over me. I came out.

I started sobbing. I let all of my pent up emotions come out. I cried until there was nothing left to cry about. I slammed my head into the back wall. This all felt too real. I wanted to leave.

Once I calmed down enough and didn’t look like a hot mess, I made my way to the main tent. I found a dark corner to sit in. I just wanted to disappear. I wanted to hide until this was all over. That’s what I wanted to happen. That didn’t happen.

“Hello, sunshine.” Damian said as he approached me.

No. No. No.

“What are you doing all by yourself in this corner?” He asked me.

“Hiding from people like you.” I snapped.

“Now that’s rude.” He reached his hand out and I immediately flinched away. He pulled his hand back and straightened out.

“I was just going to ask you for a dance. Do you still think I had something to do with last night?” His voice held a bit of hurt, but I didn’t need this.

I couldn’t think about last night. Not right now. I wanted to go home. I wanted to curl up and cry.

“I’m leaving.” I Stated.

His face crumpled. “So yes.”

I glared at him and started to walk off. I couldn’t handle this.

“I don’t know what I can do to change your mind, but I didn’t do anything!” He called after me.

I ran back to my room. Once I reached it, I slammed my door shut. I slumped against it and started crying.

i couldn’t do this. no. no. no . n . o .

his eyes, those green, green eyes, stared straight into mine, his expression mirroring mine.

i know his question before he asks it.

w h y

“because. i had no choice!”

his silence is deafening.

i turn away, slamming the door.

“YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND!”

i screamed. i lashed around.

w h y

“YOU KNOW WHY!”

i turned around and punched him.

the mirror shattered.

I recognized his eyes as soon as he walked through the door. I froze. I couldn’t do this right now. The crimson stare of Jemor Brenk is one I still see when I lay down to rest every night. I would give anything to be the young girl I was when we first met. Running around town and razing havoc everywhere we stepped, he truly was my best friend. Our friendship eventually started to develop into something more over the years; but that didn’t stop us from growing into very different people. The line of work he found himself in was one of violence and danger and for a time I stood by his side in that life. Everything changed though when I became pregnant. Suddenly my world flipped upside down and he refused to adjust his perspectives. The world he pulled me into wasn’t safe to raise a child. Once we learned of our daughter it was fight after fight between us. By the end I gave him an ultimatum: “his family or his job”. He failed to choose us so I made sure I wasn’t there when he came back. That was eight years ago.

I called every favor I could amass and made my way out of Litoria. The first year on the road was one of unending hardship. Although in the darkness there was light, it was on the road that I met Hikory. He took care of me in my darkest moments and even helped me deliver my daughter Semrial. Hikory stayed by my side and was my third and fourth hands with raising my daughter. We all traveled to Winfur, a small mountain side town persistently painted with a soft blanket of snow, where we settled down as a family. As almost a decade passes us by we were wed, opened our own pub, and preceded to have three more sons. I made a life for myself and my family only for my past to come charging through my front door. Stunned, I forced my voice to demand what he needed. His only response was a soul-less “My daughter.”, before he grabbed her and vanished in a swirl of flames teleporting to gods know where.

I reconized his eyes as soon as He walked through the door. I couldn’t do this right now or Anymore.

He’s always on my mind, Even when I try to look away From his eyes. Why do I always Have to look his way? Why can’t my eyes just stray away?

I don’t know why I can never look Away maybe because when I look At him everything just seems to fade Away. I know I shouldn’t feel this way. I need to take a vacation, and hopefully Soon my eyes won’t stray to his direction.

But I know I truly don’t want that, but Sadly I need to move on. Anytime he Talks to me it’s always to get a pencil Or paper.

Maybe if I just tried to talk to him We’d be friends. I recognized his Hair as soon as he leaves the room. I hate how my heart starts to beat a Different tune.

I wish I could go back in time when he Wasn’t on my mind. Because now I know I’m wasting my time. He will never look at Me the way I do. My mind understands, So why can’t my heart listen to? -aubrey