Diary Of A Vampeen Part 27

Normally I would argue that I asked first, but it seemed insubstantial to me. "I... umm..." I stuttered. I wasn't antic.i.p.ating this, but gathered what thoughts I could and answered truthfully. "I'm confused. He sounded so confident, so sure of his claim. I can't help but consider the relevance of his words. But I also can't help thinking he could be wrong. What stands out is he knew our weird connection as if he felt it; like he was there in our minds when, well... you know..." I trailed off looking down at the sand beneath my sneakers. I dragged my shoe in the shape of a heart.

Kellan took my face in his hands forcing me to look in his eyes, eyes I still get lost in. They hold my interest with their mesmerizing color yet draw me in with their depth, striations as deep as the walls surrounding a once cold distant man. "Maybe this makes me crazy, but I believe him. My mother told me the fortune long ago in Spain so I'm familiar with it. And racking my brain, I can't think of a better couple to make this happen than us. I'm vampire, you're vampeen. I want to devour humans, you don't; and no other woman could have me consider the pro-life eating habit. Whether I like it or not, I can't walk away from you. There are times when I can't take my eyes off you without feeling anxious. I'm in love with a strong vampeen who compliments every part of me including my vampire heritage. I was a wreck until I met you. You've sobered me into a warrior in weeks. I would fight until the end of time to ensure a safe existence for you, even if that means killing my own kind. Regardless of the hard front, I don't enjoy murder, but I do value my life with you in it. The only alternative is to bring peace among our kinds. And knowing that's the only way you will forever be safe to live outside a gang driven existence, I'll gladly take on the task," he answered solemnly.

For the first time ever, all my guards were plowed through with one speech. Never had I wanted to give all of myself to a man, but I did here and now to Kellan. Was this possible? Were we meant to act as a pair of Ghandis to the vamp world?

Strangely, it wasn't until he phrased it just right that I realized we were our own modern translation of West Side Story. He's from the vampire world, I'm from the vampeen world rival kinds that are so similar, distant cousins in a family, yet make the value on their existence be based off how many 'distant cousins' they kill.

I knew without hesitation now that Kellan was my destiny, the one, my future husband, father to my children, and lifelong partner. But was he also my business partner, my lethal advocate of peace with his kind to ensure no other vampeen endured the wrath my gran did? Maybe. Or maybe not. Either way, he was still my destiny. No other guy was capable of obtaining another look from me similar to the one I was giving Kellan now.

Though I acknowledged all this, I was still waiting. I took my choice seriously, and maybe I just wanted a choice left in my life. Everything else was pre-determined or forced upon me; from going to school to becoming a vampeen to drinking human blood, it's all set in stone. s.e.x was the one stronghold I still carried since I was a virgin. It's like the last remnant of power to a lonely royal heir.

"Lexi," Kellan whispered pulling me back from my mental a.n.a.lytics.

"Yea?" I reply softly.

"Do you think I'm crazy?" he asked hesitantly.

"We're both crazy," I smiled leaning in to kiss him. I couldn't describe it since our last collision was so powerful, yet this one put it to shame. Entwined in his arms, I ran my hands up his s.h.i.+rt with a feeling only G.o.d should encompa.s.s. Right here, right now with Kellan, I felt like united we could control every celestial pool, every rebellious communist, every bomb set to explode before us in seconds.

I was closer than any girl had ever been to him yet I craved so much more. I felt myself being lowered to the sand but didn't break the moment to check. I lifted Kellan's s.h.i.+rt revealing his chiseled chest pressed to mine, his powerful biceps visibly holding me in a protective delicate manner, and continued to kiss my love.

"I never thought destiny could feel like this," he said, though I was fully aware it was spoken mentally.

"I never antic.i.p.ated forever with you," I replied.

"Are you disappointed?"

"Not in the slightest." I moved my hands to lock behind his neck, entwining a few locks of hair concurrently.

"Uh-hem," a gruff sound disturbed my bliss. My eyes flew open just as Kellan was on his feet.

"Can I help you officer?" he pressed politely.

"There are to be no indecent public displays on the beach. Now is that a problem?" he demanded.

On my feet beside Kellan now, I replied a stern, "No."

"You kids run along before my disposition changes," he ordered.

I kept my eyes cautiously on Kellan unsure of what to expect from him. When I saw the flicker of rage rush him, I knew what was coming. I quickly took charge. "Listen officer, we weren't doing anything criminal. No indecent exposure was placating before you, only a P.D.A., which may have been offensive but certainly not illegal. We're not the same teenagers you see uprooting your streets or causing a ruckus at school and therefore shouldn't be treated in such a manner. We're not all ignorant rugrats. Now we will leave but understand it's not because of your command, it is by our will alone. Let's go Kellan," I stated grabbing his arm and s.h.i.+rt at the same time with unwavering confidence and a feeling of empowerment.

I wasn't sure if I stepped in because I wanted to stop the officer from getting hurt or because I knew he couldn't arrest me if he tried. I no longer feared those who demanded respect yet didn't deserve it. No human will ever be able to bully me again.

I pushed Kellan out of the way to open my own door and slammed it shut declaring my independence abrasively.

He shut his door and was on top of me in a flash. "d.a.m.n. That was hot! You've never been so s.e.xy."

I pushed him off with one last press of my lips to his, a definite stress releaser I must admit. "Well the guy was being a jerk!"

He positioned himself back on the driver's side but never removed his eyes from me. Staring into them, I saw a fire flaring, an erotic fit roaring beneath his surface. For the first time, Kellan was staring at me with pure unadulterated l.u.s.t. And knowing how I felt about him, knowing how easily I could get carried away, I prompted, "Are you going to drive or do you want me to?"

"Can you?" he asked with a devilish grin.

Sticking to the clean version, I scoured, "No, but I can wreck your car trying if you'd like."

He laughed breaking away to start the engine and then pressed the gas pedal with a l.u.s.tful vengeance.

Chapter 22.

The day pa.s.sed quickly after the beach. My mom and I went shopping. She was re-decorating her bedroom and needed to purchase everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything! It got me thinking about re-doing mine too, but I decided against it. My room was like a stabilizer right now. It's the one thing that didn't change with my transformation, because no doubt my relations.h.i.+p with Mel would change.

"How do I look? Am I overdone? No. What am I saying? I'm definitely overdressed. What do you think?" I frantically asked Kellan who was observing my crazy twists in front of my bathroom mirror. I was wearing the first outfit I tried on with Eduardo.

"You look fine," he replied.

"Fine? I can't look fine, I have to look perfect. I'm seeing my best friend for the first time in two weeks and, oh yea, I weigh a lot less than I could lose in that time frame. A little help please!" I ranted fluffing my hair in the mirror again.

"Ok. My honest opinion?" he checked hesitantly.

"Of course. Yes."

"Lose the designer look for now. Your best friend remembers you in jeans and a t-s.h.i.+rt. You did slim down a bit and that'll be shocking enough. Wear the jeans, sneakers, and a hoodie to remind her you're still the same person, just went from pretty to beautiful," he stated.

"You're right! I don't want to overwhelm her with everything all at once. You're a genius!" I exclaimed kissing his cheek as I made my way to my closet.

"Cover your eyes!" I yelled walking out of the closet with my sneakers in place but a tank top absent over my bra. I quickly grabbed one from my dresser and put it on. I threw the hoodie on over my head announcing, "You're safe now."

Kellan opened his eyes, did a full visual intake before saying, "Perfect."

"Good," I noted aloud. Fidgeting with my hands in my pocket, I began to pace. I glanced at the clock only to find it was time to go.

My stomach was churning, heart sputtering and mind racing. What would Mel think of me? I hoped she didn't weird out on me. I thought shock would be her reaction tonight. She's my best friend though. If she didn't accept me now, then I knew what we had was superficial. And that was one thing my best friend was definitely not.

Last minute it dawned on me. Mike hadn't seen me in two weeks either. All the other times he failed to show, watch tonight be the one he follows through on. Ugh. I was barely ready to see Mel and that's only to introduce normalcy back into my life, but Mike... He was like the black plague to me right now. I needed to avoid him until I strongly re-establish my relations.h.i.+p with Mel. I would definitely need her support when I broke up with him.

"You ready?" Kellan prompted.

"Not really," I squirmed feeling the color escape my cheeks as reality set in.

"You'll be fine Lexi. I'll be around the corner browsing if you need me," he rea.s.sured me with a kiss on the forehead.

My palms were clammy despite my health, hands shaking as I grabbed my cell to call Mel. I swallowed the lump in my throat preparing to act normal. "Hey. Where are you?" I asked as Kellan held the first door open for me to the store.

"I'm at our table," she answered.

"Ok. See you in a sec and please don't freak." I closed my phone so she couldn't question my verbiage.

I lingered before the second and last door separating me from Mel. "Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh," I whispered frantically. I took a deep breath, exhaling a while. Biting my lower lip and nodded to Kellan. "Ok, I think I'm ready."

He looked me over once more and nodded in agreement.

I walked through the door and towards the table Mel and I occupied every Thursday night. Just as I suspected, shock struck her face and her eyes nearly popped out of socket.

"O. M. G. O. M. G. Holy sugarplums! What the... What the fizz?! Is that you Lex?!" she exclaimed standing, mouth open, taking me in. Shock, pure and utter surprise, and clear disbelief were smothering her.

"Yea, it's me. Do I look ok?" I asked sheepishly.

"Holy!... Sugar!... Oh my!... WOW!" she yelled.

"O. M. G. Mel, are you speechless?" I teased nervously, desperately wanting to pick up where we left off before.

"Holy sugarplums Lex! You're freaking gorgeous! What the heck kind of vacation did your parents take you on because I definitely need one?!"

She was still staring ok, actually gawking at me. I chuckled tensely avoiding her question.

"Lex, seriously, you're beautiful. I mean you've always been pretty, but yea... wow! Mike is going to freak."

Taking the reins, I dished what I needed of her. "Ok Mel. I seriously need my best friend right now. I know I look drastically different and I can't even tell you how I got this way, but please don't weird out on me. So much has happened and I'm dying to tell you."

"Of course Lex. Don't be silly. Nothing is ever going to change between us. Sisters for eternity, remember? I don't care if you come back looking like Jim Carey. I'll gawk for a minute then finally shut my pie hole and pa.s.s you the newest issue of Seventeen," she replied. "You do know Mike is going to s.h.i.+t his pants though, right?"

Now I knew why I loved her so much. I really couldn't have a better friend. I guess I was worried about nothing... except Mike.

I quickly spilled my guts and plans to my eternal best friend. I intricately weaved my vacation lie with the truth. I shared every kiss with Kellan, every weird moment with my dad, even the shopping spree with my aunt in Savannah, though I lied and said it happened yesterday.

"Ok. So I know I was really gung-ho about Mike before, but Lex, what you just described with Kellan is cigarette worthy," she commented taking a sip of her macchiato.

"Oh my gosh Mel, it's so much more and yet such a mess. I know we talked about it before I even left, but I have to break up with Mike. Just... How do you think he'll take it?" I braced myself for her brutal lash of honesty.

"Lex, the boy is obsessed with you. And now when he sees how smoking hot you are... Let's just say I don't think the load will lighten. He's a nice guy, love the boy to death, but yes, he kind of creeped me a bit. Do I think he'll go all stalkerish? - No. Do I think he'll try to pick a fight with Kellan? Yes."

"Ugh!" I groaned. "Kellan is super strong. I really don't want Mike fighting him."

"That's a def," she agreed. "O.M.G. I totally didn't tell you."

"What?"

"So it's supposed to be a surprise, but something tells me your heart can't handle much more so I'm going to spoil it."

"What is it?" I pressed.

"Tomorrow night is your birthday party. Love your Aunt Claire by the way. She's been planning with me the last two weeks. But Lex, it's going to be huge," she dished with excitement and caution concurrently.

"How huge are we talking here?" I nearly choked on my words as my nerves returned.

"Pinky swear not to kill me?"

"That was so fifth grade Mel. Now dish the goods missy!"

"So I may have posted a flyer or two around school," she admitted.

I could tell she was bracing herself for my blow and I really don't know why I didn't but I shrugged, "Well, I guess this way at least they won't think I'm a new student."

Mel stared at me for a solid minute. "What exactly happened on that cruise again Lex?" she smiled.

"Oh shut up! That's your free pa.s.s for the week," I teased breaking into laughter.

"So, dress? Pants?" I prompted.

"Well, we figured since you just got back from the cruise, why not continue the vacation? O.M.G. Lex. Bible it's going to be awesome! Caribbean chic is the theme. Oh! And you have your own signature c.o.c.ktail drink, minus the liquor of course, but it's called a 'Luscious Lex'. And the DJ is amazing! Oh and the best part, we rented out ten hotel rooms and have the ballroom all night on the beach at the Grande Marriott!" she gushed.

"Wow. Don't hold back." I was partially sarcastic in my remark.

"Oh please Lex. Am I the type of girl who holds back?!"

"You know, reservations aside, and now with my new look, I'm actually looking forward to it," I smiled.

"I know. Holy sugar cane!"

"What is up with you and sugar tonight?"

"No. Genius but oh so wrong thought," she admitted biting her lower lip to hold back a wide grin.

"Please tell me you didn't just hang me," I frowned.

"Jason and Jenny broke up again and when she sees you and he sees you... Oh I have to video that tomorrow night!" she exclaimed bouncing in her seat.

"They're coming?"

"Umm. h.e.l.lo?! Flyers... remember?"

"Oh yea. Mel moment, sorry."

"Ugh!" she scoffed sarcastically.

We broke into unified laughter. Elation and relief exuded all of me in this moment. Words couldn't describe the joy I had right now, the confidence I held in knowing my best friend would be steady. We'd done exactly what I dreamed to be possible but believed not to be. She wasn't even pressing with how or why I was different, just trusting me.

Guilt consumed me as I realized I discredited my best friend. I didn't believe in her, in us, to pull through. I felt foolish for ever doubting her coping abilities. I sometimes forget the changes she adapted to with her parents' divorce.