Think about it. Me, Sebastian, Jagger, even Luna. Were all in a club that no mortal wants to joinexcept for you.
But
Have you even told your own mother about me? Or Becky?
Of course not. I thought you didnt
I know. I dont. He wandered back to the mantel, stoked the fire, and gazed into the crackling flames shooting from the burning logs. But sometimes I do.
I was speechless. Alexander was so much more complicated than I could ever imagine. I did feel sorry for him. I never hid from others my thoughts and tastes, no matter how outlandish, and yet he had to keep secret everything about his lifestyle.
Sometimes I want your parents to know, he continued. Just be able to be who I am. And not have them be fearful of me. Not have them run away.
I couldnt imagine my parents running from Alexander under any circumstances. Maybe this was my opportunity to let them into his world.
Do you want me to tell them? I moved toward him and drew him in to me.
It will be the end of everythingof our relationship, of my living here.
What if it isnt? I asked excitedly. What if they embrace it? Then neither one of us would have to hide it anymore.
You think your father wants you dating a vampire? A guy who drinks blood to exist?
Theyre former hippies. They might think they were having a flashback.
Im serious. They arent hippies anymore. They are parents of a teenage girl.
Well
He sat down on the sofa. Its been great having Sebastian here.
And you. Its been a long time since Ive been able to be myself, apart from being with you.
It was quite the sightAlexander, my once gothic prince, transformed into a handsome quarterback from a boarding school, living in a palatial mansion, pained with loneliness even as I sat right next to him.
This is my life, Raven, whether I have to hide out in a Mansion, live among my kind, or hide out in the Dungeon at the Coffin Club. Its all about secrecy and survival.
Id never been about hiding or not getting in peoples faces. Maybe I couldnt be a vampire after all. Could I take the solitude? Or wandering around like Sebastian, trying to find those who were like me?
I felt Alexander was pushing me awaynot from him, but from the fantasy of being a vampire. So if I was to truly be with him, Id have to show him how much I cared for him and push back.
But wed live together, I said. Like your parents do. I just want to be with youand I just want everyone to love you for who you are, just like I do. But I understandAlexander, I know Im impulsive, but I want whats best for youno matter what that means.
He turned to me, his eyes soulful and his shiny hair glistening. A gorgeous smile emerged from his serious face.
I fixed his collar so it rested flatly. Besides, it is only temporary. But dont be mad at me if I slip and call you Trevor.
Alexander didnt find my joke amusing, and he rose.
I didnt mean to I started.
He didnt speak but shook his head.
Im sorry. I was just teasing.
Noyoure right. This isnt how I live. And most important, this isnt who I am. He unbuttoned his shirt and removed it, exposing a white Cure T-shirt.
I was startled and elated by his bravado. I ran to him and gave him a squeeze so hard I thought Id pushed the air out of him.