Afterlife - Stephanie Hudson Page 0,182

the movies or something.”

“I think that would be safe,” I said laughing and he smiled making his face paint crack and peel. I playfully grabbed a piece, pulling it off and flicking it back at him.

He laughed back but came at my sides tickling me, which unfortunately made me snort! My hands flew to my mouth but it was too late and Jack pointed at me and laughed, mocking me.

“Now that seriously is the cutest thing I have ever heard!” He said pulling my hands away from my face keeping them locked in his.

“That's because you didn't do it!” I said as my cheeks were now bright red.

“Hey, I didn't notice before but you bite your lip.” He declared and my heart sank at the memory of Draven. He always commented on me biting my lip so it didn't feel right when Jack said it. It was like it belonged to him and him alone. This pulled me together a bit and made me remember my warnings from Vincent. Maybe this was the reason all along. Maybe this was what he didn't want me to find out. Jack's past...

I stood up and Jack looked hurt.

“Did I say something wrong, because you know I love the snort thing right?” I couldn't help but smile at him. He was just so damn charming and loveable that I wanted to give him the biggest hug. But this wasn't enough and I knew it...I couldn't kid myself. I just didn't feel the same way I did as when I was with Draven. No matter how much I tried.

“No…no you didn't, it's just well to be honest I'm so tired I could drop,” I said which was half true. He relaxed at the thought that it wasn't him and I felt my guilt double.

“Well you'd better get to bed beauty queen, but how about a kiss for Prince Charming?” He said bowing and once again taking off an imaginary hat.

“Well I don't know, you will have to point one out for me,” I said teasing him again. But he put his hands up to his heart and pretended that I had just shot him. Then he fell to the ground making me jump and run over to him. I shook him but he didn't move.

“Jack! Stop fooling around...Jack.” But then he just raised his hand and pointed to his mouth keeping his eyes closed. I couldn't help but laugh.

“Oh for God’s sake,” I said bending over him and kissing him lightly on the lips, he responded by sitting up while he had his hands on my face pulling me to him. Once we had finished I turned and said,

“So does this make me the prince and you Sleeping Beauty?” We both laughed and he kissed me quickly on the cheek before pulling me to my feet.

“If you like but I'm warning you...I don't do dishes!” He said as he tickled my side again.

Once I had said goodnight and had received one more kiss I watched Jack get in his car and drive away and was about to turn to go inside when something caught my eye. In the trees ahead was the very black figure of a huge bird with eyes glowing purple. It was staring straight at me and looked as though it was ready to move so before it could I ran inside slamming the door behind me, shutting it out.

The next day I was up early, as I couldn't sleep after everything that had happened the previous night. It had been such a roller-coaster of events that it took me a while to process it all. First there was the great date part of the night with Jack, when I have to say I was falling for him. But then I was dragged back into the weird life of the Dravens and was once again thrown into his world. Then the next thing I knew I was being escorted home by first a mad man (according to Vincent) then by Vincent himself. Then I was left but not before a warning about Jack, which I chose to ignore anyway. Oh and then my night ended on a date with Jack kissing me. No wonder I didn't sleep!

Of course when Libby asked me the next day how my night had gone I had saved her from the wild night's adventure and lied saying it went great and without incident. I got in the shower to try and relax my muscles as I was