behind the façade of a frat boy who parties all night or working nights like many people around here had to do to pay bills. It was harder for new vampires. They didn’t have the ability or the desire to stay in control. They thrived on the power of being an undead killing machine. Now that vampire’s existence was known, there was a great deal of speculations about who in the public eye had been one of them.
Groups had formed that were dedicated to discovering and exposing such people. They had already uncovered countless politicians and rock stars who led a secret eternal existence. Several of whom had faked their own deaths and lived in the underworld scene of European countries, where their names and faces were lesser known.
Once exposed, people would protest and harass them until they fled. I used to rally against such exposures and help with petitions for equal rights between the vampires and humans. That was until my brother was killed. I blamed myself for his death because of that.
Last year, when a young vampire went on a killing spree in a movie theater, the world rallied together to expose and eradicate them like disease-infested animals. Countries and world powers joined forces. Violence in the Middle East ceased and we all united against our common enemy. Nothing brings people closer together than sharing a mutual hate for someone else.
My phone rang again, startling me from my thought process. When was Grayson going to take the hint? I hopped out of the tub and pulled the drain as I began to dry off. There was a knock on the door and I rolled my eyes, cursing him under my breath. I was not dealing with his shit tonight. I brushed my hair out and went to my bedroom to grab my lotion. The banging on the door became louder as my phone simultaneously rang.
“Damn it.” I stormed out of my room to the door, yanking it open. “What?”
Elijah stood in the hallway with a grin and a bouquet of flowers. I felt my cheeks heat up as I blushed.
“I-I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else,” I stammered, chewing my lip.
“Clearly.” Grinning he held out the flowers as his eyes traveled down the length of my body.
“Thank you. Come in,” I said, stepping out of the way, smelling the lilies. My phone went off again and I threw it on my bed as I followed Elijah to the living room. All my frustrations disintegrated as Elijah turned around and looked me up and down. “I should get dressed,” I said, suddenly realizing I was still wrapped in my towel.
“Don’t put on clothes on account of me,” he said with a devilish smirk.
“Here.” Handing him the remote, I motioned to the couch. “I’ll just be a sec.” I headed down the hall. I heard the television come on as I slipped into my room, squealing quietly to myself. I threw on my T-shirt and shorts, stopping in front of my dresser to spritz on some perfume that smelled like a horrible imitation of the very real flowers Elijah had brought me. Grabbing them, I inhaled their scent once more before putting them in a tall glass on my kitchen counter. I walked back into the living room casually, trying to hide my nervousness. Elijah was so enthralled with the news he didn’t seem to even notice my presence.
“Anything interesting?” My voice squeaked and I swallowed hard, begging my heart to slow its pace.
He looked startled and clicked off the television. “Just you,” he said as he got up and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I smiled, unable to hide my growing infatuation with him.
“No work?”
“Nah, got the night off. I’m all yours.” He grinned.
“What do ya have in mind?”
“A movie.” He winked and I had to force myself not to giggle like a little girl. I was excited to go out on a real date. I can’t remember ever having one unless you count the after school trips to get fast food with Grayson, which I didn’t. I grabbed my phone off of my bed, and then realized I couldn’t have it on in a theater, and tossed it back onto my pillow.
***
We decided on an action flick with an underlying love story. We sat off to the side and Elijah kept his arm around me for most of the movie. I was so lost in the thought of him, I didn’t notice the commotion