by that?" Alexander was taken aback.
"He can see that it's really what I want. What I've always wanted."
"You don't think I understand you?"
"Of course I do. But I guess he's more impulsive. Like Sebastian. That's what makes you so special - your thoughtfulness," I said.
"Well, when it's time for you to turn," he said reassuringly, "it will be by me." The stars twinkled through the broken boards in the roof. The night was perfect, and Alexander was giving me the dreamiest kiss I could have imagined receiving.
He slid his fangs down the side of my neck. As usual I was dying for him to take the plunge. When he pulled away, I followed him.
He slid his fangs down the side of my neck. As usual I was dying for him to take the plunge. When he pulled away, I followed him.
"I know your parents, your best friend, and now your sister," I began. "Unless you are hiding a brother and a dog, I think I've met your whole family."
"What do you mean?"
"Maybe now's the time. I see Stormy and how she lives. I want that life for me."
"You want to be isolated and in constant threat of being found out you are a vampiou yore?"
"No. I want the other part. To sleep in a coffin by day and be awake all night. To live by candlelight. To be a part of the Underworld. I have craved these things all my life. I want to share that with you and your family and friends."
"But don't you already?"
"Luna has Romeo, and Becky has Matt. They are all sharing the same world. But us? We are trapped in our own separate human and vampire lives. Forced to live without being together as much as we could be if we were truly part of the same world."
"I know," he concurred. "I miss out on so much in your life, being stuck alone in my coffin while you're at school. I should be there eating lunch with you, studying, hanging out."
"That's how I feel about my life, too. If only I was a vampire, then I wouldn't be rotting away in school all day when I could be sharing a coffin with you, celebrating the night together, and be bonded together for eternity."
"I know I can never be a normal, mortal student. Maybe it's for the best, though. I'd be the dumbest guy in school. I wouldn't get any work done because all day I'd be staring at you."
It was sweet that Alexander wished he could live in my world. But I was dying to join his just as much as he longed for mine. "Well... I'm not sure it is for the best," I said.
"You're not?"
I faced Alexander straight on and stared into his chocolate eyes. "Even if you can't be a mortal, why couldn't I become a vampire?" Alexander knew better than to answer.
I'd asked him a million times before, but tonight I was determined to know. I pressed further. "Don't you see? We could be together not only for eternity - but for every day."
When Alexander didn't respond, I continued. "Think of all that we are missing. Becky sees Matt every day at school and on the weekends." The more I thought about it, the more serious I became.
"I know. It's hard for me, too."
"It doesn't have to be anymore. This is something we can do for us. You and me. It doesn't matter what others will think. You said you didn't have the covenant ceremony with Luna because you were waiting to find the right someone. I thought I was that someone."
"You are. Don't ever think you aren't."
Even Stormy was convinced of that, I thought. All I had to do was to make my vampire boyfriend really understanallconvid how important this was for me.
"Then why not turn me?" I asked. I was more forceful than I had ever been with Alexander regarding this issue.
"It is hard for me, too, Raven. Since I first saw you. I told you, I crave you in a way you can't even imagine."
"Then let me finally fulfill that need."
"But don't you think you're too young to make such a life-changing decision? It's not only a life decision but an eternal one as well."
"Of course I'm not too young. I'm seventeen. I'm almost old enough to vote or join the military. Is there an age minimum on making decisions?"
"But you have to really consider everything. What if you don't like being a vampire?" he asked as if