"Since your... bite, and what occurred in your dream, and the note... well, you have a lot going on."
I waited for him to finish, my hands clenching into fists in my lap.
He let out a giant breath. "I think we should put whatever might be happening between us on hold." His hands gripped the steering wheel until they turned white with blood loss.
Tears dampened my lashes. Casually, I tried to wipe them away. He was right. I needed to focus on training. Also, I had a... situation with Chace, but wow, hearing Gabe say the words hurt.
I deliberated whether Gabe somehow knew what I'd been doing last night. If he could tell a vampire Hunter kissed me thoroughly, drank from me multiple times, and I'd liked it. Actually more than liked it, delighted in it. Ugh!
Pushing my back into the black, leather seat, I said, "I agree. We'll still be friends, right?" The words sounded strained, not like me.
Gabe didn't seem to notice. "Right."
We rode in silence until we got to school. As soon as he put the car in park, I bolted without saying good-bye. I needed some fresh air, and some space.
Chapter 3
My body teetered between conflicting emotions-excitement, and sadness. Excitement because... I'd see Chace in a few minutes. And sadness because I still had feelings for Gabe. He'd promised he wouldn't leave. Memories of the night he'd stayed with me surfaced, weighing down my heart. I missed that Gabe.
Hehasn't exactly left, but he doesn't want you anymore, my inner voice huffed.
Sighing, I pulled open the front door to Salem High, home to more than sixteen hundred students. I made my way through the overflowing commons, and to my burgundy locker. After dialing in the combination, I opened it, and realized I held my breath, so I wouldn't smell blood. Slowly, I blew out, and snuck another timid breath. A delicious blood-tinged aroma swirled with sweat and perfume. A symphony of hearts beat all around me,but I didn't have the slightest twinge of a craving. Something had changed.
Was it the double dose of bloodlust tea, or drinking Chace's blood? I'd have to ask him when we had a moment alone, and if I could look him in the eyes without blushing.
I switched books from my backpack to my locker, and ran to chemistry, barely acknowledging the posters announcing the football game Friday, or the Halloween dance coming up next month.
Cindy and Chace were already in their seats, chatting like BFF's. Seeing Cindy being so flirty, and Chace responding, well it annoyed me. I dropped my backpack, and slammed my hefty chemistry book on the table in a huff.
Cindy gave me the eye, one of her perfectly plucked eyebrows rising in irritation. "Hey, Snow. In a mood?" She smacked her bare knee against my thigh.
"No," I grumbled, stealing a look at Chace. He'd rolled his chair toward me.
"Hi, Snow." He had a tone. One that told me he was thinking about what we did last night.
I blushed, the heat burning my cheeks.
"What's going on?" Cindy asked, tugging on my scarf.
That girl was way too intuitive. She could read people from a hundred feet away, through concrete, and twenty feet of dirt.
Sheesh! "Nothing," I said, from behind my book, jerking my scarf from her hands.
"Hmmm-mmmm," Cindy responded, and I knew we'd be having an uncomfortable conversation later. I debated what I should tell her though. It wasn't like I could say, "Yeah, so last night Chace took me to another realm where we made out, and drank each other's blood for a few hours. It was awesome, and so sexy."
Chace made a noise that sounded a lot like a groan, which caused my cheeks to burn hotter than a firework on the Fourth of July.
Before Cindy or Chace said or did anything else, Mr. Wallace came in and saved the day. I'd never been happier to see a teacher.
That gladness was short-lived.
"During today's lab we'll be determining the relative reactions of copper, magnesium, zinc, and hydrogen. You'll work with a partner, as usual." Mr. Wallace glanced in our direction. "Mr. Charming, since you are without a partner, and," he searched the room, let out a grunt, and continued, "since Sheila is absent today, why don't you work with Misssssss," he drew it out, like a snake debating which prey to devour. Cindy sat up straighter in her seat, and I knew she wanted him to pick her. Finally he continued, "White. Mr. Dooley, you and Miss Croswell will partner up. Everyone else, you have your partners, so get busy."
Cindy deflated, and scowled. "I don't want to partner with Eddie. He smells like onion rings."
"Maybe that's because he works at Onion Ring Heaven," I whispered, stifling a nervous giggle. I stood as Eddie looked over, his braces-filled smile taking up most of his freckled face. "Be nice," I said in her ear.
Cindy harumphed. "Merde! This isn't fair. And you owe me an explanation about what's going on between you and Charming. Lunchtime!"