Rose Blossom - By Renee Travis Page 0,25

further into the room, he looked paler than he had before and a worried crease sat between his eyes.

"Julian I....." Avalon trailed off.

"No Avalon, it's alright," he said, but his eyes never left mine, there was pleading in those blue depths and I realized he was afraid I would leave him if I knew the truth.

But what he didn't know was that I wasn't afraid, maybe a little shocked that vampires actually existed, but not afraid. My heartbeat was a little faster than it should have been, but only from the adrenaline.

"Julian," I said his name quietly and held out my hand to him, "it doesn't matter." The relief on his face was apparent, I glanced at Avalon and she was smiling. Julian practically jumped over the couch; he wrapped his arms around me and kissed my forehead. "Your mother went for a walk," he whispered.

Just as I was opening my mouth to ask about what he'd said there was a loud knock on the front door.

I moved out of Julian's embrace with an apologetic smile and went to the front door. What I didn't expect was to see a truly pissed off Mel on the other side. Her eyes were violently green, which was a sure sign she was mad. I left the door open but took a few steps outside.

"Hey Mel, what's up?"

"You never freaking called me back!" she exclaimed, "You're always too damn busy with your new boyfriend and his weird little sister!"

"I did so call you back, why don't you check your voice mail!" I told her. I frowned, not really understanding why she was so angry, "and don't call Avalon weird, it's not nice. She's really very interesting and you'd see that if you actually talked to her."

"Don't defend her! She's replacing me I can feel it!" Tears filled Mel's eyes, "you NEVER want to hang out with me anymore."

"That's not true Mel, no one could replace you, we've been friends since kindergarten, besides every time I have free time you're with your own boyfriend." At this point I raised my hand to place it over my heart; it skipped a couple of beats as I watched Mel decide what to yell at me about next.

I could feel the color draining from my face, but still I had the gumption to be upset that Mel wasn't noticing because she was too angry.

"Okay, fine, but I'm still worried about you Rho," Mel said, staring at her feet.

"What? Why?" I rolled my eyes.

"I think, well maybe Julian is taking over your life, maybe you should consider dating someone normal, like Athol. I mean shit! He is always bugging me about you during P.E."

At the mention of Athol's name my heart stalled, I hoped Julian had not heard that, I took a deep breath in through my nose and peace began to fill me as Julian's scent enveloped me. My heart started to return to normal. But it was another shock as one more odd quality of Julian's was shoved in my face. Mel couldn't see him but he was standing inches from me, helping me to remain calm.

"I understand you're worried Mel, but there is no need to be. I want to be with Julian, and honestly Athol gives me the creeps. But you know what? Friday evening is free for me, why don't you come over and we'll do a movie night, how's that?"

Mel smiled at my suggestion, her whole demeanor brightening, "That would rock Rho! Okay, well then, I'll see you at school tomorrow." She grinned at me and ran down the sidewalk to her car.

When I turned around I was not surprised to see Julian standing behind me, a predatory gleam in his eyes.

"Athol is asking about you?" he asked a slight growl in his voice.

"I guess," I shrugged, "but who cares? I'm with you and that is not going to change."

Julian just stood there for a minute or so eyes fastened upon me so intently I couldn't help but wonder what he was thinking. So I asked.

"That he's going to continue to cause trouble," was his answer. "What about you, what are you thinking?" he countered. "All I got was a few words."

Hands on my hips I made eye contact, "you masked yourself from her thoughts." It was a statement not a question. Julian blinked and then nodded in agreement.

"Do you ever do that to me?"

"Never." He lifted one hand and placed it upon my cheek.

A little shaky I walked past him to