Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
Description: Liza Black is growing up, leaving home and heading for college. Her one consolation for moving so far from her family is the fact that her parents can experience the life that was denied them all those years ago. After receiving some heartbreaking news she cuts all ties with her family and decides to navigate the human world alone. But how long can she remain a dhampir in disguise?
It was summer time in the year that I would turn eighteen. In fact that would happen in no less then eight weeks and I was looking forward to the event for it would mean no more pretending, at least for a while. It meant that for the next ten, perhaps fifteen years I could claim to be the age I truly was without the looks of disbelief I would have been met with a mere ten years ago if I declared myself as eight.
I am Liza Black and I am dhampir, one of those half vampires of which you may have heard. Perhaps you think us rumour, but we are very much in existence, my brother and I are proof positive of this. We grew to being adults in only seven years, as is the manner of dhampir, but only now, as we turn eighteen can we finally start to enjoy true adulthood.
I attended high school the first time on a childish whim at the age of five through until I was eight when my brother Tony and I graduated with full honours that would have seen us slide comfortably into any university we saw fit, but at the time we both felt ourselves too young to venture so far from the protective bosom of our family, and then there was Tom's rebellion.
The rebellion ended and I was fourteen and I wished to experience high school at the correct age and with a little help from my vampire family I attended Forks High. I have attended Forks High for the last four years, I graduated with full honours in June and I look forward to attending university, but for now there is the summer. A lazy summer spent upon the Res, spending time with my cousins as we take advantage of this last chance to wreak havoc before we face facts and become adults.
This year would be different from others for my cousin Marie had convinced me to join the surfing championship with her. I agreed to compete in the La Push leg of the tournament but nothing else for I wanted to enjoy my summer as much as possible without the thought of competition.
It was late June, the twenty-first to be exact for it was the solstice, and I was sitting on the low wall that marked the edge of First Beach as the jeep rolled by. The jeep then reversed, to park in the little lot. I regarded it with a tepid air as I licked at my ice cream for it was a rare sunny day with the sun beating down upon my ancient homeland and I was more intent on enjoying this fact than mustering the curiosity needed to show interest in the mystery of the driver.
The man emerged from the car, five foot ten if I was a judge, yet still a foot taller than I. It was only as he approached that I recognised him as Kaimana, my cousin in name. His mother Susie was a good friend of my mother Essie and that made us cousins in name, but not in blood. This fact was important for the exchange that was about to take place.
"Hey Liza." Kai said, trying to sound casual, but his nervousness was apparent in his voice.
"Hello Kai." I said happily, moving slightly on the warm concrete in order to catch more of the sun upon my skin. "Is this not more like home to you than usual?" I asked for Kai was from Hawaii.
"I guess." He said, coming closer and sitting on the wall near my feet, careful not to touch me, and something about his manner made me suspicious and a tad excited if I was honest. "I hear you entered the surf contest."
"Marie finally twisted my arm." I stated.
"But I asked you last year." He stated.
"You did." I agreed. "Perhaps you are not as persuasive as Marie." I added, feigning a blasé attitude, but I was watching closely for his reaction.
"I can be persuasive." He countered.
"Is that so?" I demanded. "Then prove it."
"I…" Kai trailed off and I looked at him, and felt a little sorry for him, I should not be so blunt with him.
"You were going to ask me a question." I said in a kind voice.
Kai looked up at me in shock.
"Tony is here on the Res also, and I have his gift, but it matters not. I read people well, especially those I know. I know you well enough Kaimana to know the question that troubles your mind. Now ask your question and you may be surprised by my answer."
Kai looked to me and he took a breath, but let it go.
"Shyness is becoming to a point, but when it becomes a hindrance it could be seen as an annoyance." I chastised in a playful way.
"I like you Liza." He said in a rush, and with that little confession out of the way he seemed to gain the confidence needed to carry on at a more level pace. "I've had a big crush on you since I was ten when people were telling me it was impossible because you were too young for me, but too old at the same time. That's kind of confusing for a kid, but I hung on in hope. I hung on in hope because I knew at some point we'd be matched in age. I'm twenty now, and you're nearly eighteen. I was wondering if maybe you'd like to date?"
"I would." I replied. "However I'd like to post a few stipulations."
Kai looked at me in confusion.
"In September I go to university whilst you return to Hawaii. I know from past experience that long distance relationships can be painful; therefore I agree to date you for the duration of the summer. If we both find that we'd like to continue in our relationship then good for us and we will continue. However if one or both of us decide it was not as great as we imagined then we will move on to pastures new, looking upon this time as an education. Is this not to your liking?"
"I guess I can go along with that." Kai surmised.
"Then we can state that we are dating. For the duration of the summer you are my boyfriend." I said with a smile.
"And you're my girlfriend?" He asked.
"Yes." I replied.
"Even in public?" He asked carefully and I was a little offended that he would think I would date him and not let others know. As if I would be ashamed to be associated with him.
"Do you have any objections?" I asked, raising my eyebrow in imitation of Mother as I feigned anger.
"No." Kai exclaimed in sudden fear that he had hindered his chances.
"Then in public also." I said in gentler tones as I moved closer to him. "For this summer we are a couple." I stated as I knelt beside him so that my face was more level with his. "Now let us seal this with a kiss."
Kai looked somewhat startled for a moment before he moved his lips to mine. Thanks to Tony being so near I had a good impression of how long Kai had waited for such a moment. How he'd fantasised of such a moment. I pulled away after a lingering peck lest his desires drown me for I knew the journey I was willing to take with Kai and that did not extend to losing my virginity. I was still unready for such things, and when I was I had promised myself to another. For now Kai was fun for me and I was wish fulfilment for him. I knew that after eight weeks of being my beau he'd re-evaluate his fantasy of me, and his infatuation would be over. It was a win-win situation, as they say.
"Hey Sis, Kai."
I turned toward the beach to find Tony standing there, looking a little confused.
It is merely for the duration of the summer. I promised him through the telepathy we shared thanks to my twin's gift.
I sure hope you know what you're doing. Tony observed before he turned to Kai. "I'm happy for you Bro, but you hurt my sister…"
"Yeah." Kai agreed.
"Well it's been fun, but I got to get back to the Pines." Tony stated.
"Why?" Kai asked.
"Some of us got jobs." Tony said with pride. "We can't all laze around like ladies of leisure."
"That is most unfair." I countered. "I will be working hard come September when I go to college."
"Yeah. Partying all night and sleeping 'til midday, real hard work Lizzy." He teased and I gave him a cold for using that version of my name for he knew it always annoyed.
I was about to become annoyed until I realised something about my brother and I decided that it was better not to respond. He was feeling angry about something beyond his control and was looking for an outlet. I would not deny him that outlet and for that I was not aggrieved by his behaviour.
"Well I'll leave you two beach bums to soak up the rays while I get back for work." Tony said and he saluted before loping off toward the trees that dominated every horizon that was not occupied by the great mass of the ocean.
"Is he going to run home?" Kai asked.
"Yes."
"All the way to Olympic Pines?" He asked in awe.
"It's a journey he makes often on foot." I stated. "He likes the freedom found in running, as do I from time-to-time. Although I am nowhere near as fast."
"But you're really fast." Kai protested.
"Yes. But not as fast as my brother." I stated. "Now enough about Tony. I was wondering if you would be so gracious as to teach me a few techniques that may aid me in the surfing contest."
"You really want me to train you?" He asked, almost in disbelief.
"Who better than the 'power of the ocean'?" I asked, placing my hand to his cheek and smiling at him as I translated his name.
Kai was lost for a moment, dazzled by me most surely, before he smiled in return.
"I'll just get my board." He said, before pulling away from me and returning to his jeep in order to pull the surfboard from its roof rack.
Thus began a perfect summer of activities with Kai, the relationship progressed at a steady pace where the subject of sex was never raised. I made it clear how far I was willing to go and Kai never pushed my boundaries. He was and always will be the perfect gentleman when it comes to romancing a lady.
My time was not Kai's alone, I have other friends on the Res too, most notably Marie and Ariana. We were often regarded with caution due to our penchant for playing the odd practical joke as children. We had not played any in years, but the reputation had stayed with us.
Training for the surfing competition took my mind off the fact that other than Uncle Hunter I was alone on the Res where my family were concerned. Granny Ness and Grandpa Jake had decided to move from the Res a few years ago. They determined that the time was right for them to try something else whilst they had the chance. The house belonged to Hunter for the time being which meant it was often empty since he was out to work or running patrol out on the border. He had pushed himself into these pursuits for he had decided to turn his back on the world of dating until he met his imprint. The solitude of an empty house was not something I craved; yet it was bearable for I knew that Grandmother and Grandfather would arrive in August and they would stay until September. Regardless of any factor you would care to mention, my family ensured we were all in La Push, or in the case of our vampire family Forks, for the our birthday. This year was special, for this year Tony and I turned eighteen and finally we would be truly adults.
I knew Mother and Father intended a special celebration this year; it was a chance for us to gather as a family before I went to University. As June drew to a close I realised that perhaps I should spend time at Tregarran before I went to live so far away, however the competition took place in early July. I waited out the competition before returning to Tregarran. Kai accompanied me, although he thought a pool was no substitute for the ocean.
By the time I returned to La Push in August I realised that returning to Tregarran had been the best for me. I needed time to say goodbye to my childhood home. It was also a blessing to spend time with Mother and Father alone. Mother took me to ride our motorbikes, whilst Father and I cooked an extravagant meal. It almost made me reconsider my decision, but I knew the time was right to attend college. I wished to do at least one thing while I am the correct age to do so. It would be a sad affair, yet we are immortal creatures who will age no more than we already have. We can become a family once more in the future, but for the time being Mother and Father can experience time alone that was denied them when they were kidnapped to Volterra.
It was the night before our birthday when Mother and Father requested that Tony and I meet them in Rose Cottage for there was a matter most urgent they wished to discuss with us. Mother would reveal nothing but the fact that it would involve the future. For once I am optimistic that the news will be good…
Thank you for reading
As always I will state that reviews are always welcome
Gemma x
