Chapter 1: I'm Okay (I Promise)

I woke up to extremely loud knocking on my door. I groaned as I sat up from my full sized bed. I drowsily got out of my bed and stretched my arm up above my head and I got a few pops out of my back from doing so. The knocking continued as I made my way over to my front door as I peeped through my peep hole to be met by jade green eyes. I smiled as I unlocked my door to be greeted by my best friend Adrian Ivashkov. He is around half a foot taller than me, and he has a pale complexion that really compliment his eyes an his stylishly messy brown hair.

"Well good morning beautiful," he started. "You know it's 2 p.m right?"

He chuckled at me as he went straight to my living room and sat down on my brown sectional.

"Yes I'm aware Adrian. I was taking a nap until someone showed up banging on my front door like a mad man." I replied giving him a sour scowl as I sat next to him.

"Well sorry Jess, should I show myself out?"

"Nah, I mean, you've already disturbed my slumber, so you might as well stay for a while."

Adrian pulled out a pack of cigarettes, Marlboro NXTs to be exact, my favorite type of cigarettes an he opened them up, pulled one out and lit it up. I rose my eyebrows at him and darted my eyes between him and the cigarettes.

"What," he asked after taking a long puff? "Do you want one or something?"

"I would greatly appreciate one."

He took another long drag and blew the smoke up above us.

"Well I suppose I could give you one, but what do I get out of this?"

"My eternal loyalty and gratitude. Oh and don't forget an everlasting friendship."

I smiled sweetly and batted my eyes at him. He chuckled and tossed the pack at me. I happily accepted them and pulled one out. I popped the menthol bead in it and Adrian lit it for me. I inhaled deeply, enjoying the taste of my first cigarette in almost a week. I blew the smoke out with a smile plastered on my face.

"So, what brings you around these parts of town my good sir?"

"Well my good lady, I've missed you something fierce, so I had planned on whisking you away for a night out on the town."

"Oh is that so?"

"Oh it is."

He put out his cigarette in my black ashtray and I soon followed suit.

"So should I start getting ready or...?"

"Most definitely dear."

I got up from the couch and went to my bathroom to go potty and brush my teeth and hair. I looked in the morror once I was done. I have really long, thick hair. It's all black except my bangs, those are blood red and they go across my forehead. My eyes are a crystal blue and my skin tone is rather tan even though I don't necessarily spend a lot of time outside. It's because I'm Italian, very Italian. My father is full blown Italian and my mother is half Italian and half Black Irish. I smiled showing my teeth and they're nice and white. Now it's time to get dressed. I exited the bathroom and seen Adrian snooping through my liquor cabinet.

"No drinking if you're driving mister," I scolded.

"I know I know I'm just looking to see what I'll need to pick up later," he responded flicking his hand at me without emerging his face from my liquor cabinet.

"Mmhmm... So anyways how should I dress?"

"Hmm... I was planning on taking to you to a party a friend of mine is having. It's her birthday, so semi formal, like me."

He stood up straight and gestured to his dark red long sleeved button up shirt and nice black denim jeans and his black sneakers. I nodded and went to my bedroom closing the door behind me. I leaned against my door and smiled before heading to my closet. I searched for something to wear until I found a cute black ruffled skirt that went down to just my mid thighs and I pulled my pajama pants down and slipped into the skirt. Man I'm happy I showered this morning I thought a I searched for a top. My eyes wondered to a really cute blood red, low cut silk tank top with black lace around the hems. I took off my wife beater and slipped the tank on. It hugged my body in all the right places. I found a cute pair of black ballerina flats and slipped them on. I looked at myself in my body length mirror and smiled. I look hella good. My hair is straighten and looks great. I'm 5'5, not super tall but hey, who am I to bitch? I weigh around 150, but I'm fairly muscular, thanks to me being a Damphire, and I have a fairly large bust, I wear a 24 D cup. I also have a somewhat hourglass figure. I hurried and applied a light layer of powder foundation and some mascara and eyeliner and then I heard I Wanna Dance With Somebody by Whitney Houston playing on my speakers. I giggled and ran out to the living room.

There Adrian was leaning against the wall of my bedroom waiting for me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me against his chest as he drug us to the center of my living room, leading a slow dance with me. We started to sing along with the song as we danced around in circles. He knows how much I love this song. He is so damn sweet sometimes. Once the song was over we lingered for a minute, just holding each other close. I tried to listen to his heart but I couldn't hear it over the sound of my own heart pounding in my ears. He pulled away and said that we should get going. I was a bit let down but didn't show it as I followed him out to his car. Today he is sporting a beautiful cherry red convertible 1969 mustang. He unlocked the car and we got in. He started the car up and the engine purred to life.

"So who's birthday are we celebrating today? Oh shit, I need to get them a gift too!" I stated as he pulled out of the parking lot of my apartment building.

"It's Lissa, and I've got the gifts covered for us Jess."

My heart slightly sank when I heard where we're going. If it's Lissa's party, then she will definitely be there. I signed inwardly and sank into my seat, biting the inside of my lip. Adrian continued talking, completely unaware of my sudden mood change.

"So we're going to be heading out to Scottsdale, do you wanna stop at a gas station and get anything first?"

"Uh yeah, let's stop at a Circle K," I replied.

He pulled into one of the many Circle Is and I got out quickly before he could offer me any money. I went inside before he even got out of the car. I made myself a 44 ounce of my favorite soda, Mountain Dew, and went to go pay for it. I also got myself 3 packs of NXTs, knowing that I'm going to blow through at least 1 and a half packs by the end of this night. As I handed over the cash Adrian came in.

"Damn you're quick Jess."

He stood by my while I received my change, then I followed him to the fountain soda station as he got himself a 44 ounce Cherry Pepsi. I followed him up to the register and he got himself 2 packs of Marlboro Gold 100.

"Ready to go Jess?"

I nodded as I sipped at my Dew.

The car ride out to Lissa's would have been silent if not for the radio boarding classic rock. I wasn't in much of a talkative mood at the current moment in time. When we seen the sign indicating we were now in Scottsdale Adrian turned down the music.

"So the party is from three to ten," he said with a wide grin.

"Sweet," I replied some what sourly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah I'm fine."

"You don't sound like it.."

"I'm just anxious I guess."

I gave a half hearted laugh. We pulled up to Lissa's place. The road was lined with cars and it was only 3:1e We got a place to park in her Driveway since her and Adrian are such good friends. We got out and I could hear loud music from the house. Her home is made of stucko and is 4 stories high and at least twice as long as a trailer. It's pearl white and just gorgeous. You immediately know the person that lives here is loaded. You just wouldn't think that she's 21. I guess that's a benefit of being a royal Moroi.

"Come on Jess, let's go find the birthday girl," Adrian said holding the gift bag in his hand.

I followed him into the enormous home and as soon as I stepped inside, my anxiety hit the roof. There were so many damn people in this house, it's insane. I doubt that Lissa even knows all these people here. I grabbed a hold of a belt loop on Adrian's pants as he lead me up two flights of stairs. That's just something I do when I'm nervous and we're in a big crowd. I'm glad Adrian's a spirit user, because he can find Lissa in this humongous crowd from her aura. She was in a room that kind of made me think of a rec room. There's a little bar off on one wall, there's a big ass stereo system off by a different wall, a foosball table and pool table off in one corner of the room. And a huge disco ball is hanging from the ceiling. Lissa's over by the bar, and right next to her is her best friend, Rose Hathaway. Lissa looks beautiful as ever, her long wavy hair is put up in a loose bun and she's wearing a beautiful baby pink, knee length, strapless dress that has a black strip of material that ties to a bow In the back under her breast. The dress really complimented her place completion and her lengthy arms and legs. She has a bright smile on her face and her jade green eyes are bright and happy. She has a drink in her hand that she's sipping on as she chats with Rose. Rose is wearing a black spaghetti strapped dress that has red lace tracing the bottom hems of it in designs of roses. She really looks lovely in it, it compliments her curves and matches her long brown hair and tan complexion. She too has a drink in hand, but she appears to have consumed more liquor than Lissa from her staggering posture.

Adrian led us to them and we were loudly gretted by Rose.

"Oh my god, HEY you two! I'm so happy you made it!" She chugged the remainder of her drink and put the cup down and hugged both of us.

I grimaced inwardly as we had a small group of hug.

"Rose, are you drunk," Adrian asked with a big smile.

"Nope, but I am buzzed," she replied with a smile.

Someone yelled for her and she promised to be right back as she ran of to talk to whoever it was. we greeted Lissa warmly, having a second group hug. I just adore Lissa. She has been through so much, loosing her family before she even graduated, but she's such a good, kind hearted soul. I admire her strength honestly.

"So whats got Rose wanting to drink so much?" I questioned.

"Oh you hadn't heard yet, her and Dimitri got into a fairly heated argument a couple weeks ago and they split up. I'm not sure if they'll get back together or not honestly." She said shaking her head.

With her words, I seen Adrian's eyes light up as my heart sank like a ship.

"Well that's a shame," I whispered.

"It is..." Lissa replied.

I'm honestly surprised she heard me.

"Well cousin, how has this birthday been so far?" Adrian asked as his eyes lingered on Rose who's across the room chatting with some of her friends.

"It's been amazing. Christian surprised me with breakfast in bed this morning, then he took me and Rose to the spa," Lissa gushed happily.

"He's such a sweetheart," I replied with a smile.

"Yeah he is," she said as she took a sip of her drink.

About that time Rose returned, and Adrian's face lit up like he just received a million dollars. But of course, he wouldn't trade anything in the world for her, I thought as I rolled my eyes.

"So Rose, I heard about you and Belikov," Adrian said as he wrapped his arm around her waist.

I averted my eyes from them and noticed Lissa giving me an apologetic look.

"Yeah Dimitri's a real ass. I'm glad I dumped him," she huffed.

They went on talking about her and Dimitri's issues as Lissa and I caught up. She and Christian have been doing very well, and she asked if I had been seeing anyone.

"Well, I actually went out with this guy a week or so ago, but I'm just not very interested in him..." I glanced at Adrian and Rose, he was whispering something in her ear that made her giggle. "He isn't really what I'm looking for ya know?" I said as I stared at a very interesting spot on her grey marble floor.

"Yeah, I understand exactly what you mean," she replied giving me a far too knowing look.

Adrian and Rose came back over to us linked arm and arm, and it literally felt like they were shanking my heart. I asked the bartender for a shot of my favorite whiskey, Fireball. The more I had to endure listening to Adrian and Rose sweep each other off each other's feet, the more shots I downed. That single shot turned into 10, and then turned into 15, and then, things got kinda dizzy. Lissa actually asked me to slow down on my drinking. I unhappily complied, only because it was her birthday. I grabbed my phone out of my purse and checked the time.

"Holy shit, it's already 7," I exclaimed as I opened up a pack of cigarettes and lit one up, forgetting at first to pop the menthol bead.

Adrian and Rose excuse themselves and walk off and some other friends of Lissa's call for her.

"You can join me if you want you know," she began but I waved her off.

"No no I'm fine go enjoy yourself birthday girl," I said with a half hearted smile.

She hesitated for a moment before going off to her friends. I pushed myself out of the room, and wandered the halls aimlessly, checking out the portraits of Lissa's family members hung up through out the hall way. I bumped into random people, mumbling out apologies that I'm sure half of them didn't even hear until I bumped into someone I recognized. My friend Emma, who's 25 like Adrian and I, smiled at me and asked how I was. I gave her some type of mumbled response.

"Jess are you drunk?"

"Eh, I would say buzzed is more like it."

"You're slurring your words Jess.."

"And you're sexy," I replied with a smile.

"Jess, how'd you get here?"

"Adrian drove me.."

"Well were is he?"

"Not anywhere near me clearly," I replied snidely.

"Oh, kitty got claws. Okay touchy subject... well come on with me Jess, I can give you a ride home if you want."

I gave her a nod and hooked arms with her. She helped me down the two flights of stairs, I tripped a few times though, almost taking her down with me, good thing we Damphires have quick reflexes. She quickly helped me push through crowds of people as my eyes scanned the crowd. They're were people drinking, smoking, which reminds me I need a cigarette, there are people dancing, making out, and then I seen them... Adrian and Rose were slow dancing and he whispered in her ear, receiving a shit eating grin from her which resulted in them going off to find a room. I felt like I was going to puke, Emma tugged on my arm because I had stopped dead in my tracks. I hurried out the door, sobering up far quicker than I had anticipated.. once we were out of th I'm wee house I let go of her arm, sobering myself up. Now that we are away from the crowd I took a minute to look Emma over. She's a bit taller than me, standing a nice 5'7, and she's a bit more muscular than I am. She's a bit thicker than I am thanks to that muscle. Her hair is shoulder length and it's a beautiful honey color. She has it in a a pony tail tonight that really showed her somewhat rounded face, with high cheek bones and a small nose. Her skin tone is a shade lighter than mine, and her bust is about like mine, but she has hips a bit wider than mine, and a rump a hit bigger than mine. She's dressed more like a guardian than party guest if you ask me. She's wearing a black, button up, short sleeved shirt with some black slacks and black shoes that look like sneakers to me. She also did a bare minimal on her makeup like I did. She grabbed her phone from her pocket and dialed up someone. Most likely she was calling Vixy, our friend, who's 24, that Emma just so happens to be a guardian to.

"Hey, can you come outside, I'm waiting by the door."

There was a pause.

"Jess needs a ride home because Adrian ditched her," she tried to whisper but oh I heard her.

I slumped myself against a wall as I pulled out the last cigarette of my first pack and popped the bead and lit it up. Emma ended her conversation and came to stand by me. After a few minutes Vixy came out the front door.

Vixy is a Moroi, so she ha fair skin. She stands at 5'7, and weighs about 130, she ha a decent hourglass figure, though she has less of a butt and more than average breast, being a large C 20. She has a decently defined jaw line and a small kind of pointy nose, and also she has decently high cheek bones that have a faint pink tone to them. Her dark blue eyes had some dark purple eyeshadow across them with dark eyeliner, and she has small lips that have baby pink lipgloss across them. She's wearing a black cocktail dress with a sapphire blue stripe of material around her waist then a black lace that covered the Royal blue material on the bottom the lace had a thorn and leaf vine pattern silver and lighter blue glitter balls were sporadically placed along the vine stems and on some of the leaves and some heels that matched th the bottom of her dress only no glitter just a black ankle strap that fastened like a diamond pattern belt buckle. She came strolling up to us, whistling thetune, earning herself a few glances from a few people.

"Hey bitches," she said with a wide smile.

"Hey girl," Emma replied with smirk.

"I'm ready when you are," she said as she dug through her purse pulling out a pack of Marlboro menthol blues, she snatched one out, and brought into her lips with a lighter right beside it, taking a deep puff.

We all made our way to Emma's black 2001 Ford Explorer, it's I very nice condition for being 15 years old. Emma went to the driver door, Vixy sat behind her and I got into the passenger seat. We also buckled in and Emma began driving us to my apartment. I was fairly silent for the ride as Vixy rambles something to Emma along the lines of if we hadn't called when we did, she would have made a bitch jump off a ledge. Oh yeah, Vixy is also a powerful spirit user, and she's Adrian's cousin. She's a tad bit of a wild card to say the least though. I couldn't really focus much on what they were saying because I just kept repeating what I had seen just around 15 minutes ago. Adrian and Rose are spending the night together, and that could lead to one of two things. Either she will break his heart or they'll get back together for a few weeks or a couple of months. My stomach felt knotted up and my chest felt heavy as I thought more and more about it.

We made it to my apartment building in about 25 or 30 minutes. Once Emma parked and we all got out they helped me get to my apartment. I was quiet for the elevator ride up to the 5th floor of my apartment. I unlocked my door, and they followed me inside. I threw myself onto my couch and they sat on the other end of the couch. I lit up another cigarette, and by the time I had smoked that one, I was lighting up another one.

"Jess, are you okay?" Emma asked in a concerned voice.

I just responded with a nod.

"I know what'll help her," Vixy said.

I heard her dig through her bag until she pulled out something. The smell of weed slapped me in the face, and I immediately perked up. She had her scythe pipe in her sleder hands, fully packed. She offered me the first hit, so I handed the last half of my cigarette to Emma as I took the pipe from Vixy. The bowl is at the end of the sycth handle and you take a hit from the tip of the blade, and the top of the handle is where you hold the carb. It's made of glass and the handle is a light black and the blade is a light silver. The pipe is resined from hell and back so the colors are dark than usual. I took a huge hit, and held it in until I ghosted it, I offered Emma a hit but she denied as she took the final hit from that cigarette. I shrugged and handed it back to Vixy. And then she and I just passed it back and fourth until it was dead. By that time, I was feeling much more relaxed and I sunk back into my couch. Vixy pulled off the plastic wrap of her cigarettes and filled it half way full of fluffy, green weed with little red hairs on it.

"It's reaper," she leaned close to my ears, "it comes for your soul," she hissed into my ear.

"Thank you," I replied.

"Well Jess, I texted Adrian that I brought you home, he hasn't replied yet." Emma said starring at her phone screen.

That felt like someone just kicked me in the chest when Emma said he had yet to reply.

"I'm sorry Jess, but we have to get going, we love you. Call us tomorrow," Emma said as her and Vixy made there way to the door. Emma turned around and stared at me as I stared at the weed Vixy just left.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Emma asked.

"Yes I'm fine," I replied half hearted.

"You mean it?"

"I mean it, I'm okay. Trust me."

They nodded and made their way out of my apartment. The rest of the night though, was one big blur.