The night sky was filled with clear stars, highlighted by a faded moon. My favorite telescope was tucked away in it's case, hiding underneath my bed. It's strange – I can't remember the last time I pulled it out. I felt isolated up on the hill behind my father's house. Almost like the world encased me like a snow globe and I was just waiting for someone to pick it up and give it a good shake. The horizon looked like it was only miles away, like if I ran fast enough I could catch up to it.

Mark had left me to be alone with the stars only minutes ago, but it felt like hours. I gazed down at the slink of a dress that Jade had dolled me up in. It was loose at the shoulders but arched down in the middle like an hourglass. There was no back to the dress, it looped down past my shoulder blades. I shivered as the wind traced against the small of my back.

"Still out here?" my dad hiked up the hill, with no need to rush. His eyes were dark like Mark's, but the way they wandered reminded me of mine. I tilted, hiding my blush. I can easily get lost up here.

"Sorry, dad. I know that you and Claude want to spend as much time with me as you can. You know I can't stay away from the night sky though." I guessed to what he was most likely thinking.

"Kid, you know I'm so proud of you." He leaned for a side hug as he draped my hair back. With a quick kiss to my head, he raised back to beam a smile towards me. "I can't help noticing that you've been distant. Not that I ever worry about you." He nicked my nose with the tip of his finger. "I just look at what you've become, and I know you'll do even better things when you go off to college. Even if you do get lost in the sky every now and then."

I've had my cheesy father daughter moments before. One time involving what happens between a man and a woman which I hope to God one day I'll forget. But, I couldn't help looking at my father and seeing his heart open up. And I didn't find it cheesy, I found it humbling. I've told him before that he's never steered me wrong in my life choices. Though most of them were beyond his knowledge of what truly goes bump in the night, I knew he would've helped make it better in the long run. If only he know.

A lump formed in my throat as I pleaded with myself not to tell him.

It would be easy for me to throw myself at his knees and beg him to always be careful. Ironic, isn't it? A daughter telling her father to be careful of the things he knows nothing about?

Instead of spilling the truth in desperate sobs, I whispered the only thing I could manage.

"Thanks, Dad." I crumbled in his arms.

"Oh. And if you do any sort of drugs tonight? I'll kill you."

"Oh my gosh, Dad."

"Yep, skinned alive." He answered sarcastically as I waltzed slowly down the hill. "And if you meet any boys, can you actually just turn the opposite direction?" My dad continued as I waved him to stop.

With a laugh I repeated the line I always use with him, "I know, Dad."

"Mary-Lynnette. You look stunning." Rowan's eyes narrowed as she realized what I was wearing. Jade glowed with pride of her masterpiece.

"Well, this is sort of a once and a life time opportunity, so marvel in it." I contorted, laughing at their reaction. Though I don't even know why they felt it was necessary. Rowan looked like a goddess with her hair polished back with braids, ending in a stylish bun. Her dress draped across her whole body, accentuating her height. I couldn't even imagine her beauty with makeup. Jade was just as stunning. Her blonde hair was pin straight and folded at her sides. Her dress was a deep jade – irony, again – and was cut just above her knees.

I would've gladly worn a T-shirt and jeans to the event, but the sisters insisted. Where they came from they probably only wore dresses.

"So can vampires drink alcohol?" I asked, pulling down the bottom of my dress.

"Heavens yes!" Rowan announced quickly, relieving herself of her usual controlled-self. "I mean – what do you think Ash -" She quickly held her breath at the name.

My heart raced and my cheeks burned uncontrollably.

I was so glad she didn't finish that sentence.

"I'm sorry. I mean – yes. It's one of the ways some like to, 'get away from it all'" She answered, as if it was something humans knew nothing about. She was so profound and wise I had to remember that she was still a virgin to the human lifestyle.

"I feel like tonight is going to be interesting." I stated, unsure of the sisters' drinking habits. Last time I had a drink was at a New Years Eve party junior year. One of my friends had gotten champagne from her older sister and insisted on splitting it. I had to admit, I never got into the whole scandalous teen-thing that everyone else seems to be falling in to. Not that I thought the people were ignorant about it – it's life. I just usually shrugged it off.

The bigger picture, is what I always remind myself.

"Please tell me we are ready to leave." Kestrel walked down the stairs and I almost choked on my own gasp. The black dress was skin tight – clinging to her every perfection. It was long sleeved and clung around her neck – leaving some things to the imagination. The dress was cropped just at her thighs and her legs seemed endless. She finished off the ensemble with a pair of black heels with red soles. Her hair flamed down her back in countless layers.

Jade and Rowan didn't even flinch as they both replied, "Yes."

The car ride was silent, but I knew their minds were buzzing. Rowan, Kestrel and Jade shared a telepathy I was in the dark about. As soon as Jade would release a giggle or Kestrel would peak out of the corner of her eye I knew there was communication. The only words uttered were about where they were going.

Oregon University is about a 20 minute drive. While Brair Creek is lifeless, the university is a hot spot for life. I've never driven there to be honest, not even for a college visit. The idea of living in Orgeon for four more years makes me want to pull my hair out. As soon as we turned the corner onto Chestnut Street, we could hear the shouting and music. The sidewalks lined with students now and then, eagerly hustling their way downtown.

The house was corroded like a college house. Draped across the porch was a banner reading 'Congratulations' already covered with graffiti. Students crowded the lawn, playing games and spilling beer continuously.

"Kestrel I don't know if this is a good idea. I figured this was more -" she filched as she looked back at me "high school." She finished.

"It is. It's just that his brother is in college and he took the initiative of hosting it. Now is that so bad?" Kestrel flashed a wild smile. Being of the supernatural, it was clear that nothing scared her. She was out for something to be dangerous, something to turn the tables on her. She's swallowing boring over and over she's just waiting to spit it out. Since the Night World community was more big-city located she zoned in on the next best thing. Humans.

Rowan snatched her arm and whipped her back. "You know we're supposed to lay low, Kestrel." Her eyes changed from a crisp black to a flash of gold.

"I've been laying low." Kestrel whipped her arm back. I noticed people pointing at our car. I saw Kenny, Kestrel's new interest, mouth the words "there she is" to his eager friend. "Our brother flirts with all of Las Vegas and I'm the one who needs to lay low? There's a reason Ash lived the way he did until Miss Goodie over here sizzled his cool and it wasn't just because humans taste so good. I want a good time."

Her words stung, but I refused to falter. I know Kestrel, even though she refuses to admit it. She has heart, she's just dealing with her wild frustration.

Rowan looked as if Kestrel had slapped her across the face. "Fine." She gave in with strong posture. As soon as her sister leaped out of the car, she folded. Jade and Rowan must have shared a few inner words before they parted their lips to speak.

"It'll be fine, Rowan. I mean where are we? Oregon? There's nothing going on here." Jade was itching for some excitement too, I could hear it in her tone. Kestrel danced in front of the drooling boys, taking a shot from another intrigued follower. She could dive herself into anything.

"We can't do anything rash, Jade. And we can't let her do anything rash." Rowan suggested, gesturing toward her firecracker of a sister.

"Scout's honor." Jade promised, already clutching onto the handle of the car. When Rowan opened the front door, Jade and I came bounding out. Jade flooded into the house, ignoring the boys and taking part in the dancing. New gasps arose in the crowds as Rowan approached the porch.

"And this is my sister!" Kestrel gestured toward Rowan. Rowan lightly played along. "She was thinking about coming here for school, what do you think?" This was all a game to her. She just didn't care.

"You are incredible." The lame guy with a tousled mane croaked out the only line he could manage. His face was still frozen in awe as Kestrel laughed with her head thrown back. The boy handed Rowan a beer, but she waved it aside politely.

I climbed up the stairs on my way to find Jade. Her presence was made known when she struck the living room floor, whipping her hair to the rhythm of the blaring music. Boys' eyes goggled with infatuation as the girls grew like wallflowers stuffed with envy. The rug was her stage and she didn't even care that she was alone. A guy with a nose piercing advanced on her, but she flicked him away like he was a pestering fly.

No wonder vampires liked to party so much. Nothing was really scary to them.

There wasn't anything that humans could pull that would be threatening to them. Unless a vampire hunter stepped through the crowd, they were golden. The life of the party until they decided they didn't want to be it anymore. It was as if they were born to do it.

"Take a shot!" a boy screamed in my ear. His grubby hand lashed out at my face, holding a shot glass of clear liquor. "Come on, there's no reason someone like you should be empty handed."

"Oh no thank you." My brush-off wasn't as nearly as effective. The guy had the looks, however. Nothing inhuman, of course. His hair was cropped short and his jaw stood out, showing off his strong jawline. His teeth were pearly and his smile stretched from ear to ear.

"Not much of a drinker?"

"I just graduated high school." I blurted out the truth, hoping it wasn't something he found appealing. Instead, he smiled and took a shot for himself.

"Well congratulations. How does it feel not being a senior anymore?"

"I think I'm going to start charging money for every time I get asked that question." His laugh was infectious, almost like it drew me in. Jeremy's face flashed through my head and this guy reminded me of him. Not of the evil Jeremy. But of the one I used to know. The one I used to like.

"Sorry. Kenny's brother and I go way back. You must have just graduated with him. I've had my visits to Briar Creek." he started up conversation.

"Nothing to spectacular, is it?"

"I don't know. Sometimes small towns are nice like that. Places where you can actually see the stars." I twisted at his words. Something I never would've expected him to say just rolled off his tongue and into my lap. I couldn't tell if he was just flirting to get into my pants or not, but for one second I was truly taken aback.

It didn't matter, the next few seconds were a blur.

Shouting came from the front lawn as people scurried back inside. My head snapped to the front door, anticipating Kestrel to burst through, drunken boys on each arm.

What I didn't expect was him.

The lean cat-like body edged into the door frame, intimidating every guy in the foyer. His hair was perfectly bronzed just the way I remember it. His hands formed tight fists, flexing the muscles on each arm. His jaw was clenched, forming his mouth into a perfect straight line. I watched as Jade stopped dancing in the middle of a move, head held at attention.

"Ash?" her lips formed the words.

As our eyes locked, I wanted to cry.

I turned back to the boy with my full attention. "Can I still have that shot?"