Chapter Two: Hurt
Colette laid on the bed beside Arika. His eyes were closed, and his breathing was even and slow -relaxed-. She wished she could go to sleep too, but she couldn't. Arika stirred in his sleep, and Colette scooted closer to him.
"Colette?" he asked, hid voice echoing in the dark.
"I'm right here, love." She said.
"How'd you become a vampire?"
"My grandmother, she was changed and then she changed me. I was dying…" she explained.
"How come I didn't change?" he asked.
"Demons must not be affected by vampire venom." She replied.
"I love you," he said "but I can't be with you."
"What?!" she said, throwing him off the bed.
"Every time I get close to someone, they die from age, or are killed by my father's assassins."
"I'm a vampire," she said huffing "I can't be killed easily."
"They'll figure it out." Arika said "You'll have to leave, now."
"What's wrong with you?!" she screamed "One minute you love me, now what!"
"I do."
"But, now you say you can't be with me?!" she said "Make up your mind!"
"I'm telling you to leave, because I love you" he said "And, I want to protect you, even if I'm not in the picture."
"No," she whispered "I'll leave this house, but I won't leave your side."
"But, you'll be in danger," he said his voice quivering.
"I don't care."
"But…" he started.
"NO!," she hissed "You are mine."
"Yes," he said, smiling sadly "And you're mine."
"Yes," she said walking to the window.
"Hm?"
"I am yours," she said, leaping from the window.
"As am I, my love," he whispered.
----~!~----
"Hey, Snow-boy!"
"There is no need to shout, Sam." Arika sighed.
"Stay away from my girl," he said.
"Excuse me?" he said.
"Stay away from Colette," Sam snarled "She's mine."
"Shut up, Sam!" said Colette.
"Hello, Colette," said Arika.
"Hi, Ari," she said, smiling sweetly.
"Hey, baby," Sam said, shoving Arika backward "Why don't you ditch this loser, and come hang out with a real man, me?"
"No way!" she said, running over to Arika "Are you okay, Ari?"
"Yes," he said standing up "Thank you."
"I'm watching you, Snow-boy," said Sam walking away.
"Come on, Ari!" said Colette, pulling on his arm.
"Yes, alright," he said, hurrying after her.
----~!~----
"Arika?" asked Miss Shojo.
"Forty-nine," he said.
"Correct," she said "Seven times seven is forty-nine."
"Show off," said Sam petulantly.
"Sam, quiet down."
"Nicely done, Ari," Colette said, leaning on his shoulder smiling softly.
"Thanks," Arika said, blushing a light crimson.
"Would you like a reward later?" she asked "You know, for all your hard work."
"What kind of reward?" he asked, shivering at her cold breath.
"I'll tell you later," she said, sitting back.
"Ah. Aright."
The bell rang, and the pair got up and walked to their next class hand in hand.
----~!~----
"Colette?"
"Si?" she asked.
"Correct," Mr. Sean said "-yes- is 'Si" in Spanish."
"That was an easy one," Arika whispered.
"So?"
"Well, I thin…" he began.
"Snow-boy," whispered Sam "Shut it."
"Alright Sam," said Arika, reluctantly.
"So, Colette…" he began.
"No way," she snarled "I'm Arika's girlfriend."
"Girlfriend?" gasped Arika.
"Oh, your dead, Snow-boy," said Sam, darkly.
"Arika swallowed hard. Sam was just a human, but when he really tried, he was scary as Arika's 'true' form. Colette sensed this and glared, long and hard, as Sam. When the bell rang, she practically ripped him from his seat and to their next class.
----~!~----
"Darn it!" shouted one of the boys.
"What's wrong?" asked Colette.
"Our teacher left a note, to tell us which room we're to go to for study hall."
"What's the problem then?" asked Arika.
"It's written in Japanese!"
"Hey, said a girl "Where's Sai?"
"Great idea!"
"Who's Sai?" whispered Arika.
"He's the only pure Japanese student going here."
"Ah."
"There he is!" shouted a girl, pointing and jumping about.
Arika looked in the direction of the girls finger. He saw a boy, about his age, with jet black hair and silver eyes. He had a very soft face, and appeared very calm and thoughtful.
"Sai!"
"Hm?" he responded.
"Look," said the boy "You remember, My Cho, right?"
"Mmhmm," Sai mumbled.
"Can you read his note to us?"
Sai nodded, and walked up to the door; he stared at the note for a while, then sighed and turned to the group.
"Well?"
"Mr. Cho," he said quietly "Has very messy writing Thomas."
"Can you read it?" Thomas asked "Oh, and call me Tom…please."
"I can."
"What does it say?"
"Tom," Sai whispered "I'll translate, try to keep up."
"Okay," replied Tom.
"Dear students," said Sai "I am away on a trip, please go to room sixty-seven for study hall."
Sai looked at Tom, who nodded.
"Thanks, Sai."
"Your welcome," he said walking away.
Arika followed the class, he couldn't get his finger on Sai…he never changed his expression –ever-. There was more to Sai then he let on to everyone.