Chapter 2
Vlad's P.O.V.
Water sploshed as I dipped a flannel in the warm water breaking through the tense silence between Erin and I. Firmly I squeezed some of the water out of it so it was only damp and I gently took Erin's arm. Erin didn't even look at me. She just stared ahead of her-self with tears in her eyes as I tenderly washed her wrists. Worriedly I looked up at her as I dipped the flannel in water again then I just left it in the bowl sighing as I realised Erin wasn't going to look at me leave alone talk. "Erin" I said softly moving my hand to rest on the small of her back "It's ok not to be ok you know" Lightly I brushed her hair out of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear "I'm here for you. Always" I whispered kissing her temple as I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulling her close to my chest. "You're not alone anymore" Suddenly Erin turned her head to bury her face in my neck and sobbed into my chest her shoulders shaking as she gasped for air between each whimper she let out. "Alright sweetheart" I comforted "Ok, ok" Gently I rocked her from side to side embracing her tightly as I stroked her hair.
xXx
Erin's P.O.V.
I opened my locker and took out my chemistry textbook when a pair of arms slid around my waist, pulling me close to a toned, sturdy body as Vlad leaned his chin on my head. I smiled leaning back into his chest and turned my head to nuzzle into his neck breathing in his scent of crisp night air and evergreen trees. Safety. I was safe with him. "Hi Princess" he said kissing the top of my head. "Hi" I replied peacefully placing my arms over him. Gently Vlad rocked me from side to side, soothing any worries I may have had. I closed my eyes happiness washing over me… But I didn't deserve happiness. Or Vlad… Or life.
Vlad's P.O.V.
"You ok?" I asked gently, pulling her closer. "I am now you're with me" she whispered closing her eyes as I rocked her from side to side. "How are your arms?" I tried. Suddenly Erin froze and her eyes snapped open. Gently she slipped my arms from her waist. "They're fine" she said frankly, closing her locker and picking up her bag. "Erin I.."
"It's fine" Erin interrupted sharply, walking down the hallway briskly. "Erin" I called chasing after her "Erin wait" Erin sighed and turned as if she'd just been called by her parents after walking away from a telling off. "I'm sorry. I didn't want to upset you" I apologised as I reached her. Erin just watched me, her face unreadable. "It's just… I worry about you" I explained placing my hands on her shoulders, squeezing them slightly as I watched Erin's face carefully. Erin's brow furrowed and she pulled me into a hug, wrapping her arms around my neck and resting her head on my shoulder. "I'm sorry I concern you so much. You have better things to do than worry about me" Erin said quietly. Gently I rubbed her arm smiling down at her "Nothing is more important to me than you" I reassured her, stroking her hair tenderly "Nothing" Softly Erin cried into my neck clutching me tighter in our embrace. "Come on" I said gently, pulling away and wiping away her tears with my thumb "Dry your eyes and I'll buy you an ice cream from the canteen yeah?" Erin chuckled looking down shyly, smiling as she swiped the wetness on her cheeks away. "There's that beautiful smile I love" I teased taking her hand and lacing our fingers as I pulled her towards the canteen. "Are you actually going to get me an ice cream?" Erin marvelled. I turned to her grinning "I said I would, didn't I?" I answered
3rd Person
The Count was in a foul mood. In his eyes, he had enough to deal with, without the council on his back and tugging him down at every chance they got. Now would usually be the time when the Count did something random yet cruel to poor Reinfield purely for his own entertainment but now were not usual circumstances and the Count was honing in on bigger, better prey.
Erin's P.O.V.
My legs ached with lactic acid as I climbed the stairs to the Dracula living quarters after P.E. Vlad would have been home earlier because he doesn't have to change in and out of school uniform being excused from P.E.
Slowly I reached the top of the staircase and I braced myself to push on the heavy door leading to the Dracula's quarters. Placing my hands on the wood I pushed as hard as I could only for it to open as easily as a normal door. Surprised I stumbled forwards tripping over the threshold and flying towards the floor. "Ha! Ha!" The Count laughed closing the door and clutching his stomach. Heavily he flopped into his throne as I glared at him, standing up and dusting myself off. "It's even better in real life!" The Count exclaimed watching me. I rolled my eyes. Typical Count antics. Unimpressed I turned and started leaving, walking towards the door leading to all the bedrooms. "Wait!" The Count said quickly, unnecessarily he took a deep breath in through his nose sniffing the air. I froze biting my lip. "Do I smell ice cream?" he asked his eyebrows raised. Relief flooded through me as my shoulders fell and I relaxed. "I ate some earlier" I answered quietly turning back round to face the Count and shrugging a little. The Counts brow furrowed suddenly "Shouldn't you be watching what you eat?" he queried pointing at me. Tightly I gripped my jumper sleeves pulling them down over my hands as my legs automatically turned inwards slightly so my feet made a vague 'v' shape. "I'm sorry" I replied bemused by what the Count had just told me. "It's just…" The Count paused as if trying to think about what to say as he stood up and glided up to me in his usual manner "If I were you I would be. I mean there's no harm in trying to look slim" I felt my eyes widen as I registered what he had just said. My arms flew to my waist looking for conformation of what the Count was implying and soon found it. Suddenly my knees felt weak and my head was light as a feather. I was a bit plump. Actually, a lot plump. How could I have gone this long without noticing just how fat I was? It must be beyond noticeable if the Count is suggesting I diet. "Oh, I'm sorry!" the Count apologised insincerely "Did I cross a line?" Weakly I shook my head unable to look at him. "No" I whispered woozily "No you're right" Slowly I turned away from the Count and I staggered through the door towards my room at the end of the corridor tears pricking my eyes.
Vlad's P.O.V.
Angrily I threw my bag at the wall and shrugged out of my hoodie chucking on the sofa next to me. I let out a frustrated shout punching the wall in anger. Dust fell from the ceiling as the room shook from the impact. Slowly I turned and rested my back against the wall sliding down it to sit on the floor. Defeated I hung my head and rested my elbows on my knees "Stupid" I muttered slapping my forehead with my palm. "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" In time with my scolding over and over I hit my head against the wall in a form of penance. It was all my fault. All I had to do was spend some time with her. Find the time to speak to her and make her laugh or even hold her for a while. Make her feel loved and maybe she wouldn't be hurting herself like this but I couldn't even do that. I was so wrapped up in dealing with the council and doing my duties I had neglected her. Some boyfriend I am.
For the first time since I was fourteen I felt tears well in my eye. Automatically my shoulders started shaking and I pressed the heels of my hands to my eyelids attempting to stem my tears. Suddenly there were slow, heavy footsteps making their way down the hallway. Assuming it was just Reinfield I dismissed it tuning it out until it came to a stop in my doorway.
"Vlad?" came quiet voice from outside my door. "Vlad, are you ok?" Suddenly there were more footsteps as Erin hurried to me and wrapped her arm around my shoulders kneeling beside me. "I'm fine" I reassured her quickly wiping away my tears and struggling to keep my voice even. I couldn't let her see me like this. I needed to be strong for her. Erin wasn't buying it and she could see right through me. Her face dropped and her arm loosed around my shoulders. I looked up at Erin and saw her already blotchy face and puffy eyes, her skin tight with dried tears.
"What about you?" I asked softly cupping her cheek "Why have you been crying?" Slowly Erin withdrew her arm from my shoulders and sat next to me. "It's me, isn't it?" she whispered gently moving my hand from her cheek. Suddenly her face crumpled "I'm upsetting you aren't I" she sobbed burying her face in her hands "No Erin" I comforted her "No it's not you upsetting me" Tenderly I wrapped my arms around her pulling her legs up to cross over mine. "I just" I paused trying to think of what to say. Gently I took Erin's arms squeezing her wrists lightly and she looked at me her lips pressed together and her eyes welled with tears. "I can't help but feel like it's my fault. Like if I spent more time with you, you wouldn't be hurting your-self like this" Franticly Erin shook her head trying to pull her arms from my grasp "Oh no! Please don't say that!" she blubbered "It's not fair on you! It's not your fault at all! How could you even think that!"
"Erin" I started moving my hand from one of her wrists to cup her cheek wiping away her tears with my thumb gently "Please don't think it's your fault" she begged me clutching my school shirt "Erin" I said again a little louder "It's not! Please don't think it is! Please!" she gabbled getting herself flustered. "Erin!" I interrupted louder still, lifting my other hand to hold her head still and turned her to face me. Immediately she fell silent looking at me with wide, sad eyes. For a moment, I watched her face my heart melting at the sorrow etched on her face and suddenly I pressed my lips to hers in a fierce and passionate kiss. Erin let out a small whimper of surprise before malting into our kiss tears still streaming down her face. It only lasted a couple of seconds before I pulled away tilting my head slightly so out foreheads met. "I love you Erin" I whispered "and I know I haven't shown it recently but you're not alone. Not anymore. I'm here for you and I'm never going to leave you" Slowly Erin nodded smiling sadly as she leaned into my touch looking down at her arms. "How can you love a girl who cuts herself?" she said quietly "A girl with so many ugly scars…"
"No" I stopped her "No look" tenderly I pinched her sleeve pulling on it to reveal the marks on her wrist "They're battle scars. Each one shows a time you didn't give up, you kept on fighting" Shyly Erin looked away averting her eyes from her arms as I stroked them softly with my fingertips and slowly I lifted her wrist and kissed her scars lovingly. "Tomorrow. It's just going to be about you and me yeah? No homework, or council, or Chosen One duties. You're more important to me than anything else in this world and it's about time I showed it to you"