Apologies for the very long break. But I'm back now, really.
I do not own MBAV, nor am I getting paid for this.
Re-Vamped Council
Blood-Pumping
~Sarah's P.O.V~
I spent the entire night laying in bed, fighting all of the cravings that threatened to overtake me. Nothing could distract me: the books' words blurred; the T.V.'s dramas' drowned out to background buzz; substitute still sucked enough that I wouldn't suck on it.
Nothing. Worked.
Finally, at 6:30, it would be acceptable to go outside. I put on a thin layer of sunscreen and left my apartment immediately.
Around 8:00, I texted Erica and asked if she would want to meet for lunch. She confirmation came quickly.
I go window shopping until our agreed upon meeting time of 11:45 at a small cafe.
She's there first, already served a tea. She spies me and gives a small wave.
"Hey." She says as I sit.
"Hey. I hope you haven't been waiting long." I give her an apologetic look, but her eyes have already shifted. She gives a light chuckle that tells me that that was the case.
I recognize her demeanor instantly. Distracted, stressed, upset. Conflicted.
"Are you alright?" I asked softly.
She sighs, but before she can speak, a waiter comes up to the table and asked what I would like to drink.
"Coffee, black, please." I say quickly. He leaves, but it's too late. Erica has shied back from the conversation and put up a front.
"Erica, please. I'm asking as both a friend and your Sponsor."
She sighed again. "It's just . . . me and Benny are having issues . . ."
"Like what?"
"He's just a bit, maybe, irritated? I don't know. I've recently confessed to being a vampire, as you know, and - well he took that very well, actually. That's not a problem. Except, he asked me to Turn him."
"Oh." I leaned back in my seat. "That's a big step."
"Yeah. I'm just not ready. And he's tempting me. Like, intentionally. He's working out around that house, he's watching horror movies without end, and he's suggesting sex a lot, which I know I can't do yet with him safely."
"Wow. That's a lot of pulse-rising." I summed up.
"Yeah."
"So, then, he becomes irritated because you reject that?"
"He becomes irritated because when he does these things, I leave. Like, get out of the house."
"Hmm. You should talk to him about it. Tell him that you don't think you're ready to do that. And ask him to think about it a lot more."
She smiled. "Thanks a bunch, Sarah. For listening and for the advice."
"Of course."
"So, now, let's just enjoy lunch, yes?"
"Yes." I agreed. My coffee came and we continued our day.
At the next meeting, I note that Erica isn't there. Everyone in the group is required to say a prayer for her silently, but all I can think of is where she could be.
Before the meeting starts, Jesse comes up to me, a friendly grin on. I tense.
"Hey. How're you holding up?" He asks in a soft tone.
"Just fine, thank you." I say stiffly. He does not get to see what he can do to me.
"I'm glad. Listen, I'm sorry, okay? I got into a bad situation. I thought I was strong enough." I could tell his apology was sincere. Yet after that, it was all excuses.
"Don't lie, Jesse." I said quietly. "You're not trying to change. I of all people can see that."
"I get it, I do."He raises his hands in surrender. "Can I make it up to you? Dinner, anywhere you want. On me. Please."
The nerve! I clench my jaw. "That would be a no." I say firmly. Before he could respond, I turn sharply and sit for the meeting.