"Get out!" I hissed, already crouching down into a feline position, ready for a fight.
Damon smirked, swirlingly around the glass in his hand, making the murky brown liquid splash against the sides. "I always like that about you, so fiesty... sexy." He winked.
A growl rumbled deep in my chest, I lunged at him, fangs bared ready to rip his head off or his heart, either one would do. But instead, I landed lithely onto the ground, making an impact with nothing but thin air. He laughed from the other side of the room, I stood to my feet glaring at him in disgust as he swallowed the liquid, drinking it in one easy chug.
"Now, now. Is that any way to treat the man who gave you the gift of eternal life," He said offended.
He started approaching me, like an eagle toward a field mouse, stealthily with caution, and without ever breaking that eye contact, that said he was ready to kill.
"I don't take kindly to my plans being tampered with," He began, circling me until he was behind me, out of sight.
I held my ground, keeping my chin held high. "You were just going to kill her, she's an innocent girl Damon."
"She's a carbon copy of Katherine, that's all." He snapped, his breath hitting the back of my neck.
Don't punch him, Bella, he's a lot stronger then you right now I reprimed myself.
"But that's not what this is about, is it? You still, after all these years just want to make your brothers life a living hell. When are you going to stop Damon?" I questioned.
His hands gripped my shoulders hard enough to spin me around to face him. No smirking this time, just a straight-faced serious glare. "Until he feels even an ounce of the pain of what he put me through."
I shook my head in disbelief, I was unaware of many things about the Salvatores past, but I know in my heart that whatever Stefan did couldn't have caused Damon this much pain to enact decades of torture. I'd heard Stefan apologize to Damon numerous times, but its never been enough to satisfy him. I know deep down though that Damon couldn't possibly hate Stefan that much. If he did, Stefan would have been dead a long time ago.
Maybe that's why Stefan isn't scared of his older brother.
Just as Damon was about to say something more an overwhelming feeling suddenly surged through my lower abdomen, rising up by the second. I hadn't felt the feeling in years, but I knew what it meant. Rushing upstairs and into the bathroom, I hunched over the toilet at the exact time I threw up.
I was stunned. Stefan told me vampires didn't throw up because technically we didn't have an immune system anymore. Our blood was our natural defense healer. When I opened my eyes to see the mess I'd caused I was petrified by the thick red coating of blood staining the white ceramic. Just the sight caused me to throw up again, and even more, blood came pooling out.
It was exhausting and painful all at once. I panted holding onto the rim of the seat, feeling a blob of blood trailing down to my chin.
"Well thats new," Damon said surprised, he waltzed into the room and knelt down beside me. He playfully jutted out his bottom lip as if to torment a child, and swiped his thumb across my bottom lip looking at the blood on his skin in distaste. "Look where all that bunny munching has gotten you," He sighed, wiping the blood off onto his black shirt. "It's only a matter of time now Bella, you need human blood, stop trying to deny it."
"No-" I cut him off, then groaned as a pain erupted in my lower abdomen. Please not again...
"You know we can feed without killing Bells, were vampires, we eat people not Woodlin critters," He told me in a matter of fact tone.
"Stop calling me that," I snarled, baring my fangs at him in warning.
He chuckled, raising his hands up in mock defense, he started backing away towards the door.
"It's only a matter of time before the hunger gets the better of you." And with that, he was gone.
Groaning I emptied out the rest of my stomach feeling the worst I've possibly ever felt in my existence. Appart from dying of course. There was no energy left in my body, I felt weak, my hands and forehead were clammy, yet I was stone cold to the touch. I moaned in complaint all the way down to the basement when I know Stefan keeps some emergency animal blood.
I practically attacked the stock left in the cube-shaped fridge. Ripping the lid off my first bag I sucked through the catheter tube like a straw and a foreign bitter taste filled my mouth. It was horrid to gulp down, there were chunks which nearly caused me to gag. But it filled me with relief.
The bags were drained one by one until I ashamedly threw the final bag sucked dry onto the floor around me. I was slumped against the damp brick wall, my head lolled back looking towards the ceiling. I felt content for now and had some warmth return to my cheeks. The amount of animal I had to consume just to feel this way though was alarming. And that's when I realized that Damon would be right.
And he was.
When Stefan returned that night I kept quiet about my throw up session. I couldn't, however, cover up my binge session in time, so I had to restock as payment. Stefan kept well on guard with Elena after that point. There were times where my compulsion was weak and she would start to remember things, but Stefan kept her at bay quite well for the time being. As for me, well, let's just say days passed by and seemed to blur into one.
Ignoring Edward was hard, no that was an understatement, it was infuriating. I felt his stare all throughout lunch and Biology, though I never glanced his way. I was worried that if I did, I would crumble and start spewing out my deepest secrets.
Today was like any other day, nothing seemed out of the ordinary to me, except for the fact that I wasn't feeling particularly myself. Ever since that day I threw up blood it became a reoccurrence that somehow I managed to keep from Stefan. I was hunting so much now I was positive the deer species would soon become extinct in this state.
Clambering ungracefully into my biology seat I rest my head against the cool marble table top and sigh in relief. The coolness helped a lot and eased the queasiness in my stomach. Edwards presence was easy to feel, I didn't need to hear the chair being pulled back to know he was near. His scent calmed me down at times and gave me something to focus on other then the blood filled teens around me.
"Hey! Bella, you alright?" Mike questioned from above me.
I took a deep breath in preparation before sitting up again. "Yeah, I'm fine thanks, Mike."
"So you still coming Saturday?" Mike asked I didn't miss how his eyes flickered toward Edward.
"Uh, what?" I barely listen anymore to the babble at lunch now.
"The beach baby, weather mans got sunny skies planned for the whole weekend," He cheers, sending me a wink.
I let out a weak chuckle then winced, that really didn't make my stomach feel good. "Is Stefan going?"
"Well, Elena's coming so what do you think?" He raised an eyebrow.
"Then I'll be there too," I responded with as close of a smile as I could manage.
He smiled wide, leaning on the edge of our desk. "Great..." The smile began to fade. "Uh, Jessica asked me to the spring dance."
"That's great news, you two are going to have so much fun," I told him.
"Actually I told her I'd think about it," He said, sheepishly.
I frowned. "Why?"
Suddenly blood started rushing to his cheeks turning him bright pink, his whole neck flushed with heat, and his heartbeat hammered in a hypnotic way. My eyes focused on the thin veil of skin thumping where his jugular is.
"I was kind of... hoping that you would ask me," He admitted, glancing at Edward yet again.
"Oh," I managed to squeak out something, I tried pinching myself in the tigh to keep it together. "Sorry Mike I'm not going to be here next Saturday, I'm heading to Seattle that day," It wasn't a lie, I'd gotten the idea a few days ago to make the trip. Stefan told me about an old friend of his, who was a witch that resides there. Maybe she could help me solve the mystery of the Cullens once I give her a detailed description.
His expression dropped. "Can't you go some other weekend?"
"No, sorry," I said. "You shouldn't make Jessica wait any longer, it's impolite,"
"Yeah, I guess," He mumbled, walking off toward his seat in the back of the room with his head hung low.
Closing my eyes I let out a deep breath I wasn't aware I was holding. Mr. Banner began talking. The pinching helped to bring me back to reality, but the craving was still there. Inhaling, all I could smell was the overpowering sweet scent raiding of Edward.
Sweet euphoric, relief.
For the first time in what felt like weeks, I turned towards the source of the scent. He was staring at me, much like the first time in the lunch hall, frustration and curiosity combined into his black eyes.
I thought he would look away after being caught but he didn't back down, and neither did I. I stared straight back and wondered what this marvel of a man was. If he even was a man...
"Mr. Cullen," The teacher called out, requesting an answer.
"The Kerbs cycle," Edward answered with ease. I didn't even catch the question.
He seemed reluctant as he turned to face Mr. Banner, while I was glad to be released from his gaze.
I spent the next hour scolding myself yet again for being a pathetic excuse for a vampire. He had so much influence over me. One look and I was captivated by him, stuck to the spot unable to look anywhere but at him. I wanted to scream in frustration. The bell rang and I was all too eager to get out of this room, away from more than one temptation.
"Bella?" I hated how quickly I turned in response to him calling out my name.
After all this time now he tries to speak to me? Should I give him the satisfaction or continue on ignoring him? This was the dilemma I was faced with.
"Have you given up?" I asked. I couldn't ignore him.
His lip twitched slightly fighting a smile. "No, not exactly."
"Then I have nothing to say to you," I said, collecting my things up into my arms.
"I'm sorry," He apologized. "I know I'm being very rude, but I can't let this go like I saw nothing that day."
"Nothing happened, Edward." I hate how much I've had to lie to him. And I hate how much I loved saying his name aloud.
"I understand the importance of keeping a secret-"
"Oh yeah?" I chuckled, giving him my full attention. "Whats your secret then Edward?"
His face flashed in confusion, but I could see the underlying fear behind his eyes. "What are you talking about?"
"Your such a hypocrite," I snarled. "Just leave me alone, Edward."
Storming off toward my locker I attempted to shove everything inside, but things suddenly became fuzzy and disorientated. I could feel myself losing balance, slowly falling backward. something as hard as rock propped me up. I wouldn't have guessed it was a pair of hands if I hadn't turned and seen Edward there with a worried look.
"Thanks," I mumbled holding onto the locker door for support.
"Your welcome," He said politely.
With the state I was in gym wasn't the best place for me. Everyone's heartbeats were raised, and more of there skin was exposed, it only allowed the predator in me to run wild with thoughts. At one point I was certain I'd kill everyone inside of the gymnasium just to quench my thirst. Stefan didn't seem to notice my struggles, his focus was solely on Elena.
Stefan chucked me the keys to his car, telling me he was going back to Elena's house. I didn't really need to know what for, I had a pretty good guess. I walked toward the red convertible, which I'd only driven once, and nearly jumped in fear at the tall dark figure standing by the rear end of the car.
Thank god it was only Eric. "Hey Bella," He waved, even though he was right in front of me.
"Hi Eric, whats up?" I questioned, unlocking the driver's side, I threw my bag into the back seat.
"Uh, I just wanted to ask you something..." He trailed off nervous.
"Okay, what is it?"
"I was wondering if you would like to go to the dance with me?" He spoke the words so fast, I'm glad I was able to keep up.
First Mike and now Eric, I wasn't aware anyone was even interested in me enough to ask me to the dance. I presumed I was just looked at as Stefans 'sister'. It was flattering. I never really got any attention when I was a human, and I liked it that way, never have I wanted to be that one in the spotlight.
"Sorry Eric, I'm going to Seattle that day," I used the same excuse, being as sympathetic as possible. "But ask Angela, I'm sure she would love to go with you."
"Really, Ang?" His eyes bugged out.
He really was clueless. "Yes," I said.
"Wow..." He trailed off in thought. "Okay, see you tomorrow, Bella."
"Bye Eric, good luck," I told him, getting into the car.
I wasn't the most confident driver, which made me wonder why Stefan intrusted me with the most precious object he owns.
Ready to finally get some blood in my system, I back out of the spot only to be stopped by the silver Volvo which was stationary in front of me. I looked around wondering what the hold up is and then I realize Edward is in the driver's seat, and his siblings are only just now exiting the main building.
There's a light knock on my window, its Tyler. I roll it down using the old-fashioned crank handle.
"Sorry Tyler, Cullen is in the way," I apologized.
"Oh yeah I know, I just wanted to ask you something," He said, smiling brightly.
No- there was no way on hell or earth that this could be happening to me again.
"Will you go with me to the dance on Saturday?" He asked the question I dreaded.
"Sorry, I'm going to be in Seattle that day." I threw out the same excuse toward him.
"Yeah, Mike said that,"
I frowned. "Then why ask?"
"I was just hoping you'd let him down easy," He shrugged, then his smile returned. "No worries there's always prom."
Before I could even say anything he ran off back to his car behind mind and I was left stunned. Did I wake up in an alternative universe today where I'm suddenly popular with the male species?
I hear distant laughing from a familiar voice. Looking into his rearview mirror I see him laughing away as his siblings pile into the car. Narrowing my eyes I wonder how he would feel about a little dent in the back of his precious, shiny ass Volvo.