"Hollie, you seem much better."

I smiled at Ed, who was grinning at me happily before he bit into his muffin. I had managed to come out of my shell recently, once again hanging out with my friends, and thankfully managed to fix things with Gwen. She forgave me for how I acted; but didn't manage to convince me to tell her what was bothering me in the first place.

"I'm feeling better," I confessed as I poured him another cup of coffee.

"Well, that's good," Marc stretched his arms above his head, "We were starting to get a little worried about you; and we were tired of hearing Gwen complaining."

I let out a small laugh. I knew Gwen was probably complaining a little to the rest of the group, not in a mean way, I knew she was more worried than anything. Matthew, who was sitting next to Marc, held out his cup so I'd pour him some more coffee.

"Hey Hollie, what are you doing tomorrow?" He asked me.

"Um," I paused for thought, "I'm not working tomorrow so—nothing."

He smiled. "I was wondering… I have to go to a family members wedding tomorrow; want to be my date?"

I blinked at him, surprised by his question. I shook my head after the initial surprise, offering him a small smile. "Yeah, sure."

His green eyes lightened immediately. "Great."

Ed began tapping his chin thoughtfully. "I love weddings," He admitted, "They're so magical."

I grinned.

The door to the café opened, with Adam, Gwen and Bridget entering one after the other. Adam sat down immediately, letting out an exhausted sigh as he demanded some coffee, while Bridget and Gwen looked equally tired.

"What's wrong with the three of you?" I asked, raising an eyebrow as I poured Adam his coffee.

"Adam has a crush on the new waitress at the restaurant I work at," Bridget explained, "Gwen and I were supposed to help him ask her out today. We were there for almost two hours and he couldn't work up the courage to talk to her!"

I turned to look at Adam quizzically. "I didn't know you liked anyone."

He shrugged his shoulders as he poured sugar in his coffee. "I didn't get the chance to tell you, you seemed to have a lot going on already," He said, and I immediately felt a wave of guilt, "It's not that much of a big deal anyways."

"Sure it is," Gwen rolled her eyes, "If only you weren't such a chicken."

"I'm not a chicken!"

"Yes, you are," Bridget patted him on the shoulder, "But most men are these days; they simply can't seem to be able to walk up to a girl, and ask her out."

"Hey," Marc cut in, "I ask girls out all the time!"

Bridget waved her hand dismissively. "That's because you're so arrogant, you don't believe that any woman could turn you down."

He glared at her.

"Matthew just asked Hollie out," Ed pointed out.

Immediately, both Gwen and Bridget's eyes widened as they glanced back and forth between Matthew and me. "You two are going out?"

I rolled my eyes. "Relax, I'm just going with Matthew to a wedding, it's no big deal."

They looked over at Matthew for confirmation, who shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Right. No big deal."

The next day came rather quickly. It turned out that Matthew wasn't attending the ceremony; he was, however going to the reception. I stared at myself in the mirror, smiling in satisfaction; I was wearing a short, strapless back dress with a sweetheart neckline, and my hair was tied into a bun with a few strands hanging loose around my face.

Out of safety, Godric asked that I meet Matthew at the wedding reception rather than have him pick me up here; so that my location would be kept a secret. Both Isabel and he were less protective now, because since my father wasn't…around anymore; there was no reason for Joseph to come after me any longer.

I grabbed my purse before exiting my room, closing the door behind me. Since the sun had already set, Isabel was going to be the one to drive me to the wedding reception, where I would meet Matthew. I came down the stairs, where I found Isabel and Godric in the living room, quietly discussing something. Their conversation came to a quick end though as I entered the room.

"Um," I smiled shyly, "I'm ready to go."

Isabel's eyes filled with immediate warmth as she looked at me, smiling affectionately. "You look beautiful," She complimented.

I smiled, very aware of the fact that I was blushing. "Thanks."

I glanced over at Godric, who was also staring at me, but as usual I couldn't figure out what he was thinking—not that it mattered what he thought. He lifted his gaze to meet with mine, and smiled softly. "You do look very nice," He said warmly.

"Thank you," I repeated sincerely, before turning to look at Isabel, "Shall we go?"

"Alright, now you do have to admit that my dancing has improved!"

I laughed as I walked along side Matthew outside, shaking my head in amusement. "Yes, you've improved," I acknowledged, "You definitely didn't step on my toes as much."

As he smirked in triumph, I lifted my gaze towards the shining stars in the dark sky and let a small sigh escape my lips. On beautiful nights such as this one, all I really wanted was for my parents to be here with me—well, they probably had a better view from where they were.

"Have I told you how beautiful you look?" Matthew spoke, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Only about twenty times," I teased, nudging him lightly, "But thank you. You look very handsome as well."

"Thanks."

There were a couple of seconds of silence, and I was about to suggest heading back inside when a thought suddenly occurred to me. "Hey Matt, how come you didn't ask your girlfriend to come with you?" I asked him.

"She wasn't really my girlfriend," He shrugged his shoulders, "And I'm not seeing her anymore."

"Why not?"

I couldn't remember her name, but I remembered that she was quite attractive, and had both Ed and Adam drooling.

"It's…complicated," He rubbed the back of his neck, "She…ended up not being my type."

"Ah," I nodded my head, "And what is your type, dear Matthew?"

He didn't respond right away, but he glanced at me from the corner of his eye before he began speaking. "Someone funny, smart, open-minded…" He paused, "Someone like you."

I let out a small laugh at first, thinking that he was just being nice, when I noticed the serious expression on his face. I immediately remembered Godric's suspicions that Matthew had feelings for me. I chuckled nervously as I tucked a strand of black hair behind my ear.

"Please, why would you want someone like me when you had…what's-her-name?"

He laughed. "Because she didn't have a single intelligent thought in her head."

"…Well, that is a good reason," I admitted with a nod.

He smiled. "And you shouldn't think so badly about yourself."

"I don't think badly of myself," I crossed my arms over my chest stubbornly.

"Well, you don't think highly of yourself," He said, and I opened my mouth to argue when I realized he was right. I suppose I don't think very highly of myself. He reached forward, taking a strand of my hair between his fingers.

"If only you could see what I see," He whispered softly.

My heart began beating wildly against my chest as I realized he was leaning forward, gently cupping the back of my neck in his hand. I couldn't move at first, completely frozen, but managed to snap out of it seconds before his lips touched mine.

"Matthew," I placed my hand against his chest, "I can't…"

He frowned. "Why not?"

I hated myself at that moment when I saw both the confusion and hurt on his expression. "I…We're friends," I said lamely. Friends don't kiss. Not like that.

"We could be more," He argued, not looking ready to give up.

I shook my head. I couldn't believe this was happening. "Matthew, you're such a good friend to me, I don't want to ruin that."

"We won't!" He insisted.

"Matthew, I can't."

He didn't respond right away. His eyebrows were knitted together as he stared at me thoughtfully. "Are you…seeing someone else?" He asked, "That…Godric guy?"

I immediately felt my cheeks heat up at the thought of Godric and me together. What a ridiculous thought. He could never see me that way. Wait—why was I thinking about this? Get back to Matthew!

"N-No, I'm not seeing anyone."

I noticed the look of relief on his expression. "Well, then, why can't we at least try and make things work?" He asked.

"Because—."

He cut me off by placing his hands on the side of my face. "I really, really like you."

"Matt…I don't see you that way."

Immediately, I could see the hurt in his eyes as the fight left him. He realized that it wasn't that I was afraid to try and be more than friends; it was because I didn't want to. I didn't have any romantic feelings towards him, just friendship.

"Ouch. That was harsh."

Matthew and I both blink at the male voice that cut into our conversation. We both look around, wondering where the voice had come from. My first thought was that someone from the wedding had come to retrieve us; but I couldn't see anyone. Actually, that voice was a little familiar.

I felt something run past me, and the next thing I knew, Matthew was being held up in the air by his throat. I gasped at the young man who was holding him up in the air; he was quite tall, more than six feet, with a well-built body. He had short, black hair and a handsome face—a familiar face. I knew who this was.

"Ryan!" I exclaimed.

He glanced over at me, a smirk at his lips. "Long time no see."

I almost smile, but then I realize that he's still holding Matthew up, who is having a hard time breathing due to the strong hold Ryan has around his throat. "Ryan, let him go!"

"Why?" He asks, returning his gaze to Matthew. "I haven't fed yet."

At this, his fangs pop out, and I see Matthew's eyes widen in fear, though he can't speak.

"Ryan, let him go!" I repeat, this time more forcefully.

He pretends to think it over before he lets out a small sigh, releasing Matthew, who falls roughly to his knees. Immediately, I go to him, trying to help him to his feet, but he moves away from me as he tries to catch his breath while rubbing his throat.

"What the hell is going on?" He snapped when he could speak again.

"Oh," Ryan raised an eyebrow, "Not prince charming anymore, huh?"

Though I was a little hurt by his actions, I could understand his fear. "Matthew, it's okay, he won't hurt you."

Matthew didn't seem convinced though as he took a step backwards, never taking his eyes off Ryan, who was merely smirking in amusement.

"Since when are you involved with vampires?" Matthew asked, daring to glance at me briefly.

"I…" I paused, "It's complicated."

Crap. Now I would have to explain everything to him. I glared at Ryan to let him know how he's complicated things for me, but he seems even more amused.

"So, what are you, a fang banger?" Matthew asked.

I blinked, turning to look at him in surprise. A look of guilt took over his expression when he saw how hurt I was, and he shifted uncomfortably. He didn't mean to upset me; I knew he was just confused by the entire situation. I couldn't blame him. Maybe it was my fault for not being honest in the first place.

Of course, things only got more complicated when Ryan suddenly turned his head, and his eyes narrowed in annoyance. I immediately knew what this meant; someone had arrived, and while this person wasn't a danger, it was clearly someone that he didn't like.

"Hollie."

I didn't know why I felt a wave of relief the moment I heard Godric's voice. Both he and Isabel stepped out of the shadows, Isabel looking confused as her eyes went from Matthew, to Ryan, to me. Godric, as usual, didn't allow anyone to see what he was thinking.

"Godric," I smiled at him, wanting him to know that everything was okay. Sort of.

"You've got to be kidding me," Matthew took a step back, "Godric's a vampire too? Hollie, what the hell did you get yourself into?"

I turned to look at him, opening my mouth to explain, but Godric said Isabel's name, and she immediately knew what to do. I gasped when she suddenly appeared in front of Matthew, and was about to run forward when Godric appeared in front of me, blocking my path.

"She's only glamouring him," He told me.

I let out a sigh of relief, and felt momentarily embarrassed for believing that Isabel was going to hurt Matthew. I knew her better than that. She ended up making Matthew believe that, after a few more dances, I got sick and called for a ride to pick me up, while he stayed at the wedding. We never came outside, the last few moments never happened. After that, she sent him back inside.

Once Matthew was gone, I turned towards Ryan, whom I noticed was staring at Godric, still looking rather annoyed.

Nicholas, my father, was Ryan's maker. When he met my mother, Ryan was still with him at that point, and we all sort of became a family. Nicholas became the father that I never had, and Ryan became the brother I never had (although, I should say that he hated us all at first). Of course, I also had an older sister, but she had left the moment she turned eighteen.

After my mother died, Ryan stayed with my father and I for about a year before going off on his own. I've never seen him since. Tonight was the first time I was seeing him in years.

Without even thinking, I ran to him, jumping up to wrap my around him in a hug while burying by face into his chest.

He snorted. "Only you would tackle a vampire into a hug," He said, but I felt him wrap a loose arm around me.

I looked up at him, about to ask him why he was here, when it suddenly hit me. His maker was dead. He and Nicolas were close, like father and son—and now he was dead. And it was my fault. At that thought, I pulled away from him, taking a few step backwards, while Ryan raised an eyebrow at my actions.

"Are you mad at me?" I asked him, not looking up to meet his gaze.

He didn't say anything right away, but he glanced over at Godric and Isabel before suddenly picking me up bridal style, and I let out a squeak of surprise. "We're going for a little walk," He told Godric.

Godric frowned. "I don't think that's a good idea."

"Well, it's not your choice, is it?" Ryan challenged, eyes narrowed.

Oh boy.

"Ryan, he's Sheriff and you're in his area. And he's my friend," I smacked him gently on the chest, "Don't talk to him like that."

Before he can reply, I turned to Godric.

"Godric, I'll be fine," I reassured him, "And Ryan will bring me back soon. I'm safe with him. Besides, you'll be able to tell if I'm in danger, right?"

He nodded hesitantly.

That's all it took for Ryan to take off with me in his arms.

He paced back and forth anxiously, eyebrows knitted together as he glanced over at the clock every now and then, finding that time was going by painfully slow. Shouldn't Ryan have brought her home by now? Maybe something had happened—No, he would have felt it if she was in danger. His head immediately shot up when he heard the door to the house open, and he made his way towards the entrance in a flash.

An immediate wave of relief took over him when he saw her enter. She was safe.

"Sorry I'm a little later than expected," She smiled at him, undoing her hair and running a hand through to straighten it out.

"It's alright," He replied softly, "Where is Ryan?"

"I don't know, he said he had a place to stay," She shrugged her shoulders, "He's going to come see me again tomorrow."

He simply nodded. While he knew that Nicholas cared deeply for the girl before him, he wasn't sure if he trusted Ryan entirely. Maybe Ryan didn't care for her at all, or he didn't care enough to control himself should he ever get thirsty.

He found himself accompanying her upstairs, following her until her bedroom. He opened his mouth to wish her good night, but she spoke first.

"Hey, could you do me a favour?" She turned around, showing him her back, "Could you unzip the back of my dress?"

He hesitated at first, before finally reaching forward, grabbing the zipper and pulling it down, glancing up at the ceiling as soon as he caught sight of her bare back.

"You should perhaps ask Isabel to help you with such things in the future," He said as he took a step backwards. He certainly hoped she didn't allow just any male to help her out like this.

"I would have asked her if she was here. But, anyways, I trust you; I know you wouldn't take advantage of me," She said.

He immediately looked away when she allowed her dress to fall to the floor, and then put on an oversized T-shirt that reached a couple of inches above her knees, showing off her legs. Yes, he really hoped she wasn't this comfortable around other males.

"I mean, I don't think someone like you would even be interested in me," She smiled.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye curiously. "Why?"

She shrugged. "You're over two thousand years old. You must have seen the most beautiful women in the world. Compared to them, I must be…nothing."

He frowned. "That is not true."

She raised a neatly plucked eyebrow at him, silently challenging him. When he didn't say anything else, she made her way towards him. "Okay," She said when she was right in front of him, "Then why haven't you tried anything?"

He stared at her in confusion. "Tried anything…?"

"You know, make a move, seduce me," She shrugged, "I mean, if you really thought I was attractive, you would have tried something by now, right?"

He shook his head. "I would never take advantage of you."

He stiffened when she leaned forward, her lips almost touching his, whispering. "It's not taking advantage if I want you to do it."

"You don't know what you're asking," He frowned, but he couldn't bring himself to pull away. Though he shouldn't have, he did enjoy her warm body pressed directly against his.

Her smile never faded, and she reached forward, cupping the back of his neck with her hand, and pulling him gently towards her. "I do know."

She pressed her lips against his in a gentle kiss before pulling away, smiling as she noticed the hunger in his eyes.

She tilted her head to the side, exposing her neck.

"Bite me."

His eyes snapped from her towards her neck. He should have said no. He should have walked away. But she smelled so—good. He hadn't even noticed his fangs coming out; he didn't even realize that his nose was now pressed directly against her neck.

As soon as his fangs pierced her skin, and he tasted her blood, he knew that nothing had ever tasted so good. And the sound of her moans only encouraged him to drink faster.

"Godric…" She whispered.

His eyes snapped open as he awakened from his sleep.

A dream.

A/N Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait-I've been quite busy lately! Anyways, here's the newest chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. Please let me know what you think. Suggestions are welcomed!

SSS.