Ashley and Fangula finally arrived at Dawn's place. She saw her friends waiting right outside on the side of the road. Ashley saw their impatient expressions, but she was prepared for this, she rolled down the window.

"Sorry I'm late guys, the traffic was murder."

Dawn lowered her perfectly plucked brows. "Let me guess, the vampire palooza back there slowed you down?" she said as the humans hopped in the back seat.

Fangula turned to face them. "You guys know about that?"

"Pfft, who hasn't?" said Hillary, rolling her eyes. "But unlike those uneducated, superstitious yahoos, I don't believe in that stuff."

Ashley chuckled a little. She knew an intellectual girl like Hillary would never believe in something like vampires or any other kind of monster. Unless they've been proven scientifically or in the court of law, then she remains holy dubious.

"I'm with you, girl." Dawn said with a gesture from her hand. "I've never heard something so stupid in my life."

Now Ashley spun around and looked at the blonde, shocked. Dawn didn't believe in vampires?! The girl who grew up sleeping with a baseball bat when she thought there was a monster in her toy chest?

"You...don't believe in vampires?" Fangula questioned.

"Nope, there's barely any evidence to confirm something so outrageous." Hillary simply said. The count swallowed a little, since there was proof sitting in the passenger's seat.

"Besides, vampires are so overdone." Dawn pointed out.

"True." agreed Hillary.

The girls earned glares from the vampire, he was about to speak,

"So, where's Heather?" Ashley interrupted just in time.

"She's already at the cabin." said Dawn. "We'll see her up there."

The gang got on the road and headed out. Ashley and Fangula were excited about their first big trip together, one they won't forget.

"So, where is this cabin anyway?" Fangula asked.

"It's just up north." Ashley said. "It'll take a while before we get there."

"It's about a good two hour drive." Dawn added. "But it'll fly by."

They were already on the country road, passing by the cozy scenery of farm houses with their own barns, water towers, and a few farm animals.

"So Biff, what's it like in Romania?" Dawn asked, getting his attention.

"Huh?"

Hillary chuckled. "Romania, what's it like there?"

"Oh, well it's very beautiful, especially at night." Fangula replied.

"Are there like, big awesome castles there and stuff?" asked Dawn.

"Oh, you bet!" he answered. "There's a lot of history there."

Ashley smiled, proud of her boyfriend conversing well with other humans. It's remarkable how much his people skills have developed so well.

'I love you, Fang.' she thought as she turned into an exit.

Hillary watched as the trio were chatting. Seeing Ashley and Biff's faces practically beamed with joy just being together, maybe Ashley truly found someone special after all.

Dawn had another question. "So, how did you two meet?"

They were prepared for this one, so the count let Ashley take this. "We met when the exchange program asked me to show him around and he stayed at my place for a bit."

"What do your parents do for a living Biff?"

Ashley wasn't prepared for that. In fact, she doesn't know anything about his parents. She looked over to him, he looked like he was trying to find the right answer, but not the actual truth.

"Well, my mother is really a stay at home mom, she usually takes care of our home." his voice sounded truthful.

"Do you ever miss her?" Ashley asked.

'Biff' nodded, "Sometimes, but I do write to her."

"What about your father?"

A sad look came to his face. "Actually...my father died a long time ago."

Ashley could feel his pain. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean anything." Ashley said apologetically.

"It's okay, you didn't know, that's all."

The girls in the back decided to lighten up the conversation with more questions about Romania and the couple's love life, all of which Fangula and Ashley happily answered without revealing too much. After some jokes and small talk, Ashley lightened things up more by playing her music. Everyone was bouncing, singing, lip syncing, and joy kicking to the beat as they kept on the road.

And the whole time, not even for a minute, Fangula didn't feel like an outcast.

"Finally!" Dawn exclaimed as they pulled up to a gravel driveway that headed up a hill in the forest. "You guys are gonna love this place! It's got a lake, a small beach, a pool table, everything!"

Ashley looked from the window and was amazed by the cabin. It was about two stories and made of pure log and stone. It was nestled just on top of the hill. To Fangula, it almost reminded him of the Hillhurst house, if it was haunted by lumberjacks.

"I know it's a little small." said Dawn, rubbing her neck.

"Hey, it's a palace compared to my house." Ashley replied.

Everyone got out and stretched out their legs while taking in the fresh air. "Rest and relaxation straight inside!" Hillary said.

"Can't wait." Fangula stated, looking at his girlfriend. With that, they happily took each other's hand and walked forward.

"Hello? Heather! We're here!" Dawn called out for her cousin once everybody got in. But no response, Dawn tried again. "HEATH-"

"I'm coming! I'm coming!" an agitated voice shouted from upstairs.

Fangula looked at Ashley, concerned. "Relax Fang," Ashley whispered. "Driving Heather nuts is Dawn's favorite sport."

Fangula looked around the cabin, it was nothing like Hillhurst on the inside. It was warm and cozy, with the smell of pine and wood polish in the air. But that's exactly what makes it so different, and the strangest thing of all is...he actually felt at ease! It was such a warm and inviting place, he felt welcome already.

"Ashley!" Turning around, Fangula and Ashley saw a tall girl practically running down the stairs, looking like she just won the lottery.

"Heather!" Ashley rushed right over and greeted her with a hug. "I can't believe it's really you, it's been way too long!"

"I know, you're finally here!" The two let go and smiled at each other. Heather had long golden brown hair that reached just below her shoulders and bangs above her dark eyes. She wore a dark blue t-shirt and white jean shorts.

"About time you got them up here, Dawn." Heather joked

"Hey! I didn't drive this time!" Dawn pouted. "Ashley did!"

"Good thing too," Heather said, "cause you drive like a eight hundred year old lady!"

Dawn huffed while the rest laughed, but Fangula laughed the hardest for some reason.

Heather paused and her smile fell when she saw the pale young man laughing alongside the girls. Fangula noticed the strange look he was getting and stopped laughing.

Ashley noticed her friend's stare. "Hey Heather, there's no reason to be suspicious." She grabbed the vampire's hand and pulled him in closer. "Heather, this is my awesome boyfriend, Biff."

"Nice to meet you, Heather." 'Biff' greeted shyly with a small wave.

"Nice to meet you..." Heather waved back. But Ashley heard a hint of uncertainty in her voice.

"Alright, let's get unpacked." Dawn said as she and Hillary headed upstairs. Fangula followed them and Ashley was about to as well, until Heather tapped her on the shoulder.

"Is he sick or something?" Heather whispered in Ashley's ear.

Ashley shook her head. "No Heather, he's just a little pale, that's all."

"Is he goth?"

"Oh yeah!" Ashley chuckled with a nod. "Definitely."

"I didn't know you were into goths."

The redhead just shrugged. "Well, there's just misunderstood, that's all."

Later that night, Dawn led Ashley and Fangula to their room. "And here's what you've been waiting for - a love nest fit for the love birds!" she said, switching on the light. Ashley looked around the cozy room seeing a dresser with a mirror, a small bathroom, and a queen sized bed.

The count plastered on a smile. "Oh...we're sharing this room?"

Dawn smiled. "Of course! Well, I'll let you two get settled in and if you need anything, just shout it out!" she said cheerfully.

Fangula nodded as Dawn closed the door and left. Then he turned to Ashley. 'Are you kidding me?!' he asked his mind.

Suddenly, a loud humming noise came from outside, it sounded like an engine revving up. The couple left the bedroom and looked down the stairs and saw Heather getting the door.

"Hey Heather, what's going on?" Ashley called from above.

Heather turned to Ashley. "It's Nano with her chili!" she answered.

Ashley's face was alight with excitement. "Nano?! Nano's here too?!"

Fangula knitted his brow. "Who?"

But Ashley rushed downstairs before he got an answer.