*hides behind bed* Don't hurt me please, I'm sorry I havent posted in a while . . . okay a month. School, homework, Writer's block are to be blamed for that. But now I'm back and I'm ready to write again.

"Wait, can't I ask one more?"
Arthur accelerated down the quiet street.
He casually had his left hand steering the wheel.
He sighed.
"Fine, One." he agreed. His lips pressed together firmly.
"Okay, well, you said you knew I didn't go into that creepy bookstore and that, I headed south. How did you know that?"
He stared straight ahead, not answering.
"Arthur." I said sternly, annoyed.
He had a slight smile, but it disappeared instantly.
"I followed your scent."
That answer surprised me.
My scent?
A memory of Arthur smelling my jacket earlier, came to mind.
I saw him about to speak. I cut him off.
"You didn't answer my question earlier."
He glanced at me. "Which one?"
"How does it work, the mind reading thing? Can you read anybody's mind, anywhere? How do you do it?
Can your family do the same?" I asked.

"That's more than one Alfred." he scolded.
I waited.
"It's just me." He finally answered.
"I can't hear anyone, anywhere. I have to be fairly close. The more familiar I am with the person, the farther I can hear their 'voice'. No more, than a few miles though."
He paused.
"It's like being in a crowd full of people, all talking at once. It's a hum of voices, in the background. Until I focus on one.
Then that person's thoughts are clear."
He scoffed.
"It's troublesome, really. I usually tune it all out."
He smirk. "Well, most of the time."
Hm?
I remembered our discussion earlier.
"Why do you think you can't read my mind?"
He looked over at me.
His eyes curious.
"I don't know." He looked back to the road. "The only assumption I can make is that, your mind doesn't work the same way as others do. It's like your thoughts are on a AM frequency, while I'm only getting FM." He sounded amused.
"My mind doesn't work right, I'm a freak!"
My mommy always told me I was special, but not in that way!
"I hear voices in my head, and your worried that you're a freak Jones," he laughed.
I stared him down.
"Don't worry, it's just a theory." he waved me off.
That smirk says something different.

"Which, speaking of theories Jones," I dodged eye contact. "You owe me one."
I sighed.
"Alfred."
I looked over, to meet those scorching green eyes.
Ba dump.
I looked away quickly to notice the speedometer.
"Holy cow! I shouted.
"What's wrong?" he was startled.
"Your going a hundred miles an hour, dude, slow down!"
I was panicking.
Mattie once got in a car crash, while his friend was driving.
He wasn't hurt that badly, thank god, but his friend . . . didn't make it.
I looked out the window to see only darkness.
The headlights showed there was a forest along both sides of the road.
If we veered off, we could break a tree, with this much speed.
"Relax, Alfred."
"Relax!?"
"Were not going to crash."
"What are you a criminal!"
"I always drive like this." he smiled crookedly at me.
"Keep your eyes on the road!" I flailed.
"I've never been in an accident, Alfred. I haven't even gotten a ticket before." he chuckled.
"Built in radar detector."
"Haha very funny." I fumed. "Remember my Dad's a cop, I was raised by the rules.
Besides, if you decide to turn us into a Volvo pretzel, you could probably just walk away."
"Probably," he smirked.
He shifted a bit.
"But you can't."
I watched as the needle drifted toward eighty.
I breathed.
"I hate driving slow." he muttered.
"What are you, a maniac?"
"Alfred, enough." he snapped. "I'm still waiting for your latest theory."
I became quiet.
He looked at me, his eyes unexpectedly soft.
"I won't laugh," he promised.
"I don't think you'll be laughing."
"Is it that bad?"
"Yeah."
He waited. I looked at my hands.
"Go ahead." his voice was calm.
"I don't know how to start."
"Well, start from the beginning . . . you said you didn't come up with this on your own."
"No."
"What got you started then, a book? A movie?" he asked.
"No, it was Saturday, at the beach."
He looked puzzled.
"I ran into a old family friend, Gilbert Beilschmidt," I continued. "My dad and his have been friends since I was a baby."
He had a poker face.
"Gilbert took me on a walk, and told me some stories . . ." I hesitated.
"Go on," he sounded tense.
"One was about . . . vampires." I whispered.

Arthur stared solemnly at the road.
"And you immediately thought of me?"
"No. He . . . mentioned your family."
His grip tighten on the wheel.
"Did he?" his voice darkened.
I feared for Gilbert's life.
"Yeah, but he didn't mean anything, I swear."
Arthur rolled his eyes. "That'll be the first."
You've only met him once?
He interrupted my thoughts.
"Was that all you did then, listen to stories." he asked.
"No, after that I . . . looked it up on the internet."
He scoffed. "And did that convince you?"
"No , not really, most of it seem like a joke, and well . . . ,"
"Well what?"
I glanced out the window.
"I decided, it didn't matter."
"Didn't matter?"
I look at him.
"It doesn't matter to me, what you are." I admitted softly, surprising myself.
His eyes were shocked for a second, then turned scornful.
A mocking tone entered his voice.
"You wouldn't care if I was a monster? If I wasn't human?"
"No."
He turned toward the road again.
His eyes cold.
I laid back.
"I shouldn't have said anything."
"No." His voice was bitter. "I rather know what's in that demented head of yours, then be left questioning your insanity."
"So, am I wrong?" I glanced at him.
"That's not what I'm referring to Alfred, you said it yourself."
He quoted. "It doesn't matter." he grounded his teeth together.
"Wait! I'm right?" I sat up.
"Does it matter?
Woah . . .
"No." I paused. "I guess not?" I laid back again.
Arthur's a vampire . . .
"But," I turned so that I was looking at him.
"I am curious."
That explains, so much.
Arthur shook his head. "Go ahead." he answered.
I scooted a little closer.

The interrogation began.

"How old are you?"
"Nineteen."
Nineteen?
He must have saw the confusion on my face, because he explained.
"Everyone assumes I'm young because of the way I look. It's helpful at times, like when you have to pretend your seventeen."
I nodded.
"And how long have you been nineteen?"
"Long enough." he fidgeted.
I smiled and poked his shoulder. "Are you an old man?"
His eye twitched. "Like I said, long enough." he growled, and swatted my hand away.
"Okay, grandpa." I smirked.
He scowled at me.

I continued questioning.

"So how come you can come out in the daylight?"
He rolled his eyes.
"Myth."
"Burned by the sun."
"Myth."
"Sleeping in coffins?"
"Only on Thursdays."
"Really?"
"No."
He hesitated for a moment, and a unuasual tone entered his voice.
"I can't sleep."
It took a minute for me to absorb that. "Like, at all?"
"Never."
He locked his eyes with mine, holding my gaze.
His expression looked wishful.
He finally looked away.
"You haven't asked me the most important question yet, git."
His voice was slick again. His eyes cold as he glanced at me.
"Which one?" I asked confused by the switch of personality.
"You aren't concerned about my eating habits?" he asked sarcastically.
"Oh." shit. "That."
"Yes, that." His voice bleak. "Don't you want to know if I drink blood?"
I felt nervous.
"Well, Gilbert mention something like that."
"What did Gilbert say?" he asked flatly.
"He said, that . . . you didn't hunt people, but the Juileutes, still didn't want you on their land."
"He didn't mention that we were dangerous."
"No."
His expression darkened but soon returned normal.
"So was he right? About not hunting people?" I tried not to sound desperate.
"The Juileutes have a long memory." he said after a while.
I took that as a yes.
"Don't let that fool you though." he warned. "They were right to keep us off their land."
"I don't understand."
"We try Alfred," he explained slowly. "Were usually very good at what we do. Sometimes we make mistakes. I, for example, letting myself be alone with you."
"This is a mistake?"
I could hear the sadness in my voice, as I asked.
"Yes, a dangerous one." He gripped the wheel on both sides.

It was silent then. The night, never-ending.
Arthur's last comment . . . couldn't be true, could it, no . . . What am I thinking , of course it is. That meant we wouldn't be able to see each other. To be near each other. After we just began to be . . . friends.
Every passing minute, I was losing my time with him.
"Tell me more," I whispered.
He looked at me. "What more do you want to know?"
"Tell me why you hunt animals instead of people."
"I don't want to be a monster." He explained.
"But animals aren't enough?"
He paused. "I can't be sure, of course, but I'd compare it to living on tofu and soy milk. We like to call ourselves vegetarians, our little inside joke. It doesn't completely satisfy the hunger or rather thirst. But it keeps us strong enough to resist. Most of the time."
His tone turned ominous. "Sometimes it's more difficult than others."
"Is it difficult for you now?"
He sighed. "Yes."
"But you're not hungry now," I said confident.
"Why do you think that?"
"Your eyes, I told you I had a theory. Plus, people are always crankier when their hungry, specially guys."
He chuckled. "You're observant, aren't you?"
I didn't answer. I just listened to his voice . . . liking the sound of it.
"Were you hunting this weekend, with Antonio?" I asked, when it was quiet again.
"Yes." He paused for a second, as if deciding whether to talk or not." I didn't want to leave, but it was necessary. It's a bit easier to be around you when I'm not thirsty."
"Why didn't you want to leave?"
Arthur shifted uncomfortably.
"It makes me . . . anxious . . . to be away from you."
Ba dump.
His eyes were gentle and they made my bones go soft.
"I wasn't joking when I asked you to try not to fall into the ocean, or get run over last Thursday. I was distracted all weekend, because of you. And after what happened tonight, I'm surprised that you made it through an entire weekend unscathed."
He shook his head, and then seemed to remember something.
"Well, almost."
"What?"
"Your hands."
I looked down at my palms, seeing almost healed scrapes across the heels of my hands.
"I . . . tripped." I admitted sheepishly.
"That's what I thought." he sounded smug. "I suppose, being you, anything's possible. That possibility tormented me the entire time. It was a very long three days. Antonio wouldn't stop pestering me about it . . ."
He frowned, seeming to recall something.
"Three days? Didn't you just get back today?"
"No, we got back Sunday."
What!?
"Then why weren't any of you in school?" I was a little upset. I went through a lot, those three days.

"You asked if the sun affected me. Well, it does . . . but not in the way you would think."
"What do you mean?"
His face looked hesitant.
"I'll . . show you some time."
I thought about that for a moment.
The idea made me curious.
I looked down at my hands.
"You've could've called me." I decided to say.
He looked puzzled. "I knew you were safe, Alfred."
"Yeah, but I didn't know where you were. I -".
I lowered my head hiding my blush.
"I What?" his velvety voice compelling.
"I . . . I don't like it when your gone. It makes me . . . anxious too." I confessed.
Arthur was quiet. I glanced over, and saw his expression pained.
"Oh, Alfred." he groaned quietly. "Don't."
"Don't what?" I was confused.
"Alfred. It's one thing for me to make myself entirely miserable, but a whole other thing for you to be so involved."
He turned his anguished eyes to the road, his words flowing almost to fast for me to understand.
"I don't want to hear you feel that way." His voice was low but urgent. "I'm dangerous Alfred, can't you grasp that."
"No." I pouted.
"I'm serious." he growled.
"So am I." I would not backdown. "I told you, it doesn't matter to me, what you are. I'm your friend Arthur. I would never-"
His voice whipped out. "Never say that."
I bit my lip, holding back my words.
It hurt, to hear Arthur say that. His voice full of hate.
So we can't be friends . . .
I fixed my gaze on the speedometer.
90 . . . 96 . . .100

"What are you thinking?" he asked.
"I'm thinking . . . on how unbelievable you can be."
I was frustrated with him.
He looked at me and I glared.
"So you don't want to be friends, dude, make up your mind!"
He looked at me shock. "Alfred I wasn't pertaining to that. I simply meant . ."
"Meant what?"
He looked down a little, his hair covering his eyes.
"A . . . friend of mine said those exact words to me, many years ago, and . . . nothing good came out of it."
He continued.
"I have a past, that I'm not proud of Alfred . . . one that I wish I could forget. Being reminded . . . brings back too many memories." he paused.
"Do you understand now, why I was so hostile to you?" he asked, his eyes searching for forgiveness.
"Yeah . . ."
I realized this was the first time that Arthur had ever truly opened up to me.
He trusted me enough . . . like I did him.
"I understand."
His eyes were like crystals.
"Are you crying?" he asked shocked.
I felt a few tears drop. I don't know why . . .
"No." I took off my glasses and wiped my eyes.
"You're a terrible liar."
I smiled at him.
"Yeah, well at least I don't suck at cooking." I put my glasses back on.
He punched me. I laughed.

For the rest of the ride, we listened to the radio, and enjoyed each others company.
As we entered Spork's boundaries the radio turned onto a commercial. The first one to be all about the supernatural.
I thought that was ironic.
"Can I ask you something?" Arthur asked.
"Sure, hit me." I turned towards him.
"What were you thinking tonight, just before I came around the corner? You seemed to be distracted by something."
Someone save me . . .
"I was trying to remember what Matt tought me about self-defense."
"You were going to fight them?" This seemed to upset him.
"Didn't you think about running?"
"They had me cornered like an animal, I wouldn't have escaped."
"What about shouting for help?"
I rubbed my neck. "I didn't really think about that."
He shook his head.
"You were right, I'm definitely fighting fate trying to keep you alive." he sighed.
He parked right in front of my house, leaving the engine on.
I didn't feel like leaving yet.
"Will you be here tomorrow?"I asked.
"Yes, you're not the only one without a paper due." He smiled. "I'll save you a seat at lunch."
I nodded, and reached for the door handle, gripping it hesitantly.
"Oh, Alfred?"
"Yes." I answered a bit too eagerly.
"Will you promise me something?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"Don't go into the woods alone."
I blinked. "Why not?"
He frowned and placed his right hand on the middle compartment, while the other on the wheel.
"I'm not always the most dangerous thing out there." He looked out the window.
"Let's leave it at that."
I shivered inside, at the tone of his voice.
"Okay." I reached for the handle again but stopped.
"You know, you saved my life again today."
I sat in my seat.
"It was nothing Alfred, common curtsey."
"Yeah, well I really appreciated."
I leaned closer to him, and placed my hand near his.
He looked at me, our eyes met.
"I owe you one." My breath blew into his face.
His eyes widen and I leaned away.
"Goodnight Artie." I smiled and grabbed the handle to step out.
I walked up to my porch and looked over, to hear the engine rev.
He sped away quickly after. I stood there for a while before entering.
Did I really just . . .
"Alfred?"
"Yeah, it's me." I walked over to the couch. He was watching football.
Try to seduce Arthur Kirkland.
"Your home early."
"I am?" I looked at the clock.
"Yeah kiddo, it's not even eight yet."
He muted the tv. "Speaking of which, how was shopping?" he smirked.
"It was . . . okay?" If only he knew.
"They both found dresses."
He watched me. "Are you alright, you looked tired."
"Yah." I stretched. "That ride tired me out, I think I'll go lay down."
"Okay." He unmuted the t.v.
I headed over to the kitchen to grab a drink from the fridge.
Ring. Ring.
"I got it." I walked over and picked up the phone.
"Hello." I yawned.
"Alfred!" I jumped.
"Jess?" I cracked open my soda.
"You made it home?" Her voice was relieved . . . and surprised.
"No, your calling a random strangers house and I happened to walk through the front door." I took a sip.
"Don't you be sarcastic with me mister! What happened on your date with Kirkland."
I spitz my drink.
"What!"
"You heard me."
My cheeks began to heat.
"I don't know what your talking about, he just bought me dinner."
"Exactly!"
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever Jess, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Alfred don-" I hang up on her.
I could still feel my face hot as I hung up the phone.
I gulped down some soda and headed upstairs.

My mind was clouded as I went through the process of going to bed.
I kicked off my shoes and laid my jacket gently on the pillow.
I paused taking my shirt off to sniffed my armpit.
Woah.
"I need a shower."
I headed to the bathroom and grabbed a towel on the way.
I dozed off as the warm water enveloped me, relaxing my tense shoulders.
"Ah . .yah."
It was at least ten minutes before the water started to get cold.
I turned it off, and shuffled the towel through my hair before wrapping it around my waist. I walked into my room shivering as the cold contacted my skin and let the towel drop as I pulled on some boxers. I pulled a random shirt over my head, and crawled into bed. I pulled off my glasses and set them on the side drawer.
My head began to swarm with thoughts about today as I laid my head down.
I reached over for my jacket, and smelled it. It still had Arthur's scent.
That's when I knew, I had my answer.

There were three things I was sure of. One, Arthur was a vampire. Two, there was a part of him that craved for my blood, but also made me feel safe. Three, his eyebrows now that I think about it, are a very sexy feature.
And that, I Alfred F. Jones had fallen for him.

Yes, . . . yes I did.

Woah ho ho, this chapter was interesting. I don't know about you guys but I'm sensing some love.
They don't call me the love doctor for nonthin.
2p: No one calls you that.
ME: *stares at her* When did you get here?
2p: It's call taking a cab.
Me: Whatever, anyways I hope you liked this chapter. Please forgive me, if I could I would bake you all snickeldoodles.
Peace, my fellow Hetalians.