Okay. First I have to say you are all probably the nicest people ever. Your reviews always make my day and you are all just…I can't even explain it. Amazing is an understatement. Thank you sooooooooooooo much.

Okay… here's chp 11!

(Line Break. Austin's POV)

Austin sat at the back of the room in his fourth period Calculus class. His schedule had been changed back (courtesy of Trish) and now beside him sat Kira instead of Ally.

Austin winced at the thought of her name. He hadn't seen her yet, but he'd heard the whispers and the laughs. People had glanced at him too but they never dared to look for more than half a second, then whispered about him again when they thought he couldn't hear. But he did. In fact he heard everything.

And so did Kira. She'd sneered and glared at Austin when she'd heard the first rumour, but he'd feigned an annoyed glance and muttered, "Rumours." He'd told her that that time in Biology had been the last time he'd spoken to Ally, that she hadn't been worth his time. She wasn't a Truth Seer like Trish. She wouldn't know.

Besides. To her Ally was just an annoying human, who he shouldn't have had any interest in the first place. Of course she would believe this excuse.

Ms. Remy had just started the lesson when a voice in his head made him jump.

Austin, Kira's voice echoed, and he glanced in her direction, responding silently.

So…What did you three do while I was in Alaska. I'm sure you didn't have any fun without me.

Austin avoided her eyes, pretending to be suddenly interested in a loose string on the sleeve of his shirt. Of course not. How could I have fun if I'm missing you. He was glad he could think the lie instead of speaking it.

Kira moved her chair closer to him, discreetly, so that no human would notice. They were almost touching now and Austin tensed. Even with a long-sleeved shirt on he still feared that Kira would feel the heat coming off him from his attachment to Ally. Trish had told him not to make it too obvious, but if Kira moved just a little bit closer…

I hate this place, Kira interrupted his thoughts by thinking. The humans here are such nosy gossips. Can't stay out of anyone's business. Did Lyla come any closer to finding that stupid girl yet? I want to go home.

Austin flinched, resisting the urge to defend Ally. No. She's hidden too well.

What do you mean 'hidden too well'. Lyla is the best hunter we have, she should've found her by now. Maybe we should send her back and bring in someone else.

A small flare of panic fired in Austin and he struggled to contain it, quickly coming up with an excuse. No. Lyla just hasn't been able to pick up her sent with the strand of hair we have.

That makes no sense, Lyla checked the school on the first day. Her sent was everywhere. What, all of a sudden it just shut off?

He was running out of excuses. He needed to change the topic. Suddenly he met her eyes. Kira…he started, hoping to look concerned. You seem more restless than you usually are. What's wrong?

She stared at him, her eyes going from irritated to distressed. I just…This assignment from the council is postponing the wedding plans.

It was a miracle that Austin had been able to keep his concerned face. The wedding had never been a thing he liked to talk about. It stressed him out to think about it but Kira brought it up whenever she could.

It's just, I know you never completely wanted to go along with it and I feel like the longer we wait the more you'll hate the idea and then there's that girl-

Kira I wouldn't leave you for a human. He'd gone back to playing with his shirt, hating this topic more than the last.

And I know that but…Austin just rip it off!

The sudden subject change had caught him off guard and it wasn't until she had started reaching for the string on his shirt that he realized what she was referring to. He quickly yanked his hand away, sending his things flying.

Ms. Remy glared at him as he picked up his things, then went back to her lesson, her voice now holding a slightly annoyed tone.

What is wrong with you? Kira's eyes were incredulous.

He shook his head. Sorry I just…haven't fed enough. Do you mind if we not talk anymore.

She raised an eyebrow but turned away. Fine.

They sat there in silence until the bell rang, and when it did Austin was out of his seat before he Kira could give him another glance. His next class was Art with Dez. Ally was in that class. He needed to see her to see how she was holding up even if he couldn't talk to her.

(Ally's POV)

Ally was losing it. And not emotionally. In fact, she had been surprised at how much more irritated she'd been rather than embarrassed. From that morning till now she'd been resisting the urge to tell everyone to shut up. Honestly were people really this interested in her personal life. She'd had to close her eyes and count to ten when she'd found SLUT written in big black permanent letters across her lockers.

Now, she sat in Art at the back of the class, with her hand on her forehead, eyes closed, trying to block out the whispers of the few people who were already there. It was taking everything in her not to throw her head on the desk.

The bell rand and she jumped, a sudden jolt of panic going through her, she hadn't seen Brooke or Cassidy yet and she wasn't looking forward to it. And...Austin hadn't been in her first period History class, so she assumed he'd had his schedule changed back. But even before he'd been in this class.

Ally bit her lip, fighting her emotions. She wanted to see him. So badly. But she knew that if he was still in this class, her life would be a lot worse after this class than it was this morning. She was conflicted.

The class began to fill up, and her eyes kept flitting to the door, carefully avoiding the people who were staring at her. Cassidy came in first, quickly followed by Brooke. Their eyes found hers immediately and, to her surprise, Ally scowled. She hadn't realized how angry with them she really was. Her best friends since middle school, had turned on her so quickly to save their own popularity. They had never really been her friends, and she was angry with them for all the lies and all the wasted time.

Cassidy was quick to sneer back, but Brooke looked away, tucking her hair behind her ear. They went to their usual seats at the front of the class. Cassidy sat in the middle now, in what used to be Ally's seat, Brooke on her right, the left one empty, which surprised Ally. She assumed she'd already been replaced.

And a few seconds after that, Austin walked in. There eyes met for all of one second before he started to a seat on the other side of the class, Dez behind him. And in that second her heart had managed burst from the tiny hole it'd been in all day, because in that small look he'd managed to send her everything he'd given her yesterday, reminding her that all this was worth it. Her stomach fluttered and she looked down trying to look distraught for all the eyes watching, though she was really hiding her smile.

Mrs. Kaylyn, started her lesson soon after that, speaking of realism with charcoal, but Ally wasn't listening. She couldn't stop wondering if Austin was looking at her, though she knew he wasn't, and was fighting the strong urge to look at him. Then a voice in her head made her freeze.

Are you okay?

Austin's voice echoed in her head, and as she relaxed she pressed her lips together, her smile threatening to break free. As discreetly as she could she nodded.

Are you sure?

She nodded again.

Okay...good. I was worried about you.

Her smile broke out and she bit her lip, nonchalantly putting her hands to her cheeks. She wished she could talk back to him, tell him she was perfectly fine, and that, well, that she missed talking to him. That him ignoring her, even though it was just an act, hurt more than the comments, whispers and rumors did.

If I can get away from Kira, I promise I'll come and find you today.

Delighted, she tuned back into Mrs. Kaylyn, counting the minutes.

(Line Break)

The day seemed to drag on, and by the time lunch finally came around, Ally wanted to scream. Had school always been this boring?

She started to her locker, feeling only a little weird that Brooke and Cassidy weren't there hounding her to hurry up. She sneered at the letters on her locker, now smudged, probably by a teacher or the principle.

As if on cue an announcement blared through the halls.

"Please excuse the interruption," spoke the voice of Principle Hart. "I'd like to have the attention of all students, please stop what you're doing." Some people stopped, while most completely ignored him. "This announcement goes out to the students who have taken a sudden interest on drawing on the lockers. The lockers are school property and drawing on them is considered vandalism, if we catch you doing it again it could lead to suspension. I hope I've made myself clear. That is all, thank you."

Ally sighs, throwing my books in and slamming my locker shut, leaving my money since there's no way I'm going to the cafeteria. I'm not hungry anyway. I start down that hall heading for outside when the speakers adjust again.

"Sorry. Allyson Dawson please come to the principle's office, thank you."

She groans inwardly, turning and stocking off in the opposite direction. Reaching the principle's office, she threw open the door storming, startling the secretary.

"You wanted to see me? If it's about the locker I think it's kind of dumb for you to assume that I would write that on my own locker."

The secretary blinks, opening her mouth to answer when a blonde woman, looking to be in her early thirties, comes in to the room from a door in the back. Ally raised an eyebrow, waiting.

"Hi," the woman says. "Allyson, is it?"

"Ally," she corrects quickly, her tone, bored, annoyed.

"Right, hi Ally. I'm Ms. Kent, the new guidance counselor."

Ally closed her eyes, realizing exactly what this was. "Um, no. Sorry I'm not doing this."

Ms. Kent raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

Ally took a step back towards the door. "I don't need this. I'm fine. That stuff going around in the halls, the rumors...nothing I can't handle, really."

The guidance counselor scoffed. "Ally really, you don't need to be ashamed of-"

"Okay." Ally put her hands up. "I'm gonna to stop you right there." She paused, staring the woman dead in the eye. "I'm fine. Goodbye." With that she turned and walked out of the room, half jogging down the hall before Ms. Kent could catch up with her.

When she reached the end and no one had followed her she stopped, leaning against the lockers, containing her anger. The halls were empty now, so she could let her emotions out furiously if she wanted to, but she feared that if she let them out they'd never completely go back in. So taking a deep breath, she stood up and turned the corner.

And froze.

Austin was there. But he wasn't alone. Kira was with him. He had her pressed against the lockers and was kissing her intently.

The air seemed to be knocked out of Ally. She felt light headed and dizzy, and she put a hand against the lockers to steady herself. Then yanked it away, as if it burned.

The sudden movement shocked her out of her daze and she turned quickly, going back the way she came. She half jogged to the end of the hall to the exit doors. Throwing them open she strode out quickly, stopping short, to catch her breath, cursing when she felt her eyes start to sting.

She shouldn't have felt hurt, or betrayed. Kira was his girlfriend, he was...kissing his girlfriend, he had done nothing wrong. So why did she feel like she'd been stabbed in the chest.

Or maybe she didn't feel hurt or betrayed...no she did, but maybe those were just that smaller affects of something else. Maybe the stab of pain in her chest was from...jealousy.

Ally rolled her eyes, annoyed at herself. If she was jealous, it was a pointless waste of time, because it would never lead up to anything. He wouldn't leave Kira for her, not that that would ever come up, and he would never like her like that. She was human, he was a...vampire. It was stupid to feel this way.

But as that set in, Ally felt the tears start to moisten her eyes. Because as stupid as it was, she'd had hope. Hope that he had secretly felt the same way about her, which she now realized was a lot stronger than she thought she had. But it had been false hope, wishful thinking, and now that reality had broken through that, she'd have to let it go, before her emotions did anything stupid.

Closing her eyes and forcing the tears back in, she started forward...only to crash into something, or from what she could tell of the muscle and clothing fabric, someone.

As she jerked back her eyes flew open. A gasp threatened to escape her and she clamped her mouth shut. Dallas stood in front of her, looking menacing as he towered over more than usual since today, out of a self-conscious choice, she was wearing flats.

But his presence, though a big part of it, wasn't the only reason why she wanted to gasp. His face was myriad of scars and bruised. The was barely and inch of skin that was purple, his left eye was swollen shut and his bottom lip was huge.

Ally took a step back, hands slowly dropping from her mouth. "Dallas?" She breathed incredulously. "What-who did this to you?" She didn't feel bad, not in the least. But she was still appalled at whoever had done this, appalled at anyone who could do this to someone and not feel guilty at all.

The side of his mouth pulled back into a sneer and with his damaged face he looked more menacing than ever. Ally flinched.

Dallas took a minute before he said anything. He looked stiff, like he was holding back his pain. "I did," he hissed.

Then he swiftly moved pass Ally and started toward the school.

She didn't look back. She was too busy staring into empty space as two puzzle pieces in her head clicked together.

(Line Break)

The dismissal bell rang, and to his own surprise, Austin let out a sigh. He hadn't realized he'd been so anxious.

Okay he had. But he couldn't help it. He missed Ally and he was so happy that this day of keeping Kira distracted and away from Ally was over. The second he got away from her he would go find Ally.

He was just about to head to the exit doors when there was a voice in his head that made him drop his things.

Get to the main hallway now! Trish's voice yelled at him. We have a problem!

He quickly got his things and started to the main hallway. When he got there he nearly dropped his things again. The first thing his eyes saw was Ally, looking annoyed, menacing and almost...disgusted. An Ally he'd always seen when she was mad at him. And then he saw Kira, standing in front Ally, looking like she was ready to rip her head, and then Trish, who standing behind Kira, who's expression was unreadable.

A surge of panic rushed through him and he started making his way through the small crowd that had formed.

What happened? He screamed at Trish in her head.

He saw her jump slightly from the sudden message. None of this was my fault. Was Ally listening to any of what we said back in San Fran?

Trish what happened?

After lunch me and Kira passed by Ally twice and both Ally would not stop glaring at Kira, though I tried to give her the hints. By the second time Kira had lost it so when we passed Ally again, this time, just now after the bell rang, Kira knocked Ally's books out of her hand and Ally called Kira a bitch and Dez is in the back corner over there doing everything he can to try and calm Kira down but honestly it's not working and-

Trish cut herself, taken aback, because Ally had lunged forward, fastening her hands on Kira's shoulders and shoving back hard, sending Kira flailing to the ground.

Austin stopped dead, and a few gasp escaped the crowd around them. Trish's eyes were wide and just like Austin she was frozen in place. Ally was no different. As soon as Kira had hit the ground all signs of annoyance and disgust had left her and now she looked just as shocked as the rest of them.

But the moment of shock didn't last long. It had really only been a second, because if it had been any longer, Ally would've been ripped to shreds. Kira was already on her feet and was about to dive for Ally, but Trish was there restraining her arms and Austin was in front of her.

His back was to her and he was facing Ally. Their eyes met and he gave her a panicked look.

You need to leave.

She stared at him for a second longer, regret in her eyes. Then biting her lip, she turned and pushed her way through the crowd. He watched her go until she was through the crowd and out of the main hallway, then his eyes found Dez.

Follow her home. Dez nodded and left the hall. It was just for precaution, just in case Kira got away from them.

Then he glared at the remaining crowd, most having left fearing the appearance of teachers. They dispersed and he turned to Kira. She'd stopped squirming in Trish's hold, now just standing, making her glare more fearsome.

He would have to keep a closer watch on Ally now. Not only did, Kira hate her, but Ally had shoved her down. Kira knew very well that no human would have ever been able done that to her, especially not then, when she was on her guard. Ally would've had to use a lot of strength to do that. Strength that he knew she had never had until today, that could have only been unlocked with a great amount of anger or any other emotion. That is what The Enchantress had said.

But she had looked angry. So angry at what? What could have made her so mad to act out that way after he told her she needed to avoid Kira?

But that wasn't the biggest problem. Because now Kira knew something was up.

(Line Break)

Ally sat at one of the stools by her counter, playing with her pasta. She'd been very quiet all afternoon, not opening her mouth once. She couldn't believe herself. She couldn't believe she had done that.

It was seven o'clock at night and she was still saying the same words in her over and over and over again. She didn't even realize her dad had been staring at her until he said her name. She glanced up.

"I want to talk to you."

She stared, waiting as he took a seat on the stool across from her.

"Ally..." he started. "You've been...acting out lately."

At that Ally got up, taking her plate with her and walking over to the sink.

"Sit down, Allyson."

In no mood to argue, Ally threw her plate into the sink and walked back to the stool, sitting down. She gave him an expressionless stare.

Her dad sighed. "Ally is there something wrong? Have I done anything to make you act like this?"

Ally winced, feeling a pang of guilt, knowing that she'd made her dad feel like he was doing something wrong with her, when really, he was a great dad. Besides the fact that he wouldn't tell her about her mother, everything else had been all her, and it hadn't been anything bad like parties and alcohol and drugs or anything that she suspected her dad was thinking. But she couldn't tell him the truth. If she told him about Austin she would have to tell him what she was doing with Austin and she couldn't tell him that. Imagine how many false conclusions her dad would come to. The last thing she could tell her dad was that she'd been spending all her secret time with a guy.

Ally sighed, looking away, speaking for the first time that night. "You haven't done anything wrong dad. When I'm out I'm not doing anything bad, I promise, I'm just...with some friends." She scowled. That's not what she'd wanted to say.

She could feel her dad's glare intensifying. "Friends? Cassidy and Brooke?"

Now she was stuck. If she told him yes he would probably call their parents and then what? "Um...not exactly."

"Then who Allyson!"

Ally stayed silent, keeping her eyes down. No way would she be able to tell a convincing lie right now.

She heard her dad get up and finally she looked up.

"Then I'm done playing nice Allyson. If you won't tell me anything I have no choice but to assume the worst. Whoever these friends are you are not to see them again."

She nodded, only because it didn't matter. One way or another, she was going to end up seeing Austin again, whether it was her choice or not. She wouldn't be surprised if he showed up tonight after what happened today.

"I mean it Ally! As of now you are on house arrest, only to leave for school, and if you try to sneak out again, so help me Allyson I will bolt your windows down and board them up!"

That was a problem. But there was no point in arguing, not when she could feel how serious he was. So why did she open her mouth.

"Why? It's not like I've really done anything wrong besides coming a little late!"

"Four o'clock in the morning is a little late?!"

"That was just one time!"

"And you have yet to tell me where you were and what you were doing! What could you possibly be doing with these 'friends' of yours that make you come bloody and scarred?!"

Silence. She had no answer for that.

Her dad nodded. "When you can answer my questions, then you can have your car back, and then will you be un-grounded. But only then, Allyson." He started to walk down the hall, to his office, but Ally got up from her stool.

"What about mine?" His steps faltered, but he kept walking and she kept talking. "Why can't you tell me about my mother? It's been seventeen years and I know nothing about her except that she is dead! Why can't you get over yourself enough to tell me something-anything about her? She was my mother I deserve to know!" He'd already disappeared down the hall, and at her last word she'd heard the door to his office slam shut.

She huffed out an exasperated, frustrated sigh and resisted the urge to scream. She didn't realize she was crying until she tasted the tears in her mouth. Rubbing them away fiercely, she stormed up the stairs, slamming her door shut, mimicking her father. She collapsed into hysterical sobs on the floor, surprised at herself, not realized she'd been holding all this in.

After the sobs subsided into shaky gasp, she got up and stormed over to the window, shoving open all the way. The wind rushed against her face, cooling it from the hot tears, lessening her gasp. She knelt down, folding her arms on the window seat and dropping her head into them. She waited for herself to calm down, needing to forget bout her dad so she could focus on the bigger problem.

(Line Break. Meanwhile...)

"So who is she?"

Austin looked up from his hands, meeting Kira's fierce glare. The two of them were alone, somewhere in the woods of Colorado. It's where Austin had dragged her off to talk. He didn't feel comfortable having her in the same state as Ally.

As soon as he met her eyes he looked away, knowing he couldn't lie if she was staring at him like that. "We think she's a runaway fledgling from another clan. She isn't ours, Lyla already checked."

He heard Kira push off the tree she was leaning on. "So all three of you knew?"

Austin looked at her and nodded. "Why the hell didn't any of you tell me?"

He sighed. "We didn't think it was best to tell just in case you tried to kill her."

Kira raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean try? Of course I would've killed her."

"Which is exactly why we didn't tell you. If you killed her, it could mean a potential war with whatever clan she's from."

"Well I was almost about to kill her today anyway. Right in the middle of that school. How would that have turned out?"

"I know. We should have told you."

"Damn right you should've told me. Why didn't you just explain this to me from the start?"

Austin shrugged. "It was easier not to."

Kira scowled, then after a second her face eased up. "Is that why you were hanging around her so much?"

He nodded.

She scoffed. "Well great job. I'm sure you haven't realized that she has a crush on you now."

Austin frowned. "What?"

"It's why she pushed me. I was taunting her about you." Kira smiled at the memory. "I could tell she was mad. I'm sure Dez could tell you."

Austin's frown deepened. "What did you say?"

"I told her the truth. That she should get over her jealousy because you don't give a damn about her." Suddenly Kira's eyes narrowed and she took a step closer to Austin.

"I don't like her, Austin. In fact I hate her. I don't care one bit about this other clan. The next time she does something to piss me off I will kill her. You should tell her to watch her back."

(Line Break)

When Ally finally did calm down she jumped up, taking a deep breath. Then she replayed what had happened again and again in her head.

She'd picked a fight with Kira.

Not directly, but it had been her fault. No matter how hard she'd tried she couldn't stop herself for thing about how Austin was pressed against her on the lockers every time she passed her in the hallway, causing her to send a disgusted glare her way every time. And as luck would have she passed her twice. It doesn't seem like a lot but for Kira it was.

And then she passed her a third time and that time it was Kira who had acted out and shoved Ally's books out of her hand. And Ally knew damn well after everything Austin, Trish had said that she should have just walked away.

But no matter how stupid she'd said it was, she was jealous, jealous of Kira, and in that moment her jealousy had won. She'd called on Kira, calling her a bitch and Kira had came back. They tossed back insults and argued, but even Ally didn't predict the way she lashed out at Kira, even after what Kira had said.

"Next time just watch where you put your ugly hands when you're walking," Ally had said, about to walk away.

"Oh, please. Don't pretend that this about me shoving your books out of your hand. You're really just mad because I was right. I told you, you would get burned and that's exactly what's happened. You're just mad because Austin's ditched you after you've grown some feelings for him and now you're jealous of me. Well right now I'm doing you a favor. I'm telling you your jealousy is pointless. You're just wasting you're own time. He'll never like you."

Just remembering the words made Ally seethe.

It was those words that had pushed her to the breaking point. The fact that Kira had only been repeating her earlier thoughts made it even worse.

But did she really care about Austin so much to forget his own words? That Kira couldn't know she knew. That she should've been avoiding her.

She already knew the answer.

Ally turned, looking at herself in her mirror, for a second, before putting a hand over her eyes in frustration.

She did have feelings for Austin. Strong ones. There was no denying it. So what was she going to do?

Suddenly the air around her shifted and she could feel a presence in her room. They couldn't sneak up on her anymore, she was to used to it.

She sighed, turning and dropping her hand. Austin stood in front of her. She hadn't turned the light on so the moonlight from the window was lighting up his face, the wind blowing at his hair and the sight was making her stomach fill with butterflies. She couldn't help but feel like they'd stepped right out of a movie scene. He staring at her with a confused expression. She looked away.

"I know what you're going to say." She spoke softly. "And I can't answer your question."

He didn't move, expression unchanging. "No, you can. But you won't."

She huffed a laugh. "It must feel different for you, being on the other end of that."

He sighed. "Ally-"

She cut him off, changing the subject. "My dad put me on house arrest. I bet that this is the last time I'll be able to open that window without hearing an alarm."

There was minute of silence before he said anything. "That's probably for the best. I really don't want you anywhere alone right now."

She started playing with a piece of string on her jeans. "I'll be alone in this house. On the weekends."

He didn't answer and when she looked at him he was giving her a knowing smirk. A faint smile made it's way across her lips.

"Of course I won't."

His smirk dropped. "Ally-"

"I really don't want to talk about it."

"We have to talk about it eventually."

"But that doesn't have to be now."

He tilted his head, then looked away. "Okay. Let's not talk about it. Let's talk about something else."

She looked to the floor. "Like what?"

"Do you remember, when I told you I was a vampire, Trish and Dez arguing, and then he mentioned something called a Soul Seeker."

Her head shot up, curiosity filling her eyes. "Yes. What about it?"

Austin smirked at her expression. "A Soul Seeker is one of five gifts that a vampire can have."

Ally took a step closer to him. "You're really telling me this?"

He nodded and continued. "The things a Soul Seeker can do have a lot to do with the title. They can sense if your soul is pure or evil, they can see auras, tap into your subconscious. They can also sense emotions, since those some from the heart and soul."

She smiled happy that he was finally opening up to her about something. Then something in the description made her expression falter. "Are you a Soul Seeker?"

He shook his head. "Only Dez."

She took a step back. "Dez can sense emotions?"

Austin's eyes soften, and his silence answered her question. Dez could sense emotions. He could sense her jealousy.

Ally looked down. "Oh." He knew she'd been jealous, and he came to tell her that it would never happen between them, that he would never feel that way about her.

Austin took a step closer to her and she took a step back. "So then," she started. "If you already know why I did what I did today then why are you here?"

He blinked. "So it's true then? You were jealous?"

She didn't like hearing him say it. It made her cringe. She took another step back and he took a step forward.

"I-" she started, broke of as a lump in her throat started to form. To his surprise, tears started to stream down her face.

He started to take another step. "Ally..."

"Stop," she choked out, finally meeting his eyes. "I don't want to hear what you have to say. I already know, so you can leave."

He frowned. "What?"

She shook her head. "Don't. Please just leave."

"Ally," he started, confused, "what exactly do you think I'm here to say to you?"

She looked up, so that he could see her tear streaked face, looking pained and embarrassed. He wanted nothing more than to wipe away her tears and cradle her face in his hands, but what ever that was making her act like this was causing her to throw up walls, and he knew that she wouldn't let him.

She stared at him, unblinking. "You're going to ask me why I was jealous, and I'm going to tell you it's because I...I like you. A lot. And you're going to tell me that you would never like me like that, and that it's ridiculous that I do." She'd managed to stop crying and was now rubbing fiercely at her tears, looking down.

Realization came over Austin and he took another step forward. She took another step back.

He sighed. "That's what Kira said to you."

She met his eyes then. "What? I mean, yes, she said that but I already knew, she'd only been confirming what I had already thought about, and that's why I was so mad..." she trailed off, sighing in frustration, then she shook her head. "The point is that it's true and I get it, so you can leave."

He shook his head, hating her false certainty. "No, no it's not true."

She frowned. "What?"

"Ally," he started, taking another step. This time when she stepped back she crashed into her dresser. He saw his chance, moving closer until he was only a millimeter away, so that her nose was almost touching his chin. Her hands were gripping the edge of the dresser behind her holding her up, because she was sure the butterflies in her stomach were threatening to move to her knees.

"Ally," he said again with a smile. "I like you too."

She blinked, her eyes widening in surprise. Then she frowned. "That doesn't make any sense," she whispered.

He looked amused. "Why?"

She looked at him in disbelief. "B-because. You...have Kira a-and you're a vampire." She looked down, because she couldn't tell herself the truth if she was looking into his eyes. Her voice was barely a whisper. "You can't like me."

He shook his head, finally losing the battle against himself and reaching up to stroke her cheek. Her eyes flitted back to meet his at the feather-like touch.

"None of that matters to me. I've never liked Kira and the only reason I'm with her is for a bunch of other things that I don't want to get into right now and I swear to you that if I found someone that I really like I would've left her a long time ago. But that someone is you. As for being a vampire, I could care less."

"B-but..." She was searching her mind for excuses now. Because this couldn't be true. He couldn't be saying these things. "But I saw you kiss her today. You couldn't have faked that."

"But I did. To get her off my back, so she would leave you alone. I did it for you, because ever since I met you Ally, my life has only been about protecting you and keeping you safe."

She was out. She had no excuses for that. But she still couldn't believe it. "I don't understand."

"You don't have to. Just promise me you will listen to your dad. Go straight home after school tomorrow and don't leave the house by yourself. No, don't even leave the house unless your with me. I won't be in school tomorrow and you have to promise me you'll be safe. Promise me."

Ally nods, helplessly. "I promise."

He seems to relax and he stares at her for a minute longer. And just as Ally thinks he's going to step away, he slips his hand behind her neck and pulled her closer, leaning down to place a slow kiss on her forehead. Automatically her eyes fell shut, forgetting everything around her except Austin and the pleasurable feeling of his soft lips against her head, not being able to help herself for wishing that they were somewhere else.

That wish was much stronger for him. The contact from the kiss had sent all her emotions to him, magnifying his attachment to her, his skin literally heating up with his love for her. But her walls were still up and some of her emotions were held back by doubt. If he'd kissed her on her lips she'd have felt his emotions too, thus breaking her walls. He longed for those built up emotions.

After what didn't feel like long enough, he pulled away, and a second after that, her eyes flew open. He stared at her adoringly for another second, tracing circles on her cheek, then his eyes drifted to her lips and he ran his thumb across her bottom lip.

"Not yet," he muttered, so quiet she didn't hear.

Then he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead against hers. Her eyes drifted shut.

"Goodnight Ally."

She'd opened her eyes as soon as he'd pulled away, but he' still managed to get away before she could see. He was gone, her window closed.

As soon as her body had registered his depart, her knees gave out and she let them. She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling and proceeded into a war with herself.

But he can't like you.

Did you not just see what happened? Were you not there?

But it's not possible. I was so sure.

Well, you've been wrong before.

But eventually the negative side of her lost.

No amount of denial could stop the smile that crossed her face when she'd thought, Austin likes me.

Because true or not, the thought itself made her smile.

(Line Break)

Kira was leaned against a tree, outside Brooke's house. She'd been planning to wait further away but the last tree she'd been leaning on had been accidentally set on fire by her annoyance. She hadn't bothered to put it out and she could here the sirens in the distance.

It was irritating to think that the four of them could lie to her. So irritating. She hadn't believed Austin's stupid other clan lie for a second. She'd known that they'd all been lying to her, and if they weren't going to tell her then she was going to do anything to find out the truth. Even if that meant killing a few innocent humans.

But killing isn't what she'd had in mind for this one. At least not yet.

Kira heard Brooke in her house before she'd even opened the door. As soon as she'd stepped on the porch Kira was. Brooke gasped loudly, jumping back.

"Kira? W-what are you doing here? Cassidy said she-"

"Cassidy's not here, I am."

Brooke raised her eyebrows. "Okay well, what do you want?"

Kira smiled sweetly, simply saying, "Your life as you know it."

Before Brooke had another word out, Kira's fangs had shot out and were quickly in her neck. When Kira released her, Brooke fell to ground, unconscious, blood seeping from her neck.

Or at least she thought she was unconscious. This wouldn't be the first time she'd accidentally killed a human. It wouldn't matter, there was always the blond she could go to, Cassidy.

But sure enough, Brooke was breathing. Kira smiled, satisfied. She turned and left, licking the excess venom that'd been released from her teeth.

"See you later," she called behind her, being awfully dramatic. "I have a lot in store for you."

DUN DUN DUNNNN!

Okay finally this is done, I'm so sorry it took so long, and I feel horrible because I told you all I would write more since summer but I've been so busy...ugh!

But anyways I have somethings to mention before I forget. 1. This chapter hasn't been my best work, In the beginning I was totally dry out of ideas. 2. Ally's school schedule is so messed up just dont pay attention to it 3. If this feels like its going too fast Im sorry but its because I'm trying to fit it in to 20 chps at min sooo yeah 4. I wonder how Kira set that tree on fire...?

If you guys are confused PM me and I'll do my best to clarify without giving too much away!

P.S I'll try not take so long to post the next one. Try to read some stories by ExtremeSaucicity. She's a great writer. I'm jealous :p

DONT FORGET TO REVIEW! :) Btw this 7k. BOOM.