Chapter 12
Even if I thought that I wasn't going to fell asleep quickly, I did it. Well, I didn't think I was going to fell asleep easily because I knew tomorrow morning we would leave Eliot's house, and I didn't want to do that; but that's what we had to do if we didn't want them to get hurt. But before we went to our 'beds', the atmosphere was quite awkward. Almost everyone kept quiet, just the adults talked about what to do after we leave. Mr Walter gave dad his car, so we would be traveling within a vehicle, at least. And Steve didn't talk to me; he just exchanged some words with Eliot, no more than that. That was making me worry- what was Steve thinking about me?
That's why I thought I wouldn't fell asleep easily, I had things to worry about.
In the morning, I stated that I really had a peacefully sleep- no vision or dream to make me wake up scared or terrify me during the night. Probably I was tired? It didn't matter. All that mattered was that it was 8 o'clock in the morning, mom was waking up Mely, and we were preparing to leave. It was my last chance to approach Steve and talk to him, but the basement wasn't a good place to have a conversation with him, because I wanted to talk to him face to face, without anybody in our presence. So I had to delay our conversation. I know I could just ask him to come upstairs with me, but I was nervous and scared of what he could say.
So I went upstairs alone, to the bathroom, to take a hot shower. I changed in my clothes but I didn't left the bathroom. I settled on the fluffy blue carpet and stared at the wall, looking bored at its model, some dolphins and drops of water around them. They seemed happy, like they were really swimming in the ocean. I was happy too, before the vampires came in, like that dolphins. A dolphin who happily swims till a poacher, a hunter, takes him away from his family and friends to use it. This was my case- just that I haven't been caught yet. And I didn't want to be caught- the dolphin's fate was awful after he was caught, and who knows if it isn't going to be the same for me?
I sighed and I let my eyes slide from the wall to the floor. It was grey, just like the sky. Sad, just like how I was feeling now.
I heard a knock at the door. 'Oh, how long have I been on the floor?' I asked myself. 'Probably not more than ten minutes, but probably somebody wants to use the bathroom…'
I got up fast but before I could open the door, the person behind it said:
"Can I come in?"
Oh, oh, it was Steve! This was the moment to talk with him! But could I?
I opened the door carefully, trying to keep calm. Steve entered the bathroom and closed the door behind him. He stood in front of me, looking in my eyes, looking a little nervous.
"So, you're leaving…" he began, trying to break the awkward silence.
"Yes." I answered simple, glancing down at my red Converse sneakers.
"Well, you haven't stayed here very long." He noticed.
I brushed away a fluff from the carpet with my feet.
"I know." I muttered.
"Lara, would you please look in my eyes?" he said making a step forward.
I raised my head and looked in his eyes as he said. In his eyes I could see a glimpse of pain.
I had to say what I had on my mind.
"Look, Steve, yesterday, the thought of what you think about me after I said that I can see the future drove me crazy." The words started flowing from my mouth. "And your silence just made it worst! I don't want you to see me like a weirdo, or like a stranger. I'm still Lara, the girl you know, just that you didn't know this thing about me. In fact, just my parents, Mely and Andi knew about it. And Andi told the vampires about it and that's why they're after us and I don't know for how long we will manage to run from them. I have to leave this place because I don't want to hurt you and the others, Steve. I hope you understand me, it would really hurt me if you would consider me a weirdo, but I can't make anything to change it: this is me. I'll try to understand if you think I'm strange. Even I think I'm strange."
I took a deep breath- I really needed it after my speech, but at least, I said what I had to say. It's his choice if he will think of me as a weirdo, even if it would pain me.
I looked at him. He just stared in my eyes, with an expression I couldn't understand.
"You are strange." He said in a soft, low voice. "And very, very special."
The words made me feel… relieved. Even more than that- I felt happy and surprised.
"You think so?" were the only words I could say, feeling a smile on my lips.
"Yes, I think you're special." He repeated.
Without saying anything, he approached me and, taking me in his arms, started kissing me. After a short shock, I responded with excitement to his kiss. Than they became more and more serious- my lips unfolded, willing for more. I wrapped my arms around his neck, one of his hands stroked my hair and the other arm, around my waist, pulled me closer to him. I forgot about all my worries- I just let myself enjoy the kisses and the bliss of the moment. At some point, he lifted m on the sink, my feet around his waist.
"Wait a second." I whispered.
He stopped kissing me, staying with his face so close to mine, that our noses were touching each other.
"Were did it came from?" I smiled.
"Well, I really wanted to do this for a while, and now that you're leaving, and there are chances to never see you again… well, I thought I should do it, because I'm in love with you, Lara. I've always been."
I gasped, my heart pounding fast.
"I feel the same way." I answered in whisper. "But Steve… please don't say that."
"What?" he asked confused.
"That we'll never see each other again."
"It could happen anything, Lara, you know this. There are chances." He muttered sad.
"Well, I want to think that we will see each other again. And now- I just want to enjoy this moment." I said.
He smiled loosely and continued kissing me.
