A/N: I wish I had said this in the last chapter but I forgot. Anywho, I started college two weeks ago! YAYS! But that also means it'll be harder for me to write chapters. Thankfully a couple people have reminded me of this story and got me back to writting the chapter. :D That and my muses were bugging me all last week to finish it. XD I'd like to thank my friend Korey for reading over this to make sure there are no spelling errors or run-on sentances. So blame him if you find anything wrong. ;p So enjoy, and thank you ALL for your comments. They mean a lot to me.

Chapter 13

When you first learn a secret, no matter how big or small, the first thing that overcomes you is surprise. It is sometimes like walking down a familiar path and hitting a wall which wasn't there before. You examine the wall for a while then walk around it. This could be said for Isabelle. Though instead of walking around the wall, she tries to move it, then hit it, wanting the wall to yield to her though it will not.

Soon after Derek had apologized, Isabelle began hitting Derek's chest in anger. Tears ran down her cheeks every time she hit him. Derek did not move nor show any sign of pain or annoyance. He only stood there letting Isabelle rid her anger. The hits softened and eventually stopped but the tears kept coming. She hated the fact that she was crying and she hated finding out what Derek was...

A vampire.

It was quite obvious to Isabelle since her father had told her stories about them since she was little. He also told her how to tell if someone was a vampire. She had never believed it nor looked for them. So it made it that much harder to accept. "My dad was right, vampires are real..." Isabelle cried softly, pausing for a moment. "Why didn't you tell me?!" She exclaimed.

"It's not something I'm proud-"

"It's not fair!" Isabelle turned from Derek, no longer listening to his answer. "There's dead, and alive. No falling in love with undead!" Derek eyes widened at her words. "Reggie! Don't you have something to say?" The two had almost forgotten about Regina. The girl was still sitting on the steps of the playground gapping at the vampire. Derek was ready for any harsh words to be thrown at him. He had heard plenty over the years, but he was not ready for what came out of her mouth.

"I am so hungry now." Soon after she spoke, her stomach growled loudly as to confirm what she said. Derek couldn't hold back a smile, and then quickly turned to a chuckle. He had heard many things, even the rare awe and admiration, but nothing like that. Isabelle shook her head at her friend trying hard not to laugh. Regina smiled as she got up and walked towards Derek and Isabelle. "So you're a vampire?" She asked, cocking her head, as if still playing with the idea.

Derek nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid I am."

"I guess I owe Chris an apology." She said, glancing at Isabelle. "You like him." She teased. Isabelle blushed when she remembered her confession during her fit of anger only moments ago.

Derek gazed at Isabelle as he thought of what she had said. Had she really fallen in love with him? It seemed imposs- no, not impossible... improbable yes, but not impossible. He knew better than that. Humans have fallen in love with vampires before, though they were usually short lived once the secret was out. Nothing good could come of loving a vampire. It always ended in sadness, no matter how true one was. He had heard of only one successful vampire-human couple. The two had a large farm, far away from the city, so visitors were few and the cattle served as food for the vampire. Of course the vampire outlived the human, though he was not sure if the human died of old age or sickness or what happened to the vampire. All he knew was that the two had little to no contact with anyone, including family.

"Now that Izzy doesn't seem so mad at you," Regina paused, keeping her eyes on Derek until he made eye contact with her. "Maybe you two should get to know each other a little more."

"Reggie!" Isabelle ran to Regina's side so she could whisper to her. "You don't mean a date, right?"

"That's a fantastic idea!" Isabelle blushed as Regina put an arm around her shoulders. "You and Derek are going on a date!" Regina said triumphantly as she attempted to put an arm around Derek's shoulders. She eventually gave up and settled for his waist. Derek wasn't sure how he was going to reason with her since this was only suggested after the two girls found out he was a vampire. Just as Regina was going to speak, the Phantom of the Opera theme song began playing from inside her pocket. She pulled it out and answered with a friendly, "Ello." Her expression turned to confusion as the person on the other end spoke. "Why are you calling me and not-... Oh." Regina glanced at Isabelle as she listened to the person speak. "Kay, just a sec. Your brother wants you home really soon."

Isabelle frowned and snatched the phone from Regina, trying her best not to yell into the phone. "I'm sleeping over at Reggie's, so I won't be back till sometime tomorrow, Good night." Pressing a button to hang up, Isabelle gave the phone back to Regina. "Hope you don't mind me sleeping over Reggie." She said sheepishly.

"I think it'll be OK." Regina replied with an unsure smile, glancing at the phone in her hands. "I think I'll hang out here till you guys get back. I better call home and make sure it's OK for you to sleep over too." She added quietly, flipping the cell phone open and began pressing buttons.

"You're kidding." Isabelle gazed at her friend, mouth agape. "After those guys practically tried to rape you, you're going to stay here alone?!"

Regina looked up shocked and confused. "They almost what now?" Isabelle knew she was exaggerating but still, Regina could have been hurt badly if she and Derek had not intervened. "I'll be fine, and much more careful now too." She said with a reassuring smile.

"Isabelle is correct." The two girls turned to Derek. "It is still much too dangerous to be alone in the dark." Derek turned his gaze to a group of trees. "But it seems you won't have to be." The girls gave Derek puzzled looks, trying to figure out what he was thinking. "How about you join us Thomas." He called to the trees. Isabelle and Regina turned to where he was looking and saw a tall dark haired young man come out from the shadows.

Thomas chuckled as he approached the three. "I happened to passing by and saw you. Thought I'd see how things were going."

"Of course. Isabelle, Regina, this is my good friend, Thomas de Loréa." Thomas bowed his head politely to the girls.

"Are you a vampire too then?" Isabelle inquired.

"She knows?" Thomas raised an eyebrow to Derek who nodded. "Yes I am. But do not fret, I will not harm either of you."

"Are all vampires really tall?" Regina asked, gazing up at Thomas.

"No." Thomas answered with a laugh.

"Now, if it is alright with you." He said to Thomas. "Regina shall stay here under your watch while Isabelle and I go sightseeing."

"I'm staying with him? Awesome." Regina grinned. "Come! We shall sit and talk!"

"I must warn you." Derek whispered. "She is a strange one."

"If you say so, she must be." Thomas teased and headed over to the bench where Regina was sitting.

"Sightseeing?" Isabelle asked incredulously. "There's not much to see here. You must know that."

Derek gave her a small smile. "Ah, but wait till you see the world how I view it." Isabelle's eyes widened as different interpretations of what he meant went through her head. Slowly, he outstretched his hand to her. "You'll need to come here." Carefully, almost hesitantly, she moved to him. In one swift motion, Derek picked her up. Isabelle had no time to react and soon found herself being held in his arms, bridal style. Regina and Thomas had been watching the two since they had sat down. Thomas gazed at them with a knowing smile and Regina a surprised yet very happy grin. "Hold on to me tightly, it's been a while since I've tried this."

"D-done what?" She was almost too afraid to ask.

"Fly in this form. You ready?" Isabelle's mouth fell for a moment before wrapping her arms around him tightly. Derek held be a chuckle, looked around to make sure no one would see, and began walking at a fast pace, then faster. It soon became a run and as he ran, his steps became lighter while Isabelle's grip got tighter. He soon pushed off the ground, not hard, but enough to help him get into the air and start flying. The two were now soaring above the trees and still going higher and away from the park.

Regina and Thomas started at the spot where they last saw the two, Regina's mouth and eyes open wide. "So." Thomas began with a friendly smile. "What shall we talk about?" Regina turned to Thomas, looking a little less stunned and smiled.