Finally, the day of the party came. In the afternoon, there was a knock on the door. I peered out to see Jill holding a package.

"I, er, bought this for you. Kind of as a congratulations type present. I hope you like it," she stammered before scurrying off.

"Hey, Jill!" I called. She turned back. "You didn't have to get me something, you know."

"Oh, it's not much. I just thought you might like it."

"Well, thanks." I hugged her awkwardly and then she left me alone again. I unwrapped the paper to reveal some gorgeous scarlet material. Unfolding it, I saw that it was a dress. It was ankle length and had straps, but the back of the dress didn't actually begin until halfway down my spine. I slipped in on, and the silky feeling was like heaven. It fit perfectly, and I loved it. I presumed that Jill wanted me to wear it to the dance tonight. It was only three hours away. I showered and cleaned myself up, brushing my hair obsessively so that it wouldn't stick up. However, after I'd applied some mascara, I looked at my reflection in the mirror and wasn't sure that I wanted to go.

You have to go. Go for Jill. And Lewis wants you to go. But I just couldn't seem to get up off my bed and out the door. I sat there alone, pondering my decision before officially deciding that I wasn't going. Jill would understand. I was going through a tough time. A little while later, there was a knock at my door. Lewis McGugan stood there, staring at me.

"Are you..." he couldn't seem to form a sentence. "Are you coming to the party?"

"I, well, I don't know. I can't really go there amongst all that gossip. It'll ruin your birthday." I'd left my hand on the handle, so it surprised me when he put his on top. I felt a tingle of electricity run up my arm, and I wondered if he did too. His eyes were wide, staring at our hands, so I assumed so.

"What'll ruin my birthday is you not coming." That made me feel bad. I left the door open and plonked myself on the bed. He followed me and closed the door softly behind him. I heard it brush against the carpet. "You've changed." His tone was accusing.

"No, I haven't. I haven't changed at all."

"You have. Your eyes...they look in pain. Awful. You need to get over it and live your life."

"I can't." My voice was down to a whisper now.

"You have to pick yourself back up again. If you break down every time you kill a Strigoi, you'll be a rubbish guardian." He had a point.

"How? Tell me how."

"Forgive yourself." I'd heard Rose say it so many times. Forgive yourself. She did it, after she tried to kill Dimitri. He did it after he was Strigoi. Why couldn't I? I squeezed my eyes shut and, when I reopened them, he was staring at me. "You're beautiful, do you know that?" And then he pressed his lips onto mine. And I swear, I'm not being corny here, that fireworks were crackling around us. Okay, so maybe they were from the party outside, but still. It was magical. I was sure he felt it too. His hands were warm on my back where the dress wasn't quite there yet, and the feeling spread right through my body, even to my toes. It was wonderful. He pulled back and his eyes were burning with love. He took my hand and we headed to the thumping music below. My heart raced and I thought for one second that the World actually could be a good place. Of course, I dismissed it as soon as it happened, but some people get their happy endings. Let's hope that I'm one of them.

Wow. I've actually finished a story. Do you know that's never happened before? Thank you to everyone for your support on this epic journey. Amy and I have had a great time. Thanks especially to Lucyy96. If you guys would like me to continue with Amy's story, please review and give me some ideas! Thanks. LissasGuardian756