This vampire suddenly came into my life and so suddenly he disappeared again. Weeks passed before he reappeared.

It was an unusually quiet Friday night. I usually hardly got to sit because groups of teenagers were constantly storming the store to buy snacks, drinks, and whatever for parties at the last second. But today I had to look at the calendar again to make sure that today wasn't actually Monday.

As I was preparing for a hectic night, I didn't take anything with me to read. Instead, I took one of the magazines and pondered a crossword puzzle. While I was thinking about a synonym for mysterious, I heard someone walk into the store.

When I looked up I saw the vampire again. This time he looked at me and grinned. I put on my polite smile again and nodded just before I went back to my magazine.

This time I didn't watch him and just listened as he crossed the store. And the next moment he was standing in front of the counter and put down his purchases (beer, a small pack of pretzels, and a chocolate bar). He didn't even try to hide it anymore. Was it because he was trying to get a reaction out of me or because he didn't care?

I just put my magazine aside, got up, and scanned the products as if nothing supernatural had happened. Once you've dated a vampire, things like this quickly lose their appeal and become commonplace. He has to bring something big to surprise me.

"That would be $ 20.25," I said, looking him straight in the eye. Establishing domination over a vampire was probably not a good idea, but my options were limited and I will not become dependent on another guy again. Plus, you'd think I lacked some kind of survival instinct. Renee definitely dumped me a couple of times as a kid. I saw the x-rays.

"I don't think that will be necessary," he said in a tone I couldn't really place. I couldn't turn away from his gaze and I felt a tingling sensation in my spine. The blue of his eyes was so mesmerizing.

"I'm sorry, but you have to pay for it," I replied without breaking eye contact. He may have me under his spell, but my mind was still free.

His mischievous grin vanished and he just stared at me. He threw a few bills on the counter, took his purchases, and disappeared.

Most likely I just pissed off a vampire and I didn't know how or why.

The rest of the night was uneventful and I found myself wishing the vampire reappeared. As I said. My instinct for survival was nonexistent.

On weekends I just tried to concentrate on myself. I would give myself presents, eat in my favorite restaurant or relax in the bathtub with a good book.

Today, however, I decided to buy a bottle of the good whiskey so that I could enjoy it in the evening with a good movie. But instead of walking straight to my apartment, I decided to take a detour that leads directly through the cemetery.

It was a quiet and peaceful place that made me take a break on one of the benches.

Since my encounter with James, I've had a special affection for death. Be it because of my near-death experience when Edward sucked the blood out of me or because of the poison that shot through my veins.

Edward.

Why do I have to think about him all the time? Why doesn't he want to get out of my head? Why can't I forget those eyes made of liquid gold?

Kissing him felt like kissing a marble statue. The more I thought about him, the less sense anything about him made. Yeah well, Edward looked good, but there was nothing deep behind that. I can only describe his character as catholic emo and that is meant nicely.

I've now come to realize that I didn't love Edward, I loved his being. The concept of eternal youth. Never to age, never to be sick again.

The possibility of standing between life and death. Time didn't matter anymore.

How old was the dark-haired vampire?

Another vampire who couldn't get out of my head, but he was different. Instead of the marble statue that my ex was, he was much more human. He was still cold, but his skin was soft and a noticeably healthier color.

He looked more lively and significantly more expressive. Besides, it didn't glitter in the sun.

I groaned in frustration and took the bottle of whiskey out of my pocket. It was meant for tonight, but at that moment I needed it more. Why do I have to find myself in such situations all the time? Was there a sign above me that could only be seen by vampires that read "IDIOT" in capital letters? Because it seems to me as if this is the case.

"Isn't it a little early for that?"

I turned around in surprise and saw my vampire. Speaking of the devil.

He was leaning against a tree a few meters in front of me. His arms were crossed over his chest and a mischievous smile graced his lips.

"Not if you're in a crisis right now," I replied, taking a long swig from the bottle. When I wanted to look at him again, I noticed that he was now standing right in front of me, staring at me. Without thinking about it, I offered him the bottle.

He grabbed my wrist in one hand and took the bottle with the other. He leaned down and placed a surprisingly gentle kiss on the inside of my wrist. From the outside it probably looked like a caress, but in reality he only felt for my pulse. I felt his mouth open and his fangs gently scratched my skin. It might be the whiskey, but that was really hot.

"DEMON!"

I was ripped out of my trance and looked in the direction from which the call was coming. Not far from us was a guy with blonde hair who has that "take me seriously" expression that I only knew very well from Edward.

Damon stared at him in annoyance and let go of my wrist. He took a sip of the whiskey before handing the bottle back to me and disappearing with the other vampire.