Midnight

by qveenslayer101

Ally Dawson decides to follow her father across the country to a small and isolated town to look out for him since depression has taken over. To an outsider, it is a normal and peaceful civilization, but what happens when the truth starts seeping through and it's nothing she could have ever dreamed of? Vampires. Werewolves. Witches. Hunters. You'll only find that in Midnight.

4. Nonexistent Heartbeat

Ally's POV

When I come down after getting dressed and ready for work, I see my dad making his usual morning coffee.

I observe him while feeling a little tension in the air, even though he isn't aware I'm down here.

The tension stems from him not being home most of the time and going to great lengths to avoid any human interaction unless it's related to work. Even with his own daughter.

"Hi." I say as my dad turns his head quickly and I can tell I frightened him a bit.

"Hey, honey. Good morning." He responded turning back, not bothering to look me in my face.

"Good morning," I reply taking one of the blueberry muffins I'm guessing he got from work.

It's silent for a while except for the birds I hear chirping in the morning air. My eyes watch my father drink his coffee as he watches the news on the very mini black TV he got for the kitchen.

"So, hey..." I start off to get my dad's attention who turns to look at me with a blank face.

"I was thinking if we could go out to dinner tonight? You know, since it's your day off. I could change after work and we could check out that place my friend told me about. I think it's called Sandy's Diner?" I say with a slight awkward chuckle as he turns to face me completely.

"You don't have to if you don't want, I just thought we could spend... you know... time together." I finish, looking between the counter I'm randomly tapping on and my father.

"Um... yeah sure." He said slightly hesitant shocking me.

"Wait, really?" I asked with lit up eyes.

"Yeah, of course honey. It'll be... nice. Plus, this annoying co worker has been begging me to check out that diner." He said with a slight smile while rolling his eyes that I haven't seen in a long time.

"Okay... great!" I say with a wide smile clapping my hands together.

"I'm gonna head to work and I'll see you when I come back and then we can take off. Deal?"

"Deal." He responded with a nod of the head as I smile once more walking out the door with a feeling of familiarity and happiness.

When I arrive at work, I walk in to see Lucky working at the desk talking to a customer before the customer leaves with a smile on her face appreciative of whatever Lucky did for her.

"Good morning." I say cheerfully as I take my jacket off and put on my name tag.

"You're late." She said looking at me for a quick second before going over to the doggy cabinet and getting three leashes out.

"What? No, I'm n-" I stop myself as I see the clock which proved her right. I was about 5 minutes late. How is that possible. I left the house early?

"Look, If you found love or whatever mushy stuff teenagers like, then great for you but when it comes to work, I really need you focused, okay?" She said before handing me one of the leashes as she motioned for me to follow her.

"You do realize you're the teenager right? Miss 19 year old." I say jokingly as she doesn't say anything and I sigh knowing she really is upset.

"Okay, I really am sorry. I left my house on time I swear. I guess I just got a little distracted." I tell her as she looks at me and nods before opening one dog cage.

"We're taking Pepper, Cali and Simon for a walk right now. I'll take Cali and Simon, you can take Pepper since he's smaller." She stated confusing me.

"Wait, why are you giving me the small dog while you take two big ones? It doesn't exactly seem fair for you."

"Oh, trust me. It's fair. You're new at this."

"No, I'm not. Have you forgotten I've been volunteering at vets since I was 13 and I'm getting my degree for it?" I say crossing my arms as she rolled her eyes amused.

"Yes, I do and that's really impressive city girl but having experience and a future degree has nothing to do with what I'm talking about. This is my clinic and you don't know my dog clients. I'm use to them. Cali and Simon are wild outside. If I came to your vet shop back in the city, I would hope that you would be cautious about the same thing." She says with a sly smile before moving pass me to put Simon and Cali on their leashes.

I take Pepper out his cage and put his leash on him before walking out of the back room and to the front where Lucky is.

"You can't just walk out on a conversation, Dr. Blossom." I say smartly because she hated being called her last name.

"Yes, I can Dawson. You know why? Because we have a schedule and we have to do things on time. Let's go city girl." She said walking out the door with the two dogs as Pepper eagerly lead the way for me.

We walked in silence for a good ten minutes before I couldn't take it anymore.

"Sorry again, for being late. It's probably the first time in my life. Okay... that's a lie." I say as she chuckles a bit.

"But I swear, when it comes to work, I've always taken it seriously." I promised her as she nodded her head a bit as we took a stop since Cali had to pee.

"Well, I'm sorry for being a bit rough on you. It's just... I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to the clinic." She admits as I look at her as she sighs a bit shrugging her shoulder.

"I don't know, I feel this overwhelming need that everything must go perfect there. Dr. Webster took me in with no questions asked and who just does that ya know? Takes in a homeless child regardless if she knew me or not." She spoke as I listened intently as we continue moving after Cali's done with her bathroom break.

"I was devastated when I found out she was moving and a week later, my mom had kicked me out so... everything was going terrible for me. Then I talked to her about it and she just offered me to move with her and I thought she was kidding but prayed she wasn't."

"My mom was her best friend. I never understood how she could leave her best friend so easily. I asked her before I agreed to going with her because I did not want her to resent me later on. She told me she may have been her best friend but I was like a daughter to her and her child comes first before anyone." She explained as my mind was amazed by that answer.

There really is an entire history behind Dr. Webster and Lucky's relationship. This isn't just some girl she took pity on and helped out. This is someone she considers family and vice versa, and it has to be the most beautiful and heartbreaking thing I've ever heard.

"Yeah, that was my face too." Lucky said as I snapped out my trance thinking about the whole situation.

"For all she's provided for me; a house, an always full refrigerator, my own room and the love of a real mother... the only thing she asked of me in exchange was working in this clinic with her. I know it's stupid but that's why I'm so hellbent on making everything as easy for her as possible, because she treated me better than anyone has in my whole life." She stated as we stopped again as both Pepper and Simon decided to take a poop.

"Hey, that's not stupid. Not in the least." I tell her as she looks at me.

"It's honestly one of the most sweetest things I've ever heard in my life. To love someone that much and they're not even blood? That shows how much it doesn't matter. Real love comes from the heart and I'm happy that you finally got the mother you deserved." I tell her as she smiles a bit at me before getting out bags from her rainbow purse that matches her hair and hands me one.

We both pick up the poop being very careful not to touch it because… gross. It's always been the nastiest part of the job. We throw it in the most nearby trash can before stopping at a dog park.

"Okay, you can take off Pepper's leash." She told me as she removed Simon and Cali's.

"This is a gated park for a reason, Dawson." She added because of my apprehension.

"Sorry, I've just never seen a gated dog park before." I admit.

"That doesn't shock me. City people care more about themselves than animals." She said with a shrug as I took off Pepper's collar.

"Is that such a bad thing?" I asked her as she whistles letting the dogs know they could run and play with the other dogs. They ran like the wind.

"Of course not, but why can't animals have nice things too?" She said as I silently agreed before we sat on a bench.

"So, earlier you said you were late because you were distracted. Is it because of that guy you've been seeing and talking to?" She asked curious.

"Oh no, not at all. I was actually feeling really happy about my dad and I going out to dinner tonight. We don't exactly have the best relationship. It kind of all went downhill after the passing of my mother." I say lowly taking in the nice summer breeze and the glowing morning sky.

"I'm sorry to hear that." Lucky said sympathetically.

"It's not your fault." I say with a slight chuckle though she could tell I had more underlining issues with it... but chose to ignore it.

"So, you seemed a little upset when telling me that it wasn't the guy you were talking to that made you late. Why?" She questioned eyeing me as I thought about it then sighed.

"Austin, he's-"

"Austin? Is that his name? You never said it before now."

"I didn't? Well, it is." I confirm as she nodded motioning for me to keep going.

"Well, he's just... I don't even know. Things were going well. Really well. We obviously like each other but then he has these moments where he's acting so strange and weird and I have no idea what's going on because he won't talk to me about it."

"Maybe he's married." Lucky stated jokingly.

"Not funny!" I say playfully punching her arm as she chuckled amused.

"But seriously... I really like this guy and I can tell he likes me too but he was a real asshole the last time I saw him."

"What did he say?"

"It wasn't something he said. It was something he did. Well, something he didn't do. And maybe I would have been more understanding if he just had a real explanation but the one he gave me doesn't sound like one. They never do." I say frustrated talking about the whole thing.

"I don't know... maybe you're right Lucky. He's probably no different than all the weirdos here." I say even though it hurt me too because he seemed so dissimilar from all the guys I've previously dated.

I've only been in love once before and the thought seemed possible again with him but I see that I got way ahead of myself. My dad was right. I rush into things way too quickly, especially relationships and I need to cool it down.

"Well, I'm usually right about a lot of things..." Lucky started off with a shrug as I looked down disappointed and she felt bad.

"But if it means anything, I'm really sorry it didn't work out. Your eyes lit up whenever you talked about him." She said as I smiled at her kindness while we sat watching the dogs play with some other ones, while really enjoying themselves.

I find it a bit funny that I've seen more dogs in Midnight than humans. That's how dead this town is. I swear it should be called ghost town. What vet do you know only has two workers excluding me? Yeah, that's exactly what I thought.

Austin's POV

I woke up about twenty minutes ago but I decided to stay in bed for a bit longer than usual. Last night was very wild and unexpected that I almost don't believe it happened. But waking up next to Talia who's still asleep, it's proof that it very much did.

The Muller Mansion officially has a blood bank and I'm slightly ashamed that I agreed to it. I hate the idea of taking blood from hospitals for people who actually need it but I also know it's the best way for people. That way, with the new method, humans won't get hurt directly.

I look at Talia's sleeping body and how at peace she looks. She is so beautiful. In this moment, she reminds of the girl I first fell in love with back in 1983.

My life changed drastically a year later but that one year together without knowing who she truly was… was everything. She was my first love. The reason I loved being alive. At least, that's what I thought at the time. But, so much has happened since then. Thirty four years to be exact and each day she goes further and further away from the woman I fell in love with. Maybe she was never that woman to begin with and I refused to see it.

Looking at her, I couldn't help but smile because of what she didn't do. She had the chance to hurt that old lady Jeanie last night and she didn't. Knowing Talia, she could have without a conscience but she didn't. Instead, she came to me first to find out what was going on and I can't help but be proud of her for that moment.

No matter her flaws, maybe she still does have the potential to be better than who she was before. She could change. I just have to believe a little more that she can.

"Hey, you." I snap out of my trance hearing a slightly deeper voice come out of Talia because she just woke up.

She has a smile on her face and I couldn't help but smile back as the sun peeks in from the window and shines a light in her piercing green eyes.

"You are beautiful, you know that?" I say moving some hair out of her face as she smirked slyly.

"Yeah? Why don't you show me?" She asked before kissing me deeply as I kiss her back deeper, quickly getting on top of her. Her arms wrap around my neck as the kiss becomes more intense.

When I pull away for a second trying to catch my breath, I see Ally's face smiling up at me instead of Talia's making me jump back.

"Baby, what's wrong?" Talia asked when her normal face returned as I sigh before shaking my head.

"Nothing, I just... nothing." I reply as she looks at me strange but ignores it, kissing my shoulder and then my neck before I pull her face to mine and kissing her again.

Why the hell did I see Ally? This must be because of last night and how she clearly wants nothing to do with me anymore after I abandoned her.

She didn't deserve that, no girl does but I couldn't risk Talia seeing me. She would have snapped Ally's neck so easily that I wouldn't have even registered it. I couldn't have that.

As I kiss Talia, I realize that it's better to be with her because no matter how much I like Ally… she'll never know the real me. I won't even let her, because it's too dangerous. I refuse to have her death on my conscience just like...

She just can't die.

Ally's way too beautiful, smart and kind with an entire future ahead of her and I won't let Talia take that away.

I need her to forgive me though. I don't think I can handle her thinking I'm just a bad guy. I owe her an apology and I'm going to go see her after I get dressed and ready for the day.

Ally's POV

Lucky and I let the dogs play for another hour and at one point we join them playing around like little kids with them.

Eventually, we put their leashes back on them and head on back to the vet and it's about a twelve minute walk.

"Dr. Webster's clinic." I say randomly after a nice silence.

"What?" Lucky responds confused as we arrived in front of the small, one level building.

"Earlier, when making your dramatic speech about how I basically don't know shit about here or the animals, you said it's your clinic. It's not. It's Dr. Webster's. You're just her minion." I say pointing to the name on the sign as she couldn't help but chuckle.

"Shut up." She said bumping me as I giggle and we walk back in the vet and to my complete surprise, there is Austin waiting around by the counter, tapping on it impatiently.

"Austin, what the hell are you doing here?" I whisper confused and upset, walking right over to him.

"Ally... hey." Is all he said after turning around to face me as I looked at him as if he was crazy, showing up to my job randomly.

"Lucky!" I hear someone shout from the back room.

"Thank God." I hear Lucky say under her breath at the call from Dr. Webster.

"Nice to meet you blonde boy but my boss needs me. I'll give you both some space." She awkwardly said before taking Pepper's leash from me and walking all three dogs through the door to the back where Dr. Webster called for her.

"Uh…" Austin mumbled looking back at me.

"Cute dogs." He said as I rolled my eyes crossing my arms against my chest.

"Austin, this is not a game."

"I don't think anything's a game."

"Why the hell are you here?" I whispered gaining more frustrated with his presence after what he did.

"Look, Ally." He said sighing a bit and looking a little sad.

"I'm really sorry about the other night. There's nothing I can say to excuse what I did."

"You're damn right, there isn't." I replied harshly as he looked at me hopelessly.

"I am not a villain here. So, don't give me those puppy dog eyes." I say turning away and going over to the sink to wash my hands.

"You have to understand, Ally. It was for a good reason."

"You left me at night Austin... to walk home by myself! And yeah, sure, I do it plenty of times on my own but we were on a date and you just abandoned me." I say as he seems a little surprised at my statement.

"What?"

"A date?"

"Yes, we were on a date. Why are you being so weird?" I asked as he scratched the back of his neck.

"No reason... can I just explain?"

"Austin, there is nothing to explain. My house was only a block away and as a gentlemen, the least you could do is make sure I got in safe. You left me and I felt like an idiot for going anywhere with you in the first place."

"You don't mean that." He said not liking what I said but I don't respond.

"We had a good time together. We always do." He added.

"Yeah, I agree. Until you left me behind." I said after finishing washing my hands and drying them with a towel and going behind the counter waiting for a customer.

"Ally-"

"Ally, nothing. I don't like liars, Austin! Don't you get that? It's one the worst things you could ever be, okay? A person's word should mean something and now I see your words are meaningless." I say with a bit of teary eyes and a soft bite of the lip, trying to hold back some deep, internal pain from something else.

"Okay..." He accepted softly.

Austin looks at me and sees how much his lie and actions hurt me.

"Was your friend at least okay?" I ask filling the silence as he looked at me guiltily.

"Ally... there was no friend." He admits as my eyes widen realizing that he lied to me about it. The only reason he's telling me this is because he just heard me say how much I hate liars.

"God, Austin! You lied about a friend being hurt? In the hospital?!" I yelled upset as he face cringed and I tried to take slow, deep breaths because I was still at work and no matter how quiet this store is, a customer could come in at any time and I'm being unprofessional.

"If you didn't want to hangout anymore, you could have just told me." I say highly upset.

"That wasn't it, I promise."

"Why would I ever believe you again?" I say as he sighs deeply.

"Ally... there was a good reason. I promise you that."

"If it was for such a good reason then why can't you just tell me it?"

"It's a long story and I'm trying to protect you." He said confusing me more than ever.

"Protect me? Protect me? Wow. Okay, Austin. I'm going to need you to go. Now." I say as he tries to reach forward to me but I push his hand away.

"Don't." I say looking into his eyes deeply and I could tell it hurt him and if I'm being honest, it did sting for me as well.

"You have no idea how much I liked you. I thought things were going great but you are not who you seemed to be. I should have known you were too good to be true." I say looking down disappointed.

"Please, don't say that."

"My mistake was inviting you over that day when I met you. I should've just thanked you and left." I say as he looks at me with a pain in his eyes.

"But... I was so drawn to you and I wanted to see you again."

"I wanted to see you too. Why do you think I came to your house?" He questioned placing one hand on my cheek as I looked up at him emotionally.

"That's the thing, Austin. I don't know what to believe anymore when it comes to you. I mean you leave at random times, you make up horrible lies and you are suspiciously against me going over to the South Side." He said as I took his hand off my cheek and he sighed accepting defeat.

"Things don't add up and I already have enough on my plate with the stress of my relationship with my dad, my job here and studying for my vet degree for when I return to college. I thought you were gonna be that outlet to feeling free but you're not. I can only blame myself." I told him walking over to the door and opening it.

"Now, please leave." I say as he looks at me with begging eyes for another chance.

"Austin, go." I demand more harshly as he slowly heads out and I close the door upset with him and myself.

Austin's POV

After speeding off from Ally's job, I decided to go to a bar and drink away the pain of losing a good person in my life. Well, I can't exactly get drunk but the taste of alcohol is still great. Then I sped off before stopping a block away from the Muller Mansion to gather some of my thoughts.

I'm sad, annoyed and angry at myself for ruining shit with Ally. I know what you're thinking.

Do you sometimes forget you have a girlfriend?

No, I am aware of that. But if I'm being honest, it's hard to not fall for someone who is as amazing as Ally is. Sometimes she seems almost perfect that it scares me… but I also know that she isn't and she comes with as many problems as the average human which makes me even more fascinated with her. I just don't want to mess up the incredible woman she'll be someday with the dangers of my world.

I can't forget when she called our time spent together on that rooftop a date. I know, I'm stupid. What the hell were we doing this whole time? Being besties?

I guess I knew it but I ignored it because I had a girlfriend or ex at the time. It's all confusing to me.

On one hand, I have this beautiful girlfriend but unfortunately she has a wretched personality and she'll do anything to be on top, even if that means hurting others to get there. On the other hand, there is Ally who is smart, kind, a breath of fresh air and not to mention, absolutely gorgeous.

I know that being with Talia is the smarter choice. She knows me probably better than anyone because of how long we've been together but deep down... Ally is the one who enters my brain at night, not her.

I'm always thinking about her. At first, I thought it was just because she was human and I desperately missed normal interactions and the average lifestyle, but that's not all of it.

When I'm with her... it's almost like I can't ever get enough. The way she smiles is forever imprinted in my brain. The way she laughs pulls at my dead heart strings. And man, the way she looks at me... she looks at me in a way I've never been looked at before.

I don't know what's wrong with me. All I know is that I feel like a tremendous asshole for not knowing what the hell I want.

I walk in the door as a few night lamps in the living room were on since it's getting dark outside.

"Baby." I hear looking up the very long and twenty foot wide staircase at Talia who has a smile on her face before speeding down and coming to me.

"Where were you? You were gone for hours and didn't call or text or anything." She said upset.

"Jeanie's." I lied not really making eye contact while taking off my jacket.

"That old lady again? God, what could possibly take that long?" She asked aggravated and annoyed.

"Talia, she's elderly. How can you be so mean towards old people?"

"They don't get special treatment just because they're decrepit, Austin. Especially if it's keeping my man away from me." She said wrapping her arms around my neck with a seducing smile.

"Talia, I need you to promise me something."

"Oh, God. It's getting dramatic." She said with a roll of the eyes.

"I'm serious." I tell her as she sighs looking at me.

"What is it, baby?"

"I need you to promise me you'll never hurt her."

"Who? The old lady?" She chuckled.

"Jeanie, yes. She hasn't done anything wrong."

"Please, Austin. Are you kidding m-"

"Yes, I am serious. I thought I knew who you were but you proved me wrong by lying to me for the last couple of decades by hurting people for blood. That trust I had for you doesn't just suddenly reappear because you came up with a solution." I tell her referencing the blood bank as she looks a bit offended but slowly nods along.

"Yeah, you're right. I'm a pretty shitty person, I know that... but you have to believe me when I say I'm not gonna hurt or kill her, Austin. She's completely senile and hasn't bothered me." She told me as I looked in her eyes and could see she was actually telling the truth.

"Thank you." I say with a light smile as she smiled wider.

"I'm just happy you're here." She said kissing me as I slightly kiss her back and she pulls away when her face scrunches up a bit.

"Have you been drinking?" She asked with a tilt of the head.

"A little." I admit as she looks at me impressed before chucking.

"Why?"

"I don't know. I guess I felt a little guilty about the blood bank downstairs." I lied because I couldn't tell her the actual reason was due to me thinking about another woman.

"I wish you would have invited me. We could have had fun." She whispered seductively in my ear as I smile before kissing her lips then going over to the staircase.

"Go on a date with me?" I ask turning back to her with my hand on the railing.

"A date?" She questioned amusingly with raised eyebrows.

"We haven't been on a date since before the day I bit you." She said with a smile and her arms crossing against her chest.

"I know. So, let's start getting back into tradition." I say as she rolls her eyes at my cheesiness.

"Okay, then. I like Sandy's diner." She told me as I nodded.

"Sandy's it is." I say with a smile.

"Alright, I'm gonna head into the shower." I tell her as she nods while I speed up the steps into the bathroom, removing all my clothes and hopping in.

This shower was definitely needed. Even though, we can't get drunk as vampires, I could smell the liquor all on me. If you actually lit a match, it could burn the whole mansion down.

My dead heart and active mind still can't stop thinking about Ally Dawson. At one point, I thought she was a witch and had cast a spell on me as a mushy lovey dovey freak because of how much I feel for her in such little time.

It didn't matter whether I was with her, wasn't with her or everything being too complicated. All I know is that I want her around. It's hard to have that after she turned me down at the vet. I guess that's a sign I need to focus on Talia and put all of my energy into our relationship instead.

It had been the first time I saw hurt in her big beautiful brown eyes. She was the most happy and cheerful person I had ever met and she was in pain and I was the one who caused it. God, I messed up.

Ally's POV

When I'm starting to pack up my things to head home, I see Dr. Webster come over to me.

"Hey, sweetie..." She trailed off as I smiled.

"Hey. I'm just packing up and I'll be out of your hair."

"Stop it. You're never in the way. You do a lot around here and I'm grateful."

"Thank you. I appreciate it." I say honestly facing her completely now as I get done.

"Bye Ally. I'll be in the car, Mrs. Webster." Lucky said with a lazy wave leaving the building as I chuckled.

"I hate when she calls me that." Dr. Webster commented.

"I've know that girl since she was five years old and she's been like a daughter to me ever since." She says as I smile a little.

"I know I shouldn't force that onto her so I don't but I don't wanna still seem like a stranger to her."

"You're not. Trust me. She said so herself." I admit as her eyebrows raise.

"Really?"

"Yeah, she told me how much you mean to her and how hard she works just to show you how much what you did for her means to her." I confess as she takes it in before a smile appears.

"I've known Lucky for only a couple of days, but I already know that she's not exactly good with words." I say as we both chuckled.

"Apparently, she is with you." She said with glee in her eyes.

"I'm so happy she has a friend now. We were already from a small town before but there were still more people around. Midnight is much more isolated. I was afraid the loneliness would drive her crazy." She chuckled as I smiled.

"I'm happy I have a friend to. She's a weird gal, but she's pretty awesome. Though, I got to say I don't think I've ever met a person with rainbow hair before." I say as Dr. Webster laughed with joy in her eyes.

"Well, with a unique name like she has, you got to be a unique person." She says as I nod in agreement.

"So, I must admit. I came over here because I noticed you were kinda down ever since you came back from your dog walk with Lucky. I can't help but believe it has something to do with that cute, blonde boy who came here looking for you." She stated as I sighed embarrassed.

"I'm so sorry, Dr. Webster. It was so unprofessional for him to come here with our personal issues and for me to entertain it." I apologize ashamed of both our actions.

"No, I'm not upset darling." She said as I looked at her confused.

"What? Why?"

"Because it seemed like he hurt you and he really needed to fix things."

"Well, I don't want him to fix things. I was stupid putting my energy into whatever it was we had." I said as she tilted her head observing me.

"Your lips say that but your eyes don't." She said as I giggled a little.

"Are you a love expert?" I ask sarcastically as she smiled.

"No, but I'm old. And I remember being dramatic about everything when I was young."

"Except I wasn't being dramatic."

"Oh, okay. Did he cheat on you?"

"No, he didn't. He's not even my boyfriend. He's just... a guy I like. I guess."

"You guess?"

"Okay, I really liked him. But it doesn't matter anymore because he blew it."

"How did he blow it?"

"He lied to me about something horrible and serious."

"Do you know why?"

"No, because he won't tell me... which is worse because now that makes him a liar with secrets."

"Everyone has secrets darling."

"Not me."

"Really? There isn't anything you wouldn't want anyone else to know? There isn't feelings about certain things or people that you wouldn't want kept to yourself?" She asked as I didn't respond.

"Look, sweetie... I'm not saying he wasn't wrong and who knows, maybe he's an asshole but at my age, I'm usually good at getting a vibe from people. And you know what kind of vibe I got from him?" She said as I looked down before looking back in her eyes.

"I got the vibe of a person who did something they regret and really wanted to make it up to that person." She finished as I sighed starting to feel bad.

"You kids of this new generation are too hard on people. It's like you forget how to forgive and accept apologies. What is so wrong with that if the person really means it?" She asked as I closed my eyes for a second taking in her words.

"I just want you to know that I absolutely hate that you decided to provide me with your older wisdom." I said crossing my arms against my chest as she chuckled.

"Always a pleasure, sweetie." She said as we heard a car horn.

"That would be Lucky. She always hates when I take forever." Dr. Webster said as I giggled as we both walked out after turning off the lights and locking up.

"Let me give you a ride home, Dr. Dawson."

"I won't be Dr. Dawson until I get my degree."

"Don't think I haven't heard the couple of times you called Lucky, Dr. Blossom." She mentioned as I chuckled.

"Plus, we sometimes call each other doctor here so we'll be use to being called the real thing one day."

"That's easy coming from a real doctor." I say playfully rolling my eyes.

"You will be too one day. You just got to believe it. Now, get in the car." She said as I smiled getting in the back saying hi to Lucky who's in the passenger seat as Dr. Webster got in the front and pulled off towards my house.

While she does, I get out my phone and text Austin to meet me at the clinic at 10 pm tonight if he still wants to make amends. After I finish, I sigh looking at it before putting my phone away and looking out the window. This better be worth it.

Austin's POV

"I'm telling you, it was him! Who else could it be?!" I hear Sarah shout from downstairs.

"It was not him Sarah! It's been two years! Do you realize that? Two years!" I hear Thomas shout back at her.

I walk outside the bedroom as Talia is still getting ready in the bathroom probably doing makeup to make sure she doesn't look so pale since we'll be out in public.

"Ignore them, baby." Talia says knowing I had gotten up even with the bathroom door closed because of our supersonic hearing.

"You know what they're arguing about?" I ask.

"Yeah, and it's stupid. Sarah is seeing things." She says which confuses me even more.

"I'm gonna go down there anyway. Just come down when you're ready." I tell her.

"Okay." She responds as I go out the bedroom, walk down the hallway and go to the top of the staircase watching Sarah and Thomas argue face to face.

"I don't appreciate being called a liar, Thomas! You may not have seen it but you could at least believe me." She said offended and hurt as Thomas sighed.

"I'm not calling you a liar. I just don't think you saw who you thought you saw." He told her as she rolled her eyes, starting to walk away and heading for the steps until she paused seeing me.

"Saw who?" I questioned as Thomas now looked at me as I started to walk slowly down the steps.

Thomas held the bridge of his nose looking annoyed and frustrated that I was gonna get dragged into this.

"Him." Is all Sarah said.

"Him?" I repeated confused.

"Yes. Him." She spoke again but this time giving me a look.

"Oh wow." I say as my eyebrows raise in shock.

"Where?" I asked curious.

"Are you really going to entertain this, man?" Thomas asked.

"Thomas and I were coming back from the store to get that candy I like. You know the one near The Forbidden Forest?" She stated as I nodded.

"I saw him staring at us in his form for about five seconds before he ran off in the woods." She said as Thomas shook his head.

"Did you hear that, Austin? Five seconds. Five seconds! It could have been anything."

"Except it wasn't anything! It was him!" She replied getting more upset that one of her best friends doesn't believe her.

"Sarah, did it ever occur to you that you're so bored in this lame and quiet town that your mind is creating this scenario because you need drama in your life?" Thomas said as Sarah looked at him completely insulted.

"Yes, Thomas. You're right. Because that's the kind of girl I've always been. Creating drama just for the hell out of it." She replied smartly and irritated before speeding up the stairs and slamming the door to her room as Thomas sighed regretful.

"I shouldn't have said that." He said after she went upstairs pouring some liquor into a cup that is on our living room table.

"No, you shouldn't have."

"I just... it's ridiculous. He wouldn't be here. They wouldn't. It's been too long."

"They found us before. Time and time again." I commented with a shrug.

"It's different now. It's been two years. That's the longest it's ever been without them catching up to us. They searched for a long while but their trail went cold eventually and they gave up. I know it. We are fine here. Though, it's not like we have to be afraid of them or something. We're stronger."

"Then why are we the ones running all the time?" I questioned sitting down on a chair as he looked at me bewildered.

"Dude, we aren't running. We're surviving. We're stronger but it's way more of them, you know that. 18 vs 4 isn't exactly a fair fight. Even our strength won't be able to keep them at bay after what we did to them. Their anger alone could kill us all."

"We? I don't recall Sarah and I doing anything." I said as Thomas stared at me, trying to read me.

"Dude... what is going on with you?" He asked concerned as I shook my head.

"Nothing, ignore me. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." I tell him as he doesn't seem to believe me.

"But if it really was him by the way... I wouldn't be surprised." I told him nonchalantly as Talia started to make her way down the steps.

"Alright, I'm finally done. Ready to go baby?" She asked coming over to me and kissing me.

"Go where?" Thomas asked curious.

"On a date." I answered as he looked genuinely surprised.

"You're joking." He chuckled.

"No, he's not. Don't be jealous because I have someone who wants to do things with me." She teased as he smiled.

"Yeah, whatever. Have a good time...and sis..." He trailed off as she looked at him.

"Behave." Is all he said as she rolled her eyes going over to him.

"I'll be good. I promise, big bro." She said even though he was only a few minutes older than she was and then kissed his cheek.

"See you dude." I said taking Talia's hand as we walked out the door and took the one car we all share like normal people.

After I open the door for Talia letting her inside and closing it, my phone gets a ding and I realize it's a text message.

Come by my job at 10 pm tonight. I'll allow you to explain yourself then.

My phone reads that it's from Jeanie.

My eyes light up when I realize it's from Ally and that she actually is gonna give me a chance to apologize for what I did.

Ally's POV

My dad and I arrived at Sandy's diner about ten minutes ago and we were still trying to figure out what we wanted because a lot of things looked really good.

"I'm happy you invited me out, Ally." I hear my dad say lowly as I look up from the menu in surprise.

"I am." He repeats to reassure me which made me smile.

"Me too." I say putting the menu down.

"Okay, I think I'm gonna go with the Shrimp Alfredo." I told him as he put his menu down as well.

"You really are my daughter because so am I." He smiled calling the waiter over as we told her what we wanted.

"So... how's your job? Is it a big difference from Miami?" I asked trying to start conversation.

"It's um... fine I guess. Actually, that's not true. It's really boring." He said as I chuckled.

"It's as boring as the last one but it's much more quiet here. I guess that's kind of nice." He shrugged casually.

"Make any friends?"

"Not really anyone I'm interested in being friends with." He said as I knew the real answer was that he really was not putting himself out there to make any friends.

"Except this one lady, Leslie who is probably the most annoying person I've ever met. She will not leave me alone." He said as I smiled.

"Maybe she has a crush on you." I say as he got a serious look on his face as he cleared his throat obviously seeming uncomfortable.

"So, what about you? Your job?" He asked taking a couple of sips from his beer.

"It's good, yeah. It's only my boss and one other coworker but we all get along really well."

"That's good, honey." He said before he looked at me like he was thinking of something.

"What?"

"Nothing." He said shaking his head.

"No, what is it?"

"I guess I was wondering if you're still seeing that guy, Aiden."

"Austin." I corrected.

"Austin, yeah. Are you?"

"I was, yes."

"Was?"

"Well, we kind of got into something and we're gonna talk after this dinner with you tonight to see where we stand." I admit as he nods his head.

"Well, I'm sorry I was so rude before. If you're still talking to him then I guess he isn't just some guy to you." He apologized as I sighed a bit.

"I kind of wish he was at this point." I confessed.

"You like him that much huh?" He asked as I slightly nodded.

"Enough about him though. I was wondering about the real goal here? Is there a time frame you plan on spending in Midnight or is this a rest of your life kind of thing?" I asked curiously.

"Ally, I'll be fine here the rest of my life." He answered with no sign of doubt.

"At my age, I need the quiet. I need the isolation. I want to be alone."

"Okay... I wanna be supportive. It's just so far from Miami. You know I plan on going back for my degree."

"Of course and I want you to. Being a veterinarian is your dream in life so I want you to do everything you can to make that happen." He told me truthfully.

"Yeah, I know that but I don't want to be that far from you. I mean I wouldn't even be able to visit you on weekends because of the distance. It would be once in a blue moon."

"Maybe that's not such a bad thing. I love you honey, but I'm not a child. I don't need to be looked out for."

"I had to. You're so depressed." I commented wishing I didn't because this is not something I want to talk about tonight.

"Well, it's hard not to be when the love of your life is dead." He replied casually with a sarcastic smile taking a large swig of his drink.

"Dad-"

"It's fine, Ally." He replied quickly cutting me off.

"No, dad. It's not. I don't mean to come off rude. I just want you to be able to open yourself up more to people. It's no harm in making friends." I tell him as he looks at me before dryly chuckling.

"And God knows, you're so good at that." He replied kind of snarky as the waitress came back with our food.

I thanked her and she smiled before going on her way to other customers.

My dad and I ate in silence as I decided to ignore the comment he made before our food was given to us.

"This is delicious." I spoke as he looked at me before going back to his food.

"So, did you know I finally decided to get a car?" I say more upbeat since he ignored my first attempt at a conversation.

"Yeah, I figured since I don't know this town well and it can get a bit scary walking home alone especially after that thief's attempt at getting my purse..." I trail off stopping to notice he was not paying attention.

My dad continues to chow down his Alfredo and taking little swings of his beer as I take my time eating my food.

"Dad, can you not do this?" I finally say with a sigh.

"You want me to open up more. You want me to start making friends. You want me to go back to the way I was before. That's what you want right?" He asked now putting his complete focus on me as I gap my mouth open to say something but I was speechless.

"You're always talking about what I need to do better or what I need to fix, Ally. What about you?" He asked kind of harshly.

"What about me?" I repeatedly quickly with a look of slight anger as he stared at me for what felt like the longest time ever before actually saying anything.

"Why don't you ever talk about your mother?" He asked in a low voice.

My dad's eyes watched mine without losing contact and when I look back up after looking down for a while ashamed and upset, I shake my head.

"I'm not doing this."

"Of course you aren't."

"What's that suppose to mean?" I ask pinching the bridge of my nose because I felt an argument coming on and he's always the one to start it.

"It means that you act like your mother never existed."

"That's ridiculous!" I say a little loud causing a few stares in the diner as I close my eyes in embarrassment.

"That's ridiculous." I say lower.

"It's not. You never want to talk about her. You definitely never talk about her death. Why don't you?" He asked frustrated.

"Why do you want to?" I respond harshly as he gets taken back.

"You mop around for the last two years, you basically become mute to everyone else and you're angry all the time. Why would you want to talk about something that makes you completely miserable?"

"Because she mattered!"

"I know that... but I don't need to be miserable in order to remember that." I say as he looks extremely offended.

"Well, just because you dismiss your mothers' death doesn't mean I have to." He said heartlessly as my mouth gaps open as he puts his hand up calling over the waiter.

"Yeah, I'm gonna need the check. Asap." He said as she nodded walking away.

I watched as my dad swallowed the last bit of his beer on the table closing his eyes taking in the burning feeling in his throat shaking his head to calm his throat before I laugh dryly.

My dad looks at me like I'm crazy for laughing in this situation but I just couldn't help it. This is so typical of him.

"Of course. Of course." I say shaking my head with a sarcastic smile and taking a sip of my drink.

"This is who you are now, right? The part you'll be playing for the rest of your life huh? The miserable, bitter and lonely widower who can't handle any real conversation." I said as he looks at me with anger.

"Excuse me?" He said under his breath.

"You heard me." I said as we stared deep into each others eyes with animosity.

"Let me tell you something, daughter." He said through gritted teeth slamming his beer bottle down on the table causing a few stares before they go back to minding their own business.

"Talking about some job I hate isn't real conversation. Talking about your animals at your job isn't real conversation. Talking about everything except for what we should be talking about is not real conversation. Your mother is real conversation."

"Mom is dead!" I shouted but in a whisper, taking him back in shock.

"Is that what you want me to say? What is talking about it going to do? Is it gonna bring her back? Is it gonna change what happened?!"

"Don't disrespect me, Ally."

"It's hard not to when I don't exactly respect you." I respond quickly but instantly regretting it as he scoffed not saying anything else as I sighed.

"She's dead, dad. She has been for three years now. It's time for you to move on." I said as he looked at me in disbelief for a while. My dad stood up, taking cash out of his pocket no longer waiting for the waiter to come back with the check.

"I use to think your avoidance of your mother's existence was one of the worst things you could do, but I figured you were just a child in pain... but you know... that's the cruelest thing I've ever heard you say." He said calmly before walking out as tears filled my eyes before I quickly shake them away when the waiter comes over.

"Here's your check, miss." She said sweetly as I look up at her smiling face.

"No need, we decided to pay in cash. It's enough right?" I asked getting up not knowing the bill.

"More than enough. Miss, I can't take all of this."

"Take the rest as a tip." I tell her still emotional as I pick up my purse.

"Someone should leave here happy." I say with a faint smile before walking by her and leaving the diner and that's when I let my tears flow down my face.

30 Minutes Ago

Austin's POV

Talia and I arrive at Sandy's diner and a male waiter sits us at a booth and we sit across from each other.

"So, it's not a 5 star restaurant but you wanted to come here." I say with a smile.

"Well, the food is good. Plus, if we wanted to go to a 5 star restaurant, we could. That's what happens when we rob banks to pay our bills." She responds as I nod agreeing, though I never liked the arrangement.

We couldn't have normal jobs though because in Talia's words, that would make us normal and we are too extraordinary to be basic.

Also, with us being vampires, we have too much on our plate with any war sneaking up on us.

"Well, since you love the food here, why don't you order for me. You know my taste right?" I asked with eyebrows raised.

"Do I?" She replied with a smirk before raising her hand.

"Waiter, over here now." She instructs him and she still needs to work on manners.

The waiter comes over and she orders some chicken breast with noodles on the side and it does sound really delicious.

"It's gonna taste so good, you'll want to taste me next." She asked sipping the beer that was given to her.

Talia always had a dirty mouth and I always found it a turn on but not so much now because for some reason, I'd rather hear it from-

Austin… dude stop.

"Oh really?" I respond gently rubbing her leg under the table as she leaned over the table and kissed my ear softly.

"Okay, let's stop before I won't be able to eat my food and judge your taste buds." I said as she chuckled.

When I smile at Talia, something catches my eye across the room and as my eyes follow it, they widen in shock and anxiety.

Ally. Ally Dawson. The woman I've been talking to for the past couple of days behind my girlfriend's back. The woman I messed up with because I tried to save her life. The woman I'm suppose to be seeing again tonight to apologize for being an asshole.

She was sitting about 50 feet away from our booth with her dad and she was smiling but she also looked a little uncomfortable. She did tell me it's hard talking to her dad ever since her mother passed away a couple of years ago.

"Babe, hey..." Talia said as I looked at her.

"Your focus should be on me. What's more important?" She said with a tilt of the head.

"Nothing."

"I know, so focus because our food is here." She tells me as the waiter sits our food down and I thank him as he walks away.

We begin eating our food and I couldn't help but give Talia credit. She was right. For a lonely diner in a very isolated town, the food was pretty good. Very good.

Almost good enough to forget that Ally was sitting in the same restaurant with me while I'm with my girlfriend. Yeah, I said almost for a reason. If only human food was enough to fulfill the stomach of a vampire. But if taking Talia out on a date will bring some of the spark in our relationship back, then I'll do it.

I drink a lot of my beer to release some of the tension I felt and if my heart was alive, it'd be beating out of my chest.

"I'm curious about something babe." Talia said lowly as I looked in her eyes hoping it had nothing to do with Ally since she only met her once on her own.

"It's this question I've had for you for a very long time. Decades, even." She continued on as I realize it's not about her.

"I always wanted to ask but I was scared to hear the answer."

"You're not scared of anything." I tell her because she was literally the most fearless person I knew. Sometimes that was a good and bad thing coming from her.

"Shoot." I add as she looks at me for a while before looking a little shy which threw me for a loop because Talia never looked shy. She was always the most confident person in the room.

"If you could go back in time... and change that night... the night that I changed who you were forever... would you?" She asked me as I stare in shock from the question because it caught me completely off guard.

My mouth gaps open, trying to find words desperately to fill the air but I couldn't because what was there to say?

"That's ridiculous!" I hear Ally say loudly from across the room, along with Talia and a couple of other people in the diner.

When I looked their way, it was obvious they were no longer having a good conversation because Ally's smile was now turned to a frown.

Talia turns around to see where the commotion came from and her eyes widen.

"Oh my god, I've seen that girl." She said turning back to me as I look surprised so she wouldn't know I already knew her.

"Really?" I ask with fake curiousness as she nodded still eyeing them.

"Let's just say I did not like her. She talked back to me." She said as I grew a little nervous.

"What's the matter, babe? Can't handle people having a back bone?" I joke to break the tension that only I was feeling.

"Please!" She said with a smirk.

"She's hot, I'll give her that." She said as I look at her amused.

"And she looks to be into older men. I'm not surprised. Insecure girls usually are." She said facing me again rolling her eyes.

"Or maybe that's her dad." I say because I knew that it was. I never properly met him but I saw pictures of him, her and her mom in Ally's room before.

"Yeah, whatever." She shrugged drinking her beer.

"And why do you assume she's insecure? You just called her hot."

"Doesn't mean she thinks so. Plus, anybody who doesn't look like me is insecure." She said with a smile as I chuckled shaking my head because of course she thinks like that.

My mind goes back to worrying if Ally will see me because all it takes is one look in this direction and I'm completely screwed.

Though, she seems to be completely focused in the argument she's having with her dad. She wasn't kidding when she told me their relationship was complicated.

It saddens me that they're out to dinner, which probably means she was happy about it and a fight broke out. I'm sure it's typical of them and she's use to it but it's sad that her hopes get up just to be constantly let down.

"Can we get out of here?" I say out loud, no longer wanting to take the risk but also not having the heart to watch Ally be sad.

Well… the dead heart.

"Get out of here? You barely ate your food."

"It's fine. I'll drink a couple of blood bags at home." I tell her as she shakes her head.

"Baby, this is a date. What is the rush?"

"I just want to spend the rest of the night with you. You and me alone." I tell her as her facial expression changes instantly.

"Is that so?" She smirks.

"Yes, Talia. So... can I have you all to myself?" I ask again leaning forward and kissing her as she smiles into it before I pull away.

"Yes, sir." She said as we both get up before I left cash on the table.

Talia takes my hand and I hold onto it while looking back at Ally one more time to get a good look at that beautiful face that I'll be seeing again later tonight and hopefully I won't make her just as upset as her father.

Talia and I walk out and then I race us to a local park that was completely empty while we decide to sit on a bench.

We sit in silence for a while as Talia leans her head on mine as we talk about the dates we use to go on back in the 80's before my life turned upside down.

"So, babe..." Talia started out as the summer breeze flows through my hair.

"You never got to answer my question from earlier." She finished as my breath hitched at the difficult question causing my chest to rise in anxiety.

"Um... I don't know how to answer it, babe. The truth is... I don't know if I'll ever truly know the answer." I say as she slowly leans her head off my shoulder making eye contact with me.

"That's hurtful considering we've been together for thirty four years. Thirty five if you also count the year before I bit you. That's three decades, Austin." She responded offended as I sighed.

"I know, babe. I get that, but... you did take away my choice and I lost so many things including my family and friends and my dreams. That means something." I told her as she looked away for a second before looking down.

"You're gonna make me pay for that for the rest of eternity aren't you?"

"That's not what I'm say-"

"But you think it. You blame me all the time."

"I shouldn't?" I say as she looks at me surprised while I mentally slap myself for probably starting a fight.

"Okay, you're right..." She said lowly as my eyes widen never expecting to hear those words.

"I took away your choice and your chance of a life with your family, friends and following your dreams. I would say sorry babe but I feel like if I do, that means I regret it. But I don't. I believe you're meant for this life. I knew it the minute I saw you playing football in the street with your friend Simon."

"Steve." I corrected and I try my damnedest not to get upset that she forget the name of a person she saw almost every day for a year straight.

"Right, Steve. The thing is... since I can't apologize for making you who you are since I believe in that so much, I apologize for hurting you. That's real. I promise." She tells me and I know she meant it even though it meant nothing to me.

"Thank you. I appreciate that." I say dryly as she looks at me waiting to change my answer to the question earlier just because she apologized for hurting my feelings.

"Talia, I'm sorry to disappoint but... I don't think I'll ever know the answer." I tell her truthfully again as she gets a certain darkness in her eyes.

"Fine."

"Babe." I say trying to reach out to her as she stands up.

"I'm gonna head home."

"Why? You don't wanna stay a little longer?" I asked seeing she was obviously frustrated.

"Nah, I'm a little tired. Do me a favor and don't come home right away. Just... don't." She told me as I sighed.

"You're pissed."

"I'm not."

"You are."

"A little, yeah." She admits as we just look at each other before she sighs sitting down next to me again.

"I appreciated tonight. It felt like how our relationship was when we first met. I'm not that girl into the typical lame ass romantic scene but I love you." She tells me as I kiss her instead of exchanging the same words because for some reason, it doesn't feel right to say it back.

"I'm upset, yeah but I'll get over it because you'll know soon enough. We're gonna get back to how we use to be, baby. I know it. Just give me some space right now okay?" She asked and I nodded.

"I'll see you when you get home." Talia says before quickly speeding off out of sight as I check my watch seeing that it's about twenty minutes before the time Ally texted me to meet her at her job.

I stand up and start my way to her job trying to shake the constant nerves and anxiousness that comes with thinking about her.

Ally's POV

"It's just getting worse, Claire. It's like the more we argue, the harder the insults are. I'm scared we'll both go too far and we won't have a relationship at all." I say over the phone after running out of tears.

"I'm so sorry, Ally. I know it's been hard on him so much and I wish I could give you my famous hug right now like I always use to." She says which makes me smile.

"Yeah, me too. Me too." I say before sighing as I realize it's getting late while I walk towards my job.

"Well, I know you have class in the morning so I'm gonna let you go."

"Okay, Als. Just call me again whenever you need someone to talk to. I just can't wait till you're back in the city again." She said missing me.

"You're telling me... but my dad is broken. It looks like it's gonna be a while. Might even be longer then just the year I originally planned staying down here." I told her honestly.

"It's not exactly what I want to hear, Als but family comes first. I'm proud of you. You're a good daughter." She tells me even though I didn't feel like one.

"Thanks, Claire. I'll call again this weekend. We can even Skype."

"Great." She said excited before we both hung up.

After I hang up the phone with my best friend since kindergarten, I arrive at my work place spotting a handsome and familiar blonde in front of the doors just waiting, not even aware of my presence because he looked like he had a lot on his mind.

"Waiting on someone?" I ask scaring him a bit as I chuckle to break the tension because the last time I saw him, I was pretty heated.

"Yeah, you." He answered as I couldn't help but slightly smile going up to the door as I got my key out.

My key opens the front door and then we enter the building as I turn on the lights and now we could really see each other. Much more than outside in the dark.

Austin looks at me in a way that's kind of hard to describe. He looks as if he's feeling a ton of different kind of emotions. Like he's happy, sad, confused and hurt. I don't know. He just seems like a lost puppy right now and I hope I'm not the main reason for it.

"So... I wanna apologize for how I treated you earlier. I shouldn't have been so hard on you." I admit as he shook his head walking a bit closer to me.

"You don't have to apologize, Ally. I lied to you, okay? I was an asshole. Doesn't matter if what I had to do was important. I shouldn't have left you alone. I shouldn't have done that." He said as I could see the shame in his eyes as he leaned one side of his body against the counter.

"But it was for a good reason right?" I say as he looks in my eyes and then back down not saying anything.

"Then you did the right thing." I say placing my left hand on top of his right one that was on top of the main counter.

"Austin, I shouldn't have reacted the way I did. I was just hurt because I thought you liked me just as much as I liked you." I said as he looked at me with such conflict.

"Ally, I do. It's just... my life is a mess. It's so complicated. You just have no idea." He sighed frustrated.

"I hate myself for not being able to forget about you or just let you go because I know your life would be better without me inside it but I'm drawn to you. Just like you are to me." He says as my heart melts at those words and I see how powerful our feelings are for each other but at the same time, there's something serious holding him back.

"Look, Austin... I'm not gonna force you to tell me what's going on but I don't like being lied to. I can't stand liars. If you have somewhere to go because of whatever is going on with you and it's private, just tell me that. Don't fabricate a story to make it more believable because that's when you lose my trust and I really want to trust you." I whisper the last part lowly taking my hand over his and placing it on his cheek as his eyes face me again with nothing but deep emotion inside them.

Austin looks into my eyes intensely before bringing his body closer to mine and leaning our foreheads together. The notion surprised me but I quickly came around to the act. I watched as his eyes closed and sighed heavily which saddened me because I think about the amount of burdens he must have and I really wish I knew what they were.

"You're so different than any other guy I've ever met, Austin." I say so low and light that I'm not even sure he heard me but he nods a little with his eyes still focused on our connecting.

"You saving me that day... well, my purse." I chuckle a bit.

"Who knew I'd find you? It seemed like a miracle. You ever feel that way?" I asked him as he slowly opened his eyes as our foreheads separated but we were still closely face to face.

"All the time." He admits looking so deep in my eyes that it felt extremely intimate.

"And that scares me, Ally. You scare me." He confesses shocking me.

"How could I ever scare you?"

"You're too perfect, Ally. You're beautiful, smart, care about animals, outgoing, fun and the best part... you have the kindest heart." He complimented as it warmed my soul with affection.

"That's so sweet, Austin but... perfect? That's so far from the truth. Do you honestly think I don't have demons? You think that I'm good all the time? My dad and I can barely have a normal conversation. I can't deal with my own shit because I'd rather party and drink than deal with depressive feelings and I stress all the time wondering if I'm ever gonna be great enough to get my degree and open all the clinics I want to in the world." I said with anxiety running a hand through my hair.

"I'm so sorry for whatever you are going through Austin but you are not the only one who has things they need to figure out." I tell him before jumping myself up to sit on the counter as he stares at me stunned.

"I... I had no idea." He started out.

"I knew you and your dad didn't get along but I didn't realize how much it affects you or the other stuff you have going on. I'm an asshole, Ally. I'm a self centered asshole." He said upset with himself as I sighed bringing him closer to me in between my legs.

"You are not an asshole. Sometimes, it's just hard to see when someone else is hurting when you're hurting yourself." I tell him honestly as he looked at me in awe.

"Where did you come from?" He asked lowly as our lips inch closer and closer before finally softly touching.

It takes me a second to realize that this is actually happening right now. Austin and I are really kissing and all I can think is finally.

After we pull away from that very gentle kiss, we look into each others eyes in what seemed like a trance... and without saying anything else, our lips find one another's once again.

Though, this time was way more passionate and intense. It was the most intoxicating kiss I've ever had. The way our lips mashed together as my arms wrapped around his neck and both his hands gripped my waist tightly but gently as I sat on the counter was amazingly perfect.

The butterflies I felt in my body were going absolutely crazy as I couldn't take the way his lips devoured mine.

"Ally, I-" He starts but can't finish because he's just as out of breath as me.

"There's something I have to tell you." He said looking in my eyes lustfully but also sadly as I leave pecks on his lips and I can tell it's hard for him to resist and honestly... I don't know why he would want to.

"Ally, we can't-"

"We can't what?" I cut him off with a smile and his bottom lip still in my mouth as I gently suck on it and his eyes turn that yellow color I saw from before.

I'm not scared or concerned anymore for him because now I know it's his eye discoloration disease.

After looking at me for a while in complete awe and lust, he ignores whatever doubts he has by kissing me hard and deeply as I moaned into the passionate kiss because of how quick the sexy action was.

Our mouths and tongues were clashing as if there was a mission to beat the other and if I'm being honest, I can't tell who was winning and I honestly don't care. All I know is that this is exactly what Austin and I needed. All the tension, all the drama, all the hurt we felt from each other in such little time is because of how strongly we feel for one another... and it's all coming full circle.

Austin runs away and I push him away when he's trying to do the right thing. I suddenly got what Austin was saying when he said he was scared of me. We're both fearful of each other.

We upset each other and we argue easily because it's easier for us to look for the way out rather than to accept what's in front of us.

"Mmm," We both moan this time into the messy and enticing kiss before we finally and slowly allow our lips to break apart as short rapid breaths fill the room between us.

We stare into each others eyes and I know that there are a million things going on in Austin's head as there are in mine. That happened.

Correction. That finally happened.

"I um... that... yeah." Austin said not making any sense as I giggled a little.

"I'll just take that as a compliment." I say with a shy smile as my arms stay around his neck and he still holds onto my waist on the counter.

"Ally, words can't describe how much I loved that... which is why I have to be honest and tell you somethi-"

"Austin, I want to end this night on a good note. Can we please do that?" I pleaded with a pouty face because of all the drama that's happened between him and I in such a short amount of time.

He looked at me guiltily like he really needed to tell me but I didn't want any bad or sad news tonight.

Austin slightly nodded his head agreeing as I smiled quickly kissing him on the cheek before jumping down from the counter and walking away.

"Want me to show you around?" I asked looking back at him.

"Um, sure." He said a little on edge following me to the back room to the dogs sleeping.

"Aren't they adorable?" I whisper as he looks at them and smiles.

"They are." He replied as some of the dogs woke up because dogs are very sensitive sleepers but they stay laid down.

"I don't like to admit I have favorites but-"

"You have one." He finished as I giggled and he shook his head with a smile.

"I can't help it. He's so adorable and we bond so well." I admit.

"You're adorable." He said as I blushed and watched him go through the aisle looking at each one.

"Let me guess, it's him." He said pointing to my favorite dog, Pepper.

"Oh my gosh, yes! How did you know?" I asked laughing but lowly.

"He just seems like your type." He said as I nodded in agreement.

"It's true."

"Some people drop their dogs off to get a doggy spa day or a check up and the rest are waiting to get adopted." I say giving him the facts.

"And I'm guessing he wasn't dropped off for a doggy spa day?" He questioned as I chuckled.

"No, he wasn't. He was a stray until they took him in a day after I came." I admit as he nods and Pepper gets up and stretches.

"He is cute." Austin comments as I smile.

"Yeah, I know. I'm jealous that someone will adopt him someday and I feel so selfish for that because he deserves a loving home."

"Why don't you adopt him then?" He asked confused.

"I told you, my dad doesn't like animals that can walk among him."

"Oh, right. Sorry."

"I've never had a pet that wasn't in a bowl of water." I said chuckling going over to Austin and Pepper in his cage.

"Hi, buddy. I'm sorry for waking you up." I whisper as Austin looks at me with a smile.

"Hey, dude. Your boss said you were her favorite and she kind of wants to steal you away." He said ducking down to the cage as I chuckled.

Pepper leaned in close and licked his face twice as Austin made the most gross and cutest face I've ever seen and I laugh but not as hard as I want to because most of the dogs are still sleeping.

"Awe, he likes you."

"Is that what it means?" He said with playful disgust and a smile on his face.

"Yes, of course. I think it means he approves of us." I say with a smile as Austin looks back at me with a non readable expression.

"Well, he's a lot nicer than the other dogs I know." He said rolling his eyes.

"What do you mean?" I asked confused as his eyes widen a bit.

"Oh, um... I meant... all the dogs I've encountered in my life were all assholes to me. Just... mean." He said awkwardly as I slowly nodded my head.

"Well, let's let them get back to their sleep. Bye Pepper. I love you." I said as he rubbed his head against my hand before I walked ahead of Austin as he followed me.

Austin's POV

I can't believe I said that in front of Ally. I really need to watch what I'm saying. It's so easy to get comfortable around her and I'm gonna end up exposing myself.

I follow her out to the front of the store and I just can't believe we kissed. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later but I have a girlfriend.

Oh my god. I cheated on my girlfriend! I am literally the worst dude ever. This morning I was saying how much better off I would be with Talia and five minutes ago, I'm making out with Ally at her job.

In that moment, I couldn't stop myself but when I tried to confess the truth, she didn't want to hear what I had to say. This isn't fair to anyone. Not Talia, nor Ally who has no idea about me having a girlfriend, leaving her completely oblivious and I just don't know what to do.

"Austin, come here." She said with a smile that lit up the world to me.

Why doesn't Talia do that for me?

I go over to her as she gets out a stethoscope with glee in her eyes.

"I use to do this all the time when I was kid volunteering. It was my favorite part to do on the animals or on myself. I loved hearing the beat of the human heart. It reminded me of how amazing the human body is and how alive we all are." She said putting the ear piece on.

"Come here." She motioned as my breath hitched nervously because this was not going to go well.

I slowly walk over to her as she pulls my arm faster and then puts the stethoscope on my chest. She moves it around slightly near the area of where my heart should be.

After a while, I watch her face change from confusion to worried.

"Austin." She said taking off the ear pieces and looking at me concerned.

"This might be strange to hear but for some reason, I can't hear your heartbeat." She says telling me something I already know because I'm dead and therefore my heart can't beat.

"Maybe the stethoscope is old." I said of her medical tools as she playfully scoffed.

"This is new, Austin. Lucky told me it came in from last month's shipment." She told me surely.

"Well, my heart beats so fast whenever I'm near you that it's undetectable." I say smoothly as she chuckles a bit.

"Yeah, I'm sure that's it." She says putting it back in the drawer she got it from.

"But I'm serious, Austin. It could be serious. You should go to a hospital. They have more advanced equipment that could tell if something is really wrong." She suggested.

"Come on, Ally. I could just have a cold coming on."

"It's summer, Austin. Plus, not even a faint heartbeat appeared Austin. It was like it wasn't there. Like... it didn't exist." She says as I look down before looking up again.

"Well, you know that sounds crazy right?" I say as she nods exceedingly.

"Of course. I'm just worried. Sorry for the concern."

"I don't mean it like that, Ally. I just want to let it go." I say truthfully.

"Okay, fine. I'll let it go." She says as I nod thankful.

"We should leave. I'm not even suppose to be here after hours." She said walking to the door and turning off the lights as we left the building.

"Why did you say to meet here instead of your house anyway?" I asked curious as she locked up the building.

"My dad is home. It's his day off." She tells me before we start walking along side each other towards her house.

"At the time I texted you about meeting up, I was just being cautious because I knew we were going out to dinner and we always fight. I was hoping we didn't but just incase… I rather meet you here instead. Of course we fought at the restaurant, so I made a good choice telling you to meet here. I know I'm a grown woman but I just didn't want to risk another argument over something so stupid and petty." She admits as I nod understanding.

"There is something I wanted to ask you though." She said looking over to me as we crossed a street.

"What is it?"

"How did you know where my job was earlier? I'm pretty sure I never told you where it was or the name of it."

"Oh. Well, it wasn't exactly hard. This town doesn't have that many stores and your job is the closest vet in 30 miles. Plus, I'm familiar with the owner. Sorta. I kinda see her around in town sometimes but I doubt she sees me." I said honestly.

"Her name is Dr. Webster. She's really nice." I say as he smiles.

"Yeah, I met her for like two seconds earlier before you came back from your dog walk. When I arrived and asked for you, she told me you were out walking dogs with your coworker and you would be back soon. She also called me handsome might I add." I said as she giggled shaking her head.

"And I'm guessing that fed your ego?" She joked as we were now a block away from her house.

"Nah... cause I already know it." I say as she laughs, playfully punching my shoulder and in this moment...I felt like that young adult back in 1984 again.

"I'm so happy we made up. It's nice to be on good terms again. Even though, the bad terms only lasted like a day." She said as I chuckled.

"Yeah, me too. I don't ever wanna hurt you Ally. If I do, please just tell me. Guys can be idiots and oblivious." I tell her as she smiles sweetly.

"At least, you're of the ones aware."

"And yes, if I feel hurt by something... next time I'll be sure to let you know and try to talk it out." She responds as we arrive in front of her house.

"Look at that. You walked me home this time." She joked as I laughed and blushed like a school boy with a crush on the pretty neighborhood girl.

"Yeah, sorry again for that."

"Water under the bridge." She says as we look into each others eyes for a few seconds before she leans up and places her soft lips on mine and I kiss back gently.

We both pull away slowly and she smiles shyly putting a strand of hair behind her ear looking back and forth between her house and me.

"Well... goodnight Austin." She says kindly as I smile but with shame behind my eyes.

"Goodnight Ally Dawson." I reply saying her full name making her smile wider than before.

Then she walks up to her front door, turns back around to me and waves as I wink and she giggles before going inside.

I sigh with feelings of happiness and indignity. What I did tonight was so wrong. I kissed Ally when I have a girlfriend. Well, we kissed each other but the point is... is that Ally doesn't know. Not to mention, Talia is trying to be better… I think? Well, she did promise not to hurt Jeanie and that's a start.

What the hell am I going to do?

As I turn around about to speed off, I see three people on the opposite side of the street. It's hard to see them because of how dark it is, and the street lights aren't exactly working.

I just see their shadows which look to be an older guy and girl around my age and the silhouette of a little girl that looks to be a pre-teen.

That's when it hits me. I know exactly who they are. Sarah tried to warn Thomas and Talia but they didn't believe her but I wasn't in denial. I guess they decided to lurk around for a while like Sarah said and of course I believed it, because they always had.

They were determined and they were not backing down until they got justice.

Well, until he did.

"So... it's true. You're here." I say lowly because I know they can here because they have supersonic hearing just like we do.

"No need to hide anymore. I know you're here now." I add before they all came out of the shadows exposing the same faces I remember from two years ago.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" I said with a tilt of the head.

"You think time is gonna make me forget?" I hear his voice change to anger quickly as I shake my head.

"You know... I never wanted that to happen." I say honestly as he chuckles dryly.

"You think you're better than them just because it wasn't you?"

"No, but it shouldn't have happened. They didn't deserve it." I said feeling regretful for something I didn't even do.

"Is that suppose to me feel better? Us feel better?!" He shouted as I cringed looking around making sure Ally didn't hear us or the other three houses on the block.

"What's the matter, Austin? Don't want to wake your little human friend?" He said smartly.

"By the looks of it, Braedon. She looked like more than just a friend." The older girl Maria said with a smirk.

"That's true. Let me guess... you and Talia broke up? Not surprised. She was a bitch." He shrugged as he and Maria smirked.

"Shut the fuck up." I said with gritted teeth as I began getting angry.

"Oh, wait... you didn't? You didn't break up? I'm genuinely shocked right now. So, you're just like having some kind of love affair? Dude, I dig it." He said sarcastically as I felt myself get more enraged.

"I wonder how Talia would feel if she knew. I remember those anger issues she had." He continued as I felt the fury spread through me.

"I'm warning you...to shut...the fuck up." I said again as he just loved getting a rise out of me.

"Sorry, I can't help it. It's so interesting. I mean, locking lips with someone not of your own kind? I wonder if your little human knows all about us and the world you come from?" He laughed smartly causing me to quickly speed over to him gripping him up by the shirt as I felt my eyes turn red because of the anger inside me.

"If you lay even a finger on her, I will end you! Do you hear me?! I will end you!" I screamed in his face as the little girl I knew so well tried to do something but Maria held her back.

Braedon just looked in my face intrigued that I cared so much about her, especially with her being a human and then laughs a bit.

"Relax, Blondie. Remember... we're not like your kind. We're not killers." He said snarky like before.

"Unless the killings for your kind." He corrected as he got himself out of my grip.

"You'll pay. All of you." He added with nothing but hatred and coldness in his eyes.

"And that day will come. Just not today." He said looking me deep in the eyes making sure I got the message. Then he pats my shoulder twice casually as I look at him extremely pissed off.

Braedon and Maria started to walk off but his little sister was just giving me a death stare that could kill thousands if she wanted. She's always been a tough little girl and it saddens me a bit because we use to get along so well until what happened... happened.

Things are so different now.

"Brooke, let's go!" Braedon shouted harshly as his little sister turned around and caught up to them as they walked off. Not before Braedon gives me one last look to let me know this isn't the end of it.

It was only the beginning.

END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS

1.) Thoughts on Austin and Talia officially back together?

2.) Whose side are you on when it comes to Ally and her dad?

3.) What did you think of A&A's argument?

4.) Reaction to their first kiss?

5.) What did you think about that mysterious ending?

6.) Predictions?