A.N. This chapter's really, really short, but the next one is MUCH much longer. (Still don't own anything but an original idea here and there.)

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Elyssa rolled over away from the sun shining through the curtains and stifled a groan. The night before was weighing heavily on her mind and she couldn't decide if she wanted to run away or just burrow back under her covers until the next millennium.

But even then she wouldn't escape facing Thierry. Damn vampires for living forever.

Sighing, she forced herself to drop the cowardly act and pushed her blankets back, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. She slouched her way over to her closet and flung it open, only to stare blankly at the contents.

All right, she muttered. Time to get a move on. Wake up, Elyssa.

Grabbing a random sundress, she tossed it on the bed and stumbled into the shower, emerging ten minutes later feeling just slightly more human. She pulled her clothing on quickly and sprinted downstairs towards the kitchen, sandals dangling in her hand, hoping to bypass breakfast with her adoptive family.

She made it down the hallway without incident, passing the closed dining room door with a feeling of triumph. As she crept into the kitchen, she walked with mincing steps, trying to let as little of her feet touch the tiled floor as possible.

Whatcha doin?

Elyssa whirled to find Ash, Poppy and Thierry all sitting at the kitchen table, staring at her curiously. Feeling a blush work its way up her neck and into her cheeks, she wracked her brain, trying to find a reasonable excuse for sneaking into her own kitchen in broad daylight.

Finding none, she opted for casualty. she said, turning and marching to the fridge, where she pulled out an apple. Marching on to the sink, she casually rinsed it off and quickly dried it on a towel before turning to find them all still staring at her. Smiling, she gave a jaunty wave with the hand that held her sandals and took a bite of the apple, heading back towards the door. Only to stop as Samantha appeared in the doorway.

Good morning, everyone, she said with a wide smile that displayed her perfect teeth surrounded by perfect lips.

the vampires all echoed with smiles, but Elyssa chose to concentrate on chewing and waved her apple for emphasis.

I was wondering where everyone had gotten to, she continued, heading to the table to sit down. Next to Thierry. The dining room was empty, you see and I got rather flustered. Her self-depricating laugh was so light that everyone just smiled with her. Even Elyssa until she noticed what she was doing and reminded herself where Samantha was sitting.

Opening her mouth to say goodbye, she was interrupted as Samantha turned towards Thierry. Thank you so much for letting me stay here, Thierry.

Of course, it's our pleasure to have you, he said, in his wonderful, smooth voice with a smile that was aimed directly at Samantha.

Sighing noiselessly, Elyssa slipped from the room with nothing but a quick grin at Ash, who was facing the door and was the only one to notice her departure. Feeling oddly replaced, she practically jogged down the hallway to find Charles, her means of escape.

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Six hours later, Elyssa could no longer think of excuses to stay in the city. Sabrina was being forced to visit her grandmother (an extremely ornery woman whose favorite past time was insulting her son's choice in clothing, career, hairstyle, etc.); the Harman shop was closed for the day; she'd already taken in a magic show and visited some of the attractions she hadn't seen a thousand times already; she couldn't gamble; and she wasn't particularly interested in strip clubs. Not that they'd let her in anyway. And there was, of course, that essay she had to write for English.

So, she really had no choice but to let Charles take her back to the mansion, which he'd seemed oddly eager to do all day, despite the long phone conversation with Poppy that had ultimately ended in permission to roam Las Vegas for awhile.

Stepping inside the cool foyer as Charles walked past her carrying her bags of purchases, she wondered vaguely if she had planned to avoid Thierry forever. Well, certainly for as long as possible, she admitted to herself, watching her bags disappear around the corner at the top of the stairs.



Turning to locate the owner of the voice, Elyssa caught sight of Samantha waving to her from the room to the left and smiled politely. Hello, Samantha.

Samantha grinned and ran over. I was just about to go try to find someone to play pool. Would you like to?

Uh, actually, I have to write an English paper. Maybe next time, she said apologetically.

Samantha replied with an unconcerned shrug. I guess I'll just go find Thierry. Or someone else.

Elyssa winced inside, but remained smiling as she nodded and moved to head up the stairs. I'll see you later then.

Samantha was already walking down the hall towards Thierry's office.

Swallowing a lump in her throat, Elyssa hurried up the stairs and threw herself into writing her paper on Camus' The Stranger.