Vampire's Aren't Real

Disclaimer: I don't own The Lost Boys.

Author's note: I'm terribly sorry for how long you guys had to wait for this chapter but now it's not just nearly Christmas in the story but actually Christmas in real life, so Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays Everyone! I hope it's been a great one for you!

Thank you to all my reviewers, followers, and those who favorited this story I love you all!

Here's an update on the Lost Boys Funko pop for those of you who read my last A/N and are interested. I found out they had Edgar and Alan pops as well, but only from the official Funko site. Right now, I have both Michael and Sam but despite pre-ordering David he hasn't arrived… he keeps getting pushed back and is now due to arrive sometime in March thing is I've seen some other people already got him what's up with that? Oh well better late than never.

Chapter Beta'd by exaigon

Chapter 4: Christmas Break Starts

Lydia didn't want the date to end but it was getting late and if she stayed out any longer her mother would probably start to worry if she wasn't already.

"We should probably head back to the boardwalk so I can call my mom." It was the last thing she wanted to do but it was the responsible thing, so she'd do it.

"What do you need to call her about?" Paul questioned.

"A ride home." She stated like it was obvious, but to him it wasn't.

He looked over at his bike in a conspicuous motion, "I've got you covered. No need to make your mom go outta her way. I'll drive you home, just point the way."

It was a nice offer and she would be able to spend more time with him but…

"Sorry but if I arrived home on the back of that thing," she motioned in the general direction of his bike, "my mom would probably have a coronary."

"…What's wrong with simply saying a heart attack like normal people and my bike isn't a thing," he pouted.

"Sorry if I'm too sophisticated for you," Lydia giggled and asked jokingly, "should I apologize to your bike too?"

Paul nodded solemnly before cracking a smile, unable to keep up his serious act making her laugh too. Once the laughter trailed off he stated, "You're a considerate daughter."

"Are you making fun of me now too?" The girl was referring to when Marko made his 'Mama's girl' comment a few days ago.

He seemed to get that and shook his head, "No I wasn't. It must be nice to have a parent that you're close to."

Lydia stared at him and wondered if he wasn't close to his but decided against asking something so personal so soon. "I guess. I mean Mom's all I have and, well, vice versa I suppose…" The girl trailed off not knowing how else to continue.

Taking note of this Paul stood up and changed the subject, "Well we wouldn't want to give her a coronary, so we should get you home soon." He extended a hand to help her up and she took it, allowing him to pull her to her feet as well.

"You mean get me to a phone don't you?" She questioned and he shook his head.

"Nah I'll drop you off without her noticing my bike."

"And how are you going to accomplish that? If you haven't noticed, it's not the quietest of transportations."

"One of the many good things about it."

"If you say so."

"I do. But since we need to do a stealth mission, I'll just stop it a little ways away from your house and walk you the rest of the wak. Does that work?"

"I wouldn't want you to go out of your way," she told him.

"Better me than your mom, right?" He joked before quickly adding, "Just agree already. It's an excuse to spend more time with you." He winked making a slight blush spread across her cheeks, "and I can play the part of the gentleman walking you to your door. That's not a role I get very often. It could be funt" the boy pleaded with his hands in a prayer grasp and pouting bottom lip for extra effect.

It served to push away her embarrassment at his earlier words because he was just being so silly that she had to laugh at him, "Okay alright." Lydia hid her laughter behind her hand trying to calm down, "let's do this your way. Just stop making that face, it's beyond ridiculous."

He grinned in response, "Great. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's get this show on the road then."

His hand found hers as he all but dragged her excitedly to his motorcycle before letting go to mount his bike and then offered her a hand to help her hop on behind him once he was settled.

Gratefully taking his help, she got comfortable and then they were off and she briefly wondered if the windswept hair would clue her mom in on what her transportation was. She pushed the thought away to enjoy the ride and laughed at Paul's silly behavior as he yelled and pretended he was on a roller-coaster or something of the sort.

It amazed her that he could both be silly and make her laugh so easily one moment and then the next have her face aflame with his sexiness and flirty personality.

It was hardly fair because in comparison what could she bring to the table? She wasn't overly dull to converse with, but she didn't think of herself as funny either. Maybe she had a bit of wit at times? Did that count as a positive? For him it might.

As for her physical appeal, did she really have any? Probably not. But when she tried she could look decent enough.

Still, it was a mystery to her as to why he was on this date with her.

Sure, she wasn't ugly but clearly he could get someone much prettier than her without too much effort. The date didn't seem like a pity date but what would she know about that kind of thing given that this was her first date?

Maybe he didn't like girly girls? Too much maintenance... she could be onto something there. The reasoning didn't really matter though. The date was nearly over and well, that would be that, wouldn't it?

It would still be a good memory even if he didn't ask her out again. Before she was able to think more about it his voice reached her ears, "Which way?"

Lydia looked at their surroundings before giving him directions and this continued every time they needed to take a turn. Before long she was telling him to stop.

"Yeah, here's good. I can walk from here."

"You mean we can," Paul corrected her as they both dismounted his bike.

"It's not that far you don't have to-"

He cut her off, "I don't but I want to. Remember? I'm playing the gentlemen right now," he reminded her.

She shook her head fondly, "You sure it's only an act?"

He chuckled and snatched her hand up as they walked.

"Definitely sure." He brought their intertwined hands up and kissed the back of hers making her face flush. "I'm doing a good job right?" Paul asked with a wink.

Lydia turned her head away from his, now smug, look. To get back at him for the embarrassment she replied with, "Perfectly princely."

He gagged at the words and quickly dropped her hand in a dramatic fashion. "Oh no. How ever will my image recover?"

The blush faded enough at his antics for her to look back at him and tease, "What image was that again?"

"Isn't it obvious? My badass biker dude one!" His confidence in those words was adorable.

"Hm, well…" She paused and looked thoughtful, "you do have a bike, I'll give you that one."

"You don't think I'm badass?" He asked aghast.

"Um… not really no, but that's okay because you're really sweet." Not that it wasn't true but now she was just teasing him and both of them knew it even without her emphasis on the words.

"Don't say that to the guys. They'll make fun of me for an eternity," he bemoaned.

Lydia grinned at the mental image of them ribbing him before speaking, "Oh, don't exaggerate."

"I'm really not." Paul told her before asking, "That your place up ahead?"

His question distracted her from possibly further analyzing his words, "Yeah that's it. Cozy, huh?" Lydia answered for him, "It's only the two of us so it doesn't have to be any bigger."

Paul nodded, "Yeah though, I think you meant it's the three of you."

Lydia glanced his way confused, "Three?"

"You can't forget Mrs. Minnie. I know I certainly won't seeing as how, given the chance, she'd like to murder me."

The girl rolled her eyes, "Of course you're right. Though, I think you must've caught her on a bad day. She's really not the type to try and murder anyone."

"You never know… the sweet ones can surprise you." His grin was sharp, but she just looked amused, "Is that your way of warning me about you?"

"Maybe."

"So, do you plan to murder me then?"

"Not right now."

"Oh well that's good, what with Christmas just around the corner it would be a terrible time to get killed."

"You're absolutely right I'll wait until after Christmas."

"How thoughtful. Well I guess I'll just have to keep my guard up."

"Sounds like the safe thing to do. Oh, but only after Christmas as I wouldn't be so rude as to kill you before then."

She nodded and then they both laughed at the absurdity of their conversation and that was when the porch light turned on. Lydia didn't even notice how close they'd gotten, too busy talking to her date.

"Well I should get inside before my mom comes out here. Good night." Lydia's hand grabbed the door knob as she searched for her key.

"What no good night kiss?"

Turning her head, she used the hand now housing her key to blow him a kiss. "There you go, happy?"

Paul shook his head, "Not in the slightest. Being a gentleman sucks so I'm totally gonna stop now."

That was all the warning Lydia received before his hand grabbed ahold of hers that had just teasingly blew a kiss to him and pulled her away from the door into him. His other hand cupped her cheek and he swiftly bringing his face down to hers.

Paul's lips brush hers and then pressed a bit more firmly before pulling back and taking in her stunned expression.

He grinned, "I'm gonna do that again, so you can respond this time."

Lydia just blinked speechlessly before he did as warned and kissed her again. Her brain went from stunned to a pile of mush because he was kissing her; her first kiss.

No, her second one.

And being a passive participant was not the way she wanted to experience this, so she did as he suggested and responded. It was hard to focus on anything aside from the feeling of his lips against her own. She managed, whether by some instinct or by copying his movements it didn't matter, because she did it. He clearly knew what he was doing so her own inexperience didn't make it horrible.

Paul pulled back again with a smirk. "We should go out again." Lydia nodded dumbfounded, "Sometime soon."

She nodded again, having still not regained her voice to her date's obvious delight.

Just then the door opened and her mother's head peered out, "Lydia?"

The girl in question all but jumped back from the biker and struggled not to look abashed or guilty in the older woman's presence. But she could tell from the look on her mom's face she knew something just happened.

Thankfully, she didn't decide to embarrass her and just smiled at the both of them, "It's late Lydia."

The girl nodded once more and suddenly wondered when she became a bobble head and forced herself to speak then, "Right. Goodnight Paul… See you later?"

Lydia's unsure of why it came out as a question instead of a statement. He'd already asked her out again and kissed her so the fact that she would see him later was pretty much a given, right?

"You bet. Good night Lydia." He winked her way and she didn't bother to fight the blush before ducking her head and hurrying inside past her mom.

"Good night to you too ma'am." He told his date's mother who was still on the porch watching in amusement at her daughter's fleeing form.

"Good night and nice to meet you as well, Paul, was it?"

"Yes ma'am." The boy smiled at her winningly, "I had a lovely time with your daughter tonight, now that we've met. I can see a lot of you in her. I'll wager that she got some of that wonderful personality from you as well."

"Well aren't you a charmer," She giggled before continuing, "I wasn't expecting you to drive her home. Our house is a bit out of the way, but I do appreciate it."

"It was no trouble. Better I went out of my way than you. Besides I've lived here a while, so I know all the shortcuts. I'll be home in no time," he assured her inner worries about his late night driving.

"That's good but you be careful. They're aren't enough lights out around here."

"I'll be extra careful, promise." That said he bid his goodbye with a kiss to her hand, making the older woman flush, before taking his leave.

She watched him for a moment and pondered where his car was at before a voice from inside distracted her, "Mom?"

Lydia was once again calm enough to realize that she'd left her date on the porch with her mother and that her mom was still outside. So, she called out and was both nervous and relieved to see her come back inside.

"Well how was it. Tell me all about it?" Her mother gushed and suddenly Lydia wondered which of them was the teenager.

"It was… fun. We rode some rides and played some games. Oh, and he won me this." She pulled out the tiny bear from her jacket pocket by the loop on it's head, "I could probably pull out an old cork board and hang it like I used to with my keychains or something."

Her mom smiled, "I can't believe my daughter's all grown up and has her first boyfriend."

Lydia's face flamed back up, "He's not… I mean it was just a date."

That's when Paul's words from earlier came to mind, "It's never just a date with me."

But what did they mean? Were they dating now? Was she his girlfriend…? "I-I'll have to clarify that with him next time we talk," she mumbled and fiddled with the stuffed bear to give her something to do with her hands.

Her mother smiled knowingly, "You do that." She patted her daughter's fidgeting hands. "You have all next week to do it."

Lydia tilted her head, "Next week?"

"Did you forget you only have one more week until winter break?" The woman asked.

"No, no I didn't forget but why-" That's when it dawned on her. Her mother thought Paul was a student at her school. She'd pretty much said the same thing once before but Lydia didn't want to correct her.

Even though she was eighteen her mother wouldn't approve of her dating someone who already graduated… or was possibly a dropout. She never did ask, nor did she know his exact age either. In their twenty question games she didn't really find out all that much about him.

So, what did she know?

She knew his name… well his first name, knew that he wasn't a student, that he liked horror movies, that he could be funny and sweet, was a good kisser- Wait, should that count? He was also a biker that was possibly part of a biker gang, he only liked to come out at night when things were lively, and that Mrs. Minnie had it out for him. Despite what she had said, she could tell her mom's dog wasn't just PMSing.

Wow, that wasn't a lot of information.

But if he really was her boyfriend then she would just have to change that.

"Lydia?"

Her mom's questioning tone pulled her out of her thoughts and made her realize she'd zoned out. She really needed to work on that. "Sorry mom. Just tired. Can we talk more tomorrow?"

"Sure sweetie. Good night." She hugged the younger girl and got a tight squeeze in response.

"Night."

That school week dragged by and it was mostly due to her school-friends and their attempts to pull her into things; girly things and things that cost more money than she had making her feel bad about not having the money to do anything or join in. All in all, she tried, and mostly failed, to spend the week avoiding them. At least they didn't know where her house was even if they did know where her mom worked.

She debated letting them see her with Paul but didn't know if it was worth the drama in school. Once the new girl phase was over, surely, they'd leave her alone, right?

As for Paul, Lydia sadly sees very little of the night owl that week given that she, as Marko once again mocked, had a bedtime. Not really but she may as well of had one. During the one real conversation she had with Paul alone, she did ask him if they were dating but she got a non-answer and it left her feeling unsure of where they stood even though, in the same conversation, he invited her to hang out with his friends at a bonfire once the break started.

She agreed.

Then Lydia pulled an avoidance tactic herself when her 'friends' asked her about her winter plans and basically told her she'd be hanging out with them. The blonde didn't agree to it so if they waited for her to show and she didn't, it wasn't her fault.

The teenager sighed as she put down her pencil and stretched. It was the last test; her midterm finals were done. Gathering her things, she quietly stood up and dropped off her paper at the teacher's desk, who didn't so much as look up from whatever he was doing, and left the room.

Getting out as soon as she finished her test meant she could avoid the others who were still taking their own or had other classes they hadn't yet taken. Lydia was just lucky that Friday only had one class to sit through a test for.

Looking at the clock in the hallway on her way out read half past nine meaning she had only been at school for and hour and a half today. If only every day could be like that, she thought happily before leisurely walking to the boardwalk.

Lydia spent the day wandering around and going into places she had yet to check out and then relaxing on the beach before meeting her mom and letting her know how her test went and getting a muffin Then she left the older woman to her work and wandered around some more until her mom got off work.

In a way, she wanted to see Paul that night before her mom got off but, in the end, it was probably a good thing that she went home before that happened because spending all day walking around after straining her brain that morning left her exhausted and if Paul had found her, she would've likely fell asleep on him.

While some might think that seem romantic, she was positive she'd do something embarrassing like drool on him or have a nightmare.

The next day, Lydia woke up late because it was both the weekend and her holiday. In her fuzzy pjs, which were way too warm for this state even in the winter, she grabbed a bowl of cereal along with Mrs. Minnie and curled up on the couch turning on the TV in search of cartoons.

Eventually she had to change into something more weather appropriate, but it was still sleep wear and she went right back to cuddling the Pomeranian and pretty much using her as her own personal fluffy pillow at one point, before her mother came home and scolded her for being lazy all day.

As her mother had left before she got out of bed the only time she had spoken with her was a brief call to ask her if she could go to the boardwalk tonight and since her mother knew about her plans with her friends, though not which friends, prior she had told her daughter that she remembered and would drive her there after work.

But when she arrived home Lydia wasn't ready at all. The girl sheepishly apologized and rushed off to shower and get ready.

In a record time of half an hour she was ready and her mother dropped her off.

"Call me and I'll-"

Lydia waved her off, "That's okay mom I can get a ride home."

"But it's so dark on our road-"

"Paul's a good driver." Okay that wasn't exactly true. He took way more risks than was probably necessary but if it hadn't killed him yet then hopefully his luck would hold out for one more night.

"Oh, I wasn't aware that he'd be at the bonfire…" Her mother said watching her daughter's face closely.

"Er, yeah everyone is…" Once again not being specific about who everyone was, she only felt a tad guilty.

"Okay, I know I don't have to tell you to be careful… you always are…" She trailed off lost in thought.

Lydia had a feeling she knew where her mind was headed, to her brother. To Zack.

He partied and snuck out and was generally reckless and she was worried about her daughter going down the same path and ending up dead too. Even though they both knew that was not going to happen because Lydia wasn't Zack.

"I'll be careful I promise, love you mom." She hugged the other woman, who responded in turn to her declaration with a quick squeeze, and let go before she could think to latch on and prolong the hug.

"Right, of course. You're surrounded by a bunch of good teenagers, a bit rowdy with questionable wardrobes, but it's safe…" She convinced herself and waved her daughter off with a smile, albeit somewhat forced.

Walking down the beach, Lydia spotted several bonfires but none with Paul at them so she wandered around and hoped that either she'd find them, or they'd find her. The latter happened mere minutes after she thought that.

Paul grabbed her around the waist from behind and started talking immediately after so that she knew it was him and not to panic, "You're finally here! I wasn't sure you were going to come."

"I said I would. I just had to wait for my mom to get off work," she told him as he loosened his hold on her waist and she turned to face him,

"In that case next time I'll just pick you up." With that settled, he let her go completely but before she could miss his touch he grabbed her hand and started to pull her along to where his bonfire was at.

It was a bit farther than she'd thought given that he suddenly happened upon her. He must've been looking for her then? She squeezed his hand tighter at the thought.

When the two arrived she was greeted by her first real look at his friends aside from Marko who she'd grown familiar enough with given their frequent run ins and all his good natured teasing.

If she had any doubt of him possibly being part of a bike gang it was gone now. Sure Paul and Marko themselves wouldn't be a red flag but the other two added into the mix... yeah, that's what they were.

"That's David." He motioned to the relaxed bleach blond wearing nothing but leather from the looks of it and then over to the only dark haired one of the group, "and that's Dwayne."

Her first thought was, 'Why isn't he wearing a shirt because, California or not, it was still winter and nights could get kinda chilly.'

"Hey what about me!?" Marko shouted piqued.

"What about you?" Paul asked.

"Introduce me too," he complained.

She laughed, "Like I could forget you."

He puffed up at that.

"Tom, right?" She joked trying to keep a straight face but failing.

"Tom!? Do I look like a Tom?" He asked the group only to get amused looks and responses in return, "That's it! She's gotta go shoo, shoo." He made shooing motions with his hand and Paul sat down next to him pulling Lydia down as well before smacking his 'shooing' hand. To which the boy continued to be a drama queen about how they were picking on him.

Before long David shut him up by telling him to go grab them all some food, to which he promptly got up and did without any complaints.

While Marko was gone on a food drive, they talked about normal things; their bikes, the boardwalk, music, movies. At the mention of movies David's eyes drift to Paul's before he conversationally suggested that they all go see a movie. "I think there's one about vampires on right now."

Lydia had been leaning against Paul, so at the mention of vampires he felt her stiffen up. Even David and Dwayne could see the tenseness that suddenly appeared.

"She doesn't like horror movies."

"Oh, is that so?" David asked, and she forces herself to relax."

"Yeah…"

"A romance fan then?" Dwayne's words settle her nerves slightly more.

"It's alright but comedy preferably."

"Hm, is it all horror or just certain genres of it?"

Her eyes drifted back over to David and she could feel his own stare. It was like they were judging her soul or something. It was not a comfortable feeling, "Well I guess if it's mainly a mystery who-done-it type of thing or something that doesn't focus on… the blood and gore part, then it's alright."

David nods, "I see. Vampires are out of the question then."

She tried really hard not to respond to the word. Why couldn't she act like it was no big deal? She had been doing so for years with her counselor, why couldn't she now? Maybe because she expected it to come up in sessions, or maybe it was that night where she thought she saw… no she wasn't going to think about it.

It wasn't real. She wasn't a little girl anymore; overactive imagination and traumatic events were a thing of her past not her present. She was so done with vampires.

"Yeah… no vampire… movies for me thanks." Lydia's eyes finally looked away from his and right then Marko showed up with food and she could kiss the guy for his perfect timing.

Paul stuck out his leg and tripped him causing Marko to nearly drop the food, if it wasn't for both his and Dwayne's quick thinking.

David looked amused, but Marko didn't as he set the food aside to tackle her date, it was bizarre seeing two practically fully-grown men wrestling in the sand beside her.

But it was funny as well, so she watched and laughed at them while helping herself to some food. It made her forget her earlier discomfort around David and his line of questioning.

David, though, didn't forget and was mulling over her thoughts and putting certain things together whereas Paul only seemed to pick up on her thought about kissing Marko.

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