14

"This is perfect.", she smiled so brightly as she took another slice of pizza, the fireplace a few feet away, glowing hotly beside her. A nice tall cold glass of pink lemonade on the floor beside the pizza.

"I'm glad you're liking it.", Edward smiled at her. Every light in the house was off, the only light came from the fire. His eyes were even more gorgeous in the orange glow of firelight, she had to keep looking away. She was sure they were drawing her into him more and more, and that was really scaring her. Not the fact that he killed or that he was a vampire, the fact that she was starting to love him and she'd have to leave soon. It almost made her cry when she thought about it.

"The pizza is great, but I mean YOU.", she pointed out, looking at him sitting on the floor next to her, Indian style, playing his black guitar for her while she ate.

"I accept all kinds of tips.", he smirked, trying to think of what to play for her next.

"Here's a tip." She leaned in, kissing his soft lips quickly and swaying back to her spot on the floor.

"Oooh.", he winced, "Garlic."

She gasped, "Oh my God, I did have some on there, are you alright?!"

He laughed at her terrified reaction, getting a slap or two from her on his arm.

"Jerk, that wasn't funny.", she scolded, laughing a little, going back to her pizza.

"Thanks for the kiss.", he said seriously. He liked her kisses too much.

"Thanks for the heart attack.", she frowned back with a grin at the end, taking a bite.

"You like….Rick Springfield?", Edward asked, starting to play a slow melody, "He's not too terrible."

"I do like him.", she smiled, listening. His voice had knocked her off her feet when he first sat down on this floor. Now she wanted him to sing all night.

"I know just what you're doing, you want to put the hurt on someone.", he sang like a god, "You've been trying to convince yourself it's better off if you just turn and run."

She smiled, enchanted.

"But I'm gonna hold on tight,

I've got a feeling

You'll only happen once to me" he sang, right to her, staring at her.

She got a lump in her throat, hearing the words.

He sang on, tenderly:

"And no one , not even you

Is ever gonna make you wrong for me.

Don't walk away

Are you looking for a price to pay

Is that your master plan ?

Don't walk away

I'll do everything to make you stay

I've got to make a stand

Don't walk away

I'm not afraid

Don't walk away"

He closed his eyes, playing so beautifully, his voice eternal as he went on :

I don't know where you're going

But I know what you've got on your mind.

But I think your fear is showing,

You don't leave things like fear behind.

I hate to be the one to break it to you that

We're only human after all

I can mend a broken wing

I'll give you everything I have…

Don't walk away

I'll do anything to make you stay

Don't walk away

I'm not afraid !

Don't walk away…"

She clapped her hands, applauding, putting her pizza down on the plate.

"Yay!", she felt tears in her eyes, hoping he couldn't see them in the dark, "God, you have a magnificent voice."

"Don't do that Sammi.", he said with a flat voice, looking at the floor.

"Do what?", she avoided, acting dumb.

His eyes looked up to meet hers, not a hint of sarcasm or teasing there, only hurt and loneliness.

"Don't pretend you don't know.", he answered.

"Umm..", she took a sip of her lemonade and asked, "Do you know any Michael Jackson songs?" Maybe that would change the subject, she hoped.

His eyes squinted now, in insulted annoyance.

"I would die all over again instead of singing a Michael Jackson song.", he stated without regret.

She laughed, almost spitting out her lemonade, holding her lips shut.

"Sammi, I wanted to ask you…", he began but she saw the serious look in his eyes again and had to change the subject again.

"Oh, I want to ask you something.", she cut him off, "Sorry, I wanted to ask you to join me tomorrow night for some teenage fun, something you sorely need. You are 17 years old, but living like you're 100. That's not good. You stay in the house in the dark all the time, you need to get out and be 17. Get yourself away from these drug dealers and slave traders for one night."

"To do what?", he asked, looking so unsure again. He was so sweet, she thought, a vampire afraid to go out at night.

"You'll see.", she smiled, liking having her little secret, "You will love it, we'll have so much fun. Say yes."

"Yes.", he didn't look very pleased, then he asked, sadly, "Are you not having fun here with me ?"

She gave a TSK sound and said, "You are silly. Of course I am having a GREAT time here with you. But I want to see you have some fun. Let me show you a good time for a change. Okay?"

He sighed, "Okay."

Looking down at his guitar, he played a couple of chords and asked, "Will there be people there ?"

"Just me.", she smiled, seeing how fragile and timid he could be. Like a baby deer she observed.

"Okay.", he breathed in relief, licking his lips quickly, looking back at her.

"How's your pizza?" he asked.

"Sooo good.", she ate some more, "The cheese is so melty and I love the sauce."

He watched her pull the cheese far out as she took a bite and he made a disgusted face.

"What?", she giggled, "Haven't you ever had pizza?"

"No and I don't wish to now.", he stared at her eating it.

"Do you really forget what food tastes like when you become a vampire?", she asked, "I can't see myself ever not wanting a good pizza or a lemonade."

"Food becomes alien after awhile.", he answered, "I can't taste food."

"God." She commented, not understanding what that must feel like.

"So what do the animals taste like ?" she asked, curiously.

His eyes went a little dark for a second and she almost got scared. She prepared for a fight but he softened his gaze and answered, "They were different. It was not bad, but, I just couldn't stick with it. I tried for a long time. I always felt unsatisfied. Bored."

"Oh.", she didn't know what to say next. Then, suddenly, she did know.

"I'm getting kind of tired.", she yawned, "We stayed up all night last night, I'm beat."

"Oh okay.", he stood up, taking extra good care of his guitar, saying, "I think the guest room is probably where you should sleep now, since it's the only one with a bed."

"Aren't you staying with me tonite?", she asked, looking scared.

"If you want me to, I will.", he said, leading the way slowly to the little bedroom down the hall.

"I want you to.", she smiled. It wasn't often she slept in a bed without a parent or a doctor close by.

See next chapter

WinndSinger