AN: Hey guys! Thanks for all the reviews! I am so sorry for not updating sooner, but with school starting and having a job, my writing time has gone down. So I will stop talking (writing?) and let you read the chapter! Enjoy!

Chapter 11-Escapee Attempts

Dress shopping?! I seemed to be frozen in place while Aloria stood there smiling at me. Glancing at Netha I saw her looking back at me, eyes wide. There was no way I was going shopping for dresses or going to balls. I don't even know how to dance for crying out loud!

"Let's go!" shouted Aloria, marching into the shop. Thane started to follow but looked back when I wouldn't budge. He pulled gently, and I pulled back.

"There is no way I am trying on dresses," I stated shaking my head. I usually had to prep myself up to trying on dresses like these. Looking through the window they seem to be fancy dress for prom or homecoming. I didn't even go to my senior prom night, rather stayed home with Netha and play video games all night.

Suddenly I felt myself go stiff and start to walk towards the store. No!! I tried to fight my body while I heard Aloria's laughter in my head. Thane stayed by me while Netha trailed behind with a worried looked on her face. By the time I could control of my own body again, we were by Aloria's side. She was talking to a woman who looked like she owned the story. My face was warm from all the will power to get control again. I wasn't paying attention to anything that they were saying till they were looking at me questioning look.

"What?" I said sheepishly. Aloria rolled her eyes while the lady just smiled.

"What kind of dress do you want?" asked the lady her eyes sparkling.

"Ummm…," I said unsure. "None?" I smiled not sure of Aloria's reaction.

"Now, now," said Aloria patting my arm. "I am paying for everything, so let's get started." She took a hold of my arm, dragging me to a rack of dresses. They all looked like froufrou dresses, not my type. Aloria started to look through dresses but paused glancing at me. I stared back at her just want to sink into the floor.

"Do you know your dress size?" she asked, sizing me up.

"Ummm, no?" I said questionably. I mean I never wear dresses so how should I know?

"You don't?" she said astonished. She waved over the owner.

"We need to do a fitting for Ms. Waldon here," Aloria declared. The owner smiled and dragged me to a back room. I glanced back to see Aloria pointing her son over to a rack of tuxes and Netha running to catch up with me and the owner.

"Come over here," the owner said motioning with her hand to a small stool. I slowly trudged up to the stool, getting on it. I turned to give a desperate look to Netha while she just shrugged in return. "Alright dear," the owner said going over and closing the door. "I need you to strip to your underwear

What!? I started shaking my head. No way was I going to strip in front of people. I waved my hands in front of me saying, "No way!"

"Why not dear?" asked the owner, a puzzled look on her face. "Were all girls here." She walked towards me with a measuring tape.

Some people just didn't understand. I hate showing off skin not matter who's around, girl or boy. I looked over at Netha one last time before sighing and started to take off my shirt.

Not going into details, we finally got the measurements and headed out on the floor again. Thane was no where in site and Aloria was looking over at dresses. She looked up when she heard us walking towards her and went over to discuss finer details with the owner, leaving Netha and I together.

"Netha," I whined, grabbing her arm. "I don't want to try on dresses!"

Netha just patted my arm. "Sorry but I don't know what we can do," she said pondering. "I mean we are up against a witch and her son."

I looked around. "Where is Thane by the way?" I asked. Netha glanced around the room and opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted.

"He is looking at some new tuxes," Aloria replied bring over some dresses on her arm. They were of all different lengths and colors. "Go try on these dresses," she demanded shoving the dresses in my arms. Man those things weighted a ton! She shuffled me to the dressing rooms to the side of the store, slamming the door shut on me. "I'll be back with some more." I heard her footsteps go away.

"Netha," I whispered quietly. I heard more footsteps coming towards the door. "Is that you?"

"Yes," she replied just as quiet. "Why are we whispering?" she questioned confused.

"Is Aloria looking this way?" I asked hoping with all my might she wasn't. That would have ruined my grand plan.

"No," she said. "Why?"

Instead of answering, I made sure the door was locked and crawled underneath to join her on the other side. She looked surprised at what I was doing. I held my hand up to her mouth stopping her from speaking. I looked around seeing Aloria at the end of the store talking with the owner and laughing about who knows what. This was our chance.

"Let's go!" I grabbed Netha around the wrist, making her make squeak. I ducked in between the racks, making a beeline for the entrance of the store, dragging Netha along beside me. Once we got out of the store I did a full on sprint to the food court.

"What are we doing?!" yelled Netha behind me, trying to keep up.

"Escaping!" I shouted back. We started to get weird looks from people in the mall but at that moment I didn't really care. We were free! I started to slow down to fast walking at the food court and came to a stop waiting for Netha to catch up.

"So now what are we going do," asked Netha, getting her breathe back. "It's not like we have a car to drive away in." She gave me a look that said I had no idea what I was doing. Well, I didn't.

"Sorry," I said looking around. Just being cautious. "I'm making up this plan as I go along." I looked towards the other end of the mall. "Let's head down there. We can call someone to come pick us up."

"We won't have much time," commented Netha as we started to make are way towards the end of the mall away from the witch. "They will catch on."

"Don't you think I know that!" I snapped back. I then paused.

'Why are you trying to run away?' said Aloria's voice in my head. I shivered as she continued, 'You know it's useless to run from me.'

I picked up the pace, dodging pass the people crowding the walk ways. Netha shouted at me to slow down again but I kept going. Well until I ran into someone.

"Oh sorry," I said not looking at the person. "I'm in a hurry so excuse me……" It was then I was flipped up side down on someone's shoulders. "Hey!" I protested trying to see the guy's face. I froze when I did.

"Where are you going in such as hurry, may I ask?" questioned Thane, smiling at me. He started walking back to the dress store, with me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. I looked up through my hair to see Netha staring at me with her hand over her mouth. I couldn't tell if she was staring on in horror or humor.

"Let me go!!" I yelled at him, as we continued our way to the shop. By this time enough people were looking at us that I didn't keep quiet. Netha walked quietly behind us as I ranted all the way to the shop but he still didn't let me go.

"There you are, my dear," said Aloria as Thane finally set me down in the store. I huffed getting the hair out of my face as I tried to pull my arm out of Thane's grip. He still wouldn't let go. "You think that you can run away from us?" she questioned tilting her head while smiling. She took me out of Thane's grasp and took me back to the dressing room.

I tried holding my ground but she was stronger then me. It must have been those witch powers of hers. She shoved me in the room and looked me in the eye while I was glaring back. She looked serious for a moment before smiling. "Does Thane have to wait in there with you to make sure you won't run away again," she questioned.

Turning completely red I shook my head and shouted, "NO!" before grabbing the door, slamming it into place. I heard chuckling behind the door. Glancing at the dresses on the rack I grabbed the first one knowing the rest of the day was going to be torture.

The rest of time there I spent on trying on many different dresses while Aloria, Thane, Netha and the manager would give their comments on how I looked. I kept blushing every time I met Thane's eyes for his look made me uncomfortable. I tried to ignore them but with his comments that had a perverted undertone, I couldn't help but glancing his way.

Towards the end Aloria made Netha try on some dresses also. Netha didn't really like that but Aloria said that if she was going to parties with me then she better be dressed the part also. I was just glad I wasn't the only one now.

Finally around 6 O'clock we started to head for home. We originally were going to shop for normal clothes but I pleaded that I was too tired to do anymore shopping, which I was. I can never shop over 3 hours at a time.

Thane was still at my side while walking to the car with Netha on the other. Men that came with us in the limo were carrying all of our purchases. Aloria was ahead of us stilling looking as energetic as we arrived here. She must be one of those shopping maniacs.

We piled into the limo, lazing back against the seats waiting for the men to put our stuff away so we could leave. I had closed my eyes leaning my head back when I felt Thane make a grab for my hand. I quickly moved it in my lap, opening my eyes to glare at him.

"Well I am satisfied with the dresses, are you?" questioned Aloria, turning my attention to her. She had her hands folded in her lap as she leaned forward. The car began to move.

"Umm, sure," I answered uninterested. They were dresses that I hoped I would never have to wear. "So are you taking us home?" I asked after brief silence.

"No," said Thane, putting his arm around me again. I looked over at Netha for help but her eyes were closed. "You are staying at our house tonight."

"And every night after," inserted Aloria.

"What!?" I yelled. Netha finally opened her eyes to see what was going on. "I don't even have clothes to wear," I said, trying to wiggle my way out of the situation. It didn't work.

"We have some clothes for you to wear," replied Thane. I refused to look up at him, not wanting to see what was in his eyes at that moment. I'm paranoid like that. "We will transfer some of your clothes over tomorrow."

"You might as well get used to it," commented Aloria smugly.

The car finally stopped and one of the men opened the door for us. When I stepped out, lo and behold there was the Serran's house. Glaring at the house, everyone else got out behind me.

"Let's go in," replied Aloria. "Basillio should be up." Aloria quickly walked towards the door.

I looked at the men getting the stuff out and started to walk towards them but was pulled back by Thane. "Don't they need help?" I said not looking at him. "I mean that is our stuff they are carrying." Netha made a noise of agreement. See? We do think alike.

"That is their job," replied Thane dragging me into the house, grabbing Netha on the way. We both stumbled trying to keep up. "They get paid for doing stuff like that."

A maid was holding the front door open for us. Inside Thane let go of Netha's arm turning towards her, but still held on to me. "You may stay for dinner if you like and our driver will take you home or they can take you home now," said Thane politely, nodding to the driver who stood just inside the door.

Netha looked at me while I mouthed to her to stay. "I'll stay for dinner."

Thane nodded his head and led the way back to what I assume the living room. My assumptions were correct when we reached the doorway, showing Aloria and Basillio sitting on the couch.

"Good evening, Stella, Netha," said Basillio warmly. We both nodded in reply. "How was your day today?"

Thane, Netha and I told about how our day went. When we got to the part where Netha and I ran away, he just laughed. Out of all the Serran's, Basillio was the most comfortable to be around. And he's the vampire. Isn't there something wrong with that?

"Well," said Basillio. "I'm glad you guys had fun." Just then a maid came in the room announcing that dinner was ready. We all got up heading to the dinning room were spaghetti was laid out on the table.

Conversation was still flowing about different things that I really didn't understand. I did remember my manners and thanked Basillio for the room though. Netha and I made comments here and there about what was going on in the news but we really didn't pay attention all that often. It really felt like we were a family though, just having a family dinner which wasn't what I was expecting.

Finally dinner was done. I got up saying good-bye to Netha. I whispered in her ear saying "I'll see you tonight." She just gave me a confused look. After she left the silence in the room was deafening.

"Ummmm," I said uncomfortable since Netha was gone. It was like my confidence went with her. "I'll….just go and do my homework," I said turning to leave.

"I'll escort you to your room," replied Thane getting up as well.

"Well goodnight to both of you if we don't see you later," said Aloria winking at us. I blushed bright pink at her words. Basillio made a scolding sound at his wife. Thane just shook his head, grabbing my hand to put on his arm, leading me out of the room.

Once out of sight I tried to pull my hand out of his hold, like routine, and again he held on tightly with his other hand.

"Why do you pull away?" questioned Thane glancing down at me as we made our way to the stairs.

"Why do you always grab my hand," I snapped back nervously. Thane just sighed.

"I am not going to do anything inappropriate tonight," said Thane calmly. "So you can just relax."

"So what happened in P.E. huh," I replied quickly, stopping to turn and glare at him. "I would consider that inappropriate!"

"I said 'tonight' hun, not always," replied Thane wittily. "Tonight I want to just talk with you." He pulled on me again to start us walking up the stairs. I paused to think about what he just said.

"So you just want to talk?" I asked cautiously. He nodded. "So do you want to help me with my homework then?" I asked plainly.

He started laughing, I mean full out laughing. It was higher pitch then usual but still deep. His eyes crinkled in the corners showing the laugh wasn't forced. I smiled in return.

"After I confirm that I am not going to ravish you tonight, you want me to help with your homework?" he asked still laughing, his eyes sparkling while gazing at me. It had quite an effect.

"Well yeah," I said with a 'duh' implied. "I mean if you're going to be in my room talking to me while I do my homework you might as well help."

We got to the door of my bedroom and headed inside. I went to get my stuff out of my backpack which was at the end of the bed as Thane made his way to the love couch next the door that leaded out to the balcony. I went over and sat at the other end of the couch with my math homework, leaning my back against the arm of the couch, facing him.

"So what do you want to know?" I asked opening my book. Thane brought one knee up the couch so he was facing me also, leaning his arm against the back of the couch.

"Have you ever had a boyfriend?" asked Thane bluntly.

I blushed instantly, getting embarrassed. I stuttered, "Why do you want to know that?!" Thane just shrugged, watching me intently. "Ummm, no I haven't had a boyfriend before," I replied looking at my book. After a long pause I looked back at Thane who had a pondering look on his face.

"The way you act, kind of shows that," replied Thane. "What I don't get is why you haven't had a boyfriend before this."

My face had gotten back to normal when I shrugged. "Well most of the guys I know are either my friends, jerks or extremely perverted." At that last one I gave him a look. He just smiled. "Plus," I continued finishing one of my problems. "No one has really taken an interest in me."

Thane stayed quiet for a moment before asking my interests. I told him about video games and reading. We started talking about normal stuff, asking questions back and forth, getting more comfortable with each other until I got stuck with some problems. He moved over to help me getting a little to close. I started to get uncomfortable again.

'What am I doing?!' I shouted at myself. 'I can't get comfortable with the enemy!' I pulled away and stood up when the last problem was done.

"Thank you for your help but I'm tired and want to go to bed," I said hurriedly, just wanting him to get out of here. He looked at me before nodding and standing up as well.

He walked over to me and I tensed as he leaned down to kiss my on the forehead. "Goodnight," whispered Thane before leaving the room. I sighed and putting my stuff away. Now was the time to put my plan into action. I went over and turned my light off and got into bed with my clothes on. I glanced at the clock which read 10:00. In another hour I was going to leave this place.

I dozed on and off till eleven o'clock came around. I got up and looked outside the door to the hallway, noting that the lights were off. I closed the door quietly and got my backpack going, to the door leading to the balcony. I looked out in the yard, looking at the view. There was a little garden to the right of me and on the left some bushes. But I found what I wanted. A trellis was up the left side of my balcony, with tons of vines going through it. This was my way down. I noticed it on my first trip here for dinner.

I dropped my backpack where I was and went back inside. I got some pillows stuffing them in the bed to look like I was still sleeping under the covers, and closed the canopy to make it hard to see anything on the bed.

I went back outside checking around to make sure there wasn't a guard keeping watch. No one was there. Grabbing my backpack again, I thank God that I only had my math book with me and my wallet. I tested the trellis making sure it could hold my weight before I went down. I dropped the last couple of feet making it safely on the ground. I sighed in relief while shaking. I am not a fan of heights. Now all I have to do is walk home. In the dark.

I sighed again, praying that I wouldn't get attacked. I stayed in the shadowed area as I made it toward the street. Getting to the side walk, I started walking in the direction of my house which was about two neighborhoods away, about a 45 minute walk. I made my way staying in the light though I kept looking behind me feeling as if somebody was following me.

'What if it some creepy dude,' I though my imagination getting loose. 'Or worse it's Thane!' I started to walk faster. 'What if I get raped or something,' I though panicky 'I might even die!' I started walking faster with each new thought. I finally started to run. I wonder if some people watching me inside one of the house thought I was crazy.

I ran the rest of the way home without incident, my back sore from my backpack banging against it. I dashed to the front door breathing and pulled out my keys. I shoved them in the door and quickly got inside, slamming the door shut. I heard people running to the door as I was trying to catching my breathe. I looked up to see all of my family there staring at me strangely.

"Hey," I whispered. Netha just started laughing.

My parents frowned looking at my appearance. "Why are you here hun," asked my mom. "It's nice to see you but aren't you supposed to be at the Serren's?"

"Well I got home sick so they just dropped me off," I said, lying through my teeth. Netha was still quietly laughing while my parents took the lie. My brother just turned and left up stairs while my parents were telling me to get in bed.

Netha and I went up to my room, closing the door. "Did you just run all the way here?" asked Netha smiling at me.

"Yep," I replied dropping my backpack on the floor. "There was no way I was staying there." I went to get my PJs out of the drawer.

"So what happened after I left," asked Netha slyly sitting on my bed.

"Maybe later Netha," I replied opening my door. "I am beat."

"Oh alright," said Netha, resigned. "'Night."

After Netha left I changed and crawled into bed after turning of the lights. I barely remembered to set the alarm for school tomorrow before sleep over came me.

The next morning, my alarm went off like usual. I groaned and turned off the annoying beeping device without opening my eyes. I was not looking forward to school that day. I tried to flip over on my back when I noticed something odd. I flashed open my eyes to see an arm around my waist and it wasn't mine.

"Ahhhhhh!!"

AN: So I am pretty sure all of you know who is there. Sorry that Dar and friends weren't in the chapter but they will be in the next one for sure!

Anyways like any author I am not quite happy with the chapter but I don't know what's wrong with it. I hope you guys will review and tell me what you think.

I don't know when the next chapter is going to be out, hopefully by Christmas if not sooner. So please tell me what you think and REVIEW!!