The next time I awoke, I found myself in my own bed back at Gran's. Bill must have brought me here; I was no longer wearing my bloody Merlotte uniform, but in a dark blue button down shirt. I thought to myself; Bill again. He was putting a lot on the line to be protecting and clothing me. Gran probably was going to ask me a lot of questions about me and Bill; I didn't know what I was gong to tell her or Sookie.

"Sookie," I whispered to myself. I was dead; worse I was dead meat. Sookie was going to give me a beat down once she saw me. And school; what day was it; had I missed any days?

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

"Kelly, are you darling?" Gran softly exclaimed opening my door. I sat up inn the bed, still wearing Bill's shirt and shivering.

"Yes, Gran. Did you hear me come in last night?" I replied trying to forget what happened.

"Actually, a nice man came and brought you home. He kindly introduced himself and explained what has been happening over the last couple days."

"COUPLE OF DAYS; how many days of school have I missed?" I perked up as I leaned towards Gran as she took a seat. She frowned as she put her hand on my shoulder; this was bad. I tired to listen to her thoughts, but there was only a confusion of endless apologies. I didn't understand why she was so sorry as she looked at me.

"You've missed about a week of school; two days with Mr. Compton and the rest here. You took a brutal beating and you needed to recover." she explained. My memory shot back into play as I began to remember the previous days; saving Bill from the blood-draining Rattrays, me being raped and beat up by the Rattrays, Bill saving me from them and then the encounters with the other vampires. Everything else was blank; all the time in between these horrifying yet adventurous memories were just visions of blurry images and static sounds. I couldn't remember anything else and I didn't want to; too painful probably.

"Don't worry, dear. I talked to the school counselor and he said for you to get better first then you can come back to school. They are going to wavier all you absent days and let you exempt at least two of your exams to help you." Gran assured me.

That was a relief; no stress and now some relaxation, but all I could think about was Bill. I needed to see him, and soon. What time was it and what day exactly was it? I freaked out as I jumped up and looked out the window. The sun was just about to set when I turned to Gran.

"What day is it?"

"Friday, May 3. Why?" she questioned me as I grabbed my jeans and threw off Bill's oversized shirt. I didn't know what to say; I wanted to see Bill and final tell him what I was feeling (even thought I had only know him).

"I just need to do something; I promised I would do something with someone tonight and I don't want to let them do, Gran. Please can I keep my promise to this person?" I begged as she glared at me. She was studying my face; she was trying to see if I was telling the truth or if I was just lying. But Gran smiled and hugged me tightly.

"Alright darling, if you're feeling better."

"I am…I really am"

"Ok, do you need a ride? Sookie is about to head to work, do want her to give you a lift to where your going?"

"No…No…It's fine. I'll walk to where I'm going. I need the exercise and besides it can help me recover faster too." I smiled going into the bathroom. "It's also a beautiful night; with the way that sunset looks."

I looked into the mirror of the bathroom; I was rough. I looked like I had just walked out of a bar-fight and was still about to get a beating. My semi-tanned skin was purple in some places where I had been bruise and I had scars from where I had bled. My hair was clean but ragged and un-brushed. So I grabbed my brush and untangled my knotted hair, while putting some mineral makeup on. I didn't want anyone to see me all beat up; I hated looking like this.

After getting all the knots and tangles out I pulled my long blonde locks up into a ponytail, to keep it out of my face. I finished getting dressed too; I was wearing my Skillet-band tee, my old faded blue jean and my Converse from marching band. Yep, I definitely looked like a teenager, but I wished I could be treated older than I actually was. Sometimes I did look older than I was, and felt older as well, but being a senior in high school didn't make me feel any better. I was less than one month close to graduation and here I was being beaten-up and bruised.

I was no longer a simple high-schooler who worked at a bar (I'm 18) and having feelings that were not even thought of at my age. I wasn't dreaming anymore and I wasn't any teenager anymore, I was becoming an adult. And now my worst dear was coming true; I had already grown-up. I had a job, a crush, and something of a future career ahead of me (being a writer). Only one problem, no wait, numerous problems; vampires.

I had feelings for Bill, who was probably more than quadruple my age in vampire years and about twenty years in human life. I shouldn't been having this feelings for an older man at my age; it's immoral. And now trying to publish on the existence of vampires and their characteristics could put my life in even more in jeopardy, or worst I could end up dead. I was stuck her in this life, having to make so many choice that would probably change my life forever and everyone around me; this sucked, like a bitch.

I couldn't dream any more, even if my life depended on it; I was settling into

REALITY.