"Glad you could join us Faith." Topaz says. So much for trying to sneak in.

"Sorry. I'm sorry I'm late. It won't happen again."

"It is fine Faith; take a seat."

I looked around. The only empty seat was by Stark. Again. He was hot enough… how in the world was he not surrounded by girls constantly? I sit next to him without giving him a second glance. Topaz began talking and I couldn't help myself. These feelings were too strong. I wanted him. I had to get control of this. I focused on Topaz and her words. Or tried to at least... I felt the draw towards him as each minute ticked by.

"Vampyres are drawn to each other not because of the bloodlust but because of their connection with Nyx. Though blood can be a key benefactor."

I am sure what Topaz was saying was vital, and interesting even but I couldn't pull my mind away from Stark. It was getting to the point where I could feel him breathing. Not hear, feel. And he was a good three feet away from me.

Zoey saved me. I owe her my life. So why do I feel this draw to Faith? She is beautiful of course, but I just met her. But what happened between us was amazing…

Oh no. There are his thoughts again. I don't want to be able to read his thoughts. Talk about invading his privacy. Even if they were thoughts about me. He thinks I am beautiful. No stop, I wasn't supposed hear that. I glance over at him. His eyes were already transfixed on me. I couldn't tear my gaze away. His eyes were beautiful. A small smile crept to my lips. He mimicked me hesitantly. He had a beautiful smile.

"Faith, what are you looking for in a mate?"

My head turned quickly to the front of the classroom.

"What?" I ask, completely confused.

"When looking for a potential mate, or eventual husband, what do you look for?" Topaz asks more slowly.

"Good cooking skills?" I ask. A good majority of the class chuckles as I felt my face grow hot.

"Physical traits Faith. As fledglings who will eventually be Vampyres you all need to realize what attracts you most. It is kind of like blood. We want and need blood, but some blood is more potent and gratifying. Same with Mates. So Faith, I ask again, what are you looking for in a mate?"

I thought it would take a second to think about what I wanted but before I knew it I was answering her, "I want a man who can take care of me and protect me, but won't underestimate me. He has to be strong, and handsome and take control. We can talk for hours about nothing and everything. He has to have brown eyes. We have to stark. I mean spark."

Oh fucking shit. The blood that had slowly ebbed from my face came back in full force. I couldn't look at Stark. I felt utterly embarrassed and humiliated. What an idiot I was. Why did I have to do this to myself? Open my mouth and speak? I should be a mute. A permanent mute.

When the giggling subsided Topaz spoke up again, "Good description Faith. Anyone else want to give it a go?" She paused and waited for hands to raise, major surprise, no one's did. "What about you Stark?"

Really?! Really!!?!?!

"She's independent. Has the ability to control things around her. She radiates beauty. She loves Nyx. I want to be around her all the time and soak up her energy. I am comfortable around her and she will be willing to share her blood with me."

Each sentence brought a new pang to my heart. Because he was talking in present tense… and I had a feeling that he had just described Zoey to a tee. Water welled up in my eyes. I had to breathe slowly and will them to stay put. I couldn't cry here. I was just being stupid. Stark could have been talking about some girl he'd never met yet. Oh who am I kidding? I am being completely irrational. I have no claim here, in any aspect, including guys. But just the same I couldn't control the hurt that seeped into my body.

"Read chapter 6 and we will discuss the main topics tomorrow. Class is dismissed."

Just like Spanish I was the first one out of the classroom. I didn't even pause when I heard someone call my name. I had no intention of facing anyone in that class ever again. I want to leave. There had to be another House of Night I could go to. One without red vampyres who stab me in the heart involuntarily. One where I won't have to deal with any bitchy and/or hormonal girls. One where I won't have weird feelings and powers. But I had this awful feeling that I couldn't leave, even if I tried. I was stuck here, to fulfill Nyx's wishes, even at the expense of my own.

And maybe if I was paying attention to where I was walking instead of wallowing in my own self pity I would have seen the person I so eloquently run into as I turned the nearest corner, subsequently falling on my ass.

"This really just isn't your day," Erik states sticking his hand out for me to take. He pulls me up with ease.

"You're telling me. Sorry about that… I had my mind somewhere else."

"It's not a problem. I am glad I ran into you though." He paused realizing his pun and then continued on with a smirk, "Zoey and I talked everything out and she is fine."

"Are you lying to me? Because I totally eaves dropped and she sounded anything but fine."

"Then you must have left and didn't get to hear the rest of the conversation. Which was when she became fine. I made her see reason; I had to. I feel like I owe it to you to make what happened between us up to you."

"Well you don't. It isn't your fault I am a freak of vampyre nature. I'm just glad you don't hate me anymore. That would have sucked major monkey balls."

"Monkey balls?" the smirk he was sporting seemed to grow even larger.

"Yes, monkey balls. Well thank you, for negotiating my peace. I can tell she isn't someone I'd want to hate me."

"She is usually pretty level headed, I think you'll be fine from here on out though."

"Thanks, I have to get to Literature. I'll see you later sometime." I made a move to step around him when he grabbed my arm. Not roughly, but firm enough to halt any movement.

"Did you kiss Stark?"

I stared up at him. I had actually forgotten about Stark for the duration of our conversation but he just HAD to bring him up. Why was he even asking me anyway?? Was it any of his business? Zoey had already told him as much… was he just verifying it? And then it clicked, he was jealous. Not that I kissed Stark, but that it had upset Zoey.

"Worried your girlfriend's not a monogamist?"

I had said it jokingly, but apparently that didn't matter because his face darkened incredibly. "Look, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I didn't know it would upset you. And yes, well he kissed me, but yes. To answer your question."

"It's not your fault. Have a better day Faith." And with that he left. Don't get me wrong, I felt guilty for putting him in a sour mood, but he also sparked some curiosity in me. Obviously there was stuff going on between Stark and Zoey, I just didn't think Erik would have realized it. And if he has why is he still with her? I mean, she's gorgeous and all, but that's just way too much drama. I had to remind myself that none of it mattered; they were none of my business.

I actually made it to Lit class on time and even more surprisingly Zoey was waving me over to her. I looked behind me awkwardly just to make sure it was indeed me she was waving at and not one of her actual friends. No one was there, so I walked over and sat down in the seat next to her. To say I was anxious would be an understatement.

"About what happened…" I start, but she cuts me off.

"Erik explained everything. I understand why you didn't tell me. Hell, I wouldn't have told me." She laughed airily, "I think we should hang out after class. Maybe get to know each other better? I know you're not evil. I know evil. I feel spirit within you, maybe that's your affinity!"

I shook my head slowly. I know I didn't know much about this whole vampyre affinity business, but I would bet spirit was not mine. If I even had one. I can't imagine Nyx giving me such an affinity as reading and/or controlling minds… That doesn't seem like her. I decided to stay safe and change the subject.

"I am still learning about everything. I can't imagine ever catching up."

"Well you will, don't worry."

Class went by quickly. Mainly because I found myself drifting off into never never land. I had too much to think about and it was giving me an absolute migraine. I really needed to stop obsessing and accept my place here. Stop obsessing. Stop obsessing. Stop obsessing.

"Want to meet Nala?"

I was jerked out of my concentration. I shook my head slightly hoping to put a face to the name. I had met so many people already today… how was I supposed to keep up?

"Who?"

"My cat. Mind you she doesn't like most people, but don't let that discourage you."

"Oh, well I have to go see Topaz first, but after?"

"After sounds good. See you then."

I left feeling oddly hopeful, like maybe this whole vampyre thing wouldn't suck so badly. I don't know what even put the thought in my head, but it was nicer then dwelling on my pessimistic view of life. I walked down the hall when I saw a movement up ahead. It was dark and was not high enough to be a person, unless that person was on his hands and knees. I slowed my walk and cautiously pressed onward. I saw the movement again, this time closer. Why was it making my heart beat faster? I was in a safe and secure school full of vampyres and fledglings. What could possibly hurt me in here? I felt something soft rub my ankle, and that's when I screamed. I looked down. If its eyes hadn't been semi glowing I swear it would have blended in with the darkness completely. It was a black cat.

"Not cool." I mutter giving it a glare. I take a deep breath and continue down the hallway only to pause a moment later and look behind me. The cat was following me.

"Shoo." I say, including the hand movement to go along with it. The cat didn't move, in fact it looked entertained. Hah, listen to me… thinking a cat looks entertained. "Fine, follow me. See if I care."

I turned back around and walked more quickly now to her office. If I remembered correctly it wasn't much farther. But I couldn't shake the fact that I felt the cat following me. And in a burst of genius I abruptly twist around and shout "Boo!" with my hands held up in a scary stance. Only, the cat was no longer there.

"What are you doing?" I didn't miss the laughter in his voice. I put my hands down inhumanly fast and slowly turned around. I knew who it was before I saw him though. His voice wasn't even the tip off. Yeah, you guessed it. I felt him. Stark was standing there in all his glory looking incredibly amused. How small was this campus??? I mean really? How can I possibly run into the one guy I want to run into the least the most??

"I was trying to scare this cat that has been following me." I say quickly not looking at him.

"That cat?" he asks pointing down at my feet. Amazingly enough the cat was nuzzling my shins.

"Yes." I groan.

"Looks to me like your cat found you."

"What do you mean?" My cat found me? What was he talking about?

"Well usually there is a cat who has a unique bond with us. You find each other and it's a sort of bond that exists between the two of you. It's a life long friendship."

"You have a cat?" I ask even though I had this nagging feeling he was not a cat person.

"No actually. I have a dog. Duchess. She's amazing though."

"So this is my cat? Does my cat have a name?" I ask Stark reaching down to pet it.

"Cats can't name themselves… if they did all the names would sound eerily like meow."

"Ha ha. You're so funny I forgot to laugh." He did laugh though, and it was beautiful. I wanted to kick myself for thinking it because it brought my attention back to the need feeling that had now made itself home in my lips.

"Look, you should probably go. I guess I'll be taking my cat with me to see Topaz. See you," hopefully never again I add in my head making my way around him, making sure to keep at least two feet between my body and his.

"You seem on edge."

I don't know what made me do it. Maybe it was his flippant tone or the words he chose. I can't tell you. What I can tell you is that I turned and walked right up to him so that I was only inches from his face.

"Do I? Because it's not like I have reason to right? Within a 12 hours period I have become this thing with a purple mark which mind you is weird to both humans and vamps alike, almost got murdered by my drama professor, saved by a red vampyre, made out with said red vampyre even though we JUST met, learned I have to still take Spanish, made a fool of myself in sociology class, and is constantly waging war with less than positive thoughts in my head. Not to mention that whenever I am around you I have this undying urge to be all over you. Like right now it is taking every effort of my fully functioning brain not to pin you up against the wall and make-out with you." I was breathing heavily after I finished. And then I realized I probably shouldn't have just blurted that all out. I expected him to back away, call me a freak and then take off running. What I did not expect was for him to lean down and kiss me. Which is what he did.

For the second time today I found myself kissing him more passionately then I have ever kissed a guy in my life. He backed me up into the wall where I proceded to wrap my legs around his waist. I let out a soft moan as his lips traveled down my neck. I wanted him to kiss my lips again, and in an instant he was back to crushing my lips with his. I wanted to feel his hands against my skin. Seconds later his fingertips were tracing shapes under my shirt sending shivers to unimaginable places. I wanted him to take off his shirt; he immediately took off his shirt. And that's when I gasped in horror, brought my feet down and pushed him away.

"What? What's wrong?" He sounded husky and out of breath. Just like me.

"This is. What we were doing is wrong." I couldn't tell him just how wrong it was.

"What are you talking about? You said so yourself that you wanted to kiss me."

"I do. But that doesn't change the fact we still just met and I am willing to bet it also doesn't change whatever is going on between you and Zoey." I tried to ignore the stab of jealousy when he didn't argue. "It's my first day here. I'm not going anywhere. Let me get to know you okay? Maybe the more I hang out with you the more I will get used to whatever desire I have for you okay?"

He looked slightly confused but nodded just the same. "Bye Stark." And I left him there staring off after me. Because here is the thing: I was controlling him. He kissed me because I wanted him to. He did everything I wanted him too. And then he was in a daze afterwards like he couldn't understand what had happened. Not to mention that walking away from him standing there shirtless was next to impossible.

What the hell is wrong with me?

The cat kept in step with me to Topaz's office. It looked up at me with its big yellow eyes. It had seen what I made Stark do. Why wasn't it running away in fear? Oh yeah, because it is a cat.

And the worst part about this is that he's probably going to tell Zoey. And then I'm back to square one. So much for hanging out later.

"At least I'll have you cat." I say before knocking on Topaz's door.