Thanks to my totally awesome readers who have bothered to review me, you're all great! here's chapter 12.

The next day I awoke, feeling the usual need to satisfy my hunger for blood, and sleepily crawled out of my freezer for yet another day of high school.

On the way there, I couldn't seem to get something, well, someone,off my mind. Yeah, you guessed it, Josef. I couldn't stop thinking about the way he looked at me yesterday, with such caring in his eyes. He caredabout me. I like Josef, I like him a lot. But then there's Nick. Nick and his great personality, good sense of humor, and beautiful smile. I remembered his concern when he saw Josef, a stranger, standing at my car, waiting on me. He cared about me too.

I sighed as I plopped down at my desk. Class wasn't going to start for another 15 minutes. Including me, there were only 3 people in the classroom. Finally Nick walked in, flashing a smile when his light blue eyes fell on me. I returned the smile the best I could when he took the seat next to me.

Noticing my weak attempt at a smile he asked,"Are you OK?"

"Of course, I'm just a little tired."I reassured him.

He didn't look convinced, but he didn't press the matter any farther. Which is one of the reasons I like him so much.

"If you say so...but do you think we can finally go out to eat after school like we planned days ago?" He asked hopefully.

I bit my lip. I had already planned on spending the day with Mick and Beth. They were still getting over being locked in a dark 6' by 6' room for over 5 hours.

"Sorry, Nick. I totally forgot! I can't, I - " Before I could finish explaining he cut me off.

"Why do you keep blowing me off, Kate?" Nick demanded, more than a little irritated,"Did I do something wrong?"

"No-"

"Then why?"

I looked away for a second, then back at him, making eye contact with him. Finally I replied,"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"Try me, I tend to have an open mind."

"Nick...trust me, you would notbelieve me."

"Just tell me! I promise if it's something crazy I won't put you in a mental institution." he said, with a quick grin.

I couldn't tell him. I can't tell him about vampires. I won't. I don't want to drag Nick into this chaotic world I live in.

"I'm sorry...I just can't." I said softly.

He held my gaze for a moment then turned in his seat away from me.

Nick ignored me for the rest of the day, still mad I wouldn't give him and explanation. I tried to talk to him many times, but he just pretended I wasn't there. I felt really lonely throughout the whole day. But he did speak to me once, he said, "I'm not talking to you until you decide to tell me why you've been avoiding me after school." I tried telling him I wasn't avoiding him, but he had just walked away.

After school I didn't feel like hanging out with Mick and Beth. I would probably put a damper on their mood anyway with my moping because of Nick. But I don't want to go home either. Hm, where to go, where to go. Ah ha. I know just the place.

I knocked on the door loudly. It was still daytime, so he's probably blissfully asleep in his freezer. Too bad I gotta ruin it. Finally the door opened. Josef stood there wearing silk pants and a T-shirt. His skin was still frosty from being in the freezer.

"Kate," he said, " What a pleasant surprise."

"Josef...Can I come in?"

"Of course," he said with smile and stepped aside. I walked in and he closed the door behind me. Then he turned, leaned against the door, and crossed his arms casually.

"So, is there any particular reason you disturbed my peaceful slumber?" He asked, looking at me as if he'd find the answer written on my face.

I opened my mouth to answer, but closed it when I realized I actually had no logical reason for being there.

"I, uh, well..." I stuttered and bit my lip.

He smirked, "It's because you missed me isn't it?"

I rolled my eyes, "You're so full of yourself."

He shrugged and detached himself from the door. He walked closer to me until he was only two feet away.

"Then why did you come?" he asked.

"I didn't have anywhere else to go..." I replied biting my lip again.

"Do you not have a home?"

"Fine. I'm leaving." I said and tried to push past him, but he pulled me in closer to him and kissed me. Shocked, I pushed him away.

"Josef, I can't." I said and took a step back.

He looked disappointed, "It's because of that human isn't it?"

I looked down at the floor and back up, "Just let me go."

"Fine." He said and moved to let me pass. I looked into his eyes before I walked past him. They were filled with annoyance, anger, and even a little hurt.

I didn't like to leave Josef like that, but I did. I'm sure I'll regret it later. Now I sit in my car driving, thinking about that kiss. I have to admit, I liked it. I didn't know why I pushed him away. Maybe it was because the whole time he kissed me, I was thinking of Nick.

Suddenly I heard the horrible, terrible sound of an engine dying. My car slowed dramatically and I quickly maneuvered it to the side of the road. When I was parked I banged my head against the steering wheel three times and got out of my car. I'll just leave it there, I can walk. I hate that stupid car anyways. I was so upset that the two guys I cared about most were angry with me that I just didn't care.

As I walked down the sidewalk towards home I muttered, "This day justcannot get any worse."

Before the sentence was even completely out of my mouth, thunder rolled and lightning flashed as it began to rain.

By the time I got home I was soaking wet. Dripping, I walked into my room and raided my closet to trade my wet clothes for dry ones.

As soon as my short-sleeved red shirt slipped on over my head I heard a knock at my door. Quickly, I pulled my jeans on and passed through my small living room to the door.

I opened the door to see Beth standing there looking worried. As soon as she saw me relief washed over her face.

"Hey Beth, something wrong?" I asked and opened the door wide enough for her to walk in.

"I just came to see if you were alright, you were supposed to come over to Mick's remember?" she said as she passed me.

"Oh sorry, I forgot to call you to tell you I wasn't coming." I apologized and closed the door.

"That's OK." she assured me and noticed the tired, sad expression on my face, "You OK?"

I shook my head, "I've had a bad day."

Beth walked farther into my home and seated herself on my couch, "What happened?"

I don't know why, and I don't know what made me do it, but I spilled my guts to Beth. About Josef, about Nick, about everything. It sure felt good to vent my feelings.

At the end of my story Beth looked around and then back at me. Finally she said, "Wow...you and Josef? That was unexpected...but Nick, he sounds like a great guy.

I nodded and smiled, "He is."

"But Josef?"

I shrugged and Beth laughed. We talked a long time about lots of things: Our life, our feelings, guys. You know, girl stuff.

As Beth got up to leave I said, "You're going to tell Mick all about this aren't you?"

She smiled mischievously as she walked out the door, "Duh."

:) hope you liked it. Review please, it may feel like a waste of time to you, but it really makes my day.