Chapter 3

I was having way too much fun, it was even scaring me. I could already tell Bella, Star, and Alex would quickly turn into my best friends. Sure Collin and Jessie would be first, but they were definitely next. I got to know Star better and liked her best. Her and Alex communicated by yelling, so they had at least 3 fights at the party. Bella was nice and hilarious. I hadn't really gotten to get to know Alex so I was glad when he sneaked up to me at the drink table. "Boo," He whispered in my ear." I turned my head to see Alex. I was already used to his flirting so this didn't bother me.

"Oh hey Alex." I smiled and finished filling my cup with diet coke. No beer. The first time I drank, I almost got caught by my parents and had a major hang over.

"What's up Jessie?"

"Oh no. Don't call me that. Jess. That's it," I smiled shyly. Jessie's name was… well of course Jessie. Mine was Jess. That's how we were told apart.

"No problem." He replied. " You seemed so shy and nervous at the beginning. But now you come out of your shell," He smiled a smile that made me faint. God, was he hot.

"Once you get to know me more, you'll realize how much of a big mouth I can be." He laughed and I realized I was assuming that we would be friends. God, did I already blow it? " That is if… we become…" My voice trailed off.

"Don't sweat it. We will be." I nodded, not quite reassured.

"Can I tell you something, Alex?"

"Shoot," He said. He was so… layed-back.

" Well when I first saw you I was sure you were a big flirt and a jerk. But really, your nice." He looked at me.

"Well you're half right. I am a flirt. And can be a jerk. So 75% right?" I laughed.

"Better than 100% right." His face grew serious and his eyes clouded over.

"Listen, Jess, don't believe everyone is who you think they are. 'Cause they're not. Trust me. I had to learn the hard way." His gaze became predator like and it seemed like his eyes turned black like endless holes. I couldn't stopped staring. What was he saying? I couldn't tell I was in a daze. His eyes… my mind raced to a different place, like I wasn't even at the party anymore. I felt my self going into a deep sleep.

* * *

"We need you, Jess," Soothed Alex. His voice was velvet soft. It made me want to sleep. Everything was white and their was fog too.

"But I'm so tired," I complained, I wanted to sleep. " And I don't know why you need me."

"Oh we don't need you Jess," Chimed in Bella, "We need you dead that's all. You and the rest of your family line." But for some reason that idea didn't bother me.

"Just rest," said Star. She pushed me down and the fog felt like a mattress. But my subconscious didn't want me to sleep. Wake up! Don't sleep. It's too dangerous! And then I went into a full panic attack.

"No! I don't want to sleep," I argued.

"Yes. But you have to," Alex said in his silky voice. But it was too late and my eyes flew open wildly.

* * *

I gasped for breath. " No! I'm not going to sleep!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Jess, it's fine." It was Collin. I forced to calm my heart beat down and finally took a look around everywhere. I only recognized a couple people from school and the rest were a blur. Then there was Alex. And in the back, Bella and Star. A chill went down my spine. That dream didn't mean anything. Calm down. At least I think it was a dream.

"I- I guess I blacked out for a minute." I stammered. Collin chuckled.

" Well yeah you did. And for a minute? I don't think so. Try thirty." My eyes widened. How could thirty seem like 1 minute? The eyes. My eyes flickered to Alex. I blinked several times. His eyes were now blue. Collin must've seen where I was looking because his eyes looked to Alex too. He frowned deeply. He didn't like him? Or could he be jealous. Huh…

"Jess, You gave everyone a scare." Alex said. Now that I was awake, most people had left only leaving Jessie, Bella, Star, Alex, Collin, and of course me who was still on the floor.

"I guess it's ok for me to joke now, so…" Star said then burst out laughing and said between laughs, " You fell like a fricken bull dozer!" My cheeks grew crimson but I couldn't keep my laughter in either.

"Yeah the next thing we hear is, bang!" Bella laughed. Everyone burst out in tears of laughter except for Collin.

"Oh Collin. This is Alex, Bella, and Star." I pointed them out as I said their names.

"Hey." That was about the most unenthusiastic greeting I've ever heard. " Jess I'm going to go, do you still need a ride?"

"Oh," I said disappointed. "Yeah. Just let me get their numbers, ok?" Collin grumbled something and started to his car.

"Bye Collin," Jessie said. That was the first thing she had said. " Bye Jess, see you soon. Don't faint again either," She started off towards her other guest as I waved good-bye.

"Don't do that again," Warned Alex.

"Well, if it wasn't for your eyes I wouldn't have," I said jokingly. " They looked black. I would've sworn they were," I said looking deeper into his eyes. No, still blue. Bella and Star shared a nervous glance. And then I realized, all their eyes were the same brilliant blue. Odd. They didn't look related. They all gave me their numbers and walked to another room, all arguing. Something about how Alex had almost got them caught….

"Jess! You coming?" Collin interrupted my thoughts.

"Oh… Of course." I jogged towards him and asked, " You don't like them? I personally love the. They're great."

"No it's not that…" He said as he opened the door to have heat slam into our faces. That's what you get when you live in California. " It's like their hunters and we're all the prey. I can't exactly put my thumb on it." "Well don't worry, they're great I know it." We drove home in silence. Not awkward though. It was never awkward between us. I got out of the car as he pulled into my driveway. I stretched my legs. It felt like I hadn't gotten sleep in centuries. My mind clouded with white mist. No. Not again. But luckily it faded away. I decided to shake it off. I probably needed sleep. I dragged my feet up to my room passing my parent's and brother's room. I really wished to have the reassuring comfort from Mom, Dad, and Aiden. Sure Aiden got on my nerves but he was my brother. I had to love him. I threw off my shoes and decided to sleep in my clothes tonight. I'll change tomorrow. But all night long I tossed and turned, dreaming about big, black, endless eyes.