Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyer
This chapter is dedicated to Noble, Bibika94, Fadewind, Lsb123, Alexsandra, Skys the limit 7507, justandsimplyme and Alphabloodwolf
Mal came to pick me up promptly at seven o'clock from my room. He was looking rather dapper in a forest green shirt that enhanced the green of his otherwise muddy eyes. He even wore a tie and I admired the extra effort, especially since I had spent some hours on my own attire, not to mention my hair and make-up.
"Good evening." I said with a smile.
"Hi Liza. I brought you this." He said, handing me a rose.
"Thank you." I said, accepting it as I closed the door.
Mal looked a little lost so I took his hand.
"Lead the way." I said.
Mal nodded and we left the building and walked the short distance into town. We went to the multiplex and I had pre-booked the tickets in order to avoid the lines. Mal reimbursed me for the price of his ticket. He would have paid for both, but I would not allow him to do so, we would both pay equally.
I enjoyed the look of dismay that crossed his face when he saw that we were to watch 'Pride and Prejudice', but he did not realise that the ticket was too small for the entire title to fit. It was only upon reading the poster that he relaxed slightly, sure that he would enjoy 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'.
"I wouldn't have pegged you for a horror fan." He said as we walked toward the ticket collector.
"Why not?" I asked.
"You seem a bit, I didn't think you'd be much into gore." He commented.
"I am quite ghoulish when the mood takes me." I said darkly. "I like nothing more than a spot of blood."
Mal laughed and I did too, although the mention of blood made my throat burn. It took a concerted effort to push the hunger away. That was no longer part of me. I had no need to think of it.
Mal was still chuckling at my remark and hadn't noticed my moment of distraction as we walked along the dimly lit corridor to the right screen.
"I need to use the bathroom." I stated.
"I'll wait here for you." Mal said, stopping outside the door of the ladies.
I stepped inside, but I had no need of the toilet. I went to the basin instead and looked into the mirror. I had not truly looked at my reflection for a while, there never seemed an appropriate moment back at college, whether in my room or in the bathroom. Now as I regarded myself I noticed that I was looking somewhat pale but I had always looked pale and it meant nothing. I was a normal girl and I would sit through the film without thinking of the burn in my throat for the duration. If my throat did burn it mattered not, it was merely heartburn.
I left the bathroom and Mal was still waiting. He took my hand once more and led me into the theatre where we took our seats. I didn't once think of my hunger during the film, or after when we walked to the McDonalds to enjoy a meal as we felt a wave of humour descend over the thought of eating at McDonalds while wearing such formal attire.
The atmosphere was immeasurable and I was happy to learn that Mal was good company when we were alone and alcohol was not involved. I started to like Mal as a person as opposed to merely liking him because I thought I had to in gratitude for his gentlemanly behaviour on the first night.
I was feeling so light hearted as we walked back to our building. We paused on the bridge to kiss, it was the first time I had kissed him and it was quite enjoyable. I had to make it clear that we would not go further so soon and Mal seemed fine with that. I smiled in thanks as I took his hand and we carried on walking toward the building.
The hairs on my arms stood on end and I was suddenly on alert. It happened from time to time when I sensed that someone was near. I looked toward a tree that was shaking violently, despite the fact that there was no wind. I was certain I saw something streak through the park, something the size of a human and pale as snow. I felt my heart pound as my body prepared for fight or flight, but I forced myself to relax somewhat. Despite the fact that this was carnivore territory I was sure they wouldn't hunt here for you could never tell with students whether their absence would be noticed. Never the less it was safer to return indoors for I wished not to make the acquaintance of a vampire and have them recognise me as Miss Liza and possibly report on my whereabouts.
I encouraged Mal to return to the building where we would be safe from hunters, although this was not the reason I gave. I merely stated that I was feeling tired for the hour was growing late and he agreed to part with me if I promised to spend the next day with him. I saw no harm in this, especially if it were just he and I, so I agreed.
We arranged to meet in the common room at nine the next morning and we parted with a kiss. Only a light peck, since there were others present and it didn't do to sicken them with overt public displays of affection. Besides I had yet to decide for myself if there was anything between us, I was merely testing the waters.
I walked back to my dorm and Dove was quick in catching up to me. I had suspected she would since she was in the common room talking with the girls from our floor. She caught hold of my arm and hurried me into the room.
"So are you together now?" She demanded.
"I have yet to make up my mind." I replied. "He was most pleasant tonight away from his friends and alcohol."
"Liza, take my advice, a guy like that is bad news. Showing off for your friends is one thing, but the complete Jekyll/Hyde thing? It's no good. Believe me, I know from experience that he's just gonna drag you down. Look how different you've been this week since you haven't seen him." Dove stated.
"I think it was more the alcohol that was affecting me." I observed.
"But you wouldn't be drinking if you weren't hanging out with him. At least not as much as you have been. The boy's bad news." She countered.
"Perhaps he is." I stated. "But tonight he was the gentleman I thought him to be in the letter. I want to give him a chance before I consign him to the scrap heap."
"Is he really worth it?" She demanded. "You said yourself you don't even really like him. You were only with him out of a sense of duty. I think you've paid your due now."
"For the first night perhaps, but what of last Saturday when he carried me up all those stairs?"
"First of all, you wouldn't have been in that state if he hadn't taken you out in the first place. Secondly, you're not exactly heavy; I bet I could haul your ass up them stairs if I wanted to. I bet you don't weigh more than my suitcase. Thirdly, how did you end up separated from him if he was taking such good care of you? Wouldn't he have helped you home from the party rather than found you slumped outside? And fourth, could you have got him mixed up with someone else?"
"What do you mean?" I asked with a frown.
"Well, what if it wasn't him that looked after you on the first night?" She replied.
"But the letter was definitely signed Mal." I stated.
"Yeah, but here's the thing. I was talking to Dahlia and Erin and I'm getting a bit of confliction here." She said in all seriousness.
"Why?" I asked in annoyance.
"Because the Mal they described is totally different from the one we know. They like Mal and they don't know anything about a Trick and Gobbo shadowing him at every turn. They don't know anything about him partying; they seem to be under the impression that he's a real quiet guy. I got them to say what they liked most about him, after all the personality stuff I finally got down to his looks. They said they liked his vivid green eyes." She said as if this was a significant fact.
"Mal has green eyes." I reminded her.
"Yeah, but I wouldn't exactly call them vivid. They're a muddy green. Your eyes look greener than his sometimes and your base colour is hazel. The way they said it I got the impression of emeralds or something." She said firmly.
"Perhaps they caught him in a good light." I said with a shrug.
"I don't know, sounds a little suspect to me." She commented.
"It does not to me." I snapped.
"Well I've given you the benefit of my wisdom, it's up to you if you want to believe me or not. But I tell you Liza, you wanna watch out for that one, he's bad news."
"Your warning has been noted." I said rather curtly. "Now if you'll excuse me I must go wash my face and clean my teeth for bed."
Dove was already 'sleeping' by the time I returned to the room. I knew that she was pretending, but I was wary of any more confrontation for the night so I dressed into my pyjamas and settled quickly into bed.
The next morning I apologised to Dove for I realised she was looking out for my best interests. How could I remain angry when she felt I was in danger? Dove accepted my apology but still maintained that I should watch myself with Mal. I agreed that I would be on guard, but I would still meet with him since it would be rude to pull out of an arrangement at such short notice.
"Have you found anywhere to stay tonight?" Dove asked.
"Not yet. I will investigate the hotels in town today and see which one has a vacancy and whether they are clean or not." I promised her.
"Well you don't have to go to that extent. Dermot can just not stay here for one week. It won't hurt him." She replied.
"But I gave you the use of the room every Saturday." I stated.
"We can change it for one week." She said with a shrug.
I shook my head.
"Well if you can't find anywhere let me know and you can have your room back."
"If I am unable to find adequate accommodation I will let you know." I promised.
"Ok. Well I guess I should tell you to have a good time today, just remember…"
"Do not trust him fully." I finished, cutting her off.
"Yeah."
"I will see you later Dove." I said with a nod of my head.
Dove nodded in return and I left the room in order to meet Mal in the common room. He was yet to arrive and so I sat on one of the sofas to wait. I would have turned on the television, but someone had thought it wise to mount it on the wall and I had no intention of scrambling upon something to turn it on. Besides, Mal would soon make himself known.
There seemed to be nobody about so early in the morning and I sat on my own feeling somewhat misplaced as the minuet hand ticked on past o'clock and soon it was five past and Mal still hadn't made an appearance.
"On your own bach?"
I looked up to the boy with brown hair and I gave him a sad smile.
"My friend was supposed to meet with me, but he is late and I am rather aggrieved by people who are not punctual." I explained.
"Ah, well I can't comment on that. I got a class to attend this morning and my alarm didn't go off so now I'm running late. Otherwise I'd stay and chat."
"Go and attend your class. It would be wrong for you to be in trouble on my account."
"It's not an important lecture." He stated. "But I have to attend if I want to stay on my psych course."
"Then you'd best be off." I said with a grin.
"Yeah, I know. But…" He looked thoughtful for a moment. "If you ever want to chat just come find me at my dorm, that's where I usually am."
"And where is that exactly?" I asked, for I had no idea where it was situated other than the fact it was in the same corridor as Mal's room.
"Oh you know Duchess." He said with a wink, and walked away leaving me to frown.
I was not on my own for long, Mal passed the boy in the doorway as he entered the common room from outside looking a little breathless.
"Sorry, I didn't realise the garage didn't open until nine or I would have met you first." He said.
"Garage?" I asked, rising to my feet.
"Yeah, the student lot. I wanted to surprise you, and now I can't because I turned up so late." He said, looking annoyed with himself.
"You wish to take me out in your car?" I prompted.
"Yeah. I thought we could drive to San Jose; it's not that far. We can spend the day checking out the sights and then come back. Although it'll have to be by seven or I'll have to pay for overnight parking and get my car back to the student lot in the morning." He stated.
"Then we will be back by seven, and should we not return to your car now before you get a ticket?"
"Yeah." He said, nodding his head emphatically.
I smiled and rose to my feet. I took his hand and we made our way down the stairs. Outside the building was a single lane road that was used for deliveries and for unloading when we first arrived. Mal had parked his Renault Clio in the little bay outside the building. There was a notice that warned of a penalty should anyone do this without permission, but the traffic warden was nowhere to be seen.
I opened the passenger door and climbed in as Mal sat behind the wheel and we were heading off for the day. As he drove I did wonder why he chose to drive all the way to San Jose when LA was so much closer, although I was somewhat pleased for if he had picked LA I may have been hesitant to go there. Catalina and her mate Dirk held territory there. In fact they had most of southern California as their hunting range, but they mostly kept to LA for it was abundant in humans that would go mostly unnoticed if they disappeared. It was doubtful that I would bump into them during the day, but I would rather not risk it and have them report on my whereabouts.
There was also the fact that I had been in Riverside for four weeks and had not announced my presence in California, Catalina and Dirk may be somewhat upset and want some form of compensation. In the vampire world that meant favours since money was easy to accumulate when one did not have to pay for food or a means to heat or cool your abode. In fact there was very little a vampire truly needed, it was more a case of if they wanted it. Not that I had hunted on their land, and if I had it would not be poaching in the strictest sense since I was not interested in the same food source as them. They drank human blood while I opted for animal blood when I needed to feed.
There was a traffic jam on the interstate. We were sat in it for an hour and we barely moved a mile. I was sorely tempted to suggest to Mal that we abort or plan to visit San Jose and pull off at the next exit ramp. We could find something to do in Riverside for the day and go to San Jose on another day. However we passed the cause of the jam about three miles before the next exit and so there was no need to throw in the towel. There had been an accident involving an errant car and a heavy goods vehicle and all but one lane was closed around the site of the accident, hence the backlog of vehicles.
The traffic was moving swiftly once we were clear of the wreckage, but Mal was not a confident driver. He kept to the slow lane and I doubt our speed rose higher than fifty miles an hour. It was somewhat annoying because the vampire in me yearned for speed and this was not fast enough.
"You are allowed to go a little faster." I said carefully.
"I know." Mal said lowly. "I just don't like driving on these things."
"Then how did you get to college?" I asked, wondering how he had a car here if he had not driven it all the way from Florida.
"Gobbo and Trick took it in turns to drive." He replied.
"The three of you came up together?" I inquired; since it wasn't often he shared information so freely.
"Yeah. Kinda like a road trip." He said with a grin.
"Why?"
"Don't the government tell us to carpool when we can?"
"Yes, but I think they refer to short journeys that one makes every day. I am sure they would not be adverse to you having more than one car when you have the width of America to traverse. Or perhaps you could have used a bigger car, I doubt there was much room for the three of you and all your belongings."
"It was a bit of a squeeze, but we managed it." Mal stated. "Anyway, Gobbo and Trick didn't strictly speaking have cars. Gobbo had to borrow his Mom's car whenever he went anywhere and Trick had to use his sister's one." He sniggered. "It was a pink VW bug, he used to get some stick for that."
"Mostly from you and Gobbo?" I surmised, feeling less than impressed by this piece of information.
"Well, we're his friends. We're allowed to make fun of him. We all make fun of each other." He replied with a shrug.
I had no response to that so I decided to change the subject. I questioned him on his likes and dislikes since there had never been much occasion for us to do so before since we were always surrounded by so many other people. The conversation lasted the rest of the journey, all two hours of it, and although I found it amusing, it was also clear that other than a taste for alcohol and attending parties there was very little we had in common. We could not even agree on music. He was solely dance music and could not understand how I could claim to love songs from all genres of music. Mal was of the opinion that you had to pick one type and stick to it.
When we arrived in San Jose it was nearing lunchtime so we found somewhere to eat before we explored the city. We stopped in a little Spanish restaurant where I ate paella and Mal played it safe with a Spanish omelette. He made faces at the prawns in my paella and commented on how I was disgusting to be able to eat meat that still looked like the animal it came from. I found this a rather hypocritical stance since he was more than willing to eat steak until it burst forth from his guts. I considered what his reaction would be if I revealed to him how fresh I liked certain animals, but decided not to since there really was no reason to bring Mal into the secret. I had no intention of spending the rest of my life with him so why would I tell him?
We moved on to dessert and it was a delicious cheesecake, hardly Spanish other than the fact that they used oranges imported from the groves of rural Spain, but it was delicious and I would have had seconds had it not been a tad expensive. Mal had picked a sorbet, something light and pallet cleansing, but hardly what I thought of as a dessert.
"Whoa, where did you put all that?" He asked. "You'll start to put on weight."
"I have a high metabolism, I can eat what I wish and it never touches me." I replied primly.
"There's no way you eat that much all the time." He stated.
"You've seen me eat before." I observed.
"Yeah. But not all the time. For all I know you could starve yourself most of the time then stuff your face when you have to eat in front of people just to prove you're eating."
"What are you implying exactly?" I asked, feeling very offended.
"Just ignore me." Mal murmured, but I glared at him as I determined we would talk more on this later.
Mal called for the bill.
"I need to use the bathroom before we go." I stated as I rose to my feet and placed my purse on my shoulder.
"Why? You always disappear to the bathroom after you eat."
"I am going to clean my teeth if you must know." I growled and removed the zip-lock from my purse to show him. "I do it after every time I eat because I happen to like my teeth in my mouth."
Mal didn't look very convinced.
"Perhaps you would like a demonstration of what having no teeth would feel like?" I demanded, feeling a sudden wave of violence take me, and it shocked me for I had never threatened anyone and meant it before.
"Ok. I'll drop the subject." He said, holding his hands up as if I were the overbearing one who had initiated this animosity, but I had been having a marvellous time until he decided to imply I had an eating disorder.
It was with bad grace that I left the table and entered the bathroom. I had to gain control of my temper before I could brush my teeth. My anger surprised and I realised that it was partly heightened by the burn in my throat. The heartburn was becoming worse and I vowed to buy some antacids to alleviate it.
Finally I was calm enough to clean my teeth and with that done I felt somewhat better. I could face Mal again and whatever insults or accusations he cared to throw my way.
He was nowhere to be seen inside the restaurant and I had to ask the waiter if he had seen him. The waiter was impressed with my grasp of Spanish and he told me that I should not waste my time with an idiot like Mal; he had overheard our conversation earlier but couldn't intervene because people often didn't like waiters to do so. I thanked him for the advice but explained that I had to be nice to Mal for the rest of the day if I wished to ride home. The waiter relented and told me that Mal had asked where the nearest smoking area was and I frowned for I had no idea he smoked. I thanked the waiter for the directions then made my way outside and around the corner of the building where a miasma floated in the shadows as a few people stood clustered in that fug, including Mal.
I locked eyes with Mal and stood with my arms crossed as he finished his cigarette and stubbed it into the little ashtray set onto the wall before he strode over to me and went to put his arm around me. I found the smell that clung to his clothes repellent and I spun away and began walking along the street back toward the parking complex.
"Lizzy, what's wrong?" He asked.
"You could have said you wished to leave the restaurant for a smoke." I stated. "How would you have liked to emerge from the toilets only to find that your date had abandoned you? I had to ask the waiter where you were."
"You got something out of him? The guy couldn't string two sentences together." He said with a laugh.
"I spoke to him in Spanish, although that was merely to be polite. I found nothing wrong with his standard of English. It is better than some people whose first language is English." I said in scathing tones.
"Is that a dig at me?" He asked with a frown.
"You speak fine." I said with a sigh. "I was merely criticising your attitude toward the waiter."
"Yeah, well he shouldn't have been ogling you."
"Ogling me?" I asked with a frown as I stopped and turned to look at Mal.
"Yeah. He was undressing you with his eyes." He said, looking angry.
"He was doing nothing of the sort." I chuckled. "He may have spared me an appreciative glance because I am rather beautiful. This is a fact I have long since known and for this reason I have come to differentiate between admiring looks and lustful ones."
"Really?" He asked in disbelieving tones.
"Yes." I said rather curtly. "Besides he may have just been trying to surreptitiously judge if I am truly as short as I look. Some people find it rather freakish or rather fascinating. Either way it makes me the subject of scrutiny, something else I have learned to deal with."
"Do you really get that many stares?"
"Yes." I replied. "Are we going to discuss this all day or was there a specific reason you wished to travel all the way to San Jose when LA is closer?"
"Oh right. Well I heard the Earthquakes got an open day. We can go look round the stadium." He said with a happy smile.
"Earthquakes?" I inquired; dreading the thought for stadium implied there was sports involved.
"You never heard of the San Jose Earthquakes?" He demanded.
"Other than the geological variety, no." I replied.
"Then you're in for a treat." He declared as he grabbed my hand and began leading me in the other direction.
"What are they?" I asked, allowing him to tow me along.
"A soccer team." He replied.
"Soccer?" I asked, feeling my heart plummet.
"Yeah."
"Delightful." I said with dread for I hated sport.
That was a lie in a sense; I was rather partial to sport, provided I was competing. I found it hard to comprehend the purpose of being a spectator. What joy did you have unless you were there amongst the action? Why would you pay forty dollars per person to go around an empty stadium only to pay extra if you wanted the autograph of one of the players and you were not allowed to set foot on the pitch?
The tour guide had a voice that droned on forever and it was enough to send one to sleep; yet Mal listened with rapt excitement. This was a dream come true for him, and while I was happy that he was fulfilling it, I could not stop the selfish voice in my mind that demanded why he felt the need to bring me along. Surely Trick or Gobbo would have been better for this trip?
I sat on one of the bottom most seats and sighed, leaning my chin on my hands as I looked out over the flat expanse of green to the seats on the far side where a few people were resting during their tour. Mal had joined a long queue to pay for the privilege of having a few men sign pictures of themselves. I had refused to queue with him, stating that my feet were hurting too much and he agreed that I could sit down if I wanted to. How kind, I thought sarcastically, and I hoped that my mood improved. This was looking unlikely now that I had been sat for half an hour and Mal was still quite some distance down the line.
I started to search for something I could do to alleviate my boredom; if I had known I would spend so much time waiting around I would have brought a book with me. However there was nothing for me to do but sit here, and so I decided to play about with my senses. It is possible for us dhampir to dampen our senses, it is a necessity to learn to do so because otherwise the world can be a painful place to negotiate. Not to mention confusing when you can hear a conversation on the other side of the room when you are trying to hold one with the person sitting next to you. However I had no company at present and I was curious to see if I could hear what was being said by the people sitting opposite me on the other side of the pitch.
I closed my eyes and merely allowed my ears to listen. The sound increased and I was inundated with a babble of voices, but I didn't want to hear everyone at once. I focused on the stand opposite.
… "This is a complete rip off. I know it's making his day, but five bucks per photo?"
"I know. You think they'd be more considerate what with his condition."
"They can't offer you charity if they don't know it's needed. I told you we should have contacted make a wish."…
I pulled away from the conversation and as I began to concentrate on blocking out all the sounds bar those closest to me. I caught something that made me gasp. It was a heartbeat as fast as my own. I opened my eyes and found someone on the pitch staring at me and when he caught my eyes he gave a wide smile before he crossed the barrier and came to stand in front of me. I had to sit back and tilt my head up to see his face.
"Jericho Bronson." He said, holding out his hand.
"Liza Summers." I said shaking it, "And do you not find it rather deceitful to play against humans?"
"I'm using my natural born talents just like the rest of them." He said as he rounded the railings I'd been leaning against and he sat next to me. "I couldn't help noticing that you look bored."
"Out of my skull." I said with a wary sigh. "This was not what I imagined when my friend invited me to take a trip to San Jose for the day."
"Where is your friend?" He asked.
"Queuing for autographs." I said as I pointed Mal out in the queue.
Jericho looked at Mal and then he shivered.
"You want to watch that one, he's a snake." He said without hesitation.
"A snake?" I asked.
"Yeah. All slippery, like. There's just something sly about him. Makes me shiver." He stated.
"You hardly know him." I pointed out.
"Do you?" Jericho countered.
I shrugged.
"But I can tell he's no good. It's my power." He stated with a grin.
"Oh, you can read people?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"Do you read their minds?"
"No. It's more like a feeling I get when I look at the people. He gives me shivers." He explained.
"That must be a worthwhile gift to know the intentions of people."
"It's got me out of a few scrapes, especially back before the VCAC was set up. It's thanks to the Black twins that I can join the soccer team. Before that I was always moving, afraid that vamps would kill me if I stayed in one place too long." He said firmly.
"There is much we must thank the Coalition for." I stated.
"Yeah. Have you ever met any of them?" He asked.
"Who?" I replied with a frown.
"The Coalition." He clarified.
"We're all part of the Coalition." I stated.
"Yeah, but I'm talking about the founding members, like Jane, and Essie Black and her kids. From what I hear they're kick ass. Have you ever met them?" He demanded happily.
"Can't say I have." I said coldly.
"Ooh, I just got a shiver from you, you have met them." He chuckled and I sighed.
"Yes." I said sadly. "For I am one of the twins."
"Then why did you say your name was Summers?"
"It's my human world surname, I am in college at the moment and I am so used to introducing myself as Liza Summers that it comes out automatically." I explained.
"That's not quite true either. Why are you pretending you're someone else?"
"Am I not allowed to be someone else for a while? To live a life free from vampire scrutiny?" I demanded.
"I guess you're allowed that, but why?"
"It really has nothing to do with you." I said in a low voice. "I do not know you and you do not know me. Would you speak freely about your private life to a fan?"
"No, in case they spread it around the internet."
"Then why should I reveal my private life to you?"
"Fair point." Jericho said with a shrug. "But if you do need someone to talk to just come find me."
"And how would I get past your security detail?" I demanded as I spied two men in dark suits and glasses rushing toward us.
"You could outsmart them. Just use your super speed." He pointed out, moving his hand through the air.
"Then I know not where you live."
"That's true." He said, then considered for a moment. "Have you got a pen and paper?"
I opened my purse and pulled out the pen I always carried for one could never tell when it would be needed in an emergency. I also found an old envelope and I handed both over to Jericho. He took them and scribbled some details on the envelope before giving them back.
"Those are my private lines, the ones I only give to our people." He said in a low voice.
"Thank you." I said, placing the envelope back into my purse.
"Guess I'd better go." Jericho said with a laugh as the security guards reached us. "Anytime you're lonely just call, cause our kind have to stick together."
"Our kind?" Someone asked, it was Mal and he hadn't realised whom he was talking to at first, but when he saw Jericho his jaw almost hit the floor.
"Tuscans." Jericho said without batting an eyelid. "Liza's family originated from the same Tuscan village as my own. It's like a sixth sense. Well can't stay chatting all day. Goodbye Miss Liza." He finished with a bow of his head before he moved away with his security.
"That was…" Mal murmured as he sat down on the seat Jericho had vacated.
"Jericho Bronson? Yes." I replied.
"You were…" He began and trailed off.
"Talking to him?" I ventured.
Mal nodded.
"Well if I were to be more accurate, he was talking to me for he started the conversation." I said.
"He started just talking to you?" Mal asked in disbelief.
"He does have the ability to communicate." I stated.
"But he just came over to you?" Mal demanded as if it was beyond all comprehension.
"Yes. He noticed the Italian cast in my appearance and questioned me on my heritage. That's how he discovered that a few generations ago our families were practically neighbours."
"Wow." Mal said, still somewhat dazed. "I can't believe Jericho Bronson just came up and spoke to you like that."
"He is a person you know. He may have exceptional skill on the field, but that hardly places him above everybody else." I said rather cattily for Mal's manner was somewhat grating.
"I can't believe that Jericho Bronson came up and just started talking to my girlfriend." He mused.
"Girlfriend?" I said with a frown.
"Yeah. I was gonna ask you about that." He said, with an attempt at a nervous grin, but he was playing at shy.
"About what?" I said, determined to play dumb for now.
"We should go steady." He stated.
"I…I am not entirely sure that is a good idea." I replied, wishing we could have this conversation back at college for I half suspected Mal would leave me here if I turned him down. "I am happy to be your friend, but I will have to think some more on whether or not I could be your girlfriend."
"Why?" He demanded.
"Because I do not love." I said with an honesty that was only in that moment clear to me. "I feel little for you in the way of lust, I merely like you as a friend."
"Oh god. This always happens." Mal said despondently. "I like a girl enough to ask her to be my girlfriend and she just turns me down."
"You did not ask so much as assume." I stated. "And at this moment in time I am inclined to think that you merely state that I am yours because I have been favoured by your idol."
"Huh?"
"You are only asking me to be your girlfriend now because Jericho Bronson spoke to me." I translated.
"That's not true at all." Mal protested.
"Then prove to me that you truly want me. Make me love you and I will be your girlfriend." I stated.
"What's love got to do with it?" He demanded bitterly.
"Very well. You are right; love does not have to enter into the equation, but if not love then there must be physical attraction. Make me desire you as more than a friend." I amended.
"So you want me to seduce you?" He clarified.
I thought for a moment, and then smiled.
"Yes. Seduction is in order if you wish to make me yours." I stated.
"Well I took you to the cinema yesterday and to a restaurant today, doesn't that count?" He asked and I groaned at his ineptitude.
"The cinema was an olive branch, an attempt to show me that you can have fun without alcohol. As for the restaurant today, the least said about that the better. Do you think that suggesting I have an eating disorder is any way to make me desire you?" I demanded.
"That was low of me." He said. "I really shouldn't have said that, it's just my sister had an eating disorder and I worry when people are thin but stuff themselves."
"I am naturally thin." I stated. "And I have an apt muscle mass, although you cannot see it since I am wearing long sleeves."
"I haven't really noticed your muscles before." He murmured.
"That's because you are normally looking down my cleavage." I said flatly.
"You noticed?" He asked guiltily.
"Not much gets past me my boy." I said coldly.
"Right." Mal said, looking down at his feet.
"I think this conversation is getting us nowhere." I stated. "And the hour is growing late. We should return to your car if you plan to make Riverside by seven. Especially how slowly you drive."
Mal laughed.
"Everyone says I drive slow."
"That's because you do." I said with a shrug as I stood.
"Then I guess we'd better get going." He replied as he stood also and we left the stadium behind.
"Would you like me to drive?" I asked once we reached his car. "I am a most accomplished driver."
Mal gave me a doubtful look.
"Do I look so inept that you believe me incapable of everything?" I demanded.
"Ok. You can drive." Mal said as he threw the keys to me and I plucked them easily from the air.
"Then buckle up, for you are in for a rare treat." I said with a grin.
Mal looked perturbed but climbed into the passenger seat regardless.
I sat behind the wheel, but I had to adjust the seat in order to ensure that I would reach the pedals without hindrance. Once I was happy I started the car and took it slow out of the parking complex and the city. Once out on the interstate I allowed the thrill of driving immerse me and I did what all vampires enjoyed. I gave in to the thrill of speed and Mal gasped, frightened at first, but he appeared to relax after a while. Then he began to enjoy it.
"Where did you learn to drive like this?" He asked.
"I did not learn this." I stated. "This is pure natural talent. The ability to drive at such speeds is a family trait."
"Did you ever think of joining the race circuit?" He asked in all seriousness.
"I drive for leisure, I would hate to make it my profession." I remarked.
"But you could make millions."
"Li'l Liza the firecracker from the Pacific North West?" I asked.
"Yeah."
"I would rather not." I said with chuckle.
"What do you want to do with your life?" He asked.
"I have no idea." I replied truthfully. "I am determined to finish college and once I have achieved that then I will decide from there. How about you?"
"I wanna be a film producer." He said. "Or even an actor, but a producer to start with."
"What if you do not make it in the film industry?"
"I will make it." He said firmly.
"I have never been one for positive thinking, but it has always worked for my brother. Perhaps if you remain determined in your conviction you will succeed." I said kindly.
"Huh?"
"Positive thinking sometimes works." I stated. "Although I am for the most part a perennial pessimist. In fact my brother and I used to joke that it would mark the apocalypse should the day come when I am optimistic and he pessimistic."
"You have completely different outlooks on life?"
"Yes. We may be twins but we are mostly opposite. I am short and look like Father, while he is tall and looks like Mother. I am pessimistic and I crave order and planning, whilst he is optimistic, carefree and spontaneous. He accepts change in his stride, while I am opposed to change for I fear what it might bring." I explained.
"But college is a big change." Mal pointed out.
"Yes. However this was something I had planned for a long while, it is a change I was expecting, it was not spontaneous. The changes I hate are those that come out of the blue and there is no warning, people merely expect you to be happy and do not understand why you would be upset. They cannot see past their own happiness to how their action may affect one they claim to love. As long as they are happy and getting what they want they care not for the opinions and feelings of others." I realised that I was beginning to rant and I quickly silenced myself for this was my business alone and I would share it with no one.
"That sounds like there's a story behind it." Mal observed.
"There is nothing to discuss." I said firmly.
"Ok. Well you know earlier you were saying that I should try and seduce you?" He asked, changing the subject and I wondered how long he had been waiting to broach the subject once more.
"Yes." I replied carefully.
"Well can I start tonight?"
"It depends on your idea of what constitutes as a seduction technique." I stated.
"Well we'd have to go on a date first." He replied.
"Of course."
"How about tonight. They're holding a big party at the Union and I thought we could go together." He suggested.
"Another party where the alcohol is flowing freely?" I asked doubtfully.
"Well it is a party, but it won't be with the usual crowd, unless they happen to be there. We won't go with them, and I won't even talk to them if you don't want me to, all my attention will be on you."
"I will not ask you to ignore your friends on my behalf. That can only lead to resentment in the long run. However I will go to this party with you, how else am I to allow you to woo me." I said with a laugh.
"Great." Mal said with a smile.
"What time does it begin?"
"Seven." He replied. "But it's an open thing so you can turn up anytime you want."
"Very well, then we will see what time we arrive back at Riverside and I will need half an hour to change."
"I'll need to change too. It's not nice to party in clothes you've been wearing to travel all day." He remarked.
"I know." I said as I took the exit for Riverside.
"We're back already?" Mal asked, impressed for the trip had taken us just over an hour.
"Yes, and it is but half past five. It will be six by the time we reach our building. Perhaps we could take an hour for changing. I can shower and dry my hair within that time too."
"That would be great." Mal stated.
We agreed to meet in the common room at seven and by the time I had reached my room I had a full hour to work with so I wasted no time in going to shower. I was glad for this opportunity to wash the travel fatigue from me and to refresh me before the party. When I returned to my room Dove was there, also preparing to go out for the night.
"Where are you going?" I asked as I began to brush out my hair.
"The party at the Union. You?"
"The same." I replied.
"With Mal?" She asked carefully.
"Yes. I am seeing if he can behave himself at a party." I informed her.
"Why? What's the point? Just shove him to the curb and find someone else." She said firmly.
"I must give him this opportunity, but I fear my patience is beginning to wear thin with him." I said with a sigh.
"Good." Dove said, and she meant it. "So have you found anywhere to stay tonight?"
I switched on the hairdryer at that point and it gave me cause to ignore her while I thought about my answer.
"I said, have you found somewhere to stay tonight?" Dove repeated as soon as I turned the hair dryer off.
"Yes." I lied since I was sure I could secure accommodation by the time I required it.
"Well, I'm serious about what I said. Dermot is gonna stay, but we're not gonna do anything tonight. You can use your bed."
"I have no need of it, so please feel free to do with Dermot what you like." I assured her.
"We won't do anything tonight." Dove said firmly and I decided it was best not to argue further as I dressed into a pair of leggings and a sparkly spaghetti strap top.
I was ready with ten minuets to spare and I made my way to the common room where Mal was already waiting for me. We made our way to the Student Union bar and the party was commencing as we arrived. I made Mal dance with me for a while, and he was adequate enough, but he was nowhere near as good as Simon. It had been a joke I had made once, but it was also a true observation, for Simon had spoiled me for other dance partners. There was only one other who had come close to matching him and I would rather not recall him, despite the fact I had given his name to Dove. Well his alias at least.
Perhaps it was the prospect of recalling Sasha that compelled me to start drinking that night. Whatever the reason I was soon very tipsy and Mal suggested we head home. I could not see Dove anywhere and I decided that she had gone back to our room and despite what she had said earlier I was certain she would be enjoying herself with Dermot.
I left the party with Mal and we bought a bottle of red wine on the way back to our building. I was more than a little tipsy I realised and I wished nothing more than to settle down for the night, to sleep and to rest. However a few more glasses of wine would hardly hurt and sharing a drink with Mal would be a good way to thank him for he was offering me accommodation for the night.
If it had been any other boy then I would have hesitated, and probably refused, but this was Mal who had offered and I felt safe enough with him to accept his offer. He had not taken advantage of me the last time I was in this state and so I trusted him to be a perfect gentleman once more. It was for this reason alone that I allowed him to lead me to his room since I was certain Dove was otherwise disposed this evening and I would have to seek out alternative accommodation regardless. It may as well be with a honourable young man I knew I could trust.
There was something that struck me as odd as he opened his door. We were in the right corridor but I was sure his room had been on the opposite side and closer to the bathroom. On the other hand I had been mightily hungover that morning and at this point in time my mind was bathed in alcohol, which made basic thought nigh on impossible.
He supported me to the bed where I slumped down with a giggle. I still had a hold of the bottle of red wine and Mal placed a mug in my other hand. I poured myself a generous helping of the red liquid, sloshing a little over my wrist also. Mal held out another mug and I filled it for him.
I managed to place the bottle on the bedside cabinet on the second go and then I pulled my legs up on his bed and sat with my back to the wall as I began to sip my wine.
Mal snorted as he sat down in front of me.
"What you sniggering at?" I demanded with a slur.
"You acting so lady like when you're clearly blind drunk." He observed as he took a swig of his own wine.
"I'm not drunk." I said emphatically. "I'm merrily sober!" I declared, moving my arms in a wide circle and wine sloshed on my wrist again.
"I can see that." Mal said, taking another swig of his wine.
I gulped back a mouthful of wine.
"I can handle my drink." I stated.
"Yeah, but I didn't bring you back here to drink yourself into oblivion." Mal said, as he placed his mug to the side.
"Oh?" I questioned and took a nervous sip of wine as my senses began to trigger alarms within my head.
Look, look. My mind seemed to call. There are two beds. His scent, is it the same?
"I think you know why we're here." Mal stated.
"To drink wine and sleep." I announced and tipped back my mug although it was now empty.
Mal pulled the mug from my lips and placed it on the bedside cabinet.
"Are you really that naive?" He asked, kneeling on the bed so he could come closer to me. "You knew what I wanted if you came back with me."
"I do not wish to partake in carnal actions with you." I said flatly feeling very uncomfortable with his closeness.
"But I think you do." He whispered in my ear.
"No." I growled, trying to push him away.
"I think I can change your mind." He said, his breath wet and hot against my ear, "After all, you asked me to seduce you." He added, and before I could stop him his hand brushed a place most intimate.
I was enraged that he dared violate me and I lost all human restraint as I pushed him away from me. Without the restraint I employed from day-to-day I sent him flying into the wall where he fell onto the trashcan with a crash.
"What happened to the gallant knight who protected me that first night? The one who gave me shelter without pressing his suite when I was too inebriated to show resistance?" I demanded as I stood over him.
"What?" Mal asked, looking up at me with a frown.
"That first night when you organised the party. I was blind drunk and in no position to defend myself yet you gave me shelter and even gave up your bed for me while you slept on the floor." I stated, although I was starting to feel my conviction waver.
"I didn't spend the first night with you. I got off with that Sophie chick." Mal replied with a frown.
Sophie? So he was the one who… But I showed not a flicker of knowledge; I had to take the news to Sophie to do with it what she wished. I could not allow him to have prior warning. I therefore concentrated on the anger of betrayal.
"But you accepted my gratitude. You did not question it." I growled.
"Half the time I don't know what the hell you're on about. Nobody does. I thought you were thanking me for organising the party. I only went along with it cause you weren't such an ice queen to me like you are with the rest of the guys." He said in what I thought was an unfair assessment. I was only cold toward Gobbo and Trick for they had the tendency to be bothersome.
"Well it looks as though I was freezing out the wrong boys." I growled, lifting him in my anger by the front of his shirt and holding him against the wall. "Is this how you treat all girls?"
"What do you mean?" He asked, and he really found nothing untoward in his behaviour.
"Violate them when they are too drunk to protest or give an accurate answer?"
"I never sleep with a girl who don't want me." Mal stated.
"Is that how you justify your actions? It's not rape because the girls want you? Then why do you not try to seduce them when they are sober?" I demanded as I felt the call of the hunger begin to burn in my throat.
"I've never raped anyone."
"Then it's a good job this went no further tonight for that's how I would have viewed this." I growled trying to resist the call of his blood. "I warn you Mal. If I hear of such a thing again I'll…" I found it hard to continue as the hunger burned in my throat. "There are creatures in this world you do not want to mess with." I growled, bearing my strong white teeth at him, wishing I had fangs to make my threat more viable. "Hurt one more girl and death will be visited upon you with such force you will be in hell before you feel the true extent of the fire. Tell no one of this or your life is forfeit."
I let him go and quickly darted from the room. I leant against the corridor wall as I tried to get my breathing under control whilst the hunger dissipated. It was hard not to go back into that room and tear him asunder, but I could never look Carlisle in the eyes again if I did such a thing and it was for that very reason that I suffered Mal to live.
I heard the door at the end of the corridor open but I didn't look up. I sensed someone walk by me, a girl who glanced at me before walking quickly by. What a sight I must have been to her. I felt another presence, but I willed this person to walk on by too.
"Are you ok Duchess?" A familiar voice asked and I was suddenly transported back to that night.
I looked up into bright green eyes and I felt my heart stutter as I realised the near catastrophic mistake I had made.
"Is your name Mal?" I asked.
"Yes." Said the boy with brown hair as he smiled at me.
"Then I have done you a great disservice valiant knight." I said, trying to keep my voice steady, but it broke in the middle of the sentence. "I have lavished my gratitude to you on a wretch who deserved no such compliments. He would have violated me most grievously this night had I not the presence of mind to stop him."
"Ok. Eliza." This other Mal said carefully, stooping slightly to look into my eyes. "Let's just stop this whole knight business a mo. I think you've just been through a harrowing experience and if I'm understanding you right I think you need to report him."
"I can't." I said sadly.
"Why not?" He demanded.
"Because…" I trailed off.
There was no way I could explain to this stranger why I couldn't report the other Mal.
"Shall we take this conversation to my room. It's a little more private there and you can tell me anything."
"I just want to sleep." I observed as this fact became clear.
"Then I'll help you back to your room." He offered.
"Dove is entertaining tonight." I said mournfully.
"Well take my bed for tonight and we'll talk in the morning." He declared, helping me to stand up straight.
He led me to his room and sat me on his bed before he closed the door.
"Cwtch up. I'll take the floor again." He said, pulling a spare blanket from the closet.
"No." I cried, feeling a little afraid of being left alone. "I trust you good knight. I know you won't try to take advantage of me. The bed is big enough. There's no need for you to be uncomfortable upon the floor."
"I've slept in worst places." He said with a shrug.
"Then please do it for me? I seek comfort right now and I find great comfort in your presence." I said, knowing this was an undoubtable fact.
"Are you sure? After what you've just been through?" He asked with a concerned frown.
"You're the right Mal and I know I can trust you. Just like before. Please comfort me." I said, and I realised that having him near was almost a substitute for Tony, that was why I was feeling so at ease in his presence despite what had happened only moments before.
Mal let out a breath, and then he came up to the side of the bed.
"Do you wish to go on the outside?" He whispered.
"I'm quite happy here." I said, holding out my arms to him. "Please, comfort me."
Mal looked uncertain.
"I merely wish you to hug me so that I know there are some decent people in this world." I whispered.
"Very well." Mal murmured and he lay beside me, afraid at first to place his arms around me.
I worked my arms around him and snuggled against him as we lay on our sides. I placed my head against his chest and listened to the fast pace of his heart as he drew his arms around me.
"I feel safe with you." I whispered as I wrapped my arms more tightly around him. "You are safety."
"I know I can be myself around you." He whispered as drew me closer and into a more comfortable position. "Although I haven't had much time to be around you."
"I'm sorry I gave my gratitude for your deed to another." I whispered sadly as I marvelled in his heat down the entire length of my front.
"Shhh!" He hushed. "Just sleep tonight. We'll talk about it in the morning."
"Sounds good." I murmured as I felt myself drift. "You smell so nice. What cologne do you use?"
"Eau de Dhampir by Jeremy." He said with a slight laugh.
"It's very nice." I murmured, sniffing at his neck as I felt sleep take me. "Just like you."
"Shhh bach." He whispered as he stroked back my hair from my face. "Just shh for now and we'll talk in the morning."
"Mmmph." I managed as his hands through my hair soothed me into the sleep that I wanted.
I awoke in the morning with his scent in my nose and the thunder of his heart in my ears. During the night we'd changed position so that Mal now lay on his back while I lay cradled against his chest as his arm surrounded me protectively. His heat was wonderful and I snuggled against it not wanting to move this morning for moving meant remembering the night before.
After ten minuets of my lying there drifting on the edge of possible sleep Mal stirred and lifted his head. I craned my neck and looked up at him with a smile. He smiled back then dropped his head back to the pillow and let out an amused sigh I heard echoed in his chest.
"I thought I'd dreamt your arrival." He mused.
"Dream of me often, do you?" I asked, sitting up so I could look at him.
"No." He said, shaking his head as he too sat up. "I just have a lot of crazy dreams and that seemed like it could be one."
He rubbed the sleep from his eyes before returning his gaze to me with a serious look on his face.
"I think we have a lot to talk about." He said steadily.
"We do." I agreed. "However I wish to freshen up first. I will go shower and dress and will meet you in the common room in an hour. I will buy you a coffee as the first sign of my gratitude for what you have done for me. Then we will talk."
"Fair enough." Mal said with a nod of his head. "But if you try and stand me up I'll come looking for you."
"I promise to meet you in the common room in an hour. I always keep my word." I stated as I rose to my feet.
As I reached his door I realised my shoes were still in the room of the impostor Mal. In all likelihood I would never retrieve them. I would have to return to my room barefooted.
Luckily the corridors and common room were deserted this early on a Sunday morning. I reached my room without encountering a single soul. When I reached my door I inserted the key without much hope, but I was surprised to find that it went into the lock and I was able to turn it.
I still knocked the door to warn Dove just in case before I opened the door. She was in bed with Dermot, however they were merely snuggled up in sleep, although Dove did open her eyes as I began to gather my things together for the shower.
"I shan't disturb you long." I informed her. "I will return in fifteen minuets to dry my hair and such and then the room is yours for the entire day."
"You off out?" Dove asked.
"Yes." I answered. "And I will explain all later." I promised as I left the room, for I owed her an explanation after I doubted the integrity of her offer.
Had I trusted her then Malcolm would never have laid a finger on me. On the other hand, had I returned here then perhaps I would not have discovered that Malcolm was an impostor and I would not have discovered my true saviour, the real Mal who I had much to learn about. As I turned on the shower and waited for the water to heat I realised that I was looking forward to learning all about the real Mal, much more so than I had wanted to know Malcolm.
How did I mix the two up?
What a fool I had been…
Congrats to everyone who guessed right about there being two Mals :D
Thank you for reading
Please review
Gemma x
*Lsb123; It's gonna be a while before Liza reveals what's bugging her, but it will be revealed earlier in Tony's story which I will start posting from ch4 of DID