Once again thanks for reading, I hope you enjoy this next chapter. I am planning on updating one to two times a week possibly more. And I would really like to encourage people to review. Again thanks and enjoy this next chapter.
The clock ticked loudly, which only made waiting worse. With her already amazing hearing ever little sound was a slap in the face, but this was worse. The sound of the little hand moving told Schuyler that one second out of 1200 had gone by. That 20 minutes was like a millennium and each little second was just another hard trichinous year.
She had been counting the light clicking sounds for 600 ticks –ten minutes. It was *:40 which meant any moment the front door would open and jack would emerge and soon after would tell Schuyler that she was free to leave. She would be able to sneak out and regain a little of her old life. And she owed it all to Jack.
If he had not set up the reading group which was code for "date with Bliss and Oliver" she would have killed herself. Originally Jack and Schuyler would leave together, but when Mimi got suspicious Jack "dropped out" leaving Schuyler to sneak out the back. There was really no need to sneak out, but she didn't want to face Mimi or Mr. Force so Jack showed her his secret escape.
Schuyler heard yet another click, but this one was louder yet softer that meant someone was coming in. Her heart started to pound and her gaze glued to the small crack under the heavy wood door. She could hear murmurs greeting jack but was too excited to pay attention to what that were saying. She heard Jacks softy footsteps as he walked to his room. Her eyes remained on the crack waiting for the signal that she could go.
After about 30 minutes the signal was sounded. A paperback copy of sisterhood of the traveling pants –the book for the book club- was slipped under her door. She stood and went to pick it up cradling the book to her chest; this was her key out the door. If Schuyler was caught sneaking out without this book she would never be able to go out again. She hugged the book tightly whipped her already pack back over her shoulder then darted down the hall hopping that Mimi did not decide to show up.
She quickly flew down the long hall stopping when she was in the safety of Jacks room. She pressed her back to the door letting out as sigh of relief. She was not surprised to see Jack sitting on his bed his eye brows raised – his usual expression when Schuyler did this.
"I am just excited," She said walking to the far left corner of his room kicking a rug out of the way to reveal a trap door.
"Ummm-Hmmm," he said getting up
Schuyler quickly jumped down the hole.
"Good luck," Jack called before the closed the door and fixed the rug.
Schuyler looked around the dark room. She did not get why the Forces never used their refurbished basement. To her it was much more homey and relaxing then the rest of the house. She walked slowly through the dim lighting.
Normally Bliss would be waiting for Schuyler outside the Force tower but today she had a shoot with chic so it was just Oliver and her. She looked down at the prop in her hands and laughed. Jack really had set up a book club and Schuyler was in it she just never went.
When they first started this she was a skeptic, knowing that somehow the secret would get out. But it surprised her how well it worked out. Jack had appointed "Schuyler" as the leader of the group when he left, which was how she could still go to the "meeting". But it was not Schuyler Van Alen who was the leader but another. It was this that allowed her to continue to go. They could say Schuyler was the president of the book club, and she was just not the one they thought.
Schuyler stopped at the emergency exit. She was lucky that it had been open this whole time and knew it would never get closed because no one ever came down here. She quickly and quietly claimed up the ladder. Once she was outside she started to run letting her vampire muscles take over. It felt good to run at her full speed without a care of being seen.
It was barley 9:20 when she got to block 121. She passed the blue bloods only club and went to the building next door. It was this building that had many memories with Oliver and Schuyler. That's why she picked in knowing that it would give a since of comfort to them.
When Oliver walked in ten minutes later Schuyler was leaning agents the bar counter looking in his direction. He smiled and waved then started toward her. Schuyler felt her stomach knot up as her best friend came closer. Once Oliver was a few feet away Schuyler pushed off the counter and closed the distance. She pulled him into a tight embrace then stepped back.
"Hey Sky," he greeted kissing her on the lips like he always did now.
Schuyler knew she should not allow this but she could not find it in her heart to tell him to stop. Bliss said it was because Schuyler was in love with him to, but even if it was true she would never admit it.
"Hey," she replied her cheeks red from the loving kiss. She then turned to the bar and ordered 2 strawberry decries. She loved that fact that Oliver liked Girly drinks and thought it somehow made him more masculine.
They sat in silence for sometime just enjoying each others company. She noticed Oliver was downing alcoholic drinks like crazy, something he did quite often. This used to bother her but now she felt weird when he wasn't a little buzzed. Schuyler sighed wondering what to talk about; Without Bliss the meeting was a little odd.
Finally after 30 minutes the tension was raised and conversations flowed easily. Schuyler had already told him about the past two weeks and the latest Mimi prank. This seemed to infuriate him but he hid it well. Schuyler was relieved when he started to talk telling her about what he learned in the books Lawrence was telling him to read. This took about half an hour; Schuyler was surprised that Oliver could retain so much information with his human mind. And even more surprised that he could remember it when he was a little drunk.
"… and he is going to go out of town –can't remember where- but he said it was something important for the conclave." Oliver said catching her attention.
"Wait- what?"
"Yeah, he said 'I won't be around for some time, Oliver, I am going to…'- I can't remember-'for something very important for the conclave." He paused looking around "he acted really secretive."
This fact bother Schuyler, the two had been conversing though telepathy but he had not told her anything about it. It was even worse that he had told Oliver and not her.
"Maybe he did not want to worry you." Oliver said as if her could read her mind.
Schuyler nodded then changed the subject.
An hour later Oliver was sloshed and completely ready to perform the sacred Kiss. It was only the 3rd time but it already felt accustom. Schuyler led the way to the apartment next door. To Oliver and her, this was more than just a vampire sucking blood; it was also a ritual that kept them close.
A little side note: So I have been debating with myself for about a week now on whether I should have Schuyler end up with Jack or Oliver. So I have decided to let my readers decide. So if you want one or the other leave a response tell me which one you want.
