Here we go, in continuing to move this story along quickly.

~Belle

Akane and I were walking to class and she was telling me more about her and Rei.

"For the first date we were so nervous! Rei took me to see the moon in his favorite spot..."

I tried to act interested like I hadn't seen the place before when he'd taken me there a while back, when he still liked me. I also hesitated to mention that it was right near the Moon Dorm, a veritable house full of vampires. "Mmhmm?" I encouraged her to tell me more while I tried to remember when was the last time I'd done any homework.

We should make Aido tutor us. He probably doesn't even need to be in school.

That's true! I thought back. He writes academic papers in his spare time. He could use that spare time to make sure I don't flunk out of school because he wants to drink my blood on the weekends.

Apparently thinking, listening, and walking at the same time was too much for me, as I suddenly smacked into somebody's back.

"Hey watch where you're- oh, Matari-san." Zero eyed me carefully. "How have you been?" His tone conveyed blatant suspicion.

"Um, good." I said cautiously.

"Zero, we're going to be late to see Headmaster Cross!" Yuki's loud voice echoed from somewhere nearby.

Zero eyed my neck, which, though I knew would be free of marks since Aido had healed it, caused me to press my hand over it in a reflexive gesture. Realizing what I'd done, I dropped my hand, but it was too late. Zero's eyes had narrowed menacingly. As he turned away, I turned to Akane. "We should go to class."

"Yeah. Though I love your weird little confrontations with people I know you're not friends with, we should really go before we're late." Akane looked like she wanted to say more but decided not to.

I felt a wave of guilt wash over me. We headed to class and I sat on Akane's left, Rei sitting on her right. The day passed by in the usual dragging fashion.

"So when's this soiree we're hearing so much about?" I asked Akane during lunch.

"Oh, in like 2 weeks. The Saturday night I believe."

I nodded, considering this. "Do you think Headmaster Cross will let us field trip to town to go dress shopping?"

"He better." Akane said. "I haven't been off campus in ages."

Rei smiled at us both. "We could all go. I wanted to get some snacks anyway."

Akane turned to Rei. "Sounds fun."

I sighed theatrically, twirling a strand of my long chocolate brown hair between my fingers.. "Oh, young love..."

Akane sighed. "Exactly how long until we live this down?"

Rei rolled his eyes. "Probably forever."

I nodded. "At least."

"So are you and Aido a thing now?" Rei ventured cautiously.

I laughed. "I guess. He told me to tell everyone."

"What?!" I heard a shriek from in front of me. "Matari-san's dating Aido-kun?!"

"This is what I was afraid of." I said quietly as a panic rose in front of me among several girls.

"How did Matari-san land a Night Class student?"

"She's so plain."

"And not very friendly!"

"Oh my God." I slammed my forehead on my desk. Akane awkwardly patted my shoulder.

"Well, you signed up for this."

That's the thing. I thought. I didn't.

We didn't sign up for anything. Not the knowledge, the blood drinking, the relationship... how far is this going to go? My inner was frustrated.

I don't know...

What's going to happen when Aika finds out?

My mind wandered back to Aika, the soundwave-manipulating vampire who told me to stay away. Aido will protect me?

Even Aido can't be around all the time.

"Dammit." I cursed again, and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Akane asked me. From my standing position I could see that she and Rei were holding hands under the table.

"Outside. I just need some air."

When I went outside I leaned against a pillar and breathed in and out several times, forcing myself to keep my breath slow. I was so worried about the future now that even just thinking of it threatened to send me into an anxiety attack. I ran a hand through my long chestnut brown hair and fidgeted with my uniform.

"Matari-san, break is over soon. You should head inside." I heard Zero's voice from behind me. I jumped before slowly turning around. Zero had raised an eyebrow.

"Right. I'll go in." I flattened my skirt and made to walk past him.

"Headmaster Cross is close to finding a spell. Expect everything to be over soon."

My heart clenched at the word "everything".

Everything coming to an end. It's hard to decide if that's a good thing anymore. My inner thought.

If pain is included in everything it can't be over soon enough. I thought back. I was getting so tired of being sore, upset, or exhausted. I just wanted to go back to my normal life. Everything would be okay once I'd forgotten everything.

"That's good." I said, and to my irritation my voice shook.

"Is something wrong?" Zero asked, but his voice conveyed little genuine concern.

"I thought I saw something earlier... maybe it was just a trick of the light. But I thought I saw..." I breathed in and out slowly. "Your eyes... go red." Zero narrowed his eyes but I ploughed on. "Are you a vampire too?"

Zero looked as though he was torn between punching me and walking away. He did neither.

"Since you're not going to remember I guess I can tell you. I am. I stay in the Day Class because I choose to. There are no other vampires in the Day Class. I mostly have it under control, but when you put your hand to your neck..." He shrugged. "I'm sorry if I frightened you. I'm only affirming your assumption so you don't start thinking you're crazy."

I huffed out a laugh. "I already think I'm crazy."

Zero smirked. "Headmaster Cross will find something. Then all of this madness won't involve you anymore. Just be patient. Is Aido bothering you much?"

"Not really. He doesn't come to school anymore."

"You just go there on weekends."

My eyes flashed and I met his gaze with shock, which I knew just confirmed his suspicions.

"Be very careful around vampires, Matari-san. Beyond the obvious predatory instinct, it's more dangerous to get involved with one than you think."

"We're saying we're together just for show." I breathed. "We're not. He's just... supervising me."

"While taking your blood." Zero narrowed his eyes. "All the same, just be careful, Matari-san." He went back inside, leaving me with one last thought on my mind.

I think it's already too late to be careful.