xviii.

Laddie had been a half-vampire for about a month, and things were fine. The boy seemed to have an incredible amount of self-control for being so young, and he didn't seem to get the hunger cramps like we did. Instead, he really didn't seem to even notice the changes. There had only been one accident in which someone had slipped and cut themselves on their own knife. The boys had to pull back Laddie and I both from attacking, and I had cried a few moments after.

I was so weak. Even being out at night was slowly becoming harder. When the boys were with me, though, I felt fine. It was only when I wasn't with one of them. Star had grown to hate herself, and she was often spotted moping around the cave. Anytime I tried to help her, she brushed me off and ignored me, and it hurt. I tried to help her so much, but she wanted nothing to do with me. I knew to let her be for a while as she was going through denial of sorts, but it still made me feel worse to see her curled up in bed.

Tonight, we had left her to lay in her bed and read her book. I promised to bring her back some food, and she gave me a tight-lipped smile as acknowledgment. Laddie was dragging me through the crowds of the boardwalk, pulling me to the comic store. The boys were behind me by just a bit.

Laddie let out an excited laugh once he saw the large sign that read 'Frog Comics' and tugged me harder. "Come on, mom," he cried out excitedly.

I giggled and let him drag me into the shop, sending the boys a quick smile over my shoulder as they paused near the entrance, not too close but not too far. We had stuck to our deal, and the boys knew not to come in or they would upset both Laddie and me.

I looked around the store as Laddie let go of me and ran toward his favorite section of the store. I smiled as he sifted through a large box of Superman comics.

"So, you a full vampire yet, or?" I froze at the voice, and I turned to meet the eyes of the tan brother I knew as Alan. I relaxed a bit and quirked an eyebrow, trying to play the question off.

"You know, every time we walk in here, you guys ask me something like that, but you never answer my question. What the hell are you talking about?"

Alan rolled his eyes, and I picked up a comic to look at as if I was interested. I quickly placed it down, though, and began walking around the shop, listening to him walk behind me. "We both know what I'm talking about, bloodsucker."

"If I'm a vampire, then why don't you guys just stake me while I'm in here," I questioned.

"Simple. We may be hunters, but we're not strong enough to go after four other vampires at once."

I rolled my eyes and huffed. "You guys have to be smoking something if you actually think vampires are real."

"Oh, we know they are," he stated cockily, and I watched him cross his arms. "Vampire. Werewolves. Maybe aliens. What do you think the mayor is?"

"I don't know. A normal human." I drawled the statement out and made my way to Laddie who had a nice stack beside him. "Hey, buddy. Think you got enough, or do you need more time to look around?"

Laddie grinned up at me and shook his head, holding out the books to me. "No, mom! I think this is good!"

I smiled and helped him stand up properly, watching as he mumbled over to the counter where the other Frog brother stood. "He's your kid," Alan questioned, his voice going up an octave.

"No, dipshit," I stated. "Well, not biologically. He just calls me it because I'm better than what he had before."

Alan took a deep breath and nodded. "Sorry. You're just like really young, and he's like ten, y'know."

I shook my head and walked over to Laddie who was handing over the money I had given to him beforehand. He yelled out a 'thanks, mister' before running out the door and straight to Paul who grinned down at him. I stopped beside the counter and stuffed my hands in the pockets of my leather jacket. I huffed and stared at the brothers. "Thank you again for letting us come in. I know you guys think we're vampires or whatever, but it's nice that you let Laddie run around. I'm glad to know that you're not that shitty." I paused. "Besides, if anyone were vampires, I think the surf nazis would be a better candidate," I mused.

Edgar's eyes widened, and he turned to Alan. The two looked like they had never even considered the idea. I chuckled and waved at them, making my way out the store. Before I could make it to my boys, though, I was tackled into a hug. I let out a shriek and almost fell over. I heard the boys growl lowly, and I turned my head to see a head of gold hair I hadn't seen in quite a while. "Marigold," I questioned in confusion.

She let out a squeal before pulling away and grabbing something from her purse. I watched as she pulled a box wrapped in green paper. "Happy birthday," she yelled out, and I furrowed my eyebrows before my eyes widened. "I tried to get this to you for Christmas, but I haven't seen you around until now! Thank goodness I did because it's finally your birthday! Oh, you're twenty now, Evangeline! One more year, and you can drink legally!" I stared at her with wide eyes, and she paused to take in my state before she broke out in a fit of giggles. "Did you forget your birthday again? It's January fifteenth, Eva!"

"I think I forgot again," I stated simply, and she laughed loudly. I had forgotten my last three birthdays.

Marigold shoved the box into my hands and motioned for me to open it up. I held it for a second before unwrapping it slowly. I tore the wrapper off to reveal a cardboard box. I dropped the paper on the ground and opened the box, pausing at what was inside. Another box was inside the cardboard box, but this one was wood with lyrics carved into the top. It read, 'There's beauty up above and things you never take notice of. You wake and suddenly you're in love.' It was the lyrics to our song.

I ran my fingers over the carved words and pulled the box out. Marigold took the cardboard box from me and watched as I unlatched it. I pulled it open and looked at the contents, a small smile slipping on my face. There were a few things settled inside, but each meant a lot to me. The first I took notice of was a long necklace with a small silver pendant of a wave on it. Next was a vinyl album of Tusk by Fleetwood Mac, something we used to listen to in her room instead of studying when we were in high school. There was a paperback book that read 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' It was a book I used to always carry with me until it was destroyed after someone spilled a tray of coffee all over it. Last was a large black sweater, one I used to stare at whenever I passed by the shop that sold it. I looked over the items and bit my lip, looking up at her.

Marigold had a sheepish smile on her face, and she clasped her hands together from around the box. "I know that it's not a lot, but I wanted it to be a sort of apology for everything that I've done. I realize that you're truly happy, and I should just be happy for you. You're one of the only true friends I've had for a long time, Evangeline, and I just want to say sorry and happy birthday."

I gave her a large grin, feeling tears gather in my eyes. I closed the box and silently held my arms out for her. She dropped her box on the boardwalk and stepped into my arms, and I hugged her tightly, ignoring the growls from the boys. "Thank you," I stated quietly. "This means a lot." Marigold smiled against me, and I pulled away, wiping at my eyes. "I have to go, but I'll be here for the rest of the week if you want to run into us, y'know. I'd like you to be friends with the boys as well."

Marigold's eyes widened, and she pursed her lips as she pulled away. "Do you think they'll like me after what I said?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "They'll at least tolerate you."

Marigold chuckled and nodded. "Then, I'll see you around, Sandy."

I chuckled at the name. "Yeah. Catch ya later."

Marigold walked away, and I was immediately pulled into Marko's arms with Paul behind me if their jackets told me anything. I chuckled softly and relaxed into their hold. "Yeah, yeah," I mumbled against Marko's jacket. "I'm yours and you're mine. I know. I promise we're just friends."

"I know," Marko mumbled. "It's just hard to watch knowing you've done stuff with her."

I chuckled again and kissed his neck. "Well, the only people I'll be doing stuff with now is you four."

"Yeah, you are," Paul cheered and pressed a kiss to my temple.

I pulled myself from their holds and smiled as David moved forward and pressed a kiss against my lips. "It's your birthday?"

I shrugged and chuckled a bit. "I guess so. Didn't even realize the date, to be honest. Time passes by fast when I'm with you guys."

"Well, we need to celebrate," Paul cheered from behind me, and I laughed loudly.

"We don't need to do anything, guys. It's just another year of being alive."

Marko pulled me from David's grasp and yanked me over his shoulder. I let out a loud 'oof,' and he laughed loudly. "Exactly! Another year of your being gracing the world!"

I rolled my eyes and propped myself up, so I could see the others as Marko began walking somewhere. They followed behind and laughed at my disgruntled expression. "Oh, yeah, laugh it up. I hope someone throws you over their shoulder so you'll know my pain." They laughed again in response, and I flopped back down, staring at the back of Marko's jacket. Well, I was staring at the naked lady on it. Of course, he had one. This is Marko.

We walked for a few minutes, and I was placed down on a bench. Laddie climbed up beside me, and Dwayne sat on the other side, wrapping his arm around my shoulder. "Stay here, doll. We'll be back in ten minutes."

I huffed and rolled my eyes but nodded. Dwayne chuckled, and I leaned my head against him. Laddie swung his legs back and forth as he looked into the crowd. The boys nodded to themselves and split into three different directions. Dwayne messed with my curls as we sat around, and I watched the people around us. I could hear the whispers clear as day, and it was annoying as hell. "That's one of the lost boys and their girl," they would whisper to their friends. "Their girl?" "Yeah, they all share her or something." That would either be met with the response of "what a whore" or "damn, she's lucky." I sighed and turned my head, pressing my face into Dwayne's neck.

I silently turned and maneuvered myself and Laddie so he was sitting in my lap and my back was pressed against Dwayne's side. Dwayne kissed the top of my head and took one of my hands in his, intertwining our fingers. I smiled at the action.

We sat like that for a good ten to twenty minutes before David and Paul came back. "Marko's flying back to the cave. You can drive his bike," Paul stated simply.

I nodded, and we made our way back to the cave at a steady pace. I jumped down the stairs easily, and I made my way into the cave and laughed loudly as my eyes caught Marko. He was standing in front of everything with his hands out, and I rolled my eyes, taking in all the party decorations. "I literally just said that we didn't have to do this," I stated as I giggled quietly and walked over to him. He wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me happily.

"Come on, most of us have completely forgotten when our birthdays are, so let's celebrate yours one last time."

I smiled and nodded quietly, and I pulled away from him to look at Star who was sitting up in the bed with a weak smile. I grinned at her and stepped forward, pulling her into a hug. She reciprocated easily, and I leaned down to whisper to her, even though I knew the boys could hear. "Come on, Star. Just let go for a night. Come party with us!" She nodded slowly, and I grinned again, pulling her to her feet. "Paul! Hit the rock box!"

Paul gave an excited nod and bounded over to his stereo, and Laddie ran behind him, asking if he could play Bon Jovi. Star followed me over to the sitting area and watched as I fell onto Dwayne's lap. He grinned at the action and pressed his lips to the side of my face.

Star seemed to hesitate for a moment before she sat next to Marko. He grinned at her and immediately began talking, trying to get her to loosen up. I turned and kissed Dwayne as Bon Jovi's Slippery When Wet filled the cave. Laddie let out an excited yell, and I heard him begin dancing wildly. Someone walked toward Dwayne, and I gasped as I was pulled from him. "Paul," I whined as I faced him. He gave me a wild grin and pulled me over to Laddie so I would dance with them. I rolled my eyes but complied.

I grinned as Star loosened up over the night, and I was even happier when the days following, she seemed to be happier and more accepting. She was finally accepting again. It was slow, but it was happening. I only hoped the new boy named Michael Emerson wouldn't fuck things up.

A/N: Hey! My name's Lily. I'm fifteen, I'm the writer, and reviews keep me going! As Christmas/holiday season is coming up, I want you guys to know that if you need someone to talk to, I'm always open. My inbox is always open! I love you guys so much because you guys enjoy reading what I enjoy making!

Also, if you wanna throw some money at me in the name of the holidays, donate to my ko-fi. It's /sarcxstic

Me and my friend want to go thrift shopping and get clothes so we can cosplay as Bill and Ted and Paul and Marko when we go to Universal. (Our band is having a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando, and I'm FLIPPING!) (I play bass guitar, xylophone, and drums in band ;) )

K. Bye. LOVE YOU!