Master of Vampirism (Part #2) ✔️

Chapter 18: Remnants of past lives

Falling back into the same old routine was easier than I expected it to be. Other than the occasional sip of blood from the mini fridge my mother provided, there was nothing to remind me I was a vampire.

My mother's cooking helped in that department, too. I was too stuffed to even think about eating something alive and fresh. My dad came back from the hospital and he was delighted to see me. He was also delighted to know my mother stayed and cleaned his house despite having a new husband. Both my mother and father acted suspicious. But I decided to leave them be for once.

Caiden was staying in the guest room, because, well, his real house burned down when his parents died. I thought it would be strange having him around, but it truly wasn't. He spent more time at my place back in high school, too.

The moment he told me he wanted to give us another chance, I phoned Sheila and told the entire world we were back together. It felt just like it used to. The happiness was the same, love was the same and the moments we spent together flooded my mind every waking minute. Everything in this town reminded me of them. And it felt so good to relive it.

But we were trying not to rush it. We both knew this thing between us was fragile and we needed to learn how to be together. We needed to learn whether we could be together.

I was just about to step out of my pink PJs, when Caiden appeared on my doorstep, "You're never going to give up on pink, aren't you?"

"It's my favourite colour, don't shame me." I warned, but my lips spread into a smile. Caiden lingered a couple of feet away from me.

"I'm not. It's cute." His smile wavered. "Listen, I'm going to visit my parents' graves and I might stay awhile. Please, let Barbara know I'm not dead if I'm late for lunch."

I nodded, "Do you want me to come with you?"

"No. I'd like to do this alone."

Our eyes met. Everything we knew about each other passed between us. All the sorrow and heartache and tragedy.

"I understand." I smiled, hoping I looked supportive.

"We'll hang out later." He crossed the few steps that separated us.

He put both his hands on my cheeks and pulled me in for a kiss. His lips were soft and familiar and sweet, but undemanding. We took it slow. There was something sweet in pretending this was our first time. He stepped away after a few seconds.

"Bye."

I waved. Being with him these past few days has been so easy, just like it was before everything got so screwed up.

I dug out the wide yellow dress tightened with a brown belt around the waist and underneath it, I glimpsed a small, red pillow-like toy. The erythrocyte Ian bought for my birthday.

He called me once since I've returned home and I didn't answer.

Absentmindedly, I carried the damn thing to the living room, where my dad watched TV, a huge bandage covering his chest, but a satisfied grin on his face. His green eyes glowed like two emeralds. He was pampered like a baby.

"Hey, hey, want some chips?" He lifted the bowl, but I refused. "Suit yourself."

"Aren't you not allowed to eat chips?" I frowned at him.

"Life is too short, Chloe."  

I rolled my eyes at him, "Mom?" I walked in the dining room, only to find her outside, reading a book.

She turned around, "Chloe, do you want me to make something for breakfast?"

Parents were so convenient. They always had food and they cleaned your laundry. Why were we in such a hurry to grow up?