A Fool in Love

3. Mountains

"Vampires," Riley began, "need to drink blood everyday. Otherwise, they'll get too bloodthirsty and start attacking people."

"That sounds like the beginning of a very cool story, but what does that have to do with you?"

"Don't you see?" Riley implored. "I'm a vampire."

James closed his eyes. "Riley. Vampires aren't real."

"That's what I thought too. But, this is real. My fangs are real." She showed him. "This knife I tried to stab you with is real. Alfie's real."

"Who's Alfie?" James queried.

"He's the one who turned me into a vampire. And the one who-" she stopped, embarrassed.

"The one you're falling for," James said coldly.

Riley looked away. "It's just that now I'm a vampire, I kind of can only be with other vampires. And..." she trailed off.

"And..?" James supplied, raising his eyebrows.

"If I don't date him, he'll make me."

"How?"

"He'll attack you. Emily. Anyone I care about. And no one has a chance against a vampire."

"So you're saying that you made a mistake by kissing him, and now you're paying for it by having to date him. And yet somehow I'm the only one who's actually getting hurt here."

"Do you think it's any easier for me?" Riley demanded.

"Yes. You get to be a cute guy either way," he said sarcastically.

Riley shook her head in annoyance. "There's nothing I can do about it, James. Nothing."

James thought a moment, then suggested, "Why don't you make me a vampire as well? Then I can fight him."

Riley looked up in shock. "No. I'm not going to make you into a monster like me."

James cocked his head. "I don't think you're a monster."

"It doesn't matter what you think! Besides, there's something else I need you to do..."

James scowled, confused that she wasn't willing to even try and get their relationship back. "Let me get this straight. You cheated on me. You betrayed my trust. And now you want a favor?"

Riley looked at him pleadingly. "If I don't taste human blood soon, I'm going to attack someone again. I was wondering if you could..." She hesitated. "Give me some of yours?"

James looked at her incredulously. "No. Get someone else to do it." James did not want to have to see Riley everyday, not if he wasn't able to be with her. He turned to leave.

Riley hesitated, then blurted out, "You're right to hate me." James froze. It was clear she had struck a nerve. "I just thought there might be a small part of you that still cares about me." Riley knew it was manipulative, but she needed him. If she couldn't have him as her boyfriend, then at least she could have his blood.

James took two quick steps until he was standing right in front of her. "Not a small part." Riley wondered if perhaps she had misjudged him. He continued, gazing into her eyes all the while. "All of me cares about you." Riley felt herself grow warm, as he continued to stare at her. "I'll do it." He rolled up his sleeve, picked up the letter opener and cut a slit across his palm. Wincing slightly, he squeezed the blood into the cup Riley handed him.

"Thank you," Riley said, taking the cup from him. She drank it in one gulp, and then returned her attention to him. James tried not to look too disgusted, but he didn't totally succeed.

"Is there anything else I can do for you?" James asked.

"You can go. If you want. Thank you." She hoped he understood how grateful she was. James inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment, and then left the room.