Vampire Princess

Chapter Five: My Escort (Part Two)

I trailed down my fingers on my hair and puckered my lips in front of the mirror, checking my lipstick (which was colored blood red).

The door suddenly banged open. My eyes snapped to it, expecting Heather. But then when I looked at the door, it wasn't her. 

It was Roxanne, of all people.

Her eyes were wide open - as if she couldn't believe on something she just heard. She closed the door behind her and began walking towards me. 

“What's up?” I asked her but she ignored me.

When she approached me, she grabbed me by the shoulders. “What were you thinking--”

“What the hell are you talking about?” I tried to interrupt but she ignored me.

“--going out with Garret tonight?”

I frowned, confused. “How do you know about that?”

“He went by my house to borrow some things for the party. I told him I thought Ashley's sick but then he said you're going with him. And I was shocked because I thought you'd go with Jerome. Melanie, why's that?” she ranted.

I shrugged her hands away gently. “What's wrong with that? He asked me to go as a friend.”

She laughed - a long and loud laugh. And, oh, did I mention it was sarcastic, too? “Nothing's wrong with it. Except that you have a new boyfriend and his new girlfriend is probably lying on the bed, sooo sick!”

I frowned. “I think you're overreacting, Roxanne.”

She scoffed. “I'm not.”

“We're just having fun, that's all,” I said honestly. “Jerome is working late in the restaurant tonight so he couldn't go with me. He doesn't know I'm going with Garret but he trusts me and I'll tell him later when he'd get back. As of Ashley, she'd be okay. She's a badass. She won't die because she's just sick.”

Roxanne raised an eyebrow. “Touché”

“So why are you here? Don't tell me you just want to ask me about that.” I narrowed my eyes.

“Actually, I just came here to ask that,” she replied, grinning.

“God.” I rolled my eyes.

“Just want to make sure,” she said and winked. “Anyway, I have to go. I have a party to get ready for.”

“Okay.” We said our goodbyes and I watched her retreating figure walk away. Not long after she left, the door burst open and Heather came in. I grinned at her in greeting. “Oh hey, Heather.”

She was frowning and it was obvious she's confused. “Did I hear you right?”

“Your name's Heather, yes?”

“No, not that,” she snapped. “I heard Ashley's sick. Is that right?”

I nodded slowly. “Yes...” I trailed off, not sure what to say anymore.

“Melanie, vampires can't be sick.”

That caught my attention big time.

“Huh?”

“You heard me,” Heather said, crossing her arms. “Vampires can't be sick. Trust me, I've been a vampire for so long. I never got sick. No fevers or anything. I was perfectly healthy. The only time a vampire could get sick is when he or she lacks some blood to drink. I'm pretty sure Ashley could afford to go and drink some blood for a while.”

I frowned. This was not making sense at all. I'm sure Roxanne and Garret were old enough - and by old, I mean really, really old - to know vampires couldn't be sick. Were they playing a trick on me? Surely that's not right. Why would they? This was not something to be joked upon.