Attending a Vampire School

Chapter 20: The Cinderella Moment

❝The language of friendship is not words but meanings.❞ | Henry David Thoreau

♕ SAIGE ♕

"Let me down!" I yelled, suddenly feeling extremely embarrassed being carried in Carson's rather strong arms.

"No." His monotone voice shocked me as I continued to slightly swing back and forth.

Even though I was afraid to look him the eye, I forced my chin upward. He was walking into the rough wind head-on, making his blonde hair blow backward. My gaze was locked onto his stoic features and that's when his words registered in my brain.

My numb hands tried to push him away. "No? What do you mean no?"

The small movement of his jaw clenching caught my attention. His silence began to infuriate me. How dare he carry me away from the Hallow's Eve Carnival with no warning and without my permission? Did he think he was being a gentleman?

"Stop squirming." Carson's voice turned harsh and sounded a bit annoyed, which only made me struggle more in his hold.

I pushed on his chest, which was rather difficult when I was being carried bridal style. I tried all the tricks: pinching, pulling, pounding and I was even tempted to bite his arm but I couldn't reach my mouth that far. Plus that would have been kind of gross.

"Put me down!" I yelled once more, this time kicking my feet in desperation.

My left heel came flying off my foot and I groaned in frustration. I watched as my pitiful heel landed on the payment with a small thud, beginning to grow smaller with each step Carson took forward. The cold air instantly nipped at my bare toes and I feared I would somehow get frostbite.

"Fine." Carson suddenly said and I looked at him with a curious expression.

Did he just agree to put me down? I watched with confusion as he stopped walking. If I stretched my head to see past his arm, I could catch sight of the school gym still looking lively. It appeared to be a lot smaller, meaning that Carson had carried me a good distance away from the carnival.

In a swift movement, he lowered me toward the ground. As gentle as a vampire could be, he let my feet touch the ground. I sighed in relief, happy to finally be standing on my own.

I glanced at Carson and he only raised his brow at me. Guilt struck my heart and I suddenly remembered I had left Rowan and Zaylee behind.

"Thanks." I mumbled, knowing that my face had probably turned the color of a tomato.

Eyeing my abandoned shoe behind Carson, I began to hop toward it. The pavement was so cold from the winter weather that it hurt to put my bare foot on it. I lost my balance and began to tumble over, swinging my arms widely trying not to fall.

Large hands gripped my waist and steadied me before I hit the ground. I whipped my head around, only to find myself nose-to-nose with Carson. My lips parted and I couldn't find the right words to say.

His brown eyes stared into mine and I felt my heart racing a million miles an hour. I slowly blinked and despite the cold, a warm feeling began to grow inside my stomach.

"What are you doing?" Carson blinked and I noticed how unfairly long his eyelashes were.

I opened my mouth wider but I began to choke on my words. "I...um...shoe?"

My voice was pitchy and I couldn't help but cringe at how silly I sounded. It was only when Carson removed his large hands from my waist that I remembered they had been resting there.