Vampire Princess

Chapter Eleven: After Five Years

“It seems like you were really into that guy,” Garret joked as he started the engine of his car. A carefree smile was on his face when he leaned back on his seat, one hand on the steering wheel. Then he glanced at me before his eyes went back to the road. “Are you?”

I snorted. “I find his blood very tasty and sweet. I’m not into that guy. I’m into his blood.”

Garret laughed. “I guess you’re right. I can say the same with Patricia.”

“Patricia?”

“The girl I was dancing with.”

I nodded absentmindedly. “That’s… awesome, I guess. Wouldn’t want to have Ashley jealous, would we?”

He smirked. “She’s always jealous. One time, we went to this restaurant and this waitress was flirting openly with me. She got mad and threatened to break her neck. And so the waitress stopped.”

I frowned. “That’s messed up. I don’t know you like girls that were so possessive.” Then a thought came to me. “Do you think I’m possessive, Garret?”

“You’re everything but possessive,” he replied truthfully. “Trust me, Melanie, you’re the last person I would think to be possessive.”

I grinned. “That’s great. Jerome wouldn’t want to have a possessive girlfriend.” Then I looked at Garret with serious eyes. “I never asked you why you had Ashley as your girlfriend.”

He blinked. “What are you talking about? I always tell you about Ashley and I.” I gave him a look and he smiled sheepishly. “Okay, I know I’m bad at lying but I’m not comfortable talking about her when I’m with you.”

“Why not? We’re friends! You should be comfortable with everything when you’re with me.”

“Not everything, Melanie.”

“Just tell me how you and Ashley got close. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s wondering how you two got together.”

Garret shook his head in disbelief. “You got that right. When I first told Roxanne, she was so surprise that she didn’t believe me for two hours. I have to call Ashley and kiss her in front of Roxanne for her to believe it. She said Ashley’s not a good person, that she’s a stuck-up bitch who wants power and everything. She’s like Annie, Roxanne said. Dad was surprised, too. He wondered why I liked her. Said you are more worthy than Ashley.”

I blushed at that. “Am I?”

He didn’t reply and just cleared his throat. “Anyway, I know Ashley has some moments. I know that she couldn’t be perfect like everyone wants her to be. But Ashley’s a good friend and she told me things that some people don’t know. She’s a wonderful person, Melanie. You should take your time to see that. She would love to be your friend.”

I almost choked on my own saliva. I stared at him in shock. Does he seriously think that Ashley would want to be my friend? I doubt that. Like really doubt that. If only Garret knows how she threatened me in the lunch party yesterday… Ugh, damn that woman.

“I think you’re wrong, Garret. I think I couldn’t be friends with Ashley,” I told him firmly. “Ashley and I are two different people.”

“Yes I can see that,” he said quietly, as if he was talking to himself. “You and Ashley are two different people. She doesn’t tell people her problems, she keeps everything to herself, and she doesn’t have many friends… She doesn’t let anyone see her true self. Everything you see in her… it’s all an act! She acts as if she’s tough, as if she’s strong but she isn’t. She’s just doing that so she couldn’t be hurt.”