Eminence

Note 19 - Uneasiness

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Dear universe, 

It's me, Anika. I am currently on a road trip to the shore with some new friends I just made. I fear we are already at a breaking point, though, because this is honestly the most uncomfortable atmosphere I have ever experienced in a moving vehicle in a long time, and we still have an hour left before we're there. Although I did just meet them, there's already been way too crazy developments between the four of them. Two of them are human, and their connection to our world is through a vampire they mutually know. One of them is actually in an intimate relationship with said vampire; Wild, I know, given our history with humans; the other, I'm not so sure. Then there's a vampire who's from the noble Ashford family. Apparently, they used to be engaged to the vampire who is in a relationship with a human, who, mind you, wasn't thrilled about finding that out, and yet now they also might be in a relationship with a human? But they also have to pretend to be engaged to their ex? This is confusing, isn't it? I'm right there with you. I wonder if they're just as confused. I wish I knew what everyone was thinking, what they were feeling. I'm so used to being able to read the people I'm close to, but there's only silence in this van and only silence in my mind. I'm left to fill it with my voice, which is why I'm talking to you. Do you think they only hear their voice in their head? Are they agonizing over the things that happened? Do they wish they could know what others are thinking? I wish I could; friends depend on each right? Do they trust me? Even a little? I know it's only been a month, but to not know anything about the people I know? I feel shut out. 

"Anika?" Emanon called out to her. 

"Yes!?" Anika replied, startled. 

"Sorry to startle you, but you've been staring out the window quietly for a minute. Are you feeling okay?"

"Oh! Yeah, I'm fine. I was thinking about how, when I was younger, sometimes road trips would make me nervous. When we would be right in the middle of the ride, my dad always focused on the road, and my mother would be reading. I wasn't used to moments like that when I was little, so It would make me nervous, but then, my mother, without even looking, would start to share made-up stories with me, just for fun, just the two of us. I'd hear her soothing voice in my mind, and it calmed me down. I guess I was missing that." 

"Oh. I didn't know you could do that with family."

"You can; very strong bonds allow that kind of connection. You have to share blond for quite a long time before you can hear each other, but it's one of a kind. Isn't it? Humans can only experience it through a contract, but we can experience it with those most important to us."

"That is pretty incredible; I'm sure there's probably a lot about our people and culture that I've forgotten..." Emanon replied; she looked a little sullen. 

"It's not your fault, Em; It's okay. You don't have to know everything, but we could always go to the library if you're bothered by it." 

"That would be great! I would love that. Thank you!" 

"Of course!"

Small talk is nice, Anike thought, but it didn't remove her uneasiness, which made her feel conflicted. She was excited about the beach and hanging out as a group, but she wished they didn't still feel like strangers.

"It's crazy how knocked out they are..." Emanon said aloud. 

"Who?" Anika asked. 

"Warren and Theo. They've been asleep almost the whole ride."

"We didn't get much sleep last night..." Jack replied. 

"And whose fault is that, huh?" Emanon asked.