My Stepbrother's a Vampire!

10; Twenty-First Century Mob

Hey everyone—I am soo sorry I took so long to upload! It was exam season and, of course, I had to revise like crazy, but I'm back now and uploading regularly! To prove my point:

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After seeing Alec in the bathroom, completely alone and infuriatingly innocent, I stomp back to class, suddenly in a bad mood. I fall back into my seat with a heavy exhale, oblivious of the poisonous glance Mr. Berty throws me.

Alec was by himself, I brood silently. No sign of Santana. So what on Earth was it that I saw? Did I simply imagine that whole passionate encounter? If so, my subconscious chimes in, why was it Santana on the receiving end of Alec's passion and not you? She conjures a scene straight from a place deep in my brain I prefer not to visit: Alec and I are lying together upon a petal-strewn bed, touching, kissing.....naked.

STOP IT! I cry internally. Before the mental scene can resume, a strident, high-pitched noise violently interrupts, scattering these wayward thoughts—the school bell. Everyone jumps to their feet and hurries to pack away their things in an attempt to get out of the class as fast as possible, whilst Mr. Berty futilely reminds us to complete our assignments for homework.

Emma waits for me outside and we walk together to the canteen, in heavy silence. She has been quiet for most of the day, still caught up about the tragedy which has befallen George, and I do not want to say anything that might possibly upset her. Still though, I think. She seems even more affected than Santana. For some inexplicable reason, I feel as if there is something else going on which I am not aware of. Yet.

We enter the cafeteria and collect our lunch in the same silence, and I take a moment to really study my best friend's stricken profile. Her complexion is paler than usual, lips turned downwards at the corners slightly. What kind of friend am I? My guilt voices.

"Come on," I say to her, leading her out of the canteen. She gives me a confused look but I only link my free arm around hers and tow her to the destination.

Alec, the antisocial Adonis that he is, has taken to spending his lunch break alone in a grassy spot behind the school where seniors usually come to make out. Of course these days, his ill-repute has only grown, with the whole school having taken sides—and most prefer the all-popular star quarterback to the new kid, even if he is heart wrenchingly hot. Although I am till vaguely irritated at Alec, I know of one thing that never fails to cheer Emma up: hot guys.

Alec is perched lithely on an oak memorial bench which has long since seen its better days, legs crossed at the ankles, hair tousled, reading one of my paperbacks. He looks up at us as we approach and—strangely—offers us a smile.

"How may I help you ladies?"

I narrow my eyes at him. "We came to eat lunch with you. Problem?" My tone is biting and Alec is completely taken off guard.

He frowns at me for a long pause, and then says, "Not at all, no."

"Good." I sit as far away as I possibly can from him whilst still on the bench. Alec's frown doesn't disappear.

Emma however hovers uncomfortably. A little colour has returned to her cheeks at seeing Alec but she still isn't her usual self. Alec notices this and does something I have to admit is uncharacteristically sweet. He slides a little along the bench and pats the position next to him. He even winks at her when Emma adopts a stunned expression.

She sits and Alec says, "I understand your sister is going through a tough time. My apologies."

I lower my gaze, a hot wave of guilt washing over my insides. What would she think if she knew the truth about George's attacker? My subconscious tuts disapprovingly at me.