Abandoned

You're family

It's been three days since we took the trip over to Bradford. And still-- we've got nothing. We cant put the pieces together, especially now that most of our group hasnt been getting along. I havent spoken to Luke since the day he turned into a vampire. I cant even look at him. And as for Laura, I still didnt tell her how I feel. I know Luke hurt me with his words, and he hurt Laura too.... But he's still my best friend. And he really likes Laura. He always has. I could see it. And I couldnt just take that away from him. Laura and him could be good for each other. They're both vampires now.... It sure would make things easier. But I just.... Jen was right. I really like her. I just dont know what to do anymore. Ask her out and possibly loose my best friend, or to just continue pretending to be straight so Luke can date her. But I'm still really mad at him for what he said to me.... To her. Laura is so fragile but strong and I really care about her. I really just wanna hold her in my arms and kiss her but we all know I cant. Before I could even allow my brain to process anymore "what ifs" and thoughts, I was interupted by a clearing of the throat. I slowly turned my gaze from the floor, to meet eyes with Luke. "Carly... I'm so sorry. I know you arent gay and I know Laura could never turn you... Like she turned me.." Luke added the last part with a chuckle but when he saw me just stare back to the floor with a blank expression he just continued. "Too soon? Okay... Well, anyway... I know who you are. You're family. And I know what I said to Laura was really harsh. I shouldnt care who she likes... But I like her. A lot. And knowing that she likes girls and boys just... It's more competetion." He said. When he said the last part I just sighed, thinking about how now I really cant make a move with Laura. "Here... I got this for you." Luke said as he handed me something. I sighed and took it from him, then opened my locker and placed it inside. "Arent you gonna open it?" He asked. "I will... I just, I have a lot on my mind right now." I said as I walked away with my hands in my hoodie pocket. As I turned the corner I accidentally bumped into Laura. "Oh, hey... Sorry." I said as I picked up the books I made her drop. "It's cool... Dont worry about it. Hey, you coming to cheer practice today?" Laura asked. "Uh... Nah. I'm quitting." I replied. "What? Why? You love cheer.." Laura said confused. "No I dont, I hate cheer." I replied, suddenly feeling honest and vunerable. "T-then why did you join?" She askd confused. "Because.... Because I love--" I began but we were interrupted by Jen, thank god because I almost accidentally told her I loved her. "Hey, sorry to interrupt I just wanted to know if you wanted to hangout with me and Justin afterschool?" Jen said. "Nah, I think I'm just gonna stay home. You know, spend some time with my brother." I replied. "Luke?" Jen asked. I just nodded slowly. "Yeah, Luke.." I said. Jen just nodded. "Okay well... Let me know when you wanna talk, about things.." Jen said as she walked away. I just turned back to Laura. "So... What do you love?" Laura asked. "What?" I asked confused. "You said you love... But then never finished cause Jen interuppted." Laura replied. "Oh, that... Uh, I was gonna say I loved the uniforms. And the popularity. But you know, I guess everything changes." I lied as I turned to walk away. As I was halfway down the hall I turned to look at Laura one last time but by the time I did, Luke was standing next to her talking to her. By the looks of both of their facial expressions, I'd say he was probably apologizing. "Look, Laura... I didnt mean any of what I said the other day. I'm not that guy. I just got angry and upset. And you had every right to bite me and I deserve to live with this. You know, the whole immortal thing. But I wanna live it with you. Eventually, when you're ready of course. Till then, I'll do every thing in my power to show you I can be worthy of someone as awesome as you." Luke said as he looked Laura in the eyes. Laura just let a small smile come across her face as she slowly leaned in to kiss Luke's cheek. "It just needs time. I have a lot on my mind." Laura replied softly. Watching this conversation, I sighed as I walked to a different hallway. This one was being clouded by jealousy. I need a second opinion. A guys. Like Blake. I quickly found my way to a bathroom and pulled out my phone as I texted Blake. Meet me outside of girls bathroom. I need to talk to you. After three minutes he replied, Okay be there in a minute. With that, I put my phone back in my pocket and stood outside the girls bathroom waiting for him. Once he got there, he approached me. "Hey Carls, what's goin on?" He asked with a little concern, not knowing what the topic of this conversation would be. "I have these... Feelings. For someone. And i know this person once felt it too and who knows if they still do. But I'm afraid to let myself act upon it cause someone else close to me likes this person a lot. I dont wanna make them unhappy. I just dont know what to do." I said with a sigh. Blake just stayed silent, which worried me for a second. But before I could say anything else he pulled me into a comforting hug and whispered "You should tell her." I just slowly released myself from his embrace and looked at him. "H-how'd you know?" I asked. "The roof... Remember, there was a whole smack down. Clearly Luke is the guy who likes the same girl you like, ie, Laura. I was there. And to be honest, I think you should go for it. On the roof, it slipped that she's kissed you before. That indicates she likes you. So forget about Luke's happiness for a second and focus on yours. And Laura's." Blake finished. I just looked at him then looked down and whispered. "Im afraid." Blake just laughed a little. "You found out your crush was a vampire while at the same time you were in the building of a place where something bad happened, and the thing you're scared about is to admit you love someone? You're tougher than you look, Jacobs. Dont underestimate yourself." Blake replied. I just smiled and thanked him as the bell for class rang, indicating we had to go. I just hugged him before I went to go to class. I knew I could count on him. He always had my back. Just then I carried myself to class. A few periods flew by since I was thinking of Laura the whole time, while doing my very best of avoiding her in the process. As I was getting ready for history class, I stopped by my locker and pulled out the note Luke gave me this morning. I opened it and silently read it to myself:

Carly,
You are like my sister. Hell, you are my sister. You're family. And siblings fight. But there shouldnt even need to be an argument over sexuality. It shouldnt matter. It's just... Something happened to me. A while ago. Way before we ever met. Back when I was thirteen and I never told anyone about it. Only Blake knows the story cause he was there. It changed me in the worst way possible and I dont know if i'll ever be able to talk about it. But just know that I didnt mean anything I said on the roof the other day. To you, to Laura, to anyone. You are my best friend. And now that I'm a vampire, I can actually say forever. Hopefully we can have our usual movie night tonight if you forgive your dopey brother. Love ya sis.

-Luke

I just smiled to myself as I pulled a pen from out of my locker and put the note up against the door of my locker for a hard surface to write on as I wrote at the very bottom of the letter where there's space:

Luke,

I love you so much! No fight could end us. I got your back. For life. Movie sounds good:)
-Carly

Once I added my little side note to the letter I proudly walked to history and as I passed Luke's desk I placed it in front of him with a smile as I proceeded to my seat. I noticed him reading it and once he finished he turned to face me from his desk and smiled. Just then mrs. Stefan walked in the classroom with an angry look on her face. She looked distant. In fact she looked scary. Without saying a word she began writing on the board, pressing the chalk hard against the dark black board as each stroke of the chalk made a loud sound, almost expressing her anger more than her herself. Once she finished writing she moved out of the way and turned to us, revealing the words she wrote on the board. It read, Breaking and entering. Luke just turned to look and me confused as we both shrugged and turned our attention back to our teacher. "Would someone in this class like to read what's on the board?" Mrs. Stefan asked with a clenched jaw. I just rolled my eyes. "Breaking and entering? We can all read." I said with a matter of factly, smart ass tone. "Right. I bet you all can. But I bet there are some of you in here who dont know boundaries and respect. And today, we will learn about them." She replied. "So say there was a teenager, or maybe even a few. And they were curious and nosey and they felt they needed, no... Wanted, something from someone else. And they knew they couldnt have the information they needed unless they did it secretley. But happened to make enough noise for the one person who was around to hear them. They would be busted, and this would be called breaking and entering!" Mrs. Stefan practically yelled. I felt my body tensen up as Luke slowly turned to me, probably thinking the same thing I was. Clearly she was refering to me, Luke, and the others break in at the school. It cant be a coincedence that she talks about the school and what happened there and then that same day we go there and then the next day at school she has a rant about breaking and entering? I think the real question here is.... How the hell does Mrs. Stefan know we went to Bradford? Luke and I just continued to stare at each other, scared and a little confused as Mrs. Stefan contined to ramble on about breaking and entering. Who was the person that saw or heard us at bradford? Was it her? If it was... What the hell would she be doing there? This is defenitley the most questions i've ever actually had during history class. And I do intend on getting the answers. Looks like It's time to reconstruct the group. We may have a lead.