Red Tainted Love #(Watty's 2016)

Chapter 12

"Draculana!"
I had been in the middle of a rather strange  dream when I was awoken by my name being called, well, shouted, actually.
Rubbing my eyes groggily, I stood from my bed and stretched before walking out and going down to The kitchen where I found my mother sitting.
The fact that she was even calling me was strange enough.
"Yes, Mom?" I could see the look in her eyes and it was not something I could place, it was awfully strange that she had woken me to come down, we had hardly had a proper conversation in years.
"Drac, Clawdette phoned me. She told me you're dating a boy named Shayde. Is this true?"
I felt like I was standing on a stage with a full audience and a spot light right on me, "Uh.. Why?"
My mother lifted a brow, "Draculana. I am asking you a question, I expect you to answer it."
"Yes, I am dating him. Where do you think I've been sleeping out at the last few nights? Do you even know that I've started working at the bar?"
My mothers shock was clear, "How old is he? Why have I not met him? Claw says he's gotten you involved in something dangerous. She suspects drugs."
"What?! How dare she! And you know what? You don't know about him because you don't know anything about me! Don't come to me acting like you're the all interested mother. Its a little late for that now, dear mom."  I was beyond angry, I didn't even bother going back to my room to change, I simply shoved my feet into a pair of uggs and stormed out, slamming the door behind me and ignoring her calls.
Right now the only thing on my mind was Claw and how she had betrayed me.
I got to her house in no time at all and banged on the door, not even knowing what the time was.
The door opened on my tenth knock to reveal Claw in a pair of pink sweat pants and a short tank top, I had obviously woken her if her messy hair was anything to go on.
She gave me a half asleep frown and opened her mouth to speak.
I was having none of it, "Where do you get off? You phoned my mom just to complain about Shayde? and Drugs, really? Claw, what I do in my life and who I do it with have nothing to do with you! You had no right to go to her with this. I'm not even involved with anything near drugs, you should know I would never be that stupid."
Claw huffed, "How dare I? I am your friend, I'm worried about you, isn't that obvious? You tell me everything, and now suddenly you can't? What else am I supposed to think?"
I slap my hand down hard on the door frame, "But to go to my mother?! She has never been much of one my whole life, and you want to run to her about this? Dammit. You know if I tell you I can handle something, I can."
"Drac, I'm just looking out for you. I don't want Shayde involving you in anything dodgy. Look what happened with Pat."
"Claw, trust me, I've got this." I lie to her, knowing deep down that I'm already in too deep and sinking faster than ever. and I don't know what exactly I'm doing, but I know I need to figure it out as I go along because there's no way for me to get out now, the only thing I can do is try to come out alive and on the right side.
Claw looks like she's about to say something, but I turn and walk away before she can.
I realise now that this life I've chosen to allow myself to be pulled into isn't safe. Not for me, and certainly not for my friends or family.
I can't afford to have friends, I wont put Claw in danger, and she doesn't know what's going on, so of course she will hate me for shutting her out, but that's better than getting her killed.
And all I can do is hope that one day, somehow she will not only forgive me, but be able to understand.
*****

R was waiting for me when I got to the bar.          
"Why the long face?"                        I sighed, "I lost my best friend because I'm an idiot that can't just live a boring life."                           R frowned, "Sorry about that."
I sighed again, wondering if Shayde was really worth all of this.
Losing my best friend for a man I barely knew who just happened to be my abusive ex's cousin. And a vampire.
R leaned forward, "You look like you have a lot on your mind."
I nodded, not really wanting to have a conversation about this; not that I could tell R about it anyway.
I was feeling rather down when the first few customers started coming in and R started helping me serve them eventually.
The night just started picking up when suddenly Shayde and Rick walked in.
Oh god, really? I thought as they walked up to the bar and made themselves comfortable in front of me.
"Hello, gorgeous, two whiskeys." Said Rick.
I rolled my eyes at him and got them their drinks.
"You okay?" Asked Shayde suddenly, catching me off guard.
"Um. Yeah." I could see R watching us with interested eyes, and I worried there would be trouble between them.
"Guys, why are you here? I really don't need babysitters."
Shayde sighed, "With these Hunters its really not safe for you."
I frowned at him, "Please stop with that crap. I don't need you following me everywhere."
Shayde sighed, "Drac, please understand that I care for you. I don't want you getting hurt."
"I won't! Stop treating me like a child."
Rick cleared his throat, "D, he has a point. You could get killed in an instant."
I sighed, "Guys, please. I feel smothered."
"I came to ask you to stop working here."
I let out an exhausted sigh, "Its not gonna happen, Shayde."
"Well will you at least move in with me?"
I frowned, well, this was new.
"Um. I'll think about it. Now please go."
It was clear Shayde wasn't happy but he stood and walked out.
I turned to Patrick, "You too."
He stood, "Stop giving him a hard time. He really cares."
I sighed as I watched him walk out.
"Boyfriend troubles?" Asked R, coming up to me.
"Something like that."
R nodded before walking away, clearly figuring out that I needed space.
****

When I had said goodbye to R and was on my way out, I was surprised to see the owner of the bar coming up to me.
"We're closing up. Don't ask questions, just give me the keys and don't come back."
I sighed, knowing that this was Shayde's doing.
I handed her the keys and went to the back to let R know that I couldn't help him anymore.
He took it surprisingly well and told me that he would find a small room to rent, he then asked for my address, telling me that he would like to stay in contact with me.
I could never have guessed what I was getting into by agreeing.

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Hi guys, sorry for the long wait, and sorry for such a short chapter!
Having a bit of writers block with this, but a decent chapter is coming, I promise.

Enjoy!