Vampiric Experiment

Chapter 10

Well this is awkward. I thought to myself for the thousandth time. We were sitting in his room in complete silence. He was on one side of the bed while I was on the other side. Not talking. At all. Has this virus completely taken my social skills? I need to stop blaming everything on this virus. I had no social skills from the start. I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear as I thought. God, I feel like he can see right through me. I quickly glanced at him to see what he was doing. He was staring at the ground. So he wasn't staring at me. It sure felt like it though. Should I say something?
"So, can I get you anything?" He asked me, breaking the unbearable silence.
I looked at him. Only now did I realize how thirsty I was. "Some water would be nice." I tried my best at smiling. Since there's no blood, that's the second best thing I got going for me. He nodded and got up from the bed.
"Come on," He lead the way out of the room. I got up and trailed behind him as we went downstairs to the kitchen. It was small but cozy. The little island in the middle of the room was decorated with bills and magazines. I watched as he opened the fridge and take out a bottled water. He smiled as he handed it to me.
"Thanks." I mumbled, twisting the top off. I lifted it to my lips and toke a big gulp. Then immediately sip it out all over the floor. I shriek left my mouth. "That tastes disgusting! How old is this water? God..." I wiped off what was left of the water with my sleeve. It tasted like mold. How could water taste like this? I frowned at Jasper, who stared at me shocked. I tensed, just realizing how much of a scene I made.
"I mean...my mom just bought that water the other day." He shrugged. "I prefer Coke any day, but is water really that bad?" He said disapprovingly.
"I am so sorry. I didn't mean to..." I couldn't find the words. What can I say to this?
"It's fine." He walked to a closet, looking through all the coats, and toke out a mop. He went over to the mess I made and mopped it up. I watched guilty as he did so.
What was going on with me? Do vampires not drink water? Well...I guess not. Since they are technically dead. Why would a dead person need water? But I'm not dead. I'm just infected. How could the virus already be infecting me so quickly? Shouldn't it be taking more time?
"Halo?" His voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked at him. He already cleaned up the mess and was staring at me. I could tell he was waiting for some sort of an answer.
"What?"
"I said, why don't you like water? Why did you react like that?" He gave me a more concerned look. "And why are you so pale?"
All great questions that I simply cannot answer. At least I can't if I don't want to be taken back to that freak show of a hospital. "I'm just cold. That's why I'm so pale." Which wasn't a full lie. I was a little chilly. "I don't know why I didn't like it. It's just been so long since I've had water. I usually just drink Sprite." I forced a laugh, trying to sell it as a joke.
He laughed, apparently buying it. "I see. If you wanted a Sprite you should have just said so." He reached for the fridge again. "Want one?"
"No thanks." I quickly declined. Can't have another spit take, now can we? I don't want to look like a complete fool in front of him. He simply nodded and toke out a Coke for himself.
"My mom should be home soon. If she asks, you are a friend working on science project with me." He twisted the cap off his soda and toke a big gulp.
I raised my eyebrow at him. "Why the lie?" Like I have the right to frown upon lies. I just said one.
"If she finds out I welcomed a girl from the streets into my home, she'll flip. Think I'm trying to start stuff."
"Hey! I am not from the streets!" I crossed my arms at him.
"I didn't mean it like that." He laughed with a hint of nervousness. "I meant just a random girl. Not like you're random I just...uh..." He trailed off.
"I get it." I laughed at his rambling.
"Hey...you never did mention where you live. Is it close by?" He smiled. Such an innocent smile. Such a clueless smile.
I had to think of another quick lie. "Actually. No. It isn't. At least I'm guessing it isn't." I'm forced to face the reality that I have no idea where I am. Those doctors could have taken me form across the world or just around the corner. The confused look on Jasper's face told me I had some explaining to do.
"What do you mean?"
"I actually have no idea where I am." I looked down at my shoes. "I don't know which city I'm in. Or state."
"Are you kidding me?" He raised his voice with alarm. "Do you have short term memory loss?"
I could work with this. "Not exactly. But I can't remember."
"You're in Atlanta, Georgia."
Relief washed over me. At least I was in the same city. But that means that those doctors where always close by. Waiting. Watching. I looked up at him.
"That's good. I'm from here." He looked as relieved as I felt.
"Good. Do you remember your address?"
I only nodded.
"Good." He toke another sip form his soda. "You scared me for a second there."
"Trust me. I was scared too." I laughed a little. Now I need to figure out just how far from home I am. But do I really wanna go back? Back to my drunk uncle who probably hasn't even realized I'm gone? No. But what other choice do I have?
"Maybe you can stay here for the night. Just to figure out some things." He said gently, with a smile to match.
I smiled at him lightly. "Thanks, Jasper. I appreciate that." Did I just make a friend?