The Reality of Unrealistic

23- She Doesn't Know Better

SONG The Other Side, French For Rabbits

Christmas Eve.

"Everything about you is beautiful. You don't deserve to be anything but happy," he said softly.

I'm at Wesley's and Grace's house. I can't stand being around anyone but him right now for some odd reason.

We're in his bedroom, sitting by the windows. It's light and airy, neutral beige walls and big windows, compared to the dark colors mixed with white in the rest of the house. The Victorian home has wooden trimming and wooden floors with many chandeliers along the ceilings, and his room has white crown and baseboard molding, and soft white rugs. The staircase is a beautiful design, dark hardwood railing with engraved designs. There's always the occasional brick fireplace in some spaces.

He'd already given me pure silver bracelets for my loved ones. He'd gotten them made with aconite in the charms. The pure silver was so they wouldn't get damaged when always worn.

"Why do you think so?"

"I know so. You make me feel human again even when you're only breathing," he told me while placing his hand over mine.

I couldn't help the smile creeping up on my face. I leaned my head onto his shoulder.

"Do you sleep?"

"I can if I want. It mostly is to pass time; sleeping doesn't give vampires as much energy as it does to humans."

"Do you celebrate Christmas?"

"Yes."

"Religiously or Santa Claus?"

"Santa Claus-- Grace and I like to carry on a tradition together. Have presents for each other under a Christmas tree; and even though vampires don't get satisfied by eating or drinking like regular humans, we have some hot chocolate with mini marshmallows."

I laughed a little.

"But can vampires be religious or is it the power of Christ compels you stuff?"

"Ha, yeah we can be religious. Crucifixes don't blind and holy water doesn't hurt."

I took my head off of him and turned my gaze to the window.

"I still don't know how the werewolf bite didn't turn me and how Alec's glamour thing didn't work..."

"I don't think we ever will."

"Do you like the winter?" I asked once again changing the topic.

"Yes I do," he said with a small smile. "My favorite season."

"Mine too. It's the best if you don't mind the cold. There's some snow and some sun. Ice skating, snow angels, bonfires. Well bonfires can be year round but it's usually better in the winter..."

As I was rambling on about the season he was just looking into my eyes, staring. It could be creepy but it was actually nice. His attention was fully on me and he didn't mind it. It's like his silver eyes were staring into my soul.

He placed his hand across my cheek, thumb softly tracing my lips.

I leaned into him and stole a kiss.

"Why do I see fireworks when I kiss you?" I asked out loud with my eyes still closed.

"Oh shoot I didn't mean to say that out loud," I added.

He laughed gracefully, if that's even possible, and kissed me again.

"You make me feel completely alive again," he told me again whispering.

Grace slammed the door open with a tired and annoyed stance.

"Sorry to be a cockblock but I can't stand to overhear this weird human-vampire thing you guys have got going on. It's weird."

"Are you jealous?" Wes gasped dramatically.

"Oooohh," I added.

"AM not!" Her anger changed to a slight desolate expression as her eyes scanned the two of us.

She took off with her vamp-speed.

"It's probably really hard, right? You guys are just teenagers and you were forced to become something you didn't know existed. She must be so lonely."

"Thanks to you I'm not anymore, and I'm grateful. She doesn't really put herself out there... she doesn't want to."

I had an idea. "I think she should come to school with us. She could make friends and even find someone that makes her happy. Though plus the home and class work."

"That's actually a great idea, but she'd punch me if I brought it up. She's... difficult."

She sure is.

"I'll encourage her."

"I don't think that's--"

I was out of his room and on my way to find Grace in this large house. I found the kitchen. It's surprisingly more modern compared to the rest of the spaces. Somewhat dark wooden cabinets with light and lustrous floors, some shiny square tiles. There's pretty delicatus white granite counter tops with a centered island. Of course a chandelier. There's large windows on the walls that aren't occupied with cabinets showing off the vast green lot. The eat-in dining table sits in the far back Bay window.

"You hungry or something?"

I turned and almost bumped face to face with Grace.

"You're lucky I keep snacks even though I just drink blood."

"Oh, no, I just wanted to find you."

"Uh why?"

"I think--"

"Actually I already know what you're going to say. I overheard your convo obviously. Vamp-hearing."

Of course.

"It's a good idea! You'd fit in perfectly."

"If you really think that, I'll give it a go. Not for you. For myself," she said with no emotion.

"Cool, well if you want I can introduce you to my friends when you get enrolled after break," I offered.

"Weren't one of them killed or something?"

Did she really just bring up Sage like that?

I turned away. I felt my face heating up ready for the teary eyes. My long-time friend... A hand brushed my back.

"Grace why would you talk about that?" Wesley chided.

"Whatever," she said storming out of the kitchen.

I turned my head back forward.

"It's okay, really, it was just a question," I said brushing it off.

A rude one. But I understand it's hard for her to know any better. She isn't like someone who loves people. Except for eating them, of course.

"Sorry anyway. Well she agreed to having a real social life here, that's something."

"Yeah haha."