Cold Hands Warm Heart (A Vampire Fan Fiction) - Harry Styles

Chapter 8• The Great Move

Evangeline's POV

With a final wipe of the cloth, I polished the last shelf and started climbing down the ladder. My right foot slipped on a slick step, and for a moment, my stomach dropped. But before I could fall, I felt the ladder stabilize. I looked down to see Aunt Colette holding the base, a look of profound relief on her face.

"My goodness, child! You have to be more careful!" she scolded, but her voice was warm. I gave her a sheepish smile as I reached the floor. She shook her head, a familiar gesture of loving exasperation. "Go to the desk and get to your work. I'm off to the shops." She pulled on her coat and, with a basket on her arm, stepped out into the damp, drizzly December air of Carlisle.

I checked the calendar. December 13, 2015. Just a few days until Christmas. A wave of exhaustion washed over me. I felt a heavy guilt every time I thought about Aunt Colette. She was well into her senior years, yet she still worked tirelessly, and I was all she had. Her family had moved to Seattle, leaving her behind in Carlisle. My own mother had done the same, leaving me as an infant, promising to return. It had been twenty years. I didn't even know what she looked like. The only things I had of her were Aunt Colette's stories and a small inheritance that was now nearly gone.

All my life, I'd wondered who my parents were and if they ever thought of me. It was a lingering question, a ghost that haunted my quieter moments. But I always pushed the thought aside. I had to live in the present and trust that the future would be what I made it. I spent the next hour sorting documents, stamping books, and putting them on the cart, all while wishing I could be in a college classroom instead of behind a library desk.

"What's bothering you, my lady?" a familiar voice asked.

I grinned, looking up at him. "Hi Liam," I said with a nod.

He handed me a book, a worn copy of a historical account. He was unlike the other college students who came through here, always quiet and kind. "You still want to know why I'm so into these books?" he asked. I nodded again.

He leaned against the desk, a small smile on his face. "I'm a history professor at the university. I teach this stuff." I should've known, given the satchel and his easy confidence. He looked too young to be a professor, but now that I thought about it, it made sense. "So, what's wrong?" he asked again. I gave him a knowing look, and he whistled softly. "Money troubles again, huh?"

I gave a sympathetic nod, and he pulled a flyer from his bag, handing it to me. I read the words, my eyes widening in shock: WANTED: MAID IN MANCHESTER, SALARY: £120,000 A YEAR. The amount was staggering, a fortune beyond my wildest dreams. I couldn't leave Aunt Colette, but before I could give the flyer back, she returned from her errands. She took it from me and read it, her eyes scanning the impossible figure.

"When's the next train to Manchester?" she asked, her voice firm. I stared at her, my mouth agape. She took my hands in hers and shook her head, as if to ward off my objections. "Don't you worry, darling. Liam here will take care of you."

Liam chimed in, "Plus, I'm moving to Manchester myself. The university invited me to be an exchange professor." He winked at Aunt Colette, who laughed at his joke.

The day flew by in a blur of frantic packing. I placed my few belongings into my old, worn suitcase: my favorite books, a few outfits, and my notebook. Aunt Colette helped me with my clothes, her hands moving with a loving precision. "The next train leaves at 8:30 tonight," Liam announced. "You've got time for a nap."

I found myself alone, a deep, unsettling silence settling over me. I realized that my entire life had been defined by this silence, a quiet soul living a quiet life.

I woke to Aunt Colette shaking my arm. "You must get dressed," she said. "Liam's waiting." I rushed into the small bathroom, quickly cleaning myself and pulling on my jeans. In my haste, my leg got stuck, and I fell. Aunt Colette rushed in. "Dear goodness," she said with a laugh. "I just told you to get dressed, and here you are on the floor." I smiled sheepishly, got up, and finished dressing.

With my suitcase in hand, I walked out to meet Liam. He stood when he saw me, taking my bag. I slipped on my coat and hugged Aunt Colette. "I'm going to miss you so much," she whispered, her arms wrapped tightly around me. "I'll call you as soon as Liam gives me the phone number."

I gave her a final hug and got into Liam's car. He honked the horn as we pulled away, and I watched my home disappear. I fastened my seatbelt and leaned my head back, closing my eyes. Liam rubbed my arm reassuringly.

"You know, they're really nice people," he said. "Just a warning, it's mostly guys, with only a couple of girls." My eyes shot open. Guys? My heart began to pound. I was no good with guys.

He chuckled. "Don't worry about it, Evangeline. I've met them, and they're kind."

I took a deep breath as the car came to a halt. "We're here," he announced. I unbuckled my seatbelt, and Liam opened my door. "Evangeline, this is Max. Max, this is my good friend, Evangeline." Max smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Pleased to meet you, miss," he said, holding out his hand. I shook it, then quickly grabbed Liam's arm.

Max laughed. "I'm guessing she's the shy type?" Liam nodded, handing Max his keys. Max said his goodbyes, and we hurried toward the station. The place was a sea of people, a cacophony of sound and motion. I clung to Liam, feeling small in the overwhelming crowd. We found our seats, and I sighed, leaning my head against the window as the train began to move. "Just in time," Liam said. I closed my eyes, hoping for the best.

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So, I already explained this to my best friend that I was supposed to publish Chapter 8 last year but then my phone got broken... because of me so I had to rewrite the whole thing. And because it's been so long, I'm sure nobody is reading this no more but that's okay. I'll just wait for you guys, like you all did. :)

Love you lot!

-Nina.