Rush Of Blood

White Liar

     “Lilly...Lilly wake up please...” Damien nudged me. I rolled over, looking at him with tired eyes. “What?” He was sitting up, jaw open, a frustrated look on his face. “I can’t.” He mumbled, jaw still open. I sat up, “What are you doing?” He suddenly shut his mouth, eyes wide. “I think I’m...I think I’m human.” He whispered. “What?!” I jumped up, sat on his lap, and opened his mouth. “Show me your fangs!” He shut his eyes, trying hard, but nothing happened. “How the hell...” “I drank your blood! Whatever Walter gave you must have been in your blood!” He exclaimed, hands on my cheeks now. “I-” “Thank you!” He kissed me hard, then pulled back. “What?” I asked, dazed. “I haven’t been mortal in two hundred years, Lilly.” He kissed me again, then pressed his forehead on mine, eyes slightly watered, whispering, “I feel so alive.” I chuckled, kissing him softly. I looked over, noticing it was four in the morning. “We should get back to sleep.” I said, starting to get off him. He grabbed my hips, flipping me and laying on me, one hand now behind my neck. “No, I want to enjoy this...” He whispered, kissing me. At first, I wanted to deny him, tell him he needed rest. But there was something about the gentle touch Damien now had. A human touch. I felt myself slip away every moment we kissed, it was different. 

     “Come on! Today we go dress shopping!” Krista burst through our room’s door, gasping, and ran back out, shutting it again. I had jumped awake, confused. “Jeez guys the least you could do is put some clothes on when you’re done!” She shouted from the other side of the door. I looked down, quickly drawing the blanket up to cover myself. Damien woke up as well, looking over at me. “Sorry!” I shouted, giggling a bit. He leaned over and kissed my shoulder. “So, how is this going to work? Do I take the blanket to the bathroom to shower or do you?” He asked, kissing my cheek. I blushed heavily, looking over at him. “Um-” “Too late!” He stood suddenly, pulling the blanket with him. I was completely exposed. “Damien!” I shouted, rushing to the bathroom and shutting the door behind me. I looked around the bathroom, sighing frustratingly. “Damien...can you-” He opened the door, tossing the clothes I had laid out last night for today into the bathroom, shutting it again. “Thanks.” I said, chuckling nervously. I looked at myself in the mirror. Complete bed head, lines across my skin from the blanket while I slept, and a small hickey on my neck. I laughed, walking into the shower. 

     I dressed myself in a soft aqua dress, sleeved and short with a white belt. I matched it white heels. Stepping out of the bathroom, Damien was sitting on the bed, clothes in hand, still covered by the blanket. “Oh! I’m sorry! I didn’t know I took so long...” He laughed, standing up and kissing my nose. “It’s alright sweetheart. By the way, the girls are all ready so I’ll see you when you come back?” He asked, walking into the bathroom. “Yeah, see you then. I love you!” I said, smiling as I walked out the door, only to be greeted by Krista. She stood with her hands on her hips, staring me down. “You did it.” I blushed heavily at her accusation, slipping around her to grab the key card on the dining table. “Didn’t.” I said, opening the door. “Oh my god you did!” She shouted. I froze, giving her the death stare. “I need a dress, let’s go.” I walked out the room, heading down the hall, only to hear coming from behind me, “Lillian! I need details!” I chuckled, dropping my head in embarrassment as I headed for the elevators. 

     We took a taxi to a nearby dress shop, which on the way, Krista refused to let me not talk about the night before, so I simply didn’t talk. I just told her that we did, which triggered about a million reactions. We walked into the shop, and I couldn’t breathe anymore. Dresses in every shade of white and just about every color as well were spread around the store. Maybe it was cold feet or the intimidation of the limitless dresses, but I really could not breathe. “You okay? You look pale.” Emily said, standing now in front of me and looking over my face. “Yeah.” I shook my head, smiling and heading for one of the racks. “Hello! My name is Victoria, who might our lucky lady be?” One of the store clerks, a slightly taller brunette chirped, her smile beaming. “Her!” Krista almost shouted, nudging me forward. I blushed softly, sticking my hand out. “Lillian.” I smiled at her as she shook my hand, then suddenly clapped her hands together, beaming again. “Is there any particular style you’re looking for?” I never thought about that before. No particular details, just that it was going to be white. Which I idiotically blurted out, “White!” She looked at me with a smile that nearly burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, I’ve just never thought about it before.” I laughed. “Well, take a look around, if you find something, just call out for me alright?” She gave a short wave goodbye and walked over to a rack of dresses. I turned towards one rack, flipping through the heavy fabrics, trying to find something I might like. Of course, Krista, Bella, and Emily were all looking for their own dress. I didn’t mind though, obviously, I loved seeing their faces light up with every dress. I began to wander, glancing here and there, not exactly trying, but hoping it would stand out. Which it did. A white gown was hanging between a few thousand, but this one had a simple dark scarlet sash around the waist. I pulled it out, looking over the dress. It looked like it would fit me, a tulle ball gown with lace that ran out to elbow length sleeves and just barely came up on the off the shoulder neckline. I smiled, rushing to the dressing room. As I stepped onto the small platform, the several mirrors reflected the image of me dressed in white. I twirled, feeling the skirt brush on my legs and twist back into place. It fit perfectly. “Guys!” I shouted out, smiling at myself in the mirror. “What’s wr-oh my gosh!” Emily shouted, a few gasps from my other two bridesmaids. I turned to them, smiling widely. “This is it!”