Rush Of Blood

Controlling The Flames

     “So we’re not going to Universal?” Michael frowned, dropping on the edge of the bed. “You guys are going, we aren’t.” Krista said, looking herself over in the mirror. Today’s plans, for the girls anyway, was my bachelorette party. “But whyyy nooot?” He wined, standing up and walking over to her. “Because I’d loooove to get a lap dance too.” She said bitterly, glaring at him. He frowned, “I didn’t enjoy it...” She laughed now, “Sure Michael, sure...” She kissed him quickly, but when back to fixing her outfit. “Come on! Park opens in a half hour!” Seth shouted from the other room, walking outside into the hall. Michael quickly grabbed Krista by her shoulders, kissing her hard. When he let go, before he ran out into the hall, he gave her a quick pop kiss on her nose and then left. She stood there with a wide smile on her face. I laughed, and she jumped like she’d forgotten I had used her bathroom and was now standing at the door.  “How long have you been there?” She interrogated, hands on her hips. “Since his winy voice.” I giggled, setting myself on her bed. “I hate you.” She stuck her tongue out, grabbing her bag and swinging it over her shoulder. “Love you too.” I teased, standing up and walking out the door with her. “Emily, you ready?” Krista asked, standing by the door. “Yeah!” Emily quickly slipped into her flats, grabbing her bag and walked to the door with us. We stopped over at my room to get Bella. “Hey, you ready there Bells?” I asked, walking into the room. “Yup!” Bella was sitting on the couch, pulling on her black boots. Colten was standing at the kitchenette, sipping occasionally from a bottle of blood. I walked over to him, leaning against the wall. “Are you alright?” He nodded silently. “Have you...talked to her?” He shook his head this time, drinking the rest of it and tossing the bottle in the trash. “Just wait until after we get back okay?” I suggested. He nodded, smiling at me. “Thanks.” He said, tossing on the jacket he had laid out on the couch. I smiled back at him, hooking arms with Bella. “We’ll see you guys tonight.” We waved back as we raced out into the hallway headed for the elevators.

     We found a nearby mall, exploring each and every store. Considering it was spring, a lot of stores had light flowery dresses, which is not what we were looking for. We found one store that seemed to have the style we wanted. I stood in front of the mirror, pulling at the short dress Krista convinced me into trying on. It was a dark blue mini dress, a couple stringy straps that hugged my shoulders, and had a slit on the left side on my leg. I walked out into the hallway of dressing rooms, finding Krista and Bella were already by the big mirror at the end. Krista’s dress was a crimson red, strapless, and stuck to every curve she had. Bella’s dress was black, sleeves that reached her elbow, the front of the dress reaching her knees and the back falling to the floor. I walked up to them, smiling. “Whoa okay! You cannot wear something so flashy!” Krista exclaimed, giggling. “Flashy?” “That ring. It’s your bachelorette party. No one can know that you’re hitched!” I laughed, “The point is that I am engaged!” We laughed. “What do you guys think?” Emily said, having stepped out of her dressing room. “Wow!” Bella shouted, making us all giggle and laugh. Her dress was a soft lilac, strapless with the skirt falling in shreds above her knees. “You look so pretty!” Bella exclaimed, smiling excitedly. “Seriously Em, that looks ridiculously pretty.” Krista said, smiling as well. We bought the dresses, and ate at a cafe for lunch. Afterwards we went for shoes, bought them, and then finally got to relax at the hotel until night came.

     I pulled on my dress, standing at the mirror. Placing a hand on my stomach, I sighed, my eyes getting watery. “You okay?” I nodded, looking over to see it was Bella who’d asked. “Yeah...are you?” She began to nod, but then shook her head. “Not entirely...I...I feel this...horrible darkness...” I turned to her, placing my hands on her shoulders. “Bella...you need to use it.” “What?!” She shook her head, her arms beginning to shiver. “Sweetie, calm down...if you don’t use it, it will...it’ll kill you.” She gasped, stepping back and pressing both her hands on her mouth. “I know...I know it’s got to hurt...but...Colten...he doesn’t want to lose you again...” Her tensed shoulders fell, and she let her head hang. “Okay...okay...I’ll try.” She looked up at me, smiling. “I promise!” I laughed, “Alright, because you have no idea how much Colten and Damien love you, Bells.” She laughed along with me, hugging me tightly. “Are you worried about what you’re going to tell your mom?” My eyes widened. “Oh gosh! I did not think of that!” She laughed harder now. “Don’t worry, I’m sure she won’t want to completely kill you.” “Well, I don’t think I’ll show until after the wedding.” “That’s true...it shouldn’t be that bad then.” She smiled, slipping into her heels. She had already been in her dress, her hair and makeup done. “I’m thirsty...” I whispered, looking myself in the mirror again. “I’ll get you some water.” Bella suggested, turning towards the door. “Thanks.” I smiled looking back at her. She walked out of the room, the door nearly closing behind her. “How’s the infant?” I jumped at the sudden voice from behind me, turning quickly. “She- It’s fine.” Walter was standing with his hands in his pockets, one arm pressing a box against his side to keep it from falling. He was staring up, his scarlet eyes nearly glowing in the light he stared at. “Good. Here’s more, about a month’s worth. I’ll come to check up on your progress.” He handed the box to me, flashed a quick, quite fake, smile at me. “Why the distance?” I asked, looking at him carefully. “You risked yourself yesterday for your Damien. Don’t do that again. I want the child healthy.” I glared at him, tossing the box on the bed then crossing my arms. “What difference does it make the child’s state if you’re to suck it dry?!” He opened his mouth to speak, but quickly looked to his left as Bella walked in. “I just want it alive.” He said, bowing a hello to Bella before walking out though the door and practically disappeared. “What was that all about?” Bella asked, handing me the glass of water. I sipped, responding, “Needed a refill on the serum.” She nodded, walking over to me, looking me up and down. “Are you okay?” I began to nod, but stopped myself and shook my head. “No...I’m only two days into this and I already have an attachment to her- it. These coming nine months are going to kill me...” She frowned, walking up and hugging me. I smiled, hugging her back. “Thanks, Bella.” A knock came at the door, and we both turned. “I’ll get it.” She said, nodding towards me before walking out towards the door to our hotel room. I looked back at the box on the bed, opening it carefully. I lifted a rather heavy wine bottle,  analyzing the label. ‘Human Again.’ I sighed, walking over and slipping into my heels. I twisted off the top of the wine bottle, thanking Walter mentally for not putting an actual wine cork in it, and sipped as much as I thought I needed. I put the top back on, before walking out of the room and into the living room, aiming to put the wine bottle in the mini fridge. Krista and Emily were the ones at the door, and they were sitting at the dining table, talking and laughing. “What’s that?” Emily asked, standing up and walking my way. “Just more of that potion stuff.” I smiled, putting in the fridge and standing to face them. “Oh alright. You ready?” She asked, smiling widely. I nodded, “My very own bachelorette party!” We all laughed, heading out the door and towards a cab.