It's Okay to be Different

12

A/N: I chose a picture of Avi with his hair down because it makes him look more "warlocky".

Flashback: 16 years from present day

I've grown my hair out and cut it to a fringe to cover the left side of my face. As soon as I walked in the barbershop, the guy who takes me to the chair says, "Gnarly scar, dude. How did you get it?"

I simply answered with, "That doesn't matter. I'm here to cover it." And that's exactly what he did.

I've also bought my own place. Miles and miles away from Alex. I've heard he moved to LA. Thank God. I never want to see him again.

I tried dating this guy. It didn't work out. Every touch would remind me of Alex.

I accidentally killed him.

So I'm pretty lonely. All alone. My neighbor is nice. His name is Avi Kaplan. He's a warlock. And his dick is big...

***** Flashback Over

I hear a knock on my door. I immediately get up, hoping it's Scott. But I don't smell a vampire so I know it's not him.

I swing the door open to reveal a sad Avi. "Hey." Is all I say.

"I saw what happened." He says sadly. "I'm so sorry Alex is doing this."

"I'm never going to get him back." I mutter, allowing Avi to come inside and shutting the door behind him.

"That's not entirely true. Scott has been terrified of Alex lately. Alex is getting tired of dealing with him. He's too energetic for a 512 year-old vampire to hang around. He's also starting to get skeptical. All of his thoughts are shut down and switched around once he looks into Alex's eyes and he's starting to notice it. He thinks he's in love with Alex. But he really can't get his mind off of you." He explains. "I also found out that there is another warlock in his home that is blocking me from seeing Alex. It's Esther, top rank. But now that Scott is there, I can see everything."

"So you can see what he's planning." I inquire as a statement.

"Yes I can." He takes a deep breath, as if he's trying to figure out how to say it.

"Come on, Avi. I need details."

"Scott wasn't your average teenager. He's the son of the top ranked vampire in the world, Connie Hoying. That's why Alex didn't kill him. Because Alex is planning an army that he's going to force Scott to lead. With or against his will."

I take in the information silently nodding my head because I know if I speak, I'll lash out. And I don't want to hurt Avi like Alex hurt me.

"He has almost 100 vampires hidden in his home. He's treating them well. He has a pack of 16 werewolves, several warlocks, a few fairies, four healers, and six lycans on his team. He's not playing around. He's out for you. He plans to attack on Scott's birthday. Exactly 18 years after you left him."

"What the hell?"

"Yeah he's pretty pissed..." Avi says.

"I can't believe him. Brainwashing Scott to make him believe all of that bullshit and now he's forming an army against me!?"

Avi blanks out for a moment, staring at the wall next to him. That always means he's seeing something. "Scott just told Alex that he loves him."

I feel my non-beating heart shatter at the words coming from Avi's mouth. He loves him? How could he love him? He's a monster-oh wait... I'm the monster in his eyes. Of course he's fallen in love with him.

"Scott thinks he isn't in love, though. Because everytime he tries to leave, he looks into Alex's eyes and thinks that he's fallen in love. And he also realized that he can't think about the fact that he has feelings for you around Alex."

"It took me 160 years to realize that he was controlling my thoughts. It took Scott a fucking month. He really is special... Connie Hoying."

"I have her contact if you would like to speak with her."

"Please."

Avi whips out his cell phone and starts searching through the contacts.

"Here she is, Connie Hoying." He hands me the phone after pressing the call button

"I really need to get one of these. Convenient." Then she picks up.

"Hello, this is Connie?"

"Hi, Connie. This is Mitch. Mitch Grassi."

"Calling from Kaplan's device?" She questions. Shit.

"Yes ma'am I don't have my own cellular device. This is very urgent news." I sigh. "It's about your son."

"Scott!? Is he okay?" She starts to panic.

"He was okay when he was with me. I found him bitten, horrified, and transitioning about a month ago. I took him in and helped him through his transition. Alexander Kirk has recently brainwashed him into thinking that I changed him so now he hates me and is living with Alexander."

"He's with that bastard!? I'LL KILL HIM!"

"And not only that ma'am but I've gotten word from Kaplan that Alexander is also planning an attack on me. He has hundreds of vampires and creatures of every kind planned to strike on your son's birthday. He plans to have Scott lead the group, whether it's against his will or he complies."

"My son would never comply to his needs."

"He would if Alexander was making him believe that he was in love." I state bluntly.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." She says, sounding a bit exhausted. "His birthday is in two weeks. You have to get him back."

"But ma'am I don't have the power of  involuntary acquiescence. I can't outpower Alex."

"You don't need to have the ability. Make him remember who did this to him."

"I'll do my best ma'am."

"You better. I don't want my Scotty turning out like Kirk."

"I don't either."

"You like him." She says. I can hear the small smile behind her voice.

"I do, ma'am."

"Get him back then. Get a cell phone, please, and keep me updated. Good luck Mitch." And she hangs up.

I hand Avi his phone back to him and we both just stand there.

"Well?" He asks. "What the hell are we waiting for? Let's get your man back!"

"Call Kirstie. We'll need her."