The Hampton Academy For Vampires

Women and Errands

I wake up to my alarm.
I had missed seven calls from dad.
I clicked his name.
He picked up almost immediately.
"Hey, baby girl." He says sweetly.
"Hey." My voice was weak.
"You aren't going to class today. Meet me at the Guardian Tower."
"Why? What's going on?" I questioned.
"Don't worry about it, just meet me here. I love you." And he hung up.
I prepared my shower bag and went for the dorm showers.
I look at my naked shape in the walls.
I'm shaped like a 90's coke bottle. Thick top, tiny middle, huge bottom.
My shower curtain flies open.
"Winter." I hear her voice.
"Get out, Zandra." I say.
"I saw you with Adrian last night."
"And?"
"Did you have sex with him?"
"What?!" I shouted?
"Did you—"
"No, I didn't! I was only there because my dad told me to go."
"Good. You should never have sex with someone the first time you hang out with them."
I stayed silent with my back to her.
"So, your dad told you." She stated.
"Yeah, basically told me that you just screwed me."
"Look—" she started.
"Can't you just let me take my shower?"
"I'll wait on the stall bench, I'll walk you to class." She closed the curtain.
"I'm not going to class, dad wants me to meet him at the tower."
"I'll walk you there, then."
"Or you can get out and leave me alone because I don't want to talk to you today." I said, angrily as I washed myself.
She got up and left.
I dressed myself when my body and hair were to my liking.
I left the dorm showers and walked to my room.
Adrian was standing at my door, knocking.
"Hi." I said.
"Oh, hey! What's up?" He said excitedly.
He turned towards me, holding a a dozen red roses.
I stare at the flowers.
"Oh, yeah! These are for you!" He quickly handed me the roses.
I opened the door to my white painted room.
I ushered for him to step in.
Leaving the door open, I set down my bag.
I grabbed the largest cup I had and filled it with water.
"I don't have any vases." I said.
Setting the roses in the glass, I turned around.
He looked around slowly. Probably uncomfortable in the one room in this entire school with no color, save the roses.
I stared at him.
"It's nice, matches you." He talked quietly.
"Thank you for the flowers."
He smiled at me. Beautiful, full lips painted black.
I noticed now that he wore a black button up shirt and dress pants.
His makeup was done.
It almost looked like his face was bruised underneath.
"You look nice, where are you headed?" I asked.
He smiled again and looked down.
"To see you."
I smiled at him.
I began to do my makeup in the mirror next to my window.
"I'm sorry, about Zandra." He softly apologized after a few minutes.
"Why? It's not your fault she destroyed my career."
"I still hate it."
I don't look at him. My chest tightens.
"I have to meet my dad at the tower." I spoke again.
"Can I walk you?" He asked gently.
I nodded.
He walked over to me, looking down from two feet taller.
He wrapped his arms around me.
My face in his torso, I relaxed lightly.
He smells heavenly.
He held me for a few moments.
Until a voice came from behind him.
"What the fuck?" Zandra's voice sounded angry.
Adrian released me, stepping to my right.
"You need to leave." She said to him.
"Excuse me? You don't tell him to leave. You leave."
She glared at me.
Walking up to me, she slapped me in the face.
"Meeting your dad, my ass!" She shouted.
"He was here when I came to drop off my bag! He just came to give me flowers!" I shouted back, pushing her away from me.
She looked up at him.
"Stay away from her, you stuck up bastard." She whispered harshly.
"Get out!" I yelled at her.
She turned and angrily walked out, slamming my door.
He looked down at me.
"Are you okay?"
It was now I realized tears were on my face.
His big hands cupped my face, wiping the tears.
He leaned down, his lips on my forehead.
"I really need to meet my dad." I said.
"Okay, let's go."

We walked together across the yard. I could see my long white-haired father at the entrance.
He could see my face.
"Who hit you?"
I shook my head.
"Adrian? Who was it? Did you see?"
"Zandra." Adrian murmured, almost inaudible.
Dad clenched his fists.
"It's okay dad, it's nothing."
He says nothing.
"Where are you guys headed?" Adrian asked.
"I just want to do some shopping."
"Can I join you?" Adrian's soft voice asked.
"Sure I'll call it in. Your father is joining as well. Want me to call class and get Maxwell?"
Adrian nodded.
Dad pulled out his phone and dialed.
"Yes. I need Maxwell Dragomir at the Guardian Tower. No, he will not be returning to class tonight."
I starred up at the stars. It was then that I noticed Adrian looking down at me.
"How's your leg, by the way?" I asked quietly.
"Oh, you mean the scrape you gave me during our sword fight?"
I grin at him.
My father hands me a warm cup.
I tentatively sip.
Mm mm, hot chocolate.
When Dad isn't looking I pass my cup to Adrian.
He takes a swallow, and smiles at me.
I hold my cup again by the time dad turns back around.
We entire the Guardian building.
Entering a conference room, I see food all over the table.
Dad grabs a plate. He tends to himself from a wide selection. I see ham, chicken, steak, ten different types of cheese, almonds, peanuts, fruits and such. And so much more.
Overwhelmed, I pick safe options. Ham, Gouda cheese, a piece of chicken and some strawberries.
I sit adjacent my father at the head of the table.
Adrian seats himself at my right.
The promiscuous duo walks in, Maxwell and his colorful haired friend.
I think his name is Jake.
They grab plates and load the, down.
Maxwell sits in across from his beautiful lipped twin.
My eyes meet the brown eyes of the other boy.
"I'm not sure we've officially met. I'm Jake Davis."
His shoulder length hair curves around his soft jaw.
"So, you've been hanging out with Adrian." Maxwell asks me, sending me a naughty smirk.
"Yeah. Dad made me." I say.
"Is that the only reason?" The smirk grows.
"I mean, he's pretty cool. I guess."
Maxwell nods.
"He is pretty cool. You should get to know him better."
He looks to his brother.
I see love on their faces.
We all eat.
When no one is looking, Adrian snatches one of my strawberries.
His lips scrunch up as he chews. He smiles down at me.
Under the table, his fingers slid into mine.
I squeeze.
He traces the side of my hand.

We are riding in the car.
I sit in the passenger side of an A4 Audi.
Adrian sits directly behind me.
We made our way across the massive campus and through the gates. The interstate is dark as we travel alone.
There is a mall about eighty-four miles out, open all night.
Listening to my fathers favorite 80's tunes, I drift to sleep.

Adrian stands in front of me.
"Hello." He says.
He smiles at me, his eyes alight with some amusement.
"Hm. This dream feels weird."
He walks over and touches my cheek.
"It's a Spirit dream."
"I don't know what you mean. Did I do this? I'm a spirit user. Your's is fire, right?" My verbose lips.
"I actually use both. I did this. I'm asleep in the backseat behind you. I reached out to you. And now here we are."
"You use more than one element?" I ask, shock running through me.
"I have a feeling you do too."
I remember briefly.
I accidentally lit a punching bag on fire yesterday.
I look away from him.

I wake with a start. My dad is shaking me.
"Are you okay? Your heartbeat picked up in your sleep."
I shrug and pull down the visor in front of me.
I pretend to check my mascara as I look for Adrian in the mirror.
He makes eye contact with me and I know.
That was real.

I keep my eyes open, too worried to be able to sleep.
We pull in to the parking lot.