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Chapter 13

Yesterday I graduated high school. Ms. Eagle made a big deal about it. Me and Jake have been talking more little by little. But it has been awkward between me and Elija. We talked sometimes after prom, but that was for training.

Today is my first day of summer, and into adulthood. Ms. Eagle says that next week she'll start training me on how to take care of all the Nia's here. So, I have a week all to myself. It's perfect timing to work on the things Elija has taught me!

"Yo, Sina!" Jake hollers. "What?" I reply. He walks over to me. He leans over to whisper something in my ear. "Elija is waiting by the end of the trail for ya." Jake whispers. I nod before heading out. I run as fast as I can since this might be one of the very few times I'll be able to talk to him.

I spot him standing at the end of the trail. His hands are buried in his pockets. "Elija?" I speak as I make my way to him. He instantly looks in my direction. "What is it?" I ask. It is random for him to be here.

"Well, I wanted to ask if you have any time to hang out." He says. "I only have this week." I answer. His eyebrow quirks up in question. "Why?" He asks. "By the beginning of next week I'll be training to lead and take care all Nia's." I answer. To anyone that may sound boring, but to me it sounds quite interesting.

"So how much time do you have?" He's asking quite a bit questions. "Today through Saturday." I answer. Today is Saturday, so I have until next Saturday of my freedom. "Do you want to go on a small trip- no a um." Elija starts to struggle with words. "Come on, spill." I demand. "Do you want to go on a date?" Elija asks super fast. "When?" His eyes widen at my question. "When you're available." He says recovering from shock.

"Tomorrow at noon." I give him a time. "I won't be able to spend a lot time with you after this week." I explain why I'm accepting his offer on the date. I could tell by the look of his eyes he was wondering why. A smile makes it's way to his lips. "You're gonna miss me." He states. I slap him on the shoulder. "Not one bit, but you'll miss me." He chuckles at my comment.

The truth is, I will miss him. It's something I don't understand myself yet, but I feel like I can't imagine a future without him. "So, why at noon?" He asks. "You will be able to spend half the day with me." His smile grows brighter at my words. "Don't be late or I'll go back home." I warn. "Yes ma'am!" Elija solutes me. With that we part ways.

Once I'm m back Jake comes towards me. "What did he want?" Jake asks. "He wanted to hang out." I try to avoid the word 'date'. "You mean a date?" Jake says blankly. How in the...? "Yes, a date." I've decided on not lying to Jake anymore. I've hurt him to much with my lies.

Jake sighs. "If he tries anything on you tell me." Jake tells me while cracking his knuckles for dramatic effect. "I can handle him on my own, plus I told him if he's late it's off." Jake laughs. "Heh, that's my girl." Jake pats my back.

Even though I know how Jake feels about me, I still don't think of him as any different from a friend. In my eyes Jake will be nothing more than a friend. I know it sounds cruel, but Jake isn't the one for me; no one is. As the sun begins to set I take the time to take a shower. After my warm relaxing shower I head to bed. Tonight my mind is relaxed with no worries.

The following day I get ready for my 'date' with Elija. I don't do anything special. I put on a black long sleeve crop top, and a pair of blue short jeans. For shoes I put on m utu regular black tennis shoes. When I check the time it's only eleven-fifty-two. I decide on going to wait for him.

As I make my way to the end of the trail I spot Elija there. I check the time again only to see three minutes have passed. He's early. He spots me coming his way then waves. "You're early." I state. "I didn't want to be late on our first date." He winks. I roll my eyes at his jester.

"Where do you want to go?" He asks. I take a moment to think. I never really leave home, so there's not many places I know about. Then suddenly something comes to mind. When I was little I used to run away to this beautiful spot in the forest. It was a small circle surrounded by trees. Roses and Lily's would grow around there.

"There's this place in the forest I think you'll like." I suggest. "Lead the way." With that I start taking him through the harsh paths of the forest. After about thirty minutes we make it there. I haven't been here in years, but it's still beautiful.

"Wow, I never knew you had a thing for scenery." Elija comments. "I used to come here to settle my nerves when I got stressed out." I tell him. This place was like a sanctuary for me. I lay down in the middle of the area.

Elija decides to join me. "You know, I think this place is far from my cabin." Elija states. Then a question I was meaning to ask him popped up. "I have been meaning to ask you something." Elija turns to me. The way the sun shun on his face almost made him look...handsome. Wait, what am I thinking.

"Go ahead." He urges me to ask. "Why do you live alone?" I know it might be to much of a personal question, but it wouldn't hurt to ask. "I ran away from my family." I'm surprised he answered. "Why?" I find myself answering a more personal question. "I can't tell you." He answers. The look in his says he wants to, but somehow he can't.

I lost count of how long we laid there enjoying each others company, but suddenly Elija get's up. "It's getting pretty late." He states. "I know this sounds a bit much to ask, but do you want to have dinner at my place?" I find myself nodding to his offer. He helps me up to my feet. Then we head to his cabin.

He wasn't wrong, the cabin was only a five minute walk from my little sanctuary. Once inside Elija starts cooking. "Wait, I thought vampires didn't eat human food?" I ask little confused. "Some do to 'control' their hunger." He states quoting 'control'.

I decide to set up the table for us. "Do you drink champagne?" He asks. "Yes, I'm allowed to." I answer. He pulls out the champagne. He then lays out the food before us. He cooked spaghetti and meat sauce. Which is actually one of my favorites. He then pours the champagne in our glasses.

We eat in silence, but a comfortable one. We eat some more and drink. We enjoy each others company for the rest of the night.

I'm actually having fun with this idiot.