Blood Tie

Chapter 18

Rox's POV

I woke up Saturday morning feeling weirdly happy, happier than I have been in a long time. Jungkook had found a family of boys to take him under their wings, I had found the other vampire that resided here at Noctem and he seemed happy to get to meet me. Jungkook and me were hanging out today even though he had other people he could hang out with, he still chose me. I got dressed and ready quickly, settling on a dark pair of distressed skinny jeans, my ankle boots and a hoodie that was black and said "Rotten Youth" across it in red letters. I didn't put on any makeup as usual and threw my hair into its usual bun atop my head. I looked at myself in the mirror, sighing at my appearance and accepting that this was the best it was gonna get.

I left my room quickly and began heading to the boys dorm, the smell of dew still hanging in the air as I rushed through the halls on my way there. On my way I noticed a small girl, huddled up in a ball against the wall. She had what appeared to be ice blue hair that came to just above her shoulders and I could tell from her small fingers sticking out of her sleeves that her skin was pale. She appeared to be crying, shoulders shaking and face buried in her hands with small sobs sounding from her. I cautiously approached her, much like you'd approach a frightened animal.

"Hey, are you alright? Do you need some help?" My hand was reaching towards her as her face shot up to look at me. She had large almond shaped eyes that tilted up at the corners and were a dark, stormy gray. Her bangs just barely brushed her eyes and she had tears running down her cheeks. Before she could say anything, my view of her was blocked by a pair of legs in white jeans. I looked up at the owner and saw Riley much to my surprise. Her arms were crossed and she was looking at me in a hostile way.

"Mind your own business vampire." Riley then helped the small girl to her feet and I realized with a jolt how frail and delicate she seemed. Riley put her arm around the girl protectively and with one last glare in my direction, hurried off, taking the girl with her. I stared at their retreating backs in sad acceptance that I may not ever be able to branch out to others purely because of what I am. I turned and continued towards my destination, trying to put my melancholy mind at ease. When I finally reached the boys dormitory, my mood perked up a little bit as I climbed the stairs to the 7th floor. Just as I made it to the 7th floor landing, I heard a door open. When I saw who emerged from the door, I froze.

Changkyun was alone and rubbing the sleepy look from his eyes as my heart constricted at the sight of him. I remembered just yesterday when he reached out his hand to me while saying my name. I had felt hope, hope that somehow, someway we could erase the past and be something to each other again. As I felt that hope stir inside of me I also felt the fear that had washed over me when his friends had hurt me and the betrayal as I called out for him and he did nothing. I must have made a noise as his attention snapped over to me and his black eyes widened at my presence. I could feel myself shrinking back in fear as his gaze roamed over me.

"Rox, you're here." I winced at the sound of his voice as it made me feel at home, even after what he had done. I mustered up the strength I had and spoke back to him, voice barely a whisper.

"I-I have to go Changkyun."

"Wait don't leave, I need to talk to you." Changkyun rushed to my side and before I could blink, he had grabbed my hand gently but held it firmly. I stared in disbelief at our hands touching as they were, trying to block out the memories of our past. I tried to tug my hand out of his grip but he held it a little bit tighter.

"Don't run, please, I need to explain, I need to tell you what I didn't before, please Rox, let me talk, just hear me out." I let my gaze drift to his face as I heard the pleading tone in his voice and found his dark eyes begging me. His soft, dark eyes spurred a wave of courage in me as I found strength in my voice.

"Why would I hear you out, you hurt me, you let your friends hold me down and beat me while you just watched. I called for you, I begged for your help and you ignored me, you may not have thrown a punch but the injuries you left were far worse. I trusted you, I thought you were my friend." Towards the end my voice had come out in a choked whisper, tears were now pouring down my face. Changkyun's eyes held remorse and pain and something else I couldn't identify.

"You don't know Rox, you should have known, how could you not know I care for you deeply?"

"Care for me? Care for me!? How in the world does your actions translate to caring for me? How does any of this show you care? You left me."

"Rox I-I didn't hurt you like they did, I couldn't," his eyes were begging me to understand as he now held both my hands in his. "You are so special Rox."

I had backed myself into a wall again, trying to get away from the beautiful, heartbreaking boy in front of me.

"Don't ever tell me you care for me, you could have stopped them, you didn't, face it Changkyun, you don't care for me and never di-", I was cut off abruptly by a pair of lips smashing on to mine. My eyes widened as I realized, as Changkyun cradled my face in his hands and pressed his lips firmly to mine, that I didn't know anything. He moved his soft lips against mine as I stood in shock and before I could react, his lips were ripped off mine and I was left staring at Jungkook's back as he boiled in anger. His skin started to glow faintly and he had a faraway look in his eyes as I circled to his front. I realized what was happening in shock and screamed for Changkyun to go and get Jin, but I was too late.

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh