The Start Of Something New.

23.

My head felt stuffy and the only thing I could feel, was a slight tingling pain in my neck.
Most of the evening was a blur.
My eyes opened and I came to realization.
I was in a hospital.
I felt my chest grow tight as I looked around.
I was hooked up to two different things, and my heart rate was slowly increasing.

I managed to sit up, even though the pain soon enough resurfaced and I felt nothing but discomfort.
No one was in the room, and it made my heart sink.
I was blank on what happened.
One minute I'm talking to Emberly, and the next.
I'm unconscious.

My eyes fell to the door that opened as the doctor walked in, his brown eyes lit up with relief as he walked up to me.
"I see you're finally awake, Ms.Grimes. You gave everyone quite the scare, we weren't sure if you were falling into a coma." He joked but I didn't laugh.
I stared blankly at him.
"What happened? Why am I in the hospital?" I asked him.
He looked at his clipboard.
"It says that it was an animal attack." He told me.

My blood ran cold.
A vampire attack..
I was attacked by a vampire.

"Do I have anyone waiting for me?" I asked now.
He blinked but nodded.
"You're actually pretty popular out there in the waiting room," he smiled faintly.
"I can only allow three visitors at a time, I'll start with the family." He told me.
I nodded relaxing in the bed, even though it was far from comfortable.

Soon enough my mom and siblings were busting into the room.
My moms cheeks were stained with tears and make up.

"Oh Lexi, are you okay baby?" She asked me, her voice soft and full of concern.
I frowned but managed a nod.
"I'm okay," I reassured her.
"Just sore." I said.
She frowned softly.
"The doctor isn't sure what kind of animal it was that attacked you, but they're looking more into it." She explained.
It wasn't an animal..

"There's a bunch of guys out there." Jovi told me now, her arms crossed.
I looked to her.
"A bunch?" My brows furrowed.
"Who's all out there?" I asked.
Noah frowned.
"Bryce, Sage, your boyfriend Carter, Monty and two other guys." He said not looking the least bit thrilled that there were people out there, he didn't know.
Not that I didn't blamed him.

I knew I was supposed to be unhappy with Monty about something.
But everything was such a huge blur.

My mom studied me for a moment.
"The doctor is keeping you over night, and because you're taking time off from school right now. You shouldn't have a problem with that." She said now.
I nodded.
"Yeah no, its not a problem.. It's actually relieving, I could use some solitude." I confessed.
My mom frowned at that.
"Do you want me to go get Sage and the others?" She asked.

I smiled softly.
"If you don't mind." She hugged me as she kissed my temple.
"I'll check back in before I head home with your siblings." She told me, leaving the room with the other two.

I lied there, listening to the sound of my monitor beeping at me.
Until Sage's figure came into view.
I didn't even hear the door open, not to mention.
Anyone coming in.

Sage crossed her arms.
"How're you feeling?" She asked me.
I frowned at her.
"Sore, very sore." I confessed with a soft sigh.
Carter frowned.
"Do you remember what happened? These two were very poor at their explanations, that I didn't have much to fill Monty in on." He stated.

I looked to Bryce and Sage, she frowned.
"You were attacked by a vampire tonight, in your room." She told me.
Carter looked to her frowning.
"But who?" He demanded now.
She looked to him then to me.
"Emberly is a vampire, Lexi." She stated.

My blood ran cold.
Suddenly everything was coming back to me.
I remember writing in my journal.
Emberly coming in to talk.
And then she bit me..
Tears burned my eyes.

"Where is Emberly?" I asked them now.
Bryce shrugged.
"She bolted after you screamed for her to get out, we don't know where she went." He told me.
I glared now.
"You're such a big help." I told him.
He glared at me.
"Don't get pissed at me Lexi, I'm still trying to take in that our childhood friend is a fucking vampire." He spat.
"You don't think I'm upset about that?!" I demanded.

"Whoa okay you two." Carter stepped in, he looked to me.
"We're going to step out and let you breathe for a moment, before we even give the okay for Monty and the others to come in." He told me.
I stared for a moment.
"Carter." I grabbed his sleeve as he looked at me concerned.
"What is it?" He asked.
I looked at him.
"Did he come?" I asked him.
Carter studied me for a moment, before sighing.
"Yes." He told me, leaving the room.

Why would Joshua come here?
I hated him!
I will always hate him.
He killed my dad.
Why should I even allow Monty and them to even visit me?
Monty didn't value anyone's feelings anymore.
He only cared about himself.
...
Yet.
He was waiting to see me in that waiting room.

I stared out the window for the longest time, the town lighting up the sky with the lights on.
It was getting closer to Halloween.
So more people were going to become more and more festive about it.

I snapped back to reality, hearing soft taps on the door.
It was different from my mom barging in, and Sage and the other two coming in without me realizing.
But I knew those knocks belonged to Monty.
He only tapped gently if he knew I was upset at him.
Or was scared to wake me up.
One of the two.
But it usually fell back on the first option.

"Come in." I managed to say, feeling the regret as Monty and the other two trailed in behind him.
He looked like a mess.
He was at least matching, surprisingly.

His eyes fell on me and I could see so much worry.
In seconds, he was leaving the other two and at my side.
"Lexi." He said softly as I stared back at him, the tears burning my eyes.
"Monty." I whispered.
He wrapped his arms around me as I lied there, blinking back the tears that eventually fell.
This was my Monty.
Not the thing I talked to earlier today.

He looked at me.
"Do you know who attacked you?" He asked me.
I looked at him frowning.
"It was Emberly." I told him.
Jace arched a brow.

"Black hair, green eyes and super petite?" He asked.
I frowned at him.
"Yeah?" I said.
Jace smirked softly.
"I guess I could of said this a lot sooner, but I could of told you she was a vampire." He said now.
I glared at him.
"Why didn't you?" I demanded.
Jace blinked.
"Why didn't I?..Oh! It's because I don't like you." He smirked.

I frowned at him.
Monty sighed.
"I'm sorry, he's been in a mood since Carter broke in earlier." He said softly.
I looked to him.
"Broke in?" I questioned.
Monty frowned.
"In our room, he didn't knock we were-"
"About to have sex." Joshua finally stated.

My eyes fell on him, glaring.
"Don't talk." I told him.
Joshua smirked raising his hands up.
Monty looked back to me.
"But yeah..he interrupted, so Jace has kind of been sulking." He murmured.

I frowned at the two behind him.
"Why even come? You could of stayed there and Monty could of came with Carter." I stated now.
Jace glared.
"Like hell I'm letting Monty go off on his own." He spat.
"Do you not trust Carter?" I asked him.
Jace looked taken back for a moment.
"I do." He growled now.

I made a face.
"Then why-"
"There are actual dangerous vampires lurking around Cross Roads." Joshua explained.
I glared.
"I told you not to talk, I'm barely even able to tolerate you being in here." I spat.
Joshua glared.
"How about you get over the damn past already-"
"Joshua-" Monty went to say but stopped at the growl that came from the blond.
"Hush." He hissed.

"Your precious father was at the wrong place at the wrong time, and like most humans. You're supposed to move forward and get the fuck over a loss, not keep sulking like he'll magically appear." He stated.
"If that's true, why did you kill him over anger about Deidre?" I shot glaring at him.
Joshua blinked but then smirked.
"I didn't kill him over her, I killed him for aiming a gun at me and because I was bored." He shrugged.

The tears stung.
"You killed him because you were bored?! He was my father! He had a family!" I yelled.
Monty looked around panicked.
"Lexi, lower your voice. These walls are paper thin." He told me.
I stared at him in shock.
"You're worried that people will hear me?" I swallowed hard as the tears fell.
"Then let them hear me! I want them to know, that vampires are he-"

My blood ran ice cold seeing Joshua right in front of me.

"You were attacked tonight in your room, by Emberly. You hold no grudge against her, and you will continue to live your life as you have. Three weeks ago, your father was killed by a vampire who happened to be me. Joshua Morris, again. You hold no grudge against him either, you have decided to move forward and won't continue to live in the past. You are in love with Carter Jensen, who happens to be a vampire as well. Your life revolves around humans and vampires, who you have promised to keep secret from other humans, or else your boyfriend and best friend will both either die or have to move away." Joshua said keeping his eyes locked with Lexi's.

Monty stood there with furrowed brows.
Lexi just stared blankly for a moment.

"What did you do?" Monty glared.
Joshua looked to him.
"I think I just saved all of our asses, because your little friend here was about to have a god damn break down, Monty." He growled.

Jace looked to Monty.
"He's right, and unlike my compulsion. His actually will last and it won't fade, she'll believe what he said until she dies." He explained.
"What if she does break from it?" Monty questioned.
Joshua looked to them.
"Then we'll either use it again, or I'll kill her. I won't be threatened by a human." He said walking over to them.

"I did you a favor, kitten. You didn't want to lose her right? Well there you go, she'll go back to believing you're best friends and won't bitch any time she sees me." He glanced to Jace.
Then looked down at Monty.
"I'm expecting a thank you, Joshua." He said now.
Monty stared off.
"Monty." Joshua frowned.

Monty looked up.
"Thank you." He said softly now.
Joshua smirked.
"You're welcome, now lets get the fuck out of here. Hospitals depress me." He said.
----
Two week's passed after that.

I lied on my bed, Sage's head on my stomach.
"Don't you have a guy to see?" I asked tired.
Sage turned over on her stomach now.
"Don't you have a boyfriend who was supposed to be over, an hour ago?" She teased.
I smirked.
"Carter has to deal with things at home, before he can come over." I told her.
She smirked now.
But it died down.

"Lexi." She sat up as I joined her.
"What is it?" I asked.
She looked at me.
"Are you really okay with this? Carter told us that Joshua used compulsion on you to forget and to forgive." She said now.
I blinked then ran a hand through my hair.
"Honestly.. I think I'm okay with it? I do feel good knowing that my boyfriend told me, instead of keeping it from me.. and I hate to admit it, but Joshua actually did me a favor by using the compulsion.." I nibbled my bottom lip.

"I don't have that weight in my chest weighing me down with emotions, and I don't feel angry seeing Joshua or Jace in the hallway anymore. I just want Monty to come back to school." I brought my knees to my chest.
Sage frowned softly.
"I still blame myself, you know." She said now.

"And I wish you wouldn't." I looked to my door, seeing Monty against the frame. Grinning at us.
Letting out an excited squeal, I jumped out of bed and hugged the other.
He smirked.
"Hi there." He greeted.
"Hi." I took his hand and brought him to the bed, to join us.

We all sat cris cross, facing each other.
"And now it feels like eighth grade, all over again." Monty complained.
Sage smirked.
"Remember when we did this when we talked about who had a crush on who?" She teased.
I rolled my eyes but grinned.
"Monty had the biggest crush on Parker Cruz." I grinned as Monty groaned.
"Can we not talk about who I had a crush on? What about you guys?" He grinned.

"I remember Sage drolling over Maggie for the longest, until she found out Maggie had a girlfriend, and then started to crush on Tyler Harris." He said now.

Sage let out an embarrassed cry.
"Don't remind me about that." She whined.
"I couldn't face either of them after what happened with Charlie." She said.
Monty made a face.
"He didn't break your heart though, he broke mine. Not to mention my pride." He stated.
Sage blinked.
"Oh right." She smirked.

I rolled my eyes but smiled looking to Monty.
"I'm glad they let you come alone." I said now.
Monty frowned.
"They're actually outside waiting in the truck." He told me.
Both Sage and I paled looking at him.
"You're joking, right?" I asked.
He shook his head.
"Unfortunately not, Jace is pretty stubborn about keeping me safe." He told us.

Sage frowned.
"And now you have Joshua to add on to that fuel for protection.. damn, I'm kind of jealous." She confessed.
Monty made a face.
"Don't be, nothing is more awkward than trying to have sex with Jace, when Joshua comes in and joins. You literally have no idea where to put your hands." His face grew dark now.

I smirked.
"Who would of thought our cinnamon friend would turn out to be into threesomes." I teased.
"Shut up, Lexi!" Monty cried but stopped at the sound of the truck horn blowing.
He crawled out of bed.
"You're leaving?" I questioned.
Monty walked over to the door with a soft sigh.
"I'll be over more when this transitioning bullshit is finally over with." He said heading out of the room.

I sat there, biting my gum as Sage looked to me.
"Can I be honest with you?" She asked.
I arched a brow.
"Aren't you always?" I smiled.
She smiled then sighed.
"So before Monty started dating Jace, I actually thought you two would of ended up together." She confessed.
I looked at her frowning.
"You mean you didn't see me and Bryce getting together like everyone else?" I asked.

She made a gag face.
"Fuck no, I was on team Lexi and Monty all the way. You two were always being cute together and constantly flirting, I really thought it was going to happen." She shrugged.
"But then came along the vampires, and Jace snatched him right up." She said.
I smiled softly.
"Don't forget about Carter, I actually had a lot of interest in him." I reminded her.
She rolled her eyes.
"We're not talking about your other vampire babe, we're talking about you and Monty." She laid on her stomach now, kicking her legs back and forth.

"Be honest, before you and Carter started seeing more of each other. Did you even have the slightest feelings for Monty?" She asked.
I looked at her then shrugged.
"I'm not sure, I mean he's been my best friend after Em left. He was that filler, and then you came into the picture." I smiled softly.
"And honestly, romantic feelings barely crossed my mind. Yeah, Monty is attractive and he was available. But I didn't want to fuck our friendship up." I explained.

She nodded.
"That's fair." She said now.
I smiled softly.
"Have you heard from Bryce today?" I asked her now.
She frowned.
"He's more wrapped up with Lucy, you know not keeping it in his pants and constantly being overly romantic with her." She told me.

I sighed laying back.
"Maybe shes the one," I mocked as I stared up at the ceiling.
Sage made a face.
"She has quite the personality, I've only seen her a few times and after that. She's usually eating Bryce's face." She said.
"Maybe that's why Parker always bails on hanging with her? You know, before Bryce. I heard she had a the reputation of being a whore." I said now.

"What are you two talking about?" My head shot up, seeing Bryce at the door now.
Holding slushy's with an arched brow.
Sage blinked.
"Oh, your whore of a girlfriend." She said without missing a beat.
My eyes grew wide as Bryce rolled his.
"Fuck off, she's not a whore." He said handing me my coconut slush.
Immediately I took a drink, regretting it.

"Where's she even at?" I asked as a headache appeared.
Bryce pulled out his phone.
"Band practice." He answered then looked at us.
"Was Monty here?" He asked.
I frowned but nodded.
"Yeah, but it was a short visit." I told him.

Bryce took a drink of his cherry slush.
"Must be that time of the day that he becomes a slut." He said.
I glared.
"He's not a slut, don't call him that." I told him.
Bryce arched a brow.
"He opens his legs to two different guys, Lexi." He pointed out.

"Its polyamory." Sage said now with her arms crossed, sipping her pineapple slush.
"A normal relationship for the vampires." She added.
"I don't buy it." Bryce shrugged.
"Well that's you." I said sitting my drink aside.
Bryce looked at me.
"So if Carter brought along another guy, wanting him to date you as well. Would you?" He asked.

I blinked.
"No, mainly because Carter is actually straight. And I'm more devoted to him, than I am to anyone else." I told him.
"What about a girl?" Bryce questioned.
"Again no, because I'm straight." I smirked at him.

His eyes fell on Sage.
"What about you, Sage? You into this polyamory thing?" He asked her.
Sage took a drink.
"Honestly? I don't know, I'm into Sterling but if he wanted to add another person. I actually would probably try it out, it doesn't make us sluts. It just means, we have a lot of love to give. And we're okay with sharing our partners, or being shared." She explained.

He frowned then pulled out his phone.
"Ah, she's done. Well, I'm gone. See you guys in school tomorrow." He said heading out.

I sat there then looked to Sage.
"Maybe we should schedule a double date." I told her now.
She arched a brow.
"Between you me, Carter and Sterling?" She asked.
I nodded with a grin.
"We're high schoolers, Sage. We should be going on dates with our vampire boyfriends, and making memories. Not staying at home wondering when they're free." I said.
Sage thought for a moment but then smiled.
"Sure, okay yeah. I can talk to Sterling tomorrow to see if he'd be interested." She told me.
I nodded with a grin.
----
The next day.
Sage walked over to the lockers, where Sterling had been talking to Joshua and Stella.
Their eyes fell on her as she began to feel anxiety actually kick in.
Sterling looked to her.

"Hey Sage." He greeted with a kind smile.
She smiled softly.
"Hey.. are you free tonight?" She asked him.
Sterling's expression fell as he frowned softly.
"I actually am not.. Devin needs help from me with paperwork, were you needing me?" He asked the other.

Sage frowned.
"Oh.. I was just going to see if you'd be interested in a double date with me Lexi and Carter." She said now.
Sterling frowned softly.
"We could resche-"

"I can fill in his spot, if you want." Stella said now, leaning against the locker.
Joshua smirked wickedly at her offer.
Sterling seemed hesitant.
"I don't know Ste-"
"No, that's fine. She can come." Sage looked at him trying to look positive.
Sterling looked to her.
"Are you sure, Sage? I can finish the paper work ear-"

"Let Stella go on this date, Sterling." Joshua smirked at him.
"If your girlfriend is open to having Stella be her date tonight, then just let it happen. Stella is usually the most mature out of our group, anyway." He grinned.
Sterling still seemed hesitant.

"Is that okay with you, Sage?" He asked her.
She blinked, her eyes falling on Stella who smiled at her.
Trying not to blush, she looked back at him.
"Its fine with me." She told him.
Sterling frowned but nodded, his eyes on Stella now.

Stella walked up to her.
"What time?" She asked.
Sage was having an impossible time trying to control the blush, that was trying to spread.
"Tonight at nine." She said.
Stella grinned.
"Cool, see you tonight love." She said walking away as the bell went off.

Sage stood there, trying to find the will to breathe.
A date with Stella?
..
This could turn out interesting.
And she could only hope.

Nothing would go wrong.