The Cravers

10. Boy Problems

I pulled out the wrinkled paper to make sure I was at the right place. I was hesitant to ring the door but before I could second guess myself, I heard shattering glass hit the floor.

I smiled to myself. I knew I was in the right place. No one was as clumsy as Cara Curtis.

"Crap!" A girl's muffled voice approached the door. There were few clicks and turns before the door opened. 

Cara widened her eyes when it met mine. "Diana!" She grabbed me and pulled me into a very tight hug. 

"Nice to see you too!" I hugged her, breathing in her sweet scent. I didn't care how sloppy she looked in her pj's right now but she sure smelled good. "I missed you," I whispered.

"Good Lord! I missed you more!" She pulled me inside. "Err...umm...don't mind the glass. I got too carried away."

I laughed. "See, I missed this," I waved my hand around. "I missed your clumsiness."

"Hey, don't say that," she spat wryly. "Speaking of stupid, how could you forget telling me you came to New York." She clung tighter as if I wasn't real. "You smell damn good." 

I pushed her away with mirth in my eyes. "Thank you very much." I positioned myself on the black couch. "I don't have time to keep people updated anymore. I can barely keep my eyes open. Give me a break."

"I feel bad for you. Perry is strict. Bello."

I rolled my eyes. "If I got scared by one mean man than I'm doomed, Blondie."

"It's gonna be hard." She drowned her cup  and glanced at me for a long time. "You haven't changed."

"You have. You've become even sloppier." 

Worry ceased her gray eyes. I could never tell what color they were. They changed colors so often depending on her emotions. They were like mood rings. Gray for fatigue. Hazel for love. Blue for anger.

Her blond messy bun bobbed up and down. "That's not what I meant. It's your attitude. Although, I agree that you became even hotter while I got messier. But anyways that's not the case."

"What about my attitude?" I frowned.

"Your bluntness."

"I take that as a compliment." I flipped my hair over my shoulder, and gave her a defiant look.

"So...How is everything?" Cara disappeared to the kitchen.

"Eh. Not bad. I'm doing well. Shay got married last month at Rio. I accompanied Bridgette to her bonding ceremony, it was pretty lavish...something you would like." I sighed. "Other than that. Not much. I was handling some police work few weeks ago on a crime case. As you know, I like to get those dirty mafias out." I was sent to Italy for few weeks before I came to New York.

Cara smiled genuinely, giving me a hot cup of tea.  "It's good to see you again." She crossed her legs and stared at me. "How do you feel?"

 "Car, I feel awful." I confessed, bile collecting in my throat. "I keep remembering William. He's everywhere. He's haunting me."

"Di, my blunt friend. You have to forgive yourself. You have to move on." She hugged me, I leaned in. "Sometimes," she whispered quietly. "If you love someone so much, you have to let them go. It's for the best."

I nodded. "What am I gonna do?"

"Go to the Jackson Mansion."

"Why?" I wiped my eyes.

"To make peace with him. Let go of your memories. Diana, William is gone...he's not coming back. What's the point of feeling guilt for a person you were with two  centuries ago?"

I closed my eyes, breathing deep. "Okay, okay. I will try my best. Talk about yourself, have you found your soulmate yet? Is the hunt over?"

Her smile turned into a glare. "He hasn't showed up. He's an asshole!" she screamed. "I don't want to grow old alone, Di. And if he doesn't show up anytime soon, I'm not gonna grow any stronger. I'm almost twenty one." She tapped her feet furiously.

Most Cravers had bondmates and every new cycle they were obligated to renew their bond to keep their strength. Without bonding, the person might feel weaker. But the bond was not in the favor of Cara. "Asshole" as condoned him, was not willing to bond with her. The worst was, she didn't know who he was or where he was. Every cycle was like meeting your bondmate all over again. And only if she bonds with him, will she get all of her past memories.

Cara has been searching for her bondmate for few years now. But the "asshole" has been in hiding.

"I could feel him avoiding me." She scoffed, desperation in her voice. "It's so hard. What am I? A witch? I can't wait that long, I swear if he doesn't show up soon, I'm breaking the bond!"

I sighed. "You won't do that. If he looks at your pretty heart-shaped face and those lips, he will not walk away."

"I've became a lunatic, Di. I've been kissing up any guy that I feel even a tinge of attraction to." She huffed.

I hugged her tightly. "Don't worry. Prince Charming will come to your feet with your glass slippers." I stood up. "I have to go."

"Where you going?I have to tell you about Leo!"

There were some things that were touchy. And the name of Leo was one of the highest on my lists. The blood drained down my face. I carefully plopped down on the couch, fear masked behind my eyes. "Leo?"

She scoffed. "And I thought my love life was complicated. No wonder he's been calling me. I thought he wanted to talk to me, you know, have a chat or something." Jessica shook her head. "But he probably was asking of you!"

"He was?" My heart clenched. "Wait," I clutched her hand in worry. "Start over." Leo...oh, it raised so many conflicted feelings in me. "Is he planning on coming to New York?"

"Well, he will, he's your boyfriend." She shrugged.

I scratched my head, a nervous smile playing my lips. "That's the thing, I broke up with him..."

Her mouth fell open. "Oh, shit."

I sighed, "If he calls, tell him, I don't want to see or talk to him, ever again. And do not, I repeat do not give him my number. Capische?"

"This is too juicy. Will you die if you stay a little longer?" she pressed.

I gave her a sad grin. "We'll meet again. Don't worry we'll catch up on everything." I walked to the door.

"Diana," she lowered voice. "Go to Will as soon as you can. You can't live like this."

I looked over my shoulder, gripping the doorknob hard.

"I will." I murmured.