Thoughts, Goodbyes, and Memories
School.
I still manage to find something to hate about it, vampire or not! This year it wasn't the teachers or the students, or any of the usual troubles. This year, Meredith and Vlad were dating. This year, I was in so much pain I felt as if I was numb. I felt every blow pile up inside me, but my body seemed so numb I could do nothing but wait for the next painful attack.
Meredith seemed to be everywhere I was supposed to be. If I walked to meet Vlad at the front of the school, she was there. If I wanted to flirt shamelessly with the one I love, she'd be there. If I wanted just a small moment with him by our lockers, she was there. When I at least wanted lunch with him, she was there. It seemed as though I couldn't escape her!
I hold no ill will toward her for being the reason my heart is breaking. If Vlad cares for her, I do as well. It is my natural instinct as his mate I guess. I love what he loves, if I want to or not.
I walked up the porch to my house and went up to my room after shouting hellos to everyone. Aunt Matilda has been trying to get me to open up to her since the summer started. I suppose she could see I have been going through plenty of hard times. It bothered me but what could I do about it? She was still a clueless human; I am forbidden to tell her anything at all. My uncle understands my need for space and he offers it to me and is open when I want him to be. Greg is just... Greg.
Henry on the other hand is the only one in my family I can talk to. That or Joss, but I have promised myself I would not even speak his name aloud again. So I turn to Henry. I found him lying on my bed with his head hanging off the foot of the bed. I tossed my back pack toward him, it landing on his stomach and she sat up in pain.
"Hey to you too Cuz." He said with fake pain, he shoved my backpack so it hit the floor. I smiled and laughed while unlocking the mini refrigerator.
"Other than the classes I had with you, how was your day?" I asked while ripping apart a blood bag and pouring it into my dry mouth.
"Its school, do you have to ask?" He said and I rolled my eyes while getting a second bag.
"You sound exactly like Amelia." I smiled and collapsed on the bed next to him. He grinned triumphantly. If only Amelia hadn't made me promise not to tell him of her secret love. They would be really cute together.
"What about my driving lesson?" He asked and I grunted while slamming my hands to my face. I tossed and turned as he continued to grin at me. "You promised!"
"Fine! Come on!" I stood off my bed and Henry followed. I went to my Uncle and explained my reasons for the keys to the car. He handed them over carelessly. He knew I could drive and I was very skilled at it too. I got in the driver's seat and Henry sat next to me. I took him to an empty parking lot and I took the keys out as we switched sides. He buckled up and I did as well. At least that's a sign that he won't be too bad of a student.... I hope.
"First you put the key in the ignition." I reluctantly placed the keys in the hands of an excited, hyper Henry. He did as told and started the car. "Okay, now check your mirrors. Are you good?"
He reached up and moved one mirror then seemed fine. "Yeah, I got it."
"So grab this," I pointed the lever. "And moved it to 'Drive'." He did as told and turned to me with his normal Henry-grin. "Push very gently on the gas petal." I pointed to which leg and he slowly did as told. The car inched forward and Henry smiled and laughed evilly.
After that the driving lesson went along great; Henry was a nervous wreck as a driver. This scared me because that made him unsure of what he wanted to do.
I was on high alert, but that didn't stop what was about to happen.
"Henry! Go that way!" I screamed at the top of my lungs. Henry rushed to try and stir the car away from the tree but nonetheless, we still managed to crash. I covered my head with my arms and screamed at the impact and I heard Henry doing the same. The car finally stopped and I slowly opened my eyes. I saw that he succeeded in missing the tree. But we still ran right over a giant bush.
"Henry!" I grunted in anger.
"I didn't mean to!" He started to give me the puppy-dog face in a matter of seconds!
"I'm going to kill you!" I shook him by the shoulders; Henry just laughed. Slowly I stopped shaking him and started to look around. As I did I began laughing with him. Soon neither of us could control our laughter. I quickly taught him how to reverse so we could get out of the bush. Once we were back on the parking lot I got out to see if the car was still intact. I saw that it was perfectly fine except for a small scratch that my uncle would never even notice.
"You better be happy you didn't hit that tree!" I screamed at him. He laughed and grinned proudly that we survived. "What if we died?"
"You're immortal, why would that worry you?" He laughed more, and I giggled with him.
"Shut up!" I shoved him lightly. I then drove us home and I got in the shower. I took a nice, long, steaming hot shower but when I got out I started to rush to get dressed. I had forgotten that Otis was leaving tonight and I was to go to Vlad's and say goodbye. I shoved on my pants from earlier today and my pajama shirt and raced out of the house. I hopped in my uncle's car and drove to Vlad's house.
I saw Otis kiss Nelly's cheek and she cried at his departure. Vlad sat on the porch and looked up sadly when he saw me driving up. I hesitated before getting out but I opened the door and steppe out of my Uncle's car.
"Otis!" I shouted as he stepped off the porch. I half ran, half flew to him and tackled him in a hug. He hugged me back and chuckled.
"I'll miss you too Mina." He said through a smile. I continued to strangle him with a hug.
"I don't want you to go." I whimpered and he sighed.
"I know, and neither does Vladimir or Nelly. But I have to go, and you know that."
"I understand, but everything will be harder without you Otis." I told him while hugging him tighter. He sighed sadly. "You took me in as my vampire teacher and taught me everything D'Ablo was supposed to. He left me for dead and you helped me, and you helped me with other things..." I slighted tilted my head toward Vlad.
"If I were ever to have a child, a vampire child at least, I somehow knew she would be a lot like you." I smiled a faint tinge of pink on my cheeks. "You are a wonderful young woman, and an even more extraordinary vampiress." He pulled me back and smiled sadly down at me from arms length.
"You will be back right?" I asked him.
"I will be if I can." He said, yet I felt as if he promise was simply air. "Remember, keep in touch." He tapped my forehead and as I blinked and smiled he turned to his car. He gave Nelly, Vlad and I one more sorrowful looked as he turned on his car.
As the car went down the drive way and down the road I found myself walking into the street to watch him. As his car faded I felt a massive amount of water fill my eyes. I brushed my right hand over my left and my tattoo glowed faintly and dimmed when I pulled my hand back. I reached into Otis's mind one last time.
"I'll miss you..."
He didn't answer, though I know he heard me. I turned my head and looked over my shoulder. I saw a weeping Nelly slowly entering the house. Vlad was also full of sadness and we met eyes. I felt more tears gush from my eyes and without a word to my love I got in the car and drove home. The minute I was alone in my room I collapsed of my bed. I missed Otis already.
After all, since my father died when I was five... he and Vikas are the closest things I have to a father. But a car took away my vampire parent just like a car took away my real parents.
