6

Disappointment.

That's what I feel right now. I can't believe Apollo is in this place... and with Kara. Knowing that I had seen her wink at him. Knowing that I hated her in that moment, and I'm not someone who usually hates people.

I wanted to go over there to get an explanation. I deserve one. I clenched my hands and prepared to stand up, but Thomas arrived with two beers just then.

"Where do you think you're going?" he smiled sideways. "You weren't going to leave me... were you?"

I looked at him. Despite the dim lighting, his eyes had a special sparkle. His expression changed when he noticed my sad face.

"What's wrong?" he sounded concerned. He put the beers on the table and then looked at me, waiting for an answer.

"Apollo," I replied, pointing with my chin at his table.

He clenched his jaw upon hearing his name and turned to see. Then he looked back at me.

"So, he was Kara's companion," he murmured more to himself.

I frowned.

"I... I shouldn't have come here," I commented.

I looked back at Apollo, drinking beer and laughing at some joke Kara had made, then putting his elbows on the table and running his hands through his hair.

Thomas moved closer to me and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. His touch made me shiver. I looked into his eyes, those dark and piercing eyes that seemed to be pleading.

"You shouldn't be suffering for him. You deserve more than that."

His words got to me. Maybe he was right. But Apollo wasn't bad. I knew something was wrong with him, but he didn't trust me enough to tell me, and that... that breaks me. Everything breaks me. Sad moments break me, and I just fall apart. I'm so weak. I wish I weren't like this, I wish I were stronger and didn't let bad things bring me down.

"You don't know him... He..." I started to say, but he interrupted me.

"First of all, that guy is not going to ruin our night," he said. "And second, we're leaving here." He grabbed my arm.

"But..."

He didn't listen.

I turned toward Apollo, only to see him looking at me. I felt my heart stop. He looked at me. He's looking at me. And now I don't know what to do.

"Thomas," I pulled away.

He looked at me questioningly.

Apollo got up from his chair and walked determinedly toward me... Correction, toward Thomas, leaving Kara, who was saying something to him, alone.

Ha, take that.

Thomas took a step in front of me, rigid.

"What are you doing with her?!" he spat. I jumped a little at hearing him speak like that, so angrily. It was the first time, and it scared me a bit.

Apollo didn't even look at me.

"That's none of your business," Thomas said calmly, as if he wasn't afraid of him.

I have to do something.

"Leave her alone. I'm warning you. She's my..." he paused, "girlfriend. And I don't want you near her."

I closed my eyes. He hesitated. He doubted I was his girlfriend.

Gathering my courage, I stepped between them before Thomas could say anything else. I looked at Apollo defiantly. I love him. But I have to learn not to be weak. Not with him.

His gaze softened.

"First of all," my voice trembled, "you have no right to tell me who I should go out with or not. Thomas is a friend. Unlike Kara, who was blatantly flirting with you."

I crossed my arms and lifted my chin. He looked down because he knew it was true.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, embarrassed.

My heart ached to see him vulnerable. I raised my trembling hands and cupped his face in them.

"Why don't you talk to me? What's wrong with you?" I finally asked.

He didn't look at me.

"Anne, you don't have to beg him. Let's go," Thomas said behind me.

Then Apollo looked up.

"Let's go somewhere else," he proposed, gently taking my hand. I gave him a half-smile and turned, regretfully, to Thomas.

He stood with his arms crossed, looking serious. His super messy hair gave him a seductive and bad-boy look. His gaze conveyed disappointment.

"Anne?" he whispered my name, waiting for my answer. I didn't miss that he didn't call me little Anne.

"I'm sorry, Thomas, but I'm going with Apollo."

He said nothing. He just stood there, watching me. God! Why does he look so vulnerable? So... sad?

Apollo led me to the exit. I had many questions to ask him.

---

When we got home, we sat on the couch. The whole car ride had been in uncomfortable silence. We even seemed like strangers.

He looked at me. I could see a mischievous spark in his eyes, but he managed to hide it.

I couldn't help but blush.

"I've never seen you in a dress before," he confessed, smiling. "It looks perfect on you."

"Well... Th-thanks."

I don't know why I'm so shy with Apollo and with Thomas I'm... myself.

"Anne, I don't know what to tell you," he rubbed his face.

I took a deep breath.

"Just tell me the truth," I pleaded.

I was so tired.

He looked at me, nodding.

"Anne, a few weeks ago I..." and then his phone rang. He answered it, frowning. "Tell me, Kayler." The other person spoke, and I didn't know what had happened, but Apollo's scared expression said it all.

Well, something.

"I'm on my way."

He hung up.

I blinked several times, not understanding.

"What happened?"

"Sorry, Anne, but something came up and I have to go now. I'll tell you later."

He got up and left through the door, not giving me time to say anything.

"Goodbye," I whispered to no one.

Instead of staying with Thomas and enjoying the night, I just wasted time. It's like destiny doesn't want me to know the truth.

I took out my phone and wanted to send a message to Thomas, but cursed under my breath because I didn't have his number.

I grabbed my car keys and prepared to leave, but I stopped in my tracks when I realized what I was about to do: I was going to meet another guy who wasn't my boyfriend. And with Thomas. That cynical and depraved guy. Guys like him aren't for me. But I admit that being with him is... fun. And most importantly, I can be myself, and he doesn't judge me. He doesn't treat me with pity. On the contrary, he does everything to make me feel uncomfortable.

I smiled.

Then I frowned. Why did I smile? I have to stay away from Thomas at all costs.

But if he's the one looking for you, whispered my inner voice, and it was true. In that case... I'll have to avoid him, yes, that's what I'll do.

In the end, I went up to my room and put on my pajamas. This night was over.

---

"You have a lot to tell me," Carolina said when she arrived at the library table and sat next to me.

I frowned, looking at her.

"Like what?" I inquired, looking back at the book.

"Apollo," she answered as if it were the most obvious thing. "What's going on with you two?"

I adjusted my glasses.

I only wore them for reading.

And, apparently, she hadn't missed the fact that Apollo and I... well, we're not hanging out as much.

"I don't know what you want me to tell you since I don't know anything either," I replied.

Silence.

"Apollo isn't the same, I mean, I don't know him as well as you, but I've noticed him acting strange. Down. Now he even drinks," she commented.

Well, it's good to know I'm not the only one having a hard time here.

I took off my glasses and looked at her. She was right. Something was wrong. And we were going to find out.

"Anne, you always joined me in my crazy adventures. Now, I'm going to return the favor," she smiled sincerely.

"Spy on him?" I asked.

Though I had already done that a few days ago. And then I remembered Thomas. I hadn't seen him all afternoon.

But that's for the best.

"Of course!" she stood up and took my hand. "Come on, they're at the soccer field right now."

I didn't object and just let her lead me. We almost ran out of the library, but we stopped abruptly when we nearly collided with a guy.

Wow. He's the palest guy I've ever seen. I noticed how Carolina tensed up immediately.

That guy was tall and dressed all in black. I had never seen him before, but the psychopathic smile on his pale face gave me a bad feeling.

"Who are you?" I asked.

He looked at us as if he had been searching for us and finally found us. But the words that came out of Carolina's mouth completely threw me off:

"He's a vampire."