Rose Blossom (11 page)

             
As we got in her car she chattered my ear off about her boyfriend and homework. I tried to pay attention but my mind was on the evening and seeing Julian, maybe I was a bad friend. But everything she was talking about seemed so trivial now that I was in love with a vampire.

             
We pulled in front of my house and I was appalled to see Athol standing on our front lawn, back pack in hand smiling at us. I quickly turned to Mel and hissed, "Did you set this up Mel?"

             
She looked taken back and shook her head, "No Rho, I promise, I wouldn't do that to you."

             
We got out of the car and approached him carefully, just as I was about to tell him to get lost my front door opened and my mom stepped out.

             
"Rhodanthe, you're home, good." She gave me what I called her Stepford smile, "Athol dropped by to ask you about notes from one of your classes and I invited him to stay for your movie night, you never get to spend any time with him and he's such a sweet boy."

             
I had to bite my lip to stop from saying anything, my parents were letting me go to Mel's Halloween party and I so did not want to fight with my mom on the chance she'd change her mind.

             
Instead I settled for a glare at Athol who gave me a fake wide-eyed innocent look. I stomped past him into the house, Mel on my heels.

             
"Why didn't you tell him to go away?" Mel whispered as we hung up our book bags and slipped off our shoes.

             
"I was going to, but mom is letting me go to your party and I don't want to fight," I mumbled. She gave a tiny yip and a mock happy dance and we linked arms walking to the living room.

             
"I can't believe it, that's awesome!" she exclaimed. I felt stupid; I had totally forgotten to tell her that I was going.

             
"Yeah, Julian convinced them." I said sheepishly.

             
"Then I take back everything negative I've ever said about him." We sat down.

             
"What about whom?" Athol asked, sitting down next to me.

             
"Nothing," I glared at him, "so what movie should we watch?"

             
"I have one if you don't mind: "Interview with a Vampire"," Athol said, merrily.

             
"Oooh! I love that movie; Brad Pitt is so damn fine!" Mel curled her legs under her and with a glare at Athol I started the movie.

             
I sat stiff and uncomfortable, barely paying attention to the movie. I kept glancing toward the clock and when that wasn't stealing my attention, Athol was. He watched my every move, as if he suspected that my movie night with Mel wasn't the only plan I had.

             
After we finished watching "Interview" my mother brought us veggie dogs. I didn't talk much during dinner, but Athol and Mel chatted about everything from school to their own dysfunctional families. The food stuck in my throat, I was excited and nervous about sneaking out and meeting Julian.

             
We were just sitting down to watch "Clerks" when my father came home, he paused looking in on us, his eyes traveled from Mel to Athol and he cocked his head at me.

             
"Hey guys just start the movie without me, I'm gonna say hi to my dad," I told them and stood up. I followed dad into his study, he sat behind his desk and took off his glasses.

             
"What's up Rose?" He asked.

             
"Mom set it up so Athol could intrude on Mel and mine's movie night," yes it was a bit whiny but I was well and truly annoyed.

             
"Your mom is just doing what she thinks is best hun," dad shrugged, "but I'll have a talk with her okay?"

             
I let out the breath I had been holding, "Really? Dad that would be great! I just don't need her butting in any more than she already does."

             
"I understand baby, but you better get back out there and at least pretend to have fun." dad said.

             
I was turning to go when he chuckled and added, "Oh and Rose I'll leave the front door unlocked."

             
I swiveled and stared at him, he winked at me and astonished, I left him to return to my tortuous evening.

             
Athol left around 10pm right as Mel decided she wanted to watch "The Holiday". I was so relieved that he was gone I was able to relax and actually began to enjoy my time with Mel, we laughed, talked and I made us the non-salted, non-buttered popcorn my mom bought.

             
The movie had just gotten to where Amanda finally cries, which was always my favorite part, when I noticed Mel had fallen asleep. My eyes found the time instantly. It was 11:30. I could feel my cheeks aching at my smile. I covered Mel with a blanket and crept up the stairs.

             
I grabbed a jacket and checked on my parents, they had both been asleep for a few hours, but even so I opened their door a crack, light from the hallway spilling into their room illuminating their bed so I could see them. My mother had one of those lavender scented sleep masks on, and my father looked as if he was trying to get away from her, even in his sleep. I rolled my eyes and left as quickly as I was able.

             
I closed the front door quietly and turned to start down the street and practically ran into Athol. He was just standing, waiting in the dark and I got the instinct impression he had never left, just pretended to.

             
"What are you doing here Athol?" I asked a bite in my tone.

             
"I needed to speak with you Rho; you need to break up with Julian. He's dangerous! Please believe me," he tried to block my path when I tried to walk past him.

             
"Athol, back off, go away," I gave him a little shove and walked away, he followed me closely. I was upset; if Athol was with me when Julian showed up he would be furious.

             
"You'll get hurt if you stay with him Rhodanthe, it's in your best interest to break up with him," Athol warned me. I tried to walk faster but the last thing I needed was for Athol to be with me and to have an attack when Julian saw me. All I could do was hope Julian was late.

             
But it seemed luck was not with me, when we rounded the corner, Athol was still muttering my ear off and there was Julian leaning against the front of his truck waiting for me. The look in his eyes when they focused on Athol was one of the scariest things I had ever seen. The same darkness over shadowed his face, it was like being in the presence of a wild animal.

             
I went to him and wrapped myself around him; I could feel the tension leaking off of every inch of him, "Please don't be upset I didn't ask him here he followed me." I murmured into his ear. He relaxed but barely, then pushed me off of him and walked away from us.

             
My heart began to race, the blood left my face and my breathing became a bit irregular as I heard the deep foreboding warning growl that issued from Julian's throat.

             
"If you knew what was best you'd leave and stop bothering Rhodanthe, Athol," Julian's voice might have been quiet but it was deadly.

             
"I will tonight, but you won't always be around," Athol looked a little scared but his voice came across as threatening. He turned and ran off.

             
Not even a second after Athol disappeared into the night Julian had turned around and was cupping my face, meeting my eyes with his own. He looked normal again and I was too afraid to ask about the shadow I'd seen.

             
"Breathe my Rose blossom, breathe. I know your mom invited him tonight. I am not angry with you, nor could I ever be. Do not worry. However," his face became more intense, "I implore you, please be more careful, there is something not right about Athol."

             
I rested my head on his chest for a few moments so I could settle down. Then before I even knew what had happened I was in the Ford, buckled and Julian was pulling away from the curb.

             
"Man! Julian would you not use those weird vampire powers on me!" I exclaimed.  He just laughed, giving me the brilliant smile that made my heart flutter in a not so bad way.

             
"Now there is something you should know; while Loretta, Avalon and I drink mainly animal blood, Antoinette does not," Julian began to tell me. I had pretty much figured it out however, piecing together what Avalon had told me with when I had met them all.

             
"She is allergic to animal blood, it's rare but it does happen, but I assure you, she is well fed tonight and you are safe," he reached a hand out and took mine, "I would never let anything happen to you." The ferocity in his eyes warmed me.

             
"I know Julian," I smiled and raised his hand to my lips. Curious though as to
what
Antoinette DID drink. So I asked.

             
“Oh, willing donors, you’d be surprised at how good feeding can feel. She takes what she needs and leaves no memory of her presence behind.” Julian acted like it was the simplest thing in the world. I was just glad she didn’t kill anyone.

             
We reached our destination, I got out of the truck and gasped, it was a moon lit swimming hole!

             
"I didn't bring a suit Julian!" I pouted at him as he came around to my side. But I should have known better, he handed me a black one piece.

             
"Now change behind those trees, this should fit you perfectly," he caressed my cheek and then walked away, stripping as he went. My eyes followed him to the water's edge; his pale skin glistened in the moonlight. I felt a strange sensation in my belly as my eyes raked over his muscled chest and his narrow hips encased in black swim trunks. Throat dry, I swallowed a few times and shook myself out of the stupor I was in.

             
I hurried over to the trees to change, Julian had been right the suit fit me beautifully. The sand was soft and squished wonderfully under my feet as I met him by the water. There was a tinge of chill to the air and I was a bit concerned that as vampires the cold water wouldn't affect them but I might freeze and I told Julian so.

             
"I would not let you freeze to death Rhodanthe, the water is warm enough, a hot spring empties into it." Julian grinned at me.

             
"Yeah, Rho we wouldn't let your fragile mortal skin turn blue from the cold or anything!" Avalon's laughter came from behind me; I turned and saw her in a dark blue two piece.

             
"Enough children, we came to swim, now let's do it," a slow southern drawl came from behind Avalon and I gave Loretta a happy glance, "we're glad you could come tonight Rhodanthe."

             
"I am too," I said.

             
"Enough talking," Julian grabbed me around the waist and dragged me into the water. He had been right, the temperature was great. Julian held me in the water and together we floated. I watched with lazy eyes as Avalon, Loretta and Antoinette swam around us.

             
We just drifted together, locked in a wonderful silence for what seemed like hours. I listened to the women talk and laugh together as Julian held me, rocking me in the warm water. Occasionally he would whisper, "I love you," kissing my lips or my neck. 

             
I had never before had a moment that went above and beyond the definition of perfection, never had I felt such love, such warmth, so safe and happy at the same time.

             
Finally when the immortals noticed that I was exhausted and my skin had wrinkled like prunes, did we get out of the water. My limbs were like jelly so Julian picked me up and held me to him. He wrapped me in a thick huge towel and situated me in his truck. I fell asleep on the ride home; my only memory was of his hand gently squeezing my knee.

             
I woke up at 10am in my own bed, dry, warm and alone. I was tucked in and no one had any clue that I had been out until almost 4 am. After dressing and making sure Mel had gotten home ok I crawled back into bed, content and determined to sleep until it was time to get ready for Mel's Halloween party.