KOTA

It's already difficult being around her. Now this? I have to endure the halo edging her body. Her magnetic pull on my dead soul. The sound of her destabilizing voice. Kayla reanimates my soul without knowing she does. The organ in my chest is knotted... rigid with compression. 

My imitation heart throbs. Palpitating at her control. I thought the fever she spelled me with was impossible to handle. The inner tornado is no longer the only curse she's given me. Now...Kayla is capable of breaking my skin with one touch.  

"I'm sorry."

Kota shakes his head. "Don't be."

"I'm still learning." She peers to the side.

"My grandad says you're learning fast."

"I guess so...my shadow breathing is advancing."

"What's shadow breathing."

"I can't share that...it's top secret."

"I could use my mind trick on you."

"That'll lead to a war."

"How could I ever defend myself from your breathing?" He pokes.

"Just you wait...I'll magic you into another dimension."

"You can do that?"

"Sure can."

"I'll stay on your good side from now on..."

"You better." Kay goes back to eating. Kota scoops up some of the chili. Hmmm...it smells delicious...but will it taste the same? He cautiously inserts the spoon into his mouth and chews. The flavors are absent...it's blander than bland. Flavorless as water. His tongue has no active receptors. But the scent is enough to fool him as if he has tastebuds. "What does it taste like?" Kayla mutters lowly.

"Nothing." He mimics her whispering. "But it smells incredible."

"So strange!"

"Yes...this is strange." Haley approaches their table. "I don't understand why the new boy is so smitten with you when I'm here." Her pink squad stands behind her. They each sport leather jumpsuits, handbags, and sunglasses. "I have status...Kayla Harris doesn't...so rethink this little alliance." She sits on the ledge of the table facing Kota. "How about we go to the Golden Leaf dance?" The ice queen crosses her legs to demonstrate dominance.

I don't like her at all. Kayla was right...she's rotten. Haley insults, then tries to get her way. And she's blocking my view of the true queen bee. "No, thank you...I don't care for ugliness." He quotes his mother.

"Ugh!" Haley scoffs, furrowing her forehead like an angry feline. "Do you know how many guys want to go with me?!"

"I honestly don't care."

Haley stomps from the table. "Have fun being tagged a loser!"

Kota shakes his head. "Ignore her. She's jealous of your talent...and that you have the new school toy at your disposal."

Kay stabs at the beans. "Yeah....I guess."

Aww, she's scarred by the queen's words. "Hey." He leans forward. "You're the one who ruled the stage, not her. That's true status...not high school popularity."

"You didn't want to be popular at your old school?" She keeps her eyes on the plate to hide her bashfulness.

"No...never."

She peeks at him with a light simper. "Thanks for cheering me up."

"Anytime, princess."

Kayla laughs. "I'm not!"

"You live in a glass castle."

"It's more like a tower." She giggles.

The bell chimes. He observes how her eyes drain of delight. Why is she sad? "What is it?"

"Lunch flew by too fast..."

"We have tomorrow." Kota looks on the bright side, although he doesn't want to leave either.

"True..." Kay huffs. "I'll see you then." She hesitantly rise from the table.

"See you then." He grins, lingering to the musical note from the core of her soul. The memorable tune of strings of an orchestra. Kota hates when it fades away. Hates when she's swallowed by the crowd. I want to ask her if she knows this. Does she know her soul has a song? Does she know her body generates music? His heart thrash his ribcage...before going limp from the lack of her aura.

KAYLA

Every time I blink...I see his delightful face. The blackness of my eyelids hold his image. They're stained. It's believing that such a luminous boy can belong to hell. Kota belongs to the sky...he deserves wings...not fangs. He's very ordinary for a vampire. Not once did I spot him struggle with being part of a human herd. I'll have to ask him how that's possible.

History is still stuck on the same subject...only this time, the class has to draw what they think is in the vampire dugout. An illustration is needed for the last assignment, which was to write a prediction essay. The students are ordered to remain silent for the duration of the period.

Kayla isn't for this choice; all the quietness does is give her an excuse to think about Kota. So...he doesn't like mean girls? That's good to know. I was worried. I liked how he stuck up for me...and how he refused her invite. But that won't be the last girl to ask him out. He traps them in as the piped piper does pests.

After school, Kayla is given more proof to her conclusion. Kota is at his locker, while dozens of girls check him out from head to toe. She overhears one say, "I think he's hot now...forget what I said about strangeness."

"Amber, you switch change sides!" Her friend quarrels.

"Yes, I can...he's hot...especially since he rejected Haley. I should ask him out."

Wow...even the ones who were creeped out, now fantasize about him. The girls who were turned off are now full of thirst. Kayla studies Kota...speculating what it is that has once disgusted girls suddenly attracted to him. It has to be the vampire curse. "Kayla!" Darius calls her. Oh, right...we agreed to makeout after school. I forgot!

She shifts around. "Darius!"

He hungrily smooches her as if starving. Kay can't help but fall to pieces under the touch of his lips. After all, she does love him...but she hates that he didn't wait. We planned to do this in private...not right in front of people! What is he thinking?? Why would he do this? Everyone sees...Kota sees. "Let's go!" His horniness cuts clear through his deep tone.

Kayla doesn't dare look back....because she knows what she'll find. Kota is crushed. Shattered to fragments because of the truth. He doesn't have a chance. I feel horrible. I should have told him I'm not single. I lead him on. I don't want Kota to know I'm taken.

Haley was right about him being smitten. I'm into Kota the same way he's into me. Gran was right...I have a crush. But I can't choose because it'll hurt both of the guys I want. She was also right when she said, it's normal to like two boys. Those words couldn't be any truer.

Darius rounds multiple corners, scoping out the perfect spot to have their mouth feast. Darius goes a good distance, so they're not interrupted. The chattering hall is miles away. The back of the school is secluded. "Okay...here is fine."

"I wasn't able to tell my grandma the lie. She'll come looking for me."

"We should make it quick then..." He grabs her hips. Tugging her into a swooping kiss. Her arms hang from his neck. He props her against the wall, deepening his mouth. Kay hopes for the same passion to engulf her. But his effect on her body is absent. I usually enjoy kissing him...but for some reason, I feel nothing. I'm stressed...and distracted by Kota. Her pecking isn't as ferocious as his. Darius is caught off guard by her limp lips. He stops to assess her face. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing..." 

"No...it's something...tell me."

"There's just a lot going on. I'm stressed. Sorry...I should've told you."

"What has you stressed?"

I wasn't expecting him to ask this. Quick! I need to give an excuse! Any excuse besides Kota. "I'm not in ballet anymore...my dad terminated my classes."

"Oh, no...but ballet is your everything!"

"It is..." She agrees....thankful that he believed her lie. "I'm sorry about today...we can try again tomorrow."

"Anything you want."

"So, you're...cool with stopping? I mean, don't guys stay..." She tries hinting at aroused in a friendly manner. "Ready for it?"

"I'll be okay." He laughs.

"Are you sure?"

"You can make it up to me on the radio."

"Okay...that's fair." She tiptoes to clasp her lips to his. She's sure to give a long one, hoping it voices how sorry she is. I really don't want to harm him...or Kota. I want to protect both of them. Does that make me horrible? Am I being a bad girlfriend? Or a good pal to Kota? He has feelings for me...I just want to protect his heart.