(Chapter 1- First Day Back)

"Did you hear about Chase?" Crystal asked me.

"Chase? My Chase?" I questioned.

"Yeah, Amy said that he looks different. Like his look and personality has changed." She stated.

"Changed? How?" I asked.

It's true I hadn't seen him the whole summer but how much could he have changed? I haven't really changed any and neither have my friends. The last time I talked to him he didn't seem that different. His voice and persona was still the same but that was like a week after school let out for summer.

I guess it is weird that I haven’t heard from him for quite some time. Maybe he’s hiding something from me. Not that he does that but it seems kind of strange.

"Hello earth the Ashlyn?" Crystal said waving her hand in front of my face. I quickly pulled out of my thoughts and looked at her.

"Sorry, what were you saying?"

"I said that Amy told me he was all dark and mysterious now, Oh and did I mention hot." She sang out the last part.

"Not that he wasn't before.” She quickly corrected herself. “But I had a chance to glance at him this morning and he defiantly improved if that's even possible. What do you think?"

"I don't know, I haven't seen him yet but you know good and well I don't see him like that, we're just friends remember?" I reminded her.

I mean yes, Chase was hot with his tall frame and dark hair and million dollar smile, but we have been friends since 4th grade. All I ever saw him as was my friend Chase not the hot guy that every other girl drools all over. Chase and I almost certainly never thought of each other that way. Well I didn’t anyway but I’m pretty sure he didn’t either.

"I know but when you see him you may change your mind." She sang out.

I just rolled my eyes at her. "Doubt it; that would change our whole relationship."

"Oh really, well where was that friendship when he was gone all summer and never ever called, maybe he only called you once?" She challenged.

It was true. He did only call me once but he did send me a post card from Italy, telling me he missed me and he was always busy and didn't have time to call. I guess I can't be too mad at him though. If I was in Italy the last thing on my mind would be to call, but still I would have called a little more often than him.

"He was busy, so what? Who wouldn't be? It was Italy." I defended.

"Ok whatever you say." She smiled. I could tell she didn't believe it.

Chase and I had a pretty close friendship. We were best friends so we told each other everything and we always had each other’s backs. We were close but not too close. Not like those friendships that you couldn’t see the line between friendship and dating. I didn’t even change in front of him. The most he had ever seen me in was a bikini when we went to the beach and I of course had seen him shirtless a bunch of times but that was it.

"Well here he comes. Tell me what you think of him now?" She smirked.

I quickly turned around to saw him walking toward us. When my eyes scanned his body my jaw almost hit the floor. He sure changed alright. He was buffer than before and his eyes stood out, they were almost like a golden yellow. They were mesmerizing, I could have easily gotten lost in them. He also had darker and had more grown out hair. Yep he was defiantly hotter. Even I didn't think that was possible.

Not saying he was hot. I don’t think of him that way but if I did then- Ok get back on track Ashlyn! This is Chase remember?

The distance between us was closing in and I thought Crystal was going to hit the floor. She always had a thing for him as did every other girl in school, but he never paid her any mind and now that he looked like this I wondered if her poor heart could take it.

Once he finally made it up to us and he stood looking intently at me before breaking into a smile. As his eyes held mine it felt like we were the only two people in the room. Like no one was around us and the noise in the back ground was totally drowned out cause no distractions between us. It was a strange unexplainable feeling but I couldn’t bring myself to look away from him.

"How ya been Wells?" He asked calling me by my nickname. See we had a thing between us that sometimes we called each other by our last names. It was sort of our thing, no one else used those names but us.

"Pretty good, how about you Coleman?”  

"Never better." He said pulling me into a tight hug.

Instantly I noted he felt a lot stronger than before, as if he squeezed to tight he would break every bone in my body. After a little longer than normal hug he let me go.

 "Hey do you think you could come over to my house after school today?" He asked.

"Sure as long as you’re driving. I rode with Crystal today."

"Not a problem." He smiled grabbing my hand. "Come on lets go to math"

As soon as Chase led us into the class room my heart automatically did a flip. The guy I had a crush on all last year, Josh was sitting on the opposite side of the room staring at me.

 He hasn't changed a bit other than being a little taller. He still had the same gorgeous features he always did, the ones that made my heart melt. He was always very kind to me; granted we only talked a few times last year but nice none the less. We got to know each other a little better since we were paired as partners on last year's history project. His eyes met mine and he smiled as he waved to me. I blushed a little before and waving back.

Chase and I took our seats in the back like we always did, at least that hadn’t change since last year. It was still a few minutes until class started so Chase left his stuff on his desk and said he was going to get something from his locker before class started.

While he was gone I decided to get out my sketch pad and draw a little before class started. I loved drawing, it was such a great past time. I always seemed to get my mind off things that were bothering me and just let my imagination wonder.

"It's a nice picture but I prefer my right side." Josh interrupted scaring me. When did her come over here. I don’t even remember him walking over.

He continued to smile down a my drawing in an amused manor making me curios what he was looking at.

 I followed my eyes down to my sketch and thought 'oh crap!' I was suddenly looking at a picture of Josh. When did I do this? Oh no, now he’s going to think I'm some creepy stalker.

A little embarrassed at this revelation I quickly closed the pad and blushed deeply. I’m sure I gave red a whole new color.

"Um I was practicing on my people sketches and you were the only one here" I tried to cover.

Truth is I wasn't even looking at him to begin with. I had his face in my mind the whole time. Wow that just sounded obsessed or something didn’t it?

"Well I'm glad I could be of service" He smiled still amused.

God I wish a hole would just swallow me up right now so I don’t have to endure this embarrassing moment. I’ll never be able to look at him with feeling embarrassed now.

"How was your summer?" I asked trying to make this a little less awkward.

"Pretty good, I was working most of the time as a lifeguard down at the pool."

"Ya now that you mention it I did recall seeing you there a couple of times this summer." I remembered.

"Ya you were there with your friends..." He stopped for a minute to think. "Crystal and Amy?"

"Yeah. You remembered us?" I asked slightly surprised.

"Of course I have been trying to think of ways to ask you out all summer." He admitted.

 If I had been standing I would have surely hit the floor. I can't believe Josh wanted to ask me out? I didn't even think he noticed me like that. I can’t believe the guy I have been crushing on since last year liked me back. What were the chances.

Wait maybe I was dreaming. That could happen right? Things like this just don’t happen to me.

I didn't notice how long it had been since I said anything until he spoke up again. "So how 'bout it? Would you like to go out after school today?"

My heart almost jumped out of my chest as soon as he asked. He wants me to go out with him? Now I know I have to be dreaming. I wanted screamed out in excitement that very second but held back so he would think I was weird and maybe take back his invitation or something.

"Yeah sounds like fun." I said Cooley.

It’s probably not best to let him in on how much he has an effect on me just yet. At least until we get to know each other better.

"What sounds fun?" Chase questioned walking in the door taking his place beside me.

Well this is just great. Please note the sarcasm. Realizing Chase heard me I decided to lie due to the fact he didn’t like Josh that much. I never understood it but he never bothered to explain it to me either. I think it may be due to the fact they both tried out for quarterback on the football team and Chase got the position over him. Ever since then they haven't really liked each other and went to competition over everything. So I think it best to keep this little secret to myself for now.

"Josh was just telling me about the new journalism club they have this year and suggested I take it since I love to write." I lied.

Wow that was quick thinking right there. I don’t think I’ve ever come up with something that fast in my life.

"Sure, fun" Chase said sarcastically.

I rolled my eyes at him; he can be so childish at times.

"Well, I’ll see you later I guess" Josh said and walked back to his seat.

Chase watched him giving him an unfriendly look until he was back on his side of the room as away from us.

"What did he mean see you later?" He questioned.

"Nothing it's just an expression" I said and then turned to listen to the teacher who just entered the room.

 Luckily he dropped the subject and I was relieved. I had a feeling if he kept on pressing me on the matter I was sure to break and tell him everything.

The rest of the day passed with a blur. Nothing much exciting happened and it was all just classes and lunch. There was nothing great about this school other than my friends and the hot guys. If it weren’t for that I don’t think I could even force myself to come every day.

 I was standing in the parking lot waiting for Crystal by her car when Chase walked up to me. He looked a little upset about seeing me there but I don’t know why.

"What are you doing? You're riding with me remember?" He reminded me.

'Oh crap I forgot' I thought. Now what am I gonna tell Josh. I was supposed to go over to Chase's house after school but I also told Josh we could go out. What am I going to do now?

I slapped myself on the head. "Oh ya I forgot. Here take this to your car I forgot something in my locker." I said handing him my books running away to go find Josh.

As luck would have it I saw him standing by his locker and quickly rushed up to him. "Hey, I completely forgot I had something to do already after school today but I was wondering if you were free later on? Maybe in about- 3 hrs?" I questioned a little out of breath. After all I had practically run through the school trying to find him.

He must have wondered why I was panting because he gave me a questioning look. "Um ya sure 3 hours sounds good. Just give me directions to your house and I’ll pick you up."

After quickly giving him the directions to my house I ran back outside to meet Chase. He was already waiting for me in his car so I got inside a shot him a glance without trying to look guilty. Even though I’m excited to be going out with Josh I feel like I’m betraying Chase somehow. It’s not like Josh was forbidden or anything but it still felt wrong doing this to Chase. Maybe I should just tell him. I don’t like keeping things from him. Well that and I’m not very good at it. He always finds out in the end.

The ride to his house was a long one. It could have been due to the awkward silence or the worry of Chase finding out what I was up to but it was taking forever. I was just luck he hadn’t questioned me yet.  

When we got there to his house I noticed that it his parent’s car wasn’t there we were the only ones home. All the lights were off and it was strangely quiet. I hadn't seen them all summer and it didn’t look like I was going to get to see them today either. I was a little disappointed.

"Where's your parents?" I asked him.

"They aren't back from Italy yet. They will be back in another week or so." He said before changing the subject "Want to watch a movie?"

"Sure as long as I get to pick." I smiled.

After going through his movies twice I finally decided on Dirty Dancing. Now I your probably wondering why a guy like Chase has a movie like Dirty Dancing but let me explain. This has always been my favorite movie ever and when we’re not at my house where I have a copy to watch we can watch it here. He bought me second copy just so I wouldn’t have to settle for something else.

Sweet I know. He suffers through this movie every time just for me. Who has the best friend ever? I think that award goes to me and I’m proud of it.

 About an hour through the movie I noticed Chase looking a little more distracted than normal and it got me curious. He almost looked nervous about something as he kept looking at me but doing his best to hide it. I continued watching the movie but kept stealing glances at Chase trying to figure him out. Finally after being unable to take it anymore I asked him.

"What?"

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“Well you act oddly distracted and not to mention the looks you keep giving me. What’s going on?”

He scratched his head nervously and tried avoiding my eyes. “You’re going to think I’m crazy.”

“More than you already are? Not possible.” I joked.

“No really you might freak out.” He said seriously.

“Ok.” I said cautiously. “You kind of scaring me a little.”

He didn’t reply but still looked nervous as he looked anywhere but me right now. This was very odd behavior for him and I just could figure out what’s got him so worried.

“You didn’t do something illegal while you were gone did you?” I asked.

“What? No.” He said defensively.

“Ok geez. I’m just asking.” I snapped.

He quickly got up from the bed and began pacing the floor in front of me like two parents who were trying to figure out a way to tell their child they’re getting a divorce. I didn’t like this feeling at all but what was I going to do.

“Ashlyn, something happened to me over the summer that might change things between us.” He explained.

“Ok.” I said slowly still unsure of where this was going.

“Well this sort of involves you to.” He added.

“Um…” I really didn’t know what to say.

This was all getting really strange. He has never been afraid to tell me anything but it seems like he is now. What could he possibly be hiding from me? There is nothing he could say that would make me feel any differently toward him so there is no need for him to be so cautious with me.

“Alright I’m just going to put it out there but please just stay calm ok?” He said.

“Ok.” I agreed.

He sat down next to me again and took both of my hands in his and stared deep into eyes. It almost felt as if he was looking into my soul.

“Ashlyn I’m a vampire.”