Time was a fleeting beast. I watched the thin plastic part of the clock speed past the bold numbers for the second time this morning. It mocked me as it ticked louder and louder with each second that drifted away.

The initial beams of sunlight filtered through the worn-out gaps in the blinds. Why should I trust the taunting clock that hung on the kitchen wall to tell me it's morning, when the sun itself served as my sign?

With heavy morning steps, I trudged over to the window and carefully raised the blinds. The rays bounced off the glistening snow and it served as a reminder of Zane's icy abilities.

No matter how much I racked my brain, I could not recall a passage that stated a vampire having such powers. Pages of words flipped through my head and not one of them taught me how to handle this situation. My sacred phoenix book was useless.

Ice and fire. Now I see why he would choose that subject for our project. My head ached when I tried to figure out the impossibilities of ice cascading down Zane's arms, so it changed the subject as quickly as flipping a light switch, transitioning from dark to light in an instant.

As I reminisced about the tender sensation that had caressed my lips mere hours ago, I instinctively brushed my fingertips against them. The memories invaded my mind like a hero who bravely charged through enemy lines to claim what he believed was rightfully his.

I stared at the wall as every breath, every touch, and every sensation I felt in that tiny moment flowed through me. For once, I didn't need his touch to have felt the electricity gently shock my nerves. The brain was a powerful organ.

A car horn blast woke me from my daydreams and my eyes fluttered up to the clock. I was lost in thought and now I was also late.

I grabbed my bag and rushed out of the dwelling, only to be greeted by an open red door. I took off in a sprint like I was going to release my wings, but dove into the passenger seat instead, trying to dodge the bitter cold.

I heard Zane chuckle from the driver's seat as I shut the door behind me. I gazed over at him, and my eyes focused in on his lips. The same lips that I wanted a second taste of.

He reached over and took my hand in his, letting his thumb trace the sensitive skin on the back of my hand. Though we have been in this position many times before, I still needed the occasional pinch to wake myself from this wild dream.

I was dreaming with my eyes wide open.

"You're staring," he said.

"Oh." As if it was a mistake, I pulled my eyes away to look out the window.

"Do I have you captivated this morning?"

"No, I was just thinking," I said. I watched his teeth slowly make an appearance from behind his lips.

"About what?" he asked as he pulled into his usual parking spot at the school. I watched the curiosity rise on his face as he unbuckled his seatbelt. I had piqued his interest.

"Wouldn't you like to know?" I laughed. Sometimes a girl should remain a mystery, or so Kathryn would say. But also, my embarrassment would not allow me to speak my thoughts so freely.

He was quick. Zane hovered over me, resting his hands on the seat beside my head. He searched my eyes as if looking for the answer, and his fangs lightly grazed his bottom lip as he spoke.

"I have ways to get the answer out of you." 

He took the back of his two fingers and lightly traced my cheek to the outline of my jaw. I couldn't help but to lean into the tingles brought on by his touch.

"How's that?" My words were barely above a whisper as they flowed out with my breath.

There was no hesitation as Zane closed the distance between us. The second taste. I had craved this for so long all reasonable thoughts left my mind and I only reacted.

All control of my body had left, and I ran on autopilot. Intoxicated by his scent, the world spun. I was drunk, and this kiss seemed illegal.

My hands tugged on his shirt as I pulled him closer, filled with fear that this moment, just like everything else in my life, would turn to ashes. The beats of my heart pounded in my ear like the ticking of a clock. Time, that fleeting beast, haunted me.

As the beats turned to ticks, the irrationality of the situation rushed back to me. We were in the school parking lot. Although it seemed like we were the sole inhabitants of the world at that very moment, many pairs of eyes could have been fixed upon us.

I placed my hands on Zane's chest and pushed him gently away from me. My breath mixed with the surrounding air as I tried desperately to catch it. He could literally take my breath away.

"Zane," I said through heavy, deep breaths.

"Hmm." With his forehead still pressed against mine, he kept his eyes closed as if lost in his favorite song that only he could hear.

"Others can see us," I said. I wish we were truly secluded, so that I wouldn't have to bring this moment to a premature end.

"Tell me what you were thinking about and I'll back away."

"No," I said in protest.

"I'm not joking, Ember," he said. Regardless of how breathless I was, Zane leaned in. He wasn't joking.

"Fine," I said as I turned my head away from him. "I was staring at your lips... and thinking."

As he opened his eyes, there was a flash of light that flickered as if the sun had shined on them. But with these tinted windows, that was impossible.

"My lips, huh?" he asked. "Why?"

I sighed, as I knew he would not let this go. But I had a plan. Zane situated himself back into his seat, giving me more room to answer his question. This was the opportunity I was looking for. I turned my back toward the door in order to face him.

"After our first kiss," I said. With careful movements, I gently laid one hand on my bag, which sat on the floorboard, while my other hand effortlessly found its way to the door handle behind my back. "I was craving more."

With a surge of energy, I swiftly emerged from the car, as though it had been immersed in a chilling downpour and ran like my life depended on it. With the sun directly overhead, its rays enveloped me in a radiant blanket of golden glitter. I left Zane trapped his car.

I turned to face him, and with a slight smile, I waved goodbye. I wouldn't wait long for the phone in my pocket to buzz.

I'll gladly give you more anytime.

When I looked up from the message, his car was gone, but the stares were not. Our classmates had seen us, and he could not be here to protect me. The only stroke of luck I had was on a sunny day, I avoided the unwanted attention of the vampires.

I walked into the building just like the old Ember. I kept my head low and mixed in with the crowd, hoping I was invisible. It was nearly impossible these days, as I had become the envy of most girls when Zane stood by my side.

Lunch brought a much-welcomed pause from the unwanted scrutiny. I was ready to relax.

"We're bunking together," Kathryn said as she jotted down words on a sheet of paper.

I placed the tray down on our table and realized that relaxation was just a distant memory. Kathryn had something up her sleeve and I was about to become a part of it. 

Before I fell into Kathryn's idea of fun, my eyes took in the friendships that I had gained, and appreciation swelled in my heart. Though I lost one, I had gained another. Lucy's blonde hair could never replace the platinum's of Ella's, but I welcomed it.

"What do you mean?" I asked. I took in a deep breath hoping it would relax my curious thoughts.

"The senior trip," she continued. "It's coming up next weekend and they need to know who is bunking with whom."

"I don't have a choice, do I?" I asked. A weekend with classmates. I wasn't sure how I was supposed to feel about it. I was aware that this would be the longest period of time I would spend wearing my mask.

"Nope," Kathryn said as she kept her eyes on the sheet of paper.

"Don't senior trips come closer to the end of the school year?" I asked. Had it been spring break, I would have already departed.

"Usually, but student council voted for a ski trip this year, so seniors are going for winter break instead of spring break," Kathryn said.

"The student council consists of all vamps," Elfred said as he jabbed his fork into some of his mashed potatoes.

"Makes sense," I replied.

"All except for Zane," Travis said. I raised my eyebrows as I looked over at him. "He quit last month." He continued as he stuffed the last bit of pizza into his mouth.

"I have to say, you've done a number on that boy," Lucy said.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I have never seen a vampire wrapped around anyone's finger before," Lucy said.

"He's not wrapped around my finger," I said. "He just... helps me."

"He helps you alright," Kathryn said as she took a sip of her drink.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"She means she saw you this morning," Elfred said. "Well... we all did."

I felt the flames that rushed through my blood gather at my face only to start a fire. The urge to flee from that place overwhelmed me, and I contemplated seeking refuge underneath the table. The only action available to me was to bury my face in my hands, and that's exactly what I did.

"Don't be embarrassed. We all have had make-out sessions," Lucy said.

I groaned at her words. She only made things worse. But at least I could rely on the only human to guess my emotion.

"Lucy, please stop." Though it came out muffled as I directed it into the palm of my hands.

I heard the roar of laughter come from my friends and I removed my hands, only to reveal a smile. These were the only friends I had. They never judged, never departed, and they cared.

"So, who all is in our room?" I asked.

"The rooms hold four people, but I asked for it to be just me, you and Lucy," Kathryn said.

"No one's heard from Ella?"

As if her name was forbidden territory. Their eyes focused on the table as they shook their heads. The silence was answer enough.

"That's fine," I said. "I didn't expect anyone to have spoken to her."

I let my lips curl at the corners of my mouth as I showed them a warm smile. I was a firebird that wore a mask. Though it unraveled in front of them often, I just had to remember to pull the strings tighter on certain occasions.

As if on cue, the bell rang, and we all got up.

"We'll see you later, Ember," Elfred said. He wrapped his arm around Lucy's shoulders and escorted her toward the exit. Kathryn gave me a small wave before Travis grabbed her hand.

I stood in the middle of the cafeteria, surrounded by the chatter of voices as my friends disappeared out the door. The enticing smells of various foods wafted towards me. In a frenzy, my classmates fled the room, their hasty movements resulting in unintentional collisions with my immobile body. How can one feel so isolated amidst a sea of people?

I wanted to spend time with my friends before I couldn't, but the weight of the letters occupied my thoughts constantly. I had no desire to hurt my friends, as their friendship was a precious bond that I cherished deeply.

As the turmoil of thoughts raced through my mind, I found myself unable to make a decision. Should I stay close to my friends, to ensure their safety, or would that only expose them to even greater and unnecessary danger?