Upbeat music blasted through the gymnasium speakers. Esme found Brooks waiting by the entrance. He gasped in awe when he saw her. Brooks had never seen a girl that looked so gorgeous. Esme felt the same way. He was wearing a loose, white button down shirt and black formal pants. His hair was combed back but still kinda messy. She loved it.

"Welcome to the gala, my lady," Brooks said, extending his hand. Esme placed her hand in his, smiling brightly. "The announcement will begin at twelve tonight."

"Two hours away," Esme breathed. She was nervous. She still hasn't decided if she wants to be bitten by Brooks. It was a life changing decision and thinking about it made her want to puke.

Brooks knew that Esme was nervous. He could see it in her eyes and her features. He wanted to calm her. "Esme, do you want to dance?"

"Yes, please," Esme said, letting Brooks lead her to the center of the gymnasium. The upbeat music shifted into a slow song. Groups left the floor and made room for couples.

Esme leaned her head onto Brooks' shoulder and swayed to the music. She felt safe and calm. Brooks had a special talent for making her feel good.

Clover watched from afar. "I really hope she's careful," Clover said to Xaria. Xaria had told her earlier the real purpose of the gala.

"It's her choice. You can't control her," Xaria said.

"I know... but it's hard watching someone do the wrong thing. It would be cool to be a vampire... but you'd have to leave everything behind. I really hope Esme knows that."

Xaria didn't respond. When she was bitten, it wasn't her choice. The vampire, cold and rude, bit her at the gala at exactly one o'clock. At least Esme knew and trusted Brooks. She was lucky.

Theo hated the idea of the gala. Brooks had already told him that it was more of an announcement than a gala, so he had no reason to go. He didn't want to become a vampire. He was still skeptical that they even existed, so when his cabin mates left, he stayed behind.

Back in the gymnasium, the clock struck eleven. Esme and Brooks were sitting on the old coaches in the back of the room, sipping glasses of punch.

"Want to go down to the lake?" Brooks asked, looking away shyly.

"Sure." Esme had nothing better to do, and she still needed to decide. She only had one hour left.

They walked down to the lake while holding hands.

She walks in beauty, like the night, Brooks thought. He remembered the quote from a poem he read long ago. It described Esme wonderfully. He had been working on a new poem just for her. He was going to read it to her tonight. Hopefully, afterward, she would allow him to bite her.

"We could live forever together," Brooks said.

Esme was speechless. She had no idea how to respond. She wanted to live with him forever... But she didn't know. She was feeling too many feelings at once.

"Sorry," Brooks said quickly, blushing bright red. "I didn't mean to... I just meant that... Oh I don't know how to speak. I only know poems..."

"Brooks. I want you to bite me," Esme said suddenly.

"Really? Are you sure?" Brooks asked.

"Positive."

The clock struck twelve as Brooks leaned in. Esme moved her hair away from her neck, leaving it exposed.

Brooks sat beside her, breath warm on Esme's neck. He leaned in a little further, nervous but excited. There, in a little canoe with the moon shining all around, Brooks sank his teeth into Esme's neck.

Esme fainted from shock, but woke up a moment later. Fangs replaced two of her top teeth and she had a sudden thirst for blood, but it died down slowly. Her skin had grew paler than it was before. The tan she had worked on all summer was gone. Oh well, it was worth it.

"You look stunning," Brooks panted, out of breath from her beauty and the bite.

Esme touched her neck, feeling the two small circles where Brooks had bit her. The bleeding had stopped almost as soon as it had begun, but the scars would stay forever.

"I love you," Esme said, smiling brightly. She had made the right choice.

At that moment, Brooks read her the poem he planned to read her only if she chose to become a vampire. He didn't want to read a poem to a girl he couldn't have. But now that he had bitten her, he could really be with her forever.

Esme pulled him in and gave him a passionate kiss. Brooks nibbled her neck, kissing her back with equal passion.

Nothing had felt so perfect. To Esme, it was like putting the last puzzle piece in place and admiring her work. To Brooks, it was like all of his worries and troubles vanished and left only happiness. It was love. It was passion. It was perfect.

Until they heard of the next kidnapping.