Chapter 1.3

Just then I heard a girl thinking about us. She is curious. Her thoughts are centered on Jason. How peculiar, I don’t see why she is interested in him.

Who’s he talking to? I hope it’s not his girlfriend. She is beautiful though. And that boy. Maybe she’s with the boy. I wonder what year they’re in. Do they live on campus? I wish Jason lived on campus. Should I go talk to them? Yes, I think I will. Her thoughts are amusing.

Does this girl really like Jason? I wonder. He is attractive to humans I suppose. But he is the bane of my existence. I don’t see how anyone could like him.

Ben and I watched the future unfold.

She was going to approach us and Jason was going to be a real pain in the neck.

I was right. Ben’s vision proves it. Yet, this girl really likes him. Why?

“Jason, behave. I don’t want you to scare off our soon to be new friend.” Ben said in a voice so low no one but us can hear it.

“We don’t want you making this harder for us,” I added in agreement.

“Hi. I’m Sissie Cavenaugh.” Wow! She is a pretty cheerful person. I realized that her thoughts before weren’t out of jealousy. She is nervous. Maybe being cheerful is her way of compensating. Well, since Jason isn’t going to introduce us, I guess I should.

“I’m Strix, this is my brother Ben,” I said, clearing up a misconception. “And this is our cousin, Jason.” She already knew him, but I felt I should introduce him all the same, just to be polite.

“I know Jason. We’ve had a couple of classes together.” She was trying to act casual. “So, are you freshmen?”

“Yes, we are.” Ben stated politely.

Jason sounds like he is having difficulty keeping his mouth shut. He is actually aggravated by this girl. I wish I could have that power. Maybe then Jason wouldn’t bother me. Something occurred to me then, and I wanted to laugh. Sissie is as annoying to Jason as he is to me, how funny.

“Sissie, would you like to join us for dinner tonight? Ben and I don’t know anyone. It would be nice to have a friend, like you, right off.” I said solicitously.

Oh, she has three brothers and a sister. This is going to be interesting.

Ben. What can you see?

They’re all coming. We should make reservations at Café Bello for eight people at seven.

I didn’t think Jason would be coming.

Oh he’s not. See. Rose is there.

Oh! Why?

She’s curious.

Okay. So are we going to be friends with them or is this a one time thing.

We’re going to be great friends. Look.

Awesome!

“Um...I don’t know,” she said, bringing us back to the present. “I have three brothers and a sister. And we usually eat and study together with some friends.” She sounds unsure about her siblings and what they will think if she leaves them behind.

“You can all come, it’ll be more fun.” I said thoughtfully.

“We’ll even pay,” Ben agreed. “You won’t have to worry about anything.”

Count me out. Jason thought.

“Well, okay I guess. It does sound fun. I’ll just ask the others!” She sounded enthusiastic. “Mark and Gordon are freshmen too, they’ll be excited. Where should we meet?” She added.

“How about here at six?” I asked.

“That’ll be great, see you” she said as she headed off to find her family.

Jason left, but he isn’t sure what to do. Oh well, I don’t care. He can get hit by a train for all I care. Too bad that won’t kill him though, but it would be funny.

Ben and I finished registering and wandered aimlessly around campus. I was teasing him about classes and he was teasing me about Jason and how many times I’d gone to college. I had to remind him that he would be repeating college too.

The wind blew just then and I was distracted by the most amazing scent. I had never before smelled anything so … heavenly. It is enticing, pulling me toward its source.

Ben grabbed my arm and started dragging me backward. “We have to go, now!”

“Why?” I asked, concerned by whatever danger he saw in that moment. “Oh!” I gasped. I am the danger.

Around the corner is a boy, a little older than us- well, older than Ben, technically I’ve been around for a century- he is the source of the scent. And here I thought I had that part of me well under control. My vampire side is waging war with my human side. Part of me, like Ben, wants to protect the boy from that hideous monster. The other part wants the freedom of the hunt. Great! I blame Lily for this.

“Get me home quick,” I demanded. I felt sick, knowing that I was unconsciously about to commit such an injustice. The best place would be home. And now I would have to prepare myself for tonight.

He practically threw me in his Mustang and then raced around to the driver side. We sped out of the parking lot.