As the very last note stopped echoing across the place, Melissa couldn't help but sigh with relief. Not that the song was over, that was great. She had to hand it to her Ikey for his guitar solo that rocked out the place but the screaming! God, she was near the front, and Ike had seen her. He smiled directly at her, but then at a few others, just for cover purposes. Still Melissa felt a sense of love for him. He was just so sweet. She was sure Tay had given her a look as well but who knew? Anyway it was obvious he knew all about her and Ike.
Melissa felt it as Tay said something like- 'you guys rock' and hoped he had to power to shut them up as well as scream and cry. Then Melissa saw something odd. Ike was looking at Tay and Tay mouthed something.
'You're a lucky bastard.' Melissa laughed out loud. Tay liked her! Oh that was cute. Maybe it was the curse, or maybe it was obvious attraction, she didn't know. But it still made her feel welcome. And one thing she always needed was to feel welcome.
"We're just gonna bring down the house a little more." Zac said. "Come on guys!" The next song started up with a rockier baseline heavier on the drumming. Melissa liked it. Very cool. She suddenly looked up to see Ike at the edge of the stage. He reached out to her and she managed to get past a few others fighting for his hand to grab it. He mouthed something to her. It took her a second to realise.
'Love you Baby.' Then he walked back to the mic to sing. She was beaming. She felt like such a teenybopper but aside from that she liked it.
As the song finished something came into her mind like a massive migraine from too many drinks last night at a festival of thousands. How could she possibly be falling in love with him? Didn't she even realise he was human? What the hell would she do to him? She shuddered at the thought. No, no, she wouldn't do that. She liked him too much. Or was that it? Would she seriously hurt him for just being there? Now that scared her a lot. Probably best if she forgot about it. But, how? She couldn't last long, knowing her habits. Maybe she should forget about him? Was it for the best? She looked up at him and immediately smiled. Man, she had it bad...
Thirteen Souls Later...
"Yo guys." Tay flopped onto the sofa.
"Hey." Ike and Melissa answered simultaneously. It seemed their conversation had finished as soon as Taylor had entered the room.
"You can still talk while I'm here, you know." Taylor grinned.
Melissa smiled. "Don't you have a date with the Barbie doll?"
Taylor tried to look angry but it was the truth. "Her name is Candy and yes I do. But, I have two hours."
"So go get ready." Ike said, not looking up from his 'artwork'.
"I am ready." Taylor answered, waving a hand at himself to point out his actually ironed shirt and brushed hair.
"Well practise making out on a pillow or something. We're busy." Ike answered.
Taylor looked at them. "You're painting her nails."
"And?"
"And that doesn't seem like a high priority."
"A woman's nails are very precious. Plus I'm painting his next." Melissa grinned wickedly. Taylor laughed.
"Remember the deal?" Ike replied quietly. "No moaning through Baywatch." He paused. "And only in black."
"Awww, not pink then?" Taylor asked.
"That's what I said! I thought he'd look good in a dark blue!" Melissa blew on her nails carefully.
"I'll make sure to jot that one down." Taylor answered slowly.
"Anyway, get lost, we need personal time."
"You have more 'personal time' than anybody else, I'm sure you can spare a little to talk to your brother." He paused. "You're wonderful, talented, good-looking brother!"
"I just spoke to Mackie." Ike smiled.
Taylor glared. "All I'm saying is I'll forget your name soon enough, that's all."
"Zac doesn't mind." Melissa said.
"Yeah, that's because he's been helping Mikey out a lot ever since he was put into foster care."
"And your social life is now over after I got a girlfriend?"
"No, I just want to remember what you look like before you practically move in with Melissa."
Ike grinned. "Now why didn't I think of that before?"
"Just remember we can replace you like that," Taylor snapped his fingers, "there are better guitarists."
Melissa raised her hand slightly. "But, I don't wanna play Mmmbop. Religious decision, sorry."
Taylor laughed. Ike just took it. He was now used to it after a month of being with Melissa. He felt they'd probably be together for a long time. There had actually been talk about leaving home to get an apartment together. But this was only after about a year, and they knew for certain it would work out. If Ike didn't hurt her after a year, he knew he wouldn't, he knew he would be stronger and so wouldn't worry. That was the plan anyway.
"Ohhh, class." Melissa said and jumped up.
"Now?" Ike asked.
"No, but I have to study. Big exam. Number two pencils and everything."
"Oh, Okay." Ike kissed Melissa and they walked to the door.
"Bye Ike." Diana said.
"I'm not going this time." Ike said, passing Melissa her coat.
Diana looked shocked. "You mean you'll be here overnight? I was about to sublet your bed."
Melissa laughed. "Bye Mrs. Hanson."
"What was that?" She asked.
"Sorry, Diana." Melissa said quickly.
"No formalities, it gets old." Diana smiled.
"Okay. Bye Ikey." She kissed him quickly. "Wait, where's my bag?"
"Upstairs, I think." Ike replied. "Want me to get it?"
"No, I'll get it."
Melissa ran upstairs to look for her bag. She knew she had to get away quickly, she was getting very hungry. Too hungry, even for her. She was usually very controlling on herself, but not tonight. She had skipped last night and so today she had to feed almost without fail.
Maybe it would work out with Ike? But there was no guaranty. In fact, there was no hope. She'd hurt him, just like everyone else in all those years. All those souls. She'd kill and move on. But it hadn't lasted so long as it had with Isaac. Her old record was one week. If that. How she had survived being around him for over a month was beyond her...
"Oh, hey." Zac said, lying in his bed. Melissa jumped.
"Don't scare me like that!"
Zac coughed. "Sorry. Don't come near me, I'm really sick."
Melissa noticed by his bad aim at throwing dirty tissues in the waste bin and the piles of videos he had watched. He looked kinda pale, minus a sore looking nose. Everybody had been avoiding him like the plague for three days now. She kind of felt sorry for him.
"Awww, poor thing." She cooed playfully, grabbing her bag.
"Don't gimmie that, I get enough from the family." Zac sat up in bed and pulled out a book from under his pillow. "D'you mind if I read this? It's getting to a good part."
It was Interview With A Vampire, a book Melissa liked to read because it reminded her of Connar. He reminded her of the vampire, there was just something about him...
"Sure. Just don't get it messed up. You liked the film?"
Zac shrugged. "Yeah, I though it might be a good read, so, you know, no harm to try it."
Melissa felt stomach pains as the hunger was almost unbearable now. "Are you tired Zac?"
Zac shrugged again. "I slept all day, so, not really."
"You are tired Zac." Melissa walked towards Zac.
Zac gave her a strange look. "No, I'm not. Trust me on this."
"Yes you are." Melissa replied, pushing Zac down.
"What is wrong with you?" Zac yelled.
Melissa checked to see if the door was shut, then she turned back to Zac, now completely different as she was now getting ready to feed. He was going to scream but her hand covered his mouth. He struggled but his eyes felt heavy. Melissa waited and Zac was asleep in under ten seconds.
Melissa suddenly looked at who she was doing this to. Her teeth withdrew. She couldn't kill Ike's brother! But she couldn't stay with Ike. It wouldn't work. It never had and it never will. Being in love with a mortal would only hurt him. She might as well feed and move on.
Melissa kneeled down and tilted Zac's chin to one side. She knew that once she did this she'd have to say goodbye to Isaac. Can I really do that? Her hunger grew more immense. Yes.
"Yo, Melissa, are you going to take forever or what?" Melissa was enjoying her meal too much, she ignored his voice. "Holy crap!"
That got her to stop. She jumped up and tried to change back fast enough, but Ike had seen. He wasn't screaming.
"Ike, I, uh, didn't see you there..." She started.
Isaac ran to Zac. "What the hell did you do?"
"I didn't take that much, I swear!" What had she done? Was she really that evil? She just ignored her heart and obeyed the monster inside of her?
"Zac, Zac, wake up!" Melissa watched miserably as Isaac shook Zac hard to wake him up. Zac didn't seem alive. Melissa felt something grab her by the throat. I've killed him! Isaac then saw the marks and realised. He looked up at Melissa slowly. "You..."
Melissa sighed. "Yes Ike, I know what you're going to say. I'm..."
"You're one too?" Isaac asked quietly.
Melissa stopped dead. Neither of them noticed Zac was waking up.
"What?" Melissa asked quietly. She then realised. "What?!"
"Ow..." Zac moaned. "What was that?"
"Are you Okay?" Isaac asked.
"Not really..." Zac said slowly.
"Go to sleep." Melissa commanded, touching his arm. Zac fell asleep again.
"You bitch! What the hell was that for?" Ike yelled.
"Shutup!" She hissed. "We've gotta cover those bite marks!"
"Oh right." Ike covered the bite marks with his fingers and they started to fade away.
"How did you do that?" Melissa asked slowly.
"I dunno, I just can." Ike shrugged.
"OW!" Zac woke up again. "Don't pinch me you jerk!"
Melissa groaned and touched Zac again. Immediately he fell asleep.
"Stop doing that!" Isaac grabbed her arm.
"You want him to find out?" Melissa demanded.
"You're gonna put him in a coma or something!"
"I can't believe this..." Melissa muttered.
"Me neither."
Melissa picked up her bag. "I think the test can wait; we need to sort this out."
Ike nodded and left Zac to think he had the most weird dream ever.