Chapter 8: Past

It's been about 3 weeks since I was removed from my own home. I hadn't spoken to my Father and Wyatt made sure to keep his whereabout a secret from me. To keep my mind off of it I spent a lot of time with Kalen, Nate, Adrian and Spencer. If I wasn't with them I was with Carly who usually kept my mind occupied after classes.

Transitioning to school wasn't hard. There were a lot more vampires there than I originally thought and they welcomed me with open arms. Other human students were also very accepting, and it made me feel better. The only person who didn't know was my boss. I couldn't think of any scenario where telling her wouldn't cost me my job, even though Kalen tells me all the time to just quit. My job was the last bit of normal that I had, and I wanted to hang onto it. Don't blame me, accepting change is still hard for me.

Today I'm sitting outside my university class building waiting for Kalen. He insisted on picking me up much to my surprise. Normally they send a driver to pick me up because they spend a lot of time practicing, but today he specifically asks to pick me up.

An unfamiliar gray Honda pulls up and Kalen steps out. He flashes his usual charming smile. I've seen it a lot since I met him. Apparently he's never smiled like that before.

"Hey. Do you have anything to do today?" He opens the passenger side door for me.

"No. Are we going somewhere?" I put my bag in the backseat as he pulls off.

"You know we're famous, but you've never asked about it. I figure I'd give you a sneak peak into what we go through." Kalen says.

I nod, "Okay. That sounds fun."

We both grow silent. It isn't usually like this but I've never been in a car with just him before. Since he's so famous, and extremely lazy, he usually never lifts a finger so him driving is extra surprising.

"Are you okay? Not right now but in general." I meet Kalen's gaze and use my hand to turn his face back towards the road.

"Overall, yeah. You guys are lightening my days up. But I miss my Dad. Wyatt won't tell me where he is."

"Your brother kinda sucks." It's the first time he's voiced his opinion about my brother and I can't help but laugh. Since the day he met him he's treaded so lightly on the topic.

I shift in my seat to look at him, "I wish you guys would treat me more like that."

"Like what?"

"Like I'm not a sad puppy. I know my family sucks you don't have to walk on eggshells about it."

"I'm not walking on eggshells. I like it when you smile and if I don't talk about it, you smile. It's simple math." He shrugs.

"You make me smile either way so you can talk about whatever." I smile at him and pinch his cheek when he blushes.

"Stop." he swats my hand. "Since I can talk about it I've been wondering...why is your brother like that. Did something happen between you?"

"Kind of. I don't think he's ever forgiven my mom."

"For...?"

"Before they were together, my Dad was married to another woman and had Wyatt with her. Apparently he and his previous wife were very happy together until they just weren't. Apparently they fought a lot and Dad looked for a lot of ways to stay out. One day he met my mom, an exotic dancer, at a strip club after one of his and Alison's fights. He cheated on Alison and had me, splitting his own family up. Since Alison had nothing of her own she couldn't take custody of Wyatt so he was forced to assimilate into this new family with foreign woman and this sister born from infidelity. He's never liked me much."

"Yeah but it wasn't your fault his dad stepped out. Why blame you?" There's venom in his voice.

"I think I remind him of my mom. She died and I stepped up to take care of my Dad once he started drinking heavily and reached his lowest. I think it reminded him of how my mom met him when he was at his lowest and took care of him. He thinks I want to steal Dad but I just want him to get better." I lean my head against the window watching as trees and cars zoom past. I can feel the chill from outside. "It can't be helped that I'm a good person."

"I don't want to put myself in the middle. You're an adult you can work it out yourself. However I think you should try to reach common ground for the sake of your dad."

I nod. I appreciate his opinion.