Party at the house

The weather is beautiful today, what a perfect time to hang out here at Da D’s, the favorite diner of all time here at Madiville. You don’t need the effort to think about the name because the D there stands for Diner with that, we call the owner here Daddy D.

I paused for a while as I enjoy the nice breeze, even though it’s sunny it’s not hot, in fact, it is perfect weather to finish my book report in English. I adjusted my glasses and drank coffee. I checked my phone and open my Facebook account, upon scrolling I saw Brandon’s post with his friends. I rolled my eyes as I saw his annoying face. It's been two weeks since he buried my video camera in the Madforest, and I haven't returned there since the incident with Stefan, where he warned me that the hunter may come after me for what I did to him.

"Oh my gosh!!", I was startled when I saw Stefan standing in front of me. Speaking of the devil. I feel like I’m about to have heart disease because this guy keeps appearing out of nowhere.

"You look happy "

I frowned at him.

"I was happy a minute ago but now I’m not. Thanks for ruining my mood. "

He just shrugged and he put his coffee on my table and sat in front of me. I stared at him with amazement in my eyes because he didn’t even bother asking me if it is okay to sit there.

"Wow, look at you, sitting at my table with your coffee, as if we're friends. I didn't realize we were this close?"

I said sarcastically, so he gazed at me,

"Why are you mad at me?"

I took off my eyeglasses and leaned in closer to him.

“I’m not mad, I just don’t like you because you’re a vampire”

I tone down my voice because I sound crazy about mentioning the word vampire.

"So?", he crossed his arms while leaning against the chair.

“So, it means you’re dangerous”, I said as a matter of fact.

“Aren’t we all dangerous?”

I groan and close my eyes tightly. Well, he does have a point there but it’s annoying that he always has something to rebut in everything that I say.

“But not all of us fed on humans to live. Speaking of, do you have anything to do with the death of my schoolmate a week ago?”

I suddenly remembered the case that Chester was talking about, where a schoolmate of mine was killed by a vampire in which he suspects was my PE teacher.

“First not all vampires fed on humans to live and second, I don’t have anything to do with the death of your schoolmate. The night that you saw me that was the day that I just got here.”

I don’t expect him to admit it because what kind of a murderer admits its crime but I think he is telling the truth. If he didn’t do it, it means there are more vampires in the town.

“What do you mean not all of your feed on humans?”

“So now you’re curious?”, he smirked and his tone is like teasing me so I rolled my eyes.

“Since you’re here and you don’t look like you’re going to leave soon so why not say something useful”

He nodded and he sipped on his coffee before resting his elbow on the table.

“Some of us, including me, drink animal blood"

I was surprised by his revelation, I guess he’s a bit harmless than I thought.

“You know not all of us enjoy feeding on humans”

He locked his gaze on my eyes, as if to convince me that he is serious, which he is, but I can't be swayed by him this easily, because he's still a vampire and I should keep my guard up.

Something came into my mind. I’ve been thinking these past few nights about how I will help him without getting involved with him because he doesn't seem to understand the concept of giving up and keeps showing up everywhere I go, which is creepy.

“I was thinking, you said you need me because I saw his runes, what if I draw it for you?”

I suggested which I think is a good idea to end this misery. He paused for a moment as if he was pondering. Come on just say yes so, I could live peace again.

“But the runes of hunters are very detailed unless you’re some sort of a national artist I won’t trust your drawing or you can draw and allow me to go inside your mind to verify it, however demon-blooded like me can’t see those runes, only hunters can see it”

I suddenly lean against the chair moving away from him. Why do I feel like he just insulted my skill in drawing? And what did he just say? He will go inside my mind? Well, I’m not yet insane to agree on that.

“I’m never going to let you inside my head so just deal with that drawing then hire a hunter to do that job for you”

“If it were that simple, I would have done that before, but unfortunately I’m not on good terms with the hunters, they don’t like me so it might take for a while to find someone who is willing to help me, in that case, I will just continue to follow you until he appears again”

This is more complicated than I anticipated. My phone suddenly rang so I glanced at it to see who’s calling. Upon seeing my brother’s name on the caller ID, I immediately answered it.

“What?”

[What do you mean ‘what’ ?? Where are you? You're missing the party !! ]

Faira shouted on the other line because of too much background noise. I wonder, why is she holding my brother's phone? I was confused about the party she was talking about because I can’t remember being invited to one.

"What party?"

[party at your house dummy! So, get your ass here now young lady]

Then she hung up the phone, and I was taken aback. I can’t believe that there’s a party at our house because first and foremost, my mother doesn’t allow those things and second, we don’t have that many friends to invite with.

"I guess you need to be in somewhere else"

He said, but I didn’t respond to him instead I closed my laptop then grabbed my bag with my other arm, and stood up. I glanced at him but he averted his eyes while he was drinking his coffee.

I was stunned as I stepped into Infront of the house. I could feel like the entire house was vibrating because of the deafening sound from LANY’s songs. All the lights in the house are on except for my room and mother’s room, at least no one has invaded my room yet. I approached the door and knocked; a few seconds later, someone opened it, and I frowned when I saw a stranger inside my home. I didn't get the chance to talk to him since he left as soon as he opened the door. My jaw dropped when I entered inside.

Everything is messy

They're so dead.

"Nice house Salvador"

The man on the side said and winked at me. I just shook my head in disbelief.

I approached our sofa where there were men playing Xbox where my brother is in the middle of them while all of them were yelling and laughing like there is no tomorrow. He would be really dead tomorrow when my mom finds out about this. I looked for my cousins but Faira is nowhere to be found but luckily, I saw Clark surrounded by some of his football friends and cheering squad. For a second, I shut my eyes tightly because I feel like I’m dreaming. It’s weird to see the cheering squad in our house because I don’t even think they know we exist. When my cousin saw me, he excused himself to his friends then he walks towards me

"Hey there"

He put his arm on my shoulder and took a cup from a man who passed by. He drank it and based on the expression of his face it must be a liquor.

"Am I in the right house?"

I shouted in his ear because it was too loud. He laughed weakly and shook his head. We walked outside because we can’t understand each other due to the loud noise. When we got to our veranda, we sat on the swing.

"What exactly is happening?”, I asked in confusion.

"Advance birthday party for Jensen"

My eyes widened at what he said. I completely forgot about my brother’s birthday because I was too preoccupied these past few days with the vampire thing. I need to buy a gift before the weekend. We are not obliged to give gifts because what really matters is the three of us are together but we do so to make the occasion extra memorable

"My mother agreed to this?”

"I think so?"

"What do you mean you think so?”

Clark seemed to be a little tipsy. His eyes are on the verge of closing, and he's grinning like a fool.

"Because she's not going home today, that is why we agreed to move the party now. She said its fine as long as there will be no mess when she arrives."

My mom hates it when we make a mess, she’s an organized person and when she sees this, I bet we will be grounded for a month.

"But you don't like parties"

I can't believe that Clark agreed to this especially that he is the type of person who doesn’t like parties.

"Faira organized it so I can't ditch it besides this is for Jensen”

I now understand why there are a lot of people at this party, it's because of Faira and Clark’s connections. The football team is here so it means that the cheering squad will also be here. So, this is what they have been doing early in the morning.

"Why don't I know anything about this?"

I should have helped if I knew but no one bother to tell me.

"Faira doesn't want to bother you any more since you have to finish your book report”

Right, my book reports that I wasn’t able to finish thanks to Stefan who interrupted me.

After we talked to Clark he went back inside because his friends were calling him while I didn't miss the opportunity to film everything using my phone since my video cam is still buried somewhere in the middle of Madforest. I didn’t expect that it would be this fun because while I was filming and taking photos most of them cooperated and made some funny faces and poses. I talked to some people too.

"You know Celine, you're not that bad. You should socialize more", Betina said one of the members of the cheering squad. I smiled back at her.

While I was fixing things in the kitchen, my brother caught my attention. I can't help but to stare at him. He looks happy and I am also happy for him. It's his first time celebrating a birthday with other people because he’s always with me and my mother. There are a lot of people and I don’t know how I will start cleaning everything after they left but it’s okay because it looks like my brother is finally out of his comfort zone and he is now making friends. At 8 pm we sang Happy Birthday to him; I wouldn’t miss this moment so I was in front of everyone filming it. I can't help but feel emotional while watching everyone singing a happy birthday to my brother.

Never mind the mess, what matters is my brother is happy.

After he blew the candle, everyone cheered for him and they all went back to the party. I approached Jensen who was tasting his cake and then pointed the camera at him

"Happy birthday brother !!"

I said enthusiastically. He looked at me with more icing on his lips and smiled. I went to him and hugged him.

"Thank you, my evil little sister”, he tapped my back while hugging me back.

"Hey, I’m no evil. I'm your guardian angel dork"

I protested.

"That's sweet !!"

I heard Faira say and we both turned to them.

"Group hug!!"

Faira ran towards us to hug us then Clark followed. I’m lucky to have them as a family. We also take pictures for remembrance.

It’s already 9 in the evening but the party is still not over though they lowered down the music in consideration for our neighbors. Meanwhile, I head to my room to rest, I can't sleep yet because I need to clean up after everyone leaves so I decided to stay at the terrace to breathe some fresh air. While staring at the stars, my phone rang and I saw my mom calling so I answered it right away.

"Hey mom"

[Hi sweetie, so how's your brother's advanced birthday party? ]

"Well, it's fun and Jensen seems to really enjoy it but I wish you were here"

there was a hint of sadness in my voice because I missed her already.

[I don't want to ruin the fun there because for sure I’ll be banned a lot of things and besides consider it as time with your friends, you should enjoy it]

If socializing is that easy, I would have tons of friends right now instead of none but I'll take this as a first step.

[Sweetie still there?]

"Yes, just come home immediately.”

I heard her laugh on the other line.

[Okay. I won’t forget that. You should sleep now you sound tired. Tell your brother don’t stay up too late]

"Okay, I love you"

[I love you too, good night]

I dropped the call and looked down to check if there were more people but something or rather someone caught my attention. Someone seemed to be watching me from the big tree across the street. I couldn’t see it clearly because its already dark but the hunter came across my mind so I immediately went inside in fear.

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