TASTE

Tired,

That's what I was. I was tired. I have been walking around in this dark space for I don't know how long.

If not for Jordan, I would have given up by now but giving up was currently not an option.

Deciding that I had walked enough, I laid on the floor.

Was I ever going to get out of here?

I just continued staring into the darkness when I was suddenly swallowed by the ground. I was literally enveloped in the ground and was slowly loosing oxygen. Just when I thought I was going to die, again, I was released from my envelop.

The first thing I did was take a big gulp of air. My throat felt really dry. When I finally got my eyes to focus on what was in front me, I saw the angry red eyes of my mother.

I was used to seeing father's red eyes but mom’s was a rarity and this happened to be one of those rare moment's.

It made me so scared and nervous I wanted to throw up.

She pulled me by my hair to a sitting position. I did my best to swallow the yelp of pain that threatened to escape from my throat.

“You are very much lucky that you didn't ruin our plan. I have a job for you. Diana says that her mate’s friends are fond of you..” she started.

The fact that she called Jordan Diana's mate sliced my heart.

“I want you to get close to them. Make them your friends but the only reason you are doing this is to make them like Diana. They don't seem to like her and we can't have any loose ends. If you know you don't want a slower death then you best hurry up and carry out your orders and produce quick results.” she said and threw me back with a force I didn't know she possessed causing my head to hit the floor hard. I let out the yelp I had been holding back since she grabbed my hair

“Clean up this mess.” she said and left the kitchen. The mess she was referring to was the black liquid that runs through vampires’ veins. We call it Dar. My Dar was all over the place.

“It’s a good thing you followed your instincts. Just continue to follow them and you will be alright.” Jessica whispered and left the kitchen as well.

I didn't even get the chance to ask her what she meant.

At least I knew one thing. Following my instincts was going to help me. I just hope my instincts don't make me kill myself again.

Cleaning up my Dar was a lot of work but I managed to clean it up and clean the kitchen just in case anyone of them came down there.

I didn't want them harassing me for not cleaning the kitchen even though we barely use it. It's only used when I have to make food for Jessica and the other prisoners.

I found myself pacing around in my room wondering how I was going to talk to Jordan's friends without passing out. I noticed that anytime a guy talks to me I start to fill anxiety creep into my veins and it slowly takes over my senses keeping me numb and trapped in the claustrophobic space of my mind.

So how exactly was I supposed to talk to two guys at once because I know that they were always together.

My life is getting too complex for my comfort but I'll survive, I always do. I think I’m indestructible.

°°°°°°°

What to wear today?

Should I go with baggy? Super baggy or normal?

Well I usually wear either baggy or normal. I only wear super baggy when I have scars that I want to hide.

Today, I was on a mission, I had to talk to those guys and I knew for sure that I was going to be a fidgeting mess so my best option would be to wear baggy.

I took my shirt that was one size too big and my baggy sweats. I left my hair to fall and just ran my fingers through it. When I was done, I grabbed my bag and left for school.

°°°°°°°°

The universe must be starting to like me.

Initially, I was afraid that when I get to school, I would meet them and then I would have to start my mission but it was the total opposite. I didn't see them and I haven't seen them up till now. I have been able to take a breather and prepare myself for when I face them.

It was Chemistry class, the second period, that it happened. I got to the class before anyone and took my seat at the second row. I took the window seat leaving two extra seats beside me.

I know it was only one period I didn't see them in but that was more time than I expected.

It wasn't even up to five minutes when they walked in. I only stared at them as the took their seats beside me. I was doing my best not to have a panic attack.

The one with auburn hair sat beside me while the one with chestnut hair sat at the end of the row.

I mustered enough courage and said, “Hi.”

Auburn hair nearly fell off his seat.

“Hi. My name is Grant and his name is Ryan.” chestnut, I mean Grant said.

“My name is Kate. I'm sorry for blowing you off. It was,... family issues.” I said shyly.

“It’s okay. ” Ryan said.

“I noticed that you guys were always trying to talk to me and I don't have much friends. You guys have been the only ones to really try and talk to me so I was wondering, would you guys like to be my friends?” I asked while pulling at my fingers.

I don't know if they wanted to be my friends or not. All I know is that I wanted to use this opportunity to have friends. I never had one, I wanted to taste what friendship was like before I died.

If they didn't want to be my friends I would die from embarrassment and the hands of my parents.

At my questions, both their eyes widened and they glanced at each other before Ryan started crying.

I started to panic. Had I asked the wrong question at the wrong time?

“Are you alright? I hope I didn't ask the wrong question.” I said.

“No, he’s just being dramatic. We would like to be friends with you. We would have asked you but you weren't the easiest to talk to.” Grant explained.

“Oh.” I said with a small smile. So they really wanted to be my friends.

All of sudden Ryan hugged me. I went into temporary shock. It was getting harder to breathe.

“This is such a huge moment.” he said and ended the hug.

I couldn't respond. I was trying to get my bearings right.

By the time I came to, the class was packed and Ryan and Grant were looking at me worriedily.

I sent them a small smile and focused on the class. At least, things went better than expected.

I didn't share my next class with both of them. I only shared it with Grant. He asked me for my number but I told him I didn't have a phone.

“Why? Diana has one.” he said confused.

“Our parents are very strict with me.” I told him.

“But you're eighteen, you are a being of your own now.” he whispered back.

How I wish that was true.

I just smiled at him and told him I would talk to them. He left it at that and I was glad because if he didn't I don't know what I would have said.

I didn't share any more classes with them afterwards.

°°°°°°°°

It was lunch time and I had no plans of going to the cafeteria. But my plans changed when Grant spotted me in the hallway.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

“The bleachers.” I told him.

He didn't say anything. He just grabbed my hand and led me to a table in the cafeteria.

I did what I could to not faint from the looks everyone was giving us and from the mere contact between us.

“What took you guys so long?” Ryan asked.

“I wasn't planning on coming.” I told him honestly.

Grant and Ryan engaged in a discussion but also made me feel apart of it by asking my opinion about things.

I had never been noticed or thought of. This felt surreal.

But the moment just had to be ruined by my sister.

“Hey guys.” she said in a cherry voice that was so fake. Couldn't anyone hear how fake it was?

I could see the guys groan.

They really didn't like Diana. This was going to be a lot of work.

Jordan was right beside her as they sat down and I didn't want to look at him because I was going to stare and then everyone would start to ask me questions and then Diana would get mad.

That couldn't happen so I relied on his smell to keep me sane.

Lunch was filled with Diana talking and talking. Grant and Ryan were having side talks while Jordan was quite.

I didn't know if he was eating or staring at Diana. I was going to go with the former.

°°°°°°°

When I got to my living space I saw my articles of clothing at the steps of the porch. My mother was sitting on the porch with narrowed eyes.

What was going on?

I stood at the steps awaiting whatever it is she was itching to tell me.

“Come here.” she said coldly.

I obeyed.

When I was in front of her. She stood up and poured a liquid from a vile unto my hair.

“You aren't staying inside this house anymore. You will be staying in the forest. Don't bother trying to run, you will be on fire the minute you leave this place without instructions to do so. You can only go to school and come back. Don't even think of killing yourself. You are being watched.” she said and walked in.

I sighed, picked up my things and went in search of my little shelter.

Nothing new here.

Love you

-Carsyne