twenty five

I resisted the urge to throw up so I could shower; as the water ran over my body, I couldn't help but let my mind wander. I grabbed a bottle of Phoenix Axe shampoo 2 in 1 and rubbed it into my scalp, and I relaxed as I breathed in deeply. The smell filled my nose, and I felt calm, like she was with me. Suddenly I felt nervous; I looked down at my body and thought about her hands on it. My stomach flipped, and I pushed the thought away.

When I stepped out of the shower, I wrapped the towel around my chest and sat on the side of the tub. "Vivian- oh, I'm sorry." E was standing in the doorway, she glanced down at me, and I crossed my ankles. "I'm sorry."

"It's ok- I'm sorry I felt gross."

"Uh. It's ok. I'll grab you some clothes." She backed out of the bathroom and closed the door; I hung my head. Why couldn't she have walked in a few minutes easier- what no, no, Viv stop. E knocked, and when I opened the door, she held out a white shirt and a pair of jogging pants. I thanked her and closed the door leaning my back on it. Jesus Christ. I pulled on the shirt and the jogging pants looking in the mirror; the pants were the most comfortable things I have ever worn in my life. I walked out, and E was sitting at her table with two coffees and bagels; I looked at her, and she ran her hand through her hair.

"These are the most comfortable pants I've ever worn," I said, and she smiled.

"They are my favourite." She smiled.

"You heard my thought didn't y-"

"I did." I sighed and put my head in my hands, and she laughed lightly. "You had no problem telling me last night how I annoyed you because I wouldn't sleep with you."

"Sleeping isn't the thing I'm worried about," I mumbled under my breath.

"You've ever slept with someone on the first date- we haven't even had that much yet."

"So you'll drink my blood but won't fu-"

"Vivan." She stopped me, and I sipped my coffee. "Just because we're soulmates doesn't mean you can't get hurt."

"I've never wanted anyone as much as I want you."

"That's part of my... charm." She rolled her eyes.

"You're not attracted to me."

"Excuse me?"

"You aren't attracted to me."

"You are, hands down, the most beautiful person I've ever seen in all my lives. You just get more beautiful each time. And if I gave way to my feelings, I would have fucked the shit out of you that first time I saw you." My stomach tingled.

"E..."

"Eat." She pushed my bagel towards me, and I ate it without even thinking about it. As she threw the wrappers in the garbage and took my hand in hers, and pulled me to my feet. I wanted to puke again. "Go lay down, take a nap." I nodded, and she sat on her couch; I sat beside her, and she pulled me over to her. She wrapped her arms around me tightly, and I instantly went to sleep.

"Come on." She said quietly. I looked around and saw a massive crowd of people, E was standing next to a girl, and I squinted to see her. Joy?

"E?" I yelled; she turned around with an evil grin on her face bearing her fangs. "E, are you ok?"

"I don't know what happened." Cece was crying, I walked over towards her to comfort her, but I stopped in my tracks when I saw a girl- me in a casket.

"A bear- I couldn't stop it." E cried. I saw Joy smile wide, but no one noticed.

"It's ok, E; I can't believe what you're going through."

"I'm so glad you have Joy." Cece wiped her eyes.

"Me too." E wrapped her arms around Joy, and she kissed her head.

"What the fuck?" I asked. Everyone faded except E and Joy, Joy smiled, and E pushed her away.

"I can't believe you killed her."

"If you tasted her blood, you would have understood."

"Oh, I'm not complaining." She looked away. "I get you all to myself- she really believed it all, did she?" E nodded and let out a breath. "God, I love you." She kissed E and E killed back, tugging at her shirt. No, I don't want to see this.