☾ 23: Motel ☾

I jumped through my bedroom window. I avoided the front door in case Laine was waiting for me there. Once I got in I shut the window as quietly as I could. The house seemed pretty quiet. I checked the clock and it was midnight, everyone is most likely asleep.

It was then that I noticed Laine asleep on my bed. I slowly crawled in myself, making sure not to wake her up, and wrapped my arms around her. I fell asleep within seconds.

When I woke Laine had returned to her room. I went over to check on her and she obviously asked where I had been. There was no point in lying, so I sat next to her and came clean about everything.

"S-so you're just going to leave?" She said looking down at her fiddling hands.

"Well, I do kind of want to see my real parents. I'll be back though, it's only for like a week."

She nodded slowly.

"Sorry, I didn't tell-." I was about to grab her hand when the doorbell rang.

We sat in silence for a few moments then someone walked into her room, looking down at their phone.

"Hey, Laine! So, I was thinking after the movies tonight we go to this new restaurant-." She paused seeing Laine wasn't alone. "Oh, hey Cassy."

It was Heather.

"Hey." I greeted back though the atmosphere grew awkward.

"So... You guys are like... Hanging out tonight?" I asked genuinely curious.

Laine didn't look at me as she replied.

"Something like that..." She said biting her lip nervously.

That's when it clicked.

"Wait... You guys are going on a-. I didn't know-."

So many thoughts began running through my head. How long had this been going on? I thought Laine and I were starting something. Was I too distant?

"We are just seeing where the night takes us. It's not like I'm dating anyone anyway." Laine stated.

My heart ached at her words. She was right and I guess I have been too focused on my life to officially ask her out. I don't know why I would've expected her to wait. Me leaving wouldn't have helped the situation either.

"Laine and I have been friends for a long time. I've always liked her but never dared to tell her until I realized I should at least try before someone else swoops in." Heather said and as our eyes met I swear I saw a challenging look in hers.

I never would have guessed but things are starting to click now. Maybe that's why she'd give me odd looks.

"Good for you two," I said trying to seem like I didn't care but I felt heartbroken.

"Thanks! Laine if we don't go now we'll be late for the movie." Heather said.

Laine got up and walked out without sparing me a glance. Just before Heather followed she turned back to me.

"No hard feelings right? I'm sure you can understand..."

Before I could reply she left. Understand what? Having feelings for someone for so long? No... She meant something else.

"Well, so much for spending time with your girlfriend." I jumped looking behind me to find Katherine smirking.

"Shut up. She's not my girlfriend." I grumbled.

"I can see that." She said as she stood in front of me.

I rolled my eyes at her comment.

"Since your friend ditched you, now would be the perfect time to get going."

I stood up, quickly realizing I shouldn't have because now there were only a few inches of space between us.

"W-We can't... She might get back soon and I wouldn't want to leave things like that."

"Since when does anyone get home early from a date? She doesn't deserve your goodbyes. Hell, she didn't even bother to look at you when she left."

"O-Okay, well... Can you move so we can go then?" I managed to say in slight defeat and nervousness.

"Am I too close to you?" She smirked devilishly as she leaned in closer. "Or too far?" She whispered.

I felt her breath on my face. My eyes were darting around nervously.

She laughed. "I can hear your heart going crazy in there. Anything you're not telling me?" She smirked once again.

"N-No." I pushed her away in panic and to my surprise, it was much stronger than I was intending.

I had unknowingly used my supernatural strength which sent her to the wall.

"S-Sorry! I forgot-." I said quickly as I took a step toward her to make sure she was okay.

"Using your strength, huh? Good job." She quickly ran up to me and pinned me down on the bed. "But I'm older so that makes me stronger. Don't test me." She whispered.

Wait... I'm a hybrid though. In theory, shouldn't that make me equal if not stronger than her? Deciding to test my theory, I pushed her with all the strength I could muster. Before I knew it, I found myself pinning her against the wall.

I smiled at my victory. "I'm the hybrid though," I said as I stepped away from her.

"That's a downside." She said playfully pouting.

"How old are you exactly?" I asked curiously.

"I turned at eighteen, but I've been around for a hundred so far."

"Damn, you are old." I teased. "Were you born a vampire or turned?"

"Born." She said simply.

"Then why did you stop aging at eighteen?"

"That was my age when I first had human blood from the vein. Once you drink from the vain you're committed to a full-blown vampire." She said.

"What happens if you don't?"

"Then you'll die eventually like a human."

A sudden realization dawned on me.

"W-Wait but I-."

I had a taste of Heather's dad's blood... That means I...

"No, it's not as simple for you. You have to be in human form to make it 'official' you were in your wolf form. Taking blood in wolf form only makes it harder to resist the real deal."

"Oh, okay." I breathed out now relaxed. "So, did you choose-."

"Wow, you ask a lot of questions." She interrupted. "Why don't we just get going? There's a long trip ahead of us."

I was happy she answered a lot of my questions without hesitation as well. Unlike some people.

"How long exactly?"

Katherine gave me a look that said 'you're doing it again'. I gave an apologetic look back.

"Not long... Maybe a few days."

I wanted to ask why she said maybe. I mean if she got here she should know how long it takes to go back, right? I ignored the thought and headed to the door.

"What are you doing?" She questioned.

"I'm-."

"Just how boring are you?" She laughed as she grabbed my arm.

She didn't even give me time to process before dragging me out the window.

"I... was going to do that," I said trying to hide my surprise.

"Uh, huh. Now you can stop clawing my arm?"

I looked down. She was no longer holding on to me but instead, I was gripping her arm for dear life.

"S-Sorry." I quickly let go. "Are you okay?"

She gave me the look that told me I was being stupid again.

"You're cute but what happened to you?" She poked me.

"W-what are you talking about?" I stuttered at her compliment.

"You used to be so much more courageous. Now you're terrified of your own shadow!" She laughed.

She's right I became a coward. I had never been scared of my parents or James. I just did what I wanted and took the punishments. Of course, then I didn't realize I could fight back.

"I'm not afraid of anything." I partially lied.

"Then prove it." She said as she stepped closer.

I grew nervous yet again. Is she going to?... No, she wouldn't. She just acts that way for her entertainment.

"On this little road trip, you'll have tiny tests I'm sure. So we'll see just how fearless you are." She smirked before looking up at the sky.

"Great it getting dark." She suddenly grew a mischievous smile. "Good thing I know a place."

Before I could speak she grabbed my hand and vampire sped off to a motel.

"Wait here a minute. Let me see if they have a room." She said and walked in.

I didn't argue knowing it would be pointless. I could've just stayed at home. Laine would've gotten back and I could've said goodbye. Maybe even clear things up.

I looked around. Even if I wanted to go back, what seemed like a minute run, would've probably taken a car hours to get where we are now. I also had no idea which direction we came from.

"Cass!" Katherine called from the door.

"We're lucky. They have one room left."

She called me Cass... Why did that make me want to smile?

We went inside our room and it was petty small. I quickly took note of the one bed.

As if unfazed, Katherine plopped onto the bed and got comfortable under the covers. She looked over at me when I refused to move.

"Come on. We have to rest up for tomorrow." She said as she patted the space next to her.

"I think I'm good with the floor."

"Come on, don't be like that. I don't bite... Unless you want me to..." She purred.

Jesus. Not only the way she said it but the look in her eyes... Focus Cassy!

"You might not but I do." I didn't realize how my words sounded until they left my mouth. My eyes widened in panic.

"Kinky. Is that a promise?" She smirked.

I facepalmed to feign annoyance but in reality, I was trying to cover my burning face.

"Come on. I'm just joking around. There's no need for you to sleep on the floor... Unless... you know..."

No way. There was absolutely no way was she insinuating I was afraid. This is not at all frightening! It's purely about personal space yet she keeps looking at me as if to say 'I win'.

"Alright, fine!" I got into bed, facing away from her.

"Good night." I sensed her smile behind her words.

This was going to be a long trip.