Honesty

                Alyssa sat in class with her hair spread all around her. She was trying her very best to become invisible in the second to last row. No one should be looking at her or even care about her but someone wasn't watching the videos with the rest of the class, even though they were two rows in front of her and on the far side of the room. It was Justin. Watching her like a hawk and it took all of her energy not to jump out of her chair and run out of the classroom.

        "Next group is Paul, Alyssa, Ty, Parker, Justin and Cole." Ms. McKellar called out, "A Midsummer Night Dream."

        Alyssa dragged her feet to the front of the classroom. This way she could make sure she wasn't stand near Justin. She squeezed in between Parker and Paul. Justin was two people away from her but still this distance was too close. All she wanted do, was to forget about last night.

        “'Purple flower, work your magic as you sink into his pupils that when he sees the girl he loves, she shines brighter than all the heavens. Dude, when you wake up and she's close to you, beg for her to provide the remedy.”

        Hearing Justin's voice in the video, the words he spoke, makes me remember his glowing eyes right before he-. Right before he what, Alyssa? He didn't do anything. It's all in your head. It was just a bug bite, a very large, bug bite that left a bruise and a couple of reminder spots. Like a huge mosquito. That's normal for around here, I'm sure. He's not a-. No. I won't even say it. I won't even think it. What's the point of entertaining nonsense? No point at all. She scolded herself but couldn't help but to picture his face again, the urgency in his eyes. He looked as though he needed me. Snap out of it, Alyssa! Of course, he did! Of course, he did! He wanted to suck your-! No! I won't say it. I won't!

        "Can you hurt me anymore than by saying you hate me? Why would you hate me? What’s happened to you, honey? Am I not Hermia? Aren’t you Lysander? I’m as beautiful now as I was just a few minutes ago, literally. One minute we're together and the very next you’re done. It's over—Oh, give me strength, seriously?" She heard herself say. Good. It's almost over. At the end I will just latch myself onto Paul. He wouldn't mind at all. She glanced over at him, then at the clock. It was almost time for lunch. She could wait, talking with Paul, then leave after Justin was out of the door. Yes, that would work. It's perfect. "I'm completely blown away. I have nothing to say." There is was her last line and the end of the video.

        Mrs. McKellar turned off the video, “Excellent job on the acting, as well as the play. You really found a way to make it modern." Just then the bell rang. "You all will receive your final scores tomorrow. Class dismissed.”

        Alyssa did as she planned and held onto Paul's arm. Paul smiled down at her. "We did a great job. I'm sure we got an A."

        “Yeah, me too," she replied as they walked back to her desk. "I was just a little nervous about the whole thing." Out of the corner of her eye she watched Justin leave and breathed a sigh of relief.

        "If it all goes well how would you like to celebrate with a caramel frappe tomorrow?"

        Yummy caramel! She thought to herself in excitment, "If we get an A then I'm all for it. Just you and me." She agreed tossing her backpack over her shoulder and flipping her hair to the other side.

        "Wow. What an ugly bruise."

        "Yeah, would you believe me if I told you a branch hit me the other night? I know, how clumsy of me," she replied quickly covering it up with hair. "Talk to ya later."

        Paul took a right down the hall and Alyssa took a left headed out the side door only to run into someone. "Oh, I'm so so-rry." Her voice trailed off as she stared wide eyed at the very person she was desperately trying to avoid.

        "I can take your shyness, but I cannot take this behavior. Come with me." Justin demand pulling her out the door, not towards Dana but straight to the school parking lot. Those that were gasped watching in wonder.

        Aviva was nearby talking with a few cheerleaders as she saw him open the door for Alyssa before entering and leaving the parking lot.

        Alyssa sat rigid not looking left or right, heart beating rapidly as stared at her fisted hands in her lap.

        Justin took a deep breath. “Alyssa, nothing has changed has it?”

        No, nothing. Nothing, only that. Only that...

        “You said you were mine. I didn't force you to say those words. You spoke your heart to me. Maybe you thought it was a dream. It wasn't. It's real. I'm real. I am a-.”

        “Don't say it,” her voice shook, “please.”

        He abruptly pulled over on the side of the rode. “Look at me.”

        She couldn't. She wouldn't.

        "Alyssa, look at me this instant!" He demanded. But his lips never moved. She covered her mouth gasping in horror as she obeyed.

        His eyes were sorrowful resembling the clouds on a rainy day. No matter if she wanted to be in denial and have nothing to do with him ever again, she couldn't help but want to comfort him when he looked like that. 

        He breathed a sigh of relief momentarily closing his eyes. "That's all I needed to see. The look you have in your eyes now." he opened his eyes. "Alyssa I would never hurt you. I have fallen in love with you. When you first moved here there were quite a few people making comments about a redhead that was sure to be trouble. It made me very curious about you. When I saw you, you took my breath away too."

        "I- I did?" She stuttered quietly.

        He smiles taking her free hand in his. "Why do you find that so hard to believe? I also find that charming about you."

       Slowly she slid her hand away from his. "I- I can't."

       "Why?"  He asked her silently. "Please tell me why."

       "H-How are you doing that? How are you in my head?"

       "When I nibbled on you Saturday it connected us. You could say we're united. Clearly you have your own free will. I can't read minds or know what you're thinking, for the most part. I don't do mind control or anything like that. I would never hurt you, SooKyung."

        Ah. There he goes, making my heart flutter at the sound of my name on his lips. This is unfair. This is torture. How could I even think about being with someone that's a vampire? "Take me back. Take me back now please. I can't. I just need some time to think. I need to be alone."

        He drove her back in silence. As she got out in a quiet voice she said, "Um, please don't talk to me or look for me. I will find you when I'm ready but not now."

        The bell rang as she closed the door and began running to her class but decided to stop in the bathroom. She splashed cold water on her face a few times taking some deep breaths.

        "I knew something strange was going on for a long while now, with you and Justin."  A cold voice stated.

        "Aviva!" Alyssa almost jumped out of her skin. She was standing directly behind her.

        "Alyssa, for your own good you need to stay far away from Justin. I don't know exactly what's going on but I'm sure it's nothing good. What did he say to you?"

        Alyssa wasn't completely sure she should tell her the truth considering Aviva's alpha female aura hostility. "He told me that he liked me and asked me on a date. I turned him down."

        Aviva's hard expression didn't change. "For your sake, I hope that's the truth."

        Without a second glance she left. With hands in face Alyssa fought the urge to cry. This was too much for me to deal with, just too much. She took a couple of deep breaths as the second bell before walking into class.

                "Alyssa, why did you ditch me at lunch?" Dana while driving her home after school, "I'm hoping what I heard wasn't true. That's why I waited until now to ask."

        Alyssa's heart leaped at the thought of the whole lunch ordeal. "It's true. I went for a ride with Justin."

        "What happened on this ride?" Dana asked.

        Alyssa took a deep breath. Did Dana know? Did she know he was a vampire? "He told me some things."

        "Like what? What did he say?"

        "He said he really liked me,"

        "Um hmm,"

        "And that he would never hurt me."

        "OK."

        "That he is a-"her voice had begun to shake. Could she actually say it out loud?

        "He's a what, Alyssa? That he's a vampire? It's true. He is. That's all I know and care to know about him. Aviva is one as well. They are the only ones in our school and how they're even pulling that off I'm not sure. That's why I told you to stay away from him. Clearly you're shook up. Just pretend that you know nothing and forget all about it. It's nothing to worry about, believe me. They haven't done anything to harm anyone, at least not around here."

        "H-Harm? Dana, you're freaking me out!"

        "Sorry, sorry. Like I said, don't even think about it." Dana pulled up to the house. "By the way, how are things going with your gift?"

        "I guess things are coming along. What is it exactly?"

        "It's gladiolus."

        “Well, it's sprouted."

        "No, it hasn't. It doesn't sprout for about a month or so."

        "Well, it has. Honestly, it just looks like a pot of grass. I keep it in the attic since it stays pretty warm up there for now."

        Dana didn't reply and seemed to be lost in thought. "Well, here you are. I'll talk to you later."

        As Dana pulled out of the driveway, Paul walked straight over. "Hey, Alyssa. I was hoping that we could talk."

        "Sure. Do you want to come inside?”

        "Sounds good," He answered following her into the kitchen.

        She threw her things on the floor near the kitchen table before grabbing the bottle of milk from the refrigerator. "Would you like a glass of milk? Cookie?" she asked taking an oatmeal cookie from the jar.

        "No thanks." He waited until she sat before seating himself across from her. "Are you okay? I knew you were acting a bit unusual today when I heard that Justin practically dragged you to his car."

        "I'm alright. He just wanted to talk. That's all. You're right I wasn't feeling well today. I'm feeling a much better now."

        Paul's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "What did he want to talk about?"

        Alyssa took a sip of her milk, "Some things.”

        "What things?'

        She placed her glass on the table heavily. "Really, Paul it's not that important so don't even worry about it."

        "I have to. I really do think of us as friends. As your friend, I just want to make sure he's not hurting you-"

        "He's not. You shouldn't be concerned. If anyone tried anything with me I can take care of myself. I'm well trained in martial arts. Honestly, I am happy to have you as a friend but I don't need you watching my back. I promise, I will use caution with all the guys around here. So please don't worry." She reached out and held his hand for a moment accompanied with a smile.

        Paul smiled warmly in return. "I can understand that. I'm sorry to act like a protective brother over you. Forgive me?"

        "Of course. It's nice having you as a brother type."

        "One more thing Alyssa. Does Cynthia go for younger guys?"

        This was the very last thing Alyssa expected to hear. "You like Cynthia! I had no idea! She's your type?"

        Paul shrugged his shoulder. "She's my type. Does she talk about me?"

        Alyssa giggled. "No, she hasn't. She has never talked to me about any guys she's interested in. What exactly do you like about her?"

        "She's sophisticated, adorable, fashionable. She would make a perfect wife."

        "Well, she does want to get married in the future so maybe there's hope for you."

        "Alyssa!" Cynthia called out as she entered the house. "What is it I hear about that boy-oh, Paul. I didn't even notice your shoes at the door."

        "That's fine I should go. I'll talk to you later, Alyssa. See ya around Cynthia."

        "See ya." Both girls said as he closed the door behind him.

        "What do you think about Paul?" Alyssa asked before Cynthia could speak.

        Cynthia shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. He's okay, I guess."

        "That's it? Don't you just love that hair! I honestly think that's the thing I like the most but also that he seriously is one of the nicest guys I've ever met."

        "Do you have a crush on Paul?"

        "Oh, no, no, he's like a brother to me."

        Cynthia sat beside her. "Enough with the small talk Alyssa. There's been a lot of talk going on about you and Justin."

        "I know. Don't worry. Everything is good and drama free. Everything is fine. He just told me he liked me. That's all.” Even as she said it she began to feel sick. "I'm not feeling so good today."

        "You've been acting strange since yesterday. I hope you're not getting sick. You're the worst when you're sick.”

        "Thanks a lot Cynthia!"

        "It isn't a lie! You hate your room. You hate soup. You hate your pillows and everything inside the house when you're sick!"

        "You are so mean!"

        "No, just brutally honest. So if you're feeling sick please don't ask me for anything." she concluded grabbing a cookie from the cookie jar before leaving Alyssa with mouth wide open in dismay.

        "That's just evil Cynthia!" Alyssa yelled into the now empty room. She ran past her, up to the attic nearly on the verge of tears. Honestly, she was still terrified and wishing more than ever that the move never happened and that monsters were just fiction. "I can't believe he's a vampire. That I actually liked a vampire! I'm never speaking to him again."  she declared and prayed with all her heart that this prayer came true.