Out Of Sight

          For the past couple of weeks Alyssa was sure to follow Dana's advice to put Justin out of her mind and she was immensely proud that she succeeded. Justin was doing just as she had asked as well. He wasn't looking at her during class or stopping by her house at night. She knew because she always watched and waited, hoping that he wasn't there. The only way she could try to talk about it with Jenny when asked about “Pierce” was to say he confessed his love and was a recovering drug addict. Not the truth but the closest thing she could think of at the time. Jenny, of course, told her that she wasn’t a judgmental person but "You should probably stay far away from him."  Of course, Alyssa agreed at the time but at this point, having all of Justin’s sweet words and haunting eyes floating around in her head, she felt she needed more information before coming to any solid decisions. Sadly, Alyssa knew Dana wasn't going to be any help in that area due to the fact that she hated his guts. There was only one person she hopefully could get some answers from. Having made up her mind she put down the paintbrush and marched straight into Cynthia's room. "Cynthia, would you mind dropping me at Rocket Ship?"

        Cynthia was lying across on her bed reading a book. "I'm in the middle of something."

        "Please Cynthia! Then you can go right back to reading."

        "Why don't you ask mom or dad?'

        "You dare to ask me such a question!"

        Cynthia sighed. "Alright, I'll take you.”

        Alyssa was a bit worried she would run into Justin. She's mostly kept herself locked up in her room painting since she found out about everything. She scoffed thinking of how many times she's had to paint over those gray eyes.

        "Why did you want to come here anyway?" Cynthia asked pulling up to the restaurant.

        "I was looking into a part time job. I'll call later if I need a ride. Thanks Cynthia." She rushed out of the car before Cynthia could reply waving as she entered the restaurant. With a quick glance around she saw Dana's aunt Brenda standing at the bar. "Hi Brenda."

        "Hi Alyssa. How are ya?" Brenda asked while filling up a few customers glasses with water.

        "Pretty good, is Charlie working today or would you know if he's home?"

        "Last time I checked his Camaro was out back. Why don't you just run up and see."

        "Thanks Brenda."  Alyssa walked through the doors and to the stairwell. 

        "There's no turning back now." She said to herself while knocking on his door.

        Instantly he opened the door inviting her in. "Hey Alyssa! This is a pleasant surprise."

        Alyssa could feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she walked past him into the living room. Oh-my-gosh he's naked! Not naked Alyssa, without a shirt. If Dana wasn't his sister, she wouldn't even think twice about his profession. His body is incredible! "I just wanted to talk to you if you're not too busy."

        "Yeah, I'm not doing anything. Just came out of the shower."

        She could tell with a few droplets of water falling from his hair to his shoulders. "That would explain the towel around your neck."

        "What did you want to talk about?"  He asked joining her on the couch.

        "I'm sure Dana has mentioned to you that I know about Justin being a vampire. Well, I guess I am having a few conflicting thoughts. Like, she has no problem speaking her mind, why didn't she tell me?"

        Charlie stretched his arms out over the back of the couch. "I'm pretty sure she didn't want to freak you out or overload you. Being a witch, itself must have come as quite a shock to you."

        "I suppose. How long have you known about them?"

        "About vampires? I became aware in high school as well. I wasn't as eager to learn about the gypsy ways, but Grammie knew that some were near and warned me. I started to pay more attention after one of my best friends turned up dead. Did you know I use to be on the basketball team? Philip, Evan and I were the stars of the court. If you think I'm funny, you wouldn't have after being around Evan. He had such charisma! I admit to being a little jealous of him at times. Anyway, one night after winning our game against the Pirates it was a tradition to go celebrate or wallow in depression at Rocket Ship. Evan laid his eyes on this beautiful blonde. He was sure he was going to score with her so he went as he normally would do to strike up a conversation.  They left before the rest of us did. He was found two days later in Covington Woods. After the initial shock, I learned all I could from Grammie so I could hunt it down and kill it. I didn't do it alone, Philip hunted with me. It didn't take long until we found it."

        "What did you do?”

        Charlie chuckled. "We set up a trap. It was too easy after that. The sun did all the work for us."

        "The sun? But Justin and Aviva are in the sun all the time!"

        "We aren't sure exactly how they do it but somehow they are able to avoid dying in the sun. When they came around, we knew what they were and confronted them. They insisted they didn't kill humans and wished to live peacefully. So, we waited for them to make a move. It never happened."

        "Are they like the vampires in movies?'

        "All that we know is that are strong, quick and do have the ability to fly. Garlic does nothing to them same goes for the cross. The sunlight and decapitation are the only things known that can kill them."

        Alyssa looked at her hands in her lap saying nothing.

        Charlie sat forward to look at her. "Dana told me Justin is interested in you. Just because I haven't killed them doesn't mean I wouldn't. If they lay one finger on you, they're done for."

        Alyssa smiled. "It's good to know I'm well protected but don't worry about me. I can take care of myself. If they haven't hurt anyone then I think I can sleep peacefully tonight."

        "Excellent. Let's see it's only twelve o'clock. What were your plans for today?"

        "I didn't really have any other than to see you."

        "Alright I have two questions. First one, did you have lunch yet?  Second, do you like video games?"

        "No, I haven't and yes I do."

        Charlie's expression went from sweet to ruthless tossing his towel onto the armchair. "What's your favorite system?"

        "Honestly, I think I like the old school better."

        "Old school like Sega?"

        "Sega was good. Nintendo is where it all began with me."

        Charlie stood walking into the kitchen. "Today is your lucky day.  You get to watch me win. I have an old box tv in my room and all the original systems. Care for a turkey sandwich?"

        “Yes, thank you I would. And I don't think you have any idea who you're talking to." Alyssa quipped back, taking off her jacket. "You are in the presence of the Duck Hunt champion of all time.”

        Charlie chuckled. “Child’s play! Super Mario Brothers is where the challenge really is.”

        "You really don't know what you're getting yourself into," she insisted peeking through the doorway.

        "Are you telling me I'll regret this?" Charlie asked. "Mayo or mustard?"

        "I know you will! Mustard, with extra tomatoes and a pickle."

        "The restaurant is downstairs. I love a good challenge." Charlie handed her the sandwich and a bottle of water with a raised eyebrow. "Let the battle begin!"

                “I had so much fun today it was like being in Cali. Charlie is so much fun. Not to mention his body is beautiful!"

        "Is that a fact? How exactly would you know Alyssa?" Jenny asked lifting her eyebrows a couple of times.

        "He had just come out of the shower and didn't quite finish getting dressed. You could eat off his abs. No joke."

        Jenny squealed and giggled. "I can't believe you were in a room with a hot guy with his shirt off and didn't faint."

        "I know! I just feel comfortable with Charlie. It’s almost like hanging out with you guys. Oh! You know what else? While we were playing Super Mario Brothers 3, he was getting annoyed and started complaining about the time limit and that killing every enemy was a waste of time. He went on to say the problem with girls is we are missing the whole point of the game as we play. So, I said that's because boys are lazy and don't want to play the game as it's supposed to be played." she laughed wholeheartedly. "Jenny you would love him!"

        "You are absolutely right. We've found a worthy opponent."

        "Indeed, we have. The good thing about it is we exchanged phone numbers with a promise to rematch since I smoked him at Duck Hunt."

        “As if you wouldn't!” Jenny gave a slight bow. “Even I must bow down to the queen.”

        Alyssa giggled. "Well, he's learned his lesson."

        “He's probably practicing like crazy as we speak.”

        "I wouldn't be surprised. You know how much boys hate to be beaten by girls. He handled it well though." If it wasn't for Justin, I wouldn't have had such a great day with Charlie. And I mean it was a fabulous day. I think even the best day yet in this town and all thank the boy who is handling the situation between us awfully well for someone who's in love with me. I wonder what would happen if I just called out to him.

        "Alyssa, what are you thinking right now?" Jenny asked in a knowing tone. "Is it about Charlie, William, or Pierce?"

        Alyssa chuckled a little. "Why does it have to be about a guy?"

        "You can't fool me Alyssa, which one?"

        "Pierce," she answered honestly. "I just feel that I shouldn't reject him for the things he's done before especially since he's recovered and hasn't hurt anyone. I don't like being judgmental."

        Jenny sighed, removing her glasses to rub the bridge of her nose as she often did when she was getting frustrated. "It's not that I don't agree with you. It's just that drugs are a serious matter. It is something like my relationship with popcorn. It’s delicious but bad for my gums and I can accept that for sure but sometimes I can’t help but want that fluffy white cheddar flavor deliciousness in my mouth. The desire somehow is always still there and for me I often give in. What is it going to take for him to return to that lifestyle? Maybe nothing, maybe something small. It's just too risky.”

        “But as a friend not a boyfriend it should be fine, right?"

        "Aly," Jenny paused. "I don't want you to get hurt. I know you really like him. Are you sure you'd be able to only be friends?”

        Alyssa rolled her eyes back. "I have so many protectors! I promise to be careful. I promise I won’t get caught up in anything I can't handle. You have my word. I wouldn't think about it if he wasn't a decent guy."

        Jenny began shaking her finger. “Remember if you go back on those words, I will make a personal trip east just to kick your butt.”

        "You may have to take a number. I'm going to call it a night."

        “Alright, goodnight,” Jenny said with a yawn.

         Alyssa disconnected walking over to her favorite part of her room. She sat down in the window staring over the woods. "Finally, I know exactly what I want to do." She would try projecting her thoughts to Justin. Alright. How do I even do that?  She pictured his eyes focused a little then silently spoke. "Justin, can you hear me?"  She waited a few minutes.  Did he hear me? Did it work? Should I try it again? I'll try again. "Justin if you can hear me. Come to me. I'll be waiting outside." Alyssa sighed while throwing on a sweater and jeans before heading outside having no idea exactly how long it could take him to arrive if her got the message at all. "This is crazy," she mumbled waiting for him, leaning against an oak tree.

        "I'm here." He said a few minutes later.

        Her heart frantically started pounding in her chest as she looked into the woods. "Where are you? Come where I can see you."

        In the blink of an eye he appeared inches away from her, stealing her breath away. His expression was the one she had been seeing recently, a blank canvas.

        "Let's talk like this. It's kind of cool," she shyly looked away. "Um, well, I had to wrap my mind around you and what you are."

        He folded his arms. "You were frightened."

        "I was beyond frightened. I talked to Charlie and well, anyway, I've reached a conclusion." She looked up into his eyes. "I don't think there's any reason not to be friends."        .

        He smirked, leaned in closer. "That's fine with me. Why don't we go to the movies tomorrow?"

        "Well, the thing is." She looked off again. "My friends don't really approve of you."

        "You mean the gypsies?" His brow furrowed.

        "Not just them. I know it a horrible thing to ask but could we be secret friends, just for now?"    

        The wind blew a strand of hair out of her braid and across her face. He gently brushed it back lightly caressing her cheek. "Secret friends… I could do that…for now."   

        Alyssa's heart skipped a beat. "As friends you shouldn't stand so close to me and try to keep touching down to a minimum."

        Justin seemed to float backwards a bit. "Then I am asking my friend if she wants to get together tomorrow somewhere private. All you need to do is go to the place where we had our first date. I'll be waiting. Good night, SooKyung." With a charming smile he left as quickly as he had appeared leaving Alyssa staring in wonder.

        "He may not like Dana but they're more alike than they realize." She muttered walking back to her room. “Another person telling me what my plans are." She may complain about it but she knew she was finally going to sleep well tonight.