Be Careful Who You Trust Chapter 3

Author's note: This is a bit longer but the chapter was just too short to cut down into two sections. Hope it isn't too long! 

Chapter 3

Here I am, sitting in Tim Hortons with my life long crush. If only I didn't have this annoying little vampire talking in my head.

"So, how have you been anyways?" Nathan asked casually but I still smiled at the question. It's been so long since it was just the two of us together. Well, the last time we were alone together, I was ten and he was twelve so it didn't really mean anything. So basically, this is the first time it’s ever meant anything other than "young love."

You're bloody sixteen years old. It's still young love. Shut up Zander! I didn't know if all vampires were this annoying but I sure as hell knew that he should not be in my head. What was up with that anyway? He didn't seem too distressed about it which led me to believe it was a normal thing for vampires.

Maybe it's because I drank his blood. That sounds so creepy and so disgusting. I drank his blood. I shuddered, trying to forget the smell and feel of it rushing down my throat.

Nathan cleared his throat, bringing me back to my present mind, "Oh, sorry. I'm just a little distracted," I ran my hand through my brown hair, messing it up as I scratched at my scalp, "I've been alright. Keeping busy, you know?"

He chuckled, "I don't mean your life, I mean you. How have you been?"

"Oh, that...that's a bit more of a complicated answer. Well, I've had my ups and downs just like everyone else. You know, the regular teenage drama follows me around like a lost puppy. Except a lot less cute."

Wow. That was what I came up with? I used to be so sharp around him. Now I just fumbled for words and it pissed me off. That's one of the first signs that I like someone and he didn't need to know that. He was finally here with me, just like the old times, and I didn't want to scare him away. With my luck, this is just some sick joke he's playing on me.

It's not. Zander's voice popped back into my head. I was proud of myself. I didn't visibly jump this time. Although, I could just kill him if you want to stick to your normal "bad luck" pattern. I felt a sick humor flow through his words and it made the hair on the back of my neck stand.

Get out of my head! I didn't know if it would work but he didn't reply. That was a good enough reaction for me.

I glanced around the restaurant. There wasn't anyone else sitting in the lounge. Most of the sections were closed off for the night which meant that if anyone came in, they would be sitting almost right beside us. It was mostly quiet except for the occasional noise from the staff members or the steady hum of the machinery. I was so glad no one I knew was working. That would make things even more awkward for us.

"Yeah, drama never ends eh? You finally get over something with one friend and then another has some dumb thing to deal with. Funny how we always get caught up in the middle of all of them. I mean, think about it, I can't think of one time any of my friends helped me out with any of my problems. Why? Because they don't know about them," he scoffed, clearly getting annoyed just thinking about it, "Their heads are shoved so far up their asses that they can't see past their own shit."

I chuckled and smiled. It's been a long time since I truly smiled, "That's a good way of putting it. Jen is like that. As your sister, you would know. I know Jen is your sister so I really shouldn't be talking to you about this but whatever. Right now, I seriously don't care."

He smiled, his hazel eyes glinting, "If I wasn't around right now, what would you be doing?"

I squinted my eyes in playful suspicion, "Why?"

"No reason. Just idle curiosity, that's all." He chuckled and ran his fingers through his brown hair, making it stand up. It getting to the length I liked it at. Not too short but not too long.

I smiled again, "I would probably be writing in my diary, listening to either sad, depressing music or very angry music. The way I'm feeling right now, I'm gonna take a wild guess and say angry."

"What!? You have a diary?" He chuckled and scratched his head, "That's something I never would have imagined you having."

I scoffed, "And why not?"

"I don't know. You're just - you're you. I guess you just have such a calm, understanding personality that it's hard to picture you throwing stuff down in a book." What was that supposed to mean? I suppose it was kind of a compliment, in its own weird way. I have such a calm, understanding personality. Actually, coming from Nathan, that was definitely a compliment.

"Well, like you said, everyone's heads are so revolved around themselves that they don't notice anyone else's problems. I'm one of those people no one notices so my diary is my me. I don't have a me to rant to so my diary gets it." Why was I telling him this? Most of those pages were about him or James. When I got home, it'll be filled up with how freaked I am about everything.

"In nicer terms, of course. Look, Katie, I swear I didn't know that they didn't tell you. It was wrong of them to hide it from you. Both of them this time," he sighed, obviously upset with his sister's continuous behavior, "I don't know why Jen treats you the way she does. She treats you like shit. I don't know why you even stick around. " He lowered his eyes and I instantly felt guilty. He was ashamed for his sister's actions.

"No. Nathan, you have nothing to blame yourself for. This is on Jen this time. It's just as wrong for you to always take the blame for her shit. I've seen you do this before. You did this when she first started dating Austin two years ago and you're doing it again. Stop it." I didn't look away this time. He needed to know how serious I was and how much I didn't blame him. Right now, he was the only thing making sense. Which was pretty bad but he was better than nothing. A lot better.

We locked eyes for what seemed like an eternity. I surprised myself when I didn't look away bashfully. No, this time I stared into his beautiful hazel eyes with confidence. Fake confidence but confidence nonetheless.

He smiled and inhaled deeply, breaking eye contact. I did not just stare him down. Oh my gosh, I'm such an idiot.

Yep. Oh great, Zander wasn't gone. Had he been listening in this whole time? I decided to ignore the stupid voice in my head and washed down the memory of blood with a quick gulp of tea.

No, vampires didn't exist. I dreamt it all and was about to wake up. There was no way Nathan would spend this much time with me willingly. This was one of those cruel dreams that make me wake up feeling happy and then reality hits and my world goes to shit. Ever had one of those? Yeah, they suck.

"Thanks but I still feel like I should have known. I know it's not my fault you didn't know but still. She does shit like this all the time so I really should have made sure you knew. That is a crappy way to figure out." He leaned back in his chair and stretched. I really should be letting him go. He was tired and probably had to work with his dad tomorrow.

My phone buzzed. I sighed and looked at Nathan. He smiled but it didn't reach his eyes. I pulled my iPhone out and looked at the contact. Oh shit. It was Mom.

"It's Mom. I'm gonna be in so much shit." I held it still, debating whether or not I should answer it.

"You better answer. If you don't, she'll assume you got kidnapped and call the police." He chuckled and propped himself on the table with his elbows.

Here goes.

"Hi Mom..." I sounded so guilty. I wasn't doing anything bad! I hate my stupid voice right now.

"Katie Meara Sunderland. Where are you? Do you know what time it is?" She spoke very quietly. Oh great. That's scarier than if she was yelling at me. Yelling means anger. Quiet means wrath, punishment and being grounded.

I looked down at my watch. It was four o'clock in the morning.

"Um, I'm just at Timmies right now. I'll come home right away."

"Who are you there with?" The dreaded question.

"I'm just with Jen and a few of her friends." I lied, again. I'm making a habit of it.

"Get home now. We'll talk about this in the morning."

It is morning, Mom.

"Ok." I hung up the phone and looked at Nathan. He was grinning with sympathy. The jerk was eighteen now. He didn't have to answer to his parents anymore. I still had two years to go before having eternal bliss of being independent. Well, it was kind of nice having the house bills paid but everything else about it sucked.

"Shut up." I glared at him. I hoped he wouldn't take it too seriously. It's been a while since we hung out so he may have forgotten just how sarcastic I can be.

"I didn't say anything!" He threw his hands up in a defensive way, making me chuckle.

"Your eyes said it all."

He stood up and handed me my jacket. We walked to the car in silence and he opened my door for me again. That was a rare quality nowadays. Most guys treat women like dirt. It was nice to be pampered every once in a while and I was extremely happy it was Nathan who was doing it for me.

Once we both were in the car, Nathan drove away from the little Timmies and towards my death. We stayed silent and I was oddly not uncomfortable with the quiet. I figured that this night was a relatively good night, despite everything. I had a good time with him.

What do you see in this kid? Look at him. He's just a little twerp.

Zander, I would appreciate it if you got out of my head. You saved my life and I'm grateful for that but you made it clear you want nothing to do with me. So GET OUT OF MY HEAD! I hoped he felt my anger the way I felt his sick nature. If I had to deal with him for the rest of my life, I would probably commit suicide. I don't care how wrong taking my own life is. I would do it before going insane. I take that back because I'm already insane.

If it makes you feel any better, I don't feel exactly thrilled that you’re my soul mate. I've personally decided that I'm going to ignore it. I may be in your head but I'm looking for a way to disconnect myself from you, there was silence for a minute, making me uneasy, of course! I'll just kill you. It'll be the easiest way. Hmm.

What the hell? Who tells someone that?

Um, for one, there's no way in hell I'm your "soulmate" and you are not going to kill me. Go kill yourself. That sounds like a better plan. He couldn't kill me. Well, he could but I won't let him! I should be safe in my house because vampires have to be invited in and I sure wasn't gonna let him anywhere near my house.

Wait. I didn't know if that was true. I've seen that in movies. Reality was probably a lot different. So, if you asked me what my disadvantages are, I would name off the fact that I can be hurt and killed with anything. He can only be killed with a wooden stake to the heart. I am only sixteen and a girl no less while he is probably a thousand years old and male. He knew stuff about me and I know nothing about him. He has resources. I don't.

This really wasn't going to be in my favor.

"We're here. Are you okay? You look really pale." Nathan leaned in to me from his seat as he parked.

He was so close to me I could hear him breathing. All of a sudden, my worries just disappeared. He was looking at me. His hand was touching mine and his lips looked awfully tempting. Of course, he was looking at me in concern but his gaze made me want to be a reckless teenager.

But I wasn’t. I may have shared my first kiss with him when we were kids but that was a long time ago. He had a girlfriend now and I wouldn’t put him in that position.

I pulled the door handle on the car, letting the door open before answering, “Yeah, I’m ok. Probably just lack of sleep.” I chuckled.

“Sleep well, Katie. Oh, and have fun in three hours.” He grinned.

Three hours? What was happening in three hours?

I looked at him puzzled.

“You know your parents are going to wake you up early. It’s a favorite of theirs.”

Oh right, I forgot he knew my parents just as much as I do.

“Ohhh, I get it now. Go away you jerk.” I chuckled and was about to shut the door but then I said, “Thank you, by the way.”

He nodded his head once and grinned. I returned his smile and shut the door.I slipped inside my house and leaned against the door as it clicked behind me. I listened as he pulled out of my driveway and drove away. A tear slipped down my cheek and I sniffled quietly as I tip-toed past my parents' bedroom. I was going to be in so much shit tomorrow. Well, technically today.

Even though I knew I wasn't going to sleep at all, I slipped into a comfortable pair of sweats and a long-sleeved shirt. I got in bed and pulled my Daughtry blanket around me, wrapping myself in a cocoon. I snuggled into my pillow deeply and thought about everything.

Who knows...maybe Zander would live up to his promise and I'd never wake up. With what was in store for me this week, I might even pay him to do it.