The Engagement: Under Construction

"Adrian, we need to talk."

I reluctantly stood from the sofa and went into the dining room where I found my mother and father standing there. I examined their faces, trying to get a hint of what they had in store for me.

"What is it, mother?" I asked curiosily.

"We have news for you." she announced, a slow smile crept into her face it me nervous and suspicious, yet curious and wondering all at once. My father completed the sentence for her. "Adrian, you are a fine young Thrall, and your mother and I have taken much pride into raising you as our own. But we believe it's time you meet someone and started a family of your own."

The tone of his voice threw me off completely, he sounded to sure, satisfied, yet there was a slight hint of uncertainty to it that rang in his tone... and what had he meant by 'Meeting someone new'; were they kicking me out, I was just sixteen, a Thrall still!

"Father, what do you mean?"

He hesitated, his eyes lurching back to my mother; seeking assistance. She cocked an eyebrow at him and her expression said it all. You really want me to tell him?

"Veronica..." he said warily.

I had never heard him call my mother by her first name, usually he would say something a bit more intense so to say, such as 'Love,' or 'Dearest', my family was very old-fashioned and my parents were always harsh on my if I did not show respect for their authority.

My mother sighed and focused on me intently, "Adrian, your father and I have set up an arranged marriage for you."

I stared at them blankly, as if the words she spoke had no volume. My mothers expression remained completely serious.

"But mother, I'm just a Thrall. I have not reached my full potential yet, I am still young and unable to court."

My excuse was valid. I was sixteen years of age in human years, yet I had two more years before the changes were complete. I wasn't ready for a mate yet, let alone marriage. That's when my father stepped forward to gain control of my panic that was growing inside of me.

"Calm yourself Thrall, yes it is indeed a fact that you are young, but we expect more from you than attitude; courage, son. It is necessary and though you are a bit young it has been decided. We have watched you closely since the day we found you, you are a strong young vampire and you are ready for this, we believe in you."

I could hardly believe what they were saying, it wasn't fair at all. Shouldn't I have a say in marriage? Especially marriage when I was so young, how could my parents expect me to be okay with this in the slightest bit?

"Mother and Father, please don't find my words as disrespectful," I plead, "I just do not agree with you two on this, marriage before I feel I am ready. There is no disrespect intended, but my intent is for you both to understand that I am thankful for all of you've given me, but I feel as if this is a gift I am simply not prepared to accept quit yet."

I was being completely honest with them, I wasn't ready, but I was grateful for having them in my life. They weren't my real parents, my real mother had died in a car accident and I had no memory of my real father. So my new parents, Veronica and Daniel had raised me as their own child since vampires cannot bear children. I spent my entire human life with them and was changed by Daniel when I was just five years old.

They waited until I was thirteen to explain to me why I had been changed and told me I would still grow until the mark of eighteen years. They told me that they would not be able to raise a human child for eighteen years; it was unheard of, vampires adopting prey and raising it, my father had told me that the reason I was changed was so I would be happier in life and not have to worry about college, a job, and other future plans.

"Thrall, we do not believe you're ready, we know it. You have been exceptionally responsible, courageous and express many other key skills that are essential in a young adult vampires life. You are ready."

My mothers tone was so...final. I felt so trapped; like I had no choice in this at all.

"We have met the girl and are quite satisfied with her and her family. The first meet will be all of us gathered in our living room; they will ask you questions and you will answer them."

And with that said, my mother glided out of the kitchen, leaving me and my father alone. I said nothing. My nerves felt so tense I could feel them vibrating under my skin. My father and I locked eyes, but he said nothing as he followed my mother out of the room. Leaving me standing alone, confused and terrified.

I pulled out a chair from the kitchens table, and sat down; I felt so pressured now. Why were they so anxious to find a mate for me, was I that obnoxious? Perhaps they felt as if I was simply too human for them. But sixteen years of raising a child that's human doesn't seem too hard; and I wasn't even completely human either, I was slowly changing inside and out. Why did they feel like I was such a burden to them so suddenly?

I got off the chair and took refuge from reality into my resting chamber, flopping down onto the bed and just stared out the window into the night. The moons light casted in through my window, the chirps of a crickets songs sang nearby, the hooting of an owl sounded somewhere in the trees.

For humans, night time was a time for sleeping and peace; for sweet dreams and rest. But for vampires, the sun rise was out sun set.

A rap on my window distracted me from my thoughts, I slid off my bed and walked to the window, seeing a familiar face appear. I pushed the window open and poked my head out, sure enough, Aiden was there; his eyes glowed a vibrant red against the darkness, his hair was a light brown color and he had skin that was as white as mine.

"What are you here for, Aiden?"

He lurched up and dug his sharp nails into my windowsill. My surely wouldn't be pleased if they found out about the new claw marks he'd made.

"Hello, Adrian. Good to see your smiling face once again; I heard about the engagement! Congratulations, I'm a bit surprised that a boy your age is moving on so quickly to your vampire adult life, good job!" He said excitedly.

I snarled at him, baring my fangs at him. He wasn't scared in the least, but he could at least take a hint that I was in no mood to speak of the engagement.

"Aiden, please do not remind me of the engagement right now. It is not my choice to be confined to another vampire when I myself am so young. It was the actions of my parents; Veronica and Daniel, so you might want to convey your words to them. Since they are the ones who are truly happy for it."

Aiden smirked, as he took a seat in my bed.

"So you're saying you don't want to marry someone yet? Adrian this is a critical moment in a vampires life; you'll start a colony of your own soon, turn eighteen, and become a full vampire. It's an exciting experience, not to mention that you can make your own rules. Of course, this is an easier option for a young Thrall."

"How so?"

"Because you don't have to leave home alone; you'll have a mate by your side which makes it much easier in the immortal life. Especially if you're young and inexperienced." He explained.

I shook my head, "No, it's not easier. I would prefer that I travel alone until I reach my adult life. What do my mother and father have against me being alone, I know it is my true desire."

Aiden sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I should have guessed this wasn't going to be easy to explain to a sixteen year old Thrall," he muttered.

I didn't feel like company, but Aiden had a way of inviting himself in. I walked over to the window Aiden had carelessly left wide open and peeked out, I noticed the small edge Aiden had used to access my window; slowly, I maneuvered myself over the windows edge, once my body was all the way out, I measured the distance from my position on the small ledge of the house to the ground; without having to spare a thought, I leaped. I felt the wind break and then the hard thud my body made.

I landed neatly on my feet, I had never jumped form my window before, but it was easier than I thought it was. I heard another thud from behind me, Aiden had decided to follow me. I didn't glance back, there was no need to since I knew it was him; I could sense his presence, it was like feeling someone get when they aren't alone, but my senses are far more advanced and accurate.

"Good accuracy, Thrall." Aiden admired.

He had caught up to my slow pace and was now walking by my side. Aiden was just a year older then I was when he was changed, he had never told me his story but from whispers I'd heard from my parents early in the morning when they thought I was asleep; apparently, Aiden was changed when he had fallen in love with a human girl but that was all I ever over heard from them about that situation.

I was tempted to ask Aiden about his story myself, but I decided against it. I would not want to offend him, or hurt him by the memories it can bring. During that time, I rambled through my thoughts on how to spend the day since I apparently had Aiden to accompany me now. I thought of many different things I would think are exciting; but I was sure Aiden would see as 'childish,' or 'immature'.

He was always mocking me on my age by calling me "Thrall" which is a term vampires who are older refer to younger ones who are still partially human. It was some-what disrespectful and degrading to me. It made me feel so insignificant, small, weak and I knew I was none of those things now.

"So, Thrall," Aiden began,

I locked my jaw, not wanting to yell at him. Instead of nit-picking over how I should be addressed; I didn't answer, I just kept walking and focused on different things. I heard Aiden's small grunt once he realized I wasn't going to answer him. The relationship between him and I was difficult to explain, and hard to understand. I did not think of him as a friend, but rather an acquaintance.

"Hey,"

"What?" I asked.

"Do...you miss your real parents at all?"

His question made me pause for a moment. I never thought about my real mother and father very much, I didn't like to. I hadn't noticed how long the silence between Aiden and I lasted until he said something.

"Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to upset you, I'm sorry..." He said hastily.

My brain was still wrapping around the thoughts that flooded my mind, it was odd to me, being lost in my own thoughts... But I wasn't sure how to answer his question I hardly knew my parents, they were the two people I would never meet; who I would never remember... I decided that I wanted to be alone, I didn't feel like talking to anyone right now.

"Aiden, I must depart now. I need some time for myself as this night has given me much to consider. I hope you enjoy your evening."

Aiden nodded, his face looked ridden with guilt; but he nodded. And with that, I headed off to an unknown destination.