The Clearing
The 원, 동그라미 clearing was surrounded 의해 a 벽 of trees that were connected 의해 a vine that held pale 담홍색, 핑크 and white 꽃 in a hedge like fashion. Light filtered in through the leaves of the trees. The 잔디 under my bare feet was long and somehow soft. Petals from the 꽃 drifted down like snow on to the 잔디 making the clearing look 더 많이 like a fairytale every 초 I stood there.
Jackson pressed his lips gently to my jaw to grab my attention. In an attempt to lengthen the kisses I threw my hands around his neck –accidentally smacking him in the back of the head with a loud thwack, not that would have hurt him… just me. He chuckled as I yelped grabbing my hand in pain.
“I hurt myself!” I shrieked as I took deep breaths in until the pain subsided and looked up. Jackson had his hand cupped over his mouth to prevent himself from laughing. He didn’t succeed he laughed uncontrollably. I had run out of undamaged hands, so I settled for the least painful one to run over his neck and he stopped laughing almost instantly, He pressed his lips to mine in an apologetic fashion.
“You’re forgiven” I said when he let me breath
“That’s good I thought 당신 would have hated me for the rest of our lives, now let me have a look” he laughed, his cool fingers trailed along my hand applying gentle pressure and 연기 like a cold compress which help the pain “it’s just a bruise you’ll be fine, not so hard 다음 time…Hopefully there won’t be a 다음 time, I hate seeing 당신 in pain”
He kissed me and my fingered laced into his black hair. He picked my up gently 의해 my waist so he wouldn’t have to bend and I would have to stretch. He continued 키싱 me until I moved my very shaky hands to the 상단, 맨 위로 button he abruptly stopped his kisses. He putted my feet back on the ground, caught both my wrists in one hand and fastened the buttons I managed to undo with the other.
“No” he ordered me “And 당신 know why not so don’t make me the bad guy”
I pushed my bottom lip into a pout and he laughed again.
“Caught up in the moment… I guess,” I mumbled
The breeze pushed the long soft 잔디 sideways and it tickled my legs. He placed both hands on the sides of my face and ran his thumb over my lip and I sucked it back to normal.
“Not until you’re 더 많이 like a diamond than glass, I’m sorry but I just can’t 곰 the thought—” He shuddered delicately and looked me straight in the eyes. I was unsure if it was part of his plan but I instantly forgot what my plan was five 분 이전 as I stared into his purple eyes.
I kissed his throat and sighed, “What did 당신 need to tell me?”
He drew in a deep breath and I saw him wince slightly and his muscles tighten as the scent of my blood sent 불, 화재 down his throat. I rested my hand on my chest; I could feel my heartbeat under my hand so I pulled his hand off my waist and rested it on my chest. I felt the muscles in his arm slowly relax; at that exact moment the sun broke through the leaves sending gold light in every direction. I sighed as the sunlight reached my skin sending a tingle all over my body. I looked at Jackson, blinked twice and held my hand up in front of my face to shield my eyes from his beautiful twinkle, I blinked again and the soft 잔디 disappeared from beneath my feet.
My eyes flew open –which I regret them doing—instinctively as the trees whizzed 의해 and the deafening whoosh of wind rushing past my ears. I snapped my eyes shut again and didn’t open them until I felt his cold fingers trail gently along my jaw. I looked up at him and smiled.
“Lenete knows we are together, she has just been waiting for 당신 to say something before she said anything, Lilly and Nafron are proud of me for finally finding what I have been looking for” he smiled.
“So what do we do?”
“Well I think it’s time we told her, I don’t know about 당신 but I think that’s our best option”
“Did 당신 ever think of what she would do to me if we told her? 또는 worse what she would do to you?” I panicked hysterically until his cold fingertips traced along my face.
“Calm down Daisi” I took deep breaths all the while his palm gently but firmly caressed my cheek “The only thing 당신 need to worry about is… well nothing really, She would never hurt the first friend she has acquired since becoming vampire and as for me, she would never - could never hurt me” he smiled and kissed my forehead and I immediately relaxed.
“I think… tell… no…. um I can’t” Jackson hushed me and pulled me into his chest, I felt safe, free… alive. We lay in silence on the 잔디 not saying a word mind 또는 voice, we didn’t need to I could read everything in his eyes and I guessed he could read everything in mine.
“Dis Lenete will be expecting us 집 in half an hour” he said gently “have 당신 figured anything out?” I glanced at my watch he was right, we had been laying here silently for two and a half hours I pressed my face into his shoulder and felt him stand up and start running. I left my eyes closed until I felt his cool arms disappear from beneath me and the 침대 take their spot.
“I don’t think I will be able to say anything,” I mumbled after several 분 of watching him pack my boxes at vampire speed. He stopped and looked at me, His purple eyes softened and he was at my side instantly holding me into his chest and I buried my face into his shoulder again, fighting the tears that were welling up because I was to chicken to face the friend I had been lying to for a year.
“She won’t do anything love, I promise plus I will be there, I won’t let anything touch you”
A choking sound was made in the back of my throat and Jackson kissed my forehead. I suddenly felt strong enough; I pulled away from Jackson as I started packing my clothes while he packed the rest of my room at his speed.
“ Don’t pack to many clothes, Lenete has already given 당신 an entire new wardrobe” I groan, Jackson chuckled as he picked me up again and set me on my 침대 while he packed clothes he thought necessary - he after all had seen my room and all my new belongings.
“All set?” I nodded and started towards the stairs, I felt a rush of wind as Jackson carried two boxes down to his car. Another as he came back up and another as he took 더 많이 boxes down. It was at that point I realised I hadn’t moved from the 상단, 맨 위로 step.
“Are 당신 okay?” he asked worryingly, I nodded
“Just shocked… I guess, how could she know?”
He hesitated “oh I think she’s known for quite a while”
“What did 당신 do?” I asked
“Nothing, I promise”
I started down the stairs and out the door Jackson was at the passenger side door holding it open. He kissed my forehead as I passed and helped me slide into the car, I buckled my seatbelt and the car started and back onto the road. We sat silently I heard Jackson going over what he as going to say to Lenete in our heads but I wasn‘t paying attention to the words. He looked at me when he finished.
“Is that okay?”
“Is what okay?”
“Are 당신 sure you’re okay?” I nodded as he unbuckled my 좌석 벨트 and pulled me across the 좌석 and hugged me tight against his side. I heard and felt the car change from the bitumen to damp earth of the Greene’s driveway he drove up the driveway, making the twists and turns easily. I saw Lenete sitting on the front steps her chin in her hands. She stood up when Jackson parked the car in front of her. They both carried all my boxes up stairs in one trip. I wondered over to the furthest lounge of the hallway and sat down staring out the window. The lounge shuffled either side of me, a felt Lenete’s arms wrapped around my shoulders and Jackson’s eyes staring at me.
“It’s okay Dis I know all about it” I looked at her, she was smiling wider than I have ever seen her smile before “Jackson has found what he has been looking for, and I will too”
“I’m sorry Lenny I should have told you” I looked at my hands
“Daisi, Daisi calm down I’m not mad at you, I promise” she hugged me tighter and Jackson clasped my hand in his and kissed the 상단, 맨 위로 of my head.
“I truly promise I’m not mad at 당신 또는 Jackson, Daisi look at me” I looked up at her she was still smiling “if 당신 don’t stop feeling guilty I will be mad at you, I’m happy okay, I’m glad that Jackson found you”
“But 당신 always told me 당신 didn’t want me dating-”
“Anybody else, don’t 당신 see Daisi I wanted 당신 to be with my brother, from the first 일 he said 당신 빙어, 빙 어 better, 더 많이 luscious than other humans when 당신 didn‘t smell like that to anyone else, I knew it was his 사랑 for you”
“So there is nothing wrong with your power you’ve seen it all, 당신 just haven’t said anything”
“Yes” I glared at her
“All this time 당신 have made me think there was something wrong with you, I have been worried out of my brains that there was something wrong” she shrugged
“Well I guess 당신 want to see your room unless 당신 don’t want to 옮기기 in anymore”
“I am to still moving in, I’m just… I don’t know, I guess I’m not mad 또는 anything at least now I don’t have to lie to 당신 any more, 또는 keep my 사랑 for Jackson secret” I smiled devilishly and remembered our most passionate kiss.
“Would. You. Stop!” she yelled, “I so don’t want to see my best friend and my brother doing that” Jackson and I laughed out loud as he pulled me in for a kiss.
“Nothing will ever touch you,” he whispered into my ear as Lenete grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs.
I stopped as I realised there were still only seven doors in the long hallway, Lenete jerked on my arm again and pulled me forward.
“Lenete I thought Lilly was putting in another room for me?”
She smiled angelically and stopped me in front of Jackson’s door.
“Welcome home” she said with a smile
“That sound nice” I didn’t 옮기기 as she opened the door, I didn’t even look into the room, her welcome 집 remark had spark something in me and I didn’t know what it was.
“Are 당신 going to look?” I snapped out of my dream and looked into the room that was now mine and Jackson‘s. I heard Lenete sigh and pull me into the room.
The room I had not seen before until now, like the other rooms was all glass apart from the hallway wall, the glass doors leading out to the balcony which contained a small 표, 테이블 setting containing two chairs, a table, vases on the table, pot plants and trees in every spare 우주 and like Lenete an IPod speaker shaped like a rock. From where I was standing I had a good view of the entire room, I walked down the three steps to the floor and spun around in a slow 원, 동그라미 all the while I was aware of Lenete and Jackson’s eyes on me. To the left was a set of French doors exactly like Lenete’s I stared at them curiously.
“It’s our wardrobe” Lenete said I could hear her smile “walk straight through there and you’ll be in my room, I figured since were the same size we could share a wardrobe” I nodded as I absorbed the rest of the room, the was a 침대 against the right 벽 it was bigger than Lenete’s bed, two desks in the corner, holding two laptops a printer and a bin, in the other corner there was a 사랑 좌석 facing inwards to the room. The boxes containing my belongings were at my feet and I didn’t realise until I kicked one accidentally.
I yelp and sat on the floor rubbing my foot, I felt Jackson’s arms 덮개, 랩 around my waist as he sat on the floor 다음 to me and I heard Lenete’s quiet laughter from the doorway.
“Lenete be quiet… and help Daisi down stairs, get her some 음식 for the 사랑 of European cars” I chuckled at his choice of words so did Lenete; I took one look at her and we both dissolved into a fit of giggles.
“O.k.” she managed to breath between giggles. She was instantly standing in front of me with her hand out stretched, I took it and she pulled me to my feet and slung me on to her back.
“I’ll 가입하기 당신 soon, I’m going to finish unpacking” I heard Jackson state
“No I’ll do it-” I started but Lenete was already running down the stairs
“You really shouldn’t bet against us Dissy, we’ll always beat you” Lenete said as she put me back on the ground and motioned towards a high 발판, 자 at the 부엌, 주방 bench where all our meals were eaten. I looked at her to find her smiling mischievously
“You do realise that moving in with us” she was talking as she cooked rarely looking at the pot, something everyone in the Greene family did “means that you’ll have to 옮기기 when we do”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“ Look at me Daisi” she said motioning to her body “ 당신 have seen our family photo’s none of us have changed in appearance for over three and a half centuries, we don’t change in appearance people get suspicious when we stay in one area for to long and we don’t age”
“Oh”
“This is our last 년 in the area, we stay for about five years on average after graduation then we pick up, leave and start all over again but we want to relocate earlier this time ‘round, Jackson and I start at sixteen, Lilly starts at 30 and Nafron at 34, we always say that Jackson and I are adopted 의해 Lilly and Nafron” she said with a smile
“And what will happen with me?” I saw Lenete’s eyebrows mash together in a look of concentration.
“Lilly and Nafron will decide what we will do with you” I felt Jackson’s hands around my waist before I heard him.
“Do with me? 당신 make me sound like a pet” I smiled spinning around in his arms to face him
“You… a pet, I don’t think so love, your part of the family,” he stated with a 키스 on the 상단, 맨 위로 of my head.
“Ah stop it, just ‘cause I know 당신 are together now doesn’t mean 당신 can fill in every spare moment with loving dovey stuff” Lenete whinged wrinkling her nose.
Jackson and I laughed and pressed our lips together
“Fine! I’m leaving!” she stormed out of the room, her high heels clicking on the polished floor, leaving her unfinished cooking on the stove.
“I’d… better finish that” I let go of Jackson and walked over to the stove stirring the contents of the boiling pot. The room went so quiet I could hear Lenete’s heels clicking on the floor above, the birds 노래 in the back yard and 더 많이 significantly the 피아노 being played upstairs soft and gently upstairs i turned around to find Jackson gone, he must be playing. I smiled and began 노래 absent minded, I was so absorbed I barely heard Lenete yelling at me until she hit me- not hard enough for it to hurt, just hard enough for me to snap out of my daydream.
“Daisi what the hell are 당신 doing… Your burning the 음식 that’s what you’re doing!”
“What?” I winced as I felt the sting in my face “Jackson” I called knowing he would hear me even though he was upstairs at the piano.
“Lenete 당신 do know that’s going to leave a bruise on her beautiful face” he said placing a hand on my face soothing the pain.
“Sorry Daisi but 당신 would have set the house on fire, what’s wrong with 당신 today?”
“I… I don’t know I was standing here then I forgot that I was, I was somewhere else,” I mumbled
“I think we should have Lilly and Nafron see what’s going on, this strangely reminds me of that thing that happened awhile back”
It was at that point that I faintly heard the door quietly open and close and I heard the faint tapping of shoes on the floor.
“Mum, dad we need to talk” Lenete’s voice rung around the 부엌, 주방 “it’s about Daisi”
“What is it?” Lilly appeared and was hugging my shoulders 더 많이 motherly than my own mother “are 당신 okay?”
“We don’t know mum, she’s been 연기 funny all 일 it really has me worried” Jackson murmured
“Jackson calm down you’ll give your self a 심장 attack” Lilly smiled “what sort of weird stuff?”
And so a whole recap of my day, my weird behaviour and my sudden memory loss. Without a word to me Lilly and Nafron walked upstairs and began a private conversation.
Lenete went up stairs with out another word leaving Jackson and I standing in the kitchen.
“Would 당신 please get that look off your face, its 심장 breaking?”
I buried my face into is chest.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing is wrong with you, we’ll figure this out I promise”
“I’m scared Jackson-”
“Please don’t be, 당신 have nothing to worry about, Nafron will see anything” with that he gently pulled me tighter in his grip then let go after a second, he held out his hand and I took it as he lead the way up to the library.
He sat down at the 피아노 and began playing a new tune, and unheard tune, Lenete danced her way in, her shoes clicking annoyingly against the floor and squashed me into Jackson so she could sit 다음 to me.
“What a lovely tune” she said quietly before heading over to the violin and picking up the tune from Jackson’s thoughts and playing along, I wrapped my arms around Jackson’s waist and hugged him tight afraid to let him go. The tune came to a slow end; Jackson’s arms picked me up and were soon replaced with a bed. The 침대 shifted 다음 to me and I was still conscious enough to feel has arms drape across my waist pulling me tight into his chest as I slipped into unconsciousness.
The ringing was still loud in my ears from my scream; I could not remember what I had dreamt about, just that I woke up screaming like I was being tortured. My screams instantly stopped when I felt a set of cool arms around my waist, another set around my shoulders and cool gentle hands cupping my face, all with a feather touch.
“Daisi? Daisi? Are 당신 okay what is it?” Jackson’s panicked voice made me feel worse, but no words would come out off my mouth to ease his panic. I crushed my face into Jackson’s chest breathing in his relaxing scent.
“Daisi can 당신 tell us what happened?” Nafron asked from the doorway as his medical training kicked in. I knew I couldn’t hide in Jackson’s chest forever so I disappointingly pulled away from the 안전한, 안전 closure of his chest.
“I… can’t remember anything I only remember waking up screaming,” I was crying and the tears were staining Jackson’s 셔츠 “Lilly please tell me… what’s going on”
“I…I don’t exactly know Dis, but I promise to look into it when I finish work”
“Please don’t be worried about anything” Lenete and Jackson said at the same time
“I mean 당신 are probably the best protected person in Treshone, what with 24/7 protection 의해 vampires” Lenete finished smugly
“I know but what ever is happening to me, is getting past you” I stated
“I’m offended, if anything really bad was to happen, Nafron would have seen it” Lenete scoffed
“He doesn’t see anything happening to me and look what’s happening to me!” Jackson tightened his arms around my waist and kissed my cheek lightly
“Sleep Daisi, you’ll feel better”
“You think I could sleep with what just happened!” I shrieked at him before collapsing into his chest “sorry, I don’t know what came over me” Jackson ran a hand over my hair before scooping me up and carrying me down stairs.
“Do 당신 want to eat?” his panic made me feel even worse I shook my head “I wonder if your life would have been better if 당신 never met me?”
“But I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now…minus the weird stuff”
“I couldn’t agree more”
His lips trailed along my jaw line and I felt him smile against my skin for a brief moment before planting his lips on mine.
The days continued in that matter, I stayed awake with the rest of the family the whole night scared to sleep in case I had another unknown dream; I attended school, sleep deprived and zombie like.
“Good afternoon Daisi how was school?” Nafron asked as he hugged me, I noticed his eyes glaze over but he didn’t pull away, Jackson growled, Lenete gasped, Nafron’s grip tightened around my shoulders and became uncomfortable, I pushed against his arm but he wouldn’t budge. Lilly came up behind him lacing her fingers into his and pulled him away. I gasped at the air.
“Nafron what is it?” Lilly asked worried, no one answered, no one spoke to me, all everyone did was disappeared upstairs, and I couldn’t even hear a conversation. I could no long hold my eyelids open; I felt the wind on my face as I collapsed into the 침상, 소파 in the hallway.
The light was getting duller and duller until I could no longer see it, I tried to scream but all sounds were gurgled 의해 the rush of water into my lungs, my visions became hazy as I tried to swim for air, but the harder I tried to push myself towards the surface the darker it became. My lungs were screaming for air, my mouth opened flooding my lungs with 더 많이 water, I felt myself slipping, and I heard an angel’s voice.
“Daisi, come back to me” his voice worried, panicked, stressed and most obvious sadness, I screamed for him to help but 더 많이 water rushed into my body.
“Daisi, please come back…please” his voice became 더 많이 distant, Wait I wanted to scream, stay with me please. Everything went black
“Daisi I 사랑 you, come back to me”
I screamed high-pitched, I welcomed the ringing in my ears, It told me I was alive; I had listened to my angel.
“Daisi. Daisi are 당신 okay?” his arms lifted me into his chest the only words that would escape my mouth were ‘come back my angel’
“I’m right here Daisi, unless I’m not your angel” I felt his smile against my forehead
“Oh my, Daisi are 당신 okay?” Lilly’s panic was barely audible to my ears, which were still ringing, the words kept spilling out of my mouth; I had no control over what I said and what I didn’t.
My vision clouded and my hearing blocked, I had passed out and I knew I had only this time no dreams came to me.
When I woke my head throbbed, every bone in my body was aching and an uncomfortable burn was in my throat but I welcomed the pain, I was still alive and I wouldn’t be causing the Greene’s grief over my death. I rolled over and found Jackson’s face inches from mine.
“Good evening beautiful, are 당신 feeling okay?” I nodded
“Just a little sore, bet I have some bruises too” he nodded with a grimace on his face
“One from where Lenete hit 당신 and the others well they came from you” my face fell as I jumped from the 침대 and ran to the mirror. My skin was painted faintly with bruises, my left hand had another bandage added to the one I already had, and it covered half of my forearm. I stared at it dumbfound.
“What happened to my arm?” I stuttered, Jackson shrugged and leant against the 벽 다음 to the mirror.
“You fractured it… 당신 did some pretty severe thrashing while 당신 were out, do 당신 know how long 당신 have been out for?” I shook my head not taking my eyes off the battered girl in the mirror
“About two days, 당신 missed both days of school and 당신 haven’t received a phone call from your mother yet so” he shrugged again
“Two days? Severe thrashing? What do 당신 mean?”
“What were 당신 dreaming about?”
“Nothing, no pictures, no sounds, nothing!”
“Hmm… unusual, come on lets get 당신 some food,” he kissed me lightly before cradling me into his arms and carrying me down stairs where Nafron and Lilly were waiting.
“Feeling well Daisi?”
“Can’t complain I suppose, just unsure of why I am bashing myself up” I laughed and began eating the cereal placed in front of me.
“Speaking about that subject, I would like to examine your injuries when 당신 have finished eating” I had known well enough that all injuries made 의해 me are checked 의해 Nafron as soon as I get them.
“Yep sure” I chuckled with my mouth full of food
My arms were stretched out to my sides Lenete held one up and Lilly held the other one up - my muscles hurt too much for me to hold them up on my own. While Jackson hovered around Nafron’s shoulder trying to protect me and he complained every time I winced 또는 made a face, but I constantly told him I was fine. Nafron lightly pressed every bruise and scrape with his cool fingertips and x-rayed every bone checking for any damage I caused myself. I got off lightly - a fracture in my left wrist, a deep tissue bruise in my right thigh and minor cuts and bruises painted all over my body.
I spent a whole week off school to prevent rumours going around about my new family, my bruises slowly disappeared and I had made my story for my fractured wrist it was very simple, I had tripped and a 표, 테이블 got in the way of my fall. I stifled a laugh as Jackson wrapped his arms around my shoulders - being careful of my bruises. I shook my head in response to the puzzled look on his face.
The 원, 동그라미 clearing was surrounded 의해 a 벽 of trees that were connected 의해 a vine that held pale 담홍색, 핑크 and white 꽃 in a hedge like fashion. Light filtered in through the leaves of the trees. The 잔디 under my bare feet was long and somehow soft. Petals from the 꽃 drifted down like snow on to the 잔디 making the clearing look 더 많이 like a fairytale every 초 I stood there.
Jackson pressed his lips gently to my jaw to grab my attention. In an attempt to lengthen the kisses I threw my hands around his neck –accidentally smacking him in the back of the head with a loud thwack, not that would have hurt him… just me. He chuckled as I yelped grabbing my hand in pain.
“I hurt myself!” I shrieked as I took deep breaths in until the pain subsided and looked up. Jackson had his hand cupped over his mouth to prevent himself from laughing. He didn’t succeed he laughed uncontrollably. I had run out of undamaged hands, so I settled for the least painful one to run over his neck and he stopped laughing almost instantly, He pressed his lips to mine in an apologetic fashion.
“You’re forgiven” I said when he let me breath
“That’s good I thought 당신 would have hated me for the rest of our lives, now let me have a look” he laughed, his cool fingers trailed along my hand applying gentle pressure and 연기 like a cold compress which help the pain “it’s just a bruise you’ll be fine, not so hard 다음 time…Hopefully there won’t be a 다음 time, I hate seeing 당신 in pain”
He kissed me and my fingered laced into his black hair. He picked my up gently 의해 my waist so he wouldn’t have to bend and I would have to stretch. He continued 키싱 me until I moved my very shaky hands to the 상단, 맨 위로 button he abruptly stopped his kisses. He putted my feet back on the ground, caught both my wrists in one hand and fastened the buttons I managed to undo with the other.
“No” he ordered me “And 당신 know why not so don’t make me the bad guy”
I pushed my bottom lip into a pout and he laughed again.
“Caught up in the moment… I guess,” I mumbled
The breeze pushed the long soft 잔디 sideways and it tickled my legs. He placed both hands on the sides of my face and ran his thumb over my lip and I sucked it back to normal.
“Not until you’re 더 많이 like a diamond than glass, I’m sorry but I just can’t 곰 the thought—” He shuddered delicately and looked me straight in the eyes. I was unsure if it was part of his plan but I instantly forgot what my plan was five 분 이전 as I stared into his purple eyes.
I kissed his throat and sighed, “What did 당신 need to tell me?”
He drew in a deep breath and I saw him wince slightly and his muscles tighten as the scent of my blood sent 불, 화재 down his throat. I rested my hand on my chest; I could feel my heartbeat under my hand so I pulled his hand off my waist and rested it on my chest. I felt the muscles in his arm slowly relax; at that exact moment the sun broke through the leaves sending gold light in every direction. I sighed as the sunlight reached my skin sending a tingle all over my body. I looked at Jackson, blinked twice and held my hand up in front of my face to shield my eyes from his beautiful twinkle, I blinked again and the soft 잔디 disappeared from beneath my feet.
My eyes flew open –which I regret them doing—instinctively as the trees whizzed 의해 and the deafening whoosh of wind rushing past my ears. I snapped my eyes shut again and didn’t open them until I felt his cold fingers trail gently along my jaw. I looked up at him and smiled.
“Lenete knows we are together, she has just been waiting for 당신 to say something before she said anything, Lilly and Nafron are proud of me for finally finding what I have been looking for” he smiled.
“So what do we do?”
“Well I think it’s time we told her, I don’t know about 당신 but I think that’s our best option”
“Did 당신 ever think of what she would do to me if we told her? 또는 worse what she would do to you?” I panicked hysterically until his cold fingertips traced along my face.
“Calm down Daisi” I took deep breaths all the while his palm gently but firmly caressed my cheek “The only thing 당신 need to worry about is… well nothing really, She would never hurt the first friend she has acquired since becoming vampire and as for me, she would never - could never hurt me” he smiled and kissed my forehead and I immediately relaxed.
“I think… tell… no…. um I can’t” Jackson hushed me and pulled me into his chest, I felt safe, free… alive. We lay in silence on the 잔디 not saying a word mind 또는 voice, we didn’t need to I could read everything in his eyes and I guessed he could read everything in mine.
“Dis Lenete will be expecting us 집 in half an hour” he said gently “have 당신 figured anything out?” I glanced at my watch he was right, we had been laying here silently for two and a half hours I pressed my face into his shoulder and felt him stand up and start running. I left my eyes closed until I felt his cool arms disappear from beneath me and the 침대 take their spot.
“I don’t think I will be able to say anything,” I mumbled after several 분 of watching him pack my boxes at vampire speed. He stopped and looked at me, His purple eyes softened and he was at my side instantly holding me into his chest and I buried my face into his shoulder again, fighting the tears that were welling up because I was to chicken to face the friend I had been lying to for a year.
“She won’t do anything love, I promise plus I will be there, I won’t let anything touch you”
A choking sound was made in the back of my throat and Jackson kissed my forehead. I suddenly felt strong enough; I pulled away from Jackson as I started packing my clothes while he packed the rest of my room at his speed.
“ Don’t pack to many clothes, Lenete has already given 당신 an entire new wardrobe” I groan, Jackson chuckled as he picked me up again and set me on my 침대 while he packed clothes he thought necessary - he after all had seen my room and all my new belongings.
“All set?” I nodded and started towards the stairs, I felt a rush of wind as Jackson carried two boxes down to his car. Another as he came back up and another as he took 더 많이 boxes down. It was at that point I realised I hadn’t moved from the 상단, 맨 위로 step.
“Are 당신 okay?” he asked worryingly, I nodded
“Just shocked… I guess, how could she know?”
He hesitated “oh I think she’s known for quite a while”
“What did 당신 do?” I asked
“Nothing, I promise”
I started down the stairs and out the door Jackson was at the passenger side door holding it open. He kissed my forehead as I passed and helped me slide into the car, I buckled my seatbelt and the car started and back onto the road. We sat silently I heard Jackson going over what he as going to say to Lenete in our heads but I wasn‘t paying attention to the words. He looked at me when he finished.
“Is that okay?”
“Is what okay?”
“Are 당신 sure you’re okay?” I nodded as he unbuckled my 좌석 벨트 and pulled me across the 좌석 and hugged me tight against his side. I heard and felt the car change from the bitumen to damp earth of the Greene’s driveway he drove up the driveway, making the twists and turns easily. I saw Lenete sitting on the front steps her chin in her hands. She stood up when Jackson parked the car in front of her. They both carried all my boxes up stairs in one trip. I wondered over to the furthest lounge of the hallway and sat down staring out the window. The lounge shuffled either side of me, a felt Lenete’s arms wrapped around my shoulders and Jackson’s eyes staring at me.
“It’s okay Dis I know all about it” I looked at her, she was smiling wider than I have ever seen her smile before “Jackson has found what he has been looking for, and I will too”
“I’m sorry Lenny I should have told you” I looked at my hands
“Daisi, Daisi calm down I’m not mad at you, I promise” she hugged me tighter and Jackson clasped my hand in his and kissed the 상단, 맨 위로 of my head.
“I truly promise I’m not mad at 당신 또는 Jackson, Daisi look at me” I looked up at her she was still smiling “if 당신 don’t stop feeling guilty I will be mad at you, I’m happy okay, I’m glad that Jackson found you”
“But 당신 always told me 당신 didn’t want me dating-”
“Anybody else, don’t 당신 see Daisi I wanted 당신 to be with my brother, from the first 일 he said 당신 빙어, 빙 어 better, 더 많이 luscious than other humans when 당신 didn‘t smell like that to anyone else, I knew it was his 사랑 for you”
“So there is nothing wrong with your power you’ve seen it all, 당신 just haven’t said anything”
“Yes” I glared at her
“All this time 당신 have made me think there was something wrong with you, I have been worried out of my brains that there was something wrong” she shrugged
“Well I guess 당신 want to see your room unless 당신 don’t want to 옮기기 in anymore”
“I am to still moving in, I’m just… I don’t know, I guess I’m not mad 또는 anything at least now I don’t have to lie to 당신 any more, 또는 keep my 사랑 for Jackson secret” I smiled devilishly and remembered our most passionate kiss.
“Would. You. Stop!” she yelled, “I so don’t want to see my best friend and my brother doing that” Jackson and I laughed out loud as he pulled me in for a kiss.
“Nothing will ever touch you,” he whispered into my ear as Lenete grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs.
I stopped as I realised there were still only seven doors in the long hallway, Lenete jerked on my arm again and pulled me forward.
“Lenete I thought Lilly was putting in another room for me?”
She smiled angelically and stopped me in front of Jackson’s door.
“Welcome home” she said with a smile
“That sound nice” I didn’t 옮기기 as she opened the door, I didn’t even look into the room, her welcome 집 remark had spark something in me and I didn’t know what it was.
“Are 당신 going to look?” I snapped out of my dream and looked into the room that was now mine and Jackson‘s. I heard Lenete sigh and pull me into the room.
The room I had not seen before until now, like the other rooms was all glass apart from the hallway wall, the glass doors leading out to the balcony which contained a small 표, 테이블 setting containing two chairs, a table, vases on the table, pot plants and trees in every spare 우주 and like Lenete an IPod speaker shaped like a rock. From where I was standing I had a good view of the entire room, I walked down the three steps to the floor and spun around in a slow 원, 동그라미 all the while I was aware of Lenete and Jackson’s eyes on me. To the left was a set of French doors exactly like Lenete’s I stared at them curiously.
“It’s our wardrobe” Lenete said I could hear her smile “walk straight through there and you’ll be in my room, I figured since were the same size we could share a wardrobe” I nodded as I absorbed the rest of the room, the was a 침대 against the right 벽 it was bigger than Lenete’s bed, two desks in the corner, holding two laptops a printer and a bin, in the other corner there was a 사랑 좌석 facing inwards to the room. The boxes containing my belongings were at my feet and I didn’t realise until I kicked one accidentally.
I yelp and sat on the floor rubbing my foot, I felt Jackson’s arms 덮개, 랩 around my waist as he sat on the floor 다음 to me and I heard Lenete’s quiet laughter from the doorway.
“Lenete be quiet… and help Daisi down stairs, get her some 음식 for the 사랑 of European cars” I chuckled at his choice of words so did Lenete; I took one look at her and we both dissolved into a fit of giggles.
“O.k.” she managed to breath between giggles. She was instantly standing in front of me with her hand out stretched, I took it and she pulled me to my feet and slung me on to her back.
“I’ll 가입하기 당신 soon, I’m going to finish unpacking” I heard Jackson state
“No I’ll do it-” I started but Lenete was already running down the stairs
“You really shouldn’t bet against us Dissy, we’ll always beat you” Lenete said as she put me back on the ground and motioned towards a high 발판, 자 at the 부엌, 주방 bench where all our meals were eaten. I looked at her to find her smiling mischievously
“You do realise that moving in with us” she was talking as she cooked rarely looking at the pot, something everyone in the Greene family did “means that you’ll have to 옮기기 when we do”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“ Look at me Daisi” she said motioning to her body “ 당신 have seen our family photo’s none of us have changed in appearance for over three and a half centuries, we don’t change in appearance people get suspicious when we stay in one area for to long and we don’t age”
“Oh”
“This is our last 년 in the area, we stay for about five years on average after graduation then we pick up, leave and start all over again but we want to relocate earlier this time ‘round, Jackson and I start at sixteen, Lilly starts at 30 and Nafron at 34, we always say that Jackson and I are adopted 의해 Lilly and Nafron” she said with a smile
“And what will happen with me?” I saw Lenete’s eyebrows mash together in a look of concentration.
“Lilly and Nafron will decide what we will do with you” I felt Jackson’s hands around my waist before I heard him.
“Do with me? 당신 make me sound like a pet” I smiled spinning around in his arms to face him
“You… a pet, I don’t think so love, your part of the family,” he stated with a 키스 on the 상단, 맨 위로 of my head.
“Ah stop it, just ‘cause I know 당신 are together now doesn’t mean 당신 can fill in every spare moment with loving dovey stuff” Lenete whinged wrinkling her nose.
Jackson and I laughed and pressed our lips together
“Fine! I’m leaving!” she stormed out of the room, her high heels clicking on the polished floor, leaving her unfinished cooking on the stove.
“I’d… better finish that” I let go of Jackson and walked over to the stove stirring the contents of the boiling pot. The room went so quiet I could hear Lenete’s heels clicking on the floor above, the birds 노래 in the back yard and 더 많이 significantly the 피아노 being played upstairs soft and gently upstairs i turned around to find Jackson gone, he must be playing. I smiled and began 노래 absent minded, I was so absorbed I barely heard Lenete yelling at me until she hit me- not hard enough for it to hurt, just hard enough for me to snap out of my daydream.
“Daisi what the hell are 당신 doing… Your burning the 음식 that’s what you’re doing!”
“What?” I winced as I felt the sting in my face “Jackson” I called knowing he would hear me even though he was upstairs at the piano.
“Lenete 당신 do know that’s going to leave a bruise on her beautiful face” he said placing a hand on my face soothing the pain.
“Sorry Daisi but 당신 would have set the house on fire, what’s wrong with 당신 today?”
“I… I don’t know I was standing here then I forgot that I was, I was somewhere else,” I mumbled
“I think we should have Lilly and Nafron see what’s going on, this strangely reminds me of that thing that happened awhile back”
It was at that point that I faintly heard the door quietly open and close and I heard the faint tapping of shoes on the floor.
“Mum, dad we need to talk” Lenete’s voice rung around the 부엌, 주방 “it’s about Daisi”
“What is it?” Lilly appeared and was hugging my shoulders 더 많이 motherly than my own mother “are 당신 okay?”
“We don’t know mum, she’s been 연기 funny all 일 it really has me worried” Jackson murmured
“Jackson calm down you’ll give your self a 심장 attack” Lilly smiled “what sort of weird stuff?”
And so a whole recap of my day, my weird behaviour and my sudden memory loss. Without a word to me Lilly and Nafron walked upstairs and began a private conversation.
Lenete went up stairs with out another word leaving Jackson and I standing in the kitchen.
“Would 당신 please get that look off your face, its 심장 breaking?”
I buried my face into is chest.
“What’s wrong with me?”
“Nothing is wrong with you, we’ll figure this out I promise”
“I’m scared Jackson-”
“Please don’t be, 당신 have nothing to worry about, Nafron will see anything” with that he gently pulled me tighter in his grip then let go after a second, he held out his hand and I took it as he lead the way up to the library.
He sat down at the 피아노 and began playing a new tune, and unheard tune, Lenete danced her way in, her shoes clicking annoyingly against the floor and squashed me into Jackson so she could sit 다음 to me.
“What a lovely tune” she said quietly before heading over to the violin and picking up the tune from Jackson’s thoughts and playing along, I wrapped my arms around Jackson’s waist and hugged him tight afraid to let him go. The tune came to a slow end; Jackson’s arms picked me up and were soon replaced with a bed. The 침대 shifted 다음 to me and I was still conscious enough to feel has arms drape across my waist pulling me tight into his chest as I slipped into unconsciousness.
The ringing was still loud in my ears from my scream; I could not remember what I had dreamt about, just that I woke up screaming like I was being tortured. My screams instantly stopped when I felt a set of cool arms around my waist, another set around my shoulders and cool gentle hands cupping my face, all with a feather touch.
“Daisi? Daisi? Are 당신 okay what is it?” Jackson’s panicked voice made me feel worse, but no words would come out off my mouth to ease his panic. I crushed my face into Jackson’s chest breathing in his relaxing scent.
“Daisi can 당신 tell us what happened?” Nafron asked from the doorway as his medical training kicked in. I knew I couldn’t hide in Jackson’s chest forever so I disappointingly pulled away from the 안전한, 안전 closure of his chest.
“I… can’t remember anything I only remember waking up screaming,” I was crying and the tears were staining Jackson’s 셔츠 “Lilly please tell me… what’s going on”
“I…I don’t exactly know Dis, but I promise to look into it when I finish work”
“Please don’t be worried about anything” Lenete and Jackson said at the same time
“I mean 당신 are probably the best protected person in Treshone, what with 24/7 protection 의해 vampires” Lenete finished smugly
“I know but what ever is happening to me, is getting past you” I stated
“I’m offended, if anything really bad was to happen, Nafron would have seen it” Lenete scoffed
“He doesn’t see anything happening to me and look what’s happening to me!” Jackson tightened his arms around my waist and kissed my cheek lightly
“Sleep Daisi, you’ll feel better”
“You think I could sleep with what just happened!” I shrieked at him before collapsing into his chest “sorry, I don’t know what came over me” Jackson ran a hand over my hair before scooping me up and carrying me down stairs.
“Do 당신 want to eat?” his panic made me feel even worse I shook my head “I wonder if your life would have been better if 당신 never met me?”
“But I wouldn’t be as happy as I am now…minus the weird stuff”
“I couldn’t agree more”
His lips trailed along my jaw line and I felt him smile against my skin for a brief moment before planting his lips on mine.
The days continued in that matter, I stayed awake with the rest of the family the whole night scared to sleep in case I had another unknown dream; I attended school, sleep deprived and zombie like.
“Good afternoon Daisi how was school?” Nafron asked as he hugged me, I noticed his eyes glaze over but he didn’t pull away, Jackson growled, Lenete gasped, Nafron’s grip tightened around my shoulders and became uncomfortable, I pushed against his arm but he wouldn’t budge. Lilly came up behind him lacing her fingers into his and pulled him away. I gasped at the air.
“Nafron what is it?” Lilly asked worried, no one answered, no one spoke to me, all everyone did was disappeared upstairs, and I couldn’t even hear a conversation. I could no long hold my eyelids open; I felt the wind on my face as I collapsed into the 침상, 소파 in the hallway.
The light was getting duller and duller until I could no longer see it, I tried to scream but all sounds were gurgled 의해 the rush of water into my lungs, my visions became hazy as I tried to swim for air, but the harder I tried to push myself towards the surface the darker it became. My lungs were screaming for air, my mouth opened flooding my lungs with 더 많이 water, I felt myself slipping, and I heard an angel’s voice.
“Daisi, come back to me” his voice worried, panicked, stressed and most obvious sadness, I screamed for him to help but 더 많이 water rushed into my body.
“Daisi, please come back…please” his voice became 더 많이 distant, Wait I wanted to scream, stay with me please. Everything went black
“Daisi I 사랑 you, come back to me”
I screamed high-pitched, I welcomed the ringing in my ears, It told me I was alive; I had listened to my angel.
“Daisi. Daisi are 당신 okay?” his arms lifted me into his chest the only words that would escape my mouth were ‘come back my angel’
“I’m right here Daisi, unless I’m not your angel” I felt his smile against my forehead
“Oh my, Daisi are 당신 okay?” Lilly’s panic was barely audible to my ears, which were still ringing, the words kept spilling out of my mouth; I had no control over what I said and what I didn’t.
My vision clouded and my hearing blocked, I had passed out and I knew I had only this time no dreams came to me.
When I woke my head throbbed, every bone in my body was aching and an uncomfortable burn was in my throat but I welcomed the pain, I was still alive and I wouldn’t be causing the Greene’s grief over my death. I rolled over and found Jackson’s face inches from mine.
“Good evening beautiful, are 당신 feeling okay?” I nodded
“Just a little sore, bet I have some bruises too” he nodded with a grimace on his face
“One from where Lenete hit 당신 and the others well they came from you” my face fell as I jumped from the 침대 and ran to the mirror. My skin was painted faintly with bruises, my left hand had another bandage added to the one I already had, and it covered half of my forearm. I stared at it dumbfound.
“What happened to my arm?” I stuttered, Jackson shrugged and leant against the 벽 다음 to the mirror.
“You fractured it… 당신 did some pretty severe thrashing while 당신 were out, do 당신 know how long 당신 have been out for?” I shook my head not taking my eyes off the battered girl in the mirror
“About two days, 당신 missed both days of school and 당신 haven’t received a phone call from your mother yet so” he shrugged again
“Two days? Severe thrashing? What do 당신 mean?”
“What were 당신 dreaming about?”
“Nothing, no pictures, no sounds, nothing!”
“Hmm… unusual, come on lets get 당신 some food,” he kissed me lightly before cradling me into his arms and carrying me down stairs where Nafron and Lilly were waiting.
“Feeling well Daisi?”
“Can’t complain I suppose, just unsure of why I am bashing myself up” I laughed and began eating the cereal placed in front of me.
“Speaking about that subject, I would like to examine your injuries when 당신 have finished eating” I had known well enough that all injuries made 의해 me are checked 의해 Nafron as soon as I get them.
“Yep sure” I chuckled with my mouth full of food
My arms were stretched out to my sides Lenete held one up and Lilly held the other one up - my muscles hurt too much for me to hold them up on my own. While Jackson hovered around Nafron’s shoulder trying to protect me and he complained every time I winced 또는 made a face, but I constantly told him I was fine. Nafron lightly pressed every bruise and scrape with his cool fingertips and x-rayed every bone checking for any damage I caused myself. I got off lightly - a fracture in my left wrist, a deep tissue bruise in my right thigh and minor cuts and bruises painted all over my body.
I spent a whole week off school to prevent rumours going around about my new family, my bruises slowly disappeared and I had made my story for my fractured wrist it was very simple, I had tripped and a 표, 테이블 got in the way of my fall. I stifled a laugh as Jackson wrapped his arms around my shoulders - being careful of my bruises. I shook my head in response to the puzzled look on his face.
10 million fireflies
