One

It was a warm summer night just after sunset in Chicago people were all about unaware of the danger that surrounded them; I, however, was completely aware of the danger everyone was in. There was a vampire hiding in the shadows, looking for his next unsuspecting victim. He was your classic looking vampire; tall, dark and handsome; and oh-my-gosh his eyes were to die for; they looked as if he could pierce your soul and see life through the windows of your soul. Well, at least that was how I felt, and then I noticed he was looking at me. Me? Me! He was heading towards me. Did he know that I was thinking about him?? Did he know that I was immensely attracted to him? Did I mess up his plan because I noticed him??? Damn my vampire knowledge from books and movies!

"Hello there, Miss," the vampire said

"Um, hi to you too," I said, totally off guard. I was completely caught up in my own thoughts.

"May I ask what your name is, I saw you from across the street and couldn't resist coming to talk to such a beautiful woman?" he said with a glint in his eyes.

"Well, thank you for the compliment. Yes, you may. My name is Autumn. What is your name if you don't mind me knowing, I'm not a big fan of talking to complete strangers," I replied, trying to figure out exactly what this vampire's game is? Then it dawned on me, maybe I'm supposed to be his unsuspecting victim! Well, that would totally suck since I'm not unsuspecting.

"Nice to meet you, Autumn, my name is Tristan. Tristan Jordan. What are you doing this fine night in Chicago?" Tristan said. Tristan, huh; A cute name for a very handsome man, maybe I should get to know him. Then I realized I hadn't answered his question.

"Well Tristan Jordan, that's a cute name by the way. I'm just trying to take in the sites before I leave for school this fall. Besides I'm sort of a tourist in Chicago even though I live near Chicago. Am I talking too much because if I am you can feel free to stop me" I babbled on.

"No, you're fine. Taking in the sites, huh? What school are you leaving to?" questioned Tristan.

"I go to school in the middle of nowhere. It's Western." I smiled, wondering if I should be telling this vampire this information. Does he even know that I know that he is a vampire??

"What do you study, Autumn? You know vampires are very interested in education and educated people," he commented. Did he just say vampires? Or did I imagine that? I must be crazy he didn't really say that.

"Excuse me?" I squeaked

"You know vampires, people like me, I know you know I'm a vampire I can see it in the way you look at me. I can even tell that you're attracted to me, yes I can read minds, but more importantly, I was here looking for you" what looking for me? Was he looking for me? Am I vampire food tonight? "No, you aren't vampire food. I have it on good knowledge that you are into vampires, and from the thoughts in your pretty little head, I would say that I am right" he smiled with a hint of deviousness.

"Will you please stop reading my thoughts? There is a reason I didn't speak them out loud you know! What do you mean you were looking for me? Why were you looking for me? Who told you how I feel about vampires? What do you want from me?" I snapped in kind of a babbling way.

"To answer your questions, you are well known in the vampire world; you know the world of night. We've been watching you for some time Autumn. I am the only one to approach you because I want to get to know you, not as my food, not that that can't be arranged as a possibility. It seems that you like vampires or at least have an avid interest in our kind. Besides that, you have not answered my question. What are you studying at Western?" he finished. Man his smile is almost to die for almost not quite I like the idea of my blood staying where it belongs, my veins.

"I study law enforcement and justice administration for my major, most people say it's ironic that my minor in fashion, but it's really common actually a friend of mine who thinks my fascination with all things vampire is crazy is doing the same thing that I am. Wait… Do you want to get to know me? Why do you want to get to know me?" as I pondered what all this meant, he answered my questions and kept the conversation going with this delicious smile.

"You caught that, did you? Yes, I want to get to know you, perhaps as a friend, perhaps more." He winked at me, he definitely wants me as more than a friend, perhaps I could live with that. "However you would be by no means food. At least not in the traditional vampire sense; what I mean to say is I am looking for a companion", countered Tristan.

Him saying it really caught me off guard even though part of me completely expected it, then I was snapped back to reality and conversation at hand. "You want a companion, okay. You're telling me this because you must want me to be… well, your girlfriend. Am I missing something other than of course the fact you are a vampire that is apparently asking me out, correct?" I finished but I couldn't help but notice the excitement in my once-off guard voice. What was I doing? Had I completely lost my natural mind?

"Yes Autumn, you are correct, but do you accept my request?" he was still smiling, but his smile was more of a devilish one now.

For a few minutes, we walked in silence as I decided what I was going to say to Tristan. By the time I looked up, he and I were standing in Millennium Park. It is so much more beautiful and romantic, especially when with a hot vampire guy. "As exciting as this is for me I don't know what to say really. I don't even really know you; however, I suppose that's why you want to get to know me. School starts in a month. I have packing to do, um… how about this: I give you my cell number and we get to know each other and see where it goes from there?" Boy did I try hard not to flirt with him; I mean damn he's fine.

"That is acceptable. How did you get here tonight? You live in Waukegan, yes I know where you live its part of the 'we've been watching you thing'. You didn't seem to have a car, may I give you a ride home?" he was still smiling (is this a vampire seduction thing?) what a gorgeous smile at that. Soundlessly we walked to his car (which by the way wasn't what I thought he would drive) but it was nice all the same. Then it hit me I have seen this very car before, driving past my house. "They" really have been watching my every move! Can you say creeper?

Driving home in his Lexus watching everything whip by; I figured what harm could come from getting to know this vampire? Sure he could be a bad vampire but he looks like a "bad boy" vamp, which I could totally date. Who doesn't like a bad boy these days? "You look like you're caught up in your thoughts. How about you talk to me so I'm not so tempted to read your thoughts" he interrupted.

"My thoughts aren't important. Just wondering exactly what your intentions are. I would like to know what my stalker intends to do with me. Don't give me that look, yes you are a stalker", okay so I was slightly snappy with a hint of flirting nothing wrong with that.

"I am not a stalker; I am simply a man that likes a woman. I see no problem with that. Can I come visit you at school this year? I do enjoy college life" retorted Tristan. I am totally guessing at this point he either really likes me or he is absolutely crazy! When we pulled up to my house I was still awe struck, stunned by everything he told me because I just couldn't wrap my mind around it.

"I know I ask a lot of questions but, what? This is so overwhelming." We talked for a while more before I finally managed to pull myself out of his car; he ever the perfect gentleman opened the door for me. I really can't believe I found it hard to leave him, a vampire I barely know… then it really hit me a VAMPIRE! They really exist. We said goodbye and parted.