91ADRIA’S POV“It’s… it’s not blood.” I stuttered, and made the mistake of pretending to dust it off.“Look at it!” She exclaimed, grabbing my wrist, and pointing at my palm.“I said it’s not blood!” I shouted, a little too harshly, jerking my wrist out of hers.“Then what is it? It looks pretty much like blood to me, and smells like it too. What have you been up to, Adria? These days, you’ve just been acting really weird, you know that? Tell me what’s going on! Why does it feel like we’re not close anymore?”“You’re the only one thinking that, Stacy. I try everyday so you can feel happy, so our friendship can be what you want, but you just keep complaining, and complaining!”“That’s the problem, Adria! The Adria I knew, never tried! Because she truly cared about me, about the boys, about all of us! It came out naturally to her. She didn’t have to try, or force it. Her love came out freely. Do you know how many times we’ve asked you to hang out, in just this week alone? You always ha

93ADRIA’S POVWait… What was Derek doing? Was he trying to kiss me? He leaned in with his eyes closed, but I immediately moved back a little, placing a gentle hand on his chest.He opened his eyes, and looked at me, and I shook my head a little.“I was just talking about someone I still love.” I said in a little voice, so he could know how weird his action was, and he chuckled, then moved back.“It’s my way of comforting. You just seemed so sad, and depressed, that I thought a kiss would help take it all away.” He explained, picking up little rocks, and throwing them against trees, as he was used to doing.“I appreciate you, Derek. Humans see you, and scream, but honestly, you’re a great guy. You’ve got a kind heart, handsome face, charming voice…” I started to list out his qualities, and he blushed.“That’s cringy. Come on, stop.” He said, pushing my shoulder lightly.“I mean… why do those human girls scream? They should be happy that a handsome as hell vampire is giving them the la

95ADRIA’S POV.Did Derek know it was Lucien? Did he leave me to deal with the trouble of Lucien catching me sucking a human’s blood? No way.Derek couldn’t do such. We were friends. We hunted together, we went everywhere together, and drank blood together, so how could he just leave me just like that?Thinking back on the events of the night, I recalled Derek had sniffed something, and had raced for it, telling me he’d be back.I closed my eyes, and shook my head. He was probably going to return, and search for me.“It’s obvious.” Lucien replied, still holding on to my hand, as he led me out of the forest, and as we walked, I sensed a presence—Derek’s presence to be precise.He was watching us, I just didn’t know where he was watching from. He had seen everything, and had not interrupted, had not helped.I couldn’t even say a word, I just began to cry afresh. He was my friend. How was I to believe he wasn’t good? How was I to believe he had never considered me as a friend?Lucien dro

98ADRIA’S POV“Just jump! Do you think you’re the only ones bungee jumping today!?” Stacy shrieked when the guys took much longer than they were supposed to.“Okay, wait!” Tommy shrieked.“We’re going to jump now. Okay… we’re jumping.” Daniel shouted, and they began to move towards the edge slowly.“Just shove them!” Stacy shouted to the staff behind them, and they laughed a little. “Other people want to jump! Shove them!” Stacy shrieked once more, and I bent over laughing.“We’re going to do this!” Daniel said, but they weren’t moving.“Alright. This is how you guys play, uh? I’m filming this! First thing in the morning, you’re going to see yourselves being scared ladies, and maybe even better screamers!” I screamed, holding up my phone, and Stacy giggled.“Damn you!” Daniel shrieked, and flung himself, and Tommy off.“Woah!” Stacy shouted, jumping in excitement.It was epic as the boys screamed, and I had it all filmed.“Damn, damn, damn, damn! I’m going to put some good music on t

100ADRIA’S POVI took hasty steps away from her, but my eyes couldn’t tear away from the blood on her shoulder. It was just too much for me to take in.I gritted my teeth hard, and balled my fingers into fists. No, Adria, you can’t! You can’t!No!At that moment, I hated myself for the powerful urge I was resisting to drink from her.It seemed like something was about to erupt from my belly, something monstrous. I was on the verge of exploding.“You know you want it. Have it, and stop being a weakling. Whose welfare comes first? Yours, or some random girl you don’t know?” Derek asked, with his hand stretched out in the direction of the girl.I wanted to tell him to keep his mouth shut, and that he had no right to take a random girl, and ask me such a stupid question.Of course, she mattered more than I did, at that moment because I couldn’t die, but she could. I was going to survive that night no matter what, but her survival depended on me.I had decided to join Lucien in saving the