n walked into the room. They watched me

ily?" My father asked

othing, just...

the subject to stop them from being c

r spoke up. "We just wanted to let you kno

s understand how messed up and broken I was feeling? My mom especially always liked Tyler and thought we were a

und calm even though I wasn't. "Is t

sion slightly more serious. "Actually, L

d up. I wanted to know but also felt a

a small smile. "

oor and sank to the floor. I would have to put on a fake smile this a

_

ents, and I sat together. It was beyond uncomfortable, especially for Tyler and me. He looked at me a

with Tyler, asking about his father and the pack's af

how's your father doing? And how

ice, "He's doing well, thank you. T

ion to Audrey, and the two

m asked Audrey, "And Aud

ng life's little surprises." She threw me a sly g

tension, my mom smiled at

pped in, "Audrey's been helping out a lot in th

only annoyed me mo

ied, "Yes, we all have our

bsolutely, teamwo

e, I cleared my throat,

u need the salt? Surprising." She held

t anymore. Thank you."

n, my dad smiled and said,

t like everything was okay, but you could sense the tension just under the surface. My parents we

sweetly, "I hear you'

to be baited. "Yeah,

understood and attempted to ease the tens

y breath without meaning to,

ft but kind of unsure. "It w

d ate it. I could fe

ained. The air felt heavy, like there were things we wanted to say but couldn't. Normally, lunchtime

er, did you like the gift Lily got you? She went through so much trouble to f

ating fast. He smiled at my mom, but it seemed like he was trying

eming curious. "Why did

ther and forced a smile. "Tyler was busy, and when I tried to give it to

was disappointed.

s hinting at something. "Maybe next time she'll manage to actually

Pushing my chair back, I s

m." The eyes of everyone at the table followed me as I le

~

hide suddenly hit me really hard, like a big wave. I sat down on the floor, tears stre

was just there. He didn't say anything, he didn't stop

and sobbed quietly. This was goi

om behind the curtain near my window. Fear gripp

loser, step by step, until I finally got the courage to open the curtain

nd fell back, shockwaves

~

ere stuck to the ground. His skin was pale, and his hair was a tangled mess of white and dark strands. His

ampires, to see them as enemies. But here one was, injured and vulnerable. He

my thoughts were pulling me in different directions. The things I learned cl

sounding really desperate. Something strange came over me. I felt like I had to do something, like I was

his injury gently. I was amazed that I wasn't very scared anymore. I felt like I really ne

him – poison. I started thinking quickly, and I immediately thought of my father's room. Fe

ushed out from his wound. I was

make myself feel better,

e. I looked down the hallway, feeling really determined. I knew what