Chapter 5 Beyond Curiosity

It was Chemistry lesson.

I turned back around, trying to focus on whatever it was I was doing before Clinton's stare distracted me.

But I could feel his eyes on me still, and it made me wonder what I had done to deserve his attention.

What was so amusing? Was it the fact that I was clearly uncomfortable under his gaze? Or was it something else entirely?

I chanced another glance at him, and our eyes met for a brief moment. I frowned a little, then scoffed. I felt a jolt of electricity run through me, but I quickly looked away, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of thinking he'd gotten under my skin.

But as I turned back around, I could've sworn I heard him chuckle again, this time a little softer, a little more menacing.

I shivered, despite myself, and wondered what he found so amusing. He's probably wishing he could rip my hair off, stick a fork in-between my teeth or something.

That was not unusual. He obviously hated me.

|Louis' POV|

Recess.

I strolled into the school cafeteria with a couple of friends. As I scanned the room, my eyes landed on Emily, sitting all alone in one of the backseats.

Her eyes met mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other. Then, she rolled her eyes, and I couldn't help but chuckle.

But beneath my amusement, I was worried. I mean, I had to be, she was my best friend. I had noticed her sudden reclusiveness since she returned from England. It was as if she had built walls around herself, and I couldn't help but wonder what was going on behind those walls.

Clinton's joke about Emily's behavior had caught me off guard. If someone as oblivious as Clinton had noticed the change in her, then it was very serious.

Everyone else just thought she was weird.

However, there was something about Emily that piqued my interest.

As a vampire, I was accustomed to reading people's thoughts and emotions. But Emily was different, good different. I couldn't penetrate her mind, couldn't evaluate her feelings. I couldn't predict her actions. It was frustrating, yet intriguing.

Clinton's voice broke into my thoughts, chanting something nonsensical as he grabbed my hair. I shook him off, and we continued to grab our lunch.

As we moved towards a new seat, filled with popular girls, I stopped abruptly. Clinton stopped beside me, looking at me questioningly.

'Louis, I know what you're thinking, but don't do it.' he whispered.

I smirked, feigning innocence. 'Don't do what?'

Clinton's eyes darted towards Emily, and he whispered again, 'No, please.'

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Clinton's reaction. 'Let's take that seat, the one over there.'

Clinton sighed, relieved. 'Louis, we would be sitting alone.'

I smiled mischievously. 'Would you rather we sat with Emily over there?'

We settled into our seats, Clinton facing Emily while I sat with my back to her. As we sipped our drinks, I found myself stealing glances at her, quickly looking away whenever she was about to turn our way.

'Is she looking?' I asked Clinton again, trying to sound nonchalant.

He let out a deep sigh and rolled his eyes. 'Nope.'

I glanced back, scanning the area before focusing on Emily again. I paused, taking another sip of my drink. 'Is she looking?'

Clinton sighed once more, casting a brief glance in Emily's direction. 'What you should be asking me, Louis, is if anyone is looking. I'm not going to keep doing this...'

I waved my hand dismissively. 'I don't care if anyone saw. Now, look at her again. Does she look nervous or unhappy?'

Clinton's gaze lingered on Emily before he responded, 'No, I think she looks really sick. She looks like a thousand-year-old vampire.'

I frowned, concern etched on my face. 'What's wrong with her?'

Clinton paused, his expression thoughtful. 'Louis, I get it... you care about her. So what?'

I chuckled, anticipating the drama that was about to unfold.

He continued, 'You've recently developed this... weird interest in this human girl. Now, you're making it public.'

I leaned in, my voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. 'I'm only interested because I want to help her.' I paused, 'When I saw her crying in her room last week...'

'So, you tracked her.' Clinton said nonchalantly and continued drinking

I nodded. 'It's funny that as a vampire, I'm able to sense pain in people much more than humans.'

Clinton raised an eyebrow. 'Your emotions are heightened. You're half-human, what do you expect?'

I shook my head, my eyes locked on Emily across the room, 'I'm telling you, Clinton, something's off about her.'

Clinton looked up, his gaze drifting towards Emily. 'Aw, look at her being all weird and mysterious. She looks fine to me.'

I shot him a warning glance.

Clinton's face crumpled a little, 'You're still obsessing over her? Louis, she's just a human. What's the big deal?'

I leaned in, my voice taking a serious tone, 'I've never seen anyone like her. She's...different. And those eyes of hers? They're not normal.'

Clinton snorted, 'You're not exactly normal either. Maybe you're just drawn to weirdos.'

I fell silent, my eyes fixed on Clinton.

'Look, I have never read through her. I've never even thought of it until you dragged me into it.'

'She has this big diary that she always writes in. I would have easily stolen it and saved you the stress.'

Clinton sighed, giving me a surrendered look. 'All I see is a girl who's depressed about everything; who, because of her overprotective mother, has not been able to figure out herself yet. She can't sleep peacefully... She hasn't slept in four days? No wonder she looks like a vampire!'

I leaned in curiously. 'Why can't she sleep?'

'I don't know, something about a nightmare? Whenever she closes her eyes, all she sees is terror, memories of her dad she doesn't want to remember...'

I frowned, my mind racing with possibilities. 'Why does the nightmare keep coming?'

Clinton's expression was depressing. 'She doesn't know.'

I pressed on. 'What's causing them?'

Clinton paused, giving a serious look. 'She doesn't know, Louis.'

I turned to him, my eyes locked on his. 'Read through her, thoroughly. See if you can find anything.'

The silence that followed was oppressive.

'Clinton, why aren't you saying anything?' I asked, my voice low and urgent.

He hesitated before responding, 'That's because I couldn't see anything.'

'What do you mean you couldn't see anything?'

Clinton's expression turned wry. 'Who stores their dirty panties in the sink for a whole month? Gross.'

I ignored his comment.

He continued, 'Well, what I did figure out is that these nightmares make her become a different person. It's like she's being possessed...'

I finished his sentence, my voice laced with concern. 'Okay, she's possessed, and you can't tell what's behind it.'

'I think it's a vampire.'

'I know, but why?'

Clinton chuckled. 'Maybe to lead her to the lake and tear her up to pieces. That's how some of the vampires hunt these days.'

I frowned. 'But that's against the Consanguinity. Their actions would blow our cover.'

Clinton's laughter was low and menacing. 'What can we do? She's already been tracked. Besides, home girl is sneaking out of mommy's blanket to the lake tonight. I'm sure she'd be back before midnight.'

I stared at him, startled by his unconcern.

Clinton rolled his eyes. 'Let me guess, you want me to help you stop her.'

I remained silent, my eyes locked on him.

Clinton sighed, rolling his eyes, 'Fine, Louis, I'll play along. But if this is just another one of your wild goose chases, I'm blaming you.'