Hello people of the world, I just finished this and uploaded it, so please bear with me with any spelling issues...or grammar, whatever I messed up. My editer was on vacation today (ha, ha...just kidding...ha...okay, anyway...). Figures. I tried to go over it, but I'm tired and I don't think so well when I'm--scratch that, I don't think well anytime. (You should see my grade in math, ouch! -.-) Okay, thanks for reading, again, sorry I can't spell for my life.

Thanks for reading.

-MindCaster-

Chapter Three

“Hey, sis.”

The grave was the same as it was three or so years ago. Like Ali had no family. It was plain, there were no flowers, no one was allowed to visit her. Well, screw that rule.

I sat down, my knees out in front of me. I dug a little hole near the right side of the grave and set a little red flower in the hole. I covered it up a little dirt and watched the grave for a little while. There was barely anyone here. A few people in the whole mourning thing trance. I hate crying. I hate expressing emotions. It's so...ugh, there is no way to describe! I hate that too!

I heard the crunching of gravel behind me, and spun around. Maxx. He smiled slightly.

“Dad would kill you if he knew you were here.” he came up beside me and I rested my head on his shoulder and closed my eyes for a little.

“Well, then I call the spot next to her. She was my twin.” I muttered, he chuckled.

“No! I'm next to her. I'm her older brother,” I smacked in the the stomach and he just laughed again, “Why don't we come here anyway?” I asked finally, I had come once after school, and I ended up getting beaten up by Dad. Ali was the golden one. The one who got the good grades, the one who was talented, better then me at everything.

“Because the last time Dad hit you.” Maxx answered me, I opened my eyes so I could roll them. He smiled then spoke quickly, “Now changing he subject...who was that guy you came home with?” I pulled away and watched him, “No one.”

“Spencer told me you as red as a tomato. I didn't know no one could do that.” I stuck my tongue out and turned away watching the silent grave, the concrete angel staring back at me.

A gust of wind blew my hair all over my face, and then I felt Maxx's hand fly up to the base of my neck, “Crap,” he said, he pushed my hair away from my neck and cursed under his breath.

“What?” I said, wondering what was there. Feeling it for myself, but just sent pain shooting through me.

“There are two holes. Holes made by fangs. Vampire fangs.” Please tell me he didn't say that...please...please.

“I was...bitten?” He nodded. My eyes widened, was I going to become a vampire? Was I? Was I going to die? Crap, I will be in that spot next to Al before I even turn eighteen! Well, I beat her by four years. Almost. I don't wanna die! My mind was screaming, thoughts rolling through my head uncontrollably. So I did what any werewolf would do. I changed shape. My teeth became pointed, my fingernails became claws, my clothes were shredded laying at the grave in pieces. Maxx watched me for a moment, before followed my motion and took his shape. His brown eyes watched me, waiting on my move.

Finally, I took off. I was much faster then anyone in the pack, so in a few moments I was far away padding through the cool forest. I froze, it wasn't me that broke a twig. I turned my head to make sure I was right. It wasn't me. When I turned back around there were three figures standing before me. Two girls, one guy. Their skin was flawless, they looked amazing, they watched me quietly. I was about to take a step towards them when I remembered what form I was in. I stepped back hastily, something about them was...familiar, I backed away and took off running and didn't stop till I was home.

I padded up the steps and rang the door bell with my muzzle. Then I sat down, my tail curling around my legs. I waited until it swung open, Mace was looking down at me, trying to figure out if I was Maxx or me.

Then he noticed my eyes, “Okay...Nikki...right?” I barked, and nodded, my fur bobbing with my head. He smiled at let me in, “Good, I'm catching on now, your the only one with violet eyes anyway.” I would have smile but I couldn't. I was quiet as I walked up stairs, brushing past Spencer, who just stared at me dumbfounded and went straight to my room. Then I realized the door was closed. Spencer was still staring at me, so I barked. He chuckled at opened the door, and pushed it open further, I barked a thank you and walked past him, and waited till he left and closed the door to change back. Because it would be awkward if I happened to be...ah...what's that word I'm looking for? Naked. Yeah! That's it!

I barked in frustration and he just watched, then, in a very delayed reaction, he snapped back and blinked a few times before he closed the door. I changed back, grabbing my robe and wrapped it around me. I rifled through my drawers for something to wear then I glanced up and caught my reflection in the mirror above my bureau. My face was pale up to my jet black hair, my violet eyes clear, but looking tired. I paused, then brushed my hair aside, Maxx was right. There were two little holes at the base of my throat. I stared at my reflection then went back to searching my drawers. I ended up with a large t-shirt and a hoodie and a pair of jeans. No more shifting, my back was starting to get sore. Yes, if you don't shift often enough you muscles are so sore. Especially when you first change. For the very first time. Ouch.

I walked down stairs and grabbed Mace's car keys and started to head out, hoping that no one noticed me. I opened the door and Maxx was sitting at the door waiting to be let in. I moved over so he could get in. He “walked” in and jumped up on the couch next to Hayley and licked her on the face. She giggled and kissed his snout. I made and made a ew-that's-gross look and walked out, trying to make sure Mace wouldn't notice.

When I got out I heard that voice.

“In a hurry?” I turned to my right and saw...Nathan (no I didn't forget his name! Who could? I just pose for the readers). He smiled, and I swear my heart skipped a beat. He was leaning on his blue little convertible, I glanced back to Mace's beat up car, and held back a sob of sorrow. That dumb car.

“Well, kind of...just need to—you know, get out.” He smiled meeting my gaze. I stuffed the car keys into my pocket, hoping it was unnoticeable.

“Can I give you a ride anywhere?” Yes!

“Umm, we did just meet...” I answered, hating every freaking word. He nodded, I thought I had just pushed him away but, thank God and all the saints, he kept trying to persuade me.

“You do remember that I took you home in my car yesterday, don't you?” Nathan smiled. Oh, God. Breathe...Nikki...breathe!

“Yeah, I remember,” I sounded out of breath.

“How is you leg?” Nathan asked after a moment of staring at me, I probably imagined the longing part. I just stared finally, I answered, “Oh, fine, much better, thank you, for that too. Yeah...okay...” He laughed again and pushed away from his car and played with the car keys, “Please, let me save you from blowing up in that car,” We both looked over at Mace's wrecked car.

I had to stand up for it.

“It runs fine,” I said, knowing I was lying.

“Really? Show me,” he followed me to the car I stuck the keys in it and started the ignition. The car purred for a moment before stopping and sounding like a dying whale. I quickly took the keys out and stepped away. Nathan raised and eyebrow. I stepped away, self-consciousness suddenly swamping me.

“Want that ride, now?” Answer him...answer him...

“Please and thank you.”

Nathan smiled and led me to the car, he opened my door and then let himself in. He started the engine and we took off. Spencer watching us from the front door.

-XxX-

After going to lots of stores and getting dinner we drove around for a while. To, you know, New York, anyway. Yes, the totally awesome city in which all the alien forces seem to attack in the creepy movies that I watched (cough, cough, “Cloverfield”, “War of the Worlds” cough, cough).

The wind was whipping my hair in my face, I pressed my glasses closer. It was beautiful out, and I had never felt so weird, I never described anything as “beautiful”.

We pulled up to one of the huge parks and walked around for a little bit, my arm barely brushing his, but once in a while I was get a chill, and I'd shiver. Nothing romantic happened. Nathan wouldn't come near me if I was cold. I didn't know why, doesn't he watch the cheesy chick-flicks? Finally, we started back to the car, and it started to rain. And the roof to the car was down.

The rain thumped like drums around us, and was instantly soaking through our clothes. Then it happened. Nathan took my hand in his and pulled me along with him, we rushed through the park, I could run a lot faster, but I didn't want to freak him out or anything. The gravel crunched under our feet as we ran, trying not to trip, to the car. By the time we reached the car it was almost soaked. Along with us. Nathan hurried to roll the roof up and when it locked into place, the rain stopped. Lucky, right? No! He was freaking out because it was his sister's car. He punched the seat in frustration, then looked up at me. I swear my lip was probably bleeding because I had to bit down on it so I wouldn't laugh at his face. He just smiled, “I'll...uh...get it fixed I guess.” Nathan turned the key and started the car and tried to turn the heat up. It just made a buzzing sound. He slammed his head again the steering wheel the horn went off. I had to cover my mouth so I could keep the giggle low.

“Scratch that. Morgan will want a new car, she always did like the purple one better anyway,” he rolled his eyes, "the blue one wasn't good enough, she took my car, God knows what she'll do when she sees this..." Finally he pulled out of the parking spot we got, no one was there anyway.

He glanced over, I could tell from the mirror that my face was red from trying to keep my rude laughter inside. I grew up with a boy as my best friend. That boy made me sit through all the horror movies. I grew up with a brother that was a total jerk. Then I moved into a house with a boy who burps for fun. And then there was one other girl, who was head-over-heels in love with the total jerk, so she is completely blind to their gross actions. Do you know what that is like?

“I'm sorry,” I managed, “I'm kinda...aggressive, and sarcastic, and not a lot of people like me...” Nathan managed a smile, “I don't blame you, I would be laughing too. If it wasn't me.” I giggled, I don't do the “hehehe” I usually laugh obnoxiously and really mean, but this came out as a girl-ish giggle. Oh, lord...

We drove in silence, and we finally reached town and my house, and it started raining. Again. He guided me out of car and lead me to the door. We were getting wet, and I was cold and tired and I wanted to sleep a little—forever.

“Thanks for the ride, and dinner, and everything else we did today,” I swear this being nice thing was getting easier.

He nodded, “No. Thank you for a great day.” I was about to say, “What?” just as his lips met mine. I swear I forgot to breath. I started to get light headed and then I reminded myself to breathe through my nose. It worked!

Forget sleeping forever, I was fine right here.

His arms were around my back and my arms wrapped around his neck. He pulled away for a moment to let me catch my breath then pulled me to him again and then the worst thing happened.

Spencer opened the front door.

I had never moved so fast, we broke from each others arms and jumped at least four feet from each other, I nearly tumbled off the porch.

“I—uh—I'm—just walk away,” Spencer stammered, he spun on his heel and strode away from us. I looked back to Nathan and bit my lip.

He chuckled, “I'll see you around,” he kissed me on the cheek and ran back to his car. I stood there for a moment, before I walked through the (open) front door. Spencer came into the room and and gave me the run-and-hide-fast look, I was about to open my mouth to tell him off for what he did, and give him the "Best Timing Award" because he certainly won. But that was before my mother and father walked out and looked at me like I was the devil himself. Probably 'cause I was so wet. And God I wished they did not see me on the porch. Ah, crap...

“Hello, Nicole.”