Muahahahahahaha (that's the longest yet x)

Telling Ethan
“You’re the best friend that I ever had, I’ve been with you such a long time, you’re my sunshine…”
-Queen
When Laydon woke up he was still in the forest, but he knew it was present day, because the trees were green and there was laughter. The moon was still full though, and it was dark.
Laydon pushed himself off the ground, feeling much better than he had for a long time. He knew he didn’t look different, why would he? But he felt different. His sense of smell for one, his eyesight for another. But he also had a new responsibility, the world’s nature. It was all up to him.
He found his bad and put it on. Without meaning to the other Romanian words floated into his head, Sunet Sange, became, Ajutorul vine de la prieteni. Help comes from friends. He touched his shirt, remembering it was Ethan’s. “Oh shit,” he muttered, breaking into a sprint, leaving his car there. As he finally went into his fastest sprint there was a small pop and he was on all fours, like the myths. Before he knew it his bag was in his mouth, his shorts in it, although he didn’t remember doing it. The speed was like no other; it was like being an airplane, on the ground, but faster.
And as fast as it started, Laydon reached his destination closer to Pacific Beach. He pulled himself back into human and put the shorts on as soon as he knew he was out of view of people. He rang the doorbell and tapped his foot. A few paces later the door opened. And after a few more wordless paces it slammed in his face.
“Dammit,” Laydon said as he started beating his fists against the door. “Ethan! Open the damn door! I’m sorry for everything, but I need my best friend, so open the fucking door! I’m sorr—” He had to catch himself from falling when Ethan opened the door because he almost fell.
“Are you insane?” Ethan asked as he stepped outsde and closed the door.
“Possibly,” Laydon mumbled, just loud enough for Ethan to hear.
But he ignored it. “My dad is in there, man. He thought we were entering World War Three. And he so doesn’t need “Satan’s Words” to mess with his blood pressure. And thirdly—”
“I didn’t know we were counting,” Laydon mumbled just loud enough again.
Ethan glared at him, “Shut it,” he hissed. “And thirdly, you take the goddamn only thing I wanted from me and don’t tell me shit about anything.”
Forgetting he was supposed to be apologizing Laydon said sarcastically, “Satan’s words?”
Ethan glared at him again and turned to go inside, but Laydon’s new reflexes made him quicker. He put a foot back to the door and dragged Ethan to the back of the house, near the shed and away from the road.
“What the hell, Harris?” Ethan snarled when Laydon stopped.
“Harris?” Laydon raised an eyebrow. “You know that’s weak, E—sorry. Okay…Look I’m sorry about everything. You’re my best friend and I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
“But you did, Laydon,” Ethan spit. “And you knew I liked her, and you knew how much.”
“I know I did,” Laydon said shaking his head. “I can’t pretend I didn’t ‘cause I know I did. But it’s not exactly what it seams.”
“Oh?” Ethan laughed sarcastically. “You weren’t hanging out with her, alone at your house, when Jocelyn—your girlfriend—walked in on you both? It wasn’t really that?”
“Not all of it,” Laydon said. “She was helping me study. I’m failing stats, and she’s in my class.”
“Which explains why she hid from Jo,” Ethan pointed out.
“She wasn’t hiding,” Laydon tried. “She just wasn’t…there. Ethan I’m sorry, that’s all I’m going to say. I tried to stay away from her, I tried not to fall for her because I knew how much you cared for her. It worked for awhile, but I couldn’t. Not when we connected on such a level.”
“Yeah,” Ethan muttered, “This make me feel better.”
“I thought you would understand,” Laydon shook his head. “Because you were supposed to be my best friend. I thought you would understand how much I never meant to hurt you, but I couldn’t stay away from her. I’m sorry that I love her,” he admitted. “I thought you might get that.”
“Do not,” Ethan pushed him, “Put this on me. It’s your fault. You couldn’t stay away from my girlfriend.”
“Ethan,” Laydon sighed, “It’s so much more than that. It’s her. She draws me to her more than anything else. And I couldn’t stay away, even if I wanted to.”
“You know what, Lay?” Ethan smiled and walked over to him and threw an arm over his shoulders. “That’s one of the great tngs about you, no matter how much ragging on you I do, you still think it’s your fault. And you are absolutely honest, even if it’s true.”
“So I’m forgiven?” Laydon asked smiling brightly.
“I guess,” Ethan shrugged. “I know what she can be like, so I know it’s hard to resist. But you better tell me the truth before it slaps me in the face.”
“Thank you,” Laydon almost shouted and they hugged briefly. He remembered Loren’s words. “But you just better believe it.”
“Duh. So does that mean you’re going to tell me why you’ve been acting so weird lately?” Ethan asked. “I mean, sure you’ve been ‘sick’ but you don’t have mono. You ran here. That’s miles away.”
“Uhh,” Laydon thought for a second. “I, er…”
“Laydon?” Ethan looked sternly at him, “You promised.”
“So did you,” Laydon shot back. “Sorry, okay. It’s just kind of weird.”
“How bad can it be?” Ethan joked.
“Mix some Stephen Sommers with a little Danny McBride,” Laydon answered a bit timidly.
“Hollywood much?” Ethan laughed.
“And we are still missing a bit,” Laydon laughed with him. “Throw in some Teen Titan season, uh, four and Harry Potter. Maybe some Twilight and whatnot.”
“So you say. Are you serious?”
“Dead.”
“Start at the beginning,” Ethan said sitting down on the table by the shed while Laydon sat on the ground in front.
“It involves Evan,” Laydon answered. “A lot and it’s rather long.”
“Then you better start,” Ethan said shrugging.
Laydon sighed. “Vladimir Dracule introduced Evan to this life when she was fifteen.”
“Dracula?”
Laydon nodded and the story began, nothing not mentioned.
***
“Shit,” was Ethan’s only word he could manage to say. “I mean…I can’t…It’s just…shit.”
“Saying it aloud,” Laydon acknowledged, “I don’t believe it either.” The fog was sweeping in by now with a mist that began soaking Ethan’s jacket and Laydon’s sking, but neither seemed to notice. “Except that is did happen.”
“Okay,” Ethan said slowly. “Explain what happened when you were coming here again?”
Laydon groaned. “I don’t really know. I just knew I had to get here, so I ran and then I was here. I think I was on all fours, and yeah, I know it sounds stupid. But it’s what happened, and I just need you to believe me.”
“I’m trying, dude,” Ethan said apologetically. “But suddenly entering a world where fiction is reality is hard to understand. Can’t you just show me?”
“I wish I could,” Laydon shook his head. “But I just don’t know how to.” He got up and began pacing. “It just happened, I was thinking of something Loren said and it it—”
“What did Loren say?” Ethan cut him off.
“Uh,” he thought for a second. “It was in Romanian; Ajutorul vine de la prieteni, S.S.” He recited quickly. “I wasn’t sure what it meant at first.”
“And what does it mean, exactly?” Ethan asked.
“Help, or support, comes from friends, S.S.” He answered easily enough, although he wasn’t sure how he knew it in the first place.
“S.S.” Ethan repeated. “As in like a ship? The S.S. Markington,” he said in a British accent.
“Nope,” Laydon answered. He swallowed and faced Ethan. “S.S. as in Sunet Sange. Loren called me that before.” Before Ethan opened his mouth, Laydon answered the question, “It means Sound Blood, but translates better as Audio Blood. It means that my blood sings for the Damned and the Blessed alike.”
“And the Damned is Evan’s people, which is more like Vlad’s,” Ethan said checking. “And the Blessed are your father’s people, so yours.”
“Yep,” Laydon said sitting down again.
“And you accepted your Proposal,” Ethan was pacing now. “And after you accepted it, you turned? You accepted…your fate…and…That’s it!” He jumped in place and ran over to Laydon. “You understood Loren because you accepted what you were, you accepted that you are the Sunet Sange! Because you accepted your fate of who you are you changed!”
And when Ethan said it, it completely made sense. “Oh God! That’s it!” Laydon exclaimed as he jumped up.
“So do you think you can do it?” Ethan asked. “Can you change again?” Ethan’s grin was a mile wide.
“Maybe,” Laydon said, face frowning. “I don’t know.”
“Oh come off it,” Ethan said. “You can, just try. Otherwise I just might not believe you.”
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Laydon said, but nonetheless he stood up and thought to himself, This is me. I am the Sunet Sange. I’m here to change the way of life. I have Audio Blood. And as if he was in a movie he actually felt his skin change.
“Holy shit!” Ethan shouted. He was jumping up and down and running in circles and anything else he could. “Dude! You’re a freak! You’re like a white pup, but huge! And a wolf! But sooo not. Oh gods I don’t know how to describe this!”
Laydon walked up to Ethan, as Ethan held out his hand. Laydon sniffed it. His senses, he knew, were boosted after the Proposal, but this was entirely new. Ethan had a cinnamon tint to his skin. It was natural, although Laydon could also smell the laundry detergent his half sister used on his clothes.
“How fast do you think you could run?” Ethan asked. “Because I bet it’s, like, über fast.”
Laydon shrugged, or what he hoped was a shrug.
“Well try,” Ethan said; apparently he had interpreted Laydon’s message right.
So Laydon sighed and picked a spot where no one would see in the alley. He made a sprint, running as fast as he could. He had always thought running on all fours would be annoying and hard but now he understood how much better it was.
On two legs you just had to steady yourself as you pushed at the same time, causing more concentration then necessary. But on four he could use the front two legs for steady and control, while pushing with his hind legs.
Not that he had ever really thought what it would be like, though.
Then he noticed where he was. He stopped and looked back; even with his new eyesight he could barely make it out, especially through the mist. He put an X on the wall of the nearest building and ran back. When he got close enough he concentrated on his human parts; he thought of his friends, his family, Evan.
And sure enough he was back. When he walked up to Ethan he was laughing.
“What?” Laydon asked as some carolers went by, staring.
“You’re not wearing any pants,” Ethan said laughing still. “Or shirt.” He laughed again. “Or anything.”
“Oh, shit,” Laydon said. “Give me something?”
“Nope,” he answered grinning. But when Laydon looked at him he put his hands up in surrender. “Shift again, I’ll be right back.” He ran off towards the house as Laydon shifted out of sight again.
He pawed the ground and after looking at it for a second he ran over to Ethan’s shed door. It was shiny and he wanted to see what he looked like. When he saw himself, even warped, it was amazing.
He understood why it was hard for Ethan to be unable to describe what he was; he was having trouble. His fur was white, as light as his hair was, fair, but it had a dark stripe. He thought he understood what that meant; the fur reflects your true self and his was mostly Blessed, white, with a dash of Damned, black. As he turned he saw a bright blue stripe that he wore in his hair last summer. He was confused about what it meant.
“The blue represents the cold you have seen.” A voice said behind him making him jump. He recognized the sent, a tropical, flower smell, mixed with something dark and spiced.
Laydon didn’t see anyone, even with his eyesight. He whined softly.
“Sorry,” she said. Then a shadow grew out of the ground into a small person. “I didn’t know if you would be able to see me, perhaps my aura.” It was Loren.



+I'm trying to write more, it's just hard with school and all that jaz. If I could, I would take it with me, but alas I cannot. Maybe after the last I've written?

Always, as Promised
-S.

More.

Destiny
“The glorious destiny that awaits. It's always the quiet ones, isn't it?”
-Slade
He was in the forest. There was a full moon, a cliché upon his part. But he knew it had to happen. He didn’t know about the forest, but then again she had left out a lot.
If this was it, after all what else could it be? He wasn’t running. He was just standing wearing only jean cutoffs, which was odd because it was supposed to be November. Was this a test? Some people believed everything in life was a test. He looked around again.
He was alone in the moonlit dark. The moon showed him that the forest was brown, washed out. Even without the moon he could see much clearer than he would’ve been a few weeks ago. Then he realized why the forest was brown; it was dead, like it hadn’t rained in decades.
He put his hand on the dried up bark of a nearby Cedar Tree. He felt the tired beating of its heart and he groaned in its agony.
“This is your fault, you know,” a voice called out from within the trees.
Laydon spun around seeing no one there. “Who’s there?”
“This is what will happen if you do not embrace your true nature.” The voice called out again.
“Come out where I can see you,” Laydon answered.
“I’m sorry,” the voice said, closer, “I didn’t mean to frighten you.” Then they stepped out of the trees.
The person had a white cloak on, and despite the dirt forest, it was spotless.
“Let me see you,” Laydon said thoroughly.
“Sorry,” the person mumbled again. She took off her hood the hood to show a long cascade of dark brown wavy hair. She was pale as well, like Evan and Loren. Despite the obviousness that she was a Damned, she had black eyes that pierced through Laydon’s soul. Without a doubt she was the incarnation of pure beauty. A beauty that should never be in the human world. Even though Laydon would have never thought it would be possible, she was more beautiful than Evan.
He took a step back, feeling who and what she really was.
“There’s no reason to be afraid,” she said slowly. “I am, and will always be, your friend.”
Laydon smiled at the Star Trek reference. “Who are you, then?” He asked. “What do you want from me?”
“Acceptance,” she answered, “In general. However, you are not the only one to see this,” she waved a hand at the dead forest, “As your Proposal.”
Laydon shook of the calm feeling she was trying to press onto him. “What does that mean?” He was frustrated. “What does any of this mean? And you didn’t even answer my first question!” He threw his hands in the air.
She just smiled. “Silly Percival. Maybe I should start at the beginning? Yes?”
He looked at her for a moment. How did she know his name? He decided against yelling and just nodded.
“My name is Anna,” she spoke slowly, letting the words sink into his mind. “I was born many more years before you, or Evan. A few years after Vladimir was born. The only proof of my birth name is Anna Isabella. That is because when I was seventeen I became Anna Isabella Dracul.”
“You’re one of Dracula’s bitches?” Laydon raised an eyebrow, unable to believe she was evil, or fell for evil. “Like in the stories? The Anna? Well except for Van Helsing…” His voice trailed off.
“Yes,” she answered softly and sat down, gesturing to Laydon to do the same. He did. “But I am not evil, Percival. I’m not all that you think. And yes,” she spoke again before Laydon even opened his mouth, “I know who you are and I know that you prefer to be called by your middle name, but I think your father was brave and you should be proud to be called by his name.”
“It was just easier,” Laydon murmured, “When he was still around.”
“I know that, too, my dear.” She smiled warmly. “And I am truly sorry.”
Laydon smiled back. “Please continue with your story.”
“I met Vladimir,” she continued. “When he was supposedly twenty, at least that’s what he said in our town. This was, of course, the time when our creatures were not just those of legends. It was love,” she painted the world into the air between them, “that drew us together and we were to be married later. When I turned seventeen I learned the truth.
“Vladimir Dracul has sold his soul to the Devil, directly,” she said it with distaste. “He made the deal and became a vampire. The first vampire as he was told. He told me that he truly did love me, and he wanted to share his immortality with me. I was too in love with him to realize the true monster he was, so I agreed.
“I was the first mortal to turn, because he could stop with the others, just drinking enough to sustain. But he turned me completely. I wasn’t the first, and Lord knows I wasn’t the last. I went into a sort of coma for sixteen days. Vladimir went into a frezy, afraid that he had killed me, he did have some compassion left in him, but the more he fed, the less human he became.”
“Like Voldemort,” Laydon understood. “The more you kill, the more you feed the more inhuman you become. So, how did you know he was in a frenzy? If you were in a coma, I mean.”
“It wasn’t exactly a coma, Percival,” Anna explained patiently. “I was aware what was going on, I just couldn’t do anything about it. It was just a trance. He fed more when I was asleep. When I woke Vlad was enthused, but not because I was with him, as I learned later, but because I had proven his new plan correct. And then they noticed the drugging of his victims. The power of the bite has endorphins…as I was saying, I was kicked out of my own home because of him.
“Because of the evilness inside,” she said bitterly. “We went to Transylvania and that was when he found his three brides. Aleera, Verona, and Marrishka. But I was his one wife. I wasn’t truly evil, I just couldn’t see beyond him. Deep down I knew his plans were not the right ones.”
“Why couldn’t you see it at the time?” Laydon asked.
“Vladimir has the power of the Veil. He possesses the way to not show his true self to those he just doesn’t want to. He did love me, but his love for power over came that. He never expected that after sixteen years since he changed me my own powers began.”
Laydon waited but she didn’t continue. After a moment more he broke the silence, “What powers?”
“Look around you, Percival,” Anna smiled at him. “What do you see?”
“I see death,” he said without hesitation. “I see a forest filled with death. And it shouldn’t be this way.”
“But you don’t recognize it?” She asked.
“No,” Laydon said. “Should I?”
“This is your Proposal,” Anna answered. “A Proposal of this sort is the fate of what matters most to your heart if you do not accept your fate; if you don’t accept your destiny.”
“I have a choice?” He asked.
“We all have choices, Percival,” she answered. “What would have happened if I said no to Vladimir? Maybe he wouldn’t even be here today. What would have happened if Evan said no to this Proposal?”
“She had this as her Proposal as well?” He pulled his eyebrows together. “How?”
“She told you that she loves the nature,” Anna said. “And her destiny was to change you. So by default this is her destiny as well.”
“And now it is mine.” It wasn’t a question.
“I want you to look at this forest again,” she said, waving her hand again and with a great change, but no sign other then the forest itself.
Laydon saw that they weren’t in a forest but in his park. And then the trees came alive, green with happiness and nutrition. And then the people began appearing as if they had been there all day, only invisible. He looked up to his rock and saw it was occupied.
By his father. Who else could it have been with the brown hair and dark skin the color of mahogany? He was drawing a picture, and Laydon knew exactly what it was of, because it now hung in his room.
Laydon looked away from his father and to the focus. He looked to the Redwood tree and his heart skipped a beat. Julia Docker sat against it, reading a book. Her white blond hair, so like Laydon’s, was pulled into two braids that Laydon had drilled into his memory. She was beautiful, as his father had said, and as he had remembered, if not more. At the thought of beautiful he looked at Anna.
“How,” he asked, almost afraid of the answer, “Am I seeing this?”
“You asked what my power was, Percival,” Anna said smiling brightly. “It is to know.”
“Huh?” He was more confused now.
“I am the past, present, and future,” Anna explained. “I am the most gifted Damned because God needed someone to make this easier, to hold back Vladimir. He blessed me so that there is hope for the true Damned tht Vladimir made. That’s why I show people the potential futures. So they know to choose good, and right.”
“And if they don’t?”
“They stay in their happiest memories forever,” she sighed. “It is a sort of limbo for them. And then I am left to figure out a way to save what they chose not to. But with you, I have no other ideas.”
The forest became dead again.
“The Blessed protect and breathe the forests. They balance us. Without them, without you Percival Laydon, Night is all and ALL is Damned. But it’s still your choice. You never know, I might have an idea somewhere.”
“Thank you for showing me this,” Laydon said getting up and brushing himself off. “So that’s how you learned about Vlad? His Veil didn’t work on you because God let you know?”
“Yes.” She got up as well.
“So if you know, how do you not know what your name is?” He asked.
“It started for the most part after I had forgotten,” she apologized. “I think you’d like to ask another question?”
He nodded. “Did Evan, really sell me out to Vlad? To kill me?” He bit his lip, afraid.
“Percival, you know she loves you, and she would do absolutely nothing to hurt you.” Anna put her hand on his shoulder. “Vladimir could’ve gotten his information on anybody else, or perhaps she didn’t realize she loves you when she told him. After all, she did bite you and put you here today. She loves you, Percival.”
Laydon nodded again. “I know,” he said softly, a tear sliding down his cheek. “I shouldn’t have said that stuff.”
“It’s alright.” Anna hugged him softly, it was like hugging his mother; ghostly. “She knows you love her too.”
“I have one last question,” Laydon said when she released him. “How do I kill Vlad?”
“His weakness,” she answered, “Is what all of ours is. Randall will guide you. So is that your choice?”
“I accept,” he breathed, “My destiny.”
“Then I have one last hint to tell you,” she said beaming. “The main reason you can exist here today, is that my sister, Elana, had my same blood, my same bloodline, unto the last. Julia.
“So good luck, our Sunet Sange,” she said before kissing his forehead.
The scene began dissolving as Laydon called out one last thing, “Wait! What does Sunet Sange mean?”
“Audio Blood,” a voice in the wind said. “Your blood sings for both of us. Damned and Blessed alike.”
And then the it was black again.


Okay, so I'm working on the Ethan part and I'm really sad because I'm going to be donw and then it's going to be awhile...grrr.

Always, as Promised,
-S.

+I love this xD

All for Tonight

What’s Said:
“All night hearing voices telling me that I should get some sleep because tomorrow might be good for something.”
-Matchbox Twenty
Laydon was lying on the couch, not really watching the movie that was playing, but thinking. He kept thinking, and thinking, but nothing made sense anymore. He couldn’t understand anything anymore. His stomach kept hurting, but would never go anywhere, and his head felt like someone had taken a frying pan to the back of it, and the ibuprofen wasn’t helping. Yeah it had been worse since Evan bit him, but now it was hell. Because he had no on to share the pain with; no one knew what he was going through, and the only person that could was a traitor.
Laydon felt a tear slide down his cheek and he brushed it off with the back of his hand. Was this really what it appeared to be? He was crying? Over a girl? One that he had met a few weeks previously? And she was going to betray him.
He rolled off the couch and ran up to his room in a furry. He punched the wall above his bed, in the middle of the mural. He took paint from his desk and through it over his mural he had worked so hard on. Because he knew where the image came from.
The wolf was him.
He ripped down the posters on his ceiling. Down with The Matches, Queen, David Bowie, and Elton John. He scattered the movie cases on his TV. Down with Star Wars, Australia, and Fanboys. He threw the contents of his dresser onto the floor. Down with the picture frames, the masks, the lightsabers and Mangas.
Down with everything he loved.
Everything. He. Loved.
Loved.
He looked across the tattered room and ran out quickly. He still had his bag in the car, so all he had to do was grab the keys and sprint across the cold cement to his bug. He sped out of the neighborhood and drove over the speed limit to the park. He felt he would know if a cop were to come by. He got to the park fast enough, but it wasn’t as fast as he wanted it. He walked over to the rocks, his rock, and climbed onto it gracefully. He brought out his sketchbook and pencils.
He looked around for something specific to draw. As he looked he was reminded of the first time he came here. With his dad. He had been four, it was about a week before his birthday, so two weeks before his father killed himself.
“Where are we going, Daddy?” He had asked, a curius little boy.
“Where I come to think,” he had answered. “It’s where I first met your mother.”
Laydon had looked up to see his father’s eyes glistening, but smiling too, recalling the memory.
“Come on, Laydon,” his father called to him. “It’s up here.” He had taken Laydon’s hands and led him up the rocks.”I saw your mother over by that tree, playing Frisbee with her dog.” He had pointed at the redwood tree Laydon was sketching now, a few trees over from where he first saw Evan.
“Our initials are carved into it somewhere,” his dad had said, remembering the past.
“Was Mommy pretty?” The little Laydon had asked, still curious.
“Beautiful,” his dad answered. “You have her hair, you know? The blonde waves of joy.” His father had tousled his hair.
“Where is Mommy now?” Laydon had asked.
“Some say Heaven,” his dad said looking up. “They say she’s hearing our story, but I don’t know anymore.”
That’s where the memory disappeared. It was too painful to think of after that point. His father speaking about his mother just made Laydon to upset now. Because they were both gone. And now he didn’t even have a best friend.
Or girlfriend. He looked over to where he first saw her. He knew that he truly had loved her. He had loved her from the moment he saw her, which made the betrayal even worse.
He began to draw his mother, the one he only spoke to in dreams. He drew her thin blond hair ever so like his own; her face shape that was long and strong. He was only outlining but he already fetl better, safe actually. The eye shape was tricky to draw, her almond eyes so perculiar. As he was shading the picture the pencil broke. He cursed under his breath and pulled out the other one he had.
And stopped. There was sadness in her eyes. Her face posture and everything else was sad. Why had he drawn her so sad…from his dream, not from a picture. Because this was her in his reality.
He erased her eyes shaping them into what he thought was more happy; he made the lips plumper, the hair longer and darker. He shaded the jaw to be more set. And thehe realized his new mistake. It was Evan.
He tore out the paper and threw it as hard as he could in a baseball throw. It landed by the redwood. He started shoving his things nto his backpack.
“Leaving so soon?” said a voice from the trees behind him. Evan.
“Yeah,” he answered, not looking at her, yet not getting up.
She sat down next to him and touched his hands. “Are you okay? You seem kid of out of wack.”
“Yeah,” he repeated.
“To which one?” She asked.
“Both,” he said, still not looking at her.
“What’s wrong?” She lifted her hand to his face, but hesitated. “I’m trying to help.”
He jumped up and mumbled something incoherent.
“What was that?” She stood too, wiping the dirt off her hands onto her ripped jeans.
“I don’t need anymore fucking help from you,” Laydon growled. “It’s your fault I’m getting fucked up anyways.”
“Excuse me?” She looked furious, but beyond that, confused. “What did I ever do?”
“This shouldn’t even be happening to me!” Laydon shouted, staring at her now. “You told me nothing about the prophecy. About what I’m supposed to do.”
“Where,” Evan said slowly, taken aback, “Did you hear that from?”
“You’re honest little friend came by the shop today,” he said as her face drained of color. “Yeah, Loren? She’s pretty friendly with trying to make peace. She told me a damn more than you. About both of us.”
“I was going to,” Evan said quietly. “I didn’t…”
“When?”
“When the time was right.”
“You mean when Vlad was about to kill me,” Laydon walked up to her until they were chest to chest, and glared down at her. “When your mission was complete. When I was going to be dead.”
“I never wan—” Evan tried to say. She was gazing up at him with tears in her eyes.
“You don’t even deny it,” Laydon said, shaking his head. “There was a small part of me that hoped Loren was lying, even though I could feel the truth. I can even feel that you’re telling the truth now.”
“Laydon,” Evan was crying now as she grabbed the front of her shirt. “I didn’t want to—”
“But you did,” Laydon said. “And that’s what matters to ruin everything.”
“Laydon,” Evan tried again. “I never planned this to happen. I never planned to fall in—”
“Piss,” He cut her off, not wanting to hear it, “Off.”
He saw her lip tremble before the flash of red. And then she was gone. Laydon closed his eyes and sank to the ground. The only thing he could think of was the last thing she said.
She was telling the truth.
And then everything was black.


Okay I am etremely tired ad must get my dog inside.
So ttfn

Always, as Promised
-S.

Moremoremore

Wrong Choice:
“And I'm melting in your eyes like my first time that I caught fire”
-The Used

“Evan?” Laydon called as he walked out the door behind Evan.

She turned around, hair flowing behind her. “Yo?” She had her phone out.

“Can you come over and help me with my stats? I need help catching up.” He smiled shyly.

“Sure,” she said shrugging. “I was just about to call Randy to pick me up, but yeah that’s fine.”

He walked over to his car, her following. He knew this was a bad idea. He knew it. If Ethan or Jocelyn found out…but he needed help and since Patrick was at band practice she was the only one. Okay she wasn’t, but Jocelyn was still…Jocelyn

They got into it and started the ignition with his music playing. Oldies. Queen. He had been listening to it immensely lately. The whole ride to his house Evan sang along beautifully. When he entered his neighborhood Evan whistled.

“God damn boy,” she said turning down the volume. “And you work?”

He shrugged. “Got to make a living some how,” he laughed before coughing.

“Not feeling any better?” She asked solemnly.

“Nope,” he shook his head then pulled into his driveway.

“Nice,” she said getting out and looking at the huge yard. “It’s so big and open.” She spread out her arms looking up. “Amazing place to fly,” she said dreamily.

“I thought we’d go inside,” Laydon said laughing awkwardly.

She turned and shot him a killer smile. “Right.”

Together they walked together into his house. Once in Laydon called, “Grams. Are you home?” Then he spotted the note on the dining room table.

Laydon, it read, I went over to your aunts for the night. I don’t think I’ll be home tonight but you can stay at Ethan’s or have Ethan over. I’ll call you when I know for sure.
-Grams

Laydon hurt inside. Damn it, he thought. Now who was going to keep him in line? “Well,” he said, not really sure where to go with it.

“Huh?” Evan asked. She was over by the stairs starring at the picture of his mother and father.

“Grams is out,” he said coming over to her. “That’s my mum, and dad.” He pointed at each of them.

“She’s beautiful,” she said, but Laydon didn’t think Evan had much of a say seeing as how beautiful she was as well.

“So are you,” he said aloud before thinking about it. He bit his cheek.

She looked at him, gazing. “You look like both of them.”

He smiled. “I know,” he said simply, reminding himself of Han Solo.

“You have her hair,” she said looking back at him and touching his. She took a breath and then said, looking down, “but his eyes.” She looked up at him again.

Looking into her emerald eyes he was overwhelmed, amazed by her. Without thinking he started to lean closer before stopping with one word popping into his mind Ethan. He turned suddenly. “Sorry,” he said shortly.

He looked back at her and saw her looking away, cheeks flushed. “Yeah. Let’s get busy.” She said looking over at him and smiling forcefully.

***

In the middle of the books paper and laptop lay Laydon and Evan. They were in the living room with a C.D. playing in the background. The couch had their almost empty bags on it.

They were around half way done when Laydon’s stomach growled loudly. Evan looked at him before busting up laughing.

“You got a monster in there?” She asked rolling on the ground.

“Maybe,” Laydon said getting up. “I’m going to go order a pizza. Cheese or Pepperoni?” He asked.

“Don’t care,” Evan said shaking her head. “Do you have any soda? Or coffee? Something with caffeine at least?”

“Sure,” he said leaving the room. “Give me a second.” While he called the local place he hunted around his kitchen for a soda before finding a Rockstar hidden behind his grandmother’s wine coolers. After hanging it up he went back into the living room and tossed the can at Evan.

“Sweet,” she said smiling and popping it open. She took a drink before asking, “How long for the pizza?”

He shrugged. “About half an hour,” he said then plopped down against the couch.

“Long enough for another worksheet,” Evan mocked excitement.

“Ugh,” Laydon sighed. “Please can we take a break?” He knew he sounded whiney when he
said it, but didn’t care.

“Only if you want to fail,” Evan shot back.
He groaned.

“Fine,” she said stretching. “Let’s take a break.”

Laydon smiled gratefully. “So…” he trailed of unable to think of anything to say. “About them Yankees.” They both laughed at that, Laydon’s laughter turning into coughs. “Doesn’t look like I’m getting that much better.”

“You are,” Evan said. “You just can’t move that much. It’s like mono.”

“Mono?” He raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” she shrugged. “You know the kissing disease?”

“Oh yeah,” Laydon nodded. “Like the little fluff ball they sell Kwirkworld.”

She laughed. “Yeah. You’re sore for awhile then it all goes away…” she trailed off the last three words and bit her lips, like she knew something he didn’t.

“You’ve had mono?” Laydon asked. He realized that he didn’t know that much about her other than what they shared at work, and he wanted to learn more.

“Nah,” she shook her head. “But Randy has, of course.”

“Oh,” Laydon said.

“So I take it you forgave me?” She asked, looking up at him through her lashes. “What I said at the game. I didn’t mean it,” she rushed on, “I was just pissed at Jocelyn and Randy was being a dick and Vl—“ she stopped. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Laydon smiled at her, he would never be mad at her forever. “I get it. Jo’s…Jo.”

“Sorry,” Evan mumbled again, feeling shy.

“Tell me about you,” he blurted out. “I mean, I don’t know that much about you,” he finished awkwardly.

She shrugged again. “What’s to know? I moved here with Randy to stay with Dick and—”

“And that’s all I know,” Laydon cut across her. “So tell me about the stuff that I and other people don’t know.”

She smiled as if no one ever asked her that, and he realized no one probably did. “I like nature,” she said. “I’m liberal in that way. I like the green and hate how humans are cutting it down for greed. Green’s my favorite color. I like music a lot, and art. I used to see a lot of plays, too.”

And as long as she had words to say Laydon would listen to her. She talked about her interests and disinterests and he found some were like his but also a lot different. It was great that they were opposites as much as they were alike he thought. She talked about her family too, but always careful to avoid something. She had more interests then Laydon could list but he loved listening about her.

“Come here,” Laydon said at one point getting up. She had just told him that she had played piano, but guitar interested her more.

She looked up at him. “What?”

“I want to show you something.” He held out his hand to help her up. “Come on.”
She took it and he didn’t let go when she was up but pulled her upstairs to his room.

“This is my interest,” he said pushing open the door. His walls were always covered in sketches; sketches with pencils, with charcoal, some with colored pastels; sketches of people creatures and places. Above his bed was a wolf surrounded by trees and bows and arrows and fire.

She saw it instantly and walked over touching it, out of his reach. “It’s amazing.”

“Nah,” Laydon shook his head. “But I didn’t bring you up here to show you that,” he said. “I want to hear you play,” he said and pointed at his guitar.

She smiled at him and walked around to it picking it up. “Why?” she asked.

“Because,” Laydon said hesitant, “I think it’ll sound beautiful.”

She kept the smile on her face, as she picked up the acoustic and sat down on the bed, Laydon beside her. She strummed a few chords before falling into a song Laydon had never heard before. She didn’t sing but just played, soft and hard at the same time. It made Laydon’s blood pulse under his skin.

She played the last chord slowly, letting it ring. “I’m rusty.” She put it back on the stand.

“No,” Laydon said seriously. “You’re amazing.”

Evan shook her head still smiling; she sat back on the bed. “My father taught me.” She paused. “Before he died.”

“I’m sorry,” Laydon said although he knew he had already told her this. “You can talk to me about it,” he said. “If you want to.”

She took his hand again and he squeezed hers softly. She shook her head slowly. “I want to, but I’m scared to.”

“Why?” Laydon asked brushing her hair behind her shoulder.

“Because they were murdered, Laydon.” She closed her eyes and lay back, as though she was picturing it. “By the devil.”

“That’s terrible,” Laydon said before he thought better of it.

“Isn’t it?” She asked. “And I have to deal with it every single day. Not the fact that they’re gone, but that the murderer is still out there.”

“How’s he still out there?” He was confused.

She opened her eyes and smiled. “My sister was engaged,” she said, and to Laydon it seemed as if she was changing the subject. “She felt as if she had met the perfect man.”

And then it clicked. “He killed them?”

“No,” Evan said. “His…master did. He was only there to get the inside scoop on us all. I saw right through him. I knew he wasn’t a good person, but my sister wouldn’t listen. Neither would my parents. Only my brother did.”

“Randy,” Laydon said, nodding.

“No,” Evan said sitting up. “My little brother, Andrew.”

“What?” Laydon was confused.

“Can I trust you?” Evan asked. “I think I can, and I know you need to understand what I am saying more than anyone.”

“Yeah,” Laydon said without hesitation. “I—”

But the doorbell rang. Pizza, he realized. So they got up and went down stairs to the front door. While he paid the long-haired, zit-encrusted, pizza guy he noticed a small white car drive up the driveway. Ah shit, he thought.

Disturbance
“I had hoped for a better you.”
-Shawn Harris

The pizza dude drove away when Jocelyn got to the front porch. “Hey, Lay,” she said in an over dramatized voice. “You look better than I’ve heard you were doing. I’ve only heard from others though. How come you haven’t called me?”

She was inside by now and Laydon hoped, no prayed, with all of his heart that Evan was still upstairs. He cocked his head to the side and heard her playing with the guitar again. “I haven’t been able to,” Laydon lied, a natural. “Grams thought it was adding to much stress to my, er, mono.” He smiled at the end, remembering what Evan had said.

“Okay,” Jocelyn said slowly. “So when are you going to be back?” She walked through the house like she owned the place.

“I’m not sure,” Laydon said following her, annoyed. “Look Jocelyn, Grams is out of town, and I don’t have a lot of energy. I don’t think you should stay.” She looked at him with sad eyes, but Laydon focused. “Besides, you don’t want to get sick, right? It’s almost midterms.”

“Yeah you’re right,” Jocelyn mumbled.
Laydon sighed, mad at himself for upsetting her. “Look Jo, I’ll be back in no time, I promise. Thanks for checking on me.”

She was still upset, Laydon could tell. But there was nothing he could do. But, he realized, there was something he had to do. “Jo,” he said, gloomy, “Stay. I think I need to talk to you.” He gestured to the couch.

Jocelyn looked at him, a bewildered look on her face; shock mixed with delight, but beneath that was fear. They both sat down. “So what’s up?” She asked with

Laydon hesitated. He didn’t know what to say. “I, er,” All that would go through his head were cheesy Break up lines “It’s not you, it’s me.” Or just “I want to see other people.” and “it’s not working out.” He stuck with the latter, well, sort of. “I’m not sure that it’s working,” he said slowly. “I mean,” he said quickly to her shaken face, “I like you, well liked you, but—”

“So you’ve been lying this whole time?” Jocelyn interrupted him. “You just put on a fake smile and just did everything for no reason?”

“I did like you,” Laydon said, exasperated. “But, now it’s just gotten to be too much.”

Jocelyn just shook her head, pissed off. “It has something to do with that new girl, doesn’t it? Like how you got pissed when I trashed her.” She shook her head again, muttering, “I knew it.”

”No,” Laydon said. “I wouldn’t do that to you, or Ethan. This is entirely different. This is about you and me, and how much you haven’t been the you I thought you were.”

Jocelyn was taken aback. She stood up without saying anything, just looking at him.

“I’m sorry,” Laydon said slowly.

“You’ll regret it,” is all Jocelyn said before walking out the door, slamming it as she went.

Laydon sighed. He got up and noticed Jocelyn’s keys on the table. Sighing again, he picked them up and walked to the door.

“Is she gone?”

Laydon jumped at the sound of Evan’s voice behind him. She was at the bottom of the stairs; he hadn’t heard her come down.

He was about to answer when the door opened behind him and a shrill noise came through.

Jocelyn was standing there; anger mixed with humiliation, laced with revenge was on her face. “You’re a fucking liar, Laydon Harris.” She said before raising her hand to strike. However, she turned to Evan, hitting her. Hard.

“Jocelyn!” Laydon yelled, looking at Evan. She licked the blood on her lip and Laydon saw hatred in her eyes. Slowly, oddly, he saw her muscles turn to pounce. He had a moment to grab her, but that was all it took. As Laydon struggled he heard the door slam, again, Jocelyn gone at last.

Evan was breathing hard, as Laydon released her. “Evan?” He asked, a lot in her name. Was she okay? Was she going to attack him? Was she going to go after Jocelyn?

“Sorry,” she said turning away and grabbing her black coat, “I should go.” She dodged around him and ran out the door.

Without hesitating Laydon ran after her, barefoot. “Evan!” He called. He saw her walking fast, away from him and down the drive. Laydon had the advantage of two years Cross Country. And, well, her just walking fast. He stopped in front of her causing her to almost run into him. “Evan,” he said softly, his hands on her shoulders. “What’s wrong?”

She didn’t look up for a few seconds, perhaps minutes, but at least she didn’t struggle against him. But when she did look up, her face was sad.

Without thinking Laydon hugged her, and she let him, relaxing into him. Laydon was amazed by how perfect they fit together; his chin tucked over her head, her hands lightly touching his back. It was perfection. He waited a few moment, then chuckled softly, “This is, as quiet as it gets,” he sang softly Hush. “Hushed out now…” he trailed off remembering the rest was sad.

“I’m sorry,” Evan whispered again. “I shouldn’t have been here at all, nor should I have tried to fight Jocelyn. She wouldn’t have had a chance.” She laughed.

“Don’t be sorry,” Laydon answered. “I’m glad you came, I needed to do that anyways.”

“But it was still because of me, wasn’t it?” Evan pulled back and looked at him, seeing through him.

Laydon bit his lip, not wanting to lie. “Part of it,” he admitted looking over her head. “She was kind of, er, different too.”

“I’m not going to lie,” Evan said, closing her eyes. “But what I feel for you is why I’m glad you did end it.”

Laydon held his breath, afraid. Slowly he let it out. “Evan,” he said again, this time a sort of whine.

“I know,” Evan said nodding, her eyes still closed. “Ethan. You would hurt just as much as he would.”

“Thank you,” Laydon whispered hugging her again. He was okay. This was okay. As long as—“Shit,” he muttered.

“What is it?” Evan mumbled into his chest.

“Jocelyn,” Laydon said, struggling to keep his voice even. “She’ll spread it; claim I was cheating on her. Ethan will know. Everyone will.”

“Laydon,” Evan sighed. “Why do you care what everyone thinks?” She pulled back from him, to look in his eyes. “I only care what you think.”

Laydon smiled crookedly at her. “Ethan’s my best friend, and I could never hurt him.”

“If he was your best friend,” Evan said honestly, “Then he would believe you over Jocelyn.”

“Ethan will believe the truth,” Laydon said after a moment thought. “And, honestly, he can’t fathom what I feel for you.”

Evan looked at him, her green eyes wide, innocent. “I’m sorry,” she started to say again.

“Don’t be,” Laydon said, and although he had been imagining and dreading it all night, all week, ever since he first saw her in the park he still couldn’t believe it when his lips touched hers.

Explanation
“We feel things we can’t explain; if we just try we might…”
-Automatic Loveletter

“I’m not what you believe me to be.” Evan was lying on the couch, her head in Laydon’s lap. She was telling him her story. “You have to understand that our connection,” she pushed her palm against his, cold against hot, “Is not a normal thing. Well normal for you.”

“What do you mean?” Laydon was confused now; sure he had never felt this before but it wasn’t something he thought didn’t exist.

“I need you to understand this, you, no one else,” she sat up, nervous, anxious. “Because there are things in this realm that many do not understand; I don’t even understand all of them.”

“What are you talking about?” Laydon asked wary. He felt like he should have known there would be a twist, with his mother coming into his dream, and his sick, and everything. There had to be a twist.

“What do you know about, er, mythology?” She wouldn’t look at him when she said it.

“I’m fascinated by it, really.” Laydon didn’t know where she was going with this. “I learned what I could from TV and books. I’ve always wished it was real.”

“Like Supernatural and Buffy,” she teased, at least he thought she was, “Or like Twilight and Harry Potter,” she said the names mockingly.

“Well,” Laydon smiled brightly, realizing he felt better around her. “I never watched Buffy, buy I have watched Supernatural and read the other two.”

“So if I told you, that, I don’t know,” she said lightly, “I was actually born in 1722? Oh and my brother isn’t my brother?”

“Hypothetically?” Laydon was nervous, glad she wasn’t touching him anymore to feel him shake.

“Sure,” Evan smiled a bit. Then there was a pause. “No.” The look on her face wasn’t joking.

Laydon didn’t know what to say. He just stared at her. When she didn’t say anything he spoke. “Sorry?”

She bit her lip. “It’s against his rules to say anything, but to understand this, understand him, you must know the truth.”

“Which is?” Laydon wasn’t sure he wanted to know.

“Vladimir killed my family. And now, now he’s not just Randy’s master, but my own.” She shook her head, disgusted. “When I walked into the living room to find my whole family slaughtered, my little brother, I was afraid. Vlad was there and even though I knew who he was, and what he did, he was the only one. Randy was there too, my friend. Loren had already broken free. We were…royalty of our kind.

“Vampires. Count Vladimir Dracule isn’t just legend after all. We all exist, just better than one would think. We don’t always need blood; we just need something with the same toxins in our veins. I’m sorry,” she said seeing the paled look on Laydon’s face. “I’m scaring you aren’t I?”

Laydon shook his head. “Actually, I’m fascinated. I’m amazed that this is real, and you’re…you.” He reached out, less shaken, and pulled her to him, kissing her softly.

“You really don’t care?” Evan asked when he released her.

He shook his head again. “Nope. I have a feeling this might take a turn for the worst after all.”

She smiled up at him again before continuing. “I guess you’re right. So, tell me Laydon Harris, what do you know about your father?”

“My father?” Laydon was confused; he thought this was about them

“Sorry,” Evan mumbled. “Maybe I should start with myself. You see, my sister was engaged; his name is Randal Bailey.”

“Randal, Randy?” Laydon was startled. “I thought he was your brother?”

“I told you no.” She recalled certain of herself. “He was my sister’s fiancé, Chloe’s. She was—the perfect daughter. She had long blonde hair, the thinnest body, boys after her. No one looked twice at me when she was in the room. She only had a couple boyfriends, until Randy. He was, well, made to be her second half. They completed each other so well. I didn’t trust him.

“Turns out I was right.” She shrugged, knowing she already said something like this, just wanting to him to understand her better. “Andrew was on my side the whole time. My whole life. He liked me better than her, although my parents couldn’t give a rat’s ass about me. They didn’t even notice I ran before the wedding. They—they didn’t know…that was the last time I saw them…alive.” She stopped. The rest of her story resolved into tears as she clung to Laydon, soaking his t-shirt.

“It’s okay,” he murmured the empty words as he stroked her hair. He knew that it wasn’t, he knew what it was like for parents not to here that their kids did love them. “But they do know,” he said awhile later, as he recalled it. “They listen to you. Because they can see you, they follow your story, and love you.”

“Huh?” Evan said, tears silencing.

“My grams told me a story,” Laydon said pulling her back to him, “That my father told her, about my mother. That my mother knew my Grams did love her, and she loved her too. Because my mum ran off from Grams, pregnant with me. Grams told it to me too, because I was so mad at my dad the night…he died. I wanted to apologize, but couldn’t. She said that they are hearing our story, told by an angel, to them all. That they love us too.”

Evan smiled up at him. “That’s amazing. To look at it that way.” She paused. “Why were you mad at your dad?”

Laydon smiled softly. “I was five, and he wouldn’t buy me a new bike.”
Evan laughed, although she knew she shouldn’t, and Laydon laughed with her, because now it was funny.

“So…” he began, “Are you going to finish your story?”

She stopped smiling. “I guess,” she said slowly. “I ran because they wouldn’t listen to me about him. About Randy. When I realized I needed to be there for Chloe I came back, I hadn’t made it very far, a week maybe. So I came back and in the living room, they were all lying there…Blood was soaked into the floor. I couldn’t scream, and then Vlad and Randy were there, waiting for me.

“I thought they didn’t kill me because I wasn’t there, but they weren’t going to kill me anyways, it just made it easier that I ran. They came to the Doyle’s because of me. They saw me a few weeks before finding my sister, and saw that I was different from others, like Randy. So he changed me.”

“I’m so sorry,” Laydon said, astounded. Evan shook her head, but Laydon caught her mouth with his and kissed her sweetly, to tell her it was okay.

“Why are you still here?” Evan asked when they broke apart.

“Because you need me to be,” Laydon said honestly. “And I want to be.”

She smiled back at him. “I didn’t know Vlad killed them at first,” she continued. “Him and Randy, just…Well I knew Randy wasn’t honest, but he was then, I could feel it. They made me feel special, like how everyone looked at Chloe. I let them change me, and stayed with them.”

“I understand,” Laydon said thinking. “They were like your real family. Not counting Andrew,” he added.

“Yeah. I missed him.” She looked at him vaguely, thinking about some far thing. “I gave my entire life to Vlad. I just had to. He spared me.”
Laydon saw her toying a necklace that looked like a coin. He took it in his hand and noticed the markings. “E. D.?” He asked.

“It was my fathers,” she explained. “He was wearing it when I found them. I took it from him. It’s the Doyle family crest.”

“I see,” Laydon said laying it against her cold skin.

“I see you have a crest of your own,” she said pointing to the necklace his mother gave him.

“Yeah, my mum gave it to me,” he said taking it off and holding it up. “It’s the day and night, see?”

She looked at it oddly before swallowing and saying “Yeah, tribal.”

Laydon beamed at her. “Yeah.”

“Laydon,” she looked at him, honesty coming forward. “There are three different creatures that have the same myths. Me, the Damned; Humans, the Sinners; and the Blessed, your father.”

“So that’s why you asked about him,” he said after a moment. “What’s the Blessed?”

“Guess?” Evan responded, getting up and going into the kitchen.
Laydon followed her and saw her sitting on the counter, eating a slice of pizza.

“Werewolf?” Laydon he asked, grabbing a piece.

“A Blessed is what the books would call Werewolves,” she said slowly. “But, but you are different. You will have both worlds into your life.”

“Worlds?” Laydon almost choked.

“This realm, your realm is a realm that contains everything from the other realms. Greece, Rome, China, Day, Night, ALL. ALL is what we call it. It has ever culture from different realms and these all coexist here.

“Your father was from Day, or rather Zi. Until they left. He created you with a mortal. One strong enough to have you so you could be Day and Night.” She pointed to his necklace. “We Damned are from Night, Naopte.”

“You're pulling my leg.” Laydon said smiling widely. “This isn't really. You're just trying to get my mind off of the hell I'm going to have.”

Evan just looked at him. “You've seen me in the sun. I don't turn to stone or sparkle,” she said it like a curse word. “I don't have a shadow. Like I don't have a soul.”

Laydon snorted. “You have a soul. You are just confused.” He set down his crust and stood in front of her. “This can't be real.” He put her hair behind her ear.

“You've been sick lately,” she said not looking at him. “Because of the Change. Your body is undergoing the change to the Blessed. Laydon, you have to believe me. You will have the power to change things.”

“Why am I so different?” Laydon asked, trying to get her to look him in the eye. “You haven't said why, just that my mother was mortal.”

“Be—because I,” she paused before looking into his eyes. “I am drawn to you. Because of the powers that draw us together. You said that you knew what I was talking about, so please believe me when I say that this exists and you are of both worlds.”

Laydon didn't speak for a bit, just looked at her. No. He looked past her. “Both worlds huh? So what I'm some Werewolf Vampire guy?”

Evan smiled. “Pretty much,” she said.

“I don't know why I'm taking this in so easily,” Laydon said. “I mean, it's so much yet here I am without completely freaking out.”

“It's because you can feel it,” Evan said softly. “In every fiber of your being, you know it's true. And you can't not feel it.”

“It has something to do with you being here, too.” He smiled at her. “If what you're saying is true, then it is only because you are here.”

She smiled at him. “I don't feel alone anymore,” she said. “It's amazing. I've never felt this complete.” She slid off the counter in front of Laydon.

“You don't have too.” He kissed her softly. They walked back into the living room and sat on the couch. “So...if you’re a Vampire what can you do?”

“Huh?” Evan was still a little dazed.

“You know like how Dracula could influence people, or like Edward could get into someone's mind.”

She snorted at him. “Right. Actually some of us do have stuff like that. Randy's sister can sort of find out things about people by just looking at them or smelling them. Uh, Randy knows places. Like can see other people's interpretation of places. And I guess I guess it'd be psychometry.” She looked at him and laughed at his confusion. “It means I can tell things by touch. It's similar to Randy's sister but a lot less intuitive. That’s how I know if someone is lying”

“Oh,” he said slowly. “And that's how you knew I was of both worlds?”

She shrugged. “Vlad knew who you were. So that was that. It's just how he is.”

Laydon was quiet, afraid he'll say something stupid. “This is so weird. How this entire evening spiraled to the supernatural. It's like something I've always wanted to happen, but still.”

She smiled at him. “But it makes me feel better. I have someone to understand me. Someone different.”

“Me too.” Laydon rubbed her back soothingly. “So how does the whole Change work?”

“For you?” Evan asked. “I have no idea. Because you are so different I cannot tell. The original Change however is around what has been going on with you. At the beginning of a month they start to get sick, feel unwell. Throwing up. And then on the full moon the gene explodes and then you are able to change at will.”

“Huh.” He looked out her oddly. “How old are you then?” He asked randomly.
“I was…Damned when I was 15,” Evan said to his general astonishment. “Every couple hundred years is about a year in regular time.”

“That’s…odd,” he smiled lightly. “But I’m glad we’re finally open with each other, with ourselves.”

“Me too,” she said. “But I do need to get going. Didn't your grandmother say Ethan needs to spend the night?”

Laydon got up and pulled her off the couch. “I was actually thinking about calling Patrick.”

“You can't avoid the inevitable.” Evan started to pick up her book and papers on the floor and Laydon started helping, both quiet.

“I'll take you home,” he said once they had finished.

“Thanks,” she said smiling.

They walked to the door and Laydon held it open for her and locking it after himself. “Thank you actually,” he said once inside the car. “For enlightening me.”

“Glad to,” Evan said quietly. “You know why.” She smiled at him so she wouldn't have to say it for the millionth time.

After that it was quiet on the ride to Evan's, except for directions. He was scared to ask her anything else; nervous about what was going to happen.

He pulled up to her house, and understood why she liked his house so much, hers wasn’t…as nice. It was in the rougher, more Mexican side of town.

“I’ll see you around,” she said starting to open the door, but Laydon grabbed her arm and kissed her again, roughly this time, scared to let her go. She responded as he had hoped and soon enough they were pressed closely together.

Laydon knew they would have to stop soon, that she needed to get inside and he had to call Pat. Reluctantly he let her go. She climbed out the passenger door and went around to his open window and kissed him once on the lips and once on his shoulder, the latter sent a shock wave down his arm but he didn’t think anything of it, only his lips on her hair at the same time.

She waved from the porch.

Aftermath:
“And it feels like I’m lifted, from the railroad ties; I won’t get up and walk away, and be rescued by your side.”
-Ballad: The Memory

Laydon dialed Patrick's number but only got the voicemail. “It's my day, leave a message and you might get your way.”

Laydon groaned, “Patrick! Call me back AQAP. It's Laydon by the way.” Patrick wasn't one to not answer his phone so he waited a couple minutes by throwing the rest of the pizza in the fridge and pulling out a thing of apple juice.

Werewolf, the words floated across his mind. All of his instincts were screaming that it was true. That he was of, what did she call it? Naopte? No his was Zi. Day. Did that mean his father could morph into a dog? Or a full furry man. He didn't know and didn't know who else would no. He could ask Grams. But what if he couldn't? What if that, like, killed him, or something?

Laydon rubbed the spot Evan had kissed him, and realized she hadn’t just kissed him, she bit him. He looked at the mark, seeing that it was growing darker, bruising. Laydon just looked at it. He wasn’t able to think about it for long though.

Dum, dum, dumdum, dum, dumdum, dum, dumdum, Laydon heard his phone belt out Patrick’s ringtone, but now he was unsure he wanted to answer it. But he did. “Sup?”

“Don’t know,” Patrick said obviously doing something in the background. “You called me.”

“Right,” Laydon said after a fashion. “Grams went out of town and wanted to know if you could come over for the night.”

“And you didn’t?” Patrick asked sarcastically.

“I’ve got pizza,” Laydon bribed.

Patrick snorted before answering dryly, “Do I have to dance for it?”

“Not this time,” Laydon laughed. “And I think we have m-n-ms somewhere.”

He heard Patrick sigh. “Fine you got me. I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

***

Laydon hadn’t told Patrick the complete truth, just that Evan came over and helped him with his homework and Jo broke up with him for thinking that they were doing something. Which they did after she came, Pat pointed out.

Pat promised not to tell Ethan until Laydon did, but that he would try to keep the Jocelyn rumors die down. Laydon stayed at home when Pat left for school the next morning, wishing he could go to see Evan, and explain to Ethan.

He ended up sending a text to Ethan, telling him to come over during lunch, and one to Evan telling her not to. He had completely forgotten about the bite.


Unfortunately Jocelyn had already gotten to Ethan by the time he got there.

“What the fuck, man?” Ethan shouted as he got out of his car and saw Ethan sitting on the front porch. “You fucking promised. I thought we were supposed to be friends? Best friends? Does that mean anything to you?”

“It means everything to me,” Laydon said, not shouting. “I wanted to explain it to you before she did.”

Ethan was standing across from him now, in front of the door. “Yeah, guess how that worked out? With the same damn ending.”

“It’s not what it was,” Laydon tried but Ethan cut across him again.

“Oh really?” Ethan mocked realization. “So Evan wasn’t at your house when Jocelyn got there? And you two aren’t going out now? You didn’t steal her from me?”

Laydon closed his eyes, knowing that it was true. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said calmly.

“Yeah that denies it,” Ethan drawled sarcastically. “Seriously dude, if you wanted to be a prick, you didn’t have to have me come over.”

“I like her too much to say no,” Laydon said quietly. “I couldn’t tell you that because, because you never liked someone like that.”

“You know what it hurt me in the long run anyways,” Ethan said shortly. He turned around and walked to his car.

“Ethan!” Laydon shouted. “You’re supposed to believe me! You’re my fucking best friend!”

But Ethan didn’t hear him as he got in the car and blasted some Fall Out Boy song out the windows.

Laydon watched him go.

Loren:
"Guilt stains on my pillow; Blood on my terraces; Torsos in my closet; Shadows from my past; Life is real life is real"
-Queen

A few days later, Laydon finally went to work, lucky Evan wasn’t working the shift. He wanted to talk to Kirk. And he felt like shit. He had started throwing up again. It had gotten worse since Evan bit him. But the rest of him felt worse since Ethan wasn’t talking to him.

So slightly green he punched in and said, "Hey, Kirk."

"Whoa, man!" Kirk held up his hands in defeat. "You look like..." he broke off at the look on Laydon's face. The one that said 'I will rip your intestines out through your throat if you continue that sentence'. "What happened?"
Sighing, and unknowing if he was glad business was slow, or not, he went ahead. "Good or bad?" He asked.

"Bad," Kirk said a moment after hesitation, his eyebrows pulled together in worry for his best employee. "The good usually makes up for it."

"Well," Laydon said smiling sarcastically, "My girlfriend dumped me, Ethan refuses to listen to anything I try to say, I’m running out of last month’s paycheck and I've been sick for the last few weeks and it's getting worse." Laydon spoke breathlessly, starting to feel nauseous.

"Damn," Kirk said, stroking his goatee in his thinking phase. "Why? Like how come Jocelyn and ...you know...all of it?"

"In a word: Evan." He closed his eyes, waiting for Kirk's answer.

"Ah. Evan." He smiled slightly. "She's the good I take it. She certainly has a way with everything. But something’s just not right about her. She was always sad when I saw her. I mean she knows how to have fun, that I know."
Laydon laughed at him. "Trust me, man that I know as well."

"So you guys are close?" Kirk asked.

"Yeah." Laydon slid a hand through his hair. "We can talk about anything and be honest about it. There's no judgment, and no lies. There's stuff I can talk to her about, that I can't with Ethan."

"But Ethan's mad at you?" Kirk reminded him, prodding him to answer the question.

"Because he liked her." He frowned then took a customer’s order. "And because we're close."

"And that's why Jocelyn dumped you?"

"Yeah..." Laydon said looking down. "That."

"Laydon," Kirk said, staring him down. "What happened? Exactly?"

Laydon sighed, beaten. "You know the other night when I took her home....?"

"Yeah." Kirk looked at him. "And...?"

"Well...we ended up going over to my house and were just listening music and we just started talking. And Jocelyn came and saw us together, and thought something was going on.” He stared at his hands.

“Was there?” Kirk asked, getting to the point.

“Not then,” Laydon said quietly. “After.” Kirk took another order. "I kissed her and it felt right. Utterly, amazingly right."

"I get it." Kirk held up his hands again, in a stop-talking motion. “So, did Ethan find out?”

“Yup,” Laydon said. “Jo told him. I didn’t want to hurt him, but Evan’s so…Evan.”

"Ah yes," Kirk said eyeing the pale brunette girl who just made the order. He mixed her drink. "Evan Damian Doyle; heartbreaker." He looked at the drink's name. "Loren,” he called loudly, knowing it was the girl's. "And I will talk to you in a bit," he winked at her.

She smiled and blushed, but then surprised them both by asking in a slight Irish accent "Are you talking about the girl who works here?"

Kirk looked at Laydon around the counter, and he just shrugged. “Yeah,” Kirk answered, unsure, “Perce here is her boyfriend. How do you know her?”

“We were old friends,” she said smiling brightly, and Laydon could tell how old exactly. “We lived near each other for some time.”

“Odd,” Kirk said just shrugging. “I’ll take the customer, you can talk to her,” he added to Laydon as he walked away.

They went to a booth and sat down. “Uh, Laydon,” he said putting his hand out. She eyed his name tag and raised an eyebrow. “Er, Percival Laydon Harris, actually.” He smiled slightly.

“Loren Faye Bailey,” she said shaking his hand. Laydon noticed the coolness of her hand, warm because of the drink she ordered, and knew he was right about how old of friends they were.

“So how do I know you’re really her friend?” He asked eyes narrowing, as they said it at the same time. Laydon laughed lightly, Loren just smiling. So Laydon pulled out a receipt and drew on the back the Doyle family crest.

Loren apparently recognized it. “So you do know her. And well.” She smiled at him, and was able to prove her worth more easily. She pulled out a pink wallet and took out a picture. It was of Randy, and he could only assume Chloe. “I was friends with Chloe Rose, and sister to Randal Faye.”

“Evan’s mentioned you then,” Laydon said smiling. “Not by name,” he added quickly, “Just by relation.”

She nodded. “Right. I’ve known her for a long time, and I’m pretty sure you understand how long too.”

“How do you know I know?” he asked slyly. “For sure, I mean.”

“Because I can smell it on you,” she said seriously. “Because I can smell your, er, inheritance on your skin.” She looked at him fiercely and grabbed his wrist. “And I can smell us in your veins. Your blood sings for us

“Us?”

“Us. As in myself, Evan, Randy, Vlad, the rest.” She continued to look at him closely. “You should know that. You knew that when I walked through the door.” It wasn’t a question.

“I did,” Laydon admitted. “I was hoping to ignore it.”

“But you can’t,” Loren said simply. “Because our Sange can’t just ignore us. They want to kill us. Them. Vlad. You aren’t meant to kill us. You are meant to save us. And the fact that Evan’s, er, taste flows through your veins makes us more, er, delectable to you. You can’t just ignore us.

“What,” Laydon asked nervously, “Do you know about me? How do you know this?”

“It’s me,” Loren answered seriously. “To know things that aren’t meant to be known by everyone. I can tell by your smell, touch and sight that I know more about you than you.”

Laydon opened his mouth to speak, but then closed it, knowing she was right.

“Over a hundred years ago,” Loren continued, “My people, The Damned, attacked a group of Blessed. That’s when it began. They had no reason to attack, but for sport. Eventually they forced them out of Zi. Fifty-three years ago was when it got worse. The sixteen Damned killed eighteen of them. Two Honoured were killed as well. I returned to see Evan and Randy after that.”

“Returned?” Laydon asked. He realized she had been saying “they” as she wasn’t part of them.

“I had left long before that. Before their…true nature came out. When they attacked I finally understood our name. We are damned. Evan wanted to come with me after that, but she couldn’t, not without Vlad killing her. I’m surprised we were able to keep that away from him. So a year later she finds me. She tells me that another killing took place. Another nine of them were down, the women. They were dying out. The Honoured were all dead.

“They were dead because of a prophecy, Laydon.” She eyed him carefully. “A prophecy that said a boy will exist to make peace between the two worlds. That he will be of both worlds. That his blood will sing for one of us, but he will be one of them. And now I sit across the table from the only person on Earth that feels exactly like that.” She looked at him pointedly.

Laydon swallowed. “Why’d they think killing the women would help?” He asked nervously.

“Because,” Loren took a sip of coffee. “It would strike penetrating fear into their hearts, and stop the Blessed from carrying.”

“Then if I’m him,” Laydon spoke slowly, “How am I here today? Seeing as they thought that would work.”

“They didn’t get the whole prophecy,” she said.

Like Snape, Laydon thought. Let’s listen in but forget the key part. Idiots.

“They thought,” Loren snapped him out of his thoughts, “That the Sange was supposed to be full blooded. Obviously they were mistaken.”

Something finally clicked to Laydon, making him nervous. “How do you know all of this?”

“Because I have spent the last 312 years trying, desperately, to find a way for our people to exist peacefully. So we can all live in harmony with the Sinners. It’s so important that we can.”

“I’m still confused about why I’m here,” he said after a moment. “Why I haven’t been hunted, or why my mother was able to have me.”

“Your father,” Loren shook her head, “Was too young to understand why they killed the women, only that a son was important. He tried six times before your mother and each time they both died. The baby and the mother. When you were five, he knew they would come looking for you both, and they could track you by him. He knew the only way to protect you was to…end himself.”

Laydon had tears in his eyes. “Grams helped disguise me, because she was her mother, with no connection to Dad.”

“Exactly.” Loren smiled and grabbed his wrist again. “You are him, but you are also a threat.”

“To who?” He asked.

“To the Damned,” she said softly. “Because with you, the Blessed will come back, and have a reason for treaty. And the Damned follow Vlad. They want to feed freely and travel where they must. Vlad has been hunting you for the past 52 years. He plans to kill you. And now he has found you, thanks to Evan and Randy.” She said her brother’s name bitterly.

“They sold me out.” It wasn’t a question.

Loren nodded anyways. “They…work for Vlad,” she said simply. “That’s their job.” She said it with sadness.

Laydon bit his lip. He had trusted her. And he knew Loren was telling the truth. She was too good for words. And he could feel it. Huh. That was new.

She stood up quickly, realizing she might’ve said too much. “I’ve got to get going. I came here to see if Evan was around anyways. I miss her and Randy.”

“Oh,” Laydon said as he got up to. “Do you need a ride anywhere?”

“Nope,” She said quickly. “My ride is outside. At least you aren’t completely unaware anymore. You’ll stand a fair chance. Well, as fair as being half human can give you.” She half-smiled.

“What do you mean ‘fair chance’?” He asked, confused.

“That was the other part of the prophecy,” Loren said, cocking her head to the side.

“That you will capture his Shadow from Shadow Land, and push it back into him. He’ll be mortal.”

“He?” But Laydon was sure he knew.

“Vlad,” Loren answered, his thoughts correct.

“So you mean kill him?” Laydon asked.

“I mean he’ll be vulnerable,” she smiled. “So he can be killed.”

Laydon just looked at her and she laughed.

“Well, I’ve got to go now. I will see you again,” she shook his hand again and grinned. “Three, two, and—”

“So, Loren,” Kirk came up to them, seeing they were done. He whispered something in her ear, and she giggled slightly writing down something on his hand, without looking.

“You’re sweet,” she kissed his cheek and waved at Laydon. “Good bye, Sunet Sange.” She walked out the door.

“Bye Loren,” Laydon said, too late.

“Sunet Sange?” Kirk raised his eyebrow. “What’s that mean?” He looked at Laydon, because he had been still staring at the door Loren walked out of.

“No idea,” Laydon said patting his shoulder. “Good luck with her, though.” He walked back to the bin of dirty dishes.

Kirk followed saying, “No luck; she wrote down something weird.” He held out his hand. It read: Ajutorul vine de la prieteni, S.S. “What the fuck?”

“No idea,” Laydon repeated. “Google it.”

“Maybe later,” Kirk said taking another order. “So what did you guys talk about, then?”

“Evan’s family,” Laydon said, not really lying. And then he felt a lurch in his stomach. “Uh, would you mind greatly if I take off? I’m starting not to feel that great,” as if to prove a point he hiccupped.

“Didn’t you just say you needed to work?” Kirk narrowed his eyes mockingly.

“Yes,” Laydon pointed out. “But seeing as you don’t really need me, and I don’t need the money yet, you could. Seriously, Dude, I need to go lay down.”

“Fine,” Kirk said laughing. “I’ll see if Jinx or Evan can come in. They might need to work. Well, Jinx will.”

“I owe you one,” Laydon said, punching out, and grabbing his jacket. “I’ll catch you later.”

As he walked out he thought he heard Kirk mutter something that sounded like, “You better.”

Laydon walked down the street to his car, afraid of what would happen. The only solution that all this was happening because Evan had bit him was just impossible. And she was working with Vlad. That was, well, possible. And obvious. So that didn’t make since on why she bit him. It kina put a wedge into Vladimir’s whole plan and all. Did Laydon actually believe she loved him then? He felt like he loved her.

Her. The one who was working for blood. And he knew the honesty in Loren’s words were true. Evan was with Vlad. Laydon sighed as he opened his door.



Okay. I decided just to post this as well, then the epic part i wrote later.
So...enjoy. COMMENTS ARE APPRECIATED AND NEEDED xD

Always, as Promised
-S.
+Mandy gave me the idea of Angels reading it. And such so...yeah...that might happen in the nend ;)

YEAH!

Laydon knew he was a wreck; he just didn’t want to miss the last game. For Ethan, and because he promised Jo. Yeah, he knew he was a good best friend and boyfriend. Maybe he would get away with leaving early.

Against his better judgment he picked Jocelyn up shortly after work and listened to her babble away on the way to the game. At first he always listened to her, noticed what she liked, but he had started to not like what he heard. She wasn’t that great of a person.

Laydon parked, mad at himself for getting into this mess, and mad at himself for not ending it. A few seconds later, as he was walking with Jocelyn he got even madder, because he had thought that.

He paid their way into the game and searched for their friends; more like Laydon searched for Pat, J-dog, and Tyler while Jocelyn searched for Audrey, Corie, and Sarah, but together.

Luckily Laydon found his first. He knew as soon as one of Jo’s friends saw them their polar-opposite groups would intermingle. He stood uncomfortably next to Jocelyn while she talked politely to Tyler. He was, as always, friends with everyone. Laydon, quietly, moved away from her and tried to focus on the game. They were winning, and Ethan was even playing.

Laydon looked around for Evan, or even Randy, because, he kept reminding himself, Ethan would be upset the rest of the weekend if she wasn’t. Laydon didn’t see her, but did see Jocelyn watching him out of the corner of her eye so he quickly struck up a conversation with Jessy.

That worked for about five minutes, but then he felt it. Evan and Randy. He didn’t know how or why, the same reason he woke up with the necklace from his dream he supposed, but he felt their presence. Laydon worked hard to keep his attention elsewhere; he didn’t want to look at Evan and be tempted again.

“Hey, Ev!” He heard Patrick call over to her. Laydon shot him a look that said “are you beeping serious?!”. Patrick just smiled back.

Laydon tried to think; how could he fix this? He had no idea. The obvious answer was to break up with Jocelyn, but he had to make sure Ethan knew it wasn’t because of Evan. Well, he had understood… but it was still that Laydon did feel something for her. Something strong. Maybe, he thought, it wasn’t a good thing? Like what the girl said in Percy Jackson.

But then that probably meant a bad thing to his friends, which they all seemed to like her enough…

“Whatsup?” Evan came up to them smiling brightly, her brother dragging behind, obviously mad he was there.

Everyone, mostly everyone that is, looked glad that Evan was there, she seemed to brighten up the group, liven everyone up. Jocelyn was the exception to the rule. Laydon saw her look Evan up and down, scrutinizing her worn blue jeans, and bright Glee T-Shirt she had on at school. Laydon wasn’t surprised, the wind felt warm on his skin, but maybe he was too sick to notice, everyone else had sweatshirts on; Paige even had a blanket. It was after all late October, but it was always the same temperature down south.

Distracted by the weather, Laydon didn’t notice that Jocelyn had come next to him, and jumped when her cold hand touched his arm.

“What?” she asked when he realized it was just her. “You’ve been acting weird lately, you know?” she said, eyes narrow. “Every since she got here.” She glanced at Evan for emphasis.

Unfortunately for Laydon, Evan had heard. “Excuse me? Was that directed toward me?”
“It’s nothing like that,” Laydon lied quickly. “I, er, just haven’t been well,” he realized that wasn’t just a small truth but a big one. He had a shooting pain in his stomach. He tried not to look like he was faking when he said, “Actually, I’ve got to—” he cut off as he started running to the bathroom.

He couldn’t believe it. Why was this going on? No one had anything, nor did he eat anything that would have food poisoning going on this long. He needed to go to the hospital, and tell Grams. Because, not only was it happening more frequently, he could feel himself becoming weaker.

“Laydon?” He heard Patrick calling from outside his stall. “You okay, buddy?” He knocked on the door.

“Better,” Laydon croaked as he came out. “I need something to drink though.”

“Well,” Patrick hesitated. “I’m not going to lie, you look like shit. And I’m not going to lie when I say that I was supposed to either stall you or drag you to stop the fight.”

“Fight?” Laydon thought he knew what Patrick was talking about, but he wasn’t quite sure.

“Yeah,” Pat said uncomfortably. “You saw how Evan reacted when she realized Jocelyn was trashing her. Well, I don’t want to say Evan started it, but,” he shrugged, “She did kind of react.”

Laydon groaned. “Come on,” he grabbed Patrick and walked out to where a small crowd had gathered. Laydon was surprised that no teachers had gotten there yet. However, when he got closer he realized there were teachers there, but for whatever reason they were just gawking like the students. Laydon got a tingling feeling down his back and saw a dark man watching the group intensely. He shook off the feeling, ignoring the man, and ran to the girls.

They were standing three feet apart and shouting each other. Laydon saw Jocelyn’s eyes flash, manicured nails ready, and her body leaning forward to leap. He looked to the other girl, surprised she was just standing there, hands clenched, slouching, and a bored expression on her face as Jocelyn shout obscene things at her.

“You’ve been trying to steal him from me since you got here!” Jocelyn shouted t her.

“I can’t steal something if it wasn’t yours to begin with,” Evan said dryly. “Besides, why the hell would I want to? I don’t even like him as a person. And furthermore I don’t know him, or you, or anybody.”

For a reason he couldn’t explain, it felt like Laydon’s heart had just dropped to the floor. Why the hell would she want to, Laydon thought…He didn’t know either.

“Yeah right,” Jocelyn shot back. “I can see you watching—”

“JOCELYN!” Laydon shouted going up to her and grabbing her arm. “Come on, she’s just trying to get you in trouble.” Laydon pulled Jocelyn into a hug and glared over at Evan.

Well, he thought, I guess I’m not breaking up with her tonight after all…Not after what she said.


The teachers finally realized what had happened and also realized that it was already taken care of. Laydon lead Jo over to the snack bar, where the dark man was creeping about earlier.

“Don’t you ever do that again,” Laydon told Jocelyn. “She just wanted to get you kicked out, but for some reason you didn’t.”

“I’m sorry,” Jocelyn said slowly, avoiding eye contact.

“Hey,” Laydon said, forcing her to make eye contact with him. “It’s alright; I just don’t want you getting kicked out.” He didn’t know where this was coming for, or maybe he did. He was still pissed at Evan and wanted to prove to her that she didn’t matter to him.

“Just,” Jocelyn started, “To me, it seemed like you were after her as well.”

Laydon shook his head, “I’m here with you.” Laydon was astounded, where this good acting came from. He came here to break up with her, but now, now he was just using her to make Evan jealous. Using her.

He sighed.

***

Patrick came up to him at half time, the other team was ahead, and sat by him.
“Um, dude, what happened?” He said when Jocelyn left to get a Diet Coke. “Like, I thought you said you were going to end it?”

Laydon groaned. “I was. But I couldn’t. She basically said she hated me,” he didn't have to say who and put his head in his hands, starting to feel sick again.

“Yeah,” Pat admitted. “But it’s not like Jocelyn is that great either. Besides Evan could have just been saying that?” He smiled.

“Uhuh,” Laydon said. “But I’m trying not to care, so just drop it,” he mumbled into his hands.

“Fine.” Patrick’s voice sounded far away. “But someone apparently wants to talk to you. I’ll stall Jo.”

Laydon looked through his fingers to see Evan standing at the bottom of the stands looking up at them. Patrick went down and muttered something to Laydon, which he thought was “He’s already cut up, don’t make it worse.” He vaguely wondered why he could hear Pat if he was at the top and Pat clearly down at the bottom.

But that left him as Evan took the seat by him. “I’m sorry,” she said looking ahead.

Shit:
“I threw up in the closet but I don't care; Cuz we're young and we're broke and I can't find my coat”
-Ke$ha

Laydon rolled over in his blankets before leaning over the mattress and throwing up into the pot someone put there.

“Honey?” Grams came walking briskly into the room with a pitcher and a glass of water. “You’re awake. That’s good.” She gave him the glass and he greedily drank.

“What-What happened?” Laydon asked when he finished. “The game, an-and everyone?”

“Tyler called me,” she said smoothing Laydon’s hair into a headband. “Apparently you passed out after getting sick again, and he wanted to get you home. He and a pretty girl helped you to the gate where I met them. I brought you straight home, and put you in bed. Tyler followed me and helped.”

“Oh…” was Laydon said. “Jocelyn?” He asked realizing who the pretty girl probably was.

Grams shook her head. “No, a pale red head; she was polite.” She looked at her watch. “You’ve been out for a few hours, I didn’t know if I should call the doctor. However I decided to just use a few of your father’s herb beliefs.” She smiled and gestured to the herbs lying on his bedside. That’s what made the smell he realized.

“Can I call Ethan,” he asked. “And then Jo? I mean I’m pretty sure Ty and Evan told them, but still…”

“Make it quick,” Grams smiled warmly. “And then I’ll give you some more medicine. Call me when you’re done.”


Ethan understood easy enough, it was Jocelyn who was hard to apologize to, but why he was in the first place he couldn’t understand. Things just weren’t good for them anymore. Finally he pretended to overcome with great coughs and hung up.

***

The next day the doctor came over to look at him. He couldn’t however explain what was wrong with Laydon, but new the frequent spewing would interfere with school and wrote a note explaining he had come down with a stomach flu and would be absent until otherwise noted.

Although he wasn’t allowed at school, Kirk still let him work busing tables, as long as he wasn’t getting his germs anywhere that was clean.


A week later, however work came with an unpleasant, or rather pleasant, surprise; Evan came in and put on an apron and started work behind the counter. When Laydon came into Kirk’s office about it soon thereafter, Kirk just shrugged.

“Look, Perce,” he said softly, “You’re too sick to do anything and I needed to fill the post. I figured out she was the girl and all, but I still need her.”

“Yeah,” Laydon mumbled. “It’s cool. I get it.”

“Did something else happen,” Kirk asked, seeing the distant look in Laydon’s eyes.

“She basically hates me,” Laydon said. “But whatever, I’ll get back to work.”


Luckily for him though, Evan didn’t appear to hate him as he had thought, and they worked together well, even if they were doing completely separate things. They chatted before the rush came in and then later toward night. He knew their connection was still there but he tried to keep that out of his mind. She never mentioned what she said about him, either, nor did he bring it up. She kept him posted on school, informing him that Ethan was doing his best without his best.

Ethan had already told him this, of course, when he came around with his homework. Whenever Evan and Ethan were in the same place he seemed to be more focused on her. Ethan also told him what Evan didn’t, that Jocelyn was livid, brutally hunting anyone with information on his health. Laydon had been pulling a Ron Weasley and feigned sleep whenever she visited.

Ethan also told him he asked Evan for dinner the next weekend, and she agreed. Laydon was a little surprised at this, confused about why she didn’t tell him.

Laydon was doing pretty well with the homework Ethan or Pat or J brought him, but he knew he was falling behind in Chemistry and Statistics. Monica and Jessy agreed to help him with Chemistry so they came to the shop a couple days a week, but Pat wasn’t able to help him with Stats because of band practice. So a couple weeks later he knew it was time to ask the only person for the job…



Okay. That's a lot, but still. I <3 it xD

And I have more. Uber yay! It's when we meet Loren too xD.

Always, as Promised,
-S.
+ I'm just gonna kill it now, that dark man is INDEED, Sylvestor xD

Muahaha....I do that a lot

Laydon ended up at work. He leaned against the counter, feeling terrible, gripping the necklace around his neck. It was a gold ring with a split in half with half a moon on one part a sun on the other. The design was tribal and he understood the meaning perfect somehow. It was the day and the night, as one.
“Laydon!” Kirk shouted when he came out of his office. “What are you doing?! Help Jinx with the orders!”
“Sorry, man,” Laydon called back. “Sorry, Jinx.” He went over to her and grabbed a cup fixing the order written on it.
“It’s cool dude,” Jinx told him. She usually worked shifts with him but had been out of town lately for some new online girlfriend. She had short blond hair that was spiked with pink. “Kirk’s just PMSing,” she yelled at him.
Laydon looked over his shoulder to see Kirk lean out of his office, look around for people then flip her off. She blew a kiss in return,
Laughing turned into coughing for Laydon though.
“Dude, what’s wrong with you?” Jinx asked while they worked.
“Huh?” He realized she was talking to him. “Oh nothing. I’m just tired today.” He tried to yawn but that as well turned into coughing.
“Yeah, that’s it.” Jinx rolled her eyes. “Just tell Kirk you’re sick, he’ll understand.”
“But I won’t,” Laydon said. “I’m just working another thirty minutes and then I’m out. He’s letting me off early. I’m fine.”
“Fine,” Jinx repeated.
***
Laydon knew he was a wreck, he just didn’t want to miss the last game. For Ethan, and because he promised Jo. Yeah, he knew he was a good best friend and boyfriend. Maybe he would get away with leaving early.
[-S.
+”Nothing's gonna change my world...”
-The Beatles]


So I got bored after that part, and well here:

“Evan?” Laydon called as he walked out the door behind Evan.
She turned around, hair flowing behind her. “Yo?” She had her phone out.
“Can you come over and help me with my stats? I need help catching up.” He had been failing miserably since he barely got out of work and his house lately. He couldn’t get to school because of his sick but Kirk let him help out and bus tables for minimum wage still.
“Sure,” she said shrugging. “I was just about to call Randy to pick me up, but yeah that’s fine.”
He walked over to his car, her following. He knew this was a bad idea. He knew it. If Ethan or Jocelyn found out…but he needed help and since Patrick was at band practice she was the only one. Okay she wasn’t, but Jocelyn was still…Jocelyn
They got into it and started the ignition with his music playing. Oldies. Queen. He had been listening to it immensely lately. The whole ride to his house Evan sang along beautifully. When he entered his neighborhood Evan whistled.
“God damn boy,” she said turning down the volume. “And you work?”
He shrugged. “Got to make a living some how,” he laughed before coughing.
“Not feeling any better?” She asked solemnly.
“Nope,” he shook his head then pulled into his driveway.
“Nice,” she said getting out and looking at the huge yard. “It’s so big and open.” She spread out her arms looking up. “Amazing place to fly,” she said dreamily.
“I thought we’d go inside,” Laydon said laughing awkwardly.
She turned and shot him a killer smile. “Right.”
Together they walked together into his house. Once in Laydon called, “Grams. Are you home?” Then he spotted the note on the dining room table.
Laydon, it read, I went over to your aunts for the night. I don’t think I’ll be home tonight but you can stay at Ethan’s or have Ethan over. I’ll call you when I know for sure.
-Grams
Laydon hurt inside. Damn it, he thought. Now who was going to keep him in line? “Well,” he said, not really sure where to go with it.
“Huh?” Evan asked. She was over by the stairs starring at the picture of his mother and father.
“Grams is out,” he said coming over to her. “That’s my mum, and dad.” He pointed at each of them.
“She’s beautiful,” she said, but Laydon didn’t think Evan had much of a say seeing as how beautiful she was as well.
“So are you,” he said aloud before thinking about it. He bit his cheek.
She looked at him, gazing. “You look like both of them.”
He smiled. “I know,” he said simply, reminding himself of Han Solo.
“You have her hair,” she said looking back at him and touching his. She took a breath and then said, looking down, “but his eyes.” She looked up at him again.
Looking into her emerald eyes he was overwhelmed, amazed by her. Without thinking he started to lean closer before stopping with one word popping into his mind Ethan. He turned suddenly. “Sorry,” he said shortly.
He looked back at her and saw her looking away, cheeks flushed. “Yeah. Let’s get busy.” She said looking over at him and smiling forcefully.
***
In the middle of the books paper and laptop lay Laydon and Evan. They were in the living room with a C.D. playing in the background. The couch had their almost empty bags on it.
They were around half way done when Laydon’s stomach growled loudly. Evan looked at him before busting up laughing.
“You got a monster in there?” She asked rolling on the ground.
“Maybe,” Laydon said getting up. “I’m going to go order a pizza. Cheese or Pepperoni?” He asked.
“Don’t care,” Evan said shaking her head. “Do you have any soda? Or coffee? Something with caffeine at least?”
“Sure,” he said leaving the room. “Give me a second.” While he called the local place he hunted around his kitchen for a soda before finding a Rockstar hidden behind his grandmother’s wine coolers. After hanging it up he went back into the living room and tossed the can at Evan.
“Sweet,” she said smiling and popping it open. She took a drink before asking, “How long for the pizza?”
He shrugged. “About half an hour,” he said then plopped down against the couch.
“Long enough for another worksheet,” Evan mocked excitement.
“Ugh,” Laydon sighed. “Please can we take a break?” He knew he sounded whiney when he said it, but didn’t care.
“Only if you want to fail,” Evan shot back.
He groaned.
“Fine,” she said stretching. “Let’s take a break.”
Laydon smiled gratefully. “So…” he trailed of unable to think of anything to say. About them Yankees.” They both laughed at that, Laydon’s laughter turning into coughs. “Doesn’t look like I’m getting that much better.”
“You are,” Evan said. “You just can’t move that much. It’s like mono.”
“Mono?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah,”she shrugged. “You know the kissing disease?”
“Oh yeah,” Laydon nodded. “Like the little fluff ball they sell Kwirkworld.”
She laughed. “Yeah/ You’re sore for awhile then it all goes away…” she trailed off the last three words and bit her lips, like she knew something he didn’t.
“You’ve had mono?” Laydon asked. He realized that he didn’t know that much about her other than what they shared at work, and he wanted to learn more.
“Nah,” she shook her head. “But Randy has, of course.”
“Oh,” Laydon said. “Tell me about yourself,” he blurted out. “I mean, I don’t know that much about you,” he finished awkwardly.
She shrugged again. “What’s to know? I moved here with Randy to stay with Dick and—”
“And that’s all I know,” Laydon cut across her. “So tell me about the stuff that I and other people don’t know.”
She smiled as if no one ever asked her that, and he realized no one probably did. “I like nature,” she said. “I’m liberal in that way. I like the green and hate how humans are cutting it down for greed. Green’s my favorite color. I like music a lot, and art. I used to see a lot of plays, too.”
And for awhile Laydon listened to her. She talked about her interests and disinterests and he found some were like his but also a lot different. It was great that they were opposites as much as they were alike he thought. She talked about her family too, but always careful to avoid something. She had more interests then Laydon could list but he loved listening about her.
“Come here,” Laydon said at one point getting up. She had just told him that she had played piano, but guitar interested her more.
She looked up at him. “What?”
“I wanna show you something.” He held out his hand to help her up. “Come on.”
She took it and he didn’t let go when she was up but pulled her upstairs to his room.
“This is my interest,” he said pushing open the door. His walls were always covered in sketches; sketches with pencils, with charcoal, some with colored pastels; sketches of people creatures and places. Above his bed was a wolf surrounded by trees and bows and arrows and fire.
She saw it instantly and walked over touching it, out of his reach. “It’s amazing.”
“Nah,” Laydon shook his head. “But I didn’t bring you up here to show you that,” he said. “I want to hear you play,” he said and pointed at his guitar.
She smiled at him and walked around to it picking it up. “Why?” she asked.
“Because,” Laydon said hesitant, “I think it’ll sound beautiful.”
She kept the smile on her face, as she picked up the acoustic and sat down on the bed, Laydon beside her. She strummed a few chords before falling into a song Laydon had never heard before. She didn’t sing but just played, soft and hard at the same time. It made Laydon’s blood pulse under his skin.
She played the last chord slowly, letting it ring. “I’m rusty.” She put it back on the stand.
“No,” Laydon said seriously. “You’re amazing.”
Evan shook her head still smiling; she sat back on the bed. “My father taught me.” She paused. “Before he died.”
“I’m sorry,” Laydon said although he knew he had already told her this. “You can talk to me about it,” he said. “If you want to.”
She took his hand again and he squeezed hers softly. She shook her head slowly. “I want to, but I’m scared to.”
“Why?” Laydon asked brushing her hair behind her shoulder.
“Because they were murdered, Laydon.” She closed her eyes and lay back, as though she was picturing it. “By the devil.”
“That’s terrible,” Laydon said.
“Isn’t it?” She asked. “And I have to deal with it every single day. Not the fact that they’re gone, but that the murderer is still out there.”
“How’s he still out there?” He was confused.
She opened her eyes and smiled. “My sister was engaged,” she said, and to Laydon it seemed as if she was changing the subject. “She felt as if she had me the perfect man.”
And then it clicked. “He killed them?”
“No,” Evan said. “His…master did. He was only there to get the inside scoop on us all. I saw right through him. I knew he wasn’t a good person, but my sister wouldn’t listen. Neither would my parents. Only my brother did.”
“Randy,” Laydon said, nodding.
“No,” Evan said sitting up. “My little brother, Andrew.”
“What?” Laydon was confused.
“Can I trust you?” Evan asked. “I think I can, and I know you need to understand what I am saying more than anyone.”
“Yeah,” Laydon said without hesitation. “I—”
But the doorbell rang. Pizza, he realized. So they got up and went down stares and

So I skipped again and I'm trying to rewrite from their...

-S.