Chapter 4

It’s Saturday morning. Reed decided to go early to see Laura. He wore a blue shirt and black trousers with black canvas to go with it. Since it was still bright and early, he decided to use his speed to get halfway through, and when he saw he was close by, he started walking.

He got to the shop, but it wasn’t open yet.

“Maybe I was a little bit early,” he told himself as he stood outside waiting for her.

Laura’s mom got to the shop only to find an unfamiliar face standing outside her shop.

“Excuse me, young man, do I know you?” She asked.

Reed cleared his throat, thinking of what to say, but he had no idea what to say. Maybe I should read her thoughts. That would give me enough time to think of what to say. So he concentrated on her mind.

“I wonder what he’s doing here. I’ve never seen him here before. Could it be that he wants to buy flowers? Maybe I should ask him that,” he read her thoughts as an idea came to him.

“I came to buy flowers, but since I didn’t know the opening time, I came a bit early, I presume.” Reed smiled as he scratched his hair.

“I can see he is shy.” Her thoughts said, which made him smile more.

Reed decided to ask her further questions, but he had to make sure it wouldn’t sound like he was interested in her daughter.

“Is it just you today?” Reed asked.

“No. My children are coming. They should be here now.” After she said that, giggles were heard, and Reed turned. He saw Laura and a little girl. Should be her sister, he thought.

Ashley and Laura were engrossed in their discussion that they didn’t even notice they had a visitor. Ashley was the first to see him, and as curious as she was, she decided to show it.

“Who do we have here?” Ashley pointed. Laura looked at where Ashley was pointing, only for her to find the strange familiar guy.

Ashley walked around Reed, inspecting him from head to toe.

“I’m Ashley and who are you?” Ashley asked. “Are you Laura’s boyfriend?” She added.

“Ash! Seriously?” Laura asked as she went closer to meet the guy.

“Hi. You must be Reed,” she said, shaking his hand. Reed nodded.

“Please pardon my sister, that’s how she is.”

“No offense taken. She’s kind of cute,” Reed said, which made them laugh.

“Mom,” Laura called.

“Yes, darling,” Her mom replied.

“Can Reed and I go somewhere for a while?” Laura asked.

“You know him?” Her mom asked, staring at the strange guy.

Laura looked at Reed, staring at him for a while.

“About to,” she said as she looked at her mom.

“Okay sweetheart. Don’t belong,” her mother said.

“And Mr. Reed, make sure nothing happens to my sister,” Ashley instructed, folding her arm.

Reed smiled and nodded.

“I promise to protect her with my life, your highness,” Reed said as he bowed his head to Ashley.

“I like him already,” Ashley said as she went inside the shop.

Laura bade her mom goodbye as she and Reed went for a walk. All through the walk, Reed was trying so hard to read Laura’s thoughts, but somehow, he couldn’t, and he didn’t know why. It was like a force was blocking him from having access to her mind.

“Aren’t you overdressed for work in the shop? I mean it’s hot and you’re dressed like this,” Reed said as he stared at Laura’s dress.

“Um... I just love wearing clothes like this, it’s comfortable,” she lied. The clothes weren’t comfortable. She wore a pink shirt and a black jacket with black trousers. It was sunny, and she knew she had to wear more comfortable clothes, but because of the necklace, she had to dress up so her parents wouldn’t find out about it. She had plans of taking off the clothes when her mom went home so she could stay in the shop with Ashley.

“I see. Anyways, thanks for agreeing to see me,” Reed said, finally giving up on reading her mind.

“Thanks, I guess,” Laura said.

Reed looked at her.

“What are you thanking me for?” He said.

“Asking to see me?” Laura shrugged.

Reed smiled as Laura smiled too.

“You’re beautiful.” That came out wrong. He wasn’t supposed to say that. “I am sorry. I shouldn’t...”

“It’s fine besides it’s just a compliment,” Laura said, which made Reed relax more. “So what is it you wanted to tell me?” Laura asked.

“What?” Reed said.

“The reason for our meeting today? You said you wanted to explain things to me, that’s why we are meeting right?” Laura explained.

“Yeah. About that, I...Um...I was curious about you,” he said as Laura’s eyes were so fixed on him that she wasn’t watching where she was going. She hit her foot against a stone, making her lose her balance, but good thing Reed was fast enough to catch her before she fell.

They stared into each other’s eyes when Reed’s eyes caught the necklace she was wearing. The necklace she tried so hard to hide came out of its hiding when she tripped. Reed suddenly started feeling a change in his body. His hands were starting to change, and his ears were hearing a loud sound that could deafen a person. His teeth were becoming uncomfortable. He knew sooner or later. He would transform into a vampire. He had to get out of there. If he’s in his vampire form, he can’t withstand the sun. Same with the rest of the vampires gifted with sunscreen power. He didn’t even know when he let go of her hand, making her fall down to the ground.

“I’m sorry.” And with that, he left, leaving Laura on the ground.

“Too much for protecting me,” Laura said as she stood up, dusting her body.

“I wonder if Ashley is still gonna like him after I tell her what happened,” Laura said to herself as she imagined how frustrated Ashley would be, which made her smile a little. Then her thoughts went back to Reed.

“Why did he run off like that?” She asked herself, but since she couldn’t get the answer, she decided to go to the shop.

She hadn’t walked five miles when she sensed the presence of someone. She hadn’t seen the person yet, but she could sense the person. The necklace and the blood Evan dropped on the necklace made it easier for her to sense his presence.

Evan was with his 6 teams Jim, Chloe, Adam, Emerald, Alex, and Tessa. They were laughing and jesting. Evan suddenly stopped as if he could feel her presence too.

“Are you okay?” Emerald asked, noticing the abrupt change in him.

Just as Evan was about to say something, Laura walked to them and stood in front of Evan, their eyes staring at each other. Laura had no idea why she was standing in front of him, but she knew she had to be here.

“We’re...going to leave...you two to... settle whatever this is...” Adam said as he gestured to the rest of the team to follow him. Emerald was reluctant to go, but Adam forced her to come with them. A few seconds later, Evan was left alone with Laura.

“Hi,” he managed to say because right there, Laura kissed him, creating all kinds of electric shock in his body. He had no idea what this was, but damn, he was going on with it. He said to himself as he pulled Laura closer to himself, deepening the kiss.