Chapter 55 Ch. 33.2
And they did. Bursting into laughter halfway down the corridor, their sneakers squeaking against the tiled floor as the staff member’s sharp voice echoed behind them. They darted through the side door, out into the sunlight, dodging a group of juniors who yelped at the sudden rush.
“Ethan!” Zara hissed, but she was grinning despite herself. He tugged her around the corner, their shoulders bumping as they sprinted across the lot.
“There—bike,” he said between breaths, pointing.
They skidded to a halt by his motorcycle. He tossed her a helmet. “On.”
She stared at it, chest heaving. “You’re insane.”
“Compliment accepted,” he said with a quick grin. “Come on, before she actually calls someone.”
With a muttered curse, she yanked the helmet on and swung her leg over behind him. She barely had time to grip his waist before he revved the engine and shot forward, the wind slapping against them as the school buildings blurred behind.
Zara laughed as the bike roared down the road, the cool wind tearing through Zara’s hair under the helmet. She tightened her grip around Ethan’s waist.
“Slow down, psycho!” she yelled over the noise.
He tilted his head just enough so she could hear. “What? This is me slowing down.”
She groaned, pressing her forehead to his back. “I hate you.”
“The feeling is very much mutual,” he shot back, laughing as he leaned into the next curve.
"Where are we going?" She yelled.
"I don't know. I'm just... Going?"
"I want to get doughnuts. Let's stop at Wendy's."
By the time they pulled into Wendy’s Coffee, her legs felt like jelly when she hopped off. Ethan smirked, tossing his helmet onto the seat. “First time on a real ride?”
“I’ve been on rollercoasters,” she said, brushing her hair out of her face, “but that was worse.”
“Or better,” he said, pushing open the café door.
The smell of coffee and sugar hit them.
"Zara, it's been ages since I've seen you here," Wendy the owner said with a smile. She usually managed the coffee shop before her staff who were mostly highschool-ers resumed work in the evenings. "And should you not be at school."
"Something like that," she grinned.
Wendy gave her a pointed look.
They ordered for a box of doughnut and two iced caramel lattes. Ten minutes later, they were in the local park, perched on the edge of the pond with their sneakers dangling close to the water.
Zara tore a piece of her doughnut and tossed it toward the ducks. “I’m pretty sure this is illegal.”
Ethan threw in a bigger chunk. “What, feeding ducks sugar?”
“Exactly,” she said, biting into her own piece. “You’re corrupting wildlife.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “You’re ridiculous.”
They sat there in the glow of the setting sun, their laughter bouncing off the water. After a while, Zara leaned back on her hands, staring at him.
“You’re really a vampire,” she said quietly.
Ethan shrugged, sipping his coffee like she had asked if he played soccer.
Zara chewed her lip. “I know you probably don’t believe me, but I didn’t tell anyone except Noah. And maybe hinted it to my dad.”
Ethan glanced at her. “And?”
“Noah didn’t tell anyone because he doesn’t want to be tagged crazy. You know how people are.”
“Yeah,” Ethan said. He dropped the rest of his doughnut into the pond, watching the ducks fight over it. “But someone probably overheard.”
“Yeah,” she echoed softly. "I'm sorry for all the trouble caused."
"It's okay."
When she looked back, he was smiling at her, a little too long, a little too warm, and it made her chest feel strange. She looked away quickly, but the silence between them wasn’t uncomfortable.
"How old are you really?" She asked. "You've been on earth for long enough haven't you?"
"Something like that. But I'm still a teenager... As a vampire."
"Hm, how cute," she chuckled, asking another question.
The park lights flickered on eventually and crickets hummed. The sky had gone dark enough that the water reflected only streaks of gold and shadow.
He leaned closer, his shoulder brushing hers. She turned her head, and suddenly they were too close. Her breath caught, his eyes flicked down, and her hand shifted on the bench like she wasn’t sure if she should pull away or not.
“Park’s closing!” a deep voice called out. A flashlight beam cut across them.
Zara shot up so fast she almost spilled her remaining coffee she was already tired of. Ethan sighed and stood, muttering something under his breath. They walked back to the bike, trying not to laugh awkwardly.
The ride home was quieter. The rush of the day had softened into something easier, more thoughtful. When they pulled up in front of her house, she slid off slowly, holding the helmet in both hands.
“Thanks,” she said, her voice low.
“For what?”
“For… everything.” She hesitated, then smiled, small but real.
He gave her a short nod. “Night, Zara.”
"Wait..."
"Uh? Okay?"
"I don't have your number," she said, handing him her phone.
He smiled and took it from her, typing his number into it and saving it as "vampire Prince".
She smiled as soon as she saw it. "And thanks for showing up to my race."
"My pleasure."
She smiled again and then slipped inside the house, pausing in the doorway long enough to see her dad glance up from the couch. She smiled at him, not saying a word, then headed upstairs. In her room, she closed the door, leaned back against it, and let out a long sigh, her heart still racing.
"Apologize to Dad. To my coach. Be less of a bitch," she muttered, and rolled her eyes at herself and let out a short laugh.
She couldn't believe she was actually thinking about doing it.
"Wow. Genius. Me, apologizing. Like I ever listen to anyone. But sure, let’s suddenly start taking advice from Ethan—some vampire I was supposed to hate. Yeah, makes perfect sense."
She groaned and threw herself back onto her bed, dragging her hands over her face. Just picturing herself saying sorry made her stomach knot up. Every version of it in her head sounded pathetic.
"Ugh. Nope. Not happening."
She pushed off the bed, shoved open her window, and looked at the ground.
If Ethan could do it, then she could.
So without thinking, she jumped.
"Oh my God," she squealed excitedly, surprised it seemed easier than she had anticipated.
The night air was cool, brushing against her skin, and her sneakers smacked against the pavement as she moved. The houses blurred by until she drifted toward the woods at the edge of her street.
Halfway around, she had a crawling itch at the back of her neck that made her keep glancing over her shoulder. Nothing. Just shadows and branches swaying, but it didn’t fade, it sat heavy in her chest until she felt her heart in her throat, then her chest started to hurt, like it always did as of late.
She grabbed her phone from her pocket, thumbs flying as she ran.
Went for a run to clear my head. Feels like someone’s behind me. No clue why I’m even texting you.
The reply came almost before she finished breathing.
At this time? Where are you?
Her hands shook as she typed back, Near the woods by my street. The path behind the houses.
As soon as she hit send, her phone lit up with an incoming video call. She answered, panting, and Ethan’s face appeared, his expression filled with alarm.
"You’re what—" he started, but his voice cut off when Zara let out a scream.