Not Ordinary

Not Ordinary
Lilith POV

The clock struck six. I watched from the window as I began to hear noises outside. I glanced at Ava, who was rechecking everything to make sure it was all right. "They’re here," I said, and she hurried over to me.

Daniel arrived earlier—just as he promised he would. We didn't get much time to spend together, and as Ava mentioned, Theo might feel some way about it.

Daniel and Theo didn't get along either. They ignored each other throughout the preparations. Daniel and Ethan checked the sound system, and it turned out they both shared the same taste in music.

I smiled the entire time, watching him work. Seeing him happy made me happy too.

"Open the door," Ava said. Ethan started playing music, and colorful lights began to glow around the living room.

I opened the door, and they all rushed inside. I didn't expect Beauty to show up—or rather, she didn't. She hated me, and that was certain.

Upbeat music started to play.

People began to vibe to the music. Some went to get drinks for their friends and partners. I watched as others drank and danced.

Daniel stepped outside, and I followed him. I saw the guy I had seen in the woods when I went to look for my chain. He stood beside the gate. The dog barked, and the guy looked at it, causing it to stop. People could see the hunters, and I was expecting Jackson to show up.

The guy looked at me again.

"Are you okay?" Daniel asked.

"Yeah, I’m fine," I replied, glancing at him. When I looked back at the guy, he was gone.

Daniel’s hand touched mine. I looked at him and smiled—that was what I wanted. He led me to the dance floor. My hands went around his neck, and his around my waist. We started dancing to the music, closing the distance between us.

My eyes caught sight of a girl making out with a guy, her back against the wall. She kept looking at me, and I felt a similar desire to be with Daniel.

I looked at him, about to kiss him. My hand moved to his back, gripping it forcefully. It felt as if I was about to transform—I started panting. Daniel looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied. "I’ll be right back." I left Daniel and headed toward the door. Someone called out to me, but my mind wasn't entirely present—I was feeling dizzy.

"Is she okay?" Ava asked as she approached. I shook my head, and she took me to her room.

She gently laid me on her bed. "Are you alright?" she asked. Theo, Riley, and Ethan entered the room. "Is she okay?" Riley asked.

Ava took my hand. "She’s burning up," she said.

"How is that possible?" Riley sat beside me, holding my hand. My nails protruded, and she examined them. "Blood," she said.

"How did she get blood?" Ava asked.

"The last person she was with was Daniel," Theo explained.

"What? Is he alright?" Riley asked.

"I'll check on him," Ethan said and stepped out.

"He's here," I said.

"Who is?" Ava asked.

"Jackson. I can smell him. He's with Daniel. I don’t feel good about this." I tried to sit up, but I couldn’t—the blood of Daniel I had touched was still affecting me.

Fortunately, Riley brought more blood. She knew I’d need to eat. "Feed her this," Riley said, handing the blood to Ava. Ava placed it in my mouth and began to feed me.

"I’ll be right back," Theo said and left the room.

After I finished drinking, I sat up. "I’m fine, guys. I just needed to eat." The fact that I had touched Daniel's blood made me feel weak. I didn't know what had happened, but the last time I drank his blood, I felt stronger. Confused, I quietly left the room.

People were still dancing in the living room. "Daniel?" I called, but I couldn't find him. I followed his scent.

"Hi, Lilith," someone called my name. I turned to see Jackson. Jackson! "Oh, I am Jackson," he said. "Your party is lit," he commented.

"You should tell Ava that. She organized everything, with the help of my friends," I replied.

"It’s nice talking to you." His eyes searched the room. I noticed he smelled strange beneath his cologne, and as I drew closer, I could sense his aura.

Theo called my name and approached me. "Jackson introduced himself. 

Theo smiled, and our eyes met. I understood the message he conveyed: Jackson was not just an ordinary human. I smiled at him as we continued talking. Ava saw him and started to talk with him. I excused myself to find Daniel.

I needed to apologize for what I’d done. Finally, I spotted him and waved. He approached me. "Are you okay?" he asked. "You rushed inside so suddenly."

"I’m fine," I said with a smile. He took my hand in his, and this time, it felt different. He leaned in closer and kissed me. Something I’d hoped for years finally happened—I kissed him back. It was Alaric. My Alaric was back.

He pulled away from the kiss, then suddenly held his head and collapsed to the ground. "Daniel?" I called out. I knelt beside him. "Daniel!" I shouted again. Theo rushed over. He must have seen us kiss. "What’s wrong with him?" I asked Theo. Everyone’s attention was on Daniel.

"Take care of the party," Theo told Ava. 

Ava nodded.

"Please help me with him," I pleaded with those around us. A guy helped carry Daniel to the room and placed him on the bed. His eyes were closed, and he was sweating. I panicked as the guy left the room.

"He’ll be fine," Riley said.

"We’ve achieved what we came here for," Theo added. "That means Jackson is one of our suspects."

I went to the bathroom to get some water. I dampened a cloth and placed it on Daniel’s forehead. He was muttering something, calling my name, in pain—probably from memories resurfacing. I wasn’t sure, but it hurt my head too.

I sat beside him. "You’ll be fine. It’s all my fault," I whispered, taking his hand. "He’s in pain because of me. I didn’t want this to happen. I don’t want his memories of me to come back if it causes him pain. What should I do?" I asked Riley.

"He’ll be fine. Let him rest a little. Let’s go back," she said, and we all returned to the living room to continue the party. My mood had soured; Daniel’s sickness was my fault. Maybe the kiss triggered some deep memory inside him. I poured myself a drink and drank it in one gulp. Ava joined me.

We watched the time pass, and people started to leave. The house was a mess, and we’d have to clean before her father returned from work tomorrow. Ava wrapped her arms around me as we looked at the scattered house. "This was my first house party, and it was lit," she said. I couldn’t deny it—yes, it was a truly lively party.

I rested in her arms, whispering to myself that Daniel would be fine. I refused to give up—not yet.