Chapter 69 The Vampire Prince In My House.
By the time we got to the cafeteria for lunch, Quinn was already talking my ear off. She wouldn't shut up about Lysander.
I guess she's over Domenic and now she wants to kill my ear drums by telling me about her time sitting with Lysander.
It's Lysander this, Lysander that! I'm honestly fed up.
“I swear, Kate, he’s amazing,” she continued, practically bouncing beside me as we carried our trays while looking for a table. “I talked to him all morning.”
I gave her a sideways look. “You meant, you creeped the fuck out of him."
She ignored that. “He listened to me you know. He didn’t interrupt or act bored. He doesn't even seem to mind that I talked alot. He just looked at me and smiled sometimes.” She sighed dreamily and plopped down at a table near the windows. I sat across from her, already exhausted, but she didn't notice and went on. “He didn’t say anything. He was really quiet. It kind of made me feel bad. Like maybe I was annoying him.”
“You were annoying him,” I said bluntly.
Quinn gasped and looked at me in hurt. “That's so rude Kate. How can you say that to your best friend?”
"Says the best friend who ditched me to go sit with a hot guy."
She shrugged. "I was doing you a favour Kate. Domenic totally wanted to sit with you and you wanted it too, don't you dare lie." She smirked, "also, you guys totally enjoyed sitting together."
I blushed knowing what she's implying. Even though it's true, I won't admit it. "Whatever."
"Anyways, it's obvious that you know that hot guy Lysander." She leaned towards me, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Tell me everything. His type, likes and dislike. Everything!"
I raised a brow and gave in anyway. "I don't know much, but I know that he's not really that into women. He's a nice guy though, and I think you've ruined your chances with how strongly you're coming on to him."
She frowned in offense. "So you mean he won't like me?"
I shrugged, "I’m just saying,” I continued, unwrapping my sandwich, “if I were Lysander, I’d already be weirded out. Who tells someone they look like a cute cucumber?”
She shrugged. “It’s a compliment Kate. Don't you know what a compliment is?”
This girl is impossible. “How is calling someone a weird vegetable a compliment?”
“It’s a vibe which you won't understand Kate. I bet Lysander does.”
I shook my head, biting back a laugh. “You my friend, are impossible.”
Before she could respond, a familiar presence settled over our table. I felt it before I saw it.
Domenic and Lysander appeared beside us, trays in hand, and suddenly the cafeteria felt smaller like all the air had shifted in their direction.
Domenic slid into the seat beside me without asking, and my face instantly heated as I recalled what happened in class earlier today.
Lysander hesitated for a second, then took the only empty seat left, right beside Quinn. She was already looking at him and smiling like a creepy Annabelle doll.
Lysander stiffened, clearly unsure what to do with that much attention. I felt bad for him. Quinn can be quite a nuisance when it comes to her crushes. Especially the ones she likes a lot.
Everyone was staring at us now. Whispers floated around the room. Most of them had their phones subtly angled in our direction. I tried to focus on my food, but Domenic leaned closer, his shoulder brushing mine.
“So,” he said softly, amusement dancing in his voice, “why did you run away from class earlier?”
I choked on my drink. "I did not run,” I hissed, lowering my head. “Just shut up.”
He smirked enjoying my embarrassment. “You totally ran.” My cheeks burned as I shoved food into my mouth, determined not to look at him. That only made him laugh quietly. "You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed,” he said.
I blushed harder, but thankfully, he turned his attention to Quinn and Lysander, giving me a moment to breathe. "So,” Domenic said casually, “how was it sitting together today?”
Quinn brightened instantly. For once she stopped staring at Lysander and faced Domenic. “It was fun!”
Domenic looked at Lysander for his own answer, and Lysander considered the question before replying in an unsure tone. “It was... interesting,”
Domenic chuckled. “Would you guys like to sit together every day?”
“Yes!” Quinn said immediately, eyes shining. She didn't even give Lysander a chance to reply, but he doesn't seem to mind.
Domenic nodded. “Good. That works out perfectly.” He smiled sweetly at me. “Kate’s all mine.”
I shot Quinn a glare. “Wow. So that’s it? You’re just giving up on your best friend that easily?”
She didn’t even look a tiny bit sorry. “I’d give up more than my best friend for this cute cucumber over here.” She gestured at Lysander.
Lysander frowned slightly and leaned closer to her. “May I ask something?” She nodded eagerly. "Why do you keep calling me a cucumber?” he asked quietly. “I don’t know what that is.”
Quinn stared at him with a surprise frown. “You don’t know what a cucumber is?” Of course he doesn't. He's a vampire who feeds on blood. I'm sure he doesn't know a lot of food and fruits.
I sighed and jumped in. “It’s just… a fruit. Kind of long, has a weird shape.”
I wonder why they are holding trays of food when they can't even eat them.
“What if I meant it as a metaphor with a different meaning?” Quinn blurted.
“Quinn,” I snapped.
She shrugged and went back to eating like she hadn’t just said something completely unhinged.
Domenic laughed openly. “I really like this friend of yours kitty,” he said. “I ship her and Lysander.”
I rolled my eyes, Quinn looked delighted while Lysander looks confused. I bet he isn't used to the human ways of speaking yet.
“And now" Domenic added, smirking, “I won’t have to worry about Lysander trying to kiss my girl ever again.”
Quinn’s fork froze mid-air. She slowly turned to me, eyes wide. Then to Lysander. “You guys kissed?” she gasped.
I sighed remembering long ago back at the vampire world when I wanted to prove a point to Domenic. Why did he have to bring that up? “Yes. A long time ago. It meant nothing.”
Her mouth dropped open. “Kate. Do you realize you’ve kissed three insanely hot guys in your life time?”
I groaned. “Please don’t—” of course she ignored me.
“Jason. Domenic. And now Lysander.” She shook her head in disbelief. “You lucky bitch.”
I rolled my eyes again. Jason was an old story, Lysander was just used as a bait and Domenic is the one I like.
Domenic stood up after a moment. “I’ll be leaving early today,” he announced. “Lysander will give you both a ride home.”
I looked up sharply. “You’re leaving?”
He met my gaze and smirked. “Yes.”
“Where are you going?” I asked before I could stop myself. Is he tired of playing student already?
“Nothing you need to know,” he replied lightly.
The answer annoyed me more than it should have. Usually, he would’ve teased me, flirted, offered to drive me himself. But today, he didn't. I watched him walk away as my mind spinning with questions.
Why didn’t he offer me a ride?
Why did his answer feel so final?
It stung, but I told myself not to dwell on it.
Lysander drove us home, carefully following the directions we gave him. He seemed uncomfortable behind the wheel, gripping it like it might betray him at any second. This car was quite different from the 19th century cars they drove in the vampire world so I'm not surprised.
My house was closer so he dropped me off first. "Don’t creep him out,” I warned Quinn as I got out.
She smiled sweetly. Too sweetly. “I won’t.” I didn't believe her for a second. I bid them goodbye and went into the house.
When I walked inside, I heard laughter coming from the dining room. That's definitely mom’s laughter.
Confused, I followed the sound thinking that maybe she brought a friend over. But when I saw who was seated there at our dining table, I froze.
Domenic was sitting at our dining table and my mom was serving him food.
What the actual fuck!
“What—” I blurted. “Domenic?!”
They both looked up to stare at me.
“Hi,” he said sweetly with a wink.
I stared at him still in shock. “What the hell are you doing in my house? How did you even know where I live?"
My mother frowned at me. It's the kind of stare she gives me when she's totally disappointed in me. “Kate, why didn’t you tell me about your boyfriend?”
My eyes widened. “My what?” What the hell Domenic?!
She smiled warmly. “Dont worry. He explained everything. He told me you were with him during the time you went missing. I was so worried, Kate. I had nightmares wondering what you must have went through.”
My stomach dropped. That cunning prick!
“He said he didn’t have my number,” she continued, “but knowing now that you were safe with him… I feel so relieved.”
Domenic stood and apologized again. “I’m sorry for worrying you.” He said with the most sincere look ever.
This cunning little vampire piece of shit! Why did he tell my mom all that?!
My mom laughed. “Oh, don’t worry. I like you for Kate. You seem like a very honest young man.”
Domenic smirked at me and I rolled my eyes. My eyes hurt already with the amount of time I'm rolling them.
“Mom,” I said quickly, “can we have a minute?” She nodded, still smiling, and I grabbed Domenic’s arm, dragging him outside and shutting the door behind us. “What the fuck are you doing?” I demanded.
“I said I would do anything to get back on your good side,” he replied calmly. “That includes getting your mother to like me.”
“You said you were leaving school early,” I snapped. “I didn’t know you meant this.”
“I wanted to surprise you.”
My heart fluttered, but I ignored it, "I want you to leave.”
“I will,” he said and I frowned at how easily he agrees, but I should have known he had something else up his sleeves. “If you come with me.”
“Where to?” where could he possibly want to take me to?
“Somewhere. It's a surprise,” he said softly.
“No,” I said immediately. I didn't really like this surprise of him showing up at my house unannounced. Who knows what else his crazy ass planned.
My brain screamed yes despite my words.
He sighed dramatically. “Then I suppose I’ll have to spend the night here.”
I groaned. “You’re impossible, Domenic Darkshadow!" He smiled and I couldn't help but give in. “Fine. I’ll go.”
His face lit up and to my annoyance… mine did too.
I was such a fool.
A fool in love.