• CHAPTER 85 - I HOPE I'M HALLUCINATING

    Okay, so I made it through prom weekend and--hardly--through a nightglare nap...but how am I going to fend off in school?

    "Are you sure you're okay to attend school?" Kai asked me as I fondled with my tie.

    "Yeah," I mumbled.

    I became frustrated with my tie and I left it in a giant knot. Kai's hands took their place and he started adjusting the knot. I hadn't been thinking straight since my most recent nightglare last night. I never came down for dinner and I didn't sleep for the rest of the night. They scare me so much and yet I couldn't help but think sometimes that those Vampires are only trying to scare me. The biggest question in my head--next to wondering when I should say goodbye to Kai--was why the same nomad was in all of my nightglares.

    "There you go," Kai finished my tie, nudging my mind out of my daydream.

    Kai rested one hand on my back between my shoulder blades and we exited the bedroom. I hauled my books and my bag myself because I felt the need to build up a little pathetic strength. Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Kira came out from the kitchen with concern etched on his face.

    "Arisa, are you okay?"

    "Huh?" I looked up at him and responded before he could ask again. "Oh, yeah, my stomach is feeling better."

    "No, I'm talking about when you screamed,"

    I froze where I was until Kai guided me forward, "It was just a nightmare, Kira,"

    Without saying another word, we left out the front door and climbed into Kai's car. I was looking all around me in case any Vampires would be stalking me. It was kind of stupid for me to do, though, because Kai would be able to smell them. I shouldn't have to worry about any Vampires.

    For now.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~

    My heartbeat sped up rapidly as soon as Kai parked in front of my school. The front doors were only a hundred meters away; I should make it up there safely, right? I won't be attacked on my way up, will I?

    "So you're sure you want to go?" Kai asked me one more time.

    I nodded, "Like you and Matsuda said; I can't miss any more school,"

    "Yeah," Kai sighed and frowned in concern. "Just be careful."

    "I will," I think.

    It was when I was halfway out of the car that I froze where I was and dove back into the car and landed a huge, wet kiss on Kai's lips. I coiled my arms around his neck as he wrapped one arm around my waist. I was probably overreacting and being too dramatic, but how would I know if this would be my last time seeing Kai? My time is being cut short, so why not start saying my goodbyes?

    "I love you, Kai," I breathed into his mouth.

    "I love you too," he responded and landed one last rough kiss on me.

    Kai released his grip on my waist but I kept my arms locked around his neck. I didn't want to let go of him, I didn't want to die and have him not know right away. What am I talking about; I might not even die today. How would I know; I could be killed in another forty years for all I know.

    "You'll be late," Kai mumbled after kissing my neck.

    I hesitantly pulled away from him after one more peck on the lips and I climbed out of the car. It wasn't until I safely reached the front doors of my school that Kai left. I watched him until his car disappeared around the corner of the block. I was surprised, however, that Kai didn't react to my dramatic reactions in my head. Was he not in my head as much anymore?

    The school bell rang for first period and I rushed inside my school, already tardy for my first class of the day.

    ~*~*~*~*~*~

    It was in seventh period that my lack of sleep started getting to me. I couldn't keep my attention focused on the teacher for more than seven seconds before my head would bob and nearly hit the desk. I tried to occupy my mind by trying cheap doodles on an important study guide we were handed and I was completely oblivious to the important talks about the exams. We'd talk about it more in the next couple days, so I shouldn't worry too much.

    Okay, my tiredness was getting to me too much. I propped my chin onto my hand and glanced out the window. From the second story, there are a lot of things you can see. The restaurants, the train, the playground of the nearby elementary, the--

    I nearly retreated as soon as I saw the last thing I wanted to at the moment. There was somebody standing at the foot of the school, right in my line of view. He was standing in the shade of a tree planted in the middle of the concrete and he was all dressed in black. There is only one creature that would stand in the shade all the time and dress in all black; Vampire.

    I swallowed hard and my palms were sweating but I couldn't tear my eyes off of this Vampire. Something seemed vaguely familiar about him but I couldn't lay my finger on it. That's it!

    He's the Vampire from my nightglares.

    It's not likely, but it was him! His hair was the same, his figure, his clothing, everything! I glanced a little closer, close enough to see the smirk on his face pointed directly at me. Could nobody else see him? Was the school not taking safety precautions?!

    I couldn't take it anymore. I was on the verge of asking if I could go to the bathroom and possibly stay there for the rest of the day, but wouldn't that make me a little more vulnerable? If I stayed in the classroom, he probably won't attack because there are too many witnesses. Or maybe I should go into the restroom and call Kai so he could come and get me? No, I don't want him to be concerned although he probably should know what I'm dealing with right now.

    I was pretty sure that Vampire was listening to all my thoughts. I groaned quietly and buried my face in my crossed arms on my desk and I sighed. I was so scared; my heartbeat was almost echoing off of my desk top. I gripped my sleeves and breathed deeply, not really wanting to look like a moron by hyperventilating. My eyes closed and I ended up dozing off by accident.

    "Miss Kurabashi!" my teacher slapped his ruler on my desk, causing me to jump and nearly scream.

    "Oh--"

    "You can't be sleeping when we're preparing for exams!" he yelled, as he always does.

    "Yes, Sensei," I mumbled and looked down.

    "Or you can look forward to another year here," the usual blond sneered.

    Sensei turned to her, "That's enough, Ayameka,"

    Ha, so that's the broad's name. All these years, I never paid attention to what her name was. Sensei tapped his ruler on my head with a glare on his complexion.

    "Pay attention,"

    I only nodded and allowed him to continue his lame teaching. I brushed my hair back a few times before hesitantly looking out the window once more; he was gone. That Vampire retreated but I wouldn't be surprised if he would come back for more. It didn't necessarily scare me that there was a Vampire on school grounds, but that he was the Vampire from my nightglares I've been having. Was it actually him that was going to kill me right away instead of having Kai bring me to my death?

    I hardly made it through my final class before I nearly collapsed trying to get out of my seat. Ayameka stood near me with a hand propped on her hip and a frown on her face. Oh boy, here comes the drama once more.

    "Nice move you pulled," she sneered.

    "Thanks," I mumbled. "Takes practice."

    "So I couldn't help but notice that engagement ring on your left hand since prom night," she huffed with an evil smirk.

    I looked down and to my side at my ring and its shining beauty. I looked back up at Ayameka and smirked just as sinister, "Yeah, it's an engagement ring,"

    "So you're telling me you actually love that hot stuff?" she cocked an eyebrow.

    "Yeah, I do," I sneered back at her. "We've been engaged since Christmas."

    She snorted, "Funny how nobody even paid attention,"

    "It's not like it matters; all of the wrong attention is directed towards me anyways,"

    "So what was it you were freaking out about during seventh period?" she cocked her head this time.

    If I were any dumber, I'd have told here there was a Vampire on the premeses and I would have gladly fed her to him but I opted not to, "It was nothing,"

    "Mm-hmm," she tapped her foot. "I'll bet it was nothing. Have you gone to the doctor's yet?"

    I burrowed my eyebrows together, "Why?"

    "To get those diseases checked on," she laughed. "And perhaps get the result of the pregnancy test back?"

    I clenched my fist was power walked out of the room before I would punch her and kick a desk at her. I was infuriated but I figured my anger would probably calm down once I came back outside; then my fear would start up.

    "Don't worry about it, Arisa, you're almost out of this school," I mumbled to myself.

    It was when I reached the front doors of the school after putting my shoes back on that I froze. Kai was in his car in front of the school but it seemed like such a long walk. What if that Vampire was still on school property?

    I swallowed a fraction of my fear and I pushed the doors open and headed down the stairs as quickly as I could without tripping. I made it safely into Kai's car and I sighed and relaxed all of my muscles as soon as I threw my stuff in the back. I glanced to my side and Kai was starting at me with one eyebrow cocked.

    "Something wrong?"

    I shook my head, "No, just nerves from the upcoming exams,"

    The exams were the least of my worries; my killer was on school property.