Forbidden (Fallen 2)

“I know,” I replied since he didn’t know about the notes I continued to receive from Selena. I knew I would have to tell him eventually but I didn’t want to risk him leaving me again. I don’t think I would live this time if he left; I would die from heartbreak. And after all his leaving hadn’t even worked. She’d still come for me.

We walked back to my car and he opened the passenger door for me. He exited the airport, expertly avoiding the traffic. If Jonathon ever needed a job he’d be a great professional driver.

“Do we have to go to school?” I whined, folding my arms over my chest and pouting my full lips. He chuckled his musical laugh.

“Yes, principessa. At least it’s almost over,” he said referring to graduation.

“Three more months is a lot,” I countered.

“Not when you’re a vampire. It feels like the blink of an eye,” he said somewhat morosely.

I instantly thought back to the months I had spent without him. It had been pure agony; not knowing when or if he was coming or even if he loved me. It was the worst thing I’ve ever been through. Worse than watching my own father be murdered. What felt like forever to me must not have felt that long to him? He must not have felt the agony that I felt.

I thought back to the night I had told Jonathon I didn’t want to be a vampire. That was the night he left; left to save me, to lead Selena away but I thought he left because I didn’t want to be a vampire, didn’t want to spend forever with him. We hadn’t talked much about my decision. I think he was hoping that if he ignored my conclusion then it would change. But it hadn’t and it wasn’t going to change. I wanted to talk to him about it; to let him know that it wasn’t about not wanting to be with him forever. Because nothing could be better than spending forever in his arms. My decision was because of Selena. I didn’t want to take the risk of dying during the transformation and Jonathon turning into what she’s become. True, I would die eventually but I figure if I live a long life that isn’t cut short then Jonathon would be more excepting of my decision because it would be my choice and not turn into the monster Selena has become.

When I finally came out of my own little world I found that we were already at school. I should have known we’d be here fast the way Jonathon drives.

He pulled out two pieces of paper and a pen from his pocket and expertly forged a note for himself and then one for me. He handed me my note. Tears pooled in my eyes.

“What?” he asked, panic written on his face.

“It looks exactly like my mom’s handwriting,” I said.

“Well, it’s supposed too,” he said giving me a ‘duh’ look.

“I know. But I haven’t seen her in forever and this just reminds me of how long it’s been,” I said tracing the letters that were an exact replica of her handwriting and then put the note in my pocket. He just nodded and came around the car to open the door for me.

He handed me my backpack and I put it on. We headed off for the entrance.

This school continues to amaze me. From the outside it looks like an old, crumbling, castle but on the inside it’s modern and light. It still has the stone walls but everything else looks like something out of a magazine for posh homes. The modern desks and chairs looked more like a work of art than something to sit in and doodle on.

I followed Jonathon down the left corridor to the main office. He tapped on the closed glass window startling the gray-haired lady behind it. She jumped and turned around; sliding open the glass window with a motherly smile on her face, “Yes?” she said in a pleasant, even, tone.

He spoke in rapid fluent Italian, handing her his note, and then motioning for me to do the same. “Thank you,” I said as she took the note, with a smile and nod. We walked back down the hallway, turning right at the fork. We looped around the building towards the back; Jonathon went his separate way, to his second period class, giving me a quick peck on the cheek before leaving me. I watched his retreating back. His pale blue shirt stretched teasingly over his muscles, only hinting at what lie beneath, his jeans hung sexily on his waist, and his blond hair gleamed like golden honey in the fluorescent lights. He couldn’t possibly be mine.

I tore my gaze, somewhat morosely, from him and headed into my science class that I shared with Isaac. I wondered how that would go.

I handed Ms. Cappet my tardy slip and took my seat next to Isaac who was looking an unhealthy shade of purple. “Are you okay?” I asked him as I put my backpack on the ground and sat down.

“The better question is are you okay? Where have you been?” he asked in a demanding, possessive voice. I was taken aback. His eyes roamed my body but not in a way like he was checking me out but more like he was checking to make sure that a single hair wasn’t out of place.

“Excuse me? That is none of your business to begin with. But if you must know, my brothers flew in from college for my birthday, and I was taking them to the airport,” I said as the purplish color in his face finally faded back to normal and then to red with embarrassment at my harsh, accusatory tone.

“I’m sorry. I just jumped to conclusions. I was imagining all sorts of bad scenarios. I was going crazy thinking something bad happened and I was stuck here and couldn’t save you,” he whispered, rambling so fast that I barely understood what he was saying.

“Why would you think something bad happened to me?” I asked, puzzled. Then I said, “I don’t need saving anyway. I’m not some weakling,” all though that wasn’t quite true. Selena had gotten the jump at me at the Holiday Dance I had attended with Isaac. He never had said anything about my disappearing act so I figured he thought I left and stood him up. At least he was still my friends because it wasn’t like I could tell him the truth. He ducked his head and muttered something unintelligible under his breath. I asked him to repeat his answer and I still didn’t catch what he said so I let it go.

The rest of the class Isaac wouldn’t talk to me or even look at me. When the bell rang he sprinted out the door. I grabbed up my bag and ran after him. In my hurry I ran past Jonathon, who wore a confused expression at the sight of me chasing Isaac down in the hallway, and I hollered, “I’ll see you in class,” over my shoulder so he wouldn’t follow me.

“Isaac,” I called as he speed walked farther away from me, his longer stride making it nearly impossible to catch up. “Sorry,” I mumbled to the girl I ran into, her expression irritated. “Isaac!” I said glancing around, for he was no longer in my sight. I turned in a circle looking for a hint of the blue that ran through his dark brown almost black hair.

He was gone.

I stormed off to my next class.

I sat down in my seat next to Jonathon but kept my eyes trained on the open classroom door. Isaac was in this class too.

The whole class passed without Isaac showing up