Total pages in book: 123
Estimated words: 116220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116220 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 581(@200wpm)___ 465(@250wpm)___ 387(@300wpm)
“Can you move really fast? You’re stronger than you look, I know that much. You pinned me to that tree in the graveyard as if you had the strength of the whole wrestling team.”
Is this what the rest of our friendship is going to be now? Twenty questions? I think you reached twenty, twenty questions ago.
“I wondered all day how you got to my house last night. I didn’t see a car or a bike. It was late, too. Do you even sleep?”
Of course I sleep. But I must hang upside-down like a bat, so as to keep my slender figure and uplifted, youthful cheekbones.
“Really?”
No. Yes. No. Yes. Does it matter? Of course I’m joking, hanging upside-down isn’t good for anyone’s anything. Bell is about to ring. Tristan gathered his things from the seat next to him. What do you think they’re serving for lunch? I can’t wait to see which shape they chose to squish the mystery meat into today.
“I never see you eat at lunch. Does that mean you’re, like, drinking blood at home or something? And whose blood?”
Enough questions. Tristan stood up to leave.
Kyle sighed. “C’mon, I’m just curious.”
You should be careful. Curiosity kills cats, and I heard you’re one big lion.
“Please …?”
Tristan stopped at the foot of the bleachers, back turned. His voice came softer. My secret wasn’t the only thing I confessed to you last night, you know.
Kyle froze. “Oh. I … didn’t mean to ignore that. Of course I’ve thought about that, too. I mean, I was just curious about—”
I avoid blood at all costs.
Kyle wondered for a moment all the things Tristan might have omitted from that deceivingly simple sentence. “So … so you’ve … you’ve had it before?”
I can survive on normal food. I don’t need much, just a bit in the morning, a morsel late at night.
“Why do you avoid blood?”
Because I believe drinking blood hastens the transformation, and I will do everything in my power to never become one of Them.
Kyle came down from the bleachers and stood in front of Tristan. “Really? But last night …”
I’d rather forget last night, suddenly.
“… you licked my neck … where I cut myself. You licked it and looked so …” Kyle searched for the word. “… satisfied.”
Tristan averted his gaze. It was just … simply the taste of it. The idea of it. Like … a faded memory of the last time I bit my own tongue, perhaps. I didn’t taste any real blood, it was just a scab, your salty skin, nothing. Perhaps I simply wanted an excuse to lick you, I’m a horny bastard forever, I don’t know. It excited me. Even if there was no blood. Hmm, I guess you heal fast. Congratulations.
“What happens when you taste real blood?”
The bell rang.
Tristan turned to Kyle at once, and when their eyes met, all of Kyle’s questions were swallowed away. Tristan took hold of Kyle and brought his face really close, within inches. Tristan’s lips parted, eyes seeming to shine with a beautiful intensity.
Tristan drew in a single breath.
Kyle lifted his eyebrows, anticipating something.
Then Tristan brought his lips to Kyle’s forehead, where he put a soft kiss. Kyle’s heart drummed away. He didn’t care if Tristan could hear it. Maybe Tristan knew the truth already, that his feelings were returned. Tristan must have known that Kyle was excited to be near him, that he craved his attention, his affection, their bond, always. Surely Tristan was just being gracious enough to wait for Kyle to be ready to say it.
Please do me a favor, if you do anything for me at all.
Kyle could barely breathe as Tristan’s eyes bore into his.
Keep me human. Tristan’s face tightened. For as long as you possibly can. I beg you. Help keep me human, like you.
Kyle swallowed, unsure what to say.
Then Tristan turned and left the gymnasium. Opening the doors, the noise of the crowded hallway spilled in, then faded as they slowly swung shut, leaving Kyle alone.
At practice, Kyle had several chances to catch the ball and fumbled each time. Every minute seemed to crawl. He grew heavier and heavier under the afternoon sun, as if he acquired a kind of sun allergy of his own. In the locker room afterwards, he felt like his limbs had no strength even as he tugged off his clothes, grabbed a towel, and headed for the showers.
It was amid the steam and noise of running water he heard the boys talking.
He turned when he caught Tristan’s name.
“Wait, what?” Kyle interjected.
It was two of his teammates. “Brock, he’s got a plan how to deal with the freak, an idea.” “It’s gonna be big,” said the other with a snorting cackle. “Dude, I can’t wait. Brock’s gonna show that motherfucker, he’s gonna regret being born.”
The news was distressing to Kyle. “Didn’t Brock get over it by now? I thought he moved on.”