The Black Velvet Rose: Ch.3 - An Unforgiveable Attraction

    The next morning, Tristan woke up in his basement. He was laying next to Vanessa, who was sound asleep. "Shit.." Tristan sighed, grabbing his pants. Vanessa woke up and smiled, "Good morning to you too." "I'm glad you're smiling.." He muttered, reaching for his shirt. "Satisfied would be the word I'd use." Vanessa stated, calmly sitting up. "Shut up..." Tristan grumbled, "Last night... was nothing." Vanessa rolled her eyes and sighed, "Fine. whatever." "It was a mistake Vanessa, it shouldnt have happened." He reasoned. She shrugged, "But it did and it was amazing, right?" Tristan shook his head and put his shirt on. "I have proof you felt as good as I did..." She whispered, letting the blanket fall from her bare skin, revealing all the bite marks on her neck and collarbone. Tristan threw her clothes at her.

  "I'm taking a shower," He stated, "And no , you may not join me." Vanessa watched as Tristan walked upstairs, not even looking at her. She threw the blanket off and started getting dressed. Tristan braced himself against the shower wall as the hot water washed over him. He glanced at the mirror and saw nail marks tracing down his back. Looking away, he washed his hair, trying to ignore the flashbacks from the night before.

   After his shower, he put on some jeans and opened the bathroom door. Giggling was heard coming from Brandon's room. Tristan peeked around the corner and saw Vanessa tickling him, trying to get him to get up. Brandon laughed and held her hands, "C'mon, knock it off." "Aren't you guys real cute?" Tristan sarcastically asked, leaning against the door frame. "What?" Brandon sat up, "Nothing's going on, she was just messing around..." Tristan shrugged, "It doesn't matter, her and I aren't together." Looking at Vanessa, he smiled and walked away.

   "Kieth," Tristan greeted his friends voicemail, "I need to get out of here, meet me at the spot." He raised his hood, put on his sunglasses and opened the front door. "Tristan..." Vanessa calmly called after him. He looked back at her, expecting some pity trick. Instead, she was staring outside, memorized by the hot sunlight that was past the shade of the porch awning.  "They said the sun is the hottest it's ever been today... you shouldn't go out there." She explained, looking at him. Tristan sighed, "Vanessa, clearly you got the wrong idea from last night... we're not together. I'm not your problem." She frowned and glanced outside again, "That's fine... just don't go, not yet." "You two have fun." He nodded, watching Brandon enter the hallway. He closed the door behind him and his hands retracted into his sleeves.  "What's his deal today?" Brandon asked, "He's acting wierd..." Vanessa shrugged, "I'm not sure." She watched out the window as Tristan got into his car and backed out of the driveway.

   Tristan gripped the steering wheel as he sped down the street towards an abandoned building. He glanced in the rearview mirror. 'Why do I feel this way?' He thought to himself, 'It meant nothing. She means nothing to me.' 

  "Tristan." Kieth greeted as Tristan appeared in the empty room. "Sup, man?" Tristan casually greeted, shaking his hand. Kieth shrugged, "Not much, you needed to see me?"  "Yeah," Tristan rubbed his neck, "What happened last night?" Kieth laughed, "You mean, you don't remember anything? I didn't even see you take a drink last night..." Tristan nodded, "That's the thing, I didn't drink anything and yet I don't remember much.. besides the obvious." "What?" Kieth grinned, "That you got some from one of the hottest girls in school?"  Tristan sighed, sitting on a torn, ragged couch, "Yeah... about that.. you know her and I aren't together, right?" Kieth sat across from him, "Really? She was watching you all night." "She was?" Tristan asked, an alarm going off in his head. Kieth nodded, "Yeah, that's why I thought you two were together.. when you walked off with Kayla she immediatly started to follow you two." "Well we're not together.. and she doesn't need to follow me when I talk to other girls." Tristan grumbled. Kieth shrugged, "You know how girls are... guys are the same actually - we're all a little territorial sometimes." "Yeah?" Tristan rose, "Thing is.. we're not dating so we have no reason to be teritorial." He thought of how he reacted to seeing Vanessa flirting with Brandon. "I have to go..." Tristan muttered, "I have to figure some things out." Kieth sighed, "Okay man, good luck. Hey, there's another party next Friday, you game?" Tristan nodded, raising his hood again.

   Vanessa sat on the couch downstairs, staring at the floor. Her hands nervously shook and she sighed, trying to cool her nerves. The door opened and Tristan jogged down the stairs. He paused when he saw Vanessa, "You're still here?" She rose, clearly shooken up. "Yeah, it's a little hot out and you weren't back yet.. I'll leave when it cools off." She explained. Tristan shrugged, secretly fighting the urge to tackle her where she stood. "Why were you watching me last night?" He casually asked, looking at her. "Watching you?" Vanessa repeated innocently. Tristen nodded, "When I was with Kayla...Kieth said you were watching me." "Oh," She shrugged, " You were the only person I knew there." 'Lie.' He thought to himself, but he changed the subject. "Why are you shaking?" Tristan walked closer. Vanessa cleared her throat, "In all honesty... I was worried about you. You take huge risks going into the sun like that." 'Truth.' He thought , walking even closer. "Why do you worry about me?" He whispered, slightly grasping her chin. Vanessa sighed, "I'm not sure...Tristan, ever since we met... it's like I'm drawn to you...do you know what the legend is about that kind of attraction?" He shook his head, leaning into her neck, "Tell me..." His fangs extended. Vanessa knew what was coming and she moved her head to one side, closing her eyes,"It means... we were destined to meet... we're eachother's pair."  Tristan bit down into her skin and heard a gasp escape her mouth. She held the back of his head and he lowered her onto the couch.

 Kayla's eyes widened and she slowly walked back up the stairs. Brandon looked up, "Is he not down there?" She shook her head, "Nope, I'll just catch him later."  Trying to remain calm, she slowly exited the house. When she was far enough away, she started to run. Flashes of the night of the party played in her head. Tristan - almost bit her. Scary truth is... she  asked him to.