Saint Laurent's Most Eligible Vampires

Alejandro's Bites After Dark

     I must have flipped through several channels trying to find something to watch. I found a new series to watch last night called My Mate My Life, but I already binge-watched all the episodes available. I can’t wait for the next one to see if Alpha Michael and his mate have a baby together.

I tried googling the show but found nothing. It must be another campus program. They are very talented here at putting on such great shows.

A light tapping sounded at the door, and I sat the remote control down on the couch. When I looked through the peephole, I saw Mitch and Shawna standing there.

Opening the door, I said, “I’m glad you guys are here; there is literally nothing on TV tonight,”

Mitch exchanged a look with Shawna before saying, “Johnnys doing an interview for the show tonight,”

“He never told me,” I shrugged. I haven’t seen him in a few days either. I trudged back towards the couch and sat down.

Mitch and Shawna followed. Mitch grabbed the control off the couch, “It doesn’t come o for another fifteen minutes,”

“I still can’t believe you already have campus TV,” Shawna said.

“Have you been watching it?” Mitch kicked his feet up on the ottoman and relaxed.

“I found this really great show about Werewolves. An Alpha falls in love with his mate. I’m waiting on the next episode, though,” I said.

“That’s a good one. That’s Michael; he goes to school here. They release new episodes on Saturdays,” Shawna said.

“This school has some talented actors. The makeup team is superb. He looks so realistic when he turns in to his wolf form,” I said. I didn’t hurt that he’s nice looking too.

“Do you believe in all that stuff?” Mitch asked, a serious look on his round face.

“Not in Werewolves, but I believe in magic,” I shrugged.

Mitch and Shawna exchanged a look before Shawna said, “Can you keep a secret?”

“Of course I can,” I leaned forward, curious to hear their secret.

“We are both witches,” Shawna whispered.

I waved my hands as if to say no big deal, “I have a friend back home who studies magic,”

Mitch exhaled the breath he was holding and said, “Can they do this?” the candle on the table suddenly lit up with a small flame,

I gasped in disbelief, “No, she can’t do that. Where did you learn that?”

“I learned that at a young age from my mother,” he grinned.

“You can come to watch our coven as a guest someday, but I have to get permission first,” Shawna said excitedly.

“You guys are in a Coven?” I asked. I have heard of Covens Miranda once joined a circle for Samhain.

“Yes, it’s not what you think,” she quickly said.

“I don’t think anything bad about it,” I smiled at her.

“Good. We wanted you to know who we truly are,” Mitch said.

“Believing in magic and witches is one thing. History says they exist, but Werewolves and Vampires,” I laughed, “Are entirely different,”

“There are so many shows out about Vampires. They are really popular right now,” Shawna said.

She’s right too. Vampires are all the rage on regular tv and campus tv, it seems, “I was watching tv and saw they are doing a fake Vampire dating show,” I laughed.

The two exchange glances again, and I wonder what they have to tell me this time. It’s Shawna who speaks up this time, “Well, That’s the show you’re on. I guess Johnny will play the role as Vampire,” she laughs.

“You can’t be serious?” I asked, thinking they must be pulling my leg. When I think back to the women on the show, I recognize the one now. It’s Bell, “This is crazy, and I’m not even getting paid,” I laugh.

“I think you get paid per episode plus your tuition here,” Shawna said.

I’d have to check out my contract later to see, but a voice on TV caught my attention. It’s Johnny.

“Welcome to your first edition of Alejandro's Bites After Dark,” A dark, handsome man who looked to be about thirty or so said on TV.

“Thanks, Alejandro, I’m excited,” Johnny said.

“He looks nervous,” Shawna said.

“Shh, let’s just watch,” Mitch whispered.

“So five lovely ladies all here for you. Now, Friday, we will get a sneak peek into the girls as we learn more about them, but you’ve met them all right?” The host Alejandro said.

“Yes, I’m told this year we are doing it a little differently than last season. I have spent some time with the girls ahead of the taping,” Johnny said.

“Yes, I hear many things are different this year. Can you tell the audience how it will work?” The host said.

“The premise is that I’m a Vampire,” Johnny began,

“Shocking, right?” Alejandro laughed.

“Why not Vampires are all the rage right now,”

“He handled that well,” Mitch said.

“He’s a boss,” Shawna laughed. I rolled my eyes at them and glued them back to the tv.

“So let’s break down how a week works on the show,” Alejandro said.

“We will have a group outing, competition, and then two weekly dates somewhere in there,” Johnny explained. The audience cheered.

“I imagine the girls finding out your a Vampire will come into play at some point?” Alejandro said.

“I’m sure it will,” Johnny said, not expanding on it more, making the host change gears.

“Now, I’ve been given some photos in advance to share with the audience. Take a look behind me,” he pointed to the big screen behind him. Johnny, I have a note here of your one-word description for each girl. When I put their photos up, I will read it to the audience,”

Johnny nodded his head, “Oh boy,” he rubbed his hands nervously on his pants.

“No need to be nervous none of the girls will see this episode until much later,” Alejandro winked.

I laughed as I sat watching it right now, “I guess he’s wrong,” I said.

Shawna and Mitch’s eyes are on the screen as they await Johnny’s reply.

“Sorry, I’m told it’s time for a commercial. We will be right back with Prince Johnny Laurent,”

“He called him Prince,” I laughed so hard I nearly fell over.

“Alejandro just calls him that because his family founded the school,” Shawna waved her hands as if it’s no big deal.

“Who cares what he calls him. What do you think he will say to describe you?” Mitch asked, leaning forward now.

I’m not sure what he will say. I honestly don’t know how I even feel about Johnny, let alone what he will say about me, “How about some popcorn,” I stood up and walked into the kitchenette.

I pulled out a bag of popcorn and popped it into the microwave.

“Nice try, Lina,” Mitch said.

“Leave her alone, Mitch; this can’t be easy on her,”

“What’s hard about dating a hot guy,” Mitch asked.

“Finding out four other girls are dating him,” Shawna said.

The microwave beeped, and I grabbed out the steaming back of popcorn. I took a bowl from the cabinet and poured it inside. I made it back to the couch just in time as the show came back on, “Popcorn,” I said.

They both shrugged their shoulders and grabbed a handful.

“Welcome back. We are here with Johnny Laurent, your next Vampire Bachelor. The first girl we will discuss is Sasha Brokov. Now without going into too much detail here, the word you used to describe her is Ambitious,” Alejandro said as a picture of Sasha and Johnny laughing together came across the screen.

“That’s correct. She goes after what she wants,” Johnny said.

“And you’re hoping that’s you,” Alejandro said. He then flipped the card in his hand to the next one, “Now we got Savanah,” A picture once again crosses the screen. This time of Johnny and Savanah Stiles. They’re sitting on a bench together, talking. “The word you used to describe her is fierce,”

“Yes, she’s the kind of girl who strikes me of protective of those she cares for and not afraid to take a stand,” Johnny said.

“Sounds like you’re hoping she may take a stand with you. On to the third girl, we have Lucy Hale, and the word you used for her is good. What do you mean by that? Aren’t you a bad boy?” Alejandro teased him.

The picture of Lucy is of her shaking Johnny’s hands with a smile on her face.

“Yes, she’s got a good heart and does a lot of charity work,” Johnny smiled.

“You guys could do charity work together,” Alejandro said. The audience cheered, “Next up is Briana Anka. You described her as Ambitious as well,”

“Yes, she also goes after what she wants. She lets nothing stand in her way,” Johnny laughs.

“Sounds like two ambitious girls, maybe a handful, but only one can win. I predict some catfights,” Alejandro laughed as he flipped the next card. I took a deep breath. This next one must be me.

“You’re the last one left,” Shawna grabbed my hand and squeezed. She seemed just as nervous as me.

“I want to say first I debated which photo to show here, but the audience deserves it, so please look behind me at the final girl. Her name is Lina Shope,” Alejandro said.

The audience oohed and ahhed, and I wished they would hurry up and put the photo up.

“I see,” Johnny said as he smiled up to the photo I’m dying to see.

“Now, interestingly, you described this one as Genuine. Why is that?” Alejandro said.

Out of all the words, he could describe me as he chose that one. I’m not sure how I feel about it. It’s not like it’s terrible or anything.

Johnny rested his hand on his chin in thought a moment before saying, “This one will become more clear in the longer explanations I give that will air down the line. For now, I will say everything about her is real and her. Her hopes and dreams are her own,” Johnny said.

They finally zoom into the photo, and I gasp. It’s Johnny and I standing in front of the bay window. Our faces are inches apart. We are about to kiss. How did they get that?

“Stay tuned next time to get a closer in-depth introduction of the girls,” Mitch turned off the tv.

“How did they get that picture?” I began frantically looking around for a camera.

“You guys kissed?” Shawna squealed.

“Shawna, I think Lina is more worried that she’s being filmed in her own room. Let’s help her find the camera,” Mitch rolled his eyes at Shawna.

After searching everywhere in the bedroom, I called Johnny. He answered on the second ring.

“I want this camera out of my room now!” I said and hung up the phone.

“I guess we should go,” Shawna said.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Mitch sat back down on the couch.

“Do you want us to leave?” Shawna asked me.

“Please stay,” I asked. I didn’t want to be alone with Johnny, not after he invaded my privacy that way.

A few minutes later, I hear a knock at the door. I swung the door open, and Johnny stepped nervously inside, sensing my mood.

“You watched the show,” he stated.

“Damn right I did now; where is the camera?” I put my hands on my hips and fixed my gaze on him.

“Lina, when you moved in, we removed them,” He said.

“You used me and played with my emotions. You did it all for some tv show to get that picture!” I shouted.

“Calm down, it’s not what you think. This used to be my room. I had cameras from when I traveled, but I had them remove them the day you moved in. The footage cuts off right when I leave,” Johnny tried to calm me down.

“How do you know?” I asked him.

“They couldn’t use the footage from when we first met because of your parents being in it. Laws and things, so they found footage from here. My Aunt showed it to me, and it cuts off. I ordered security to cut it. While you were at dinner, they came in and removed the cameras, I swear. The only camera that was still filming then was the window cam. It was somehow still filming after I returned home last year,”

“What if they saw me get dressed,” I plopped down on the couch.

“Lina, there is literally only a small amount recorded of us. It shows us in front of the window and the kiss. I texted them to be sure they cut all cameras before we entered the apartment. Security went down to the film room and turned it off. At dinner, they came in and took out the cameras. You can ask Bella to show you the footage. She is airing it this weekend,” Johnny sat next to me and rested his icy hand on mine.

Maybe I’m overreacting. I mean, the important thing is they removed it. I believe him, “I’m sorry I overreacted,” I said.

“I understand I would have told you, but I just found out myself recently. I didn’t expect him to put that picture up. I’m not supposed to be around any of you anymore until we start the show,” His eyes graze over me, and I wish I knew what he’s thinking about as he looks at me that way.

“I’m sorry you should go. I don’t want you to get in trouble,” I said.

“What did you think about the show? Did you watch all of it?” he asked.

“You did great. I watched all of it,” I told him.

For a moment, we sat there lost in each other’s eyes. I almost forgot Mitch and Shawna are in the room.

“I should go now,” He broke the gaze and stood up hesitantly and walked to the door. I followed behind him.

“I hope you have a good night and I’ll see you soon,” I said.

“Lina,” he leaned in, his lips gently pressed to mine. I fought the urge to wrap my arms around him and deepen the kiss, “I’m sorry I couldn’t help it. Have a good evening Lina,” he pulled away from me.

I watched as he walked down the hallway, mesmerized by the kiss he just gave me. I thought my plan is to get kicked off the show, but now I’m not sure.