Finding Utopia *Monthly Update*

There I was flipping through A Man Named Dave, when I saw him. He was calling me with his eyes. As he walked to me it was like everyone disappeared. I could feel my heart racing as he inched closer. He bent over and picked up the book that had slipped from my hands. “Here you go,” he said. And that was it. I knew he was a vampire. His tone and his eyes were so dark yet so inviting. The way fear draws you to them is fatal. “Thanks,” I said snatching the book and quickly walking away. He followed me. “That wasn’t much of a thank you,” he snapped. Wow this one was hell bent on something. The cashier rung up my books as he asked, “What’s your name?” “That’s not important,” I said not looking at him. “That will be 32.49” the cashier proclaimed. I went for my wallet and before I pulled it out he gave her a fifty, “Keep the change.” “What are you doing,” I practically screamed. “Paying for it,” he shrugged grabbing my bag. “You don’t have to do this I have the money.” “I know,” he calmly said pulling me out the door. I snatched my arm and bag back as the people passing by stared at us. “What do you want?” I asked to scared to move. “Nothing,” he sighed. “Okay that’s a lie. I want to know your name.” “Why?” I whispered. He moved in closer to me and whispered, “Because I have to know who I’m about to take to dinner.” “To bad, I have to go,” I said practically running from him. “How about I take you home than,” he said grabbing my arm. “No,” I screamed knowing the last thing I needed, was to bring a vampire home to my mom. “Sorry I didn’t mean to offend you.” “Okay,” I said walking away with him still trailing me. It scared me to know he could go through all this trouble just for me. Why me? Who could this guy be, he seems so familiar. It seems like I’ve known him for years. No. Not, a chance in hell have I ever mate a vamp before. He’s evil and blood hunger, well thirsty; however you wanted to look at it. I just have to keep walking and stay with the crowed, I told myself. I saw Lulu setting with some guy and my heart jumped. “There you are,” she said turning towards me. “Yeah we have to go now,” I said. She could tell there was something wrong with me. She pulled me over to the side, he didn’t follow this time. “What’s wrong Nat,” she said worried. “That guy’s following me.” “I know he’s f-ing hot!” “You are so shallow,” I said as she violated him with her eyes. “What’s his name?” she asked sipping her java juice. “I don’t know and I don’t care!” “Why?” she asked dumbfounded. “Oh maybe it’s the fact that he’s a vamp!” I snapped. She looked at him again this time with her intuition, “OMG, he is a vampire. That is so cool,” she exclaimed. “Are you okay, a vamp’s after me!” I yelled. “We are witches if you hadn’t noticed. We’re trained enough to handle things if something goes wrong,” she shrugged. “What if we’re not?” I asked. “I dunno,” I said making a face to match. “We have to leave,” I said grabbing her arm. “No.” “What do you mean NO,” I screamed as she put her hand over my mouth and looked at all the people staring at us. “Shh, I mean let’s give him what he wants and see if it makes him go away… come on,” she said pulling me back to our table, where he was talking with his friend. “You two know each other?” “Yeah,” his friend said with a warm smile. We sat there side by side, with me wedged in-between him and Lulu. “So can we get some names here?” Lulu asked like an investigator. The friend laughed again, so did she. “I’m Lucas and this is Trenton.” “Well, I’m Luna and this is Natalie,” she said noggin her head towards me as if she could mean someone else. I still couldn’t figure out why she gave them our real names in the first place. “Natalie,” Trenton said with the sweetest look in his eyes. “Natalie,” I repeated. “Well let’s go somewhere private where we can talk?” Luna asked as I glared at her. “How about dinner,” Lucas said. What’s with these vamps and trying to feed us? Maybe they want to fatten us up before they drink our blood to make it thicker and more filling like the witch in Hansel and Gretel. “Sure why not,” Luna said staring at me staring at Trenton. We drove over to an Indian restaurant and the whole ride there all I could do was mindlessly stare at him. Every thought vanished, and everyone disappeared. My heart raced, as his smile widened. Why did I let her talk me into this? I asked myself. “So, me and Nat were wondering are you two vampires by any chance?” she asked after the waiter took our order. I couldn’t believe she asked them that. Judging by the looks on their faces neither had they. Sometimes she’s just a little too honest and direct. “Yes, we’re vamps,” Lucas said interrupting my thoughts. “For real,” she said raising an eyebrow. “For real,” Lucas confirmed. “Totally cool,” they both grinned at her comment. “I have to go,” I said feeling really uncomfortable. “No you don’t,” Luna said holding my hand and rolling her eyes. I still left the table and Trenton followed me, “What’s wrong?” he asked grabbing my wrist and making me face him. “You’re a vampire,” I somehow managed to whisper. “You’re incredibly judgmental and I’m not complaining,” he said smiling his sweet warming smile. “How can you say that about me, you don’t know me,” I said not amused. “You don’t know me either,” he said making me see his point. “Now will you stop worrying about what I am and come eat?” he asked smiling down at me. “I can’t,” I said looking at the ground. He brushed his fingers through my hair and it felt so good. It was like he eased every doubt and every worry just melted away. All I wanted was for him to touch me again. No, that’s how he’ll laurel you to your death. Be strong don’t give in, I thought to myself. “Come back,” he said wrapping his arm around my waist and leading me back to the table. We got half way there and I started to pull away, “Please stay,” he said rubbing my cheek. I wanted to. I couldn’t help but want to. I had to say yes to make that anguished look in his eyes disappear. You have to be strong. It’s how they trick you. He’ll make you think you need him then he’ll over power you. The little voice in my head screamed, but somehow I knew it wasn’t true. I think that scared me most. “Look, if you think we’re that bad why are you willing to leave your friend with us,” he said rubbing my shoulder and looking into my eyes. I knew he was right. I couldn’t leave Luna, but I knew she would never give this up. A chanced to meet real vamps, no way. She would never leave if she had her way. Luna didn’t feel any real danger. Now that I was come I don’t either. My heart rate drop and I could see relief in his eyes. “So you’ll stay?” he asked on the edge of his seat. “Fine,” I heard the word and felt it “fine”. He hugged me tight, and I could tell he knew I was ready to run. He hugged me like he was afraid to let me go. Then I looked around and noticed everyone was magical, pixies, witches, ghouls, and leprechauns. “Where are we?” I asked looking around. He looked around at what I saw and smiled a proud smile, “My home, Utopia.”