The Divinity Saga: Part I

Snowed Out

“Are you going home or are you coming over to Rayleigh's?” Chrissy asked Ava.

"Uh T?" She waited for Atia to answer. 

"I really want to, but we should get home. I have a lot of homework." She lied. 

“Take them home first.” I shouted to Dave. “3483 Sunset drive.” 

“Yes Ms. Rayleigh.” He shouted back.

“Thank you!” Ava smiled.

“So here’s the plan” I started. “Nana thinks Atia and Chrissy are coming home with me, but I'll tell her you'll be there in the morning. So please come in the morning." I smiled. 

"Of course." She nodded.

"Oh, I hope Nana cooked." Chrissy interrupted.

“Ava you’re more than welcome to come over if you don’t have plans with Clayton.” I invited her. "Speaking of that, call him. Don't wait for him to call you. You know Clayton loves you, but sometimes you gotta make the first move." I advised.

“Thank you Rayleigh.” She smiled, “I'll definitely be over tomorrow.” 

“We're here.” Dave said as he parked the car and got out to open the door for Ava and Atia. 

"Bye." Chrissy said sadly as she hugged Ava and reached over me to hug Atia. 

Dave walked back over to the driver side and got in the car, I saw him pull out his phone to make a call.

Atia climbed out and I followed as Ava ran to her front door shivering. 

“Thanks Dave” She shouted from inside her house, she slammed her door. 

“So tomorrow?” I asked her as I leaned against the truck.

“Bright and early.” She promised. 

I was so nervous, I don’t know what it was about her that made me get this way. Maybe it was her smile, or the way her heart would beat when she saw me. She didn’t show it on the outside but I knew she was just excited as I was.

I pulled her in for a kiss. The way her lips felt against mine was like heaven. She was so gentle and passionate. I liked her so much, I couldn’t wait to see what being in love was like. I wasn’t in a rush, but I was anxious to love her. 

“Hurry up, I have to pee!” Chrissy yelled out the window interrupting our kiss.

“Coming.” I said still dazed by the moment we shared. 

Today was so chaotic, but this moment made it all worth it. 

“Text me.” I smiled as I climbed in the car. Before I could turn around to watch her leave she was in already inside. 

“Sorry Ms. Rayleigh” Dave apologized as we drove off. “I was on the phone with your Nana.” 

“Its fine Dave.” I smiled, thinking about Atia. “What did she say?”

“She just wanted to check in on us.” He smiled at me through the rearview mirror.

“Oh okay.” I smiled back. 

“Ray, I think you’re in love.” Chrissy teased. 

"What?" I asked caught off guard by her confident grin. “I’m not in love, I don’t even know what love is.” I admitted.

"I can tell you." She sat up in her seat, “It’s like, being with someone and never wanting to leave them. Spending all day in their arms and the minute they get up to pee its the worst feeling ever. Which is completely insane because you know they are just down the hall and they're coming right back but you're still sad they’re gone. Being in love is having butterflies fill your stomach whenever you see that person. It's longing to hear their voice and your heart skipping a beat once you do. It's that dazed feeling you get after they kiss you. When you can't find a single flaw about them because they couldn't be more perfect to you. It's about the feeling of wanting to spend the rest of your life with that person and intending to." 

 As she explained the feeling, I was checking off the things I felt about Atia. I wasn’t in love with her was I? Was I too young and was she too perfect for me? Maybe this was meant to be. Out of all of this chaos was this supposed to happen? Did I receive immortality so that I could find the one that I not only could spend my life with, but who I would spend forever with? 

We pulled up to my house and Dave opened the door. Chrissy pushed past me and ran out. She wanted to get in the house as fast as she could and I was in no rush to leave my thoughts.

“Thanks Dave.” I hugged him as I got out the car and walked to my doorstep. 

“Nana” I yelled as I opened the front door and walked in. 

“In here.” She shouted back. 

I walked in the kitchen where she stood cooking. 

“Smells great” I lied. 

I knew normal vampires probably ate human food too, but I just didn’t have the appetite for it. I only wanted one thing. 

“What is it?” Chrissy asked walking in the kitchen.

“Well, you know I let always Chef Barnett leave for the holidays to be with his family and this time he left me a fancy cookbook.” She handed it to me. “I was looking through it and decided I should make you girls a warm meal for all that you been through today. I called the grocery store and had them deliver the ingredients.” She smiled. 

“They deliver in a snowstorm?” Chrissy asked grabbing an apple off of the counter. 

“I know it was horrible for me to do in this weather. Poor boy was practically shivering out of his skin.” She giggled embarrassed. “I had too much time on my hands, book club was cancelled today and I was just bored.” She frowned. 

“Where’s Atia?” she asked concerned.

“She will be here in the morning, she had to go home and take care of homework.” I promised.

“Aw, okay.” She said disappointed.

“So what exactly that you had a poor boy delivery boy bring us?” I teased.

“I gave him a big tip, he was happy about that.” She added. “But I’m making chicken risotto, with basil prosciutto, goat cheese roulade with lemon.” 

“So, chicken with seasoning, lemon juice, and cheese?” I laughed.

“Pretty much” She laughed back.

“Sounds great, I’m starving. We haven’t ate all day.” Chrissy whined. 

“I’m not.” I mumbled under my breath. 

“You’re not?” Nana asked sadly.

“No, not really.” I admitted.

“Rayleigh I’m so sorry, I completely forgot that you didn’t eat meat.  I was so caught up in making this meal that I forgot mi niña needed to eat. I will go fix you up something right now.” She said walking over to the fridge.

Truthfully, I was perfectly content. I was full and my mind was completely clear. I could feel myself in control and wanted to take full advantage of my few hours of feeling this way. 

“No it's okay really.” I smiled.

“Please Rayleigh.” She smiled. 

“Okay. Just don’t go out of your way please." I sighed.

 I didn’t argue because I knew Nana would never let me skip a meal. She was probably going to make me my favorite cheesy broccoli noodles. For some reason that did sound good. 

Nana walked over to the cabinets, stood on stepping stool and grabbed things to set the table with.

“I’ll do it.” Chrissy offered.

“No, it's okay. I want to, you girls had a long day. Go change into something comfortable and come down for dinner.” She ordered nicely.

We headed upstairs and into my room.

“You have stuff in my closet.” I said to Chrissy as I got undressed.

 I suddenly wasn’t shy of my body anymore. I walked proudly to my closet and looked for something to wear. 

“Rayleigh.” Chrissy said shocked. 

“Yeah?” I asked grabbing sweats and a big shirt out of my closet, and bringing Chrissy out the same.

“You look hot. I haven’t seen your body since like 3rd grade and now, your body is perfect. It’s like you went from cabbage patch doll to Barbie doll.” She said astounded. 

“Gee, thanks.” I rolled my eyes. 

“Watch out Atia” She joked. 

“Shut up.” I laughed and threw clothes in her lap. 

“But my body is still better.” She smiled stripping.

“Not for long.” I rubbed her stomach playfully.

“Shut up.” She whined. "I still have some time."

We both got dressed and walked down stairs to the dining room.

“Rayleigh, I made you instant cheesy macaroni and broccoli. I hope that’s okay.” 

“That’s perfect.” I smiled. 

“Okay, I’m really sorry.” She said again. 

“Nana it's perfectly fine. I promise.” I assured her. 

“Okay.” She said as she as put food on her plate. 

I walked over and sat at my normal seat at the table, Chrissy sat at hers. 

My bowl of hot steaming pasta smelled good. I grabbed my spoon and dug in.

Chrissy piled food on her plate as if she hasn’t ate in years. I completely forgot she was eating for two now.

A loud sound came from upstairs distracting me from my food. 

“Did you guys hear that?” I asked suspiciously. 

“No?” Chrissy said confused.

“Hear what?” Nana asked.

“Nothing, never mind.” I said remembering that their senses weren’t as strong as mine, what was loud to me was almost silent to them.

“So girls.” Nana said making conversation. “I had a dream last night that someone close to the family was carrying. Weird huh?”

Chrissy choked on her bite of food. 

“Are you okay Christina?” Nana asked concerned.

“I’m fine.” She said grabbing her cup of water and taking a sip. 

I giggled as Chrissy gave me a rude stare. 

For some reason Nana always had dreams like that, she knew when something was going to happen. I wish she could have given me a warning like that. I would have taken all precautions to prevent my death.

I continued to eat. Nana and Chrissy finally picked back up on conversation after their awkward silence, and decided to talk about the snow day. For Chrissy the day was boring and tiring, for me today was exciting and horrific. I argued with Atia, confronted Star, found out Chrissy was pregnant, Killed someone in the bathroom, and meeting the mystery boy I couldn't stop thinking about. I just wanted to forget the day happened, and focus in on the fact that I was possibly, no indefinitely in love with Atia. 

“Bedtime.” Nana yawned. “Maria will be here in the morning to clean, don’t worry about the dishes I know you girls have had a long day, and I am exhausted myself.” 

“Okay Nana.” I agreed. 

“Goodnight Nana.” Chrissy smiled.

“Goodnight girls, I love you.” She blew us a kiss each, and headed upstairs.

 I waited to hear her door close before speaking.

“You know Nana knows you’re pregnant right?” I asked her standing up and pushing my chair in. 

“You think?” She asked nervously.

“Yes, She’s weird like that.” I explained. 

“Well, good. Then I won’t have to tell her.” She smiled. "Or she'll tell my mom first." She gasped.

“Guess you'll have to wait and see." I smirked. "Lets go to bed.” I stretched and walked up my stairs as slow as possible. I felt like if I moved any faster, I would be in my room and in my bed getting comfortable while Chrissy was just getting up from the table. 

“Wait for me.” She whined as she walked up the stairs.

I walked into my room and turned on the light. The air was different in here. Like someone had been here. Someone that had a familiar smell to Atia. Another vampire.

I walked past my mirror and stopped.

"Watch your back." Was written in bright red lipstick. I quickly ran over to my door and locked it.

I heard Chrissy try to turn my door handle.

“Hey. That’s not funny. Unlock it!” She cried.

“Hold on. I’m n***d” I shouted as took my shirt off.

“So? I’m scared.” She banged on the door.

I pulled out my phone and took a picture of the message left for me and sent it to Atia. I quickly erased the mirror with the shirt was wearing, threw it in my dirty clothes and walked over my door and unlocked it. 

“Jerk.” She said as she flung the door open with tears in her eyes. 

“Sorry.” I smiled as I walked over to my bed to lay down.

 I took off my sweats and folded them neatly on the floor. I looked down at my bong, I missed smoking. It kept me sane from all the things I had to deal with on a daily basis, the things that seemed so minor to me now. I don’t need to smoke anymore, I had a new d**g. Atia Pierce was her name.

I laid down and got under my blankets, and cuddled up with my body pillow wishing it was Atia. 

I really wanted to sleep in the dark, but Chrissy was over I knew she would never let that happen. She would go tell Nana on me if it came down to it. 

Tonight I wouldn’t have to force myself to sleep, I was exhausted. I closed my eyes and fell asleep within seconds.