Caught Between Two Second Chance Loves

Chapter 2 - I'm sorry.

Luci looked up over at Henry, his chin resting on his hand as he stared at her, as if it was the first time he's ever seen her. Again. It never changed with him. He was sweet, but the past remained the same.

Luci loved her freedom more than anything. After years of having to be under someone else, be their slave, it was time for Luci to be herself. Too many times, she gave into people's expectations and did what they wanted so she could be safe or hide away.

Henry always wanted to protect her, be her prince charming or knight in shining armor. But she wasn't like that, or at least she didn't want that.

"Your order." Agatha, the eldest sister to Cass and Bernice, laid a tray down in front of them both. Her dark black hair was pulled into a bun. Her outfit was green and black. It was then after she left, Luci noticed Henry had been staring at her the entire time. And she was staring back without realizing it.

"Uh, so, what are these 'treats' you got us?" She turned her gaze to the tray in front of them.

"Oh yes, um, my father, and I came up with a way for our kind to get a small dose of blood without draining frozen meat or anything until we can feed.” He smiled then took a large bite out of the pastry like treat. Red colored filling oozed out slowly, like a jelly filling. Some smeared on his face, and on impulse, Luci wiped it away.

Henry smirked at her.

"Sorry, it just happened." She said as she looked away.“Was it sourced…humanely?” Scared to know the answer, Luci poked at the treat as she sipped on her drink.

“I know my father can be a bit of a brute, but yes. I forced him to source it appropriately and not to harm humans.” His voice was a bit rough, but he finished his treat and downed it with his drink. “May I remind you that we own nearly 75% of all the blood banks?” He smirked.

“Oh I know,” Luci rolled her eyes. His father was one of the many reasons blood banks were expensive for vampires to get their fill of good blood. He'd rather his own kind go on a rampage and eat humans, but he also knew how dangerous that is. Mostly, he would sell the blood that was about to expire to desperate vampires, still pricey but not as much as blood that was fresh. Changing the subject, “What are you doing this semester anyway? I thought you finished your degree.” She took a bite out of the treat. It was surprisingly delicious, tasting like a strawberry shortcake.

“Oh, I can’t bear the idea of having to leave my little Luci all alone here. Especially since I had just caught up to you.” He smirked again, his eyes staring into hers as he watched her eat. She rolled her eyes again. “You’ll warm up to me eventually.”

“It’s been centuries, Henry,” She said exasperatedly.

“And I’ll wait centuries more if I have to,” His voice was sweet, love lorn almost.

“Awwwwwwe!” All three sisters were standing at the counter, watching them as they held each other. If this was an anime, their eyes would be hearts with more hearts floating around them.

Feeling embarrassed and a bit annoyed, Luci slumped into her chair, looking at the wall while she finished her drink.

Henry looked at her, his smile fading away. "I over did it again, huh?" He cleared his throat and waved the girls away, dispersing quickly. "Look, I care about you, I always have."

"I know, Henry. You tell me every time we get together." She groaned, sinking further into her chair.

He sighed. "I know I can be overbearing. And annoying. Amongst other things. But I'm trying my best. Old habits die hard, and seeing you be able to adjust to the world as it changes has been...amazing." He stared at her affectionately.

Luci looked up at him, sipping on her drink still. She stopped and put it down. "What do you mean?"

"Unlike most of us who are older, you have adjusted very well to the humans during times of stress, prosperity, and war. Amongst other stressors, such as my father and the fact you are a vampire."

Luci gave a soft smile. Henry would compliment her on her looks, calling her beautiful or his sweet. He fell in love with her when they first met and he acted like that every time they met. "Thank you, Henry."

"You're very resilient, and I'm glad you let me back into your life."

"Well, not fully Henry." She said softly. "We have been through a lot. Good and bad. Better or worse, I still want to keep a bit of a distance."

His face went from okay to hurt. Like she kicked a kitten.

"I care for you, and I know for a fact you care for me. But sometimes, when we are around each other, bad things happen. And I'm not sure how much more I can handle." She bit her bottom lip as his expression kind of grew worse. "I'm not saying we can't see each other or anything. I'm just saying we should be careful."

"See each other?" He smiled slyly as Luci rolled her eyes.

"Haven't you noticed that when we're together, even as friends, bad things happen. Your father. Your friends. Oliver." Her voice trailed at the last name, sighing softly.

"I can never stop being sorry for everything that has happened. I will be spending the rest of my life trying to fix it."

"You can't fix the past, Henry. I've learned that, and I can't hold a grudge against you for something you can't control. You are your own person, and I'm sorry for not realizing that earlier."

Stunned, Henry sat there for a moment. "Lucille." He hadn't used her full name in such a long time it seemed foreign. "There isn't anything you need to apologize for."

Luci gave him a soft smile, both of them finishing their drinks.

"Let me walk you to class. I'll behave." He chuckled softly as he stood up, helping her out of her chair and tossing their trash away. He held the door open as they left, saying goodbye to the sisters as they left and headed back to campus.

"How are you enjoying the dorms of this college?" Henry asked, walking next to her. "Are they any better than the last colleges?"

"They're okay. I don't like communal bathrooms or the fact there isn't at least a microwave in the room. But it'll do."

They continued their small talk as they slowly came out of the shadows and into the sun. Their skin didn't burn as the sun touched their pale skin.

Students were slowly waking up and walking around on campus, very few and far between since the earliest class didn't start until 7am. Which was ten till. They were in the café for a long while, but it felt nice to settle the dust between them.

"If you are ever interested in your own place, I can get it."

"Henry, I'm fine with a roommate. I'd rather get a job and get my own place, but..." She trailed as they reached her classroom door.

"But you need an identity that matches who you say you are?"

"Make it sound like I'm a spy or something." She laughed a bit. Looking around, the halls were empty, and the class seemed to have most of the students inside. "I should go before I end up sitting in front."

"If you need anything, Luci, let me know. I'm here for you." He smiled. giving her a tight hug before heading out.

Hopefully, things were going to get better for both of them. Luci was glad that Henry was still around and still cared. Given how the past played out, it could change.

Not wanting to dwell on the past even more, Luci walked into her classroom and sat down in the middle, off to the side. She pulled out her laptop and started it up. Sher heard some rustling as someone approached her, lightly tapping her shoulder.

"Excuse me, miss." A sweet voice whispered. "Can I sit next to you? I don't want up front."

"Of course." She replied. Luci moved so he could pass her and sat down at the same time.

"Thank you." The man said, giving Luci a smile.

"Of course." She said before looking up and softly gasping to herself.

"Everything okay?" He asked. looking around.

A loss for words. Luci was staring down at a doppelganger of Oliver, her lover from years ago. He was identical, from his dusty blonde hair, emerald green eyes, and toned body. The jawline matched as well, looking him over as he wore a tight purple button-up shirt and dark denim pants.

"Miss?" He snapped her back, staring at her, confused.

"I'm so sorry, I-I gave myself a panic attack thinking I left my charger at home. Silly me, it's right in my bag." She nervously giggled.

"Oh, I thought you saw a ghost. Was gonna run out of here thinking it was haunted." He jested, chuckling at himself. She giggled nervously again.

"I'm Max, by the way."

"Lucille. But my friends call me Luci."

Max smiled at her, his eyes gleaming in the light. "That's a beautiful name. It suits you." He winked at her before turning to the front when the instructor walked in.