Why Can't I Hate You?

CHAPTER 12

ELIJAH

In the park, I hid behind a tree, careful enough not to be seen. Arthur explained to Michelle about her powers and who she really was. How could she not know? Witches and wizards are very secured creatures. They preserve every little ounce of power as if it's the last drop. If even one of the parent is a witch or a wizard, there's a high chance their offspring might inherit their special traits. They left this little witch here alone with no knowledge of her true self, or how dangerous she could be the outside world. Not just about herself, Arthur also told her about my secret as well. When Michelle asked about me to Arthur, I forced myself to stop feeling her emotions. I was afraid to know what she thought of me after knowing what I really am. I cannot take it if she hates me like Arthur or any other magical creature does. Our kinds are potential nemesis to one another. I was afraid if she too will see me as one.

She popped on the park bench in shock. Her eyes wide and mouth sightly apart. Arthur walked to her and knelt in front. "Elijah will not think twice before snapping your head." He said. I shivered with anger and disgust. I would never hurt my Michelle, or any human, for that matter. How could he conclude, I would hurt anybody, that too, Michelle? Has he ever seen me killing or snapping someone's head to speak something of that sort? I wanted to rip that bastard's head off. I don't care what that prick thinks of me, but he shouldn't have filled Michelle's head with such things, given I never did them. My anger subsided and fear took over when a thought crossed my mind. Does she believe that? Does she think I would hurt her? Though I wanted to know what she was feeling, I forced myself not to. I cannot take it if she believed him and will end up hating me, or worse, be afraid of me.

Arthur stood and pushed his hand towards Michelle. "Let's go, we are already late to the class." Michelle took a long breath before nodding. She got up from the bench, completely ignoring his hand—which spread a huge grin on my face—and pressed her temples a little. "Are you okay?" Arthur inquired. She definitely isn't, you moron. You just dropped a huge bomb on her. How do you expect her to be alright with that?

Michelle slowly nodded and mumbled, "Yes, I'm fine. But, I'd like to go home. It's been a long day." She sounded weak and fragile.

"I'll take you home." Arthur declared.

"Don't bother. I came to the campus in a car today as I was late. Just, take me back to the campus. I'll drive from there." She gave him a small smile. Arthur walked towards his car while Michelle followed him. I ran towards my car after they drove away from the park. She isn't fine. I need to be there near her. I need to go to her house and check up on her, even from a distance. At least I'll know that she is safe. But if I disappear just like that, Arthur might suspect that I'm up to something. It's better to go to the campus and make sure he sees me. Now that he knows about Michelle, he will be extra careful and extra paranoid around me.

When I reached the campus, Arthur's car was parked in its usual spot. I looked around the parking lot for a car that was parked in front of Michelle's house last night. A shiny blue Mustang. It was nowhere in sight. She must have left already. I better make it quick. I recall Louisa once said that the wizard was in her class after lunch. Quickly pulling my phone out, I texted Louisa.

Is the wizard there yet?

Nope. Why? Louisa replied immediately.

I pushed the phone back into my pocket and rushed towards her classroom. I need to make sure Arthur sees me If I have to leave to check up on my Michelle. That moron was lurking in the corridor, peeking into every class he passed by. I'm sure he is looking for me. To end his suffering and mine, I stood in front of him, blocking his way. Arthur's shoulders visibly relaxed and relief spread in his eyes. This was the second time today that someone was relieved to see me. In the morning, when I went to speak to Michelle, she was relieved to see me too. Even if she didn't show it on her face, I could still tell from the way she looked at me before this prick ruined everything.

"Why are you lurking in the corridor?" I asked him nonchalantly.

He scoffed. "I could ask you the same." His eyebrows drew together. "Why are you outside the class?"

I raised my eyebrows and plastered an amused expression on my face. "And, who are you? My mother?" He rolled his eyes and walked away. I waited for him to get out of the sight before I rushed back to the parking lot. I need to be with her and make sure she is fine. It's a lot of information to take in. She must be in a turmoil. I got into my car and pulled out of the lot as quickly as I could manage.

Everything was getting complicated. Michelle is one of them? I didn't believe when Gloria mentioned it. I guess I overestimated their seriousness about the whole thing. But, they turned out to be just as much irresponsible. How did they leave a powerful witch who doesn't even know about anything? How could they leave? Michelle could have hurt someone or herself unintentionally. I suspected about her magical powers the other day when she was cooking and the spatula moved on its own. I stood right outside and saw everything. Her eyes lost their light and her lips turned down. Something was bothering her. She stared at the spatula absent-mindedly and, suddenly; it moved. She was perplexed and even scared to some extent. I suspected it was her and that she might be one of them. But she was emanating substantial amounts of surprise and shock that I thought it was just not possible that she could be unaware of her powers. I was so overconfident that the magical world would never make this mistake, and I brushed the thought of Michelle being a witch away. This is so irresponsible. Not just Michelle, this negligence could have cost them exposure to their entire race.

The spot at a distance from Michelle's house, where I parked last night, was empty. I pulled my car in and ran towards her house. I slowly peeked into her bedroom. She sat at the foot of the bed, pulling her knees close to her chest, placed her arms on the top of her knees and rested her forehead on her forearm. She was emanating a bunch of emotions that I couldn't exactly make out what she was actually feeling. Slowly, she pushed her head back and stared at the ceiling. What is she thinking?

"This can't be true." She mumbled. I wanted to jump into her room and pull her against my chest and take away her pain. She doesn't deserve this. Did I really think that? She took away my human side and turned my life upside down. She obviously deserves this. Now, her life is upside down, too.

She swiftly got up and rushed inside the washroom, leaving the door wide open. I spun around, giving her privacy. "Don't believe one word Arthur said. That's just not true. Do you hear me?" She yelled. Who is she talking to? I turned around to see if there was someone else or if she was on a call. She stood close to the door, speaking to someone on her left. I could not see the other person. Also, I don't sense any other human in the house. Then who is she talking to?

"What proofs? Sudden change of weather is not a proof. Sudden weather changes are all over the world. It is because of pollution, not any magical powers?" She shouted, pointing a finger at someone. She is in denial. Perhaps it's natural to be in denial because this is not some elementary thing to accept right away. However, I cannot help but wonder who she is talking to, as I couldn't hear the other person. Because of my extreme powers, I can hear every little sound uttered near me. But here I can only hear Michelle's voice and silence from the other side.

"The kitchen incident was nothing. It was not me, there is a ghost in this house." A ghost? Is that why she was afraid that night? She thought there was a ghost in the kitchen. I chuckled, knowing her childish assumption. "Even if there is such sort, then Arthur might be a wizard or whatever, but, I am not a witch." She looked down, thinking about something for a long time.

"Do you think this is real? And, about him being a vampire?" She looked so vulnerable and worried. I concentrated hard on her to bifurcate her emotions as she was referring to me, but I couldn't. "I accept I have few unexplainable incidents which prove that I am... well, not normal. But, could he be a vampire?" Yes, I am a vampire. I have lost my human completely. I am a cold one in entirety and I am drinking blood from animals for right now, but I'll have to switch to blood bags soon. And then everything will change. My eyes will turn crimson and I'll have to use contacts so that humans don't find it odd. My powers will increase remarkably. But, I would give up a thousand times of my powers to get my human side back.

"Do you believe he would hurt me?" she asked. Something inside me began vibrating, and it felt like I would crumble and break into pieces. She didn't answer her own question and there was silence from whomever she was speaking with. Letting out a defeated sigh, she walked out of the washroom and stomped toward the window I was peaking from. I ran to three houses apart from her's, monitoring her window. She put her head out, looking at the park opposite her house. Her face was red, and she constantly dragged her hand through her hair. Her gaze jumped from one thing to another.

Suddenly, I felt someone's presence near me. Someone evil. I could practically feel their wicked thoughts. I looked around, but there was no one in sight. Carefully enough, I ran towards the park, making sure that Michelle didn't see me, and checked every corner. That person was here. His scent still lingering in every corner. It could be anyone, even a human. Sometimes, humans are more dangerous and wicked than creatures like me could be.

Call me! A voice boomed in my head. Louisa. She misuses her powers this way. I pulled my phone from my coat and dialed her. She picked up on the first ring.

"What?" I half yelled.

"Hey, relax! I called to ask where you were?" she replied calmly.

"You called? You are getting lazy day after day, Louisa."

"Oh, don't kill my fun." I rolled my eyes. "Anyway, where are you?"

"I-I am at a friend's house."

"What? Elijah, you are not supposed to roam with humans anymore." She shrieked.

"I know, I'll come home and explain."

"Okay! Come fast."

I cut the call, throwing one last look at Michelle. I hope she will be fine and will organize her thoughts. "I'll be back soon. Just have a few things to look after." I ran out of the park towards my car.

All were sitting in the hall, probably waiting for me. Chester was reading a book. Gloria was pestering Louisa to cook her something. Carlos and Elmer were watching a football game while Agatha was drinking from the blood bag. Everyone paused their activities once they noticed me coming.

"Heard you were with humans," Carlos began, "you need to stop hanging out with them."

"I wasn't with humans. At least, not among them. I was just looking at a human from a distance."

"Bro, still not making sense." Elmer remarked.

I huffed. "I found out something about someone. Michelle." I looked into Chester's eyes. "She is a witch." Chester's countenance did not change. He probably already suspected.

"Michelle? The new girl, is it?" Carlos questioned.

"Yes." Gloria answered for me. I nodded and narrated everything that I discovered today. Everyone listened intently, but only Chester seemed to understand what it meant for me.

"I can't believe they could be so negligent and irresponsible." Elmer spoke the words running through my mind.

"What the hell were you doing there, alone, near those freaks?" Louisa cried out.

"They weren't aware of my presence." I replied placidly.

"Nice, you were getting out the secrets of the enemies." Agatha laughed, clearly enjoying their lack of extreme senses. I looked away, irritated by her.

"Elijah, Michelle has no control over her selves. She is unaware of their laws. She is extremely unpredictable and dangerous. I think it is better if you change your diet so that you're not harmed near her." Chester suggested.

"What is the need for that? Why would he roam around that b****y witch, anyway?" Agatha intervened.

"Just shut up!" I yelled. Everyone looked at me with wide eyes. I closed my eyes to calm myself down. Nobody knew that Michelle was my mate other than Chester. And I don't plan on telling any of them until I figure things out myself. The more people know, the more inputs they'll have to give me, and I will end up being the most confused vampire on the face of the earth. No thanks!

I turned to look at Gloria, who had a big smile on her face. She walked to me and asked, "Will you be okay with the blood bags? Chester will understand if it's too soon for you. You've been through a lot lately and so much has changed in your life recently. You don't have to do this until you are ready." I know Chester will understand. But, like Chester said, Michelle is dangerous without a proper guidance. She is dangerous to everyone around her and, mostly, she is dangerous to herself. I need to be near her in case something happens. Until the people from her community train her and teach her to control her powers, I need to be with her.

I looked at Chester and said. "I am ready."