Page 28A subtle surprise

As our lips parted, Esmeralda's gaze was dreamy at best. She just looked at me for a few moments until her mind caught up with the situation and she came back down to earth. She blushed when she realized how far out she'd been a moment ago. The blush colored her cheeks lovely and it reminded me of the warm taste of her blood. I couldn't help but giggle a bit at the situation, but I suppose the real funny thing was what she said next.

"I could swear I haven't smoked anything today."

She took a deep breath. "Wow, that was some kiss."

I did my best to sound casual about it. "Thanks!"

She looked at me innocently, as much as she ever did. "Do you like me too?"

Such a simple question. I once giggled when I saw a guy stutter when he heard those words spoken by someone at school. School, now that feels like an eternity ago. But now I was in the same situation. Did Esmeralda like me like that?

When I thought about it, a lot of people had kind of fallen in love with me since I'd changed. Maybe there was a sort of natural charm that went with vampires. Or, and this was more likely but harder to accept, I had my own charm and was hardly aware of it. Well, I was pretty. I knew it and could, mostly, accept it. A pretty face, beautiful eyes. Soft lips. And there wasn't anything wrong with my body either.

But most of what I felt to others was a sort of reflection out of loneliness. I really needed someone to share my things with. The diary was a gentle start but maybe I was actually happy, oddly enough, that someone got closer. But it wasn't a good idea. It wasn't practical. And... did I like her?

"I..."

Esmeralda smiled, then giggled. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made it so difficult for you. But wow... You really are quite the kisser."

"Thanks." This time I blushed.

She gave me a small kiss on my warm cheeks. Odd, because I still needed blood tonight. "Now you go off and do what you think you must. I don't think he'll like it if I come nosing along."

"Who?"

"The owner of Jack."

Oh right. The store. "Aren't you coming with me?"

She shook her head. "No. It's also better if you don't mention me."

"Bad reputation?"

She smiled. "Something like that."

We left the room blushing. If anyone had seen us they'd probably think the worst (or best, depending on your point of view) of us. Flushed, giggly and slightly intimate in our movements. It was cute. It was surprising how warm I felt with the shower and that simple kiss. Those few drops had me wanting many more though. It is so difficult to explain how lovely it tastes.

But I'll try. I want to try.

It feels a little bit like chocolate, warm and barely melted on your tongue. Then comes the sweetness. It's not like candy, but more like a spoon. Lick a metal spoon with the tip of your tongue and feel how it tastes gently sweet. After that is the bitterness. Like cookie-dough almost. Not too bitter, but just a little bit. After that comes the rush of feeling it go down your throat. Hot tea would come close. The warmth in your stomach, feeling filled.

Esmeralda went back to the bar downstairs when I left the building. She waved at me through the window though and looked comfortable. I waved back, trying to force thoughts out of my head that were thinking of drinking the blood of everyone in there.

Friday night.

It was quite crowded in town. Much more than yesterday night even. I didn't even have to go into a club to find someone I wanted to drain. And, to my own surprise, it was a girl. A very Gothic girl that had piercings in her eyebrow, nose and lower lip. And a tongue-piercing I soon found out. She tasted much less sweet than Esmeralda though, but it was not fair to compare. The rebel in this girl was a unique taste that was fun and very enjoyable.

Guys came walking by, cat-calling us as we made out.

I didn't even leave her right after I got my blood. I enjoyed the flirting with her, possibly steam I had to release with the situation earlier tonight. It wasn't exactly fair on the girl. But she eagerly took it and waved me off with a big smile when I finally decided to leave. Fortunately she was with friends (as she said) and wouldn't walk home alone. I might have taken a smidgen too much, I realized.

Then it was time to head for Jack. I was eager and very curious to see what the night would bring. It took me a bit of time to find the place again, mostly by retracing my steps of yesterday. Though my memory and sense of direction were quite good, it was still not easy to find a single building without a frame of reference in the city. But I was learning.

When I arrived at the store though I got quite the interesting shock.

Inside was one of the guys I saw yesterday.

Interesting...