Vampire Academy (tamaracorine & goldcat)

[goldcat16471]

Nick held his hands up slightly when she spun around, in a calming gesture and smiled at her, from her words. He shifted ever so slightly about her comment on him, but he smiled more. "Well, actually..." He leaned against a wall, trying to remain calm, "I came here to find you..." He hoped that didn't sound creepy, so he tried to explain more, "You see... One of my, uh, friends are throwing a party, and said we could invite people. So... Consider yourself invited." He smiled nervously, "Would you be interested at all?"


Serene took a deep breath, "I'm sorry Lisa. I didn't mean me to get all... hyped up." She smiled softly, and shook her head, "And no, nothing came of it... We discovered we didn't like each other like that..." She thought for a moment about the first and last almost boyfriend she had. He was a nice Moroi, and a friend of hers, but when they tried to get a relationship started, things got awkward. She sighed, "It's okay though. And the rest of my summer was pretty boring to be honest... What about yours?"

 

[tamaracorine]

"Uh..." Anna's cheeks turned red and her eyes shifted away from Nick. "I mean... I... I don't really... do parties..." she admitted quietly. "I'm more of a... class, library and gym type of girl, you know?" she ran a hand through her hair, obviously nervous. "And besides, it's a Moroi party... they wouldn't want Dhampir around. I... don't think you'd want any around, either... I mean, why would you? T-take a date. Don't invite me because you feel bad for me."


"Equally boring." Lisa shrugged. "I didn't do much. My parents and I went to Europe for a month, but you know how it is, you visit Moroi families and they talk politics all the time. You never see much except the inside of more fancy houses that all look the same." she smiled. "How are your family?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Nick listened as she stuttered nervously, and smiled at her reassuringly, "I can promise you I'm not inviting you because I felt bad for you. In all honesty... I'd like to have you there." He looked down slightly, then back up at her, "And the Moroi wouldn't mind. They said I could invite you." He considered more, "You're brother is invited as well. I think he's going. I'm not for sure though. Do you think... Do you think you'd like to give it a try? It could be fun. And, it's not like anything really formal. It's just supposed to be a back to school get together."


Serene nodded in agreement from Lisa, "I know what you mean." She considered the girl's question, "My family's been pretty good. Some people still been giving us a hard time, but not nearly as bad as Christian's been getting. Other than that, we've all been good." She smiled at the girl.

 

[tamaracorine]

Anna frowned as she thought, "Wait..." she mumbled, looking up at him. "If you don't feel sorry for me, then why are you inviting me? Is something going to go wrong? Do you need protection from someone?" she asked. "Because I'm sure you could just tell the instructors, and they'd help. Seriously." she shifted her weight between her feet, obviously clueless as to his purposes.


"Yeah. Christian always got a hard time." Lisa sighed, "I felt bad for him, but you don't seem to get it as bad, do you? I mean, people leave you alone, but they're not scared of you like they were of him, are they?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Nick bit his lip and shifted nervously, "Uh..." He was getting more nervous as the time continued on, "No... I don't need protection. Anna, I just want you to be there... And maybe we could hang out a bit there... If you wanted to." He sighed softly and looked at her, "Do you want to come, just for the fun of it?"


Serene realized they were still in the doorway and quickly pulled Lissa in, closing the door behind her, then sat on the edge of her bed. "Yeah, most people aren't scared of me thankfully. Like you said, a lot of people became more distant, but for the most part, it's been getting better." She smiled softly at Lissa.

 

[tamaracorine]

Anna nodded, "Okay." she agreed quietly. "Yeah. I'll come." she told him. "I'd like that." she smiled up at him, playing with the end of her hair. She was beginning to relax, her cheeks returning to their normal pale colour and her eyes meeting Nick's. "I'll be there." she took a long drink from her water bottle, filled with a sudden desire to go talk to Serene. "I, should uh... go... but... thanks... for inviting me..."


Lisa sat down on the edge of Serene's bed too. "I'm here for you, you know. You can talk to me and hang out with me. You don't have to avoid all the Moroi things. I heard that Nick and William are throwing a party tomorrow. You should come. William is pretty hot, right?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Nick smiled, happy from Anna's answer, "Great! I'll see you there then." He looked at her happily, "And no problem. Have a good night Anna." He turned and started to leave, happy with this outcome. He began his walk to the dorms, and hoped that Lukas wouldn't question him about Anna. Nic didn't know what to think of her yet. He liked her for sure, but could it possibly be more. Nick brooded about it until he reached the dorms and entered his room.


Serene smiled, "Thank you" She told Lisa from her first words. Then she thought about the party and her comment on William. She laughed softly, and nodded, "Yeah he's pretty fine!" She laughed more and bit her lip. "But I don't know... Maybe. It sounds like fun, I'll think about." She wondered who else might be there.

 

[tamaracorine]

Anna stood in front of her closet after dinner the next night, flicking through the clothing. She didn't own any skirts or dresses, and it was becoming a problem to her suddenly. "Serene, I can't go to this party." she said quietly. "I have no clothes to wear. Why did I say I'd go? I can't go. I'm not going." she sat down at her desk, picking up a book from an earlier class and flicking it open.


Lukas watched Nick from the bed, wearing a pair of jeans and no shirt. "Hey Nick, you know if you mess with my little sister and it goes badly, you'll regret it, right?" he asked. "But uh, can you tell me about Serene?"

 

[goldcat16471]

The classes all day had been boring first day introductions, and Serene was excited for the night. She watched as Anna struggled going through her clothes trying, desperately to find something. Serene had momentarily considered letting Anna borrow something of hers, but there body types were too different. Serene stood up and walked over by the Dhampir, "You have to go Anna. Come on," She grabbed the book, and closed it. "It's not a formal, it's casual. Do you have any nice shirts and jeans? If you have that then you're set!" Serene looked through her own clothes as well. "If it would make you feel any better, I won't wear a skirt or dress either."


Nick was getting ready for the party, and chuckled, amused from Lukas's remark, "Lukas, I won't mess with you're little sister." He grinned and looked over at the Dhampir and put a hand on his heart and spoke dramatically, "I'm a gentleman!" He laughed softly, and turned away again. He hoped that the night would go well, and Anna and him would get a chance to really talk. Lukas's other question surprised him, "Serene?" He thought about the Moroi for a moment. He didn't know a lot about her. She was in his classes though, and he knew her family, "Well, her element is air... And she's an Ozera. Royalty my friend. Good luck with that." He chuckled.

 

[tamaracorine]

"All I own are t-shirts and jeans. I don't own any decent shoes either." she mumbled to herself. "I can't go. I'm not going. It was stupid to consider it, Serene. He probably didn't mean anything by it. He probably was just being nice because I'm Lukas' sister and they're roommates." she snatched her book back and opened it. "I can't go. I wont go." she stood up and paced to her wardrobe again, flicking through the clothes. Right at the back of the closet was a denim skirt that went down to just below her thighs. She tossed it onto the bed and picked out a red singlet, throwing that onto the bed too. "Could you... fix my hair?"


Lukas raised an eyebrow, "Oh, and you think you've got a chance with the most serious Dhampir in the school, party boy?" he asked teasingly. "I sincerely doubt it, my friend. She probably wont even show up. Serene seems down to earth enough."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene was about to object and beg for Anna to come, but didn't have to once Anna found an outfit. Serene grinned and nodded, "Yeah, I could do that!" She went over to the Dhampir and started working on the girl's hair. "By the way, Nick sounds like he genuinely likes you. Friend or more, I don't know, but I know it wasn't just because you're Lukas's sister." She smiled, styling Anna's hair.


Nick rolled his eyes, "I think you underestimate you're sister too much when it comes to social lives. I bet she will show up." He raised an eyebrow, "Besides, opposites attract." He smirked softly, as he recalled Lukas's comment about her being really serious and him being a party boy. Nick had given up on hiding the possible interest he had on Anna to Lukas. He thought about Serene from the Dhampir's other remark, "And that's true about Serene. She's definitely not arrogant."

 

[tamaracorine]

Anna sat still, wringing her hands together and eventually changing into her outfit. She looked down at her feet, then at Serene. "We have similar size feet, right? Do you... have anything I could borrow? Nothing with a heel. I just don't own anything that isn't boots or sneakers..." she mumbled and looked at herself in the mirror, tugging her skirt down a little. " Then we can go..."


"We'll see how it goes tonight. Maybe she wont even talk to me." Lukas shrugged, sitting up and fixing his hair. "Maybe she will talk to me. I don't know. I'm actually not much of a fan of parties, to be honest. People hide in corners and make out. That seems to be the purpose. And if I catch you in a corner with Anna..."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled softly, "Yeah let me look!" She searched through her closet then found a nice pair of sandals that matched Anna's outfit. Serene handed the shoes to her. "Here you go." She smiled. "You look nice!" She complimented, then quickly changed into her outfit. She looked at herself in the mirror as well, then looked at Anna, "Shall we go?" Serene asked.


Nick scoffed jokingly, "Aw come on, you give me way to much credit." He joked then looked at Lukas more serious, "I'm not like that, I promise. I like parties, yes, but I'm a lot more mature at them then some people think I am. Many people assume that since I'm 'popular' and in twelfth grade, I like to do those things a lot, but no..." He shook his head, "One I'm waiting for the right girl, and two, party make outs are just not romantic, at all." He chuckled softly and shivered in pretend disgust. He grinned and looked at Lukas, "And I hope you have good luck with Serene tonight.. Hopefully I don't catch you two in a corner." He smirked, finishing up getting ready.

 

[tamaracorine]

Anna nodded, following Serene out of the room and across the lawn to the boy's dorms. She was quiet the whole way, her hands in the small pockets of her skirt. As they approached the door, she slowed right down, hesitating before walking into the foyer where the party was. She looked at Serene and gulped, "Please don't leave me alone. Please." she pleaded quietly.


Lukas peered out of their bedroom, "She showed up." he mumbled. "Anna showed up. And she's wearing... a skirt. Annalise is in a skirt." he turned to look at Nick. "Seriously, man. Be careful with her. She's tough, but if she lets you get close, then... it's a big deal. You can hold her hand. You can touch her waist. You can hug her. You cannot kiss her, Nick. Got it?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene walked with Anna to the boy's dorms. They stopped at the entrance and Anna pleaded her not to leave. Serene smiled at her reassuringly, "We'll stick together!" Serene was both excited and also nervous. She was anxious because she hadn't been to a school get together party for a long time. The past couple years, people had kept their distance from Serene. Tonight she was expecting to see a lot of Moroi, a couple Dhampirs here and there, music, games. Beyond that, she didn't know what to expect. Taking a deep breath, Serene looked at Anna, then entered the party, pulling the Dhampir along with her.


Nick looked at Lukas, raising an eyebrow, and frowning softly, "Yes Father." He replied sarcastically. Then more serious, "Stop worrying Lukas, I already told you, I'm not like that." He took a deep breath and then saw Anna coming in with Serene. He glanced at Lukas and smirked softly, then waved at the two girls, smiling.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas walked out of their bedroom and into the party, sitting down on a stairwell to watch some people playing volleyball with an antique vase and chatting quietly to William. He didn't want to freak Serene out by coming on too strong.


Anna noticed Nick waving and shyly returned the wave, conscious of the way her body was reacting - racing heart, sweaty palms. She hesitated before walking further into the room, eventually leaning against a wall.

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled towards Nick and returned the wave, then smirked softly at Anna, "That's a good sign." She teased her slightly, and followed her into the room. She looked around at the scene. Some people were dancing, others chatting to each other, and a few people were even playing volleyball with a vase. She raised an eyebrow at the scene. She looked around a bit more, and saw Anna's brother Lukas, and smiled at him slightly. "There's your brother." She told Anna.


Nick hesitated wanting to approach Anna, but then got distracted as a few Moroi girls went up to him. "Hey Nick!" "It's so nice to see you!" "How was your summer?" They all greeted him. "Um, hi." He replied to them, "It's nice to see you all to. And my summer was boring." He chuckled softly. They all giggled and Nick looked back over at Anna. "Uh... Will you girls excus-" One of them grabbed his hands, "Want to dance with me?" He bit his lip, "Not re-" The girl started pulling him along, to go dance. Nick didn't want to, but was trying to be polite. He looked back at Anna once more.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas waved at Serene, patting the spot on the stairwell next to himself with a hopeful smile. He noticed Anna's face turn from a smile to a frown, shifting his gaze to Nick as he was dragged to the dance floor. He frowned, looking back at Serene and forcing himself to smile.


"I've got to go." Anna mumbled, looking at Serene. "This was a mistake. This was a mistake. I shouldn't have thought this year would be different." she shook her head. "Go hang out with my brother. He's a good guy. I've got to go."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene was about to go over to Lukas, wanting Anna to come along, but the Dhampir's words caught her off guard, and she grabbed Anna's arms "No... You asked me not to leave you tonight, and I'm asking you not to leave the party. Please Anna, please stay..." She looked around wondering what caused the change of heart. She saw a Moroi girl and Nick dancing and wondering if it was that. She frowned, "I doubt that means anything. He doesn't even look into it..." She said to Anna.


Nick danced with the Moroi girl slightly, and tried to have a light smile for her sake, but really he just wanted to stop dancing and greet Anna. He cast another wistful glance at the Dhampir, and saw Serene holding onto her, and appeared to be pleading. Nick frowned, "Um, excuse me. I got to... Uh, go take care of something." He let go of the girl's hands, and the Moroi frowned sadly, "Oh uh... Okay." Nick turned away from her and started walking to Anna.

 

[tamaracorine]

Anna looked down at the floor awkwardly as Serene spoke, shocked by her own behaviour. "Fine. I'll stay." she mumbled, shaking Serene's hands off her arms and walking towards Lukas. She left room for Serene to sit beside Lukas, leaning against the edge of the stairwell and glancing up at the roof, studying the details of it rather than speaking.


Lukas smiled at Serene, "Glad you came." he told her sincerely. "I'd heard you were really one for parties... but then again, neither am I." he shrugged. "How was your first day?"

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled softly at Anna, "Thank you..." Then Serene followed her with to Lukas and sat beside him. She smiled back at him, "It was pretty good, except classes were boring. All the the introductions, you know?" She looked down slightly, "And everyone's been really nice so far." She thought about the first day, last year. This year was definitely starting a lot better than the previous year. She shook those thoughts, and looked back up at Lukas, "And how was your first day?"


Nick watched as Anna and Serene went over to Lukas, and he made his way over to the stairwell as well and leaned against the edge by Anna. "Hey! You made it!" He said, smiling. He could tell that the girl felt out of place, and made it his goal to make her lighten up by the end of the night. "I'm really glad you're here." He looked at her, "You look nice by the way."

 

[tamaracorine]

"Introductions as well." Lukas shrugged. "We're getting into some advanced combat stuff. It's exciting once you're doing it, but the theory is all pretty boring. I've been in the same classes since I was younger so it's all the same people. I like them." he smiled at her, a slight blush in his cheeks. "I'm looking forward to getting into it."


Anna looked up at him, trying to push away her negative emotions. "Thanks." she mumbled, quickly shifting her gaze to her feet. "I... It's the only clothes I own that aren't jeans or t-shirts. A-and... they're not even my shoes."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene smiled at him, "That's good." She thought for a moment, and looked down, "Are you happy about... Risking your life to keep Moroi safe?" She asked him nervously. Serene wondered what that would be like. To be born a Dhampir, and basically have your future picked for you.


Nick smiled softly at her, "You're clothes or not, you still look nice." He looked at her a moment longer then looked away, "So... How was your day?" He asked her. He wanted to ask her to dance, but was afraid that he might get rejected. Nick bit his lip and felt his cheeks heat up ever so slightly.

 

[tamaracorine]

Lukas chewed his bottom lip as he thought about her question. It was something that he and Anna had talked about before, and for a long time he wasn't okay with the way his life was picked for him, but he had come around. "I think so." he told her, shrugging slightly. "I mean, the Moroi are vulnerable, and if I can do my part to help keep you all safe, then I'm willing to. I still don't like how my whole life is planned out for me simply because I was born Dhampir, though. I wont resist that plan, but."


"Good." Anna replied, then paused for a few moments, as if considering what to share with him next. "Class. Then, I uh... trained for a while, and did my homework. Nothing worth talking about, really." she murmured, gulping and leaning back to look up at Nick. "You know, you don't have to stay here talking to me. There are Moroi who want your attention..."

 

[goldcat16471]

Serene nodded in understanding and looked down, "I don't know how you all do it. It just makes things worse that a lot of us, I mean Moroi just treat you guys like..." She bit her tongue cutting herself off. She looked around nervously then whispered, "Like crap..." She shook her head and sighed. Of course, not all the Moroi did that, but it seemed like as time went on, more and more Moroi took the Dhampirs for granted.


Nick listened to her as she explained her day, and smiled at her. Then her Moroi comment caught him off guard and he looked away, "Maybe... But I think I have a right to choose who I want to talk to..." He didn't say it harshly. He was implying that he wanted to talk to Anna. Then as he thought more, he realized that she might have just been politely shooing him away, and he bit his lip, "Unless... You, uh... Wanted me to go...?" He looked down.