Chapter 1

 

My mystery lover has long, platinum-blonde hair, penetrating ultramarine eyes, is over six feet tall, swarthy, and has muscles that bulge from his arms. This mystery lover now inspects my body intently. His eyes alone express his tenderness, no sounds slipping from his full lips. He picks me up in his arms and caresses my lips with his own, deeply and passionately. I have never received a kiss from any man before, and so my body yearns for his affection and languishes in his attention. Carefully, I stare confidently into his piercing eyes and immediately my soul sets ablaze. My body ignites like a nuclear bomb, but deep inside. He is willing to accept me for who and what I am. I could even see the possibility of bearing his children, and becoming his wife. We both seem so uncaring, not giving a damn who watches, there where we stand in this colorless room, with its golden emblems, and chalky statues staring out from their alcoves.

My mystery lover is now speaking directly to my heart, in a thick accent. “I want you and only you. You are who I have been patiently waiting for all my life. I am going to make sweet love to you. You are going to feel my love throb deep inside of you, right here and right now.”

The excitement of making love for the first time builds inside of me. He jerks off my shirt, revealing my angular and lithesome body. Overwhelming passion ignites my flame. He starts to rip off my tight fitting, low-rise blue jeans, and I quickly tear off his sky-blue, buttoned-down shirt. I kiss him like a frenetic woman. His own tight fitting jeans are no longer standing upright for my hands are helping him remove them from his firm body, throwing them to the floor, revealing him as well endowed. My tongue slides over every single crease of muscle on his perfectly sculpted body. He groans seductively at me, begging for more. This incredible man immediately grips my ass tightly with his hands, and then he lifts me above his waist. A loud moan escapes me as he grinds his hips hard into mine.

He slams me back hard against the wall, his enormous hands moves to my hair, and they become tightly entangled. My body refuses to yet yield to his touch, and so we fall to the colorless floor with him on top. He pushes his long tongue deep inside my mouth making me forget the brief pain of hitting the floor so abruptly. Instead, I fall into a pile of lush, pale cotton, and pale feathers. We are about to get down to business when a familiar voice interrupts.

“Jeannie! It is time to wake up!”

I look into those piercing ultramarine eyes once more and want him to continue, to get on with what he is ready to do next.

“Please don't go!” I beg as I try to reach out to him, to keep him with me. There are a few jolts, and then disappointment sets in. The room fades from alabaster with gold to charcoal oak, and an ebony comforter. And that isn’t all; there’s also a disappointingly sizable me too.

I grumble a few choice expletives at my perky older sister as she jerks my cocoon off me.

“You need to get up, or you will be late!”

There is no hiding my bitter disappointment, even from beneath my pillow. “You could not just give me a few more minutes of sleep?”

My bubbly sister rudely yanks the flat pillow away. “No, and besides, little sis, this is your last week of high school.”

“I was in the middle of a perfect dream until you woke me up.”

Ava flashes me that perfect smile of hers. “If you are talking about the man who is set as your screen saver then you better get out of bed, so you can meet him.”

I want to continue dreaming of him, but she only shoves me out of my warm bed.

“I am glad you are so optimistic,” I say.

My older sister laughs, smacking me with my not-so-fluffy pillow.

We are the only ones left of our family. Last year both our parents were brutally murdered. My older sister took responsibility for raising me until I turn eighteen in a couple of months. Ava is about to turn nineteen soon, and so the court was able to grant her full custody.

The person, who found our parents, in large pieces on the kitchen floor, was me, and so the kitchen is an extremely tough place for me to visit. Ava tried to help by completely remodeling it, but I still struggle with going in there every single day.

Ava told me that the bulk of the insurance money belongs to her. There was never any argument, because she takes care of all the responsibilities. She made sure that our parents’ funerals were taken care of, dealt with the lawyers, my education, looking after all the bills, and doing it all at such a young age. I am very proud of her, for the generous person she is.

Ava has every right to boss me around. I have to make sure I maintain my room and my car. I am also responsible for my own food, and all the other extra luxuries. That means I also have to work at a part-time job as well as attending high school. Ava told me that there wasn’t much left in their wills. I have no bitter feelings about how much my sister really received, since she has the expense of being a freshman in college.

The ebony comforter that had covered my voluminous body now lays perfectly straight on my bed. I can take care of my car and room, but I can never seem to take care of my own health. My sister constantly nags me for eating unhealthy foods. I love pizzas, though, pasta, fried foods, and drinking lots of pop. The food I have eaten over the years definitely reflects in the mirror. I am living proof of that phrase, “You are what you eat.” I am not at all happy with it, and still wear my long scarlet hair in a tight bun on top of my head. I know that I am morbidly obese, but I don't need her on my case about it all the time.

Ava is slender, six feet tall, with curly blonde hair, a tan body, and dark brown eyes. That is the only attribute we have in common—our eyes. We both take after our dad who had the same color. Our mom on the other hand had bright sapphire eyes. I am not the athletic sort either, while Ava is the cheerleader. I am also more of a recluse, where she is the sociable butterfly. I never had a boyfriend, but she has people calling her twenty-four hours a day, which explains why she primps in the mirror, when I just throw it all together without makeup. Of course, her teeth are perfect and normal whereas I have two incisors that remind others of vampires or werewolves. Oh, and she listens to rap, but I like rock.

Yeah, now, wait a minute… yes, people! I have weird teeth. My parents tried everything they could to make my fangs look normal. My mom had concerns over them—not my dad. He never criticized my appearance, or had any trouble with my teeth. He always believed that I was perfect the way I was.

My body actually takes after my mom's side of the family, my sister takes after dad's side. My mom and I shared the same straight scarlet hair. She was even antsier, when she realized that I am also allergic to the sun. Her disappointment turned into irritation, though, when she realized that I am unable to wear any silver jewelry. My body swells badly you see. Not only that, but I also get a red splotchy rash from my head to my toes. If I never take proper precautions then it is back to emergency room I go.

My sister remains on the honor roll, and she was the Valedictorian last year for Berry High. I am also on the honor roll, but with our parents’ death, I slipped with my grades.

James Wigglesworth is the Valedictorian for our graduating class. I attempted to be nice to the jerk, but he’s a jock, the class president, blah, blah, and blah, blah, blah. His credentials go on. I prefer to avoid him at all costs, but he takes little potshots at my teeth all the time. James wrote nasty things on my locker, and in it. He even locked me in the trunk of my own car for fun. Now, I hardly ever smile, because of him. Naturally, after all he has done it’s hard to ignore him, especially given that the bullying is almost every single day.

Ava often reminds me, “Karma is a bitch, and one day he will get his. Just try to ignore him, and get on with your life, sis.”

My sister is wise beyond her years.

I am soon showering my pudgy body and long hair. I allow my hair down, but only long enough to wash it well. After my shower, I step on the scale and weigh myself. To my bitter disappointment, my weight remains the same. A few more expletives escape my lips. After drying off, I begin the tedious task of rubbing in my doctor's prescription, all over my body. The sunblock smells exactly like rotten eggs.

I give my hair a good brushing to reduce the nasty tangles. My usual attire is baggy charcoal shirt and equally baggy charcoal carpenter pants. My sister observes me, when I emerge from the bathroom. She gives me another one of her disapproving looks, which I avoid by promptly grabbing my mesh backpack and car keys. The keys unlock an old piece of shit car, one that at this rate will not make it long either. The auto parts are holding on by a thread, but my car still gets me where I need to go. It is a little gray thing with a rubber-band engine, and duct tape that holds up the driver's side window, but it takes me to school and work every day. The radio at least works decently.

 

~~~***~~~

 

My car speeds through the blacktop parking lot of Berry High, and I park at the other end, at the last available spot. The thing is that humiliating to admit to. I would love to lock its doors, but they don't work.

Currently, I live in the very quaint town of Berry, Kentucky. The population is about fifteen hundred. The only crime that has happened here was my parents’ murders. Most of the time it is just stolen bicycles or the occasional drug bust.

Nothing much is going on now at the high school. It is after all the last week. Here I am at our “end of the year” pep rally, returning my textbooks to the teachers, and finishing off a few last minute graduation details.

 

~~~***~~~

 

On my way out, Mesa and Arizona greet me at the front door. Their parents are into the hippie movement and waited until they were much older to have kids. They are fraternal twins. Mesa is the boy and Arizona the girl. I always thought their names were peculiar, but they were both happy enough to become my best friends. Okay, so maybe they are my only friends. They have olive-skin, lanky, and Mesa is a foot taller than his younger sister is. He was born a few minutes before her.

Arizona greets me with her short curly brown hair and dark eyes. “Our high school days are almost over!”

“I’m just thankful that this year is almost over with, so I can focus on college.”

“Did you ever receive your acceptance letter into Harvard?”

I beam with pride, showing them the very letter.

Arizona squeals with delight. “I am so proud of you! You are truly an inspiration. How is your sister taking the news? I bet she is proud.”

“I haven’t told her yet, but I will, soon.”

Mesa casually reminds me, “Make sure to tell her, before you start your first day at Harvard. Your sister hates it when you leave her out.”

“I promise to tell her after our graduation.”

He shakes a finger at me, “You make sure you do.”

We say our goodbyes, and I move quickly through the parking lot. That is when James Wigglesworth stops me.

“There is that red devil with the fangs! Be careful folks! She might suck all the blood right out of you!”

I try to open my car door, but he blocks me.

“James, I don’t have time for this. I am already running late.”

“Oh, you poor little vampire freak,” he squints at me, as if he has tasted salt, and he continues, “you look like an ugly dog.”

James then starts howling at me. He is stocky and much taller than I am. A few of his friends join us; they pull out a fifty-two quart cooler and dump its ice-cold, red liquid all over me. My bullies are all laughing hysterically at me now.

Principal Jefferson notices, and runs over to survey the damage.

“I want you boys in my office, pronto! There was no cause for this torment! Are you okay, Jeannie?”

I focus on the ground and tears start trickling down my pudgy cheeks.

“I’m okay, Principal Jefferson. I’m running late to work, and I have to leave now.”

“Everything will be okay. I will handle these boys. I am so sorry, Jeannie,” the handsome principal tries to reassure me once again.

“I will be okay, Principal Jefferson. I really do have to leave now.”

He opens my car door for me, making sure my tormentors don’t try anything else. Without hesitation, I slide inside, and pull out of the parking spot to drive to work. Mr. Jefferson remains standing there, crossing his arms. I shake violently and sob. I don’t start to stabilize until after I pull into work. I’m still dripping with what seems to be fake blood.

Luckily, I have a towel and a set of wipes with me, and soon it is all off. The extra set of clothes I always carry, come in handy for times like these. Once inside, I change, and then I complete my ensemble with a navy apron. The boss keeps me in the back, because of my terrible smell. Ironically, I am working with eggs.

My boss shakes his head at me, and he points to his watch, signifying that I’m late. I pull a navy trucker hat over my hair. My name tag flashes off-white with ebony letters, informing customers of my name. It is time to clock in, to restock the eggs.

For the remainder of the evening, I pull out gallons of rotten milk from the aisles. At least I’m a hard worker. That is until Mrs. Wigglesworth somehow manages to find me.

She stabs a finger into my chest. “You disgusting, little troll! My son has to work because of you! Principal Jefferson believes it’s a swell idea that James cleans the school parking lot tonight. My son is a good boy. You know, I reckon you’re probably the one who is responsible for the deaths of your parents!”

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Wigglesworth.”

“I will be so thankful, when my precious baby boy graduates. We will never have to see your disgusting face ever again! You are a joke to our precious town, and an abomination to our kind! You have the devil in you. You need to repent to save your soul, and may God have mercy on it!” she snaps at me.

She left me standing there, with every single customer in the store staring at me. My boss shakes his head again, and then the alarm on my watch sounds, signifying the end of my shift.

I carefully punch out for the night, and walk in total darkness to my car. There are no stars or moon out tonight and the dark sky seems to emit evil vibes. The owls are hooting, and the night heat is on full blast. The insufferable humidity is awful here in Kentucky during the summer months. The drive is equally scary, and even the trees seem to reach out to get me. The mailbox lights look like a pair of red eyes watching me from the roadside. The two-lane country road, this late at night, isn’t fun at all. Normally, the stars and moon shine brightly, but there is something different about tonight.

After twenty-minutes, I turn down our gravel driveway, where there are no street or security lights, and I park my car next to my sister’s brand new Mustang. I’m so happy that Ava is home. She must be studying for her finals.

As I am about to open the front door of the house, I feel someone watching me. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up. A wisp of wind breathes on my face, and I quickly turn, glancing in every direction. My unease, and an unnerving aura from within, makes me run inside the house. I slam the front door, and quickly lock it behind me. Now I’m really panicking.

“Are you feeling okay, sis?”

I gesture for her to quieten as I peek through the blinds, to see if anyone is outside. “I think someone is watching us.”

“No! Please, not this bullshit again! They have already arrested the killers, Jeannie! How many times, must I reassure you that nobody is coming after us?”

The panic starts mounting in my chest. I’m about to hyperventilate. “I can sense that there are more killers out there! I’m telling you now, sis! I can just feel it.”

She points to the vacant spot on the couch beside her, and I reluctantly sit down.

Tears start to well in my eyes, and the panic overwhelms me. She clutches me tightly to her chest.

“You will be okay, and so will I. Nobody wants to kill us. You are perfectly fine, and I promise you that. Everything will be alright, sis.”

My meltdown starts. Ava again grips me tightly to her chest. She softly reassures me, but this is what everything boils down to now. This is major anxiety that I’m experiencing. I should stop living this way.

She manages to distract me, by holding up a piece of paper. “I found this acceptance letter from Harvard. When were you going to tell me?”

Inhaling deeply, I nervously start biting my bottom lip. “I know I should have told you sooner, but I honestly didn’t know how. I love you, sis, and I’m sorry for not telling you. I applied right before our parents’ deaths, but I never want to leave you. I’m afraid, if I’m not here, I will lose you too.”

“You have to stop living your life this way. You will make me extremely upset if you refuse to take this scholarship. I’m urging you never to give up on your dreams. Please stop worrying about me so much. If something should happen, then you will have to move on with your own life. There are no guarantees for tomorrow. I want you to live your life without constant fear. Mom and dad would never have wanted us to live that way either. So please take the scholarship, and understand that I will always have you back.”

“I’m so thankful that we still have each other.”

“I’m making spaghetti. Go wash up, and we will have a few laughs to ease your fears. I will activate the house security alarm. Will that give you comfort?”

Ava puts me at ease with her calm demeanor, when we soon sit at our tiny table for two. We can do some things right. We can both cook equally well.

“How was school today?” Ava asks.

I slurp the noodles into my mouth, and reply through them. “Humph… okay I guess. Why are you asking?”

“You need to empty your mouth before you talk. It is exceptionally rude otherwise.” She looks at me for a moment, and then continues, “I’m curious, because Principal Jefferson called me about an hour ago. He informs me that James dumped fake blood all over you. Is that true?”

“It really isn’t a big deal. I still made it to work on time.”

“I think I need to call the cops this time, and press charges against him. I’m sick of his childish games.”

I block her from making the call. “If you involve the cops, it will only make things worse. Please leave it alone, Ava. School is almost over. I probably deserved it anyway.”

“You are my little sister. I’m supposed to be looking out for you. We should put a stop to his antics. You have got to let me press charges against him.”

“James has a lot of friends. Please let it go, Ava. I can deal with this on my own.”

“I really hate that asshole, but I suppose I’m satisfied that Principal Jefferson took care of him.”

“I think Principal Jefferson still carries a torch for you.”

Ava laughs. “He is a pile of fun. I made sure to tease the poor man into submission. Does he still ask about me?”

“He talks about you every single freaking day. What did you do to him?”

“We had our own little party after my high school graduation. He isn’t as hung as the girls seem to believe. His moves don’t even impress me. However, I did make sure I left him with a smile on his face.”

“You’re such a slut! I thought he would be bigger than that, though.”

“I had much bigger. Mr. Peter Jefferson leaves nothing to the imagination; for example; especially when he wears his cheetah thong!”

“Oh shit! I always pictured him to be more of a boxer type of guy.”

“To my disappointment, he stuffs his package. I’m so glad that I have other lovers. Principal Jefferson has a man problem. J. pleases me a whole lot better in the sack. He hits every single nerve.”

“I will have to meet your boyfriend. He sounds completely dreamy. Maybe he can teach Mr. Jefferson some lessons.”

“Oh, you will meet J. soon enough. He’s a little shy, though. Mom and dad met him before their deaths. J. is simply charming.”

“He has nothing to worry about. I promise to keep my fangs hidden from him. J. should come over for my graduation.”

“He might. I will have to ask him. He’s simply to die for.”

I laugh with her as I get up and place my plate in the dishwasher.

“I will hold you to that, Ava.”

 

~~~***~~~

 

The rest of the night remains calm. We laugh and carry on about things that have happened over the years. We remember our parents for their absentmindedness at times, but more importantly, for the joy that they brought us. I always want my own children to be able to reminisce about their childhood as being peaceful and prosperous. I want them always to have happiness and laughter, like these precious moments right now.

My sister and I clean up after what turned to be another long day, and then we head to our separate bedrooms. Working drains me both mentally and physically.

I stop long enough to gaze at my computer screen, to gawk at the man who haunts my dreams. He has starred in them, ever since I turned sixteen. The tip of my index finger traces the outline of his perfect chin, and then I gently kiss the screen. I have never even had a date with a man, not even a first kiss yet. I dream of my mysterious lover quite often. He always wants me in the same way I want him.

I shout a plea at the screensaver, loudly begging it, “If you’re out there somewhere, please let me find you.”

This has to be pathetic, and I feel incredibly lonely. I should start dating, but it’s hard, since all I do is stock eggs at “Bob's Big Save-A-Bunch” here in Berry, Kentucky. I will remain constantly on the lookout for my mysterious dream lover, in the hope he will rescue me. My white knight never comes, though.

 

~~~***~~~

 

Our high school graduation is today. I chose to hang out with Mesa and Arizona at their house. My ivory dress is already there. After playing video games all day, we dress for our graduation. I’m not a huge fan of pantyhose, but wear it anyway. Even though it is dark out, I still lather my skin with the doctor’s prescription of suntan lotion. I’m so wary of another bad burn. Tonight, it is a short ivory dress with long sleeves. If you want to compare me to anything right now, it would be a giant ivory cotton ball. My sister will be meeting me at the high school.

Mesa holds his van door open for me. “Are you ready to get this night over with?”

My face contorts, and I glance at my watch. “It is time to get this show on the road.”

 

~~~***~~~

 

We chose to eat at an all-you-can-eat buffet. My friends aid me in my mistreatment of my body. They are my enablers, and watch me stuff the junk into my puffy face. They never complain about my poor eating habits.

We arrive at graduation on time. Arizona and Mesa's last names are Jones, so they are ahead, but Mesa sits right next to me. You have to love the traditional alphabetical order. This is the one time that I’m thankful my last name doesn’t begin with Z. I scan the crowd for my sister, and start to become agitated. My class only has a hundred graduating seniors this year, and is quite minuscule compared to the other high school classes in our state. As the Superintendent gives his boring and snooze-worthy speech, I realize Ava isn’t in the crowd.

Mesa notices the fear, and he grabs my hand. “Don’t worry, Jeannie. I’m sure she’s somewhere in the audience—watching.”

They start to announce the names. Mesa and Arizona reassure me once again that Ava will be there somewhere, waiting for me. My row is next to receive diplomas, but there’s no warm reception when I get mine. A few distant cameras flash. My guess is that they are Arizona and Mesa's parents. I search for Ava yet again, but still am unable to spot her. Principal Peter Jefferson smiles at me warmly, with his short blonde locks over his face.

Mr. Jefferson has a fan club of teenyboppers, who follow him around like lost puppy dogs. I’m not one of those. I must admit, he does look close to the man of my dreams, but he’s not exactly the one, who I’m searching. Mr. Jefferson has hazel eyes. My dream lover has bright ultramarine, with long hair, and is tall with muscles. Mr. Jefferson definitely isn’t my cup of tea. I still wonder how my sister ever slept with him.

Arizona and Mesa hug me in unison. The roll of names seems never-ending. I make another prompt scan through the crowd for Ava, but still can’t find her. I’m not enjoying my graduation at all.

The graduating class of 2011 finishes its roll call, and then we all stand up to throw our caps high into the air. I’m so glad that I remembered to take my tassel off beforehand. I manage to pick up one of the fallen caps, and rapidly depart through the back doors. Mesa and Arizona realize I’m panicking and chase right after me. It is not as if they couldn’t keep up. My running skills are hideously atrocious, since I have to pause every few seconds to catch my breath.

Arizona reaches me first, “I’m sure there is a logical explanation to why she isn’t here, Jeannie.”

We pile into Mesa’s sixties-looking van. He drives like a maniac, weaving through the traffic in perfect synchronization, and we get to the two-lane country road to my house fifteen minutes later. Mesa soon speeds down the deep, winding gravel of our driveway, taking us way off the main road. It is another few minutes, before we are able to see my white-frame house in the distance. The house is pitch-black with no front porch lights on. Panic seeps in.

Mesa recognizes it. “I’m sure she must still be at the graduation.”

The van comes to a complete stop. I dart out in a dead heat, to the point where I feel my lungs collapsing. I’m such an ignorant fool. We should have made a quick sweep around the house, to see if anyone is scoping me. I jerk open the front door to find the house is still completely dark.