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“Today, popular books are bringing a new wave of interest to the great romance of vampires,” Mr. Cutler said. “There is an appeal to them that has people not only wanting to become romantically involved with vampires, but they want to become a vampire themselves.”
Sadie sat listening attentively to her English Lit teacher. The thought of openly talking about vampires was oddly fascinating. Part of her feared her own status would be exposed if she was too closely scrutinized. It seemed her teacher’s every mention of vampire deeds was aimed directly at her and she had difficulty making eye contact with him. But she was also intrigued by the reactions of the students around her, especially the girls.
“Twilight has brought about a whole new rage of passion for the topic.” Mr. Cutler wandered through the rows of students, his hands clasped behind his back. “How many here have read one or more of these books?”
Reluctant to raise her hand, Sadie waited until almost half the girls in the class had put their hands in the air before joining them. The series had become a phenomenon and she’d been instantly fascinated by young girls’ obsession with the characters.
“Can anybody tell me why these vampires are so attractive?” Mr. Cutler asked.
A group sigh filled the air. Dreamy gazes took over the features of virtually every girl. Sadie bit down on a chuckle. Even fictional vampires held a compelling hold on these young girls.
“Robert Pattinson is so hot,” one girl offered.
“I’d willingly let him bite my neck,” another threw in.
“Those eyes; they just make me melt.”
“Can we concentrate on the character and not the actor who portrays him?” Mr. Cutler pointed out.
“It’s more than just his looks.”
It was the first time a guy had spoken up on the subject. Sadie turned to face Keegan.
“It’s his immortality,” he added. “He promises Bella the very thing she’s afraid of. She’s seduced by the danger of it all.”
“That’s an interesting point,” Mr. Cutler said as he made his way to Keegan’s desk.
“Vampires are very seductive creatures,” Keegan said. “Everything about them is meant to attract their victims – their beauty, their voice, and even their bite. Their bite can be intoxicating, pleasurable even, filling their victim with a sense of euphoria...before they die.”
A few students snickered at the sexual insinuation, but Sadie just stared at him, intrigued by his take on vampires.
He fixed his gaze on her and a warm smile spread across his lips.
Bashfully aware she’d been staring and feeling the sudden heat wave caused by his smile, Sadie looked away. She’d never felt such a response, at least not from a human. She was baffled by the effect he had on her and didn’t know what to make of it.
It wasn’t the first time she’d been so flustered by him. Every time she crossed his path and every class she shared with him had her painfully aware of his proximity. She glanced back at him again and his gaze was still steadily on her, his smile inviting, yet slightly mocking.
Though she hardly considered herself to be naïve in the ways of love between a man and a woman, the sensations she now felt left her seeking some sort of understanding. Over the years she’d met her fair share of men, had witnessed romances and had learned of the ways men seduce women.
But never had she felt such a strong desire to be seduced by a man. Keegan had latched onto something deep within her from their very first meeting. She’d tried to ignore it. It was most likely the move to California, the return to school, the start of a new life. But these rationalizations didn’t explain why it was only in the presence of Keegan that she felt such overwhelming excitement and anxiety.
As Mr. Cutler continued with the lesson, Sadie found it difficult to concentrate on what he had to say. Though she’d turned away from Keegan, she could feel him. She knew his gaze was on her and she fought to keep it from disturbing her.
He was getting under her skin, something she couldn’t allow, something she had never allowed before.
When the class finally let out, she rushed down the hall towards her locker, eager to get away from the heat of the class. She sensed him, trailing her. He was close, too close and while she enjoyed the sensual sensations she felt emanating from him, she needed to keep him from getting any closer.
In a flash, she spun around to face him, grabbed him by the collar and pinned him to the lockers. Inches from his face, her eyes were hard and determined as they met his. “Why are you following me?”
Though his eyes widened momentarily, they quickly narrowed with humor and amusement. “Hey, cool it.” His chuckle was light, reminding her of the exaggerated force she’d used to back him into the lockers. “I just wanted to know why you were looking at me that way.”
“What way?” She sounded more annoyed than she actually was and knew she was being far too harsh with him. But it was the only way she could control all the other emotions she felt.
“That funny way, back in class.”
“You were talking, I was listening. That’s all.”
“No, that’s not all.”
She had so many questions to ask him, yet she didn’t dare. His knowledge of vampires was a little too extensive for comfort.
“You're a guy. I guess it’s just weird to hear a guy talking about Twilight the way you were. I was surprised you knew anything about it.”
His gaze locked onto hers, causing that sensation to come again. He wasn’t human. He couldn’t be. He had a mesmerizing way about him; not quite vampire, but not entirely human either.
“Whether it’s Twilight, Vampire Diaries or Dracula, I’m fascinated by the population’s attraction to these stories. It’s amusing to see how compelling they all are. Don’t you find it fascinating?”
She wanted to squirm out of his scrutinizing gaze. He was looking too deeply inside her and she wondered what he saw. Somehow she doubted it was simply the blue of her eyes that intrigued him so.
“It’s popular fiction.” The statement came out as flippant and disinterested as she could make it. “It’s vaguely amusing, nothing more. I’m far more fascinated by the work of the masters; Of Mice and Men, Death of a Salesman, To Kill a Mockingbird.”
His face screwed up into a ball of confusion. “Don’t pull that intellectual stuff with me. I know you’d like to know more about vampires and pop culture’s take on them. Your eyes were wide with interest in class. You couldn’t get enough of what I was saying. Admit it. You're just as infatuated with the romantic notion of it all as every other girl here.”
“I’ve passed the age of infatuation.”
He chuckled, a sound that was mocking.
“You’re right smack in the age of infatuation, if not with vampires, at least with the mystery of them.”
“Maybe.” She released her hold of him and backed away, trying to get her shoulders into a nonchalant shrug.
“Look.” He put his hand to her shoulder and it was all she could do not to melt into him. “Meet me at the library after school. It’s filled with every myth and misconception you’ve ever heard about vampires. Cool stuff. Tomorrow you could impress Mr. Cutler with everything you know. I don’t mind sharing the stage.”
She had to laugh. There was an amusing cockiness to him that she found charming. “I’ll think about it.”
He pulled his hand away, leaving her skin cold and tingling where it’d been warm and invigorated under his touch. His eyes remained on her as he stooped down to pick up her bag. She’d not even realized she’d let it fall to the floor when she’d grabbed him.
She was usually so in control of herself; so aware of her surroundings. It was becoming increasingly disturbing the effect this young man had on her.