"Theo?" Colette asked as she tucked her hair behind her ear. She continued to slip the neck of her blouse just past her right shoulder. "Weren't you going to take a bite?"
The school bell rang and Theo lifted his head off of his desk. These daydreams are becoming a little too realistic, he thought to himself in frustration.
Theo was sure that through avoidance, he could reject the urge to allow Colette to continue to consume his thoughts. Avoidance only caused his mind to flood with irrational ideas of her, including the temptation of drinking her blood. His imagination was running rampant with scenarios of how things would play out if he did actually sink his fangs into her.
To make matters worse, Theo made it all too obvious that he had been avoiding her. He saw her in the hallways this week not once, but twice. On both occasions, she definitely noticed him and waved, but he ignored her. She probably thought it was a coincidence the first time, but the second time, Theo nearly slipped as he spun around in the opposite direction. Embarrassed, she lowered her head and continued on to her class. Everyone in the hallway noticed, including Alexandru.
Theo's lunch period came, so he hurried to their regular lunch table and let out a deep sigh. He laid his forehead directly on the table and shut his eyes. I can't keep this up, can I?
Meanwhile, Alexandru and Catalina deliberately trailed behind him so that he couldn't overhear their conversation.
"You're going to ask him what his deal is lately, aren't you?" Catalina's request was more of an order.
Alexandru shrugged his shoulders. "I guess so."
They shifted into their seats as usual. Alexandru set his synthetic blood on the table loudly, as if to catch Theo's attention. Theo, however, didn't move a muscle.
Clearing his throat, Alexandru began his investigation. "So Theo…something's been up with you lately, hasn't it?"
Catalina was fixing her hair in a pocket sized mirror but seemed to redirect her gaze towards Theo.
"I'm not sure what you mean by that," Theo responded, annoyed at the line of questioning.
"Well, for starters, what was that scene in the hallway? You froze and darted away like a frightened kitten," Alexandru teased and continued, "Don't tell me a human girl can get that kind of response out of you."
Catalina snapped her mirror shut and hissed, "Don't be silly, Alex. Theo and a human? As if…R-right Theo?"
Theo sighed. "I'm not even sure anymore."
Catalina and Alexandru both looked at Theo, wide-eyed in disbelief. Theo stood up and left the table. "I'm not even hungry. I'll catch up with you two another time."
Catalina gnawed at her nails. Alexandru looked over at her and rolled his eyes. "Catalina relax. This is probably good for him. As his friends, we should support him, right?"
Catalina glared at Alexandru and exited the lunchroom in a fit of rage.
Alexandru sighed and took a sip of his synthetic blood. So…a human girl caught your attention, huh? Very interesting Theo.
Theo wandered through the hallways sluggishly, as if something were deliberately slowing him down. He couldn't help but feel stupid for avoiding her. He was certain that his antics upset her today. She doesn't deserve that, he thought.
He knew he'd have to find her to apologize, but he didn't even know the first thing about her. Where would I even start?, he wondered. It must have been perfect timing because he recognized a girl with long brown hair and glasses walking down the hallway. It was Colette's friend. What was her name again? Rika? Hurriedly, he followed her trajectory down the hallway.
"Hey!" Theo shouted quietly as to not draw too much attention. Rika turned back, startled. "You're Colette's friend, right? …Rika?
Rika had nodded her head, curious about his inquiry.
"Do you know where I can find her after school today?"
Rika looked at him from top to bottom and lowered her glasses. "As a rule of thumb, she's always in the library after school. But if you care so much about meeting with her, ask for her cell number to avoid this in the future." She pushed her glasses back up, dropped the mic, and continued down the hallway supernaturally.
"Um….thanks." Theo was genuinely thankful, but the overall interaction was definitely odd.
Last period passed, and Theo anxiously rushed over to the library. What do I even say to her? It wasn't like him to feel nervous about anything. He realized that she might be angry because he had basically ghosted her.
He made it to the entrance of the library and spotted her sitting alone near a table by the windows. The way the sunlight filtered into the room made it seem like he was being drawn directly to her. Theo nervously gulped as he approached the seat across from her. He slid into the chair and patiently waited for her to notice him.
"Oh? Would you look at who it is," Colette whispered sarcastically.
She placed her book face down on the table. She crossed her arms and continued to ask, "To what do I owe this surprise?" It was obvious that she was upset. And for good reason.
"So…what were you reading before I walked in?" Theo attempted to change the subject.
"Seriously? That's what I get after all this time?" Colette stood up as if she were going to leave the table, but Theo held her book down so that she couldn't leave.
With a hint of desperation, he muttered, "Wait - I came to apologize. And to ask if we could be friends."
"Seriously?" She turned her head away, disinterested.
Theo paused before answering again, "Seriously." His answer was soft and his eyes were honest
Colette slowly sank back down into her seat. "Okay …I'm listening," she replied.
Theo blushed and cleared his throat. "Well, for starters…I really apologize for being a jerk."
Intrigued by the turn of events, Colette rested her chin in her palm and asked, "…So what made you want to be friends, anyway?"
Theo responded, "Dunno… Just feels right."
Colette raised her eyebrow and leaned further back into her chair. "So what was all of that about earlier?"
Should I just be honest with her?…Theo pushed back his hair and lowered his voice.
"I…I think I want some of your blood." He was too self conscious to make eye contact with her.
Colette didn't quite catch what he said, and she leaned in closer with her head tilted curiously… "Come again?"
Theo sighed and met her gaze. "I was avoiding you because… the truth is I really want some of your blood." Theo stood up and passed her a piece of paper with his cellphone number written on it. "If you never want to see me again, I understand…but that's my cellphone number. If you don't totally hate me by now, feel free to save it."
With reality sinking in, Colette remained wide-eyed and speechless. His red eyes seemed like they were yearning for a response, but she was still in shock. Rather than put anymore pressure on her, he swiftly made his way out of the library.
For the next few days, Theo frequently checked his cellphone, anticipating a text message from Colette. She never messaged him, so he still didn't have her number. Well, I guess I got my answer…she hates me.
Saturday came around, and Theo finally received a text message from an unknown number. He was in the shower when he received it, but once he read it, he rushed out of the bathroom like a madman.
Colette: Hey would you want to head to the botanical gardens with me next Saturday? It's Colette by the way. I originally asked Rika but she bailed on me. I want to make it over before they take down their autumn displays.
Theo:I'll be there...What time and where are we meeting?
Colette: Stop by the library one day after school next week so we can talk details.
Theo heard his doorbell ring, and he quickly changed into a pair of shorts and a long sleeve t-shirt. He knew they weren't expecting visitors, so he wondered who it was. He could hear his mother answering the door.
"Catalina? What a surprise to see you here today… Are you looking for Theo?"
Catalina? What's she doing here today?
"Oh… I was just in the area, so I figured I'd stop by to say hello. I brought cookies as well…I filled the centers with synthetic blood"
"Well, isn't that thoughtful?"Before Renata called Theo over to the door, he made his presence known.
"You know you should really text first, Catalina. What if I wasn't home?"
Sarcastically, Catalina responded, "Oh …well, you're here now. May I come in?"
Her insistence annoyed him. "Sure," he muttered in an irritated tone.
Catalina walked straight to his bedroom and plopped herself onto his bed.
Theo shut his door halfway. "So, why are you really here?" He knew she had another agenda.
"What? I can't just check in on a friend?" Catalina twirled her hair on her finger and continued, "I'm worried about you."
"Huh?…Worried about me? Why?"
"It's like Alex mentioned…. You're distracted…by that human."
Theo refused to give an answer to her allegation. Catalina changed her posture, as if she were getting ready to lecture him. Theo had been friends with Catalina for a long time, but he always found her to be insufferable. Especially when she got like this.
"Let me just remind you… Historically, there was a reason for separation between humans and vampires. And in many ways that reason still exists…They're just blood bags."
Fed up, Theo snarled, "Listen, Catalina, I'm not sure what type of crap your coven has been spewing lately, but the old ways are over. And to be quite honest, I'm not sure why you came here to tell me this." Theo swung his door open and gestured for her to leave.
"What? Are you kicking me out?" she hissed.
"Well, yeah… I'd like to get you out of my room."
Catalina frowned as she picked up her things. "You belong with your own kind."
Catalina quickly exited. Renata met Theo in the doorway to his room. "What was that all about?" She asked, concerned.
"It was nothing." Or at least that's what Theo wanted to believe.