• Noah Baker ran out of the school doors screaming, ’’School’s out! And hello summer vacation!!” That day she was wearing a black last day of school dress with black tennis shoes and her tiny gold locket necklace. She always wore a shiny blue clip in her hair that read Noah. She had just turned fifteen on June first. As she walked home, her twin brother Mark pushed her and she dropped her cell phone.”Mark, you get on my nerves!”As loud as she yelled, her twin just laughed and started walking backwards. Mark ran into the stop sign and fell down. Noah laughed.”Yes, we’re at our street.”Said Noah as they walked down the street and entered their big shingled roofed house.
    ”Hi, Marti!” They said to their seven year old sister.”Mommy and daddy will be home at four thirty.”Marti said sweetly. Noah finished cleaning her room thirty minutes before their parents got home. She picked up the phone and called her best friend.”Hello, Sara?”Noah began to bite on her fingernails.”Yes?” her friend answered.”Come over.”Noah twirled her hair.”Why?”She said on a shocked tone. “Because,” Noah laughed.”I want to see you!”Laughing filled the whole conversation.”Noah!”Sara was laughed now too.”What?”This was a regular phone conversation. Weird.”Oh my gosh, girl really?!”A high squeaky voice said. Noah knew who it was. Mark.”Mark! You dummy!”Noah yelled.”Sorry.” Mark hung up.”Stupid.”Sara giggled and declared, “Brothers are always stupid.”
    Sara Sara liked Mark.”Sara, you must be crazy, liking my stupid brother.”Noah would always say.As soon as she went downstairs, Sara was at the door, being greeted by Mark.”Noah, Sara’s-.”Mark noticed that Noah had figured out that Sara was here.”Hey Ah!” Ah was Noah’s nickname.”Hey Sara! They all hugged.”What about me?”Joe said as he walked through the door.”Oh, Joseph!”Noah ran up to him and hugged him tightly. He hugged her back and he smiled.”Hey let me show you something.”Mark said and Sara followed him, leaving Noah and Joseph all alone.”Oh, my gosh Ah, I haven’t seen you in forever!”Joe whispered.”I know.”Noah stood on the tips of her toes,and hugged him tightly.”What was that?”Joe asked. Sara had a twin named Joe, who was Noah’s best friend. All of a sudden, Joe wrestled her to the ground and started tickling her.”Stop, Joe!”Noah laughed. Both of them got up and quietly crept upstairs and peeked in Mark’s room. Sara and Mark were about to kiss but then they noticed that they were there. “I’m telling mom.” Joe said. Sara started chasing Joe around the room. “Ha ha!”Joe laughed. “It won’t be ha ha when I catch you!”Sara screamed. Joe tripped on Noah’s rug, sending him flying on her bed. Noah laughed. She jumped on her bed, turned Joe over, and started spanking him.”Ow.’’Joe said over and over. When he finally got up, he said, “Noah, it’s my turn.”She got up.”Heck no!”So they chased each other around the house and they continued this act for a very long time. Sara looked at her cell phone.”Mom texted me. She said come home.”Sara picked up her purse, kissed Mark goodbye, and told Joe to meet her in the car. Joe did the same thing only he hugged Noah. He said goodbye to Mark, and then at the blink of an eye, he was gone. Joe’s little black convertible skidded down the street and Noah watched it, touching her arm where he had hugged her, and soon the car was a little black dot. Then nothing was there. She still sat on the window sill.”Are you just going to sit there all day?”Mark asked sarcastically.”Yes.”Noah said in the same tone. “Well I’m going out for dinner are you going to come?”Mark asked.”Yes, please go get my cell phone.”Noah rubbed her eyes.”No, you go get it.” Mark declared.”You never do anything for me!”Noah yelled and got up.”Well you’re legs aren’t broken.”Mark mumbled. Noah pushed by him, picked up her phone, and went downstairs. Noah suddenly dozed off. Downstairs sat Mr. Baker and Mrs. Baker.”Hi, sweety.How was your day?”He asked.”Um, it was okay.”Noah answered.”It’s almost over.’’Mrs. Baker was in a better mood than usual.”Mommy, are you okay?”Her mother almost seemed too happy to be real. It wasn’t real happiness.”Why, yes darling.”Her mother answered quietly.”No, mom,” Noah said.”You’re not really happy! You’re faking it!”Her parents got in the car and drove away.”Noah!”Mark was shaking her.”Wake up!”She sat up.”Mom! Dad.”She yelled. They’re leaving. They’re leaving,” Mark let go of her.”Mark, they are already gone. Gone forever.”Mark picked her up.”Let’s go.”She whispered.”To dinner?” Mark asked putting her into the car.”Yes, to dinner. Where else would we go, Mark?” Noah looked at him like he was stupid.”I don’t know. To Joe’s house maybe.” Mark answered simply.”Okay!” Noah jumped on the leather seats of her brothers Volvo.”Call Joseph.” Mark ordered, pronouncing his best friend’s full first name.”Joe, may we come over?” She asked.”Yes, you may.” Joe answered.”Okay, see ya soon.”Noah laughed at Joseph’s seriousness.”Bye, hon.”Joe laughed, and then hung up.”Bye.”She whispered. Mark waited for an answer.”He said we can come over.”She smoothed her dress, wanting to change into some comfortable clothes. Mark’s Volvo’s tires screeched on the pavement, and his car skidded down the road.”Mark, “Noah screeched.”Are you trying to kill me?”Mark grinned.”I wouldn’t do that, would I?”He asked, smiling and laughing.”Yes, you probably would.”Noah answered grimacing.”Ha ha.” Mark muttered. They pulled into Joe and Sara’s house.It was a beautiful big white house with always open windows.”Hey!” Joseph greeted them,with his big bear hugs.He was the biggest person that Noah had ever seen.He wasn’t one of those mucle builders,he just was tall and skinny and muscular.He was always friendly,sort of like a dad.He always made people feel better.And he was beautiful.His skin was a pale white, and his hair was bronze.”Hey,Joe,”Noah gasped for breath.”Can’t-breathe!”She gasped.”Oh, sorry,”Joe chuckled.”I forgot that I’m so big.”He smiled.”It’s okay,Joe.”Noah laughed a nervous laugh. “Sorry.”He muttered under his breath.”Hey,do you guys still have those four wheelers?”Noah suddenly asked.”Yeah,” Joe raised an eyebrow.”Why?”A grin stretched across his face.”I wanna ride ‘em.”Noah grinned back.”You?On a quad?”Joe shook his head.”That’s dangerous.”He said,but it was not a definate no.”Oh,what the heck?”Joe opened the door and Noah sqeeled with happiness.”Really?”She sqeeked.”Sure.”He shrugged his broad shoulders.She jumped on the smaller red four wheeler and turned the key.The engine purred.Joe was going in circles.”C’mon!”Joe called.”I am coming!”She yelled back.”Hurry up,then!”He yelled back.She raced over to him,almost hitting him,and then slammed on the breaks.”Happy?”She growled at him.”Yes,you just drag!”He complained.”Hmph.”She groaned.”We don’t get along so well do we?”A grin stretchehed across his face.”Nope.”She sighed.”Well,I’m sorry.”He hugged her.”I forgive you.”She grimaced at his tight grip.”But you hurt.”She complained.He immediantly released her.”Sorry,I shouldn’t do that.I have to learn to control myself.”He smiled crookedly.”Yeah,you should.”She muttered,and he laughed.”Hey,do you think that Sara will let me borrow some of her clothes? I’m uncomfortable in this dress.”She got off the quad.”She should.I don’t see why she wouldn’t.Go ahead in,you don’t have to knock.”Joe said.”Thanks,when I come back we’ll ride.”She promised.”Alright.”He turned his head.She went in the house.”Sara,let me borrow something to wear.”She looked at Sara’s sad face.”I knew you’d get tired of wearing that soon enough.”She said sadly.”Sara?What’s wrong?”Noah looked at her friend.”Mark and I got in an argument,that’s all.”She sniffed.”That’s all? You’re sure? Don’t lie to me,Sara.”Noah asked.”I’m pretty sure that’s all.”Sara assured her.”Okay,”Noah said slipping into some jeans and a T-shirt with a long sleaves underneath it.”Thanks.”She said.”You’ll be back soon?”Sara asked with wide eyes.”Sure.”Noah hugged her.”That was awfully quick for a girl.”Joe commented.”Thanks?”Noah started up the four wheeler and raced up a hill.”So,you’re all about the exteme sports now,eh?”Joe asked.”Yeah,ever since last summer.I forgot that I haven’t seen you guys in,like,two years.We were thirteen last time we saw each other.Remember?”Noah laughed.”Yeah,I remember.It was my birthday,and you shoved cake in my face.”He laughed.”Oh,”Noah blushed.”Sorry about that.”She smiled.”It’s okay.You’re foriven.It was two years ago,”He shrugged.”The past.”Noah looked at his quad’s wheel about to slid of the hill.”Jump off,”Noah yelled.”Now!”She screamed.Joe slid off just in time.His four wheeler rolled and landed in the ditch.”Man,I payed a lot of money for that.”He grunted.”I’ll replace it!That could have been you!”Noah yelled pointing to a rock that was underneath the four wheeler.”You don’t have to do that.”Was all he replied.”You’re unbleievable!”She muttered.”What?”Joe shrugged.”You’re worrying about your four wheeler.You could have been dead.”She crossed her arms.”I’ve had so many near-death experiences.It doesn’t really bug me that much anymore.”Joe shrugged.”It bugs me,”She sqeaked.”I don’t want my best friend to die.”She whispered.”Best friend.Yeah,right.”He mummbled.”You are,Joe.You know that!”She playfully pushed his arm.”I know,”He smiled.”But don’t girls usually have girls as their best friends?”He exaggerated the word girls.”Normal girls.”She answered with a laugh.”Yeah,you definantly don’t fit in that category.”Joe teased.”Hey,neither do you.”Noah pointed out.”I would hope so! First of all,I’m not a girl.I may be weird,but I’m not a girl,”Joe assured her.”Not that I know of,anyway.”He teased.”Get away from me!”Noah shoved him.”I’m kidding,Noah.”Joe laughed.”Your sure?”She smiled.”I’m sure.”Noah shoved him playfully.”You’d better be!”She warned.”Trust me,I am.”He put his hand over his heart.”Come on,I’ll call my dad to come and pull your quad out of the ditch.”Noah said,heading to the house.”Sure.”Joe replied catching up with her.Noah got on her phone.”Dad?”Noah almost laughed.”Yes,Noah?”Mr.Baker asked.”Joseph’s quad fell in a ditch.”Noah burst out laughing.”What did that boy do for that to happen?”He sighed.”He went real close to a ditch and it fell in.”Noah asnwered.”That boy.I’ll be there in a little while to get it out.”Her dad said quickly.”Okay,thanks dad.”Noah chirped.”Hey,and tell that boy that next time it happens,it will be his butt.”Her dad warned.”I’ll be sure to do that,Dad.”Noah shut her phone.”Is he coming?”Joe asked.”Yes,but he said next time it’ll be your butt.”Noah laughed.”Oh,well that’s real nice.”Joe muttered.”Yeah,you shouldn’t say that to a cop’s daughter.”Noah warned.”Oh,yeah.Jacob is a cop,huh?”Joe laughed.”Yes,but he’s Chief Baker to you.”She reminded him.Being raised by the law caused Noah to always follow them,and to always call important people,like police men,by their job names.”Chief Baker.Right.”He laughed,and then winced.”Joe?”She whispered.”What’s wrong?”She asked.”My head’s bugging me.”He answered.”Oh,I’ll go then.”She got up and grabbed her dress off the back of the chair.”It’s not you,Noah.”He grabbed her arm tightly.”Ow,Joe.”Noah looked at her arm.It had Joe’s finger marks on it.”Sorry.I just shouldn’t touch you anymore.”Joe said looking down.”J-“Noah was cut off by him.”I think you should go.”Joe said fiercly.”Oh,alright.See you later,then.”She walked out the door,but before she did she paused and called back to him.”You should have just said that it was me!”She reached at the door.”I know,”Joe whispered.”There’s more than just that that I should have told you.”Joe breathed.”Tell me then,” Noah sat next to him.”You know I can’t stand secrets, unless I’m in on them, of course.”Joe sighed. Noah touched his pale cold hand.”Well, my family and I have a secret. And if I tell you, you have to promise me that you will keep it a secret.”Joe began.”Okay, I promise.”Noah hooked her pinkey around his. She shivered at his cold touch.”Why are you always so cold?”Noah asked, making Joe laugh.”That’s what I’m getting to, “He said.”The reason why I’m always so cold is because I’m…a….a bloodsucker.”He laughed.”What? I don’t understand. A bloodsucker? “She looked at him, her eyes squinted.”Okay, name things that suck blood.”He ordered.”Okay, people.Animals, werewolves, but only in movies. And in movies, vampires.”She finished and then looked at him in shock.”You’re a werewolf!”She gasped.”That would be cool, but no.”Joe laughed.”Oh,”She whispered.”A v-vampire.”She stuttered.”You’re a vampire? Vampires aren’t real! Only in movies!”She gasped.”Or that’s what you thought.”Joe laughed.”So, you’re really a vampire?” Noah asked shocked and confused.”Yes, but I’m not proud of it.”Joe laughed.”No, you’re not! You’re trying to scare me! Nice one, Joe!”She playfully punched him, and laughed. But he did not laugh.”Noah, I’m as serious as serious gets.”Joe warned his face serious.”Serious?” She repeated her head spinning.”No.”She laughed.”Stop! You’ve gone too far, Joseph!”Noah warned him. “Fine, if you don’t believe me, then I’ll show you.” He grabbed her arm in a tight grip and dragged her out of the door.”What are you doing?” Noah screeched.”Proving you wrong.”Joe answered.”Where are we going?” She asked stumbling behind him.”Into the forest behind the house.”Joe’s face was angry, his mouth in a hard line. Noah had never seen him this mad. They jumped on his other four wheeler and then drove deep into the forest. He jumped off, like any normal non-vampire would.”So are you ready to believe in vampires?” Joe asked.”No, “She admitted. He slung her on his back and said, “Hold on if you want to live to see tomorrow.”She wrapped her arms around his neck, choking him.”Easy on the throat.”He said coughing.”Sorry, I’m holding on.”She pointed out.”Fine.”He muttered. He took off running, as graceful as a gazelle. Noah noticed his legs moving swiftly. And she closed her eyes, letting the gentle movements soothe her.”You can open your eyes.”Joe sighed.”Oh, that was something else.” Noah said.”Do you believe-“Noah interrupted him.”Yes! Yes, I believe that you’re a…vampire.”She sighed.”Good, now let’s not discuss the matter anymore.” Joe said walking towards the house.”You don’t expect to tell me something like that without me asking questions, do you?”Noah crossed her arms.”Fine,” Joe muttered.”A few.” Noah unwrapped her arms. “How did this happen? When?”She asked shaking her head.”My friend, Carlton, bit me on accident. He was…thirsty. “Joe explained.”And it was a year ago.” He smiled.”Good thing we didn’t hang out last year, “He laughed. “Or you’d be like me.”Joe took in a deep breath. “Do vampires have…fangs?” Noah asked, feeling stupid. “No, “Joe laughed.”In movies we do, but that’s not true.”He shook his head.”Oh, so if I asked you to bite me right now, would you?” Noah asked grinning.”No, absolutely not! “Joe screeched.”Why?” Noah wondered.”Because, I didn’t ask for this! You think that it’s all fun and happy. But it’s more difficult than you think.” Joe warned. “But I just asked for it.”She pointed out.”Nope.” He protested.”Is Sara a vampire?” She gulped.” Yes.”He answered. “Then I’ll ask her!” Noah grinned.”You wouldn’t!” He looked at her, his face still angry.”Well, you won’t do it!” Noah whined. “Fine.” He said pretending to get ready to bite her.”Yay!” She rejoiced. But he just laughed.”You really thought I’d bite you?” He laughed. “It’s not funny!” She stomped off.”Come back. I’m sorry.” He said, still laughing.”I’m going home.”She jumped on the quad and tried to start it, but he raced by and already had the key on his hand.”Fine , use your vampire crap on me. I’ll walk.”She said annoyed.”I’m truly sorry, Noah.” Joe composed his face.”I forgive you, but I still have to go home. Jacob’s gonna freak.” Joe frowned. “Don’t go!” He grabbed her hand in a tight hold.”I have to!” She protested.”Fine, call me!” He called to her.”I will, Joe.” She stomped over roots and bushes, falling a scratching herself. She heard Joe growl. She started to bleed. She ran faster and faster, continuing to fall. But even though in a way, she wanted to be a vampire, she didn’t want for Joe to change her or whatever they do to become one. She reached the house, and then told Mark to meet her in the car. When she climbed in the car, Joe was sitting on the seat, growling.”J-Joe, “She stuttered.”I tried so hard to control myself, “ Joe began He stroked her cheek.” And you are making it easier to do that. I know how much you mean to me, because you are like family, and I don’t even want to kill you.” He laughed. “Shouldn’t you still be careful?” Noah asked shocked at his cold touch.”Why, yes! Of course!” Joe laughed .Sara skipped out of the house.” Oh, Noah! You’re all scraped up!” Sara picked her up and ran into the house. She stuck band aids all over Noah, on every cut she had.”There, all better!” She sang, her voice sweet sounding. Sara’s long curly hair bounced on her shoulders as she ran Noah back to her car.”I know what you are.” Noah whispered. “Well, of course, silly,” Sara laughed.”I’m your best friend!”She sang.”No, I mean that I know you’re a vampire.” Noah choked out.”Oh, so Joseph told you? “She asked hoping that that was the case.”Yes, he told me everything.” Noah swallowed.”Okay.” Her best friend’s smile disappeared.”Well, see you at school tomorrow.” Sara smiled; more like grimaced, and hopped away, her hair bouncing. “You told her? “ Joe asked startling her.”Y-Yes. Is that okay?” Noah asked. “It’s fine. You actually did me a favor.” He laughed. “You’re welcome?” Noah shrugged. He whispered, “And that’s why I refuse to change you.” He stroked her cheek where she had blushed.”Alight then.” Noah answered.”Well I gotta get going.”She honked the horn and Mark stumbled out the house.”I’m coming! Calm down! Don’t have a heart attack!”Mark yelled at her.”Shut up, we’re late for dinner because of you!” Noah started the car and skidded down the road.”Do you have something to tell me, Noah? “Mark asked.”What do you mean, Mark? “Noah asked innocently.”I’m talking about Mark and Sara. What are they?” Mark asked. “They are bloodsuckers.”Noah answered.” Oh, my gosh! My girlfriend is a nasty werewolf!” Mark exclaimed.”That’s gross! Ew!” Mark wrinkled his nose.” Girlfriend? “Noah said shocked.”That’s not important,” Mark muttered.”Sara’s a werewolf! “He said loudly.”No,” Noah gulped. “She’s a vampire. Like Joe.”Noah told him.”J-Joe and Sara are vamps?” Mark stuttered.” Yeah. Freaky, huh?” Noah grinned.”Yeah, very.” Mark and Noah walked into the house unsteadily.”Hey, guys. Where’d you guys go?” There mom asked. “We went to the Cults’ house, mom.”Noah answered automatically. “Oh, I have to call Mrs. Cult. Oh, thanks for reminding me, sweetheart!” She exclaimed.”Your welcome, mom.” Her mother lunged for the phone and dialed the Cults’ phone number.”Mrs. Cult?” Her mother asked.”Hello, how have you been! It’s been so long!” She shrieked.”Oh, are they? “Mrs. Baker looked at Mark. He shrugged. “Oh, are they? Now that is great! I’m so happy for my baby!” She cried, looking at Noah now.”Yes, I’ll discuss it with them.” Mrs. Baker assured. “Alright, bye.” Mrs. Baker hung up the phone.” I need to talk to you guys.” She gestured towards the dining room table.”Mrs. Cult told me about you and Joe, and you and Sara,” Mrs. Baker said pointing to her children.”Yeah, what about it? “ Noah asked.”Are you being safe?”Her mom asked.”Mom!” Noah slapped her moms hand lightly.”What? I’m just making sure. Are you?” Mrs. Baker asked.”Mom, it’s not like that. We don’t kiss or whatever! By the way, me and Joe are just best friends. I’m speaking for myself here, by the way.” Noah folded her arms. “I’m glad. Noah, you’re free to go.” Noah jumped up and ran up the stairs, happy to be free.”As for you, Mark, I have to have a long talk with you.”Mrs. Baker looked at her son with a thousand questions in her eyes. Mark groaned.”Mom, can we talk about this later?” Mark pleaded.”Fine, but it won’t be forgotten.”She warned. And he ran up the stairs to call his vampire. ( End Of Chapter )
    “Noah?” Joe’s velvet voice spoke in her dreams.”Run! Run, Noah! You have to! I’m dangerous!” Joe screamed at her.”No, you’re not, Joe!”Noah reached out to him. He viciously bit her arm, leaving a deep teeth wound.”Noah, look what you made me do!” He yelled.”This is meant to happen!”Noah screamed back.”No, this isn’t supposed to happen, Noah. You made this happen.” Joe replied angrily, his fangs dripping with her blood.”I wanted this.” She whispered.”I didn’t.” She reached out to him again, and he bit her again.”Stop it, Noah,” Joe screamed.”You are making me bite you!” He yelled.”I’m so sorry, Joe.” She whispered. She jerked in her bed, and fell on the hard wooden floor, still fully dressed.”Man!” She automatically looked at her arm. It was unbitten. She looked at her clock, and it said that it was noon the next day.”Man, I wanted that dream to be real.” She called Joe, who was still sleeping at 12:00 in the afternoon.”Hello?” He said sleepily. “Hey, Joe. It’s Noah.”She stretched. “Hey,”He groaned.”What time is it? Oh, my god! I’m late for school! Dang, where’s my shoes? My shirt!” Noah stopped him.”Joe, its summer vacation, remember?” She reminded him.”Oh, I forgot.” He laughed at himself. “I’m so dumb.”He chuckled louder.”Hey, come visit us today.” Noah suggested.”Okay, I’ll bring Sara.” He promised.”Okay, see you later.” She yawned, somehow still tired.”Okay, see you.” He hung up the phone. Joe lightly knocked on the door. “ Hey, Joe.” She hugged him, and he just stood there, letting her hug him.” Oh, so you can’t hug me now?” She accused. “Sorry, I might hurt you. Besides, my mom is freaking out that I’m spending time with you. She thinks that we’re…” He just shook his head. “Oh,” She looked down.”Yeah, my mom is being all weird.My dating history, well actually, I don’t have a dating history.” She admitted. “If it makes you feel any better, I don’t either.” Joe shrugged. “That’s a lie. You have to have at least dated someone, considering that you are so beautiful.” Noah accused. “Nope. It would be bad for me or Sara to be that close to someone. She has to be extra careful with your brother. If she were to even slip…”They both sighed.”So me and you-“ Joe cut her off.”That’s not possible.” He said gruffly.”Oh,”Noah looked down.”Sorry.” She looked away from him, pain showing on her face. She was beginning to love Joe, more than she should, and he pretty much just crushed her dreams.”Noah? “He whispered.”Are you alright? I’m sorry.” Joe went to touch her arm.”Don’t touch me.” She was mad now; her dreams were shattered, just like her heart.”What did I do?” Joe asked angrily. Noah didn’t say anything, still flinched away from him, and he sighed. She stiffened at his side. “Noah, I’m sorry. It’s just best. I-“Joe was cut off mid-sentence. “I know. It’s safer. If you slipped, it would be bad. But didn’t you already slip? “She asked looking at her arm. “No, I didn’t slip.” Joe said. “I must have been dreaming. Sorry. “She shook her head. “Yeah, you were defiantly dreaming.” Joe said in a dead voice. “Like I said, sorry.” Noah reminded him. “ You are hopeful, aren’t you?” He asked, towering over her.” Yes, I’ve always been a dreamer.” Noah answered. “Please change me!” She suddenly shouted. Joe’s eyes widened with horror.”No.” He turned his back on her, and walked away. “Joe? “ She took a careful step forward. “I’ll see you later, Noah.” Joe said and he slammed the front door. Noah didn’t understand what made him so mad. All she wanted was to be like him, so she could be with him forever. But obviously, he didn’t want that. She went on her room and curled into a ball on her bed. “I’m sorry.” She muttered. Her mom lightly knocked on the door.”Knock, knock!” Her mother smiled a radiant smile. “I brought you some pizza, I thought you might be hungry.” Her mom held out a tiny plate. “Thanks mom, but I’m not hungry.” She was hungry, but she was too upset to eat. “Did he hurt you?” Her mom stroked her cheek. She didn’t want to spill his secret, just as she had promised Joe, and she just answered,” Sort of.” Her mother rubbed her back, and she fell into a deep sleep. “Noah? “ Joe spoke softly in her ear. She groaned. “Joe? “ She asked sitting up. “I’m here.” He stroked her hair.” Aren’t you supposed to be mad at me?” She asked sourly. He chuckled.”Yes, I am. But I forgive you for asking such a ridiculous question.” She snorted. “A ridiculous question? “ She turned her back on him. “Ha.” She yawned and got up. She trudged down the stairs, laughing at Joe. “Ridiculous question.”She snorted under her breath.”That’s what that was.” He said suddenly from behind her. “Whatever, I’m done fighting with you, Joe.” She snarled.”Fine.” He crossed his arms.” Okay, I’m sorry.” He gave in. “That’s what I thought.” She mumbled. “I really am.” He urged.”Why don’t I believe that?” She said sarcastically.”You’re being a jerk, Noah.”Joe huffed.”Well, sorry. It’s just that you are being stubborn.” She pointed out.” By not changing you? That’s is a life time decision. Do you want to make it now?”Joe asked. “Sure.” She shrugged.”You have to be 100% sure.” Joe told her.” I am.” She lied casually. “No, you’re not.” Joe laughed. “You’re just saying that.” She turned around to face him.”I am.”She said sternly. “Sure.” He said sarcastically. “Humph.” She groaned, turning her back on him. “Give me the cold shoulder, then.”He crossed his arms.” I’m not, I’m just trying not to argue with you, Joseph.” She sat down at the table and Joe watched her eat. She noticed him, and looked down at her arm.” That’s where I bit you in your dream?” He asked. She was stunned. Noah nodded.”Ah.” He inhaled.”You smell good.” He commented.”Thanks?” She took a bite of her pancake and looked away awkwardly. “How does food taste to you?” He suddenly asked. “Um, good?” She smiled apologetically. “Tastes like dirt to me.” He grunted. “Really?” She dropped her fork. “Yep.” She shook her head.”Why is that?” She picked up her fork cautiously.” Because, we’re used to blood, I suppose.” He shrugged.”Yuck!” She grunted.”What ,blood tastes gross to you?” Joe asked.”Um, yeah!”She yelled.”It tastes like salt and….rust.”She wrinkled her nose.”It tastes pretty darn good to me!” Joe teased.”I bet it does, you bloodsucker.”She muttered under her breath.”Very funny, Noah.” Joe laughed.”Joe, look, I’m sorry that I’m being so mean, but I’m just a little freaked out.”She explained.”Why, by me?” He asked, a little hurt.” No, just the fact that you are a vampire, and I know that you could kill me, it sort of scares me.”She said. “Then we shouldn’t be friends.”Joe said darkly.” Joe, no! Joe, no, that’s not it! I’m sorry!” Noah yelled. “Yes, Noah. It is.”Joe turned his back on her and started to walk away.”Joe, please don’t leave .Let me talk to you.”She begged, but he was gone. “Sara, you know that it’s best for us.”Joe said. Noah didn’t mean to listen in on their conversation, but when she went to go talk to him, they were just talking.”Well, you’re hurting her. She loves you, can’t you tell? And all you do is crush her heart, Joe.”Sara’s voice was a gentle sound, but there was a lot of feeling behind it. “I know, Sara. I love her, too, but it’s too dangerous.” Joe’s voice was just as beautiful as hers. “Sometimes you have to ignore the danger for love.” His sister reminded him. Noah realized that the conversation was over, and ran back to the kitchen. “Noah?” Mark asked. “Yes?”Her voice cracked by the sudden tears. “I’m sorry.”He hugged her, realizing that she was crying. He always knew when his sister was sad. “It’s not your fault.” She said. “I know, but…” Mark just shook his head. “Mark, if you don’t mind-“ Before she could finish, Mark finished her sentence.”You want to be alone.” Sometimes it was easy to tell that they were twins. “Sorry.”She wiped her eyes, and hugged her brother.”I’ll come get you for dinner.”Mark called.”Kay.”She put her arms around herself to make it easier to not fall apart.”Noah?”Joe said softly.”What?”She snapped.”Sorry.”He said, hanging his head, but she had no sympathy for him.”Whatever.”She turned her back on him.”Noah!”He wailed, and he sank down on his knees.”What?”She turned to face him.”I’m sorry.”He got up.”No, you’re not.” She said sourly.” Yes, I am.” He didn’t think she would say that.”Sure, you are.”She turned on him again.”Noah Baker,” He stepped forward. “Why don’t you believe me?” He asked, hurt.” You keep saying sorry. It would be better for both of us if you just stayed away from me. Like you said, that would be safer.”She said, even thought she didn’t want him to go away.” You want me to leave?” Joe’s eyes started to water.” No, but you don’t need to make it harder on yourself by being by me. It’s not like we’re together or anything.” She spit. “You don’t know how much I wish we could be, thought.”He blurted. For a second, her eyes lit up, but she knew that he was probably just saying that.”We can be, but it’s up to you.”She reminded him, walking to her bedroom. “ I love you!” He called to her. “You do?”She beamed.” Yes, I don’t care if I’m a vampire, and you’re a human.” Joe ran up the stairs and picked her up.” I love you, too.” She whispered, and she kissed his throat.