chapter 10

"It's not even like that, Vincent." I whined and groaned when he shook his head and turned away, resting his head on the table, extending one of his hands in the process. "Come on, just tell me?"

"Why do you have to nag so much?" I huffed at his words and went silent for a while.

"It didn't seem like he was happy with her. I could mention her name and he'd get mad-"

"Adriana, he was in love with her. They were in love, alright?" Vincent looked up and it didn't even take seconds for my heart to drop all the way to my stomach. "Draven wasn't Draven when he was with her. He was different, kinder, caring and didn't even have temper issues back then, and that's saying a lot. He never lashed out or hurt anyone unless he had to." The lump on my throat tightened as he kept going on. "He was just different." Vincent finished with a sigh and for the next few seconds, I just sat in silence, my mind slowly accepting the reality. He was inlove with her. He was different around her. He was a better person when he was with her. So why does he act the complete opposite around me? How does he see me? Why wasn't he shown his good side to me? The answer to my questions were all too simple, no matter how I add them up. He wasn't in love with me. He didn't and probably can never love me the same way he loved her. I wasn't her and I could never be her. And I don't expect to be loved the same way he loved her. I can understand that, but nevertheless, it hurts. To finally accept the fact that that he doesn't see me that way and will most likely never see me the same way he saw Lianna. I was different. I wasn't better just different. He could never love me and it's not like I expected him to, right? Did I? Was I expecting something more? Was I the only one who was expecting more?

"Adriana!" Vincent raised his voice and I gasped before looking at him as he stopped waving his hands across my face. "Damn, I've been calling you for a while now, you alright?"

"Ye-yeah, hey, let's go. We'll be late."

"I thought you didn't want to go?" I shrugged off his question and practically marched out of the library, leaving the book I was reading on the table, something I thought I'd never do in a million years.

We arrived at the beach party that evening and I was more than glad that Draven hadn't tagged along with us. Apparently, he had something to take care off and would join us later, thank god for that. I shivered as I stepped out of the van, a cold breeze brushing against my exposed skin and I couldn't help but regret the fact that I was only wearing a white sports bra with a long flowing turquiose skirt. But then again, this was a beach party and what else was I supposed to wear?

"F-ck off before I rip your eyes out, mate." I heard Raymond hiss at some passing males who were staring at me before. They exchanged glances and only left, not really wanting to go up against Vampires. Nobody did and there was not a single person in town who couldn't recognize the Ardelean brothers. Guess that had its perks. They party started seconds after we arrived and everyone was now throwing ang hurling beer cups everywhere as the music blasted through some speakers, almost making my ears bleed. This was getting too wild already.

"Be careful, alright?" Vincent mumbled, tangling an arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer to him.

"I'll be fine, thanks."

"I know, just saying." He suddenly leaned to kiss the side of my forehead and I was a little taken a back by his gesture but decided to brush it off. I watched him leave into the crowd and get immediately surrounded by some hot girls as they pulled him into a dance, twerking and shaking god knows whatnots.

"You know you're missing out on all the fun, right?" Ferra said out loud as I passed her by and I let out a sigh. "The whole point of this whole experience is to enjoy while it lasts... for you, of course." she showed off her pearly white teeth and I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Why not join us?" Jason was already dancing behind Ferra as she swayed her hips and I shook my head but then started to have second thoughts. Enjoy while it lasts, huh? Of course that was true. What else was going to happen? A vampire was going to start having feelings for me? And of all the vampires, Draven Cruz was? What the hell was I even thinking...?

"Screw it..." I muttered and pushed my way right into the crowd before dancing to the music myself. And for once, it felt amazing. To dance and enjoy myself without getting drunk. I was in my right mind and I was.. enjoying myself. After dancing for more than 15 minutes straight, I squeezed myself through the crowd and made my way to the table of drinks, grabbing a coke and gulping it down. I scanned around my surroundings and my eyes landed on none other than the infamous asshole, who was now walking towards the beach, wearing a black leathered jacket with a white plain shirt under it. I watched him come to a stop halfway and swiftly slip off his jackets and shirt, then his pants to reveal a knee length short. I had to rip my eyes away from his toned arms and muscles, my heart slightly skipping a beat at the sight. Seeing that he was now scanning around the place, I quickly averted my gaze, turning around and taking a deep breath, trying to calm down my nerves. Just as I took a step forward, my nose bumped against something hard and I looked up to face Draven, who was now narrowing his eyes at me, swiftly scanning me from head to toe as I let out a sigh.

"What's with the outfit?" Of course the first thing he'd do is get upset with me. After all, I wasn't Lianna, right? No, no, he wasn't so kind and caring around me.

"What about it?"

"You're barely wearing anything." He mumbled and I simply rolled my eyes ignorantly, grabbing another drink.

"And?"

"And, I don't like it." Draven took a step forward and grabbed my cup away before I could take a sip and I let out a huff in frustration.

"This is no better than what everyone else is wearing, Draven. Stop trying to find reasons to argue with me and leave me alone." I raised my voice and my eyes caught on some girls who were now taking pictures of Draven, making my blood boil even more. "Now if you'll excuse me, people are waiting for me." I lied before he could even speak and was about to walk past him when he grabbed my arm.

"You're not going anywhere wearing that. Wait here, I'll bring my jacket." And with that, he left but I didn't even waste a second to bolt towards the crowd again. It was already starting to get dark and I made my way towards Vincent and a bunch of girls, who were now surrounding him as he simply danced to the music as well. His eyes immediately caught mine and I watched him smile a little before mumbling something between the lines. "Sorry, but I have to go," to the girls. I heard them groan and whine as he walked up to me and I couldn't help but blush a little. I know for a fact that Vincent would choose me over anyone in a heartbeat and to be honest, that's the type of guy I wanted in my life.

"Can we dance?" I asked and watched his eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

"Really? Adriana wants to dance? Shocking." He teased and I rolled my eyes with a chuckle before wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. His body was now pressed against mine and I took in his warmth as we moved slowly, even though it was a pop music that was now playing on. I didn't care and I'm guessing he didn't either. Before long, I was just hugging him, my face burrying in the crook of his neck as I breathed in his cologned and I could feel his body get more tensed at my reaction.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I lied and gasped when someone gripped my wrist before I was practically ripped away from Vincent. I spun around to look up at Draven, who was now glaring at Vincent, causing goosebumps to rise all over my body. His jawlines were locked, his eyes flickeing in anger and I attempted to brush away his hand but he only tightened the grip.