Chapter Three

I started looking around for Caleb. He saw me and stood up. “Hey, there you are!” He reached out and grabbed my books.

“Oh, thank you,” I smiled. I tried to grab a few back. “Don’t take them all. They’re heavy.”

He rolled his eyes in a mocking way. “uh hell-ooo, I’m a vampire and don’t care about such nonsense.” He grinned. “Hush and let me be a gentleman.”

I giggled. “Okay, okay, gentleman, by all means. And thank you.”

“Anytime, m’lady.” He winked.

I blushed.

“So, you and Morgyn hit it off quite well, eh?” He said, as we started walking.

“Eh, yeah, I guess so,” I nodded. “And what about you two? Are you still smitten?”

Caleb smiled. “Not as smitten as he is with you.”

I stopped and looked at him. “What?”

“When you walked away, he moved his position so he was staring at the building, like he couldn’t even have his back turned to you. I think he really took a liking to you.” Caleb smiled warmly.

If only it was like that. “Oh, uh,” I started walking again. “No, it wasn’t like that.”

“Oh?” Caleb sounded confused.

I spent the trip back explaining how Morgyn had truly felt about me initially. As we got into my apartment, Caleb smiled.

“I don’t know,” he said, putting his hand up to his chin as if he was thinking. “I mean, I saw the way he looked at you.” He placed the books down.

I playfully pushed him. “Stop it. I’m trying to play matchmaker and hook you two up,” I giggled. “Stop trying to hook me up with him.”

He laughed. “I’m happy with life the way it is.” His face quickly turned serious. “I learned quickly that it’s not wise for a vampire to fall in love.”

I gazed back at him. “What do you mean?”

He sighed and sat down. I followed.

“When you’re immortal, you lose everyone you love. They get old, but you don’t.” He looked at me sadly. “So I vowed I would never subject myself to that again.” He looked away. “Not after her.”

“Her?” I asked. He had never spoken about his love life to me. Then again, I had never asked or brought it up.

“Yes, my fiancé,” he nodded. “Granted, she was taken too soon anyway, but it was a reminder that even if I were to be in a long term relationship, it would always be much longer for me than it could ever be for them.”

I looked down at the floor. I knew eventually I would leave him too. As would Morgyn and any other friends he had made. The thought of it made me incredibly sad.

“You remind me of her,” he said quietly.

“What?” I asked, lifting my head. My heart fluttered a little. 

“Ruby,” he looked at me. “I think that’s what I noticed first about you.” He smiled sadly. “You have similar facial features, hair, the way you carry yourself, your sense of humor.”

“Our names too,” I said, in thought.

“Yes,” he nodded. “Ruby and Jade.”

I smiled. “I’m sure she was wonderful.”

He nodded. “She was.” He paused for a while and sighed. “Truth be told, I have feelings for you that I never expect you to have in return, and I really do think it’s because you’re so much like her.”

I was shocked. “Caleb, I…” I stopped.

He smiled sadly. “I know. We are friends. I understand.”

Seeing the hurt in his eyes made me hurt. I rested my head on his shoulder. “But no matter what, Caleb, you know I do love you, even if it’s not the same way as you feel for me.”

“I know,” he agreed quietly, resting his head on my head. “And I’m just thankful I have you at all, no matter what.”

I smiled. It was nice to hear that.

We sat in silence, leaning against each other for a while. The more I thought about what he said, the more I started to second guess my feelings for him. Maybe I had suppressed them? Or maybe it was my head, just swirling in emotion from what he had just told me? I realized I was seeing him in a new light.

“You okay?” He asked, nudging me.

I lifted my head. “Yeah, I’m alright.” I nodded.

Our eyes met as he looked at me. It was like I was seeing him for the first time, and I followed the urge in my mind. Leaning toward him, I kissed him softly. He seemed taken aback, but kissed me back, slowly, but sweetly. He brought his hand up to the side of my neck, resting it just under my hair. I didn’t know how to feel. On one hand, this felt amazing and so right, but on the other, I felt conflicted.

Caleb must have felt the same, because he broke the kiss.

I pulled away and looked at him. “I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed. “I don’t know what happened.”

He smiled. “That was partially my fault, I think.” He gazed at me. “I told you my little sob story, a–“

“Stop,” I held up my hand. “You’re invalidating your feelings. That’s not a sob story. You weren’t asking for pity or sympathy.”

Caleb nodded. “Right.”

“It wasn’t your doing,” I assured him. “And I, uh, don’t really regret what I just did.” Maybe it was loneliness speaking, but I actually felt relieved that our kiss happened.

He smiled brightly. Seeing the happiness on his face made me smile as well, even if I didn’t agree with the reason why. I looked at the floor, trying to find a topic to talk about, so our minds weren’t stuck on what just happened. It didn’t help that my mind was filled with swirling thoughts about my trip to the realm. The response I had to seeing Morgyn was strange. I couldn’t get past it. I had seen plenty of attractive men in various places I had been, and I had never felt the way I did when I saw Morgyn. Did that have to do with the power we both held? I furrowed my brow. Why did I have so much power? Enough where the most well known sage felt threatened by me. But why? What made me so special? And I was putting myself in a bad position, being literally drawn to Morgyn, but kissing Caleb. What the hell was wrong with me? 

“Ugh,” I said finally, putting my head in my hands.

“What is it?” Caleb asked, leaning forward.

“There’s so much I’m not understanding,” I responded quietly. I stood up. “My head is just crowded, and I’m feeling so many emotions.”

“Because of me?” Caleb asked.

“No.” I shook my head and looked at him desperately. “You didn’t do anything.”

He stood up and walked over to me. I turned away from him.

“I’m not responsible for my actions if you stand too close,” I said, trying to make a joke. The truth was I wanted to kiss him again. Something switched in my mind. I knew it wasn’t a good idea, though, so I refrained. Sighing, turned to face him again. I just gazed into his eyes for a moment before speaking.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“I can’t explain it,” I shook my head. “I had a very strong emotional response when meeting Morgyn, which I could chalk up to that power he says I have.” I paused and stared at him. “But how does that explain what I’m feeling right now?” I realized my words came out as a near whisper.

Caleb grinned a little. “In my experience, there are very little words to describe things like this.”

I looked away as my urge got stronger. “That doesn’t help people like me, who crave answers to everything.”

Caleb laughed a little. I found myself smiling. I looked back up at him. “I respect our friendship enough to not act on my impulses,” I leaned closer to him. “But after right now.”

We kissed again. I wrapped my arms around the back of his neck as he placed his hands on my waist. It was like that first kiss uncovered buried attraction for him. Or maybe a past life?

My phone rang, forcing us to stop. 

Frustrated, I answered it. It was one of my friends telling me the romance festival was going on, and she wanted me to go with her so it wouldn’t be awkward.

I rolled my eyes and put the phone in my pocket. I didn’t even respond to her message. The romance festival took place on the skywalk just outside of my building. I peered out the window and sighed.

“My friend needs a wingwoman,” I said simply, gesturing out the window.

Caleb stood beside me, looking out the window as well. He slipped one of his hands around my waist, playfully.

“To reassure you,” he said, “I’m sure acting on any impulses won’t ruin our friendship. I’ll make sure of it. Just so you don’t have to worry.” He grinned, “if you want company at the romance festival, I’ll come with you.”

I hugged him. “Of course, Caleb. I would ask you even if our circumstances weren’t what they are right now.” I started to laugh. It sounded silly, and it really was.

We headed downstairs to the festival, and I immediately smiled and waved at my friend, Cassi. She came running over to us.

“Heyyyy girl!” She hugged me. “You didn’t write back! Thought you were ignoring me.”

“No, sorry. Just figured I would come down and meet you in person rather than text,” I smiled.

Cassi looked at Caleb. “You look familiar.”

Caleb laughed. “I should,” he said. “I work at your school.”

Cassi attended Britechester while I attended Foxbury. I specifically didn’t want to attend Britechester so people wouldn’t think there was favoritism between a student and staff member.

“What?” Cassi stood back and stared at me. “Score, girl! You’re in college and dating a teacher?”

I laughed. “He’s not my boyfriend. We are best friends. Have been for years.”

Cassi smiled. “Well you two should get together. You’re adorable.”

I blushed.

As Cassi walked away, Caleb leaned into me and whispered in my ear, “yet.”

I giggled. “Stop it.”

We headed over to get Sakura tea and mingle with Cassi as she casually looked for a date.

Caleb looked at his glass. “You know, this tea can supposedly make people fall in love quickly.”

Cassi poured another glass. “Cool! Now find me someone to give this to!”

I nearly spit out my tea as I laughed. Cassi was never one to miss a beat when it came to wits. She even had Caleb laughing.

I saw Akira leaning against the karaoke bar entrance, across the court from us. Grinning, I turned to Cassi. I casually pointed him out. 

“He’s looking,” I smiled. “Go give him the tea.”

Cassi grinned and headed over to him. I realized that I wasn’t the only one who felt they needed a relationship.

I turned to Caleb. “I don’t know if what you said about the tea is true, but I’m certainly feeling some type of way.”

Caleb laughed. “That’s probably from what came before this festival.”

I also laughed. “Yes, probably.” I leaned in closer. “You draw me in.”

“Do I?” He asked, grinning.

“Yes,” I leaned closer still. “You tempt me. Or tempt another side of me.” He gazed into his eyes. “I rather like it.”

He smiled. “Okay, that tea is getting to you.” He grabbed my glass playfully.

“Hey!” I tried to grab it. “Rude!” I laughed as I tried to get it from him.

He handed it back to me, leaning in toward me and kissing me deeply. “Don’t worry,” he said breathlessly. “It’s getting to me too.”

I giggled, blushing. I didn’t even mind if this was going to be our new normal, even if we didn’t put a label on it. But who knew if our mindsets would stay this way? I only started feeling the way I did after he said I reminded him of Ruby. Like he had awoken another side of me. But Jade, the current side of me very clearly felt for Morgyn. Now I was stuck.

The festival continued on. As the night progressed, Caleb and I started to return to the way we usually were. I was thankful, but a small part of me was disappointed. As our evening came to a close, Caleb walked me back to my building door. 

“Today was quite interesting,” I smiled, facing him.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Yes, it was.”

“So what now?” I asked nervously.

“Now, I assume we just live the way we have been. Maybe with a little extra pecks,” he kissed my cheek.

I giggled. “That won’t hurt?”

He shook his head. “Remember, this whole thing stemmed from a conversation about how I didn’t want to be in a relationship. You wanted to pair me with Morgyn.”

I nodded. “Right.”

His eyes widened. “You seem disappointed. Is that not what you want?”

I smiled and shook my head. “I’m not disappointed. Well not for me.” I hugged him. “For you. I don’t want you to be alone.”

He smiled and hugged me back. “Jade,” he spoke quietly. “I’m not alone, and I know that. Regardless of how we feel, I will always have you. Friends, more than friends, somewhere in the middle, it doesn’t matter. I’m not alone.” He looked into my eyes. “Of course you remind me of Ruby, and if you ever asked, my answer would be an immediate yes, but remember that I’m happy with the way things are too.” He narrowed his eyes, almost lovingly.

I nodded. “Me too.”

He smiled. “Then I’ll let you go to bed. I know you have quite the ride ahead of you with this sage-like power you have.”

I giggled. “Yeah. I do.”

We said our goodbyes and I went upstairs, immediately going to my room to sleep. I laid on my back, looking at the ceiling, a silly grin on my face. I never expected any of that, and I certainly wasn’t complaining.

After a few moments, I snuggled under my blankets and fell asleep quickly.

Chapter four (click here)