"Brianne, what the hell happened? You weren’t at school yesterday, and today you show up with your arm and thigh bandaged," Chris asks.
They sit side by side on the school rooftop terrace, both excused from PE — Brianne because of her injuries, Chris because of a supposed back injury.
In truth, it’s just an excuse. Isabelle has forbidden him from playing sports until he can control the superhuman strength he gained after becoming a vampire.
"Nothing serious, don’t worry. I fell into so brambles on a mountain trail and cut myself."
"I see... well, that’s good."
Brianne pulls a cigarette from her pack and nervously puts it between her lips.
Chris shoots her a dirty look.
"I thought you’d quit that crap."
It had been almost two years since he’d seen her smoke.
"You’re right, but things have been pretty stressful lately. I think I’d go crazy if I didn’t."
"Promise you’ll keep it under control this ti, okay? Last ti you were smoking nearly twenty a day, and it took you forever to quit. Honestly — you’re really stupid. You threw away all the effort you put into it two years ago. And besides... it really bothers to see you smoking."
Brianne smiles gently and tilts her head, resting it on his shoulder while carefully blowing the smoke away from him.
"Why does it bother you so much?"
"Well... that’s normal, right? Smoking kills — everyone knows that — and you’re my best friend!"
"Yeah, I think I understand. I’d be worried too if my best friend was doing sothing stupid that could cost him his life..."
Brianne lowers her gaze and presses herself closer to Chris.
He looks at her with concern.
What the hell is wrong with Brianne this morning? She shows up with two big cuts, says she started smoking again because she’s stressed, and now she’s saying things like that.
Could it all be connected? Maybe... she’s having problems at ho? Or maybe soone’s hurting her? Or worse, both at the sa ti...
No, I don’t even want to think about it. If that were true, I’m sure she would’ve told . Damn... now I’m starting to worry.
Chris wraps an arm around her shoulders and pulls her into a quiet hug.
The gesture makes Brianne blush. Her heart starts racing at the feel of him so close.
"Bry" — an affectionate nickna Chris hadn’t used in years — "I don’t know what’s going through your head right now, but whatever it is, you should know you can always count on ."
"I know, Chris. I’m really grateful for that. But the sa goes for you."
Her expression suddenly turns serious.
"If there’s ever sothing you need to tell soone — a burden you can’t carry alone anymore — just know I’m here for you too, just like you’re here for . No matter how absurd it might sound, I’ll listen, Chris. And most of all, rember that I’ll always stand by your side, no matter what happens."
Her words hit Chris hard. Isabelle had warned him not to reveal his true nature to anyone — it would be dangerous if people found out he was a vampire. And yet, deep down, he feels a powerful urge to open up to Brianne.
She’s always been the only person Chris has ever confided in without holding back. Brianne knows him even better than Isabelle and Mia.
The urge to tell her everything is overwhelming.
Isabelle would be furious if she found out I disobeyed. But Brianne is Brianne — she’s not just anyone. She’d probably laugh in my face and think I’m crazy if I told her I was a vampire, and that would be the end of it. Still... I feel like telling her might help deal with this insane situation
Y-Yeah, Bry... there’s sothing I wanted to tell you."
Brianne drops the cigarette to the ground and crushes it under her foot, then leans her face close to his — just a few inches away.
"Tell , Chris."
"It might sound ridiculous, but... promise you won’t laugh or think I’m crazy, okay?"
"You’ve known for four years now — you know I’d never do that. I won’t judge you."
Chris takes a deep breath and gathers his courage.
"I... I’m a—"
BAM!
The door to the terrace bursts open.
It’s Mia, and her eyes imdiately lock onto Chris and Brianne. Chris’s arm is still around Brianne’s shoulders, and their faces are very close together — an easy scene to misinterpret.
Chris and Brianne jump apart, but it’s already too late.
"Can’t you control your hormones at all, huh? You pervert. Anyway, I’ll be waiting for you after school at the volleyball court. Don’t be late."
Then Mia slams the door shut just as violently, without waiting for Chris to reply.
"Is it just , or is your sister mad at you today? She hasn’t even looked at you since this morning."
"Y-Yeah... it’s a long story."
"I see. Anyway, before Mia interrupted us, you were about to tell sothing important."
"W-Well..."
Chris hesitates for a mont.
"I... last night I ca on Mia’s feet. That’s why she’s so angry with ."
"You... WHAT?"
Brianne freezes — not at all what she expected to hear.
Mia’s interruption made Chris reconsider, and he decided it was better not to tell her the truth — at least for now.
But he had already set things up for a shocking revelation... and that was the first thing that ca to mind.
"I-It was an accident, I swear! I was in the bathroom jerking off and she walked in all of a sudden at the worst possible mont and... let’s just say my aim slipped."
Brianne stares at him in disgust.
"That was the important thing you wanted to tell ...?"
Chris nods, red with embarrassnt — but at least he doesn’t feel guilty about betraying Isabelle’s trust.
"Your sister’s right — you really are a fucking pervert."
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