Bella Notte (27 page)

“
The trip was
nice. A bit hard to leave my family. It's difficult not to be there
for the planning of the Bella Notte clubs- Abner is watching the
projects carefully. But it is good to be here.” His smile
beamed.

The bell rang.

“
Ah, saved by
the bell.
Mia
bella
.”
Dominic was a bit darker today- even as he kissed my cheek. My hand
automatically reached up and touched the slightly warm spot. My mouth
hung ajar as he walked away.
Whoa!

Mike walked up to my
side as he glared at Dominic walking into the senior building.
When
does he normally go in there?
That's when I saw the schedule change form in his hand as he
disappeared behind the doors. I mean the bright, neon green form
would be hard to miss.

Mike said nothing as
he finally walked toward class with Acacia toting behind him. When he
got to the door he looked back once and I saw the dark confusion
flashing on his face. I headed to Gym with much to think about.

By the time I got to
math, my body was sore from the intentional exertion I endured during
my Gym class. It took me a total of two seconds to notice a few
things. The first, Acacia looked happy in our back corner where there
was suddenly an extra desk; the second, Mike looked flaming mad, like
a raging bull; and third, Dominic was signing into the class. And
there I stood in the doorway staring at them all.
What
is going on?

My mind was forced
into reality as the bell rang- I headed for my seat. Mike sat next to
me emanating anger. Acacia sat in front of him with gleeful little
bounces. And now there was an empty desk next to me. Dom, of course,
sat right down. My head started pounding so hard I had to lay it
against the cool faux wood of my desk.
Breathe,
just breathe, there is a logical explanation. Oh, but how will I
survive with them both here? Maybe that's the point?

I took deep breaths
and tried to remain calm. Roll was taken and Mrs. Rogers took note
that I looked ill. I spent all class with my head down and tried very
hard to concentrate on the lecture.

I was the last to
get up as the bell rang and Mrs. Rogers told me I should make sure to
get some rest. It was a nice thought.

The bright sun
assaulted me as I left the building- luckily no one waited for me, as
I'd requested. I saw they had all sat together and Acacia was talking
with them both. A dark, leeching creature, deep inside me found this
to be punishable by death. I forced it back to rest as my head
throbbed on. I thought of ditching them and making a break for it,
but then Dom caught sight of me and hurried to my side.

“
Em, are you
okay?” He was concerned as he gently took my hand and led me
toward the table.

“
I'm fine. My
head is pounding. I'm sure it will pass.” I put my head down on
the table. “Please, continue with your conversation.”

It took a minute,
but they eventually started back up. I tuned them out. The bell rang
and I nervously watched them depart as I headed for History. I knew
Dominic could pop up- he seemed to be headed for Gym. I sighed.

Ms. Henderson put on
a film and turned off the lights. I was very grateful as I fell into
a brief sleep … The lights came on, class was over, and my
head hurt less. I headed toward Art feeling much better, and, of
course Dominic was there. He appeared to be taking a test to see what
he knew and where he'd place in Miss Ashley's class. He passed the
test with flying colors and even illustrated all his answers. She
placed him in the back with me and told us to alternate days working
as the T.A. Today, she didn't have need for us as she pulled a
television set out and popped in a tape.

Dom and I sat in
silence at first. Then he gently pushed his desk against mine. I
could feel him and it made me tremble. Our bodies reacted to each
other and sent out electrical currents. The air was charged between
us- like there should be lightning striking.

“
Emma.”
His lips were at my ear.

It became difficult
to breathe. I merely nodded in response. “Are you angry with
me?” His breath blew against my neck.

I shook my head.

“
Why won't you
look at me?” I didn't understand why I was so affected.

I turned my head
slowly and looked straight into his burning green eyes. They were so
intense- I wanted to look away, but I was trapped like a deer in
headlights. “Emma.” His eyes smoldered.

“
Dom.”
It came out in a sighed breath.

“
We need to
talk.” His words were thick as honey. I nodded and went to ask
Miss Ashley if we could study outside on the benches. She said yes.

Dominic had my bag
as well as his as he opened the doors for me. The cool air hit me
square in the face and helped to clear my cloudy mind.
At
least the sun didn't take my cool air away.
“So, what's up?” I asked as I turned to watch him set our
stuff down on a table.

“
I wanted to
talk to you.” He was close again and I felt my mind hazing once
more.

I took a step back
and inhaled. “What about?” I croaked.

“
Us
.”
His eyes blazed and I felt a tugging deep in my stomach.

“
What about
us?” I was trying to act calm- I could feel it all melting
away.
How
does he do that?

“
I want to
know how you feel … you know where I stand.” He stared
at me so intensely I was sure he was looking at my very soul.

“
I'm
confused,” I confessed. “I can't answer that question
with any coherent words. You and Mike plague my sleep with that same
issue. Please.” I looked at him with pleading eyes.

“
I
understand.” His face set into determination.

Did I hurt him?
I really didn't want to hurt him. I saw his eyes change before he
acted- they turned a dark emerald green. Before I could comment he
had his arms wrapped around me and then his lips were pushed against
mine. The blood pulsed to my lips- swelling them- I could feel every
sensation heighten. Just as I thought my brain would ooze out of my
ears from the pleasures it was receiving- he pulled back. His eyes
burned bright.

“
Now how do
you feel?” His voice was husky.

“
Eh. I feel
warm and like a puddle. And I have a strong desire to take you
somewhere alone.” I couldn't believe myself.

“
Perhaps that
wouldn't be a wise choice. I wanted to see your feelings up against
real-life actions. I'm quite pleased,
mia
bella
,”
he purred at me.

I closed my eyes and
took a deep breath.
Must
think clearly. Dominic is definitely darker right now.

“
Dom, what's
with the darkness?” I asked, knowing it didn't sound like a
question that made sense.

“
The traveling
does it to me. Much like my trip for your birthday. My control is
less. I am sorry. I will leave you to your thoughts.” And with
that he left.

“
What?”
The word was a knee jerk reaction.

I left before school
ended. I didn't want to see Mike and have guilt.
How
could I be so stupid? Didn't I see his eyes, the intent was clear.
The guilt flooded my body as I got home and stayed firmly in place
all night.

The last day of
classes felt oddly disjointed with time. Mike confirmed our date for
after Christmas- he explained that he'd have family to attend to
until then. I understood. Acacia said nothing to me and acted as
though I didn't exist. I didn't mind not hearing her sugary voice
directed at me. Dominic said very little. He said he'd be at my house
on Christmas for dinner, but didn't really seem to be here. And that
was the day. As I didn't see Kelly, I couldn't wish her a pleasant
break.

My weekend passed
numbly as I yearned for the company of one of the guys in my life. I
got neither and felt utterly alone. My pain was growing unbearable on
Christmas Eve, but I was relieved when Dom showed up; with him came
the first snow fall.

We stood on the
steps of my porch staring up at the sky. The flakes landed softly on
my uncovered skin, but did not melt.
Odd
.
I noticed the same thing happening to him. He watched me with curious
eyes that made me feel like I was doing something strange.

We spent the rest of
the evening in the living room, by the fire, playing board games- I
managed to win every time, very interesting. That was where we fell
asleep.

Christmas day was
nothing special at my house. The exterior was decorated with all the
trimmings- the inside bare. Dominic and I spent most of the day
outside playing in the snow that had fallen overnight. We laughed and
smiled more than I had done since my return from Italy. He was back
to his old self as well. Things felt the same as they did there- I
was happy. Dom became the center of my universe for that day and I
basked in it.

Our dinner was with
my family and it was enjoyable. Life felt perfect- until I went to
bed and had a text message from Mike reminding me about tomorrow and
how he'd pick me up at noon. I felt my bubble burst.
How
can I be so happy with Dominic but still want to be with Mike?
My
rest was fitful.

I was grumpy when I
got up at eleven o'clock. I found a note from Dominic saying he'd be
back tomorrow because he had some work to do today. I suddenly felt
like I was betraying him by keeping my date with Mike- which was
nonsense.
If
only I'd figure all this out. I mean someone would end up hurt but at
least the other wouldn't have to wonder
.
My head hurt already.

Mike was on time so
I didn't have lots of time to brood. He was very cheery, which wasn't
like him, but I let it go. He drove a green sedan four door. Again,
not like him.

“
So, what do
you want to see?” I asked him to try and stir up conversation.

“
I thought I'd
let you choose,” he answered as he turned into town off the
highway.

“
Well, I
didn't check to see what's playing- I thought you'd want to pick
because I always choose the monster flicks.” I felt slightly
awkward.

“
Okay, we'll
find out what's playing when we get there.”

Just then we pulled
into the five car parking lot of the small two screen theater. I
loved everything about the antique brick building. The choice of
films it showed were always the same: one classic and one that was
made within the last ten years.

The outside was
covered in framed posters from numerous time periods. The bright
white announcement board was surrounded by light bulbs. The ticket
seller was inside a small glass tube with a red counter. It was
utterly old fashioned.

Today they were
showing
Blade
and
Casablanca
.
I loved
Casablanca
-
the beautiful story of love and sacrifice, mixed with the cinematic
mastery-
beautiful
.
As for
Blade
-
it wasn't my cup of tea. I didn't understand why someone had to kill
his own kind- just confusing.

It was clear which
one I wanted to see- especially since I loved all the monsters from
the monster movies we watched together.
Blade
was all wrong.

“
Okay. I know
exactly what we should watch … the complete opposite of the
monster movies we always watch.” He looked pleased.

“
That sounds
great!” I knew he was going to pick the right flick.

He walked up to the
counter and asked for two tickets for
Blade
.

No! How can he
not know me?
I felt let down and confused.
He's
supposed to know me…