Blood And Secrets

13| An Idea.

“Is that—is that—blood?” He asked with a shaky voice.

“Blood? No.” She muttered, suddenly getting the idea to compel him.

She had never done it before and didn’t know if it would work, but she had to try. She couldn’t have her brother know that she was a vampire.

So, moving at super speed, she closed the gap between them and placed both hands on his shoulders.

He let out another screeching scream, his eyes widening with horror as he attempted to get to his heels.

But Angel was quick to hold him still, staring intently into his eyes as she executed what she practiced with Damon.

“You didn’t see anything. I wasn’t drinking blood. You didn’t see me move at super speed. Now, go."

Taylor blinked twice, and the fear on his face quickly faded, indicating that the compulsion had worked.

“What are your hands doing on my shoulders?” He quickly yanked her hands off.

She let out a sigh of relief. He was back to being the annoying sibling that he was, but at least he was not viewing her as a monster anymore.

“You tell me what you are doing here." She raised a questioning brow as she played along.

“Surprisingly, I can’t remember.” He muttered, confusion saturating his features.

“Then leave.” She hissed.

“Make me.” He retorted stubbornly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

“With pleasure.” She smirked.

Staring intently into his eyes, she compelled him again.

“Leave, baby brother. And forget you ever came here.”

Nodding obediently, he turned around and walked away from her. It felt so good to have such power over her overly arrogant brother.

But another part of her felt bad for messing with his head.

***

The following day at school, Chloe trotted towards Angel the second she walked into the class, her arms akimbo as she shot a question at her.

“Where did you go yesterday? You left school early.”

Angel scratched the back of her neck as she tried to think of a lie to tell. But none was coming to mind.

Just when she was about to resort to compelling her, Damon walked through the door, appearing before them.

“Why did you leave early yesterday?” Chloe raised a suspicious brow at him. “I called several times, but your number hasn’t been reachable.”

“Hey, darling. Good morning.” Damon’s lips spread into a smile as he inched closer to her and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

She rolled her eyes. “Answer my question, Damon.”

“I was going to.” Another smile touched his lips as he stroked her blonde hair with his fingers. "Sorry, I forgot to check my phone. I was busy with family stuff.”

“You forgot to check your phone?!” She exclaimed as her eyes began to burn with fury. “You didn’t even care to check up on me. Do you even love me at all?!”

“I—“ he trailed off, blowing out a sharp breath. He really had no excuse. He was a jerk, and he knew that. But he was trying to be better. For her.

She shot her brow up. “You what?"

“I am truly sorry, Chloe. I would do better. I promise.” He breathed.

Chloe stood there, glaring at him for a few seconds, before sighing and flicking her gaze at Angel.

“I called your line, and it was also not reachable. Do you have any explanation?” She asked.

Before Angel could say anything, she replied herself, evidently annoyed. “Let me guess. You forgot to check your phone also.”

"Uhm, not really. My phone died, and I just charged and powered it on this morning.” Angel told her. She knew it didn’t sound convincing enough, but it was really the truth.

She had expected Chloe to go nuclear on her, but surprisingly, she didn’t.

Instead, she sighed and darted her gaze at Bryan, who was busy drawing on his sketch pad.

“That hottie asked of you after you disappeared yesterday.” She told her.

“Oh, s**t!” Angel exclaimed when she suddenly remembered that she was supposed to meet up with him yesterday.

She lost track of time in the woods with Damon and completely forgot about it.

Exhaling sharply, she approached him to apologize.

Before she could reach where he was seated, he raised his head, and the second he saw her approaching, he quickly closed the sketch book.

What was he hiding? She wondered.

“Hey, Bryan, right?” She said, smiling awkwardly as she came to a stop in front of him.

“Yes.” He nodded.

“I am truly sorry for standing you up yesterday. Trust me, it wasn’t intentional.”

“I was going to apologize." He told her.

“Why?” She asked, surprised.

“Something came up, and I realised I couldn’t make it. You left early yesterday, so I couldn’t tell you. Though after asking your friend about you, she gave me your phone number, and I called several times, but it wasn’t reachable. I was worried I might have stood you up.” He explained.

Her mouth formed an ‘O’ before nodding. “We’re neutral then.”

“I guess.” He nodded slightly. “So, how are we going to get the project done? Let’s reschedule, right?”

“I have an idea." Damon suddenly chipped in, and she turned to see him standing next to them.

“And that is?” She raised a curious brow.

“Why don’t we all meet up after school and have fun while doing our projects?“ he suggested, grinning. “It would be really fun. I promise you.”

“No!” Angel exclaimed without hesitation.

“I love the idea!” Chloe beamed, and Angel furrowed her brows as she turned to look at her.

"Bryan, are you in?” Damon asked, and he nodded skeptically.

“But Angel is—“ Bryan began, but Chloe cut him off.

“Don’t worry about Angel. She’s in.” She muttered, deciding for her.

“I’m not in.” Angel declared firmly.

“Come on.” Damon gave her a playful punch in the arm. “Don’t be a fun pooper. Just say yes, please.”

“Please!” Chloe added, batting her lashes cutely.

“Fine.” Angel groaned.

“What are you guys planning?” Maddison’s voice sounded, and they turned to see her standing close to them.

“Oh, f**k off.” Chloe said, shooting a glare at her.

Ignoring Chloe, Madison stretched her hand forward to shake Bryan. “Hi, Bryan.”

He took her hand. “Hi. Uhm—" he trailed off, not remembering her name.

“I introduced myself yesterday. How could you have forgotten already?” She asked, frustration evident in her voice.

“Maybe because you are not that important.” Chloe sneered.

Ignoring Chloe again, she reintroduced herself. “Maddison.”

Chloe and Angel turned to look at each other, surprised. They wondered if it was really Maddison who was standing before them because the Maddison they knew would have flared up at Chloe’s statement.

Bryan smiled politely. “Hi, Maddison.”

“So, were you guys planning something?” Madison asked, hoping to get answers from him.

“f*****g mind your business and stop forcing yourself on a man!” Chloe couldn’t hide her annoyance as she groaned.

“You b***h!” Maddison snapped as she charged towards Chloe.

But Angel was quick to step between them. Staring intently into Madison’s eyes, she used her powers.

“Don’t do this, Maddison. Just go and sit down.”

Maddison blinked twice, and the fury burning within her melted. Nodding, she turned around and made her way to her seat.

“What?!” Chloe exclaimed in extreme shock. “Did Madison just listen to you?”

“I am equally as surprised.” She laughed awkwardly. Casting her gaze at Bryan, she formed a lie. “Maybe she didn’t want to fight before Bryan.”

“Valid.” Chloe sighed. “But it’s still shocking.”

“I know, right?” Angel muttered, then turned to look at Damon and gave him the ‘I am a pretty good learner’ look.

He had an amused look on his face as he stared at her.

The teacher came in, and they all settled into their seats.

Angel didn’t like Damon’s idea at first, but throughout the school period, she couldn’t stop thinking about how fun the hangout after school would be.

She, Chloe, the mysterious Damon, and the devilishly hot new boy.