Tempting Jocelyn

3. Unhinged...

"Cody!" I spun to hug the male behind me, purposely holding on a little longer, knowing Caroline was intently watching but also because I missed him. I stepped back and got the opportunity to inspect him in his grey tailored suit that fitted him perfectly. He was as handsome as always with those electric blue eyes that many find irresistible, a smile that could make any lady swoon, and smooth olive skin.

Cody Harrison was more like the brother I never had. I always wished I had a little brother who I could train to be a little rascal and distort Caroline's life with me. That would have been nice. I've tried sisters, and that didn't work out fine.

I received a playful pat on my hair from Cody and a goofy grin before he headed over to give my Grams a peck on the cheek, then my mum a hug, and Carol a kiss. Cody was a breath of fresh air from the tense atmosphere between my mum and me. With just a flash of those perfectly aligned teeth, he had everyone's attention and love. Sad he decided to get engaged to someone like my sister.

"Now, what's all this talk about you leaving so soon? You just got here!"

"It's just getting a bit hot in here for me." I lied, fanning myself with my hand dramatically, earning an eye roll from my mum.

"Then let's get you some fresh air then." He let go of Caroline's waist to take hold of my hand and dragged me along with him suddenly. I couldn't object and went along, looking back to see the displeased scowl on Caroline's face. She always hated it when I touched her stuff.

"There's no moon tonight," Cody noted as we stepped out onto the small balcony. It was empty with no guests and much quieter than back there, with the cool night's breeze ruffling through our hair and causing goosebumps to fill my bare arms.

"Yeah." I rubbed my arms to give myself a bit of warmth, which he immediately noticed, and being the gentleman he is, he took off his jacket to place it over my shoulder. "Thanks."

"Look at you looking all grownup and pretty in that dress." He ruffled my hair playfully with his fingers, causing me to laugh.

"I don't think Stephanie feels the same way." We simultaneously turned forward to stare at the large swimming pool in my mum's backyard in silence, enjoying each other's company for a while.

Cody was the guy anyone could get along with quickly with no problem, even though he grew up spoiled by his parents' riches. He just had a way of making you fall in love with him instantly. Sometimes, I wondered how he fell for someone as sly as Carol.

"How's College treating ya?" He started the conversation, breaking the silence.

"The worse." I sighed, remembering all the assignments and projects that awaited my attention.

"And how's juggling work with all of it?"

I worked part-time at this restaurant near campus, which was stupid considering how loaded my parents were, but it helped me feel a little more independent. There was just something about making your own money, no matter how little it was. Plus, I knew my mum wasn't really a fan of the idea of seeing one of her daughters in an apron, waiting tables at some small restaurant, so it was kind of satisfying to know how restless she must feel.

"So, what about you? How are you?" He turned silent then, making me stare at him to see him looking ahead with a distant look in his eyes. "What's wrong?"

His neck twisted to the side so he could gaze down at me with his blue eyes now void of laughter. "I don't know if your mum has told you about this, but a few nights ago, one of our own was murdered," He paused, then added in a lower tone, "by a vampire." He suddenly revealed, and I blinked back in shock.

Vampires – slick, manipulative blood-sucking creatures of the night – were never a good topic when they came up. I only ever met one in my entire life when she paid my mum a visit a long time ago.

I was fourteen and recalled being enthralled by her beauty just like everyone else had been, but I sensed something odd about her the moment I first met her. It hadn't been just because she looked like an out-of-the-world goddess, but the manner in which she walked and spoke whenever she tried to get someone to do her bidding.

I noticed how her voice would change and take this sultry undertone, and just like that, anyone she was talking to was left entranced and powerless to her will. I soon realized it was one of their abilities: hypnosis.

However, just like every other supernatural creature, they were careful not to expose themselves to humans, living in secret and erasing every track they might leave behind.

"If you've been watching the news or reading the papers, you would know humans have been murdered mysteriously in Atlanta over the past couple of months. Bodies have been found in alleys, nightclubs, public bathrooms, hotels, even in their homes. No murder weapon, no sign of poisoning, no fingerprints, nothing. All they find are the victims' pale bodies with deep bite marks on their necks and sometimes other parts of the body. Autopsy always comes back as the victims being healthy with no medical problem but drained of their blood." He narrated while I listened on, getting chills already. I could picture those unsuspecting humans going about their day, not knowing the dark creature lurking in the corner, waiting to make a feast of them.

"The police are trying to cover up as much as they can, but humans are starting to get suspicious, and the culprit doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon." There were those in law enforcement and government offices who also worked in secret to help hide the supernatural world. "It wasn't our problem until last week when one of ours was murdered in her home. The matter has been escalated to the High Priestess, and she has asked us not to do anything yet and promises to handle it, but it's only a matter of time before the witch's family becomes fed up with waiting and takes justice into their hands." There had always been hostility between witches and vampires, and I wasn't not exactly sure why but a witch being killed by a vampire for unknown reasons could stir up a lot of trouble.

"Atlanta isn't too safe now, and it may even worsen later on, so please be careful at school until all this is settled. The murderer could be anywhere right now, and he might just not be the only one." One vampire terrorizing the city was scary enough; two or more was even more dreadful.

"I will," I promised, even though knowing I still would be attending lots of late-night parties. His eyes narrowed suspiciously, trying to see past my innocent smile, but he sighed and pulled me in for a warm hug.

"I know you will." I felt his jaw on my head, and I'm reminded of his height. I stood at 5'8, and my head only stopped at his shoulders. We stood like this for a few seconds when the sound of heels harshly stomping on the floor caught our attention.

"Cody," We moved apart as Caroline walked in further to stand in front of us. Her eyes drifted to Cody’s jacket on my shoulders, then his hand on my arm before looking back up. "Your mum's looking for you." She had a sweet smile on her lips, but her eyes told a different tale. It was just a hug!

Cody nodded but turned to me one last time, "Till next time."

"Your jacket." I tried to return it, but he objected. I smiled and watched him leave, with Caroline throwing me a quick death glare behind before following suit. I rolled my eyes at her childish attitude, then stared once more into the night before also leaving the balcony back into the party. I hadn't even walked three steps in when I heard someone call out to me.

"Well, if it isn't Jocelyn. The black sheep has come home." I heard snickers behind me and turned to see one of my cousins surrounded by his friends and a particular lady whose waist his arm was around.

I gave my brightest smile at him and walked closer to the group, "How's it going, Joshy?"

"It's Joshua." His smirk turned into a scowl, and I smiled, even more, knowing how much I hated the nickname.

"Is it now? So, tell me, Joshy," I ignored his words and stared at the lady beside him, "Is this the pregnant one uncle paid to have an abortion last month, or is she just the new replacement." I heard someone almost choke on their drink and watched as his date's smile slowly turned into a frown, and the fire began to ignite in those big eyes. On the other hand, Joshua looked like a deer caught in a headlight, frozen with his eyes wide open.

"I'll be leaving now." Satisfied, I waited until I turned my back to them before letting out my mischievous smile. Caroline might hate me, but she still kept me up to date on the latest family gist, and for once, I feel like hugging her gratefully for this.

"We've been together for six months. Who in f**k's name did you knock up…." Oh, that one's feisty.

I had to hurry, say my goodbyes, and leave before the matter escalated more than it had, and I was blamed for that one or ran into any of my other relatives. I scanned the room for my Grams and quickly wished her goodnight. In return, she pinched my cheek and made me promise to visit often. I did as asked with my fingers crossed behind me. Then I searched for mum and was lucky to quickly spot her this time. She wasn't bothered when I informed her I was about to take my leave. She just shrugged, ignored me, and returned to chatting with her friends.

Sometimes, I wonder how dad married someone so cold and managed to live with her throughout those years they were together. She always looked composed and perfect, expecting everyone else to be the same. Maybe she did a wonderful divorcing my father, releasing him from her depressing shackles.

Grams claimed they were once hopelessly in love when they first met, and I could believe that since she married him even though he was human and it hadn't been arranged. However, ever since I could remember, I had never seen them display any form of affection towards each other.

One morning, when I was twelve, I woke up and walked sleepy-eyed into the dining room with Caroline to hear my mum announce while she set the dining table:

"Kids, your dad and I have decided to get a divorce. I hope you both understand. Now, go upstairs and brush your teeth. We're having pancakes for breakfast."

Just like that, and the worse part was she was smiling like it was no big deal and shut us up whenever we asked a question on the topic.

The cool night's breeze greeted my body as I stepped out into the night, walking towards where my car was parked in the deserted driveway. I searched for my keys in my purse and pushed them into the lock, but before I could pull open my door, I felt a presence behind me as their shadow hovered over me. Before I could react, they forcefully grabbed my shoulder and spun, making me hit my back against my car with a thump.

I gasped in surprise, my eyes wide open in fear and my heart hammering against my ribcage, but then I realized the familiar face in front of me.

"What the hell, Carol?!" I scowled at her, standing back up straight while trying to calm my racing heart. A creepy smile slowly appeared on her lips as she tilted her head down at me.

"Leaving so soon, Jose? Won't you at least stay the night? It's already so late."

"No thanks, anything is better than a second in the same place with you."

"Then why are you here if you hate being in the same place as me so bad?" She suddenly snapped with her smile now gone as she glowered down at me.

"Because mum asked me to attend this stupid party…."

"Then that's what you should have done; attend the party and run back to your apartment, not hugging my fiancé in a dark corner." I was stunned for a second by her behavior, but then again, I shouldn't be. We are talking about Caroline here, the basic drama queen.

I scoffed and shook my head in disbelief, surprised she took that hug to mean something else. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe she picks fights with me because of certain issues, like she was doing right now, coming at me because she was only jealous her fiancé hugged me. I don't know why, but I always believe there's more to the story. Or does she just hate me so?

"Green was never a good color on you, Carol."

"Jocelyn," Her tone suddenly turned soft, and she stepped forward to place a hand on my shoulder, "I don't know what your game is with Cody, but you should know the only reason he's nice to you, checks up on you or pays you a visit at college is only because you're related to me. Nothing more, so stop throwing yourself at him…."

I laughed bitterly, "I have never met anyone as insecure as you…."

"Just do as I say!" She cut me off, bringing her face closer to mine so I could stare clearly into her round frozen balls and watch them slowly transform to a midnight black, something that usually happened when a witch was about to possibly use her powers. It's a scary sight I was already used to.

"You don't belong here with us. Never had and never will. You will always remain the outsider no matter what you do, a weak, pathetic embarrassment." Those words were meant to sting, and they did, and the pleased smile on her face indicated she knew the right words to say just to hurt me. I tried not to show her words affected me, but tears had already begun to well up in my eyes.

Satisfied, Carol stepped back, still holding her smile with her eyes returning to their original color. "Take good care of yourself in college, little sis. Bad things sometimes happen to pretty girls like yourself if you're not careful." She said in a fake concerned voice while playing with my hair. Her eyes drifted to Cody's jacket on my shoulders, and she harshly yanked it off before spinning on her heels to leave.

She was only five feet gone when I finally burst out in anger at her, "I hate you!"

She laughed but didn't stop walking, "Like I care."

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I threw my purse after her but missed, causing me to stomp my feet frustratedly while still screaming after her, "f**k you, Caroline Roswell, damn you to hell and back. b***h!" I repeatedly cursed after her before finally slumping to the floor beside my car, sobbing alone in the dark. She would most likely be delirious with joy at the reaction she got from me, and I hated myself for reacting so much and giving her the satisfaction.

This was me, Jocelyn Roswell, with the worst family ever, and I was probably just as unhinged as the rest of my family.