Is my neighbor a vampire?

I walk through the dark paved streets and hug myself since my hooded jacket is not enough to fight this bone-chilling cold. What was I thinking when I agreed to go out with that idiot Marcos? It was obvious what he wanted from me and I naively let myself be fooled by his beautiful smile. He's the typical cute guy that everyone wants to get and the little squirt, neither stupid nor lazy, takes advantage of the situation to take half the school to bed, nor rather, to the back of his car.

It makes me so angry when I remember that, how could I have been so stupid? Now I find myself walking home alone since the idiot took my wallet with my phone and money.

I snap out of my thoughts when I feel someone following me; my heart starts pumping blood faster than usual, my hands are shaking and my breathing is labored. I quicken my pace praying it's just paranoia... Fuck! This is what I get for being a flirt. I really think I'm going to faint at any moment. I run in desperation and a shriek escapes from my throat as I see myself being chased. Why is there no one on the street today?

“Help!” I cry out in desperation and anxious for someone to hear me. This can't be happening to me! I feel tears emanating from my eyes, which I don't bother to wipe away because all my attention and energy is focused on getting out of this situation alive, whole, and with my dignity intact.

I go to scream, however, a cold hand covers my mouth and I feel my body being pulled into the darkness of an alley. Suddenly I find myself trapped by male arms covered in leathercloth and the smell of grapes floods my nostrils. "I need to go to the bathroom," I think to myself as I try to stay conscious, because if I don't poop myself, then I'll pass out.

“Sssshhh…” I hear a whisper above my ears and my skin bristles, “Don't make any kind of noise or movement or we're toast. Those thugs were coming after you”.

I freeze out of inertia and obey the strange owner of the thick, sensual voice. I hope he is my savior and not my executioner. I shudder with fear as I watch three men search the lonely streets as if something or someone is lost to them. I fight back tears and try to calm down, I don't know how much time has passed, but for me, it has been an eternity. The men have been gone for a while now, however, the stranger is still holding me as in the beginning. I move violently so he releases me, when I face him, I am speechless and I think I have stopped breathing for a moment.

The stranger is a boy of about eighteen, with bright yellow hair, or so I think, for the dim light prevents me from appreciating him as I should. His curly hair reaches to his shoulders and makes him look mysterious and unique. His eyes are rare and yellowish, his nose is outlined and his lips are small and full. I don't know if it's because of the low light, but his skin looks too white and pale. He is dressed completely in black and his clothes are leather. He scrutinizes me as if I am an exotic work, I think so. Maybe I've been too excited to be in front of a guy who looks like he's straight out of Twilight or one of those sexy vampire movies.

“Do you have a name?” the pale boy asks without stopping looking at me, an action that is already making me uncomfortable.

“I'm Ester, nice to meet you and thank you for rescuing me,” I extended my hand and I don't know if I've just imagined the small smile that is drawn on his beautiful lips, and that soon disappears.

“It's a pleasure, pretty Paloma (dove in Spanish),” he squeezes my hand mockingly and I frown.

“No, you heard wrong," I correct, "My name is not Paloma, I said Ester. They don't even look alike.”

“It doesn't matter what your name is, I like Paloma," he answers as if it were nothing and I put my hands on my waist indignantly to complain.

“It's not Paloma, it's Ester. I'd appreciate it if you don't use nicknames with me, I don't like it.”

“I'm sorry... Ester,” he snorts to indicate his disagreement, “but you look like a cute and cuddly pigeon and I love those birds,” he invades my personal space, bringing his face too close to my neck. For some strange reason, his yellow gaze terrifies me, there's something about this guy that completely paralyzes me and makes me distrustful. He sniffs my skin and then sketches a mischievous smile as he looks me in the eyes; I don't know, maybe it's the strange situation I'm in, but I feel that his gaze pierces my soul.

“W-What's your name?” I can't believe I stuttered.

“I'm Gerald Van Ewen, it's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful young lady,” the blond takes my hand with grace and elegance and leaves a chaste kiss on it.

“Thank you for helping me,” I pull my hand away abruptly and look away. It's been a pleasure, I must go now," I say, ready to go on my way, although I die of fear when I look at the desolate streets.

“I'll walk with you,” The handsome boy offers and I couldn't be more grateful. I nod and hurry, for I am anxious to get home and forget about this strange and crazy night.

We arrive in stony silence, which is great for me. He laughs with amusement and his eyes sparkle as he meets me.

“It's unbelievable! I don't know if it's chance or fate, but it's wonderful,” The cute and weird guy says, but I don't understand what he's talking about.

“Ah... Did I miss something?” I'm half uncomfortable with the weird attitude of this guy, it annoys me that everyone with a pretty face is an inveterate flirt.

“Well... I just found out we're neighbors,” he smiles like he's a little kid, it's a smile that's strange to me because he looks so cute and his appearance is similar to that of a bully.

“Neighbors?” Of course not! Unless... I think back and my eyes widen, “So, you're part of the family that just moved in.”

He nods and I look at him quizzically. “I didn't see you helping them with the move. Do you think you're so superior?”

Well, I don't know if I said a joke, because he bursts out laughing, although it strikes me that his lips are laughing, his eyes are sad. So sad that they convey his sadness and make me feel miserable.

“What's so funny?” I cross my arms and he looks away from me. I don't believe it! It's the first time in all this time - an hour or two? - that this guy doesn't pierce me with his eyes and avoids eye contact.

“Nothing, but you shouldn't judge the book by its cover. Maybe it's not that I didn't want to help, it could be that I couldn't.” This time his eyes invade me and I feel cornered.

“Whatever!” I try not to be intimidated by his yellow orbs? He looks like a cat, this kid. I'm going in, thanks for everything.” I lower my face a little as if I were making a small bow and go inside my home. The warmth and fresh smell of the floor disinfectant invade me, I think it's a smell of roses or something like that. My mother spends her time cleaning, thankfully she is no longer working and that is her way of spending her active time. I throw myself on the bed and my thoughts are invaded by that strange boy, why am I thinking about him? My heart is pounding so hard I'm afraid I'll wake up my parents, okay, I exaggerate. I don't understand why I'm shuddering, what is it about that boy that has caught my attention so much?

Omniscient

A shadow in the window is reflected in the night, a blond boy dressed in a long tunic-like white T-shirt sits on a chair that gives him a perfect view of the right side of his neighbors' house; a specific window catches his attention, imagining that it could be the room of that beautiful girl. He swirls the reddish contents in his glass and takes a sip with his eyes closed.