Theo was sure that his fascination with Colette was only going to be a phase. After all, he finally found something that interested him enough to pass the time. He wanted to push the blame onto imprinting, but the truth was this feeling was something new. When did the thought of her make his chest tight from the yearning? Did his name get a special ring to it only when she said it? When did seeing her give meaning to his seemingly endless days?
Falling in love is a pain in the ass, he thought. Theo knew better than to hope for anything more than friendship out of their relationship. She had goals and dreams that he wouldn't expect her to give up for him. After all, how could she fulfill her promise to her sister if she became an immortal being? Theo knew that he would have to keep his selfish impulses under control. He wasn't sure if she'd ever even give him a chance, but regardless, he'd hold on to his position in the friend zone.
To blow off some steam, Theo spent his nights practicing his new ability: night flight. It was kind of a corny name, but he didn't know what else to call it. He hadn't told anyone, but ever since he had consumed Colette's blood, his body started behaving differently. His body felt lighter, a sensation that proved hard to describe. He only learned he could 'fly' the other night when he slipped climbing onto the roof. Theo was sure that he was going to fall and hit the ground, but he willed his body to avoid falling, and somehow, he gently glided down. He wasn't sure if it was from drinking human blood or her blood specifically but either way, it was something he wanted to keep under wraps.
He got into the habit of practicing his ability at the latest time of night, when the sky was the darkest. He wanted to remain unnoticed. He started by tackling short, risk-free distances like off his roof in his backyard. He'd heal fast, but a failed landing would be genuinely painful.
With the backyard complete, he moved on to larger spaces. Whether it was between trees in the park, or hopping between lampposts, he continued to test the limits of his ability. However, using this new ability came with a cost. It made his thirst for blood uncontrollable. He noticed the more he pushed the limits of his stamina, the more his throat would burn wildly with thirst. As he tested his own boundaries, he drank more synthetic blood. Though, he was certain Colette's blood would do a better job of satiating him.
It was already the night of November 14th. Theo hadn't actually had the chance to see Colette that week, partly because of his apprehension regarding their relationship. He figured the night flights were enough to provide a distraction. He opened the window to his room and the night sky was calling to him. The winter air felt crisp and still. The sky was painted with particularly dark shades of purple and black. This made the stars shine a little brighter than usual. It was already midnight, but to Theo the night was still young. He threw on a hoodie and a pair of joggers as he made his way outside.
There was a steep hill close to his house that oversaw the entire neighborhood. He knew that with enough momentum, he could clear the town with a single leap. Tonight, he'd put his ability to the real test. He braced himself once he made it to the top, exhaling a few deep breaths that filled the dark void with mist. He took three bounds and leapt into the air, trusting that he wouldn't fall.
Becoming one with the night, he gently glided through the air. His black clothing blended with its surroundings, while the glow of the moon illuminated his pale skin and red eyes. As he drifted, he reached out his hands, as if they were going to collect something tangible in the sky. Exhilarated, Theo let out a chuckle. His new ability made being a vampire worthwhile. Itwouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for Colette, he thought.
Suddenly, his phone vibrated with a notification. Theo wondered who'd message him at that late hour. Trusting that he had full control of his flight, he continued to coast through the air with his phone in hand. To his surprise, it was Colette reaching out.
'I can't sleep…is it okay if I call you?' She asked.
'Sure,' Theo responded.
Not only did she call him right away, but she started a video call. Startled, Theo almost dropped his phone before accidentally answering. It was going to be difficult to deny that he was still mid-air.
"Theo…What are you doing?" She curiously inspected her phone screen, observing Theo's actions. Though he looked still, his hair fluttered around from the wind.
"Well….," Theo looked around hesitantly. He wasn't sure how he was going to explain this new ability. Continuing, he said, "I'm just getting a better view of the night sky…literally," then he flipped his phone camera around to show her he was airborne. Slowly drifting downward, he landed gently on the ground.
"So…you can fly now?" Colette asked, curiously.
Theo rose his eyebrow and responded sarcastically, "I think it's more like floating…but wait a second. Isn't it past your bedtime?"
"Please, show me!" Colette exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with eager anticipation. I promise to stay awake!"
Theo sighed before nodding his head, "Alright, give me ten minutes."
He hung up the phone before making his way back up the hill. He was sure that he could spot her apartment building from the elevated view. Once he spotted her house, he ran with as much momentum as he could give himself and lunged from the top of the hill. He could feel a gravitational pull, almost like a magnet was drawing his body closer to hers. As he drifted downward, he could see her window, and there she was. She was using her phone light to guide him as he floated towards her.
He perched himself onto the edge of her window sill and asked, "May I come in?"
Her window was already open, as if she had intended to let him in from the start. She held her index finger to her mouth, signaling them to remain quiet so they wouldn't get caught. He drifted gently into her room and landed without a sound.
She gestured for him to take a seat on her bed and quietly whispered into his ear, "that was so cool!"
All the hairs on his neck stood up, and he felt his ears burn. She was really close to him. The sound of his racing heart flooded the room. Something about being alone with her in her room had him feeling more self aware than usual.
Concerned, she tilted her head and whispered into his ear again, "Is everything okay?"
Before she could withdraw her hand from his face, he quickly grabbed it and brushed her fingertips over his lips. His body was reacting on its own. He had never traveled so far and the thirst was taking a toll on his body.
Innocently, he whispered, "Does your offer still stand to share your blood with me?"
Colette's surprise was immediate, yet she also instantly recognized a look in his eyes, a look she knew all too well. Despite the darkness that enshrouded them, Colette could clearly visualize his glowing eyes. His pupils were dilating, transforming into sharp curves. She couldn't resist him. Nervously, she nodded, giving him permission. She knew he was going to have to bite her to draw blood.
Theo lifted her hand towards his face, causing her index finger to brush against his parting lips as he exposed his fangs.
Theo whispered softly, "I'll do my best to not hurt you."
He took her index finger and pressed it against his fang to prick her, drawing a small drop of blood. Though she winced in pain, she didn't pull her finger away. Gently, he began to drink her blood from where it was pooling. It was almost like he teased her with the idea of what getting bitten was like. He moved his lips over to her palm. It was the same place where she had bitten his hand the weekend before. He sunk his fangs down into her hand and continued to suck more of her blood.
To avoid making noise, she began holding her breath.
"Breathe," he whispered.
Before releasing her hand, she felt his lips pressed against her finger with a tender kiss. With this realization, a new feeling quickly swept over her. It wasn't quite embarrassment, but she noticed his male presence.
The glow of the moon slipped past her curtains, creating a silhouette of his body. Suddenly, she recognized their physical differences. Not as a vampire and human, but as a male and female. His hands were bigger than hers, and the overall height difference was obvious on her small bed. The gleam of the moon made his profile more evident. She noticed he had a sharp jawline and a deep voice to match.
"Are you okay?," Theo whispered.
His proximity sent a jolt throughout her body. Though this wasn't the first time they had done something like this, it felt different this time. Their intimacy created a mood that she wasn't used to. She could feel her ears and cheeks burning as she blushed. He took his hand and traced her bottom lip with his thumb and leaned in closer. The lure of the midnight hour had him behaving more forward than usual.
"Is this okay?" He whispered, asking for consent.
Before Colette could instinctively nod her head, they both heard someone outside her door. One of her parents was up walking around the apartment. The realization gave them a reality check, and they backed away from each other. Colette moved the curtains, signaling for Theo to make a swift exit.
Before he leapt downward, she whispered with anticipation, "Uh…" She wanted to ask about the kiss, but she quickly deviated, "Don't forget tomorrow after school, we're meeting."
"If I don't fall to my demise, I'll be there…," he whispered with a chuckle as he stepped off and drifted down slowly.
She held her breath, wondering if he'd fall, only to watch him effortlessly glide off into the night. Once he was gone, she threw herself back onto her bed. Her heart was racing as she considered the possibility that they were about to kiss. Now I'm definitely not going to sleep, she thought with a groan.