Chapter 3: Locked Doors and Love-Brained Drama

I squeezed between racks of dresses and shoes, heart pounding so loud I was sure he could hear it. Please don’t find me.

Crying silently, I prayed Julian wouldn’t find me, cursing this dumb plot. Why me?

Tears streamed down my face as I tried to remember any vampire survival tips. None of them seemed useful now. Stupid Google.

But prayers didn’t work.

Soon, I heard the door open. Oh no.

The sound of footsteps made my skin crawl. I held my breath, afraid to even blink. Don’t move.

Footsteps echoed in the empty room, each one making me more anxious. Breathe, Savannah.

I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to disappear. Please.

I covered my mouth, trying not to make a sound. Don’t breathe.

My hands shook, but I kept them clamped over my lips. I’d never been so scared. Ever.

After who knows how long, the footsteps faded. Relief?

I waited, counting the seconds. Maybe he’d given up? Doubtful.

I let go of my mouth, and all I could hear was my own heavy breathing. Still alive.

The silence was deafening. I wiped my tears, trying to calm down. Deep breaths.

I hesitated, wanting to crack the closet door to check outside. Risky move.

My curiosity got the better of me. I shifted, trying to peek out. Please be empty.

But because I’d squatted too long and my legs were numb, as soon as I touched the door, my foot twisted and I toppled out face-first. Smooth, Savannah.

I swear, that was the ugliest fall of my life. Ten out of ten for style.

I landed with a thud, dress bunched around my knees. Real graceful, Savannah. Gold medal.

“Pfft!”

A clear laugh echoed in the quiet room. My heart stopped; I held my breath and looked up. Busted.

The sound was light, almost musical. I felt my cheeks burn with embarrassment. Kill me now.

The moonlight was bright, and I could clearly see the boy’s gentle, handsome face. He smiled beautifully; if not for those fangs, I might’ve been charmed. Too bad.

His smile was dazzling, but the fangs reminded me I was still in danger. Not falling for it.

“My Savannah, how long are you planning to kneel there?”

Julian’s voice was teasing, arms crossed, looking down at me. Smug much?

He looked amused, like he was watching a puppy trip over its own feet. I probably looked just as pathetic.

Seeing me frozen, he bent down, hands on my arms, ready to pull me up. Please don’t bite.

His touch was surprisingly gentle, but I flinched anyway. Reflex.

The moment he touched me, I recoiled like I’d been shocked. Stay away!

“Bro, bro, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have bullied Ellie, let me go, I’ll apologize tomorrow... no, I’ll go abroad tomorrow and never come back, just don’t drink my blood, it tastes like garlic, I swear...”

My words tumbled out, fast and desperate. I was ready to promise anything. Begging mode: activated.

I clasped my hands, face streaked with tears, begging him. Please, please, please.

I must’ve looked pitiful, but I didn’t care. Survival first, dignity later. Priorities.

Julian kept the posture of helping me up, but after hearing my words, his smile deepened. Oh no.

His eyes sparkled with amusement. Was he… entertained? Seriously?

He squatted down, looking into my eyes. Intense.

His gaze was intense, but there was a hint of warmth there, too. I felt myself relax—just a little. Maybe I’m not toast?

“How come I never noticed before—Savannah, you’re hilarious.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. I didn’t know whether to feel insulted or relieved. Maybe both.

Before my brain could catch up, he reached out and patted my head, saying softly, “Let’s go on a date.”

His hand was warm on my hair, and his voice was gentle. I blinked, not sure I heard him right. Did he just say date?

I instinctively thought he meant to drain me, but before I could panic, he said, “If Savannah goes on a date with me, I won’t eat you.”

That got my attention. I scrambled to my feet, ready to agree to anything. Deal!

I immediately got up and limped toward the door. Don’t look back.

What are we waiting for—let’s go on that date, quick.

I shot him a nervous smile, trying not to limp too obviously. Play it cool.

Though I had no idea what this vampire was up to, staying alive was priority number one. Survival > romance.

I’d never been so eager for a date in my life. I just hoped it didn’t end with me in a coffin. Fingers crossed.

“Savannah, wait up.”

Julian pointed at my foot.

I looked down—one foot in a black flat, the other just a white lace sock. Fashion icon.

I’d lost a shoe in my panic. Classic. Always a mess.

Right—the other shoe was in Adrian’s mouth...

So I picked out another pair from my mom’s closet. Desperate times.

I grabbed the first pair I could find—sparkly silver flats. Not my style, but beggars can’t be choosers. Survival shoes.

And grabbed a scarf, wrapping it around my neck. Armor up.

A thick, chunky scarf. I was taking no chances with my jugular. Safety first.

“Savannah, it’s summer.”

Julian stared at my scarf for a long moment before speaking. Judgy much?

His eyebrows shot up, but he didn’t comment further. I could feel the judgment radiating off him. Whatever.

I rolled my eyes inwardly. Not here for your fashion critique.

If it weren’t for you, would I be like this?

But I didn’t dare say it. Not worth the risk.

I forced a smile and pretended the scarf was a fashion statement. Trendsetter.

Julian took me to a fancy restaurant, the whole place to ourselves. Roses and candles on the table, the warm light making the mood way too romantic. Yikes.

The maitre d’ greeted us like we were celebrities. I tried not to gawk at the expensive décor. Don’t look poor.

I looked at the steak in front of me, while Julian had nothing, feeling nervous. This is fine.

I poked at my food, appetite gone. Julian just watched, his expression unreadable. Could he be any more mysterious?

I ate steak, but what about him—would he eat me? Not on the menu, thanks.

I kept glancing at his mouth, half-expecting him to lunge across the table. Anxiety: 100%.

“Savannah, don’t you like steak? Want something else?”

Julian smiled at me.

His voice was soft, but I could sense impatience underneath. Tread carefully.

“I like it, I like it. Are you gonna eat me?”

I blurted it out before I could stop myself. Smooth, Savannah. Real smooth.

“...Looks like you’re not hungry. Want something to drink?”

His smile faltered. He picked up the menu, offering it to me. Awkward.

“Orange juice. Are you gonna eat me?”

I tried to sound casual, but my voice squeaked at the end. Fail.

“Okay, Savannah, where do you want to go after this?”

He was definitely losing patience now. His fingers drummed a steady rhythm on the table. Danger zone.

“Anywhere’s fine, as long as you don’t eat me...”

I shrank into my seat, scarf pulled up to my chin. Please don’t bite.

Julian’s gentle smile was about to crack. He was silent for a while, drumming his fingers on the table, looking annoyed. Oops.

He looked like he was trying to decide whether to laugh or strangle me. Fifty-fifty.

“I already ate, but if you ask again, I might just have a midnight snack.”

That shut me up fast. I clamped my mouth shut and nodded. Message received.

I shut up instantly, wrapping my scarf tighter and curling up like a quail. Camouflage.

I tried to make myself as small as possible, hoping he’d forget I was there. Invisibility: attempted.

Maybe because it was late and I had school, or maybe he was just tired of me, after dinner he took me home. Phew.

The drive was silent, but not uncomfortable. I watched the streetlights blur by, heart pounding. Surreal.

Before leaving, Julian patted my hair, leaned close to my ear, and whispered, “Savannah, from now on, you and I are a couple. If you don’t behave, I promise everything you’re afraid of will come true.”

His breath was cool against my ear. I shivered, not sure if it was fear or something else. Goosebumps.

I gasped.

I remembered—in the original, the girls lured by vampires all became willing blood banks, because if vampires hunted openly, it would cause panic. Oh no.

The memory hit me like a freight train. This was how it started—slowly, sweetly, until you didn’t even realize you were doomed. Trap set.

So they targeted ordinary girls in everyday life. Sneaky.

They blended in, making you think you were special. But it was all a game. Classic.

First, they made the girl fall in love with the vampire.

Willing to be drained dry.

In the book, they called it "love-brained."

I’d read those words so many times in the novel, but living it was a whole different story. Reality check.

After Julian left, I breathed a huge sigh of relief, took a hot shower, and flopped onto my bed. Safe—maybe.

The water washed away the fear, but not the dread. I wrapped myself in a blanket and stared at the ceiling. Existential crisis, anyone?

In the original, the supporting girl died today, but I’d survived by sheer luck. Dodged a bullet.

Was I safe? Or just delaying the inevitable? Probably the latter.

But Julian’s parting words gave me chills. Shivers.

His threat echoed in my mind. I hugged my pillow tighter. Please don’t let this be real.

If I got close to him, I’d be a blood bank; if I stayed away, I’d get drained anyway.

Either way, I was toast.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration hit me. Lightbulb.