The doors shut behind me, their click clear and loud. I hear the receptionist take a breath before speaking to me. Her pupils’ dilate when I meet her eyes and her nervousness stinks the air. Despite growing up here and bearing my last name, people are still wary of my mother and I. I never take it personal. Humans are instinctually afraid of vampires; they’re prey for most vampires, after all.

“Oh, hello Arabell.” Miss. Travis smiles.

“Hello,” I smile at her, not showing my fangs, “I’m looking for father.”

“Of course, he’s in the conference room.”

“Thanks.”

I let my head drop down and I make my way towards the conference room. The shuffling of papers, calls, conversations, hums of the electronics all assault my hearing. I wince and bite my cheek, quickening my pace. I hear the door click open but before I can stop myself I run right into whoever was opening. I smell him before I look up and see him.

“Arabell, I’m so sorry.” He rushes out, reaching out to catch me from falling back.

I raise my eyes to his and force out a smile. “It’s okay.” I squeak out.

Oh gnome, I just ran into Reamus Travis. The Reamus Travis. The guy I’ve had a crush on since elementary school.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

“Y-yes.” I stammer.

“Ari?” My mom’s voice calls.

Reamus steps out of my way and holds the door open for me. I step into the room and freeze as all eyes turn to me. Mom and dad stand up at the front by the white board. I can see family and other people I recognize in the chairs. I didn’t know there were so many people here.

“Hi, mom.” I say so quiet she’s probably the only one that can hear me.

She smiles at me, knowing I’m uncomfortable around crowds. I make my way to her, thankful of the curtain of hair hiding everyone. I stop by her and dad who smiles at me encouragingly.

“What is it sweetie?” Mom asks.

“I uh, I found something on vampires.” I choke out.

I focus on mom and dad, trying to block out everyone else. No matter how hard I try I can’t push out Reamus’s scent from the side of the room. Great.

“That’s great Ari.” Dad smiles.

“Their base, it’s not in Bridgeport. At least, not their main base. The one the royal family is at, it’s hidden. I haven’t been able to find out where or how, but it’s hidden from everyone.” I tell my parents.

“Thank you honey,” My dad studies my face with a soft smile, “You can go now if you don’t want to hang around.”

I nod, grateful, and make my way out. I push the door open and take a deep breath as I step into the main area. It wasn’t so crowded here. I lean against the wall and close my eyes. How was I supposed to save my sister if I couldn’t even walk into a room of people I knew? A well-known scent washes over me and my heart stops.

“That was amazing back there, how did you find that out?” Reamus’s voice asks.

I open my eyes and stare at him. Speak Arabell, speak and don’t look so awkward, I tell myself. Nothing comes out of my mouth. I’m sure I look foolish standing here staring at him.

“I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to interrupt your thoughts. I can leave.” He says, stepping back.

“Wait.” I spill out. “You uh, you’re not interrupting. My grandmother gave me an old book she found. I was able to get that from what I translated, but it’s taking me a while to do it all. Hopefully I’ll be able to find the exact location soon.”

“You translated that?” He asks. “Like from another language?”

“Yes.” I stand there, mortified.

Did I really just tell him I can translate another language? He’s going to think I’m the biggest nerd in the world. He’s never going to want to talk to me again. Why didn’t I change the subject to sports or something.

“That’s amazing.” He says genuinely.

“Uhm, thanks.” I look down at my feet, embarrassed.

“Hey, uhm, would you want to go to The Hidden Grill with me sometime?” He asks.

I look up at him, surprised. He’s standing there with a smooth smile on his face, but I can smell his anxiety. Is he really nervous about asking me out? Reamus Travis, one of the most popular guys in school, is nervous about asking me out?

“Yes, I’d love to.” If my eyes could get wider they would have. That just spilled out of my mouth, there was no stopping it. Oh gnome help me. I just said yes to a date with Reamus. Sona is going to have a field day with this.