Forced Affection

‘The catering is very good, so don’t worry about it being dodgy. There is no need for you to be nervous now’ Arianna said randomly half way through the main meal.
‘oh yeah’ I began not really understanding what she meant ‘oh sorry. I wasn’t sure what you were on about, but yes I do agree with you’ I answered laughing.
‘Yes I figured that much’ she laughed politely again-we all were still a bit tense no matter what we were trying to pretend about being happy little families.
‘Pass the salt, please’ Leo asked, well more like ordered me. I looked at him, glanced at the salt and then back again to him as he raised an eyebrow annoyed.
‘Go to hell’ I replied and smiled sweetly to him.
‘I’m already here, now get it’ Leo replied sternly without raising his voice so we didn’t draw any attention-but I’m not dumb. I do know that vampires have good hearing and that most of them all around the table could probably hear us, especially the close ones.
For the first time ever I was generally scared for my life. I mean I was one of those that had no sense of fear, or was ever scared for that matter. I guess that was what made me so good at training, fighting and occasionally hunting when I was allowed.
Nonetheless I got him the salt and handed it to him not sure whether to catch his eye or not. I decided not.
‘Hi, I’m Drew Matthews-Leo’s friend’ said the guy immediately next to Leo and extended his hand to shake civilly. I guess I did behave inappropriately but I didn’t get the choice of any friends as I stared at his hand and replied ‘interesting’ awkwardly enough for him to get the hint and remove his hand. He got the hint quickly as he removed his hand and Leo stared at me with a scowl, the same way I was staring at Drew.
‘Interesting isn’t the word I’d use, something more like incompetent’ Leo mumbled to Drew loudly enough for me to hear.

Finally, once the painfulness of diner was over I was reunited with my friends.
‘How was it?’ Thai-Lea asked once we were back in the hall, where music was now playing.
‘Awkward’ I replied as I continued walking.
‘And Leo?’ Billie asked as her, Rae and Luka followed me.
‘stupid’ I answered as I stormed off to the bar by myself, I guess they got the picture as well.
Once I stood by myself leaning on the bar I realised how much people were enjoying themselves. Even though vampires were on one side and slayers were on the other side. Occasionally a few would mingle, but nothing drastic. I continued to stare, there was about 400 people here. I then realised that even less than half of my family was here which meant that not even all of Leo’s family was here and unfortunately that would mean more parties.
‘Half of our family isn’t even here, don’t worry you won’t be getting married anytime soon. There will be at least another 4 parties surely’ a short pale skinned girl with deadly black hair and beautiful gold eyes said. I immediately recognised here as Ashlea Parker, Leo’s kid sister. The idea of her sucking blood and killing innocent people seemed so wrong on someone so small, graceful and vulnerable it was just incoherent. Straight away I felt obliged to have to protect something so delicate and yet I couldn’t be more off the mark if I tried!
‘Thanks I guess that’s comforting to know. I mean I could kill myself in that time!’ I replied. Ashlea broke out into a charming grin and laughed effortlessly.
‘You’re funny. You know that?! I think we’ll be good friends’ she replied still laughin and I couldn’t help but feel happy for being able to make her happy and have so much faith in me. Wait! What? I don’t need their acceptance-but I guess it won’t hurt.
‘I hope so’ I replied giving in and laughing with her.
‘May I help you ladies?’ the hot young bartender asked Ashlea and I.
‘No thanks’ Ashlea replied timidly as she felt embarrassed talking to a young hot male.
‘Yes please, I think I might have something flirty. Hmm I’ll have a fruit tingle thanks’ I smirked as the bartender winked at me and walked away to get me my drink.
‘Don’t you think you’ve had enough? Or at least slow down’ a male’s voice came from behind me.
‘Haha Alex, as if! I’ve only had 2 and I’m going to need a hell of a lot more to get me through this’ I responded not even turning around to see him as the bartender gave me my drink. I noticed that Ashlea had began blushing again, oh shit I thought it mustn’t be Alex.
No it was most definitely Alex, I caught his eye as he smiled at Ashlea. She smiled back shyly as Alex’s cheeks couldn’t help but turn a rosey red. I only had to raise my eyebrow for Alex to become embarrassed and Ashlea turn a deeper shade of red as she blushed. I was quite surprised that vampires could even blush-I guess there was a lot about them I had to learn.
‘Well isn’t this cute?’ I smiled as I walked away leaving Alex and Ashlea by themselves-now if only they could get married and I could be left out of this stupid bargaining game with Leo and myself.