Bloodbound Heart's: Love's Crimson Year

Chapter 6 - The Friendship That Blossomed

After the eventful night, Amber managed to catch just six hours of sleep before springing out of bed with renewed energy. The boys had lent their hands the previous evening, helping her pack up most of the house amidst laughter and dancing.

Now, she focused on packing her own clothes, the few she had managed to unpack upon her arrival. Choosing a sleek, tight red dress that hugged her in all the right places, she fluffed up her hair and applied a bold red lipstick. Admiring her reflection, she felt a surge of excitement, ready to embark on this new chapter of her life with the boys by her side.

She meticulously packed her car with her belongings, along with the remaining food from the house, hoping that the cave would offer some semblance of a kitchen, or at least a fridge, if such luxuries were even possible in that remote location.

She hesitated for a moment, questioning the sanity of her decision. Was she really going to move in with people she had known for just two days? And to top it off, into a cave, with vampires, no less? It sounded utterly absurd. Yet, despite her reservations, a feeling deep within her insisted that it was the right choice.

After securely locking up the house, she drove down to the cliff where the cave nestled. As the sun began its descent, casting hues of orange and pink across the horizon, the moon emerged, casting its ethereal glow upon the landscape.

Marko was the first to greet Amber, lifting her playfully against the car and planting a kiss on her lips. Paul and even Dwayne chimed in with encouraging wolf whistles.

"Get a room," David chuckled, handing Dwayne and Paul some of Amber 's bags.

"That's the idea, Davy," She retorted with a grin, kissing him in gratitude.

David then swooped in, effortlessly picking her up bridal style and carefully descending the rickety steps. "Oh God, don't drop me," she joked nervously, shutting her eyes tightly.

"Never, pet," David chuckled reassuringly, his steady steps conveying a sense of trust and safety.

Paul and Marko swayed to the beat of rock music, accompanied by a small boy with long straight hair and a leather jacket, almost a miniature version of the boys themselves. Amber chuckled as she was carried into the cave, the lively scene before her eliciting a sense of warmth and familiarity.

As David gently set her down, she was approached by a woman with long brown hair and a flowing light gown. "You must be Amber," the woman smiled warmly before enveloping her in a hug. "It's so nice to finally meet you."

"Hey, Star," Amber returned the embrace with equal warmth. Before she could say anything more, the boys, sensing the upbeat atmosphere, joined in the fun, each one grabbing one of their hands and pulling them onto the makeshift dance floor as the lively tune of "Walking on Sunshine" filled the air. Amber laughed, swept up in the spontaneous joy of the moment, as they all twirled and danced together under the glow of the cave's dim lights.

"I bet you've been driven crazy by these boys," she joked, gesturing towards Paul and Marko who were still lost in their dance.

Star laughed, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "It will definitely be nice not being the only girl," she admitted, casting a fond glance towards her male companions.

"Oh, I'll show you to your room," Star smiled warmly, holding out her hand, the other draped delicately with a shawl over her shoulders. Amber took her hand gingerly, feeling a bright sense of friendship blossoming between them.

"Laddie and I are in the bedroom down that tunnel. There's a small kitchen down there as well," Star explained, pointing towards a dimly lit passage. "And the boys tend to sleep in the rafters down there," she added, gesturing towards a smaller opening. "Though I don't like going down there much."

"And finally, the boys have just finished building your room down here," Star announced, leading the way into a second chamber illuminated by flickering candles and a crackling fire. A large bed, big enough to accommodate ten people, dominated the space, adorned with red and black sheets and curtains cascading from the ceiling, creating an almost tent-like ambiance. A small room off to the side housed a lavish shower and toilet.

Amber was in awe of the perfect setup. "I hope you like it," Star said, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

"It's beautiful," Amber replied, her voice filled with genuine appreciation.

Amber noticed her bags already placed neatly in the corner. Overwhelmed by the warmth and thoughtfulness surrounding her, she sank onto the bed, tears streaming down her face.

Star rushed to her side, concern etched across her features as she grasped Amber 's hand. "Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice filled with compassion.

"No one has ever done anything like this for me before," Amber confessed, her voice trembling as she wiped away her tears. "I just feel like I've found everything I've ever dreamed about in a few short days, and it's a little scary."

Trying to regain her composure, Amber took a deep breath, but her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Sensing her distress, Star wrapped her arms around her in a comforting embrace. "I'm glad you feel at home, Amber" she whispered, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she held her new friend close.

Amber lifted her head and noticed Star's silent tears. Concern etched across her face, she gently asked, "Are you okay?"

Star shook her head slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "No," she confessed. "I love it here with the guys, but I never wanted this life for myself, and I definitely don't want it for Laddie. Now, we're monsters."

Amber was taken aback by the raw honesty of Star's words. "Star, you're not a monster," she insisted firmly, reaching out to grasp her friend's hand. "And you don't need to fully embrace this life until you're ready, or not at all."

"It's just getting harder to control the hunger each day," Star admitted, her voice trembling with vulnerability. "Luckily, Laddie doesn't seem to be affected by it."

Amber sensed that Star had been carrying these burdens alone for some time, yearning for someone to confide in. As they talked, the conversation took on a sombre tone, yet there was a palpable sense of relief in being able to share their worries without fear of judgment. A genuine bond was forming between them, born from mutual understanding and support.

"I'm sure we can find a way to navigate through this, Star, or at least ease your worries," Amber reassured her, her voice filled with sincerity.

Both women exchanged smiles, a glimmer of hope shining through the darkness of their concerns. Together, they decided to join the boys in their revelry, strengthened by their friendship.