It Started With A Vampire

The Lines Between Us

Eva didn't sleep.

Not really. Not after what happened.

The kiss replayed in her head like a scene she couldn't delete. Malachi's hands. His mouth. The way her body had responded before her brain kicked in. And then the look in his eyes when she pulled away — that hurt confusion that shattered her resolve a little.

She stared at the ceiling of her trailer until sunlight crept in.

By the time she made it to set, she felt like she was walking on glass.

Ariana caught on immediately.

"You didn't text me back," she said, sidling up to Eva during makeup. "What happened?"

Eva didn't say anything for a long second. Then she whispered, "He kissed me."

"BITCH WHAT!!?" Ariana said before thinking

Ariana's brows shot up. " and you let him?"

"I—I kissed him back. But then I stopped it. And now I don't know what the hell I'm doing," Eva muttered, biting the inside of her cheek.

Ariana just squeezed her knee under the vanity. "You're doing what you can. Just breathe, babe."

⸻

Meanwhile, Malachi was pacing behind one of the trailers, jaw tight, fists clenched.

MK leaned against the side, arms crossed. "You kissed her?"

"She kissed me back," Malachi growled. "Then she got mad at me for it."

MK lifted his brows. "You knew she wanted to take it slow."

"I have been slow! I've been a damn monk. But every time we're alone, she looks at me like I'm everything and then shuts the door the second I get close."

MK sighed. "You're not wrong. But she's scared, bro. You know that."

"She's not scared of Leo," Malachi muttered.

"Okay, that sounds a little unhinged."

Malachi threw his head back. "I'm losing my mind."

⸻

The day passed in awkward silences and forced group energy.

Leo seemed to pick up on the tension and leaned into it. He was all charm and smirks, always finding a way to be near Eva, brushing her arm on purpose or making her laugh louder than necessary.

Malachi saw red more than once.

During a lunch break, Leo sauntered up to Eva with a sly grin. "Still up for running lines tonight?"

Before Eva could answer, Malachi stepped in.

"She's got plans."

Eva blinked. "Do I?"

Leo's smirk sharpened. "You sure about that?"

Before it could explode, Meg swooped in like an angel of chaos. "Hey! Group rehearsal later, remember? Everyone needs to cool it."

Eva gave Meg a grateful look. Malachi walked off without another word.

⸻

Later that night, Eva sat curled up in Ariana's trailer, finally letting herself breathe.

"You're too deep in it now," Ariana said gently, braiding Eva's hair while she sat on the floor. "You care about him."

"I know," Eva whispered. "But this isn't just about me. Or him. It's... everything."

Ariana gave her a look in the mirror. "Just promise me you'll stop pretending you don't want him. It's okay to want someone and still not be ready."

Eva nodded slowly. "Thanks, Ari."

"Always."

⸻

But the chapter didn't end in quiet.

Because as Eva walked back to her trailer, she saw Jack.

"Hey stranger," he smiled, holding two smoothies. "Figured you might want to catch up."

Eva hesitated.

And Malachi — who had stepped out of his own trailer just in time to see — froze.

Jealousy had a taste now. Bitter, sharp, and burning.