Bleeding Hearts

She is the most beautiful lady-chick alive; long red hair, golden eyes, super pale. Like a soulless ginger. Having the name Ruby makes her seem even more valuable to the world around us, not to mention she's my girlfriend! Downside to dating this wonderful piece of work is that she's a three thousand year old vampire.

I fell in love with her the moment I laid my eyes on her and my cheating boyfriend. He was groping at her and flirting before I came up and beat the crap out of him. She was impressed with me and gave me her number.

Now we're in the most wonderful of relationships where I seem to die from the ironic comedic fact that she can't figure out how to use new age technology. She doesn't remember what happened hundred years ago let alone twenty. The best is that she doesn't even know what year it is, it's as if she doesn't pay attention.

"Rose can you show me how to work the blender I forgot" she whines from the kitchen doorway.

"Yeah sure" I giggle as I put my book down and move to the kitchen.

"Thanks you're the best" She says wrapping her arms around my waist.

"So what are you planning on making?" I ask as I start blending the contents of the blender.

"Blood orange vanilla milkshake" she says snuggling into the crook of my neck.

"Can vampire live off of things other than blood" I ask questioning the blood orange.

"Oh um... I'm not sure," she says "I've never tried."

I nod and stop the blender. I move out of the way so she can do with it whatever she wants "make sure to put it in the dishwasher and if it's full you should start it." I start to leave the kitchen when she speaks up again.

"How do you do that again?" she asks pouring her milkshake into a large plastic to-go cup.

I sigh taking the empty but messy blender and put it in the mostly empty dishwasher "good news it's not even close to full." I laugh.

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"Hey can we go on a date?" Ruby asks as she wraps her arms around my shoulders.

"Um sure where to?" I agree setting my book down.

"Well there is a new exhibit about my family at the museum and I want to see if they got me right" she explains.

"Are you serious?" I ask setting an unamused glare at her.

"What don't you want to learn about my past?" she looks at me in confusion.

"Are you sure it's not because you don't remember your past?" I grin at her.

The look she gives me is of pure horror, she promptly grabs me by the collar of my shirt and pulls me close "just because I don't remember what world war two was like doesn't mean I don't remember my mommy" she says viciously.

"You're over three thousand years old and you still call your mother mommy?" I laugh.

"Fine don't come with me" she says dropping me on the couch and making her way to the door.

"No, no I want to come" I rush to follow after her.

I watch her bundle up in her long jacket and sun hat with the added sunglasses. I smile reaching out to hold her gloved hand, she takes mine in return. She eagerly pulls me out the door of our apartment. I let her lead me to the museum as I look around at the world around me and ponder what it must be like through her eyes. What it must be like when she sees me.

Vivid colors; blue, green, yellow, and so many more. The rainbow seems to bless me as the love of my short life leads me through our neighborhood. I wonder if all of these colors are just as beautiful for her as they are for me. The brilliant red she graces me with every day, the wonderful gold that shines brighter than the sun. Hopefully she knows just how beautiful she has made my world.

We walk up the steps to the doors of the museum, she talks about how she can't wait to tell me all of the things she remembers about her family. She's so excited, her smile lights up as she pulls me through the doors. It's going to be so great to watch her see what the exhibit looks like. I always love when we go out together.

"Oh I remember this!" she nearly rips my arm out of socket when she pulls me to some old newspaper.

"Oh cool a newspaper" I say sarcastically trying to get a rise out of her.

Of course it works. She goes into a tangent, ranting about all the super cool history facts no one really knows about. She remember odd things from back in her days. It's quite fun listening to her. I'll really miss it.

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"You're What?" she shouts.

"I'm sick... that's all" I assure her.

"Being sick doesn't put you in the hospital like this Rose, what's going on?" she's scared. I am too.

"Nothing.. Just go home Ruby" that's not what I want.

"You don't want that and you know it" she knows me too well.

"Ms. you need to leave now visiting hours are over now" a nurse interrupts.

"I'm not leaving I need to be here for Rose" she fights to stay.

"Look ms. Rose needs her rest she'll be safe here" the nurse assures her too.

"I can't leave her" Ruby sounds defeated.

"Ruby go home and get some sleep, I'll be okay I promise" I try to comfort her.

"You better be or so help me." she threatens.

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"So she's dying.." I hear her voice down the hall.

"Yes I'm sorry there isn't anything we can do to stop it ma'am" the doctor sounds.

"I'd be damned if there isn't anything I can't do" she's angry.

Ruby burst through my door only to close it gently behind her. She hates me for this I can tell. There isn't much I can do to fix this. "Why are you doing this to me?" she sounds so broken, that's because she is. Broken and hurt.

"I didn't ask for this' I whisper to her.

"Then let me fix you!" she pleads.

"No. Ruby I can't it's not fair" I say looking away from her tears, my own playing at the edge of my eyes.

"Please Rose... I need you" she begs kneeling at the side of my bed.

"You don't need me Ruby you were perfectly fine without me before we even met, so you'll be perfectly fine without me after I'm gone" I reason.

"You're so selfish Rose, you think I'll be fine without you after everything we have been through, after falling in love with you. You are the cruelest being to have ever existed if you think I won't be crushed" she's bitter.

"Ruby... you don't know this but, you were the best thing to have ever happen to me, my mother she died from the same disease that is killing me now, I've been preparing myself all of my life for this moment too happen, I'm so happy I met you, I'm so grateful to you for loving me, I'm so glad to have had you in my life, and I love you for everything you have given me" tears sting my cheeks.

"Rose please don't leave me" she begs holding onto my hand.

"I don't want to" everything fades away to black.

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Loud beeping erupts in the room, Rose's body convulsing hazardously on the bed, I sit in horror for what has become of the woman I love. The doctors rush in and nurses push me out in the hallway. I sit and wait in fear for them to save her. The doctor leaves the room and comes to sit by my side "I'm so sorry.." he says "she's gone."

And so I leave respecting her wishes leaving her to live among the dead with her mother. Leaving her so I can reap the souls of the unexpecting. Only to visit her on a daily basis to tell her how much I still love her.