I wake up the next morning without Damon by my side. But his side of the bed is still warm and I snuggle a little longer. It's Sunday so Aunt Jenna, Jeremy and I will be having a family breakfast. It's a tradition my parents started and Aunt Jenna, who was our guardian now, decided to uphold it.
I run down the stairs to the kitchen and to my surprise Mr. Saltzman is seated at the dining table. Alaric Saltzman used to be my History teacher before I graduated high school. Aunt Jenna has been dating him for a while but this is the first time he has come home.
"Good morning Mr. Saltzman!" I greet him cheerfully, then turn with a questioning look to Aunt Jenna who is busy making pancakes.
"He came home with me last night." Aunt Jenna explains when I'm close enough to hear without Alaric listening in.
I nod then ask, "Where's Jeremy?"
"He's still sleeping. Why don't you go and wake him up?" Aunt Jenna replies.
Just as I turn to go and wake my brother up, he comes sauntering in sporting black jeans and a blue T-shirt. He seats himself at the table without a glance at any of us.
"Manners Jeremy." Aunt Jenna says in a stern voice. Jeremy rolls his eyes and mumbles a 'good morning'.
I look at my brother pitifully. He used to be such a good kid. But after our parents died he changed so drastically that I hardly recognize the boy sitting at the dining table right now. I try to keep him away from drugs and Aunt Jenna tries to get him to concentrate in school but it hasn't been working very well. At this rate I would be willing to let Damon compel Jeremy to be good.
I sigh as I think about Damon. Everything is so complicated with him. I like him as more than a friend but he is a vampire! Not to mention dangerous! Where would our relationship go? I just don't see a future with him.
I feel Aunt Jenna nudge my leg. I look up and find Alaric looking at me expectantly. I realize he had asked a question but I was too busy thinking about Damon to hear it.
"Sorry, I was just thinking," I reply sheepishly.
"I'm sure you must be worried about college. That's what I was asking about. Where do you plan on going?" Alaric asks.
"I plan on going to Whitmore. It's close to home and has good options." I say with confidence. Whitmore is where my parents went and I've always wanted to go there.
"Hmm. And what courses are you planning on taking?" Alaric asks as he finishes his breakfast.
"Medicine." At that Aunt Jenna beams at me. I know she is proud that I will be taking up medicine because she is a doctor herself. She is half the reason I chose medicine in the first place.
"I'll be going now. Or I'll be late for my job." I say as I get up and give Aunt Jenna a kiss on the cheek. I look down and see that I hardly touched my breakfast. Oh well, I'll get something on the way.
"Hey Jeremy," I turn to ask if he needs a ride but he is already out the door. I shake my head and look at Aunt Jenna. She gives me a sad smile. I realize I really need to do something about Jeremy. It has been two year and he keeps getting worse.