Awakened (Vampire Awakenings) - By Brenda K. Davies Page 0,1

pert, with a slight slope at the end of it. Her full lips were painted a pristine plum that contrasted prettily with her fair skin.

“Nothing just beat,” Sera finally replied. “Glad it’s the weekend.”

“Oh yeah! There’s a party at Omega house tonight, we have to go!”

“I don’t know,” she replied, standing up and moving slowly to the window.

“Oh, don’t you dare do this to me!” Kathleen cried, dramatically throwing herself on the bed. “I’m not going to spend another semester dragging you out. It’s the end of September and you haven’t been to any parties yet. We’ve been back for three weeks already. You’re going willingly, and you’re going to have a good time! I mean it Sera.”

Sera turned and looked at Kathleen. Her jaw was clenched in aggravation as her eyes narrowed in determination. Sera knew that it was pointless to argue with her, Kathleen almost always got her way. She sighed wearily, she was tired and didn’t feel like going to a party, but it would do her good to get out of the room, and see people that she hadn’t seen since before summer break. Besides, she wasn’t in the mood to clean Kathleen’s mess tonight, and she knew that she would if she stayed here.

“You’re right,” she relented.

Kathleen grinned broadly as she bounced eagerly on the balls of her feet. “Honey, I’m always right! You should know that by now.”

Sera laughed, some of the tension of the week finally eased out of her. Kathleen always made her feel better. “Omega huh?”

“They’re always good for a few laughs,” Kathleen replied with a giggle. “Now, come on. It starts at seven so that means I only have three hours to get ready. You have to help me. Then, of course, I’m going to help you.”

Sera walked over to Kathleen’s overflowing closet. Clothes were falling off the hangers, laying on the floor, and spilling out the door. She didn’t know why Kathleen even bothered to unpack, she couldn’t find anything in this mess, and her stuff was neater when it was in boxes and suitcases.

“What are we going to wear?” Kathleen pondered her finger on her lip as she perused the mess before her.

Sera sighed in resignation, but Kathleen chose to ignore it as she pawed her way through the mess. Kathleen was always trying to dress her up. Sometimes she permitted it, other times she put her foot down. She was not the type to wear an abundance of makeup and skimpy clothes. She preferred to dress down, and fade into the background.

“You’re going to look spectacular!” Kathleen cried as she pulled clothes from the closet and tossed them across the floor.

***

Sera pulled self consciously at her clothes as she followed Kathleen toward the frat house. She felt awkward in the midnight blue midriff shirt that clung to her. The short black skirt covered her to mid thigh, but the slit in the right side came up another two inches. Kathleen had bought the outfit without trying it on, and to her dismay she had discovered that it didn’t fit her. At least, that’s what Kathleen told Sera, but Sera didn’t believe her for a minute. It was a little too coincidental that it had fit Sera perfectly.

“Stop that,” Kathleen said, slapping her hand away. “You look wonderful!”

“I feel uncomfortable.”

“Get used to it. I’ve been trying for three years to get you to be more sociable and outgoing. This is our final year together, and come hell or high water, I’m going to succeed.”

Sera shot her a scowl as she followed Kathleen up the stairs of the frat house. They passed by a group of men sitting on the stairs, leering at them. One let out a low, appreciative whistle to the enjoyment of his friends. Sera fretted with her hair, anxiously shoving it behind her ear as she tried to ignore them.

They made their way past another group of guys in the doorway, smiling at them. Sera averted her gaze; her skin was already beginning to crawl with discomfort and fear. Alcohol was being passed around, and a cup of draft was shoved into her hand. She sipped at it before placing it on one of the speakers blaring music. Kathleen led the way through the crowded foyer and toward a side room. The decrepit, ugly furniture had been shoved against the dirty white walls to create dance space. The room was already packed with dancing couples, and groups of friends. People were laughing, and shouting to