Chapter Eighteen: Conflicted Heart - Vy

                                    

                                          


                          
I'm practically skipping as I head to lunch with Aurora and Jane. I know we've kissed before... but this was different. Real. I realize I must look incredibly strange, skipping through the halls of Headquarters in such terrible times. When I reach the kitchens, I find Aurora stirring some sort of sauce while Jane watches from on top of the counter, wrinkling her nose.
                          
"I honestly don't know how you find that stuff appetizing," Jane says with an exaggerated gag. I laugh at the little vampire's display of differentiation, heading over to Aurora.
                          
"What for lunch Rora?" I ask, my mouth watering. She smiles at her nickname and answers with a fake Italian accent.
                          
"We are-a having the finest pasta around!" she says enthusiastically. Jane and I burst into little fits of giggles, Jane toppling off of the counter. I rush over to her and help her up, though I'm sure she doesn't need it. Once we've calmed down, the food's about ready. The dish that Aurora has created is an Asian dish, if I'm correct. I don't bother to ask her. I'm too excited about how good it looks. She has boiled rice noodles and cooked beef so that she can mix them together and cover it with a teriyaki-like sauce. As I bite down, I can't help but let out a little moan of satisfaction. Aurora grins and Jane rolls her eyes, jumping up onto the table and dangling her legs over the side. We eat in silence, and we only speak once we're pretty much finished.
                          
"So, Vy. You seemed pretty happy when you came in. Wanna tell us why?" Jane states mischievously. I feel a steady, warm blush flush my cheeks and neck, and I can't keep the dreamy smile from filling my features. Aurora gasps in delight.
                          
"What?" she bubbles shrilly. I roll my eyes and look at the ceiling, provoking curious shouts from the girls. Finally, I sigh in defeat.
                          
"Optic and I kissed right before I headed over here," I say, my eyes sparkling. They gape at me before breaking into over-excited squeals. I laugh at their enthusiasm. "Though, it wasn't exactly... our first kiss," I sigh, dramatically recalling our little moments. They sigh, and I revel at how much I'm enjoying a little girl time. Everything has been so stressful lately, I can't help but enjoy myself. Even the small things.
                          
"Well, will you tell us?!" Aurora squeals, jumping from her chair. I laugh again, launching into the story of our few little moments. By the end of it they're both entranced, sighing at the dreaminess of it all. I reserve my smile a little when our current plan hits me.
                          
"Hey.... do you all know about the plans to go to the Hollow Coven base?" I say quietly. Both of they're faces fall and Aurora sinks back into her seat. Each of them nods in turn and then Aurora's face turns grave.
                          
"I... don't really want to go. We all know what happened on our last mission," she recalls, her voice slowly dropping to a whisper. I nod, though I don't share her feelings. I want to go. I want to protect Optic. I bite my lip and stand with a grim smile. Aurora looks up at me with sad eyes.
                          
"Where are you going?" she asks, her shoulders drooping. I shake my head. 
                          
"I think I had too much to eat. I'm not feeling that well. I'll see you guys later," I lie, rising and swiftly walking out of the room. Something's wrong. I rush through the halls and return to my room. I close the door behind me and lean against the wall. I take shaky breaths, in and out, sinking to the ground. I swallow back unexpected tears and let out a little moan. A sudden wave of panic has hit me, and I don't know where it's coming from. I curl my knees up to my chest and lean my forehead down onto my knees. I inhale and exhale, trying to comprehend why I'm freaking out so badly. I rest a hand against my chest and realize that I'm shaking. What is wrong with me? I let all of the panic I feel over-ride my other senses, collapsing on the floor and letting cold flood my body. The panic seems to come in waves, as if someone's moving it around. Though it seems to be uncontrollable, like butter on a saucepan. I lie there shivering, when suddenly the feeling disappears. I'm left lying on my bedroom floor, tears soaking my cheeks and cold sweat dripping down my back. I pant to catch my breath, and I barely hear the door open over the pounding in my ears.