(23) Damaged Goods

                                    

                                          
CHAPTER 23
                          
	There's something about damaged goods that makes my heart skip a beat. I know there's something wrong with CM; I'm not an idiot. I don't know if it's something terribly wrong, but it's something that he takes medication for, so it must be serious. I know that he doesn't want me to know about it, and that, of course, only makes me want to know more.
                          
	CM is definitely damaged goods; he's perfect on the outside, the way a vampire is, but I can see the internal battle he has going on every time I see him. It's refreshing, it's normal to me. Normal is something that I've always secretly longed for. Even though I pretend to hate my humane appearance, I don't mind not looking like a vampire. In fact, I love it. 
                          
	Although CM being human isn't the sole reason I like him, it definitely fits into the equation.
                          
	I'm pulled from my thoughts as Rod taps my arm. 
                          
	"Is this it?" he asks, leaning forward to get a better looks at CM's house.
                          
	I nod my head at him. He gave me a ride here after I got permission from my mother to leave. She didn't mind; she was drunk. "Yeah, this is it."
                          
	"Who lives here, anyway?" he asks curiously, squinting at the house.
                          
	Giving him a tiny smile, I open my car door and climb out. "No one you know, Rod." I say. I lean over to look at him. "Thank you for the ride. I owe you one."
                          
	"That you do." He says, winking at me. "Later."
                          
	I shut the door as his car roars to life. He pulls off with a dismissing honk. Starting up the steps to CM's place, I get to his door in a few quick strides. There's no need to knock; CM's door is cracked, as if he forgot to close it. This worries me. Not only did he leave it unlocked, he didn't even close the door all the way. Anyone could've just walked in. Where is his head? This worries me, and I mentally question the state he's in.
                          
	I shut and lock the door behind me. His house is completely dark, not a single light on. Frowning, I pat the wall until I find the switch, and light floods the room.
                          
	"You came."
                          
	Jumping, I spin around to find CM sitting in a corner of the room on a bean bag, staring directly at me, not moving. Struggling to catch my breath, I clutch my chest where my heart is.
                          
	"CM!" I pant, giving him the once over. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
                          
	A worried expression crosses his face. "Are you okay?"
                          
	I feel guilty for worrying him, but then again he did almost scare me to death. "I'm fine," I say dismissively. "Why were you sitting in the dark like a-?"
                          
	"Vampire?" he muses, raising an eyebrow.
                          
	I don't say anything, but stare at him. He's starting to worry me. He waves me over. "Come here."
                          
	Cautiously, I cross the room. He holds out his hand for me to grab. I place my hand into his larger one, gasping when he pulls me into his lap. Immediately, I'm engulfed in a cloud of cigarettes and axe. My heart is pounding inside of my chest, my body completely stiff as he wraps his arms around me.
                          
	I sit there rather awkwardly, not knowing how to react. "Um," I'm breathing heavily. "CM?"
                          
	"You really came." He repeats his earlier statement, his voice heavy with appreciation and surprise.
                          
	Confused by his shock, I turn my head slightly to look up at him. "Of course I did." I say. "I was worried."
                          
	He doesn't say anything, but somehow squeezes me tighter. I'm too embarrassed of the fact that I'm sitting directly in his lap to allow myself to get comfortable. I pry his hands from around me and try to casually scoot off his lap, onto the bean bag next to him.