Dark Dreams

Serena (Jenna Fischer)- Human owner and manager of Dark Dreams. Very naïve and completely innocent. She’s envied for her beauty and the attention she’s been getting from Drake. She occasionally does volunteer work at the hospital. Her father recently died and now she faces the pressure of running the apartments.

Drake (Dermot Mulroney)- A sexy womanizing vampire. He works at the town auto-shop. He is lusting after Serena and secretly writes poetry. Known as the ‘Casanova’ of Dark Dreams. Though thwarted during every attempt, he continues to try to catch Serena’s attention. His love for Serena does not stop him from his ‘hobby’.

Carole (Kirsten Chenowith) and Cheryl (Amy Poehler)- Fairy twins. Both are nurses at the hospital. Where Carole is the flirty fairy, Chorale is the dark one. Both have been ‘with’ Drake more then once, and Cheryl will do anything to have him back. Carole hates being compared with her sister and has very low self-esteem.  Cheryl is what you would call the jealous type. Now that Drake has laid eyes on another, she plots to have him back.

Robert (Ioan Gruffudd)- Jackie’s ex-husband, also human. He says he divorced Jackie because of age difference (she’s barely 20, he’s almost 30) but is most likely because of her abilities. He moved to Dark Dreams after his home was condemned. Currently showing interest in Serena. He always has a friendly face but is very reluctant to share personal information. He also works at the auto-shop and is bitter enemies with Drake.

Charles (Kyle Schmid) – The gay one. Children’s doctor and co-manager of Dark Dreams. The werewolf of the group who hates being stereotyped. Definitely the gossip of all and doesn’t mind starting up some trouble. Though he seems devious, he is a great guy to talk to. He is definitely not one to trust with any secret though. After working hard at the apartments for five years, he’s the one person Serena feels she can trust for advice.

Jackie (Joss Stone)- Currently Drake’s new interest. Jackie works at the diner and uses her witch magic to wash the dishes. Because of her recent divorce, she’ll take all the attention she can get. Even from her gay roommate. She is very paranoid and can almost always be seen with a few Prozac pills in hand. She strives for acceptance from the occupants of the apartments.

Jason (Michael Rady)- Amateur warlock. He is a college student that can’t afford a dorm. He works at the diner. His hobbies include skateboarding and hard partying. His trouble-making cause him to (eventually) be evicted from where ever he stays.  He is a sweet kid (when he wants to be) and a big flirt. His witty remarks often bring relief to tense situations.

Gunther (Alan Rickman)- Serena’s uncle, also a vampire. A cameo role that adds comic relief to the show. He’s not a very big character, but he is a mentor to Serena and the one thing that reminds her of her father.

Allison (Rachel McAdams)- Serena’s human cousin. Another cameo role that adds to the drama.  A sister-like figure to Serena. Though the girls have always been close, Allison does not hesitate to stir things up when she’s around. When she’s not visiting Dark Dreams she’s away, studying hard, at med-school.

         Dark Dreams is an apartment where our characters meet. The scenes will be there as well as the hospital and diner. Because of their different backgrounds and odd backgrounds drama will pursue. Mostly, love triangles, twisted plots, and questioning motivations fill the lives of these characters. At this apartment, everyone wants to be better then the rest.

         This story was originally supposed to be a ‘soap opera’. I may eventually write it as such, but for now it is a dramatic series. Books such as Gossip Girl, The It Girl, and The A-List are rising in popularity. I admit to reading at least one book in each series. I feel that they are laughable what the teenagers go through. Dark Dreams is, for the time being, going to be one of those dramatic never-ending series. Just done my way, supernatural and with adults.
         The actors were of my choosing. None of them are too big, except for the cameos. I originally intended them to be what I wanted cast for my Soap Opera. Now, they may help to visualize what I want my characters to look like. I also tried to describe physical features to show the difference between actor and character.
    Please enjoy the twisted plot lines of Dark Dreams…
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~Chapter 1~
Serena looked sadly at the old photograph of her father. “I’m trying Dad, I really am.”
         Serena had just celebrated her 20th birthday and the one-month anniversary of her father’s death. With his death came the responsibility of being owner and manager of Dark Dreams apartments.
         Dark Dreams was her father’s dreams in concrete. The apartment had a Hollywood Horror theme and was steadily gaining popularity. Serena had always loved running through the dark hallways and teasing the supernatural guests.
         That was another thing about the apartment. Hardly any humans seemed to want to room with vampires and werewolves. Her father was a vampire before he died of a heart attack (ironic, right?). Because of his ‘gift’ her mother had committed suicide, she feared he’d bite her.
         It had always been Serena and her father. Only her uncle Gunther and her cousin Allison had occasionally visited. It was always fun to hear her Uncle and father poke at vampire superstition.
         “Burn up in the sun? I wish. Then I wouldn’t have this damn sunburn!”
         A smile flicked onto Serena’s face, as she opened a computer program. Though she missed her father, she could still laugh and smile while thinking of him.
         “Hello, Dolly!” the door burst open and Gunther stormed in, his white hair flopping across his forehead. He had on his usual stern looking face; Uncle Gunther was a very gruff looking man.
         “Hey,” Serena smiled. “If you want, I can hire you. You’re here enough.”
         Gunther shrugged. “Too stuffy here. What are you doing, princess?”
         “The rent,” she continued to punch in the information. “Did you want anything?”
         “Just making sure you weren’t working too hard.” He kissed her forehead. “I have to pick Allison up from the airport. Damn med-school finally let her take a break.”
         Serena turned back to the computer screen as he left. She let out a heavy sigh when she noticed who hadn’t paid.
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         Drake Julian was a name that everyone knew, especially the women. He liked his status of Casanova, it fit his hobby.
          He smirked as he poured himself a glass of type-A positive. Almost all the females at Dark Dreams had experienced his talent. Except for Serena.
         Serena was gorgeous, perfect to him in every way. She didn’t mind that he was a vampire, seeing as her father was one. He sighed as he thought of her deep blue eyes, drowning him in their beauty.
         A knock at the door brought him from his thoughts. Upon opening the door, he saw that the siren had come to him.
         “Yes, my dear?” he asked, leaning against the doorframe.
         She blushed, taking in his lack of dress. (He was only wearing black silk boxers.) “You didn’t pay your rent. Again.”
         “I didn’t?” He quirked a dark eyebrow.
         Serena glared. “I don’t have time for this. You have until Friday to get it in. Is your roommate around?” she nervously tucked her blonde hair behind her ears.
         “Right here!” Jason glided over on his skateboard, a huge grin on his youthful face.
         “Hey Jason,” Serena seemed to relax. She leafed through the envelopes and handed him one. “Your receipt. Thank you for paying on time.” With one final glare at Drake she stormed down the hall.
         “Daaamn!” Jason muttered. “She really hates you, man.”
         Drake sighed. “She doesn’t hate me.”
         “She’s the only girl here who hasn’t fallen for your special talents. Must be because her dad was a vampire, ruins the dark and mysterious appeal.” Jason pushed passed him and waltzed into the kitchen. “Dude, you need to go grocery shopping!”
         Drake rolled his eyes. It was going to be a long day.
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         “Will you stop doing that?” Cheryl snapped at her twin sister Carole.
         Carole popped her bubble gum once more, loving the pissed look she received. “What’s with you?”
         “Drake,” Charles entered the Employee Lounge with a huge grin on his face.
         “Don’t you have any patients to bug?” Cheryl asked.
         “Darling, I’m a first year pediatrician, I hardly have any patients.” Charles grabbed a cup of coffee and joined the twins. “Did you darken your hair?” he asked Cheryl.
         She shrugged. “Black lo-lights.”
         “Looks great!” Charles complimented.
         “Okay, enough!” Carole slammed her hand on the table. “What’s up with Drake?”
         Charles grinned like a mad man, loving the gossip. “Well, he’s still into Serena. But to make her jealous, he’s been sleeping with Jackie.”
         “Jackie…?”
         “The new girl,” Cheryl answered. “How long have they been…?”
         “A week. The day she moved in. I remember because Drake came in and said he hated my curtains.” Charles responded sipping his coffee.
         “What does Drake see in that Serena-girl anyway?” Carole asked, pulling out pink nail polish.
         “It’s because he can’t have her.” Charles replied as his pager began to beep.
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         Serena was starving. Not the skipped-a-meal starving, but a give-me-artery-clogging-goodness starving. She’d been on a diet for two weeks and a salad just wouldn’t work today.
         Instead of going to the apartment’s kitchens, Serena went across the street to McDonalds. Before she could change her mind, she ordered a Big Mac with a large fries and a Diet Coke.
         As soon as she was back at her desk she took a huge bite of her burger.
         “Hungry?” a tall man with swept back brown hair, stood from his chair.
         Serena turned bright red and quickly dropped her sandwich. “I’m sorry sir, I didn’t see you.” She wiped her mouth with a napkin.
         “It’s all right.” He grinned. “Is this a bad time?”
         Serena turned a dark red form his teasing. “May I help you?”          
         He sat in the chair in front of her desk. “I’d like to live here.”
         Serena nodded and opened a program on the computer. “How soon would you like to move in, Mr…?”
         “Capel, Robert Capel.” He smiled. “And as soon as possible. My house was just declared condemned.”
         “That’s horrible!” Serena sympathized as she typed in the information. “Well, we have one room on the third floor open, you’d be rooming by yourself. Suitable? Or would you like a different floor?”
         Robert nodded. “Who are the neighbors?”
         “Cheryl and Carole are in 308A, they’re fairies so it may be loud a few nights.”
         “Of course, parties,” Robert smiled. “They wouldn’t mind a human?”
         Serena sighed. “Cheryl may complain but you should be fine.”
         “Sounds great,” Robert signed the contract Serena had slid in front of him.
         “Ready to see your new home?” Serena smiled softly.
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         Jackie had no doubt that she needed the extra Prozac. She was a nervous wreck now that she was living on her own.
         Well, sort of. She was sharing her apartment with Charles, a gay werewolf. The rent was way too high to have a single apartment. At first it was scary to live with him, but he hardly ever went into wolf form.
         She was glad she’d moved here. The divorce was what she needed, although her therapist had recommended a higher dose of Prozac afterward.
         “Hello, honey! I’m home!” Charles steeped through the doorway, grinning. “Popping pills?”
         “Maybe,” Jackie responded. “You have that look…what’s up?”
         “Fresh meat,” Charles responded as he hung up his doctor’s coat. “I’m heading over there now. Man, he looks like a total babe.” He admired from the doorway.
         “Move aside,” Jackie nudged him and peeked through the crack. She only saw Serena chatting away but couldn’t see to who.
         “Fill me in,” she whispered as Charles headed down the hall.
         “Thanks Charles,” Serena smiled at the co-manager. “This is Robert, you want to finish the ‘tour’?”
         “With pleasure,” Charles winked at her.
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         Serena shook her head and returned to her office and now cold lunch.
         “Packages!” Dan the deliveryman called as he opened her office door.
         “Hello, Dan.” Serena reluctantly pushed the remains of her lunch aside. “What have you got today?”
         “G’afternoon,” He tipped his hat, his wrinkled face beaming at her. “Two packages and a ton of mail.” He handed her a box full of letters and set aside two wrapped boxes by her desk.
         “Thanks Dan,” Serena gave him a five-dollar bill. “Sorry, it’s all I got.”
         “Thank-ya, miss.” He merrily exited.
         Serena laughed at the old man, reaching for the microphone for the intercom. “Mails here.”
         Her small office was soon crammed with residents eagerly awaiting their mail. Serena handed them each the assorted letters and small packages.
         “Did a package come in for me?” Cheryl asked, her fairy wings flapping with anxiousness.
         “Yes,” Serena smiled and hoisted the heavy box onto the table. “What’d you order? Bricks?”
         Cheryl merely smirked and left with her box clutched tightly.
         “Looking fine, Cheryl!” Drake called as he walked past her.
         “May I help you?” Serena asked.
         “In more ways then one,” He grinned leaning against her desk. “But for right now, I’m waiting for a package.”
         Serena grabbed the remaining box that was labeled Fragile.
         Drake quickly ripped it open and pulled out a bottle of red liquid. He popped open the cork and drank from it. “Type-AB negative.”
         Serena crinkled her nose in disgust. She couldn’t get over the blood drinking.
         “This cost a lot of money due to its rarity. I can’t ever quench the craving for it.” Drake stared fondly at the bottle.
         “So you ordered a box full?” Serena stood and peered curiously into the box.
         “No. The rest is O-positive, which is pretty good.” Drake shrugged, admiring how her blue eyes sparkled in the lighting. “Lucky girl.”
         “What?” she snapped straight up.
         “You have AB-negative blood. You smell absolutely delicious.” He smirked.
         Serena felt uneasy. Sure, Drake was good-looking. But she didn’t like how he was considered Casanova and she didn’t like being considered his next snack. “Oh…”
         Both had unintentionally moved closer and now were only inches apart. Only in a mere second would there lips be touching…
         “I knew I should have gotten a restraining order!” the door flew open with a bang, causing the two to jump apart. An angry Jackie followed by an equally pissed Robert.
         “Yes Jackie, I purposefully moved here just to ruin your life!” Robert responded sarcastically.
         “You wanted the divorce and now you won’t leave me alone!” Jackie was shrieking.
         “Did you take you Prozac? You seem tense.”
         Because Jackie didn’t know if Robert was insulting her or if he was just concerned, she didn’t respond.
         Serena cleared her throat, feeling awkward. “Uhm, may I help you two?”
         Jackie and Robert spun and seemed only to just realize Drake and Serena standing there. Robert was the first to recover.          
         “I apologize, we’ve come to collect our mail.” His voice was much softer then it had been only seconds before.
         Serena smiled back at him. “Only bills, I’m sorry.”
         Jackie snatched hers and stormed from the room, leaving only Serena, Robert, and Drake. The three stood in awkward silence for a moment.
         “Hi, I’m Robert,” he introduced.
         Drake took the offered hand, “Drake.” He made sure Robert saw his fangs when he smiled.
         “If you guys don’t mind, I have a lot of paper work to fill. Miss Jameson reported a leak in her room and I need to call someone in to fix it,” Serena explained, her cheeks flushing.
         “Of course. I’ll see you around,” Drake left with his package.
         Robert cleared his throat as soon as they were alone. “I don’t mean to sound forward, but would you like to have dinner with me, tomorrow night?”
         Serena gaped at him and turned a darker shade of red. “Oh, uhm…” she shook her head to clear it. “I’d love to.” 
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~Chapter 2~
Jason sighed warily at the sight of the mountain of dirty dishes. “Hey, Jack!” he called.
         Jackie popped her head through the doorway into the diner’s kitchen. “Yeah?”
         “Do want to clean these dishes for me?” He grinned.
         “Fine. But I better get the money for this extra work.” She glared at him as she snapped her fingers. The dishes instantly cleaned themselves.
         “I wish I could do that,” Jason mused.
         Jackie shrugged, holding back a smug expression. “You will, once you get out of college.”
         The bells over the front door jingled, signaling the arrival of a customer. Jason eagerly rushed toward the table before Jackie could.
         “Carole, what a lovely surprise.” Jason grinned at the fairy. “May I take your order?”
         Carole glared at him. “Just water.”
         “Oh, come on. We’re known for our excellent pies.” Jason stuck out his lower lip in a pout.
         Carole rolled her eyes at his childish display. “Fine! I’ll have the pie of the day.”
         “Excellent!” Jason trotted back to the kitchen, grabbing the food she had ordered and returning to her table.
         “I hate coconut. Jason, you know I hate coconut!” Carole grimaced.
         Jason shrugged, sitting across the booth from her. “It’s coconut cream.” He pushed a glass of Coke in front of her.
         “I guess Coke is the new water?” Carole asked sarcastically as she scooped up some pie.
         Jason grabbed his own plate and dug in. “Where is your evil twin?”
         Carole shrugged. Why did everyone always ask about her sister? “Plotting with Charles.”
         “Plotting?” Jason asked, eyebrow raised.
         “About your roommate!” Carole snapped, clearly frustrated.
         “Well don’t worry about Drake, or Cheryl for that matter. I think you’re prettier.” Jason said.
         Carole stared at him blankly for a moment. “We’re identical twins.”
         Jason smiled. “But you dyed your hair blonde.”
         Carole twirled a lock of curly blonde hair. “Do you like it?”
         “Very much,” Jason grabbed her other hand, which was still on the table.
         “So… is this your lunch break?” Carole asked.
         Jason looked at Jackie who was swallowing two pills. “Sure.”
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         “What about this one?” Serena asked pulling out another dress.
         Her cousin, Allison, sat cross-legged on her bed. “This is what happens when you don’t date!”
         The girls had always been as close as sisters growing up. Now, Allison was at med-school and Serena had to run the apartments, they hardly saw each other.
         “I’m sorry I’m leaving you on your first night here.” Serena said, over her shoulder.
         Allison shrugged. “I can survive one night for a good cause. Which room am I in?”
         “Lon Chaney,” Serena picked out another dress from her closet.
         “Wear that dress, it’s sexy. Can I please be in the Bela Lugosi room?” Allison always enjoyed the themed rooms.
         Serena ignored the question, instead focusing on her reflection in the full-length mirror. “Is it too nice for a dinner date? A first date?”
         “You want him to ask you out again, don’t you?” Allison grinned at her cousin’s blush.
         “Listen, nothing is going on with Robert and I. He just got over a divorce…”
         “With a crazy-witch! Listen, you go out there and make this guy fall in love with you. Don’t worry about me, I’m going to have some wine with Lon.” Allison winked.
         Serena embraced her cousin and ran off to the bathroom to change.
         “I’ll get it!” Allsion called out at the knock on the door.
         “Is Serena here?” Drake asked, leaning on the doorframe.
         Allison smiled. “She’s changing.”
         “Perfect timing.” He grinned and stepped into the room. “What are you doing here?” he asked Allison.
         “I’m taking a break.” She shrugged and sat on an armchair.
         Drake grinned. “Admit it, you just came to see me.”
         Allison rolled her eyes at his teasing but didn’t deny it.
         “Hey, Ally,” Serena stepped out of the bathroom in a silk slip while clipping on a pair of earrings.
         “Lovely, as always,” Drake greeted.
         Serena gasped in shock, she quickly crossed her arms firmly over her chest. “What are you doing here?”
         Drake smirked. “I just stopped by to see if you were busy.”
         Allison stood, grinning like a madwoman. “It seems you two have some things to discuss. I’m going to go see a Mr. Chaney.”
         Serena sent her a pleading look that fell into a glare as her cousin winked at her.
         Drake stood as the door clicked shut. “So, are you busy?”
         “Yes, actually. I’m waiting for my date to arrive.”
         Drake raised a questioning eyebrow but didn’t ask. “What about the rest of the week?”
         Serena shook her head. “Listen, Drake, I am in over my head right now. This is my one free night and…”
         “Can I take you out sometime when you’re free?” Drake persisted.
         “No. I will never go out with you!” Serena shouted. “We have absolutely no compatibility and we never will!”
“Are you blind?” Drake ran a hand through his thick black locks. “Don’t you feel the connection between us? What are you afraid of?” He placed his hand on her shoulder.
         “How many other women have you said that to before?” She twisted away from him. “Afraid? That is the farthest thing I feel when I’m around you.”
         An abrupt knock at the door cut off Drake’s reply.
         “Oh my God, it’s him.” Serena’s eyes widened in horror. She turned to Drake. “Could you-? No, that would be awkward. I’ll…damn. I can’t dressed like this. Oh, I know.” Serena gripped Drake’s arm and dragged him to the front hallway. She shoved him into the closet and threatened him to end his life if he were to move. She hurried back into the living room, shouting for him to come in over her shoulder.
         “Serena?” Robert called as he walked in.
         “Almost ready!” she yelled through the bathroom door. “Make yourself at home!”
         Serena quickly slid into the slinky black dress, still doubting over its quality. She then proceeded to brush on some make-up before joining Robert.
         He smiled at her arrival. “This room is quite plain, I’m rather disappointed. Where are all the decorations?”
         She smiled. “This has been my room since Dad first built the place. When I was younger, the monsters always scared me, so Dad left them out.”
         “I’m sorry to cut us short, but our reservation is in 30 minutes.” Robert announced. “Would you like a jacket? It’s quite chilly out.” Robert enquired as they passed the front closet.
         “Oh, uhm…” Serena mumbled.
         Robert opened the door and Drake stumbled out. “Well, I guess everyone has their own way of coming out of the closet.”
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         Jackie nervously glanced behind her shoulder. Paranoia always claimed her nerves the minute the sun set. She sped up, her heels clicking loudly on the sidewalk.
         Jason had left an hour before lunch break and never returned. Jackie had worked the whole day and then sprinted four blocks to keep her doctor’s appointment.
         The light from the streetlamp above flickered slightly above her. Jackie instantly froze, glancing nervously around her. The light provided her with a ring of light, the rest of the street hidden in the inky black of the night.
         Jackie did not like the fact that anyone would be able to sneak up on her. She squinted into the night and could just make out the sign of Dark Dreams in the distance.
         Using the sign as a beacon, Jackie hurried forward, keeping her eyes glued to the neon lights. She stopped when she reached the gates.
         Her hands shaking, she frantically typed in her key-code. A soft buzz signaled that the code hadn’t worked. She pushed the green button that connected her to the front office. Only fuzzy static responded.
         Jackie’s eyes widened in fear and she again looked around her. A rustle in the bushes turned her attention to the left. She held her breath as the rustling became more intense.
         “Jackie!” Charles emerged from the bushes with a huge grin on his face.
         Jackie had just managed to hold back her scream. “Charles, what are you doing in the bushes?”
         “I was hunting,” he pointed to a barely visible squirrel carcass.
         Jackie grimaced. “Hey, would you put your code in? Mine isn’t working and I can’t get a hold of Serena.”
         Charles quickly punched in his key code and the gates swung open. “Oh, Serena is not here, she’s out on a date.”
         “Serena?” Jackie asked in disbelief. Even through her short time here, she knew Serena was not the dating type.
         Charles nodded. “Yeah, she went out with that new guy, Robert.”
         Jackie stopped dead in her tracks. “What?”
         “I know! The second I saw him my gay-dar went straight off the charts! But maybe it was just wishful thinking. I mean, some good looking men are straight.” Charles sighed, a dreamy expression on his face.
         “No, you don’t understand.” Jackie shook her head. “Robert is my ex-husband.”
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         Drake was furious. He threw the door to his apartment open with a bang. He stormed into the kitchen and ripped out a bottle of the nearest blood, B-negative.
         “What’s got you?” Jason entered the kitchen in bright boxers with Spongebob Squarepants printed on them. His brown hair was disheveled but unable to hide his bright eyes and huge grin.
         “Nothing,” he growled taking a swig. It was very strong, but it was what he needed.
         “Something is definitely wrong, you didn’t add sugar or salt…” Jason watched with amusement as his roommate took another irritated swig.
         “Jason!” a sweet voice called from the bedroom.
         Carole joined the two in the kitchen, bed sheet wrapped tightly around her. Her face turned red at the sight of Drake.
         “I guess your rubbing off on me,” Jason joked, putting his arm around Carole’s waist.
         Drake drank more at the comment.
         “Is it Serena?” Carole asked sympathetically.
         Drake stared at her. Damn all females! “Why would you say that?”
         Carole just shrugged. “Everyone knows you like her. I honestly think you’d make a cute couple.”
         Jason’s grin widened. “I don’t think he wants to be in that sort of relationship.”
         Carole playfully pushed him. “Of course he does, don’t you see the way he looks at her?”
         Jason blinked in confusion. “You give her a look?”
         A knock at the front door ended anyone from responding. Blushing, Carole rushed to Jason’s room to dress.
         Drake reluctantly put down his drink and trudged to the front door. “Allison!”
         She smiled at him. “Hey Drake. You’re not busy, are you?”
         Drake shook his head; moving aside to let her in. “Is there a reason for your visit?”
         Allison smiled. “If you don’t want me here, just say the word.” She sat down in the living area, reclining on the couch. “Where’s Jason?”
         “Right here,” Jason walked into the room, slapping five with Allison. “When did you get here?”
         Allison just smiled coyly. “Hey Drake, what’s up with you and Serena?”
         Drake rolled his eyes. Was it really that obvious? “Nothing,” he growled irritably. He let out a deep breath to calm himself. “So, you came to visit?”
         “I’m only going to be here a few days,” she explained.
         He smiled, realizing what she was suggesting. “But what would Serena think?”
         Allison rolled her eyes. “Believe me, the way she was dressed, Robert is sure to keep her plenty occupied.”
         Jason, who was momentarily forgotten, slinked off to his room.
         Allison did not miss the look of jealousy that flashed quickly over Drake’s face. With the speed only a vampire could possess, he was over her, lips pressed hard on hers.
         “Damn it!” Drake shouted at the knock on the door. Everyone was screwing up his evening. Angrily, he threw open the door only to see a very nervous Jackie.
         “Is this a bad time?” she asked, her voice was barely a whisper. Jackie stopped just as she stepped into the living area. “Who are you?”
         Allison straightened up. “I’m Allison, Serena’s cousin.”
         Jackie turned to Drake, her eyes ablaze. “You’re seeing someone else? How could you?” Tears filled her eyes as her body shook with sobs.
         Allison jumped up and slowly led Jackie to the couch. “No, no. Drake and I have known each other for years. Just calm down.” She soothed.
         “I sorry to have jumped to conclusions. This has just been a day from hell.” She wailed.
         Allison rubbed small circles on the other woman’s back. “Tell me all about it.”
         Jackie told about Jason leaving her at the diner, almost missing her doctor’s appointment, and then learning Robert was dating Serena. “And on top of that,” she sniffed. “I’m pregnant.”
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