This Is Where I Want To Be

23. Like Nothing Happened

Juliet

At home, the pain had settled in, the adrenalin had worked out, and I looked like I was hacked by a chainsaw. My mom dosed my cuts with disinfectant. I cussed as the sting rippled through me. I couldn't believe what happened. "I have to stitch you up," she whispered.

"What? That will take forever. I'm going to be one big horror show."

"You already are, Julie... Lie still and take these," she handed me a handful of pills and water.

I was lying on the cold, hard kitchen counter, having a difficult time keeping myself together. I was sniffling, thinking about Chris, trying not to start sobbing. My father's car didn't want to pull into the garage. Something must have happened, "Where are they?" I asked worriedly.

My mom took my hand in hers and gave it a squeeze, "Who were you with tonight?"

"Chris... What's going to happen to him?"

"Nothing! They are going to take him home and put him in bed."

"They are taking him back to Sita?" The realization that Sita would be there for him made the tears spill over. My mom pushed the tissue box over towards me.

"He is quite the legend... Didn't you see he was a mixture of both vampire and werewolf?" I nodded. "He is a hybrid."

"Hybrid?" My brows knit together. I really didn't know anything if there were other creatures out there.

"Yeah, seems like the werewolves had known for some time. Have been tracking him all his life. That is why Sita married him... to try and save the werewolves."

"Why?"

"The werewolves are going extinct. They thought that if one of them and "the hybrid" could have a baby... their problems would be solved."

I couldn't believe my ears. Sita ruined his life to have a baby and then didn't sleep with him. She's so useless. "The werewolf that was there tonight was Sita?" My mom nodded, "I'm sorry Julie... That we didn't tell you everything going on around you... But we had no idea you and Chris...."

"Louis didn't blab?"

"Why would he? Louis loves you...."

"Is that why he's here? For Chris... the hybrid?"

"Yes, and if Louis knew what Chris meant to you. It's probably why he didn't tell you or talk to you... I think all he wants to do is protect you."

I drew in a deep breath. The painkillers were kicking in, "I can't keep my eyes open, Mom."

"Sleep, Julie... I've got you. This is going to take a while."

"Don't let Louis come and sit with me again. I need some time to process."

My mom swept the hair from my brow and ran her knuckles over my cheek, "I won't... send him right home... Juliet... what happened between you and Chris that he manifested like that?"

"Can I tell you everything tomorrow with Louis and Dad together..."

"Okay... let's talk tomorrow. Juliet... Chris probably won't remember what happened tonight. You know how werewolves forget their first manifestation..."

I passed out thinking about how stupid I was... Sleeping with him, knowing we will probably never have a day where we could just be together. Now, I had to tell my mom that I lost my virginity... and I had to tell Louis. And the man of the hour wouldn't even remember. Stupid Juliet!

***

Louis

Seeing Chris like that. Juliet, out of the corner of my eye, ripped open. It was the worst thing that had happened to me since my father died. The fear of losing her was too much for me. Her dying at the hands of some boy I would've killed in a second was unacceptable. Where had I been? Why had I not protected her like I should've? I was so on top of everything until I needed to give her space. It was not what I thought was going to happen that night. I had hoped she would go to a party to enjoy herself. That Wednesday, we would leave for France. We would be together. She would have nothing to worry about anymore. I would've told her everything there. Regret filled me about keeping her in the dark... about using her. I should've warned her... I should've made things official between us before I left her alone. I should've stayed close like I always had.