As an exchange student from Scotland, a whole new world opens up to Darren Green when he moves to the United States. He'll live with a host family, start at a new school, and he'll have to make new friends. However, what won't be a part of this new...
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WHEN DARREN OPENED HIS EYES, it was much lighter out, and the sun stroked his skin from its position high above the horizon. He blinked a few times, trying to get his eyes to open that refused to let the bright light in, but once they had gotten used to the brightness, he got up from where he had been lying. At the same time, he felt his muscles protest his decision to get up.
It didn't take him long to realize that from his bed at the McCosta's family home he shouldn't be able to see the sun and the typical fall sky. The surface he had been lying on also wasn't as soft as his usual bed. This new bed was hard, prickly, a little damp, and more interestingly, had the smell of fresh grass leaves.
Then, yesterday night came back to him. The party at the mansion, the trip with Dakota in the car, the adventure out in the fields... Which would be where he was right now. He had fallen asleep on the grassland, and the uncomfortable ground had given him a stiff neck and aching muscles.
He rose up, and at that same moment, he felt something fall off his chest to his right. His head turned towards it, and his eyes perceived an arm attached to a girl, her eyes still closed and her chest rising and falling slowly. Dakota.
Had her hand been resting on his chest? Darren shook his head. No, he didn't have time to think about that right now. Actually, what time was it? The McCostas must be wondering where Darren was by now.
He reached for his pocket, but quickly found that it was empty. No phone, and he also wasn't wearing a watch. Around him, the only thing he could see was a large, green field spreading out in all directions around them, and in the distance, a white Kia was parked on the side of a deserted road. Dom's car, Darren now remembered. At least that was still there, especially considering since neither he nor Dakota had taken the keys with them and any passerby could have stolen it.
He put his hand on her shoulder and shook it. "Dakota, wake up," he said, and then even louder, "Wake up!"
She opened her eyes and immediately closed them again. A groan left her lips.
"Dakota, get up," Darren said again. "We have to go."
"It's light out," she protested.
"That's exactly my point." He shook her body once more and then started brushing grass leaves off his clothes. "We fell asleep and have been here all night."
"But it's much too light out," she said. "I'm a vampire, you know. I only function at night."
"Dakota..." He grumbled. There was no time for jokes. She had to get up, so they could go to their respective homes. He needed to reach the McCostas too, but he didn't want to run to the car and leave Dakota behind.
She opened her eyes again and squinted. "Okay, I'm coming," she mumbled. "But don't expect me to be at my best." She pulled her dress that had risen up her thighs during her sleep back down, got on her knees, and then stood up. "I really regret wearing heels now."
