Ellie's POV

It was the last night of vacation and I was said it had to end so soon. It was nice to get away from school, but being attacked by Michael really tired me out mentally and physically.

Thankfully the last two days have been relaxing. Xander took me to the town and we got ice cream. Not to mention that he also bought me a ton of clothes. I think he's running this 'I'm sorry' thing into the ground.

"Of course I am!" Xander whispered, grinning beside me.

I almost forgot that we were all watching TV on the couch. I wasn't really paying attention, so I didn't know the show had ended until Skyler walked back into the room whining that she had missed the ending.

"So what should we watch now?" Josh asked everyone.

Caroline, Skyler and I made eye contact and screamed, "TWILIGHT!"

Xander and Josh both threw their arms into the air and screamed," I told you so!"

"Hate to burst your bubble girls, but we don't have the movie here," Xander said leaning back and placing his feet in the coffee table.

"That's ok I have it in my bag!" Caroline said running out of the room. Even though Caroline was a vampire, I was surprised to find she didn't think this movie was stereotypical.

"Damn, I was hoping we didn't have to watch it. What is it with you girls and Twilight?" Josh asked looking towards the three of us. Oh dear. He shouldn't have opened his mouth.

"It's the best vampire movie in the whole world! It has the hottest guys, the hottest blah blah blah and nah nah nah." I partially zoned out while Skyler continued lecturing the boys on why Twilight is the best vampire movie.

The boys rolled their eyes, as Caroline walked in and popped the DVD in the TV. We began watching the movie and Skyler being Skyler made comments every time Edward walked by. EVERY. TIME.

"Isn't he so hot? I mean he sparkles! What's not sexy about that?" Skyler said starring at the screen in a dreamy way.

"Maybe the fact that real va–" I was interrupted when I got a jab in my side. Realizing it was Caroline I glared until I realized why she had elbowed me. I should she kept my mouth shut.

"What did you say Ellie?" Skyler asked, drawing her eyes from the TV for a split second.

"Oh nothing. I just meant to agree with you." Nice save.

We continued watching the movie, and I have to admit Edward is pretty hot, but not as hot as Xander. I saw Caroline snort and Josh was chuckling quietly.

Xander looked over to see what the fuss was about but realizing what it was a huge smirk played on his face. I growled under my breath. Stupid vampires and their mind reading.

"You know if you keep reading my mind maybe I won't let you call me sweetheart anymore!" I said in my mind. Xander clutched his chest where his heart was and faked some pain, making a pouty face. I rolled my eyes and continued watching the lengthy movie.

•

"The guys have been looking for firewood forever what's taking them so long?!" Skyler whined, clutching her goose bump covered arms.

Finally all three boys emerged from the forest. They looked like they had enough firewood for a week. We started the fire in the fire pit and sat there, warming our hands. The fires size grew and we decided to roast some marshmallows.

"Ugh," I groaned watching us my fifth marshmallow fell from my stick and into the fire, "not again!" I was terrible at this.

"Here," Xander said handing me his. It was perfectly cooked and smelled glorious. I took a bite out of it and let the warm gooey inside melt in my mouth.

After about four I was full. I was starting to get tired, and Caroline had already head inside with Josh. For a vampire she likes to sleep an awful lot, but she would have an eternity to live. Skyler fell asleep and Aedan had to carry her inside.

"Are you tired?" Xander asked, smiling at me softly. My only answer was a yawn, as he picked me up and carried me inside. He set me on the bed and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I wanted to kiss him back, but my eyes closed and I could barely stay awake. I heard him whisper a soft, "Sleep tight, Ellie."

Then the bed beside me dipped and I felt him wrap his arm around my waist. Slowly I lost consciousness and fell into a deep sleep.

•

I woke up to find Xander still asleep beside me. Smiling, I clutched his arms that were still wrapped around my torso. I felt him move closer to me, as he yawned a good morning.

I snuggled closer to him as he placed a kiss below my ear. The bed was so nice and warm I didn't want to get up. I looked at the clock on the nightstand and saw it was 11:07. I was so used to having school that I usually woke up early each morning, so waking up so late was quite the surprise.

"What time are we leaving today?" I asked softly incase he had fallen back asleep.

"We are leaving at 1:00. I wanted to let you sleep though. You looked so adorable I couldn't wake you." Though I couldn't see his face I'm pretty sure he was smirking. He did that a lot.

I smiled, and rolled over so I could face him. I kissed him on the lips and felt him smile. I couldn't help but smile too.

"Alright I'm gonna take a shower," I said sitting up.

"Can I join you?" he asked with a devious grin.

"Nice try!" I said as I walked into the bathroom.

Rolling my eyes, I turned on the water and felt it to make sure it was the right temperature. After a minute I undressed and stepped in letting the water roll down my body.

I washed my hair and rinsed it out. I repeated the process with conditioner and shut off the water. Wrapping the fluffy towel around me I realized I'd forgotten my clothes. Luckily, Xander wasn't in the room when I cracked open the door. I quickly ran out grabbed some clothes and walked back into the bathroom to change.

Once I was finished I blow dried my hair and braided it. I walked out of the bathroom and started packing my bag. It didn't take me very long, so I zipped it up and dragged it down the hallway.

Dragging it to the door I could hear everyone talking in the kitchen. They were all eating cereal or drinking coffee. I saw Xander had a mug, and I went to take a sip before he made that 'Ellie-you-really-shouldn't-drink-that-face', the same face he'd made at the restaurant, and I realized what it was.

I handed him the mug and thank goodness I didn't take a sip because drinking blood was extremely unpleasant. I made myself a cup of tea and a slice of toast.

Within an hour everything was packed and we were running everywhere to make sure we didn't forget anything. We dragged our bags out to the car and the trunk seemed to be a lot more full than it was on the way here. Probably because we had gone shopping and almost bought a whole store full of clothes between the six of us.

The drive home was the same as the ride there. We sang to the songs on the radio and stopped for snacks, this time at Chick-fil-A.

We dropped off everyone before Xander and I arrived at my house. It was almost 5:00 and my parents would be getting home from work soon.

Xander carried my bags inside and put them in my room. I followed him in, and offered for him to stay for dinner. He happily excepted and we went to watch a movie to pass the time.

My parents arrived home about 45 minutes later with excited faces.

"Hello, Xander! How are you?" They both said walking in the door.

"I'm doing fine Mr. And Mrs. Watson, thank you," Xander replied with a smile.

"Oh do call me Kelly. No need for formalities. After all since you and Ellie are together now it would be nice." My mom said walking into the kitchen.

I blushed at the thought of us being together and a smirk set on Xander's face. I told my mom he would be staying for dinner and he offered to help. It was taco night.

My father was also happy that Xander was staying. Xander offered to make a special taco sauce that has been in his families lineage for years. Considering things probably decades. . . or centuries even?

Sitting at the table he got a wave of compliments from my mom, dad, and me. He was an amazing cook, and the tacos tasted amazing. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had a taco.

After dinner Xander and I offered to do the dishes, so my parents could spend some time together.

"Well, I better head home now," Xander said finishing the dishes.

"You know I've never met your parents before, Xander." I said smiling, hinting at him that I'd like to meat his parents.

"Well you will have to come over sometime then." Xander agreed happily.

He kissed me on the forehead before disappearing into thin air. He is so dreamy. I heard a chuckle and I swoosh, and I know Xander had been standing around the corner reading my thoughts.

I walked over to the open kitchen window and closed it sealing off the cold air flow coming from outside. It did feel nice out so I decided that I would take a walk.

I slipped on my vans and grey hoodie and stepped out into the chilly night air. It was much colder back in Virginia. I almost missed the warmer air of South Caroline.

An aroma of outdoor smells a lofted into my nose. It felt so welcoming and my head seemed clear. I heard a chuckle and I saw Xander appear in front of me.

"Xander, I thought you went home to see your family?" I said confused.

"I know but I wanted to tell you something." He said smirking. I almost gushed at this. He was so sweet.

I walked forward eagerly awaiting what it was he wanted to tell me. But as I did, I noticed his voice sounded a little off, but I dismissed it as nothing. But then as I got closer I noticed his eyes were red.

"Xander, are you alright?" I asked, worried for him. He wasn't usually so careless.

"Yeah, I was just out hunting, princess," he said coming closer. My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat. This was not Xander.

"You're not Xander!" I yelled, stepping backwards to go home.

"Well no shit," He said, his appearance fading away. He no longer looked like Xander but now he looked like Michael.

"How did you do that!?"

"Oh, princess, I'm in league with a witch now, I can do anything. What was it that gave me away?" He asked, laughing maniacally.

"I'm pretty sure it was everything. You're a terrible actor." I said, quickly turning around and trying to walk the other way.

I didn't make it far when Michael appeared in front of me. I tried calling out to Xander, but I was stopped when Michael's hand covered my mouth. Michael was now standing behind me and I could feel his breath on my neck.

"Princess, your little lover boy won't come and save you when he's got his own problems to deal with," Michael laughed.

"Own problems? What do you mean?" I asked as he now gripped my neck.

"Well let's just say his family is now truly dead." He said still laughing.

Michael gripped my throat tighter as I tried to call out for Xander again, preventing me from talking. He dragged my across the street and into the woods.

Finally, Michael dropped me on the ground, and it felt like the wind was knocked out of me. I could barely breathe, gasping for air.

"Y-you know if you love me s-so much why do you treat me so badly?" I asked coughing from the lack of air.

"Well tough love princess," He said kneeling down next to me. I backed away and found myself up against a tree. Michael bared his fangs as he drew closer to me.

Without warning, I kicked him in the jaw and ran. I ran faster than I ever had before. There was one small, tiny problem. I was lost. I didn't stop to study my surroundings though, I just ran and ran and ran. I ran until my head pounded as much as my heart did in my ears.

Eventually, my stamina ran out and I stopped, leaning against a nearby tree. I was so tired, but I knew I had to keep going.

My break was interrupted when I heard a low chuckle from a few feet away. I darted in the other direction only to find myself cornered by several fallen down trees. It was a trap.

I turned around to find Michael starring at me hungrily. His eyes were a deep, lustful red. I slowly stepped backwards, but stopped when I felt a pair of arms surround me.

Another person jumped on top of Michael bringing him down with one blow. And by the looks of it this person had already been in one fight.

Before I knew it I was lifted into the air and whoever was holding me was running fast. I realized it was Xander, but his eyes were red and full of tears.

Xander took me back home, dropping me at my house. My parents were in the living room so Xander took me to my bedroom, locking the door.

"Are you okay?" Was the first thing he asked me before shutting my door.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I said heart still pounding in my chest.

Xander's eyes were still full of tears still, but I could tell he was trying not to cry. I'd never seen him cry before. I didn't even know vampires could cry.

"Xander, are you okay? What happened?" I asked, walking up to him and holding his hands.

"Michael and his stupid vampire friends killed my mother! They attacked the house when my father wasn't home."

I gasped, straining myself not to ask more questions. I didn't want to make him feel worse. I couldn't believe something like this could even happen.

"She is much younger than my father and can only take on so many vampires at once." Xander said. He was on the brink of crying again.

"My father came home to find them attacking her but it was too late. She was already dead. But he got revenge, he killed them all." Xander said, his eyes shining with hate.

"Even Michael?" I asked still shocked. Xander looked away, ashamed.

"He got away, again," he seethed with anger. "Someone is helping him."

"He said he had help from a witch," the words escaped my mouth. Now I worried I'd made things worse. Xander only nodded.

I hugged Xander tight, but I didn't feel his arms touch me until he pulled us apart. I looked at him dumbfounded. His mother just died, and he doesn't want a hug? Maybe he just has a different way of coping.

"Listen Ellie. . ." He trailed off and his eyes seemed sad again.

"Ellie, I don't think us being together is a good idea," He said slowly.

"What?" I croaked out forcing the lump in my throat away. After everything we've gone through, he didn't want to be with me anymore?