II. 1989

YEAR: 1989

MIRA: 21 years old

"I like big butts and I cannot lie!" My hands slap against the wheel, as the music bounces in the car. "You other brothers can't deny. That when a girl walks in with an itty bitty waist." When I got closer to my destination, I lowered the volume and slowed down.

The front door slammed open.

"If you leave now, you might as well never come back!"

Asena didn't respond to her stepmother, instead, she threw the luggage in the trunk. I watched as her stepmother cursed her out, while her stepsister stood by the doorway. When we made eye contact, her stepsister lifted a palm and twinkled her little fingers at me. Finally, Asena got into the passenger seat, and with red eyes, she said: "Can we please get out of here?"

Last week, I graduated from college with my bachelor's degree and two days ago, I received a letter of acceptance into medical school. I wouldn't say I worked hard to get into the particular school, I'm a legacy. As in, three generations of my family went there. Dad and Mom graduated from the school, and my brother also went there. So, it's no big surprise that I got admitted despite my lower grades in comparison to my classmates.

Do I feel bad that I technically took someone else spot?

Yeah.

But, hey, that's life.

Unlike me who has her future lined up for her, Asena's future is bleak. Her dad died the summer we graduated from high school, and a few days ago, she found out her stepmother forged the rejected letter. It turns out, she did get accepted into her dream school, but her stepmother used some bullshit about needing her around the house. In reality, she didn't want to lose a maid.

"You sure about this?" I asked.

Asena looks at the rearview mirror of what used to be her home. "Yeah."

Yesterday, while Gwen and I were talking to Asena. For some reason, I felt loopy and asked Asena if she wanted to move out of the state with me and be roommates. Asena jumped on the idea, and by the time I ground back into reality, it was too late to say: just kidding.

I stopped at Gwen's house, and unlike Asena, she rushed out with a smile. I popped the trunk, and she threw her luggage in and then waved everyone goodbye.

"Stay safe!" Mrs.Imogen says. "And stay together!"

But, before we talk about roommates or medical school, let's talk about the present. As in, right now, we are on our way to Bulteria for summer vacation.

Mrs.Imogen knocked against the window. I rolled it down, and she slipped in a bag, "For the road."

"Mom," Gwen whined.

"Thank you, Mrs.Imogen," Asena says.

"Be careful. Bulteria is a beautiful place, but it's still-"

"Vampire territory," Gwen said with a dead-toned voice, "We know. We'll stay in the tourist spot."

"Oh, cookies!" I grabbed one from the plastic bag, "We'll be careful! And thanks for the road trip food, Mrs.Imogen!"

I drove the three of us to the airport and at the top of our lungs, we sang to the songs on the radio. We rolled down the window and allowed the summer air to take us. I can feel it in my bones, this is going to be one hell of a vacation. When we got to the car rental, I returned the car while Gwen asked for the next bus to the airport.

Asena went to the nearest pay phone.

"Hey, there," she said in a sweet voice.

After we finished, we rolled our luggage towards her.

"What are you doing?"

Simultaneously, Gwen and I said: "Oooh."

On the other end of the phone is Asena's boyfriend - Brett Jackson. Asena and Brett met a year ago at one of the college parties we attended. Brett is a typical frat boy, but he treats her well so Gwen and I gave him a pass. However, for me, I gave him a pass because Asena is an adult and I can't tell her who to date and who not to date. If I did have that control, I'd probably tell her to leave him. He looks and dresses like a douche.

But, hey, we're all adults and we have the right to make stupid decisions.

This reminds me, I grabbed a payphone and dialed my family number. When it clicked and they asked me to leave my name, I quickly said: "Steven. Calling you just like you asked, at the airport. Alive." I hung up and went back to Asena and Gwen.

Asena tucks her hair back, "I'll miss you too."

When Gwen and I went: "Ooooh" again, and she hit both of us.

"It's just Gwen and Mira being idiots."

I looked at Gwen, "Heard you're being an idiot," I said.

She laughs, "Ditto to you."

While Asena talked to Brett and Gwen scouted for the next bus, I sat on the luggage and spun in circles. I stopped when I spotted a familiar man in a blue suit with a newspaper in front of him. I hold onto Gwen's jacket, "What is it?"

"Don't that man look familiar to you?"

"What man?"

"The one in the blue-" I stopped talking when I saw an empty seat.

"Oh, there's our bus," Gwen says.

Asena was still on the phone with Brett. I grabbed it from her, "She loves you. She misses you. She got to go." I hang up the pay phone. "Let's go."

Asena pouted but she didn't respond. If we went at her pace, then we'd be at the car rental station the whole day and the tickets to Bulteria is expensive. Typically, you can't get tickets to Bulteria unless you reserve for at least three years, but Asena was contacted by a lawyer and the lawyer said Asena has an uncle who lives there.

It sounds sketchy, doesn't it?

An all-paid vacation to one of the most famous cities in the world to meet your long-lost uncle.

Asena received two flight tickets - probably because her uncle wanted someone to go with her to make her feel comfortable - but I came from a well-to-do family with good connections so guess what Steven did! Steven pulled a few strings and got me a ticket to Bulteria to have a fun vacation with my best friends before shipping me off to hell. I mean, medical school.

Honestly, I'm glad Asena's uncle found her. Asena's life is pretty shitty, so a living relative is a good addition.

Her life is filled with bad luck, so you have to have a little good luck sprinkle in there to balance it out.

That, or we're all going to die on this vacation.

Out of the bus, and into the airport.

"Why do you keep looking over your shoulders?" Asena asked me.

"Do you guys ever feel like someone is watching us?" I asked.

"I feel like you should stop staying up late at night," Gwen responded.

I pushed my hands down my face, "Please wake me up when we get there."

Gwen linked arms with Asena and me, "Will do." Together, we checked in our tickets and rushed to the flight. We had plenty of time on our hands, so we did a detour and window shop at the airport.

Throughout our spree, we laughed at everything and surely made memories before our vacation even started.

When I spotted a TV, my legs stopped moving. "Right behind me is the private jet of King Demitrius Acheron who will be landing in Bulteria. After-"

"Holy crap," Gwen pops up behind me with Asena. "Guess we're vacationing with the king."

"Cool," I said. I spotted ice cream not too far off. Once I purchased the ice cream, I noticed how Asena was still staring at the screen.

Beyond the numerous people and cameras, was the king of vampires.

"Ready to go?" I asked.

"Um- yeah."

"Something wrong?"

She stares at the screen, then shakes her head, "No. Nothing is wrong. Let's go."

With a half-eaten ice cream in my hands, I turned back to the screen and watched as the King greeted his people. To his right is a beautiful woman, who is said to be his future Queen. It's all rumors though.

Of course, I follow the royal family.

Who isn't following royal Immortals?!

They're full of dramas and even if there aren't any, I'd like to make them up.

"As expected to King Dimitrius right is Elizabeth Orlock, who is said to be the future Queen."

"The Acheron and Orlock family uniting, who could've seen that coming?"

"Aren't you all concerned though? If those two families unite, what could happen to humans."

Oh, the juicy drama. I love it.

Of course, humans aren't really concerned considering how there are other families to make sure everything in the world of Immortals is balanced.

Plus, humans won't simply stand by and watch Immortals take over without a fight. Which was proven during the war.

And in war, nobody wins.

"Mira!"

"I'm coming!"

I threw the ice cream into the trash can and off to the plane we went. I'm a bit bitter though, with Asena and Gwen seated together while I'm sitting somewhere else. We're all in first class, but I'm in section A while they're in B. During check-in, I won some sort of lottery and got upgraded. I wanted to trade my ticket, but the flight attendant wouldn't let me.

I waved them goodbye while rolling my luggage to section A. Section A was much more spacious with a private bar, but it didn't have my friends. The flight attendant takes my luggage and stores it away, leaving me with my bag.

"Stressful day?"

That's a deep voice.

I look to my right to see a divider.

"Not really. I just got separated from my friends."

Unlike the other sections, all the seats in section A are isolated. It's to give rich people privacy. Honestly, I don't even know how Steven got this ticket; they're crazy expensive.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

I turn my attention to the silhouette. Even behind the divider, anyone can tell the man is huge.

I exhaled, "It's okay. It's only for half a day or however long it takes."

Another shadow stop beside him, "May I offer you some wine?"

The man nods.

When the flight attendant rolled away, I asked: "Business or pleasure?"

Since I'm not allowed to be with my friends, I might as well make new ones.

He chuckles, "Depends on the opportunity present. You?"

Oh, I see.

He's going to Bulteria to get some.

"Pleasure."

"Oh? What type?"

Since he couldn't see my face, I didn't hold back from making an ugly one. I tilt my head out and check all the other seats. I don't see anyone.

"Um- friendship pleasure?"

I can hear a low chuckle on the other end, "How delightful."

"Is it okay if I ask you something?"

"Depends what it is."

"Just out of pure curiosity, are you an Immortal?"

I mean, we are on a flight to Bulteria, a country known for Immortals.

"If I am?"

"I mean, I don't have anything against Immortals. My Dad treated an Immortal before. My brother did too. Mom hasn't, because she works as an OB-GYN, and not alot of Immortals drop by there."

"Are your families-"

"Doctors. Yes." I nod my head to no one. "You?"

"Me?"

"What does your family do?" Who cares if my questions are weird? Not like I'll meet the man again anyway.

But, do you know what's really weird?

His voice.

It sounds oddly familiar like I've heard it before.

"My family is in...business."

"Ah," I crossed my arms and lay back, "Lots of money in that field."

He chuckles, a very sexy chuckle, "I guess."

The longer I talked to the stranger, the more comfortable I got. "You know what's weird-" Or maybe, I'm comfortable because I'm on my third glass.

"What?"

"Your voice sounds really familiar."

"Oh?"

"Yeah! I've heard it somewhere before, but it's not ringing a bell. And you know, with your type of voice- ah, nevermind." I laughed.

"What about my voice?"

I shake my head, "You'll think it's weird."

"Let's test that thought out."

"You have-" I look around to make sure is close. I move closer to the divider, "You have a bedroom voice."

"Bedroom voice?"

"You know, that voice where you-" I laughed more, "That voice where you sexily talk to someone before you, you know."

Oh God, I'm drunk.

"That's a surprise," he says, "No one ever told me that."

I turned my body further, "Can I see your face?"

"My face?"

"Yeah," I whispered for some reason, "I promise, I won't judge."

He didn't respond.

I grabbed the top of the divider, and slowly, I inched towards the top.

"Miss-"

The glass falls on top of me. It's a good thing the glass is empty. "Yes?"

The flight attendant smiled, "Please sit down."

Where the fuck did she come from?

"Oh, I'm sorry." I sat back down.

"Please buckle up."

I grabbed the belt and attempted to buckle myself, but couldn't so the flight attendant had to help me.

"Sorry," I said again.

"I believe we all had enough wine for today?"

I nod, "Yes."

The flight attendant gave me one last smile before she walked away. I watched as she disappeared to the front of the plane.

"She came out of nowhere," I said.

Silence.

I knock on the divider, "Hello?"

Silence.

It's official, I scared off another man.