Vampire Season **with CHOICES**

EVE

Monday evening was a joy, Tuesday morning was a curse. The pounding in Eve's head kept her awake until the deafening ring of her alarm rang - louder and more irritating than usual. She outstretched her arm in an effort to snooze her phone's alarm just long enough to marinate in her misery for an additional eight minutes, but as Tuesday's luck would have it, she knocked the phone off the nightstand. Eve's hand patted the floor, feeling the cool floorboards of her room in every direction, as far as her arm could reach. She scooted herself to the edge of the bed and reached under the bed - one inch - two inches - three inches - four - and - "OUCH!" she bellowed as she rolled off the bed and hit her forehead on the edge of the nightstand. Her body landed on the floor with a hard thump, completely wrapped up in her comforter and a portion of her sheets. The nanny grunted and battled the sheets, kicking harder and harder until they released her from their snug grip.

Voice: Eve, are you okay in there?

She recognized the voice almost immediately, thankful the person behind the door was neither the eldest nor the youngest of the Bartholy brothers.

Eve: I'm fine, Peter. Thank you.

She would do anything to hide the events that transpired just seconds before.

Peter: You sound flustered. Are you sure you're okay?

She patted down her night wear and ran her fingers through her tangled hair, straightening her tousled mane as much as she could before racing to the door and cracking it open just enough to fit her head through the partition.

Eve: Fine. See? Told you.

She observed as Peter's eyebrows arched in equal portions concern and intrigue.

Eve: What? What's wrong?

She reached for the area of her forehead where she had hit her head moments earlier. She needn't ask further questions from the moment she felt the lumpy, hot skin under her touch.

Peter: You have a large bump on your forehead.

It throbbed as Eve pressed her fingers against it. She grimaced at the size and pain.

Eve: Ouch.

Peter quickly turned back toward the corridor.

Peter: I'll call Nicolae. He'll know what to do about-

Eve rushed out into the hall in her short shorts and tank, pulling Peter back by the arm.

Eve: No! No, please. It's nothing.

His expression changed once more, reflecting his bewilderment.

Eve: I just fell off the bed. You know... new, unfamiliar space and all.

Peter attempted to suppress the laugh he felt coming. Eve, however, knew exactly what he was thinking.

Eve: I'm sure it's funny when you're not the one on the end of this lump.

He released the laughter he had worked oh-so-hard to contain. After he had had his fill, he took a deep breath and finally took pity on the girl.

Peter: I'm sorry, Eve. Are you hurt?

Eve: My ego's a little bruised.

He stepped closer to her and analyzed the red bump closely.

Peter: I'll get you some ice. It'll help with the swelling. You should be glad there's no bleeding.

Eve nodded and turned back toward her room. She sat on her freshly stripped bed, waiting, considering skipping class - all in the name of avoiding one particular Bartholy that would not let her live the aftermath of their evening down without at least one I told you so. Eve knew he had been right about counting her cups, but she'd rather hide and miss a school lecture than give Drogo the satisfaction.