The Last Vampyre Prophecy Read Free Page B

dream, Ade. Get a hold of yourself, idiot.”
    I walk to the kitchen and switch the coffee pot on. The sun is just rising and I breathe a sigh of relief. No more sleep and no more dreams, at least for today.
    Once I gulp my first cup of coffee I pull out my running clothes and tie my shoes.
    The wind bit es my face as I jog down the front steps hitting the pavement. The streets are deserted only delivery trucks and shop owners setting up for the day. The soothing sound of my shoes slapping the concrete and my deep even breathing calm my anxiety.
    I ru n harder today and further than my normal route around the neighborhood. I just can’t shake the uneasy feeling deep down in the pit of my stomach.
    I th ink about the night with the man at the bar and it seemed as though he felt something odd, too, when we locked eyes.
    Then I laugh at myself. He i s soooo far out of my league, who the fuck am I kidding. He probably didn’t even notice that I existed. Men like him are looking for the real Cleopatra—goddess—not a broke soon-to-be graduate with no future.
    I slow when my building comes into view and stop at the corner stretching my legs and catching my breath.
    Even with the frigid air I still manage to sweat through my clothes. I wipe my face with the crook of my arm and jog up the steps.
    The sun i s bright in the sky now casting rays across the dirty walls as I pass each floor.
    My phone i s ringing as I slide the lock on my door. I yank the receiver. “Yea.”
    She sighs . “Andie, could you please use some manners when you answer the phone? I could have been a potential employer or someone important.”
    I roll my eyes. “Yea, mom. Ok.” I reach for a banana. “So, what have I done to warrant a call at—” I looked at the clock, “…7:12 in the morning?”
    “We’re having dinner at the house tomorrow night—7:00. Don’t be late, you know how your father gets when his food is cold.”
    I groan. “Oh Ma, I’m not in the mood to listen to Dean’s mouth and suffer through Ryan’s repeated punches to the arm. Anyway, I think I’m going to have a headache.”
    She huffs . “Not another word. We’ll see you in the morning young lady—remember 7:00.”
    And the line goes dead. I pull the ancient plastic receiver away from my ear and stare at it like it has just insulted me. I slam it back into the holder on the wall and stomp into the bathroom for a shower.
    Graduation is in the morning and I still have to go buy a dress. I moan at the prospect—I hate shopping and more over I hate dresses.
    My shift at the pastry shop d oesn’t start until two o’clock so I pull on my chunky cable sweater and favorite jeans then lace up my boots.
    It ta kes me four shops and three hours to finally find a dress. Having grown up with two brothers my wardrobe consists of jeans, boots and flannel shirts, mostly. I always had to prove myself and to keep up with them I had to dress the part and over the years it just became who I am.
    I sli ng the new slinky dress across the chair and glance at the clock. I have an hour until shift so I begin peeling clothes off as I walk to the closet.
    When I have on my white button up and khaki pants I shove my feet into my sneakers and lock the door behind me.
    Ralph i s scheduled to close with me again tonight and I groan at the thought. He makes my life a living hell inside the walls of the shop.
    Mr. Gerandi i s working the register when the door chime announces my arrival.
    He smiles wide. “Adonia dear, tomorrow is the big day, huh?”
    I smile back. “Yes sir, Mr. Gerandi.”
    “We wouldn’t miss it!” He sa ys closing the drawer. “Ralph is opening the shop while we go.”
    I c an’t hide the shock that comes across my face. They are coming to my graduation and he is entrusting the shop to Ralph, which he has never done.
    My heart warms at their affection toward me. They have always treated me like their own.
    I smile . “Oh, Mr. Gerandi, that is so kind of you two to