Taken

Airy didn't remember when she decided to stay with Antonio and Nathan. It started with one night and then the next day which slowly bled into a month. There were still times that she felt like she was being followed but she was comfortable and she felt safe. At least as safe as you can feel living with a vampire and his cute stand-in. It was an odd relationship but Airy really liked them both. She could laugh again and she was finally in an environment where she could accept the part of her that she'd been running from.

She tried to suppress her powers but even when she slipped no one was mad at her. More often than not they were just worried or laughing. It was a good place to stay but Airy couldn’t help but get the feeling that her situation was fleeting.

She had gotten a text from Nathan asking for coffee, which wasn't unusual, and since she failed at making it at home she ran down to Starbucks. At this point she knew what he liked; he drank coffee at least once a day which made it impossible to forget and it was the least she could do since he put up with her most of the time. She bought him this crummy bracelet about a week before and it was just as lame as she thought it'd be but he was wearing it so he must have liked it.

Airy enjoyed walking through the city streets though she was always careful about letting her mind wander. With so many people meandering by she could blend in like a single pixel on a 25" LG screen. She smiled at those she made eye contact with which usually weirded them out and caused them to look away. She has begun to watch the people more than the impressive height of the buildings. Some people always kept their gaze down while others stared straight ahead as if they were the only ones on the street. Airy noticed that those who ignored the people around them were usually wearing nice clothes, probably on their way to work or some important meeting and couldn't be bothered with strangers. Some people she smiled at seemed to brighten as if recognition from another was all they needed to make their day better.

The path to Starbucks was easy. She had walked it almost every other day for the last month though she was usually with Nathan. The line was short and as Airy stepped inside she smiled pulling her jacket off in greeting to the heated warmth of the store. She had a small allowance of cash that Antonio gave her since Airy’s whereabouts are currently unknown; at least as far as the government was concerned. When she reached the cashier she smiled handing her the twenty. "Morning, can I get Nathan’s usual and a White Chocolate Mocha?"

The woman was a pretty young blond who Airy saw at least once every few days. She laughed at Airy before ringing her up with a few light punches of her keyboard. "Airy I know what you always get. Where is your handsome friend today?"

Airy pursed her lips lightly. "He’s not mine and I’m not really sure what he’s up too. He just said he wanted coffee." Apparently going to a coffee store a lot meant that there was room for teasing.

The girl raised an eyebrow before passing the two empty cups down the line to be assembled. "Sure he isn’t."

Airy rolled her eyes and walked towards the pickup counter. She plucked one of the green stiry things from the clear plastic container and then two of the cardboard pieces that are supposed to stop the coffee from burning your fingers. She watched as they made her order, zoning out in the direction of the menu. "Airy." Her attention snapped back to the man behind the counter.

She smiled taking the two drinks and then placing them on the counter so she could get that weird cardboard holders around them. "Thanks." They still felt hot.

She slipped from the shop looking at the lines of cars that made their way through the streets. She doesn't really understand why anyone drives in this city. She moved back to Antonio's apartment her eyes on the cars and the frustrated drivers edging to lean on their horns. She wasn't looking where she was going which in New York was a very bad idea. She crashed into someone dropping both cups of coffee to the ground. One block away from the safety of the high-rise she called home... she was so close.

"I'm so sorry!" Airy looked up her eyes widening when she recognized the familiar face. "D-Darren?"

The young man in front of her was the same age as Airy. His hair was a rich dark chocolate brown and his eyes were a watery unforgettable blue. It was impossible for anyone to forget the most attractive guy from Island Falls, Maine. She felt heat rise to her cheeks and her heart flutter nervously in her chest. This wasn't really the time for her to suddenly fall back into a high school mentality. "What are you doing in New York?" Her mind was working overtime and still coming up blank.

"Airy?" She can't tell if he's really surprised or not. "It's alright. I didn't think I'd see you here." The coffee hadn't spilled on him. It only got on the outside of her jacket otherwise it covered the ground in a sleek layer of glimmering caffeine. Darren smiled taking a handkerchief from his pocket and helping Airy wipe some of the spilled coffee from her jacket.

"Uh... yeah. Just hanging out in New York." It was weird to see him here and talking to him.

"We should talk or catch up sometime." He smiled that stupid charming smile she remembered from high school.

"We're talking now." Airy felt like she was currently the definition of awkward.

Darren chuckled softly. "At least let me buy you the coffee you just spilled. I think there is a Starbucks around the corner."

"Yeah." Airy really didn't need the people at Starbucks seeing her with this guy though she supposed it could be worse; like showing up with no coffee for Nathan. He was a little grumpy without coffee and she wasn't sure if it was the taste or the caffeine that soothed his nerves.

"Who are you thinking about?" Airy snapped out of her thoughts and looked up at Darren who was now inches from her face. She took a half step back feeling that unmistakable warmth rise to her cheeks. "AH! No one.. Just coffee.." He didn't seem convinced and looked somehow disappointed.

"Why do you ask?" She turned assuming that he'd follow as she made her way back to the coffee store. Small talk was good, easy, even though there were a lot of topics she wasn't looking to get into.

Darren clicked his tongue impatiently. "I was hoping you hadn't met any guys yet but it looks like you have." He did sound disappointed.

Airy turned ready to say something when Darren pulled her into an alley, just out of sight of those walking by on the sidewalk. Of course this was New York so anyone who saw them did nothing about it. The cold brick pressed against Airy's back as Darren pressed closer. "There was never a time to talk to you in school. You were always surrounded by your friends." His breath brushed across her cheek and for the moment Airy was stunned. "You really are beautiful Airy." He slowly leaned closer his lips inches away before Airy slipped from his grip. The only way to step away was to move deeper into the alley which wasn't ideal but space between them felt good.

"Whoa! Wait. What are you doing? I'm not interested in this. Sorry." She stepped to walk past him only to feel his hard grip grab at her shoulder.

"I wish it didn't have to be like this then." She tried to pull away, her arm slowly tingling as his grip around her tightened. "I would have made it worth it." Airy turned, her usually bright emerald green eyes glaring at the boy. She was ready to step on his toes and shove her elbow into his ribs only he acted first. His lips locked against hers; heat and shock flared through her frame. Her fingertips and limbs slowly begun to go numb as she pushed herself away from him.

"What did you-" Her words cut off, her vision began to twist, its edges blur, and then her legs buckled under her own weight. She felt strong arms lift her while a soft voice whispered against her ear.

"I found you."