Chapter 31:

It was pointless to try and go to sleep when it was already five in the morning.

My alarm goes off in two hours and truth be told I didn't really even feel like sleeping anymore.

It had been an emotional and overall very nice night with a few exceptions of course.

When the sun started to rise I had the idea that we go out on the roof and watch it.

My window led to a flat part of the roof that I went out on quite often.

Whenever I was upset or had a rough day I went out on the roof and blasted my iPod.

It was a way for me to let out my frustration or to just forget about everything for a little while.

This time I just wanted to watch the sun rise. I couldn't remember the last time I did.

Corey agreed once I assured him that it wasn't dangerous and I wasn't going to fall or anything.

So we sat on the roof, his arms wrapped tightly around me, my head resting on his shoulder and our hands linked together.

"Are you excited about getting married?" Corey asked me.

"Yeah," I smiled softly.

"Hmm, me too,"

"Really?"

I was a little surprised. I wasn't sure if Corey was really big on marriage.

"Yeah, I get to call you my wife. Though I've never really given much thought to marriage I'm glad that we are. It just assures me even more that your mine."

"You don't need marriage to assure you that I'm yours."

"Well yeah but every little bit helps."

"I'm the luckiest person on earth." I mused.

"Why's that?"

"Because I'm marrying you,"

He breathed a laugh. "I feel the exact same way."

"I think I'm probably going to cry when we get married."

"Oh god," He said. "If you cry it's going to make me cry."

I laughed softly. "I'll try not too."

I was completely regretting not sleeping by the time school was over.

Corey and I waited in the lobby of the school for Drake to get here.

He said he'd pick us up since all my cars were currently un-drivable and he knew I hated taking the limo.

Corey and I were standing near the doors, he had an arm wrapped around me and we were holding hands.

The guy that sat in the chairs a little ways from us was staring intently at us with a bewildered look on his face.

He'd been doing this since we came in the room.

I'd say it was somewhere between amusing and annoying.

For Corey I could tell it was mostly annoying.

Corey sighed.

He looked over at the guy, done pretending he didn't notice his gawking for the past ten minutes.

"What the fuck are you looking at?" Corey asked with a pissed off tone.

A tone he was very good at I must say.

The guy's eyes widened. "Uh, n-nothing," He stammered, a mixture of shock and fear plastered on his face.

He didn't look away and Corey just got more pissed.

"Why don't you just take a fucking picture, kid?" He said.

The guy's eyes brightened. "Can I?"

He took out his phone from his pocket.

"Do it and you won't be able to walk again." Corey threatened.

He swallowed harshly and put the phone back in his pocket. "Sorry," He muttered.

I saw Drake's black Camaro pull up outside and pulled Corey out of the building.

We both got in the backseat and Drake turned the music down.

"Hey all, how's it going?" Drake inquired.

"Good." Corey replied.

"Good, good. So Corey you're not going to like this but you have to get your suite fitted today when we get home oh and Arabelle you're going dress shopping with mom this afternoon too."

Corey and I both groaned simultaneously.

Drake laughed. "You two hate anything that has to do with dress clothes. Or is that you just don't like spending time apart?"

"The last one." Corey responded.

"Ahh, that's what I figured. Bells, I'm surprised you're not excited about picking out a dress."

"I am I just know Mom's going to be annoying and try to convince me to get something that's hideous." I replied.

Corey and him laughed.

"So true," Drake agreed.

Though I was right to dread dress shopping I actually got it over with rather quickly.

Drake came along for his own amusement.

He was the only person's opinion that I valued so he was somewhat helpful in picking out dresses.

We were back at the house in less than two hours which to me is good timing.

Drake and I were currently outside, smoking.

"I'm surprised your smoking since Corey freaked out last night about it." Drake said.

"Yeah but he doesn't know plus I don't think he'll freak out...and I really wanted a cigarette." I replied.

"Jesus, you're already addicted; although it only took me one time to get addicted too."

"Do you think Corey's done by now?"

Drake shrugged. "Probably, I assume it wouldn't take that long."

I heard the front door open.

"Shit," Drake said.

I turned around to see my Mother walking towards us.

"Arabelle I just came to-

She cut off when she saw the cigarette in my hand.

Drake gave me a wide-eyed glance.

"Arabelle, what in god's name do you think you're doing?" Mom said.

"Uh..." I couldn't think of anything to say at the moment.

"I can't believe you're smoking!"

She looked at Drake. "Why would you give her a cigarette?"

"Because I felt like it." He responded casually.

She shook her head and looked back at me.

"I don't even know what to say to you right now, I'm so disappointed in you."

I dropped the cigarette and put it out.

"And you never answered my question about what happened to your arm." She said, gesturing to the gauze on it.

"Oh I-

I cut off when she came up to me and lifted the gauze off to reveal the tattoo.

She gasped. "My god, you got a tattoo!"

"Yeah," I muttered.

"Arabelle, I don't even know what to think of you right now. Honestly I'm thinking about cancelling the whole wedding."

"What? Mom, no you can't do that."

"You do realize I could take Corey away from you at anytime?" She said. "Your Father and I were beyond nice to let you marry him-a vampire and now you go and do this."

I looked down.

"Mom," Drake started. "It wasn't her fault. I talked her into getting the tattoo; she didn't even want to get it. I had to practically force her to get it. And I offered the cigarette, it's not like she asked."

I gave him a grateful look.

Mom sighed.

"I'm still extremely disappointed. And you will have a punishment." She stood there for a minute; thinking.

She looked at me. "You're going to church, starting tonight. God save your soul."

"That's my punishment?" I asked.

She nodded. "It'll do you good. Just be glad it wasn't your Father who found this out. He would've done much, much worse."

She turned and walked back into the house. "Be ready to leave by 7." She called.

Drake and I looked at each other for a moment.

"Well, it looks like you're going to need to find something nice to wear; you're going to church." Drake laughed.

I rolled my eyes. "Not funny; this is going to be torture."

"Ya know they preach about vampires and shit, right?"

I nodded. "That's why it's going to be torture."

"Ah god," He chuckled. "You-going to church. That's just too funny."

"Shut up," I said.

He just laughed more. "Can Corey go? I mean do they even allow vampires in a church?"

"Yes, stupid. Well...at least I think they do."

"You should call and ask."

"That's a good idea. Get me the number to the church."

He laughed. "Are you serious?"

"Yeah,"

"O-o-okay, give me a sec." He took out his phone.

"Okay," He said a few moments later. "It's calling."

* * *

"You seriously expect me to go church?" Corey asked.

"Uh-huh, I already called. You can go." I said.

"There is no way in hell I'm going to church."

"Please? I don't want to go by myself."

"Yes, let's go to church and get more evil glares and- who knows maybe someone will shove cross against my chest while they're at it. Hell and no." He said.

"Please?" I pleaded.

"No."

I sighed. "But I really need you to go."

"Why?"

"Because you'll be here alone with Nick."

"I can take care of myself, Arabelle."

"Yeah but he's just looking for an excuse to get you away from me."

He stared at me for a long moment. "Fine, I'll go."

"Thank you."

He sighed. "I'm going to go put my nice clothes on."

I laughed softly.

It was a silent car ride to the church.

We all rode in the limo.

My mother had made Drake come too, I'd laughed at that.

He looked very displeased almost as much as Corey.

"Drake, please leave your cigarettes in the car. I can see them from your jacket pocket." My mom said as we got out of the car.

She glanced at me. "You couldn't have picked an outfit less...noticeable?"

"Nope," I responded.

I was wearing a short black, corset dress. It had a very full, fluffy bottom that was made of layers and layers of black mesh and lace.

I had on fishnet stockings, black lace fingerless gloves and black heels.

Oh and a cross necklace just for the hell of it.

"I like your outfit." Corey whispered to me, a smirk on his face.

I laughed under my breath. "Thanks, I like yours as well."

He was wearing black dress pants that were well-fitted and a black long-sleeved collared shirt with a gray pinstripe vest over it.

We walked into the main room where the service is held. Everyone had already taken their seats.

As people turned to look at us there were several reactions.

Most people's eyes got wide, some gasped.

I heard someone say; "Who let the leech in?" And similar comments were made by others.

Maybe this was a bad idea.

Maybe we should just leave.

What am I saying?

I can't let these people get to me.

Just because they're all close-minded, hypocrites doesn't mean I have to leave.

I sighed.

We took our seats in the front row, people were still staring.

I could hear them whispering to each other.

Lord can only imagine what they were saying.

I couldn't really focus too much on what the preacher was saying while everyone in the whole freaking room was staring at me.

But when he started to talk about vampires I paid more attention.

He looked directly at me when saying: "Anyone who affiliates themselves with vampires any other way than as salves are sinners and are damned to eternal hell."

I got some pretty evil glares after that.

One person looked at me and shook their head.

The man in the aisle behind me leaned forward and said; "God help you, child. If I were you I would leave before you start a riot."

I glanced at Corey who had his head down.

The man continued; "How could you love such a disgusting thing like that? He's a vile monster that doesn't deserve to walk this earth."

I clenched my jaw, holding back the things I wanted to respond with.

I leaned closer to Corey. "I'll be right back, okay?"

He nodded, his head still down.

I got up and walked out of the church.

I went to the car and got Drake's carton, I pulled out a cigarette and placed it in my mouth, lighting the tip.

I stood outside of the church's door, pacing.

I don't know how much more of this I can take.

The constant insults, the staring at me like I'm like a fucking murderer. It's all getting to me.

The worst part is that I can't say anything back.

I stopped walking.

Wait why can't I say anything back?

I know Corey can't 'cause he's a vampire, the rules for him are different. Freedom of speech doesn't apply to him.

But it does to me.

So why haven't I said anything?

Well now's the perfect time.

I'm at a church, there's about hundred people sitting in there who hope that I burn in hell, and think that I will.

Well hells bells, I think it's time for a speech.

I walked back into the church, still smoking the cigarette.

Everyone immediately looked at me.

I walked down the aisle, a smirk on my face.

The preacher stopped mid-sentence. "Uh, excuse me but you can't smoke in here. It's a church."

"Yeah, I know." I responded.

"Arabelle, what are you doing?!" Drake whispered as I pasted him.

"You'll see."

I went up on stage to where the preacher was.

"I need to use this for a second." I said, gesturing to the microphone.

"Uh-

"Thanks," I said, before he could finish what he was going to say.

I stood at the podium. "Okay, I have something to say." I announced into the microphone.

"I'm sick of all of you"- I pointed out towards the crowd. "Acting like just because I love a vampire it makes me like the fucking anti-Christ. It's not a bad thing, it's not a sin." I glanced at the preacher.

"Because vampires aren't heartless monsters, they're actually very nice, compassionate, amazing people. And he"- I pointed at Corey then placed my hand back on the podium stand. "Is a better person then any of you will ever be."

Drake was grinning like a mad man.

Corey was staring at me with wide eyes; shock was clear in his expression.

Everyone else's expressions were pretty much the same as Corey's; pure shock.

I continued; "And I just want to say that I don't give a fuck what you think, considering the source it's kind of pathetic. You're opinions are useless to me. So you can all go fuck yourselves."

I stepped away from the podium and hopped down from the stage.

Drake was on the end of the row of seats. He stood up and high-fived me. "Way to fucking stick it to them, Bells!"

I smiled.

Corey stood up; he stared at me with wide eyes.

"Well we might want to get out of here." I said.

We made our way out of the building, I tossed my cigarette.

Instead of opting for the limo we started walking down the road.

Getting in a car with my parents after I just did that was not a good idea.

Drake was walking ahead of us humming to himself.

"I can't believe you just did that." Corey said.

He picked me up and hugged me, spinning me around.

"I fucking love you!" He said.

He set me back down on the ground, I was laughing.

He smiled brightly at me.

"I can't believe you did that. You are amazing!" He exclaimed.

"Thanks,"

He kissed me passionately.

After a minute I heard Drake yelling at us: "C'mon you two, you can do this at the house! Not in the middle of town!"

Corey and I pulled away, laughing.

We continued walking and Corey wrapped his arm around me.