Love, Loss, and Despair 15

Only a few feet further, and he would've made it to Nelly's tree. Jojo's heart was racing now, thinking he'd reach it.
"I'm gonna make it-Take THAT dad!" He was so oblivious about Ned having given no chase earlier. It was only a second later from his words that he thought about it.
His hand stretched out towards the black spiny tree. The branches were all dead, and twigs now, far different then they had been the day before. What was UP with that?
Only a few inches from touching the bark, a dark figure shot up from beneath Jojo and in front of him. He gasped as more of the figure's shape appeared before him; Ned had gotten in the way of his son's freedom. Nelly was the only safe retreat left at this point, and Jojo was blocked from it. He froze up, falling on his butt as he stared at the impossible monster that was his own father.
"Take WHAT, Jojo? You actually thought you could get away from me?" Ned chuckled deeply as his blood-red eyes glared into Jojo's frigid little face. His dark brown eyes were starting to shrink as Ned attempted to place him under a hypnotic gaze. So far, Jojo hadn't moved from it, and wasn't trying to fight it. Ned smirked as he realized just how easy it was to control him. It was like being the top parent again!
Suddenly he got an idea. He raised his right hand to the tree behind him. Jojo shifted his gaze to it, his eyes still small and swirling hazily. He could guess what Ned was about to do.
"I think we should make this more of a show for such a fine lady," He let the words glide out. Then he knocked against the bark, leaving a black ring on the edge of his knuckles. The ash created by the knock fell slowly as the tree shook and opened up. Ned's grin widened to expose his gleaming white teeth; Jojo tensed up, his shoulders pushed against his neck and his heartbeat quickened.
Ned blinked heavily, making his head bob gently. Jojo swallowed hard as he felt his heart pound against his ribs. He could've sworn that his dad could see it making his chest open up more every second.
"Now let the fun begin..." Ned stepped forward, towering over Jojo hoping to make him freeze up again. Instead, he spun himself onto his stomache, and heaved his body up, dashing off into the next best place to hide. Ned watched as Jojo ran, but rather than give chase again, he waited for Nelly to get up. He swirved his head around, stretching his neck out and looked into the shadowy home. Nelly was up, but she couldn't see who was there until her eyes adjusted to the lighting around her. Ned grinned, and breathed out through his nose as he watched the tall female Who drag herself up to him.
"You know, it just wouldn't be as much fun without knowing you see this show, Nelly..." She gasped, recognizing the Mayor's voice instantly in the shadow. Her eyes flung open, the silver color shining like the moonliht at him. Her eyes...why did they always captivate him like they do? Ned turned away, and began to stroll through the grass to follow Jojo. He knew Nelly would sense his presense receding, and chase after them both. He almost wanted to say it was like being in love again, but it just wasn't the moment for it. Not tonight, not for THIS plan...
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Meanwhile, Jojo had run sub-conciously over to Adin's house. If anyone could protect him, it was his best friend. After all, Adin would ALWAYS have Jojo's back, even more so if Nelly would be watching. God, seeing his friend flirt with a girl like her was rough! He was always just a LITTLE too cocky around her, but Jojo knew he couldn't help it. Adin was just wired that way.
Jojo was about to lift his arm to knock on the door, but he decided against it. Instead, he glided around the wall to find his bedroom window. That was so much faster to wake him up, despite Adin's heavy sleeping. If was hard to reach though, his window was on the second floor of his house! Jojo glanced at the ground, hoping to find-there! He leaned down and grabbed a thumb-sized brown pebble. If he hit the glass hard enough, Adin would wake up, Jojo wouldn't break the window, and it wouldn't wake up Mr. and Mrs. Maxwell.
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Adin was fast asleep, dreaming about winning some sort of award in a sport. Apparently, it was for basketball, and he was in the NBA Allstar games, playing for Whoville High. There was about 1,000 rows of cheering crowds, hollering at him to win, to give it his best shot, and to take home the gold he deserved. Only three seconds left on the clock, and Adin let the ball soar out of his hands and over to the hoop. His eyes widened as he landed back onto the court from his mid-jump, and watched the ball fly through the basket, and bounce off the ground. The crowd erupted into applause, and he was nearly crushed by the cluster of fans. He had won the gold for his team, making Adin the champion. He glanced across the court and saw beyond all the adoring girls trying to get to him. He noticed one golden Who in a plain green dress, her hair was down and shimmering. The silver eyes reflected his face in them. How Adin noticed that, he'd never be sure. He somehow managed to move through the crowd smoothly to get to her. This girl was like no other, she was Nelly Foster.
A few months ago, Adin had thought he could get any girl he wanted because of his looks and strength. Nelly was the only female to prove him wrong, making him more determined to have her. Despite her constant rejections to him, he became more and more determined to win over her heart, but it came at a price.
Before Adin knew it, he had fallen in love with Nelly. It was entirely on accident, but well...he did, and now he only wanted her to love him back. Unfortunately, he never got that yet. She continued to push him away, stubbornly reminding him that she'd never love him...
Now was his chance after the game recently won to get her affection just once. It was all that he needed to make his win really count. Adin approached her and smiled warmly.
'Not too cocky this time!' He reminded himself. Nelly gazed into him, almost looking like she felt deep respect for him, but Adin couldn't read her as well as he would've liked. She could change her emotions in moments!
"Hi, Adin." Her silver eyes sparkled.
"Hi there. What'd you think of the game?" He half-closed his eyes, tilting his head to one side. She followed suit, a good sign.
"You were..." Nelly closed her eyes and slowly tossed her hair over her shoulder. She couldn't think of what to say. Words just vanished in the haze.
"...You were just breath-taking, Adin!" She giggled as the words came out at last.
Adin beamed slightly, he could feel his face getting warmer. (He was probably blushing) However, Nelly was turning pink as he remained standing before her. She slid up against him, resting her head against his chest, over his heart.
Adin didn't resist her - he couldn't believe she was actually cuddling up to him! He smiled, a little bit embarrassed with so many other people most likely watching him and her together getting intimate for the first time. He didn't care. Not one bit...and neither did she.
Nelly lifted her head, returning her beautiful gaze into Adin's face a few inches above her own. When he saw her look, he made his move. Adin lifted his right hand to hold the fine girl's delicate chin. Her eyes flashed as she felt his warm touch, then let her eyes fall half-closed. She could tell what he was about to do, and wanted nothing more. Adin inched closer to her face, every motion he closed his eyes further. Nelly shut her eyes in unision with him, and leaned forward too.
After a brief second of tension, they kissed. It was gentle at first, but they pressed further on to broaden the moment. The passion that each felt from the other made the kiss last longer, more intense, and Adin wished it would never end. Nelly's lips were smooth and lucious, making Adin hold his grip to them with his own. She was finally letting him explore her mouth, and he returned the favor. Nothing could've felt more right!
After a minute or two (feeling more like hours, of course), they parted and looked at each other deeply. Nelly was about to say something when the whole court went black and Adin faded back to reality. He woke up in his room, having heard the pebble Jojo threw at his window.
He growled at his friend doing that. He was right in the middle of the best dream ever!
"Jojo, I swear...the next time you ever wake me up in a dream that great I'm gonna throw you into a basketball hoop!" Adin grunted as he shoved himself off of the bed and out of his room.
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Jojo was releived to see his best friend awake before him. They were both walking outside, hiding in the shadows. He had explained to Adin about what was going on, and that his dad was after his neck tonight.
"Why should I care? Maybe you won't wake me up if you're a vampire!" Adin laughed at his own stupid thought. Jojo frowned.
"Adin, I forgot to mention that my dad woke up Nelly, to give her a show..." He gave Adin his famous 'Not Amused' face. Adin's eyes widened at the knowledge that his crush was going to see everything happen.
"So, if I protect you from your dad, Nelly will see me?" He grinned slighty.
"Exactly!"
"I'm your guy!"
They shook on it. Both boys smiled- each getting something good out of their deal.
"Now...I just hope my dad doesn't get past you-" Adin poked his arm.
"Dude, you've got ME as your body guard...What could possibly happen if I need to fight him off?" Jojo could tell Adin thought this was going to be a piece of cake as usual.
"Well, this means that you're risking being turned into a vampire as well," He replied dryly. Instantly Adin stopped smiling.
"Oh s**t...I might be an appetizer before you become the main course?" Jojo almost laughed at that, but Adin was trying to say that this was dangerous for both of them.
"I guess so," Jojo whispered, "Be careful then!"
They both ceased their conversation, and jogged across the freezing grass to Nelly's shelter-home. Not very far away, the vampire was keeping his steady gaze on the two kids. Next to him was a frightened hostage, Nelly.