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-CHAPTER TWO-

Introducing Home

CANDICE ROSE FROM HER PILLOW, AND RUBBED herforehead with one hand, while she propped herself up withthe other.

She looked over to the left, and saw Evelyn, sleeping

peacefully on the other side of her bed.With a grin, Candice remembered what had happened in

the previous night the chocolate the icing fightdiscussing what she would wear when Owen was to comeround the next day

Crap! she yelled, Owen! Candice jumped up,throwing the covers over her head, so it would land on theheadboard of the bed. She panicked for a second, than hereyes found the clock, and immediately she kicked Evelynsleg and laid back down, her short black hair splaying on thedeep purple covers. When Evelyn only stirred slightly fromCandices kick, Candice frowned and kicked her a bit harder.

This time she heard Evelyn moan and roll over and whenshe was about to kick Evelyn again to wake her up, she heardEvelyns unnecessary breathing increase slightly - that wasthe only sign Evelyn made that she was awake.

What? Evelyn said to Candice, with her eyes still shut and

her voice heavy and rough with sleep I know that you donthave to sleep for as long as I do, but the icing fight last nightreally took it out if me,

I know and Im sorry but... Owen, Candy said the wordOwen as if it was some explanation and between them itwas.

Evelyn just sighed, Oh yeah, hes coming at half eleven

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isnt he? What time is it?Candy looked at the red retro alarm clock. What tells me

we overslept? Evelyn asked, still not making a move.There was a couple of knocks on the downstairs front door.

Evelyn opened her eyes finally, and Candy stared at her.Owen knocking on the door. Candy answered Evelyns

question. I look like a mess!By the time she finished the sentence, she was in her

colossal bathroom running a hot maybe cold shower.Evelyn pulled herself up from the bed, half falling when she

started to crawl over the floor looking for her long lost greenfroggy-head slippers.

Eve, can you feel that? Evelyn heard Candice ask from the

bathroom.What? Evelyn enquired groggily, Owen? Banging on the

door? Yeah - hes stronger than most Humans, aint he?Someone should open the door, before he breaks it down.

Evelyn! Candy snapped impatiently, Theres always atime and place for your sarcy comments - and let me tell you- now - its not!

Chill, it will be okay - Evelyn said, her sentence barleyfinished, because Candy had thrown a towel at her.

Besides you can stop worrying now. Evs going to make itall better. Owen will come, you two will kiss, I will be going toget Jasper and Oliver and all that and give you a text whenwe are nearly here. Oh so simple.

With that Evelyn gracefully sauntered out of Candicesroom, her pillar-box-like red hair flying out behind her as sheflew with un-natural speed into her own bedroom to getchanged.

It was only seconds after Owens raps had silenced, she feltthe unnatural breeze which she assumed was the side effectof Candy running so fast from room to room.

EV PLEASE! JUST GET THE GODAMN DOOR!Evelyn skipped along the hallway and strode down the

large staircase to the door, nimbly jumping up to grab thekeys from the glass chandelier.

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Candice shook her head irritably, checking everything wasperfect twice, as Evelyn quickly re-thought the plan - I amgoing to get Oliver, Jasper, Jada and Carlisle from Wrexham

(happy from hunting few animals) while Candy and Owenhave some time to themselves as she shows him around themansion, without the entire horde of Vampyres below,listening to Owens every heart-beat. Well I wouldntobviously.

Candice skidded to a halt, as soon as the door opened, sheflicked the TV on, full volume, and per perched on the edge ofthe black leather sofa, too tense to pass as chilling.

Her eyes were glazing over the soap Hollyoaks which sheheld no interest for.

Evelyn opened the two huge glass patio doors, Owenwalked into the house, scraping the tiny rocks under his blackand green checked Vans onto the welcome mat.

Candy sighed, as she tried to tune out his heartbeat withthe inconsequential babble from the plasma screen on thewhite wall.

Hi Owen, Evelyn said, cheerily.Hey, he said, then he caught Candys eyes and avoided

babbling like a dumbstruck monkey. Instead - very much likea gentlemen, he just complimented her. Hi Candy, he said,his voice sounded strangely amazed as he took in the clearhallway. You look really pretty.

Thanks Owen. she smiled.

Okay then, she is rich - but we knew that already - would it

sound weird if I say I wanted to look around? Ok, try not toact like such a loser yet - she might keep you! Get a hold of yourself dude! Act casual - she probably likes thegentlemeness gah is that even a word?

Are you okay? she asked, concealing as much of grin asshe could.

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Yep - perfect. he said nervously.Do you wanna look around - I could show you - if you want

to. Candice offered willingly, trying not to sound too pushy ortoo obvious she could read minds.

Er yeah - erm thatd be awesome. Owen gave a shortand very nervous laugh and followed Candy up the widestairs.

Just before Candice and Owen reached the top of thestaircase, Evelyn came out of the front room (as planned) andcalled up the stairs,

See ya later Dee, Ill be about three hours? Remember youneed to make sure that the chicken for tonight isnt going toburn.

Candice rolled her eyes.It was all part of the mastermind of a plan;They had discussed it well; if Owens scent got a bit too

much, shed make an emergency exit to the kitchen with theclaim that she smelt something burning.

Yeah I remember. If you smell the house burning down,turn the chicken off, Gotcha. she muttered to herself then toEvelyn, who smiled at Owen and Candy before gently closingthe doors behind her as she left the house.

When they came to the mouth of the first room on thelanding, Candy gestured to the inside of the already opendoor.

This is Jada and Carlyles room,It had pale blue walls and a few light glass ornaments on

the alcove window ledge and a white king size canopy bedright in the middle. The room has certain tranquillity about it,as if it was made for the sole purpose to just leave all

problems behind at the door.She smiled at Owen and gently took his hand in hers andbeamed at him even brooder, her golden eyes meeting hishazel ones for only a split second, and that alone was enoughto tear Candices mind to shreds.

Candice thought things out in a few seconds, while she leadOwen up the staircase.

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A voice inside her head praised her for doing so well so far;she had never been that close to a Human before, held oneshand yet somehow if felt right.

Another voice interfered; she wanted him to love her as she

loved him, but if that worked out the way she had it planned,then their relationship would always be based on lies, sincethere was no way that she could tell him the truth about her.And then there was the loudest voice in her head screamingat her to just go with it, do what he wanted, find out if hewanted her, and if he didnt - mates would still be good.Being friends would be acceptable.

Candice felt his gaze on her and the family portraits,

of courseshe thought to herself, he wants to see a babypicture of me, not likely

Without talking, they came to a long hallway, which hadseveral doors, each side. The stopped at the first door, shegently nudged it open and Owen saw a sight which made himgasp. The entire room was made up of books.

Bookshelves across the entire wall, from floor to ceiling,even a few books on the odd table.

Candice stood at his side and looked at the pure shock onhis face, when he looked down at her she just shrugged andsaid,

Jaspers own private library. Jada gave it to him for one ofhis birthdays.

He got an entire library for his birthday? Owen asked indisbelief.

Candy just shrugged again - shrugging was good - youdidnt tell too many lies shrugging. So her answer was asimple one.

Jasper likes reading. Everyone here does - so its not forhim really. she tried to make her voice sound nonchalant butshe couldnt make herself look to look at his face when shelied, because it felt like if she did, her heart might over ride

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her brain and spill out the secrets. All of a sudden her un-beating heart felt heavier in her chest, like it had beenreplaced with the worlds heaviest weigh.

Candy spun round in his arms and without looking at his

face she led him to the room opposite Jaspers.The door was painted a very pale and delicate pink, and

when she opened the pink door, the pleasant and peacefulsmell which filled the entire house, was replaced, with thesmell youd find in a wheres handbag.

Candice gagged quietly and opened the door to find a roommade out of pink fluff and mirrors. In the centre of the roomthere was a stretch pink leather couch -which had a pile ofmagazines on it like the Teen Vogue and Elleones, which

were scattered across the pink leather.And when Owen looked around he saw parts of the wall,

which actually wasnt covered with mirror, though in itsstead, there were pale, fancily engraved wooden tables piledhigh in curling tongs, straighteners, hairspray and buckets ofexpensive make-up.

When Owen looked down he saw Candices disgustedexpression. He smiled and before she could say anything hesaid,

Let me guess Stephanie?She rolled her eyes,What gave it away? The fact that it smells like a whores

handbag or that it looks like one?Owen grinned mischievously at her,That may of had something to do with it, he playfully dug

her in the ribs with his elbow - it felt like hed just givenhimself a bruise.

As they turned to leave, Candice closed the door gently andanswered in a quiet voice, still avoiding Owens eyes,Stephanie and Oliver, even though they love each other

they have very verydifferent styles. To stop them arguing allthe time, Steph gets her own room and so does Oliver. Theirjoint room with their bed in is through Stephanies room. Wecouldve looked, I have only been in there about once - you

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never know what you might pick up by even breathingthrough that room.

Owen laughed under his breath and followed Candice.I think you will like this room Owen, seriously - this is

Olivers. Then she opened the door.Owen gasped when the door opened. It was almost his

dream room give or take.The room was huge.Glass shelves across the walls, were supporting big gold

trophies each one had Olivers name engraved on it for somesport or another. And the plasma screen, which was mountedin the middle of the trophies, was on continuous loop of thesports channel, while the only thing on the floor was a blue

couch, which had a PS3 game controller linked to the PS3sitting on the wall next to the television.

Owen gasped again,No kidding. he exhaled, I like this room Candy - but youre

right cant see Steph being so happy with this in her room,You know her so well something I should know? she

teased him.He grabbed her hand before she could lower it, and he spun

her around, so that she was facing him; their bodies touched,and the sudden electric sparks flew around the room,engulfing the pair of them in invisible flames.

Owen was about a head taller than her - so when shewouldnt meet his gaze, he put his thumb under her chin, andtilted up her face, so that there was no way to escape hisdeep brown eyes.

He slowly lowered head down - towards Candice - so it wasmere centimetres away from her.

She looked down, her burning turquoise eyes nearlybrimming over with tears, though, before they threatened tospill over without her blinking, the tears disappeared,replaced by fresh ones.

Owen, she whispered, their faces so close that their lipswere almost touching.

Her sweet and inviting breath scorched down his throat as

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she spoke. Please, she whispered her eyes now flashed tohis face, as if she was searching for something. I Imscared, she admitted. Her eyes fell down again, as if wasafraid of his reaction to her confession.

Owen was momentarily stunned, then moved his lips, hebrushed across her hair, to her ear where he whispered in anequally quiet voice, Don't be scared, I will never ever hurtyou - I promise.

The fight somehow seemed to leave Candice, she movedher head backwards, so she was facing him again, their lipswere closer than before and her eyes were back to searchinghis face hungrily.

I know, she breathed, her lips inched closer to his. Her

thoughts flashed back to all the Humans she had killedbefore the Trinity incident and the Scarletts. But Owen, I amnot worried about you hurting me, Im scared shecontinued, in case I hurtyou.

Im not, Owen said confidently, before gently lowering hislips onto hers, moving his lips slow, like he was afraid thatshe would reject him.

The second Owens lips met with hers, she went rigid withfear. She was so afraid that her Vampiric tendencies wouldbubble up to the surface and shed end up killing him, yet shewas mistaken.

After that second, she became ecstatic, her Vampyrenesswas truly hidden. She felt not one slightest impulse to killhim. She was eternally grateful that, that part of her was nowdormant.

It all seemed so right - so perfect - like the puzzle pieces ofthe last three hundred years were finally fitting together with

pieces, she didnt know even existed or was missing.Owens hand slipped down from Candices face - to her

waist, while Candices hands moved hesitantly up, to Owensshoulder and neck, her hands hooking onto him and pullinghim closer into her, their bodies crushing into each other.

After about a minute or so, Candice was the first to pull

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away, her face breaking into a true smile her cheeks aslight weak pinkish colour which stood out from her paleexterior, and her eyes basically shining with happiness.

She took Owens hand, and pressed her icy lips against his

skin.She led him out of Olivers room and down the hallway,

past one open door, to which Candice muttered,Evelyn amusedly.The quick glimpse of Evelyns room was a weird one.The walls were all different colours in patches, all over the

wall there were photos of different places in the world - theEiffel Tower, The statue of liberty, Taj Mahal - and to Owen itlooked like a few were taken inside the Amazon rainforest -

but he didnt get a proper look.Candice was slowly though steadily leading him up the

rustic metal spiral staircase. She led him up the spiralstaircase, then they came inside to an attic doorway whichsomeone, (and he had a pretty good idea who) had spraypainted a picture of the Nirvana logo in yellow and black ontothe square door in the ceiling.

Your room? asked Owen, while Candice shifted the squarewooden slab.

Yep. Candice confirmed, while she pulled herself up.Owen looked up at her as she gave out her hand to help

him in.After Owen pulled himself up onto Candices wooden floor,

he looked around the colossal room which made him gasptoo.

He looked around the room and then he felt Candicestanding next him, but he couldnt tear his eyes away from

her room.The walls were all a deep purple colour, all except one wallby her bedpost, which was covered in graffiti not chavvygraffiti like Candy woz here it was proper graffiti, like biganime people blown up on her wall, and chunky writing withall her families names, and he even saw his own name nextto Alexei and Jaynis.

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She took his hand again and led him to the purple settee inthe middle of her pile of DVDs, shoes and CDs, and they bothsat down next to each other.

Your room looks amazing Candy, but compared to you it

isnt that quirky, Owen said partly deep and meaningful andpart teasing her, putting his arms around her, while shesnuggled into his side.

Thanks, I think, she murmured as she switched the hugeblack plasma screen television on.

When the Final destination DVD started, she borrowed intohis side and he pulled his arms around her - pressing hercloser.

After about half of the Final Destination DVD, Candice

suddenly sat up looking slightly disgruntled.Owen took a few seconds to react, but the he sat up with

her.Candy, whats the matter? Owen asked, stroking her back

soothingly because she looked like she was about to cry. Canyou smell the chicken burning? he grinned, as a attempt tomake her laugh.

Her expression faded slightly when she heard him talk. Sheslowly faded back into his arms, and turned to look up atOwen and pulled up onto Owens chest and looked up at him,and slowly began to kiss him.

It began gently and sweet enough, however as soon as itbegan, it got a bit heated -

Candices door flew open and Oliver stood there withEvelyn behind him, it look like Evelyn was trying to drag himbackwards away from them.

Candice let her head drop onto Owen chest, and he heard

Owen smile and shift nervously.Candice slowly sat up and spun around; she looked atOliver and gave him, her you-are-going-to-pay-so-bad-for-this-as-soon-as-he-leaves-because-if-i-have-my-way-you-will-never-be-able-to-use-your-arms-again look.

Sorry Candy, I tried to drag him back. But you know what

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Olivers like, Evelyn thought.She grabbed Olivers collar, with one short wave and

apologetic smile at Owen, she yanked Oliver back down thestairs and with a deafening bang closed the door shut.

Owen tried to loosen the vice like grip Candice had on hisarms, to no avail, Candy hung onto his arms, laughing at hisfrail attempts to unleash her grip.

Whats the matter Owen? she teased, in-between littlekisses, she was planting on his lips, sick of me already?

Don't be stupid, Owen whispered finally disentanglinghimself so he could sit up straight. He ran a shaky handthrough his hair, and she heard his heart accelerate.

He stared at her for a while, Though I do reallyhave to go.

My parents want to talk to me, gloom settled in on the end ofthe sentence.

Candice saw that he was telling the truth in his thoughts -and he was really notlooking forward to the chat(wink wink)his mum wanted to have with him.

Candy immediately felt bad for him because he was sad,and she hated anything that made him sad. She suddenlythought of Drew and Belle, so that was how Drew felt, andshe realised that he was right.

As long as you love someone enough and they love you -anything can happen - you can even ignore your own nature -for them.

Hes got it so easy she muttered inaudibly irritably,Sorry?She snapped back to him,Nothing - dont worry.She stood next to him and wrapped her arms around

Owens waist and he corresponded and wrapped his armsaround her waist, kissed her head, keeping his lips there.She lifted her head up and pulled herself up so her lips met

his.Dont worry honey, Candice said taking his hand, once

again, and spinning him around and leading him out the door,before they came to the end of her spiral staircase, she

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kissed his hand and said in a last bid attempt to cheer himup. Really, don't worry - I am sure I can find a way to cheeryou up later, she smiled at the effect that sentence seemedto have on his heartbeat.

I will hold you to that Candy, Owen said, poking her in theback.

They walked the rest of the way to the kitchen in silence -when Candice went to say goodbye to Owen, he looked overher shoulder and saw all her family and some other blokewith brown hair who was talking to Oliver - sitting on the highbreakfast bench styled table. Jada and Carlyle were in deepconversation.

Evelyn was chatting to Jasper, while he cooked another

Spanish omelette.He called out over his shoulder,See ya,Stephanie ignored him and carried on filing her already

perfect nails, and Owen wondered if she ever left her nailsalone. Or her hair. Or her make-up.

He wondered if she ever thought about anyone apart fromherself. Owen quickly glanced at her again. She had nowmoved on from her nails and was holding a spoon to her faceto see her reflection, and was pushing up her hair.

Oliver caught Owens eye and Owen expected to see hisusual grin on place and a quick wave before he began towaffle down the omelettes, instead Oliver was giving himevils.

The unexpected emotion on his face looked really scary, helooked scary anyway because of the way he was built,however that was usually contradicted by the huge puppy

dog grin splayed out across his face - yet now he did looktruly menacing, his eyes didnt leave Owen, and that madehim feel strangely uncomfortable.

He looked away from Olivers gaze, so then he looked downto Candice.

The pair of them were standing at the glass doorframe, andhe waved goodbye to everyone in the kitchen, and Candice

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got up on tip-toe and gave him one fleeting kiss on his lipsand whispered,

See you later. With one more slightly longer kiss, Owenwaved goodbye and left the house in a matter of seconds.

As soon as Candice was sure that Owen couldnt see her,her face hardened and she slammed the door, with suchforce that the glass panelling on the door shook.

Oliver! she called out, spinning around on her heels andmarching toward the kitchen furiously.

When she stood at the doorway, she put her hands on herhips and stood still blocking his only way out.

Oliver visibly cringed in his seat, and even Carlyle and Jadapulled themselves out of their private conversation to listen

to what Candice was going to say to him.What the hell! she said, angrily tapping her foot on the

tiled flooring; her eyes narrowed dangerously.Candy, you are my little sister - Oliver began in his

defence, but Candy cut him off short.Oliver Im three hundred and twenty six, thats only she

paused for half a second as she done the quick mental mathsin her head, thirty five years younger than you.

But technically youre sixteen, and I think that says you arenot old enough to be kissing boys -

Candice cut him up again, holding her hand up, not inprotest, but she was ticking off her fingers in a sort of checklist,

One, she began, ,isnt Carlyle meant to be having thislecture with me, about kissing boys, she quickly spun toCarlyle and said to him, Do you have a issue about mekissing Owen?

Carlyle didnt even have to say anything she heard from histhoughts that if Owen was what Candice wanted, then thatwas fine by him. It was okay in moderation.

So Candice carried on, So Carlyle is ok with it, Candiceamended her sentence as a small afterthought, Two, shecontinued relentlessly, Technically yes, Im sixteen, in thisabstract kinda way, but it is not world war one! Nowadays

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sixteen year olds are getting pregnant and stabbing eachother, would you rather I was like them? she asked him.

Oliver stuttered onto the question that Candy asked him -aware there was no real correct answer to that rhetorical

question and he stuttered, Well yes - wait er noExactly, Candice said cutting Oliver off short, So how can

you say that! And I am about one hundred and fifty yearsolder than Steph - and you and her are together. So youcannot criticise me about that!

Oliver didnt say anything he just look down and saidnothing. Candices anger evaporated as she let her earliergood mood bubble back up to the surface, she spun and letthe room and begun humming to herself as she pressed play

on the CD, so Paramore would sing through her ears.

Oh no, I just keep on falling, back to the same old,and wheres hope when misery come calling-

Candice was singing to Paramore, when Jasper came in andsat on her bed. Candice noticed him straight away andalmost in the same breath she knew what he wanted to talkto her about. Before he said anything, she sat down next tohim and put her hand in his. She didnt care what peopleoutside her family and new friends thought - that she and Jasper were together together. She felt comfortable with Jasper all the time no matter what, she held his hand, hewrapped her arms around her and she felt comfortable andsafe. Their love and bond was beyond brother-sisterrelationship - yet it just so wasnt like Jada and Carlyles.

It was as if their love belonged in a completely different

category all together.I wont kill him, Candice said, answering the unspokenquestion in Jaspers mind.

He shook his head slightly and pulled her into his chest,wrapping his arms around her, he rested his chin on herhead, his lips gently brushing the few loose strands stickingup all over.

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You might not mean to, he said.Candice giggled, ignoring (as usual) the seriousness of the

conversation, instead of answering properly, she said toJasper, struggling to turn her head up so she could look at

him,Are you talking about my other personality? The scary

Vampyre one? the joshing in her voice was obvious as sheasked the innocent enough question.

There was no point pressing on the serious conversationuntil she was ready to talk so, Jasper just laughed along withher.