As I got out of the car, I grabbed my hair and put it up in a ponytail. I had heard thunder a few minutes ago and knew that my hair would be a frizzy mess as soon as I stepped out. It was another day in Seattle, Washington and David wanted to go out to eat Chinese food. We had just finished our classes for the day and with it being Friday, I knew he would want to go out. Thankfully, this weekend we both had a lot to do and had decided to just eat out instead of clubbing.

"I have so much to do," David began to complain as we walked to the entrance. "In physiology, I have to finish my lab report and –"

"I know, David. I'm in your class too you know," I interrupted. I was tired of his complaining, it was starting to stress me out.

"Yeah, but at least you have started it!" He spit back, not happy that I wasn't in the mood to listen to his problems. "Oh, Claire is going to think we forgot about her!" He said while looking at his phone.

I had forgotten David had invited one of his friends from the wildlife association organization to join us and was annoyed at the thought of talking to a stranger. Normally I wasn't this bad, I actually really enjoyed socializing, but I had not slept well the night before and was exhausted.

Walking into the building, the first thing I noticed was a revolting stench. It reminded me of a dog, but it was so much more powerful and foul. I looked around and saw that no one else seemed to be bothered so I kept my composure and followed to the back of the restaurant. As we walked further back, the smell got stronger and I had to breathe through my mouth. Damn these vampire senses!

"Hey, Claire!" David called out to the only girl sitting in a booth in the back.

She looked up and smiled at David and then froze when she saw me. Did I know her? Did she know what I was? That was impossible, she would not be alive if she did! At least she shouldn't.

She quickly composed herself then got up to hug David. "Late like always," she giggled then she turned to look at me. "Hello, you must be Sofia," she strained a smile. "Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you too, Claire," I said and waited until David and her sat next to each other as I moved to sit across from them. The strong stench was clearly coming from her, but it wasn't her scent, I could tell that much.

I didn't know what to do. She clearly knew what I was. Or did she think I was full vampire? Either way she knew something and I didn't know what to do. But if she did know, then she would be afraid…yet she wasn't. I could hear her heart rate increase a bit more, but she wasn't stressed. She was more cautious and… curious.

My thoughts were interrupted as the waitress came to take our order and once again Claire seemed perplexed at my actions. If she was confused at me ordering, then she must have assumed I was a full vampire! That made sense, I had heard that my kind were scarce and hard to find. David and Claire continued to have their conversation over the declining population of wolves in the area, but I could tell Claire wasn't fully focused on that. I had to be the cause of that. Trying to look disinterested, I looked out the window, but from my peripheral vision I was looking at her. She seemed to relax a bit and talked to David about the illegal hunting of wolves.

Claire was average looking, definitely cuter than pretty to describe her. She had to be a native from one of the Indian reservations for she looked native. Her long, black, straight hair went down to waist and she had the strong facial features, like me. My lips were plumper, but hers were pinker and while I was always told I had high cheekbones, hers were more prominent. Her round eyes were smaller, but black while mine were a dark brown and almond shaped and her skin color was a bit darker than mine, but then again, I was half vampire.

David eventually changed the subject to medicine and I joined in. At first I could tell she was uncomfortable, but so was I so I tried to act as normal as I could. As time went on, we both relaxed and she surprised me by knowing a bit about the flaws in the healthcare system and brought up the ones I didn't know about and they affected her and her family.

"I'm sorry where are you from?" I asked genuinely curious after David got up to go to the restroom.

"I live in the La Push reservation, up north." She answered then she lowered her voice and almost sounded embarrassed, "I'm sorry, but you are different, aren't you? You eat… food."

I nodded, "Yes, and I always have." I was so glad I could get something out of her. "But may I ask how you—"

"I know another like you," She whispered. "She would love to meet someone like her and you don't seem to be bad." She smiled shyly and I returned it.

"I would like to meet her," I admitted. "But I would also like to get to know you better. I enjoy talking to you."

She let out a small laugh, "Good, because I was thinking the same thing about you."

I gave her a real smile this time and this time it was her that returned it.