The past few weeks of school had been boring, for me at least. Robert was in love with his new friends, especially Suzanne. However, those new friends were still hesitant about him. We had skipped school once or twice because of the sun; even Teri had to hide. She called us in sick, claiming our absences and abundance of sunshine was because of Photosensitivity.
When we asked what it was, she said that it was known as an allergy to the sun. Apparently there was this hereditary disease called Porphyria (don't ask me how to say it) that made you really sensitive to sunlight. I felt bad about lying, but I'm sure they would kick us out if we said "We can't come to school because we're vampires."
I was in first hour chemistry, reading my book, when a million voices began to flood my mind. They all said mostly the same thing:
"Who's the girl?"
"I hope she isn't another snobby one…"
"Oh God, I hope she isn't one of the pretty and stupid girls."
Teri's voice echoed through my mind after a moment.
"Troy, she's a good person."
"Thanks." I answered and returned to my book. I just hoped that Robert didn't "fall in love" with this girl too. The teacher called the class to attention and began taking attendance after writing the assignment on the board. I pulled my book onto my desk and began the dull busywork.
The hour ended with me buried in Anne Rice's book once again. I stepped out into the hallway, pushing the rage of voices away, and continued to my second hour; English. I stepped inside and sat down in the back again. As the teacher started class, the door opened and all of the students turned their heads.
A foul stench filled the room and, unwillingly, I cringed. It smelled bitter, yet sweet; almost like the candy that starts out sour, but tastes so amazing, you have to have more. After a moment, I calmed down, getting used to the smell. I looked up from my notebook to see a girl at the front of the room. She was holding a notebook against her as the teacher signed something.
Finally, the teacher handed her the paper and pointed to the back of the room where the only desk left empty sat.
Next to me.
The smell intensified as she walked closer. She sat down next to me and opened her notebook to a blank page. She gripped a pencil in her tanned hand and began to copy down the notes on the board. I took in a deep breath, swallowing the smell again.
The venom pooled in my mouth; something that only happened when I hunted. I fought to suppress a growl and stopped breathing, temporarily relieving me of her scent. It was sickening, yet alluring all at the same time.
I'm not too sure how I managed to survive that hour, but what I do know, is that this had never happened to me before. I managed to chip the desk in a few places from the pressure on my hand along with three pencils and, if I were human, my jaw would have been broken.
When the teacher dismissed the class, I was out of the room in, what seemed like, one stride. The cool air soothed my burning throat as I finally breathed in again. I let my breaths stay even as I walked to my third hour class. Thankfully, the new girl turned the opposite way that I did.
I moved to the back of the class and sat down in my desk. Slowly, I shut my eyes and let all of the voices drift away, leaving me in partial silence. The faded voice of the teacher began to speak, pulling me out of my meditation.
"The answer, Mister Sullivan?" the teacher asked and my eyes flashed open. I listened in on the other students as they thought, hoping to find the answer.
"Ugh…this makes no sense."
"2x squared…6x…7…oh I hope that's right."
"Two-x squared, six-x, and seven I believe." I answered. Thank you, Jason; I thought to myself and smiled internally.
"That's right." the teacher continued and began to explain the equation. My thoughts began to drift back to the new girl. I'd never smelled anything like her bitter-sweet scent. It was alluring, yes, but also indescribable. There was both a draw and repulsion to it.
I had heard stories about this kind of thing happening. A vampire meets a person whose blood they can't possibly resist. They lose more than their control; they lose their way of life.
Or…
This girl could have a blood disease. Maybe…but I wasn't sure. That sounded insane to me. I could resist this girl's blood, but why did it smell so strange? Why was I attracted to her scent, yet so repulsed by it?
The hour passed by as my thoughts pulled me away from my schooling. I had already completed this class before; I knew what was going on.
My forth hour was safe from this girl; however my fifth hour was not. As I was on my way to gym, she passed by me, causing a slight breeze to blow her scent into my nose. My throat only burned a little. Now, I was more curious than ravenous. It was probably just that she had taken me by surprise…
As I walked into the locker room, her scent disappeared. I changed quickly and walked out to meet the class. The coach was splitting the class in half as they entered the gym. The new girl sat on the edge of the bleachers watching as the coach split us up.
When he had finished, he counted again and sighed, turning to the new girl.
"Maria, you're properly dressed, would you mind playing today?" the coach asked and she agreed. He sent us off to the closet where the hockey sticks waited. Slowly, the teams descended onto the court and took positions. I stepped up to be a forward and sighed. If I could play with my full strength, I'd enjoy the game ten times more.
The moment the coach blew the whistle, her scent hit me. I ran forward, catching the ball, but was headed off by that girl. I remembered her name…Maria…that's what the coach called her. I side-stepped her and scored a goal.
Gym passed by slowly, as it usually did. I tried hard not to breathe, but it was a challenge. When the hour was over, I couldn't be more thankful. I had a study hall next; the time that I would spend outside, alone, in the fresh air.
As I stepped into the library to sign in, it started to rain outside (like that's not new in Forks). Sadly, I was condemned to the library. I picked up my book and continued to read when someone sat down at my table. I looked up at the unfamiliar brunette before me and tightened my jaw.
"Hi, I'm Maria." she said hesitantly. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
A/N: thanks so much! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Do forgive me though if its got some mistakes. It's late and I'm tired! WOoh! R&R please and I'll love you forever. BTW: I'd respond to you guys, but all of the readers I have are annon. so…thanks so much you guys! And yes…mini dachshunds rule. :)
