Chapter 11 - A Date

Renesme strolled into school on Monday, a new spring in her step and a natural radiance radiating from her. She knew the chances were she would make a complete fool of herself at the dance, but at least she would have opportunity to do it without the watchful eye of her less then human family and friends. She sat down at her desk, her long dark hair swinging behind her and a curious look in her eye. Who would be the lucky boy... she knew, with her vampire genes coming out in natural beauty, she could have anyone she wanted. She wouldn't go for a boy who was taken, but she would go for the nicest boy she could find. Looks weren't as important to her as she had made out to Jacob - in fact, a less then perfect face would make a refreshing change from her perfect family. She sat back and watched the last of her class file in, before, to her surprise, two extra students strolled in - both of them from the La Push tribe. Renesme lifted her chin slightly and took a tentative sip of air. There was no trace of werewolf on either of them, although she wouldn't be able to have sensed it anyway unless they had just transformed from a wolf. She decided they were safe - that they weren't spies of Jacob's and sat back; content and a little curious.

"Morning everyone," Her teacher said, walking into the classroom and smiling at the new students, "We have a couple of late additions to our classroom. Robert and Tommo Black - cousins of Jacob, actually." He said, nodding at Renesme with an amused smile. Just as one of the Black family finally chose to step back another two appeared, right in her class. "Take a seat gentlemen."

The two La Push boys strolled down to their seats, Tommo giving Renesme a double take and smiling shyly at her before taking his seat. Renesme's eyes widened slightly as a sudden shock of electricity soared through her... Tommo. He seemed... different.

Registration passed within a few moments and Renesme stood to go to her first lesson: Spanish. As she made her exit she couldn't help but dare to glance back at Tommo, who to her amusement, was staring straight back at her.

"Renesme... right?" He asked, strolling over a little clumsily, she nodded and narrowed her eyes in curiosity, "Uncle Jacob said to look out for you. He said you'd help show me - well, us -" He indicated his brother who sauntered over, a lot more confidently. "-The ropes of this place?"

"It's funny," Renesme said, her eyebrow raising as she realized what Jacob's oh so clever plan was, "He never mentioned you. Why are you transferring so late?"

"That sounds awfully like an accusation Renesme," Rob said, leaning against the wall and smiling at her smugly, "But we're transferring so late because we were too bad for any of the La Push schools." Renesme glanced at Tommo who was blushing on behalf of his brother.

"Is he always like this?" She asked a little disbelievingly, to which Tommo laughed and Rob took his own turn to blush.

"Afraid so. You couldn't tell me where I can find Spanish Room... two, could you?"

"I'm going there myself... what a surprise..." Renesme said with a roll of her eyes before frowning at Tommo and concentrating for a second.

This is ridiculous, she'll see straight through this plan. She's going to know Jacob's expecting her to take one of us to the dance. She is kind of pretty though... even for a half vamp.

Renesme blushed and pulled out of his mind, learning to delve more and more easily into people's minds.

"Come on then," She said with a rolling of her eyes, "Where are you going Robert?"

"It's Rob, and I've got double history."

Only because Uncle J wasn't sure whether it was Spanish or History first on a Monday and wanted all areas covered. If she's so great, as he always says she is, she'll see straight this plan. God I'm bored.

I am as great as he says I am. Renesme shot back at Rob's mind, causing him to look up in surprise. She gave him a certain look before linking arms with Tommo and leaving him there to find his own way to History.

"So, tell me," Renesme asked as they strolled over to the Spanish block, "Jacob reckons he can spy on me through you, am I right?" Tommo nodded a little sheepishly, "Hm. And you agreed?"

"Blackmail... I had no choice. Jacob knows about my little after hours habit." Renesme looked at him closely, "But that's enough of that. Please don't read my mind about what my habit is."

Renesme laughed but nodded her agreement,

"All right, your mind is safe from me for now, but only on one condition..."

"Which is?" Tommo asked, look warily at her.

"No wait, on two conditions," Renesme decided, changing her mine, "Firstly, you do take me to the dance, but secondly, you repeat none of it to Jacob. We could have a great deal of fun with this."

Tommo hesitated before a brilliant grin lit up his face,

"You're not so bad, you know."

"Yeah." Renesme said with a grin. "You're not too bad yourself.

Spanish passed quickly as Tommo and Renesme found out about each other. They both found it refreshing to have someone who was not a member of their family yet who knew their secret to talk to. They soon discovered they had a great deal in common and the conversation began to flow naturally until finally their teacher separated them. But of course, that didn't stop them. Soon enough Renesme had tuned into his mind.

What a miserable old witch, Tommo thought moodily, She's just jealous we actually have the ability to make decent conversation the socially awkward tart.

Oh meow Tommo! So harsh...

But true?

Very true.

They both burst into laughter much to the annoyance of their teacher, who spun around in a fury.

"If you don't mind Renesme and Tommo, it seems opposite sides of the room are not far enough!"

"I'm terrible sorry," Renesme soothed, her voice becoming as smooth as silk and her eyes brimming over with shame. "Please go on, Spanish is after all such a beautiful language. Go on..." The teacher hesitated for a moment but was momentarily lost in Renesme's eyes - she did look apologetic...

"Let us continue!" She decided finally, "Now - the very estar!"

Nicely done, Tommo though, raising an eyebrow in amusement,

Not just a pretty face.

Not even that...

Cheeky! Renesme thought back, holding in her laughter. I'm better looking then you wolf boy!

Hey, I will have you know I'm an incredibly good looking wolf.

Well I'm an even better looking vampire.

Uh-huh, uh-huh...

What color wolf are you?

Check out my hair.

Renesme glanced sideways to look at Jacob's jet black, shaggy hair. A bright smile lit up her face suddenly,

Think about what you look like... as a wolf?

I thought you could only read thoughts? Not... pictures, as it were?

No harm in trying.

Okay, here I go...

Renesme turned to face him full on glared in concentration. Slowly, very sketchily, a flickering image, as thought it were an old film, danced across her mind. She saw a giant wolf, muscular and threatening, it's fur blacker then coal, it's eyes darker then the night's sky.

That is pretty beautiful.

You saw it?

Yeah.

You're pretty impressive, you know. Even for a vamp!

Half vamp.

My mistake.

The bell rang out shrilly then and Tommo waited as Renesme collected her books together.

"Is it hard," He whispered, "Having to keep yourself at a human pace the whole time?"

"Imagine moving as slowly as possible all the time. It's annoying, but you get used to it."

"So being half vamp... you still have all the vampire powers?"

"Yes. My vampire genes are much stronger then my human ones. I'm pretty much full vampire."

Tommo nodded slowly as he digested the information, "So how come you're so cool with vamps?"

"The whole wolf-vamp argument thing is so old school," He said with a grin. "Oh God. Is that my brother?" Renesme looked to where he was pointing - right to a giant, flaming orange wolf in the middle of the school playground, surrounded by the local police force. "It is... isn't it?"