------ I have this all planned out just no time to write it! So annoying…especially for you guys! Wellllllll here I go! ----

In science we're told that we have a test and need a study buddy. I look around for one of the girls I know – girls I could meet with after school or call at ten at night. But next thing I know, Max is right beside me.

"I'll need your phone number." He smiles smugly, assuming I'm pairing up with him. "I never said I'd study with you." I look at him blankly. "I figure you owe me." He explains. "How so?" I inquire.

"Well," he sits down a the chair next to me, vacated by a guy who went off to join some other idiot to study with, "You ditched me in geography." "Still sour about that?" I mock him. "And I walked with you to Kennedy's." "I ignored you, Max. I was hoping you'd take the hint." I roll my eyes. He grins, "Ok. But I bet you can't take a dare." He challenges.

I look at him quizzically, "What's a dare have to do with anything?" "Well, I bet you won't do a dare." "I will so!" I protest. "Any dare?" "Any dare." I agree. "Good then. I dare you to be my study partner." He smiles. My face falls. How could I be so idiotic? Honest to god Niomi! I roll my eyes at my own stupidity.

"Fine. You win." I give him my phone number – and you'd better bet I don't tell Kennedy about any of this.

***

On Wednesday Max comes over to my locker, "Science test is on Monday." He reminds me. "I'm aware." I mumble. "Well, let's go study." He decides, acting as though it's a spur of the moment thing. I wonder if it is. I wonder if he just thought of this when he spotted his science binder – or, if he's been planning this for a while.

Don't be silly, I laugh at myself, He doesn't like you that way. He wouldn't plan. Max has been pretty blunt. The idea that he would plan this is kind of…far fetched. In my mind, anyway.

"Nah, that's ok." "Aw, come on, Niomi Lem isn't a bit afraid is she?" Max taunts. "Of what? Spending some time in the library with you?" I roll my eyes, a grin tugging at my lips. "The library? I would never take you there! Come on…" I know I shouldn't really go – but I'm curious. So, go I do.

We end up, not studying in the library as we were supposed to, but in a tiny little restaurant. It's funny, because I've lived here all my life, but I've never even noticed this place before.

"Max," I say when we're seated at a table, "We're supposed to study." "Well, I've got something to admit then." He smiles. "What's that?" I question. "I tricked you." He shrugs. "Oh?" I look at him expectantly. "Yes. I've gotten you to come eat with me. A date."

I roll my eyes, "I can't be on a date with you, Max. My best-friend has a crush on you. We just don't do that to each other." I explain. "But if Kennedy didn't like me?" he asks. I blush and then shrug, not even sure exactly what my answer would be.

"So, you seem pretty loyal. How long have you known each other?" Max asks, still going on about Kennedy. "Forever. Well, seems that way. As long as I can remember I've known her – since I was in kindergarten. But we've only really been friends since we were six or so." I'm very vague. I know it really is when we were six. It was February, the eighteenth, the day…my Dad passed away.

"How come you only became friends in first grade?" Max inquires, something in my expression causing him to question further. "Because, well, her parents…didn't exactly approve of my family…they still don't like me all that much." I admit. "What changed that? You rebel. It seems like a Niomi thing to do." He grins. I laugh, but it's a bit flat. "No, no. Actually, um….they felt sorry for me."

My voice has taken on a serious tone. Max notices this. "Oh. Well, I don't want to push you. So, what do you want to eat?"

I know he's just being polite. But I clear my throat and say, "It doesn't hurt. Not really. I was little I – I – I can't remember him all that well, anyway." Max doesn't ask who, "What took him?" is all his inquires. I look down at the table, at the plastic table cloth and the beat up menu in my hands.

"Cancer. They gave him a year – he lasted for three…That's pretty good." I'm just repeating what everyone's told me. "No it's not, Niomi. You should have your Father. Everyone should have a Dad." It's exactly what I wanted to hear. It's exactly what I think. "She looks just like him. Sometimes I get a bit…jealous. I don't really know why. She was younger than I am. I shouldn't be jealous. We're so different – we really are. I hate her so much – she's so spoiled and carefree. She makes life hell for girls like me. She's the Melissa of her age." I continue.

I'm talking about my sister, Kendra. Kendra, who's only in grade seven and yet already has a boyfriend. Kendra with her blonde hair and grey eyes – looking, if Kennedy were to compare Kendra to a celebrity, like Ashley Tisdale.

"Sometimes I wish I had a sister. Or a brother." Max shrugs, "But I don't. I'm always moving. Always." He lets me know. "Why?" I question, "Tell me, Max, one thing about you that almost nobody else in this world knows." I challenge him.

Max looks right at me. I almost want to flinch. I almost want to turn away. I'm choking back tears over my Father, and now I feel scared out of my mind. But I look right back at him. "Max?" I whisper. His voice is so low I almost don't hear him. When I do, I think he's messing with me. Pulling my leg. He did it before. But I know he's not. I just know. Max wouldn't lie – not know, not over that, not to me.

"I'm a vampire." He says.

And I know it's true.