Let me clarify something before you read when Celine says "birth" day she means the day you were changed. So to get Sarah's real age you would add thirteen to how old she's turning on her "birth" day.
Chapter 1, Sarah's Request
It was absurd. We did this three times a year, one day for each of us. Jenna and myself had the stories memorized. Today was October third, Sarah's 168th "birth" day. Today was the day we all sat around and told stories. Today was when Sarah would make her requests to the both of us.
Sarah and I still resided in the small cabin, but with a new addition: Jenna. I had created Jenna at Sarah's request seventy-five years before. For the moment it was just Jenna and myself in the cabin, but Sarah was sure to join us soon, she loved attention. I seated myself across from her now at the small table, and tried to gather what she thought of this redundant tradition. Jenna emanated loveliness, as always, her short snaky black locks framed her face not in a way that enhanced it, but in away that masked it. Her face was always hidden in shadow, Jenna's eyes yielded no results either, they were dark but not from thirst. They were always dark, never the same scarlet as mine or Sarah's. My eyes still studying hers, I opened my mouth to ask when we should go hunting again, but I never got the chance.
Sarah chose that moment to make her grand entrance. She threw open the cabin door, the rising sun made her cast off rainbows like a tiny diamond, and swept to her spot at the head of the table.
Jenna was at the door in a flash, "What are you doing?" She growled at Sarah, shutting the door.
"What do you mean?" Sarah asked mildly, seating herself in her chair.
"What if someone saw?" Jenna asked, making her way back to her seat.
"Don't be silly," Sarah brushed Jenna off, "We live ten miles from any human settlement."
"A century ago in was twenty miles." Jenna pointed out.
Sarah waved a delicate hand in Jenna's direction, "Let it go, I want to start the stories."
I sighed, the only mystery here was which story she'd drag out today. Sarah's eyes had a faraway look in them as she began, "When I was ready to make two three it was hard to decide where to start looking. Celine's parents had been killed by a young horse that had thrown her father while he was breaking it. The event had been in the newspaper, it was a tragic accident after all. It was where I got the idea to change Celine, she had nothing left.
"I thought I would find out new companion in a similar fashion. I was hunting in Austin when I found her. A man in an alleyway was strangling her, I made a meal of the man. But I would have to feed on the girl too, she'd seen me. I turned to her, and recognized the face immediately: Jenna Burks, one of a few woman detectives, and more successful than the men. I had read about her in the newspaper. I knew she was the one. Celine had always been able to control herself better than I, so I brought the woman (kicking and screaming) to her. I asked Celine to change Jenna for me, and she did. That is how two became three. And that brings me to my request." Sarah paused, smiling at me, and I felt as though I already knew what was coming, "I feel it is time to add another to our number. I would like Jenna to enroll Celine into West Brook High School. I want you, Celine, to seek out a human male that you think would make a good addition. Once you have found one, Jenna and myself will approve. Then you will change him."
I blinked, high school? I hadn't been there in awhile. It could be interesting. I small smile spread on my face, I saw a way out of sitting around and reminiscing like old women. As Jenna nodded her acceptance I asked, "May we begin implementing this plan immediately? Jenna will go enroll me into West Brook High, while we go buy a school wardrobe."
Sarah was enthusiastic about shopping, and we left at once. Every time I turned around she'd be shoving something frilly and pink underneath my nose that didn't suit me at all. I kept reminding her that this was Texas, where the sun shines an awful lot. I would have to keep my skin covered to keep from dazzling my new peers. Shopping is not my favorite pastime, and shopping for myself with Sarah is one of my least favorite things to do, but I had to invite her, it was her "birth" day after all. Jenna was waiting for us when we returned from our exhausting shopping trip. She had enrolled me into West Brook High without a hitch, of course, things like this was a talent of hers. I would start school tomorrow as Sarah Kendrick, the junior.
Wednesday, October fourth dawned a bright and beautiful day, to my dismay. Now I would look like a freak on my first day of high school. Great. Humans would avoid me, making my job much harder. I did my best to make the too big long-sleeved turtleneck and blue jean combination look at home in the seventy degree weather, I was deluding myself thinking the outfit would look like it belonged in that kind of weather. Sarah and I had bought the shirts too big on purpose, so the sleeves would cover up my hands. I would use my folder to shield my face from the sun.
West Brook High was a big school. Its two stories towered forebodingly over me. The doors were locked until the first bell, so I found a nice hiding place in the shadows to observe the male humans. None of them were remarkable. Why Sarah wanted a male for a fourth companion was beyond me. I hadn't understood males in my time as a human and chances were that I would not understand them any better now, I hadn't spent my 117 years as a vampire chasing males. I had barely spared them a thought. The bell rang and I allowed myself to drift in the door with the rest of the students. Jenna had said I would need to check in at the office.
I saw a door labeled as the office and pushed my way over and into the office. The office wasn't much bigger than the one room cabin I resided in, but it wasn't only one room, there were three other doors. A lady with elaborate brown curls was sitting at what must have been the front desk, filling out what looked like a disciplinary slip. I approached her and cleared my throat. She kept writing. I must have been too quiet, humans are practically deaf. I cleared my throat again, but louder this time. The woman kept writing. In the corner of her desk was a name plate that read: Elizabeth Smith, Secretary, so I tried a new tactic, "Mrs. Smith?" I asked, making sure I was speaking at the right volume. She kept writing, this was infuriating! I controlled my feelings, obviously I was going to have to make direct contact. I reached out to prod the irritating woman's shoulder, but I was saved. A man chose that moment to enter the office and poked Mrs. Smith's shoulder saying, "Beth there's a girl here for you." And he left the room through one of the three doors.
Mrs. Smith looked up from the disciplinary novel she'd been writing, "Sorry dear, I didn't see you there."
I stopped myself from rolling my eyes, sure she hadn't seen me. "I'm Celine Kendrick," I introduced myself.
"Ah, yes, Ms. Kendrick from Bevil Oaks correct? I have your schedule right here. Roman, would you show Ms. Kendrick around?"
That was odd. I hadn't noticed anyone in the office other than Mrs. Smith. Sure enough there was someone else present. He had been reading a book (and probably laughing at my tactics to get Mrs. Smith's attention) in a corner. Looking at Roman I did a double-take, he was perfect. He wasn't much taller than myself, but I still had to look up to see his powder blue eyes that his shaggy blond hair seemed to want to keep secret for his bang fell into his eyes. My first thought was that Roman was a vampire, but he didn't smell right. He definitely had a pulse, but his blood didn't appeal to me in the same way Mrs. Smith's did. It did not make me hungry. Who was this boy behind the face of an angel? Why did he not make me thirsty? I flashed my best smile at him. This had been easier than I thought. I had already found our fourth companion.