Dia Cullen

She's 15. She's half-vamp. And she's running with the Cullens.

I had no idea how I found the Algebra classroom so easily. I was walking absent-mindedly and then it was there. A deadly sign that said "Algebra".

When I walked in the room, the teacher was already there. A middle-aged guy with a shiny bald head and some pitiful strands surrounding it. He wore thin glasses and a white polo shirt that was turning yellow with every passing minute.

"Mr. Archibald?" I asked hesitating. Would he take it as an insult?

He looked up-slightly startled.

I should've made my approach a little more noticeable then. I almost forgot how to not-glide at an incredible speed-and grace.

"Y-yes?" he stuttered.

"I'm Dia Cullen and I was wondering if you could sign this slip Miss Maud gave me?"

"Oh yes. Of course," he said and took a pen from his pocket and clicked the ink out.

I handed him the slip.

"Why don't you introduce yourself to the class, Miss Cullen?" he said-not looking up from the paper-and raised his voice a little for the whole class to hear.

At the mention of "Cullen", the whole class shushed. There were silent murmurs and intense eye contacts with me.

I cleared my throat. "I'm Dia Cullen and-er. I'm 15."

That was all I had.

"Thank you, Miss Cullen. You may now take your seat," he said and handed me back the slip.

I tried to walk as human as I could towards the very back of the class. There was an empty armchair there. I didn't mind the boy who sat next to it with a look so intense-and annoying-all I cared was that to its left was the wall. One seatmate was better than two. Bella warned me of the hazards of being the new kid. And Edward told me being inconspicuous was the number one rule to at least avoid some attention. Some. Even if it's hard when you're inhumanly beautiful-and I'm not being vain or anything.

Mr. Archibald already began his lecture as I put my knapsack down and put the slip back in the brown envelope but that didn't stop my seatmate from socializing.

"Hey," he tried to sound cool.

"Hello," I replied casually.

"I'm Wyatt Jackson," said the boy with messy chocolate brown hair. He had a complexion darker than everyone else in the room. He was attractive if you're into the whole boy-next-door look.

I just nodded. He probably knew who I was by now. No need to introduce myself again.

He sighed, as if trying to find something more to talk about.

"You look nothing like the Cullens. Well, all of you look nothing alike, no offense."

"Hmm ... yeah 'coz we're all foster kids," I explained with the least amount of syllables.

"I see," his tone was still up for more conversation. "It's cool that you got to really start the school year. I mean, a week late is nothing. I had to come here, in Wilstein Junior High, I mean, a couple of years ago at the middle of the year. It was tough."

"Uh-huh," was all I said. I already began jotting down some insignificant notes. Of course I knew about the Addition of Variables already.

"I came from San Diego, California. I'm still not used to the weather here," he continued.

"Oh."

That ought to shut him up for the period.

As far as concentration was concerned, it was not very hard-being a vampire and all. Even a half one. The topic was too easy I almost couldn't remember why I hated Math so much. In fact, it was too easy that I could've afforded not to listen. But what would've taken my mind off the kids glaring at me like I was some-I don't know, I can't read minds. But they were glaring at me and I would've glared back no matter what the cost but there were too many of them. Plus the fact that Wyatt Jackson was getting on my nerves with his insignificant chattering.

I was all about thanking God and his angels by the time the bell had rung to end the class. I did not give up my Catholic beliefs even after I became what I am. I still go to Church on Sundays to attend mass. I remember the day Edward explained to me that everything I read on the net about vampires was a myth. I took advantage of that. Dr. C didn't even say no to my request of going out alone-because none of my vampire family would go with me-for an hour to attend the service. Not that I am truly devoted and dedicated to my religion. I always believed that by attending mass, I could retain what's left of my being human-and resist the urge to harm human-more so kill them. Besides, like most normal teenagers, I don't listen to each word as it is. Sometimes I don't listen at all. I just want to go to mass. Period.

I picked up my things and was headed out already when Wyatt called after me.

"Yeah?" I turned-trying to hide my impatience.

"I was going to introduce to you my friends. They didn't get the chance a while ago because they were seated far from you."

"Oh. Okay," I said and adjusted the strap of my bag.

"This is Veronica Lewis," he said and pointed at a pale-but not as pale as me-girl with wild curly brown hair.

"Hi. I'm Ronnie. Sorry we're holding you up," she apologized sincerely.

I laughed once. "No problem."

"I need to hurry now. Gym's my next class. I'll see you at lunch," she waved.

"And this is Diego Garci," Wyatt continued and pointed at a pale boy who looked a bit Spanish.

"And Elizabeth Duerre," he motioned at the also pale girl with wavy dark blonde hair with freckles on her cheeks.

"It's Betsy," she corrected. "Hi. Dia, right?"

I nodded once.

"What's your next class?"

"Um ..." I took my class schedule out, "English."

"That's mine too. We should go together," she cheerfully suggested.

She was probably hoping for someone to keep silent as she'd talk about her exciting human weekend on the way. But she was friendly enough.

"'Kay."

"That's a bust. I have Science. Well, I'll see you two at lunch if we don't get a chance to have the same class again," Wyatt waved.

I was hoping that we wouldn't.