"Trust is a careless pursuit at best. At worst, it's a good way to get yourself killed." - Lauren Kate, Fallen
It has taken me a month to get my human life sorted. Eric was very resistant about letting me, so my exit from Oak Wood High School was dramatic and brief; thankfully, I didn't cry. I used the money my parent's left me to a secure an apartment that looks over a big, human city, however, I've stayed within walking distance to Oak Wood Forest, in case I ever need to return (hopefully that won't ever happen). I've also planned out a believable background story and a fake name, which will prevent Eric finding me for a long while.
"My name is Alissa Silver." I lie to the overly quirky receptionist at my school. Her blonde hair is tied back into an energetic pony tail that sways every time she speaks. She's quite thin, wearing a black dress. I'm leaning on the spotless white desk, completing a verbal questionnaire. "What school did you attend previously?" She asks with her voice. I've planned all my answers in my head relentlessly-I'm prepared for almost anything. Lying about my name is the safest thing to do. I've used my real last name, but lying about my first name means Eric won't ever be able to find me via public school general searches.
"I've been home schooled since I was four." I say, as if it is something I tell people daily. I smile, victorious as she nods in understanding.
"Okay, everything seems to check out here." Her eyes scan the neatly aligned pieces of paper in-front of her. Gosh, everything is so clean and neat. "Here's your class timetable," she slides a folded piece of paper across the desk. "And," she unravels it, "your first class is English in room 42. The bell went five minutes ago, so I'll write you a late note." She scribbles information roughly on a bright yellow sheet, sliding it across the desk. "Good luck."
"Thank you," I mutter, sliding the timetable into my blazer pocket. Her goodbye smile is dazzling, almost blinding me.
I wander into class awkwardly, blushing as I stumble on my way over to her desk. These nerves are driving me crazy. My teacher is a small, round woman, wearing a baby blue flower top and black trousers. Her brown hair is tied back, but I can tell it is only short. "welcome to High School." I smile sweetly, finally feeling much more comfortable than when I arrived. I can't remember whether or not the receptionist told me her name, but if she did I've forgotten it already. If all teachers are as nice as this one, maybe I might fit in here.
"Thank you," I respond. She rips the late note in half, watching it crumble into the bin.
"Okay, I think there is a spare seat at the back there." She points to a chair on the third row, next to a boy who is facing the final row behind him, chatting. "Ranger," the boy turns around. Ohmigod. He's gorgeous. Absolutely drop-dead gorgeous. He has short light brown hair, slightly spiked, and glowing emerald eyes. I've never seen anyone so angel-like. "Stop talking and turn round. Alissa here," she gestures to me, "is going to be sitting next to you."
As I make my way through the aisle to get to my seat, there are around twenty beady eyes staring me down. Just don't fall. I always trip up when I'm nervous, it seems to be my only weakness. Ranger is watching me intently, with fire burning in his eyes. "Hello," he greets, sliding the chair out from under the table. "I'm Ranger, your Alissa?" His voice is so smooth, like honey or chocolate. I nod pathetically; it seems my mind has lost the ability to form sentences. "I'll explain what we have to do," he says. I take the seat, falling into it and sighing. "Tough morning, huh?" I giggle,
"yeah. So many questions to answer. It's annoying." Ranger nods his head, smiling.
"I only joined here two months ago, so I completely understand what you mean." I write my name at the front of the sheet, beginning to feel relieved that someone in this alien environment could relate to my situation-even just a tiny bit.
"I've never been to a public school before," I admit, whilst answering the questions on the sheet.
"That's funny, before I came here neither had I." I look up at him in amazement.
"Really? Wow, that's weird."
"yeah, it is."
There is silence for a long period of time, until Ranger starts talking again. "So, what do you like doing?" I am completely puzzled,
"what do you mean?"
"For fun. What do you do in your spare time?"
"Um..." fight, kill immortals, lead army's, plot against other creatures humans have no idea exist and revise battle strategies; somehow, I think that will scare him away and he seems really nice. "I read a lot," I shrug.
"What do you read about?" I guess there is no risk in telling him the truth for this one question, all he's done is be friendly, and I've done is lie.
"Myths and legends, like fairies, vampires and stuff." I say the first to creatures that come to mind. He swallows, tensing a little bit. Great, it's been ten minutes and he already wants me gone. "Are you okay?" I reach over and grab is hand-spur of the moment situation.
"Oh," he quickly moves away, "your freezing." I look down,
"yeah, I've been stood outside for a long time. I couldn't find reception." I lie. Ranger looks freaked, and fearful of something. The bell sings, and when I look to my side where Ranger sits, after packing my bag, only empty space is there.
I walk slowly to my next class, biology. I don't see any point in learning about what human scientists believe; if you asked them, they'd tell you that my existence is completely impossible. When I peek through the glass door, I am relieved to see that Ranger isn't in this class.
I sit next to a thin girl named Cara, who is bursting with energy. "You must be the new girl, everyone is talking about you!" Yay me. She's very pretty, with her long hair braided in a fish tail plait to one side. "Word must get around fast here," I reply, trying to match her enthusiasm. How can students already be gossiping about me when I've barely been here an hour?
"Yep, it does. Have you made any friends yet?" She inquires, whilst we both fill in our diagrams of the human body. I can't stop thinking of my fighting techniques I can use to snap each bone-I have at least five moves for each. No, stop thinking about fighting. Your human, stop. "No. I sat next to Ranger-I don't know his last name-in my last class, but I don't think we are meant to be friends." I tell her.
"Ranger's really nice to everyone. You'd think with his good looks that he's cruel and manipulative, yet he's the complete opposite. Be careful though, if Kelly sees you talking to him your dead meat." Cara's voice is threaded with fear.
"I'm pretty sure I can handle myself," I chuckle secretly. If this Kelly wants to go against me, well... I'd make her into a three course meal.
"I thought that. But one night after school she found me alone, accused me of spending too much time with Ranger. She punched and punched until I couldn't feel anything anymore, except my soul drifting from my beaten body." I am completely horrified. I don't really know what to say, this Kelly sounds like a bitch who needs to be put back into place. Cara is drifting into a vision of that night, "she just kept kicking me, over and over, calling me things as well."
She falls of the stool, "stop! Stop! Please, I'm dying!" I am frightfully worried, Cara is shaking, moving all over the floor in a ball she curled up in. I reach down to help her back up, but she won't stop wiggling and screaming at the top of her voice.
"Cara, you okay? It's not real, it's a dream." I comfort. The whole class are staring, motionless at the entertainment. Suddenly, I feel someone standing over me.
"Cara, baby, are you okay?" Ranger. He looks at me, calmly. "What happened?" He grabs hold of Cara, hugging her tightly against him. They must be dating. I can't help feel disappointed, I mean who wouldn't? "She was telling me about Kelly-what happened that night." I say, squeezing her hand tightly.
"Come with me, we need to take her to the nurse." I nod. Ranger picks her up into the air carefully, walking through the classroom swiftly. I trail behind, more confused than I've ever been.
"Ranger, this is the first time in months that this has happened. Do you know what triggered it?" The helpful school nurse is wearing a white coat, fussing from one cluttered desk to another. Cara's lying on the bed in the middle of the large room, completely dazed and unaware. I sit beside Ranger, who is answering all of the nurse's complicated questions. "Yes, her." He tells her rudely, pointing to me. I really wasn't expecting that, does he really have to be so mean?
"No, I didn't do anything!" I protest, standing up from my seat. This is the best first day ever. "I mentioned sitting next to you in English, then she started shaking and she had that weird vision thingy. If it was anyone's fault, it was yours." I shout, crossing my arms over my chest. "And I don't care about what weird, crazy thing is wrong with your girlfriend, but it has nothing to do with me!" I march out of the room, slamming the door behind me. Ughh, humans. No wonder vampires created separate schools, they are immensely irritating and they come to the wrong conclusions all the time.
In my next class I felt more comfortable, still alian-like, but much more comfortable. I sat with a girl named Ariana (Ari for short), who explained everything I'd need to know about High School. My Religious Education teacher is rambling on about bible quotes, I grab the opportunity to ask her about the two people burned into my brain. "How long of Cara and Ranger been dating for?" Ari widens her eyes, before breaking down into fits of laughter.
"Alissa, they're brother and sister! Don't worry, I thought the same when they first arrived, he's very protective." I blush at my mistake, regretting everything I said in the nurse's office. He was only being a protective brother, why did I have to be such a bitch? Ari takes out a brush from her bag, taming her wavy, fiery red hair; she's very pretty and skinny, obviously receiving attention of boys all the time, yet she doesn't appear to be selfish or arrogant like some girls with the same appearance. "Cara is one of my closest friends, and Kiera who is sat on the front desk." She points to a girl with light brown hair tied back in a bun, who looks very cute and innocent. "I'll introduce you to them properly later, I know you'll get on great! You'll fit in with us fine." I smile. I've never really been excepted, more envied. Every girl hated me at Oak Wood, I am their parent's dream child-smart, extraordinary at fighting, and I even have my own stalker prince. I also never really had time for friends at Oak Wood, books usually took up most of my time. Oh, and slicing evil creatures heads off.
The bell rang. Ari grabbed my bag from under the table, swinging it over her shoulder. "Come on, your spending break with moi." I giggle, following her out of the classroom door. "Kiera," she gestures to the brown-haired girl, "this is Alissa. Alissa this is Kiera." I am prepared for Kiera to shake my hand, but instead she dives into a hug. I hesitate at first, before wrapping my arms around her-if I want to make friends, I'll have to take part in some of the rituals humans do on a daily basis. We all giggle, walking out of the building onto the field.
The grass is vibrant, growing tall under the constant summer Sun. When we've reached the abandoned center of the field, Ari and Kiera remove their blazers, place them on the floor, then sit on them. I copy, crossing my legs. "So Alissa, where you from?" Kiera asks; they both lean in, intrieged.
"Here," I lie, pushing my hair behind my ear.
"I've never seen you before. Do you live with your parents?" Ari questions.
"No, my parents died when I was young." Their faces both drop,
"sorry." They say simultaneously.
"It's fine," I shrug, "I don't remember them." They both nod in understanding, quickly changing the subject.
"What are you up to this weekend?" Ari asks, sweetly.
"Nothing, why?" I respond.
"We are going on a shopping trip, want to come?" Both flash me a gleaming smile. I can't help but feel happy and accepted.
"Of course!" Kiera screams and Ari hugs me tightly.
I watch all the students chat, gossip and giggle. They wander around the field in packs-sometimes merging together, but usually remaining separate. My blood begins to bubble, causing me to pay more attention to the people around me. I see a female teacher acting unusual by leading a student into the shadows. I zoom my vision in, identifying their red eyes-only other vampires can see the red eyes vampires overcome with blood lust possess. I've been training to kill vampires like this; with no known remedy of their addiction to fresh human blood, they have to be killed to keep our kind a secret. They are reckless, uncaring, soulless beings, some vampires believe that a demon takes possession of their bodies and kills the innocent humans. All I know is, if I don't stop this vampire, that student will die.
Ranger POV
He couldn't help check that Cara was fine once more, asking her, "are you okay?" She always answers in the same, basic, irritating way,
"yes, stop worrying." But he can't stop worrying. No one understands what's wrong with her, they've given her thousands of drugs, and practiced millions of rituals, yet she's still stolen to these visions. If Kelly hadn't had beaten her up, Cara would be her normal self all the time. The worst thing is, it can't be predicted, him and Cara could be having a laugh or watching television, then the vision hits her, and she's completely gone.
"I'll walk you over to your friends," Ranger tells Cara, wrapping his arm around his broken sister.
"I'm fine, honestly." She insists, hugging him tightly.
"No, let me take you to your friends, I just need to make sure your alright." Cara groans,
"okay." They make their way across the field together, Ranger watching all the people. "Do you think Alissa will still want to be friends with me?" Ranger chuckles,
"I don't know. Cara, there is something strange about her, let me figure it about before you become best mates." She sighs disappointed.
"Okay." He hated being the over-protective brother, but he believes that there is much more to Alissa than she says. He had to admit, he had felt some obscure connection with them, but her story is so bland, almost unrealistic. She is beautiful though, having almost knocked him of his seat in their English lesson.
They finally reach Cara's friends, and Ranger instantly identifies an abandoned blazer and bag-Alissa's cream satchel. "Cara, are you okay?" Ari checks, her and Kiera pull Cara into a hug.
"Yeah, thanks. Who is sat there?" Cara asks before Ranger can. They both are glowing with happiness.
"Alissa," Kiera explains, "she needed to get some homework from a teacher so she ran off. She'll be back momentarily." Cara sits down beside where Alissa's stuff is. "Goodbye, big brother. You can go." She pushes him away, giggling with her friends. Ranger scans the field for his friends, but instead he spots Alissa following a teacher and student. If he wants to know more about her, maybe stalking is the way forward.
He quickly caught up to Alissa, walking a few giant paces behind her to keep his distance. She followed the teacher into the dark, being wary. Ranger is confused, unsure about what's going on. Alissa pulls a stake out of her sleeve, holding it firmly in her hand; no human could see it, but with Ranger's slightly improved sight, it was quite easy. Ranger stopped breathing, gob-smacked. How did she know about vampires? And why is she chasing a teacher?
Alissa rushed ahead, disappearing behind the school building where the teacher had gone. Ranger ran after her, a few seconds after she vanished. Peering behind the wall, he watched the unbelievable action unravel.