Entering my new school, I try and hide myself from others, so as for them to not remember me, to not want to ask the basic questions to the newest student. They will be even worse considering that I have arrived in the middle of term, in the middle of the school year. Not my smartest decision, I must admit. Questions such as "what is your name? where are you from?" are always the worst, for I cannot answer. I do not want a reason to have to leave as soon as I have arrived.
After visiting the reception desk, successfully avoiding the stares and questioning gazes that have been sent my way, I navigate through the crowded and narrow corridors, attempting to reach my first class without my true side showing. As I arrive, I sigh in relief, telling the teacher who I am. Since I am early, I sit at the back of the room, out of sight. Throughout the lesson I try my hardest not to breathe through the nose, for everything would be so much more difficult if I did.
I should be used to human interaction, for I have done this many times before, and have had to be among them for long periods of time in the past. However, it has never gotten easier. The scent is so alluring and inviting that it always takes everything I have not to act upon my instincts. Which would not earn me a very good reputation with the others in school, making them interested. No, invisibility is key. And it worked for me throughout the next three lessons. Until lunch.
The moment I entered the canteen, I noticed a scent I have not had to deal with for a long time, and one that I had hoped I would never smell again. After only a moment of looking for the source, I found it. Or rather, them.
Vampires.
A whole clan of vegetarians, by the smell of animal blood and the amber eyes. Three male and two females. A gorgeous blond. A pixie. A battle-scarred hunger machine. A newborn-like fighter. And a lonely yet smitten male who cannot look away from some human girl on another table. Indeed, a typical clan. Yet the leader is evidently missing, and is most likely older and actually working.
These blood-suckers I avoid like the plague, once again deploying invisibility, trying desperately hard to keep my true side from revealing itself. Sitting on the table that was as far away from them as possible to avoid any sort of detection. But it was too late, I was spotted by the pixie, who is oblivious to the danger I pose. Oh, vampires, you do truly think you are the top of the food-chain. I aim to portray, through body language, a hostile position, hoping she will get the hint.
But I was about to learn differently.
"Hi!" Exactly as I had feared. Nosy, curious as to why I acted different to other humans. Overly positive. Well, you would expect that with the name Alice, wouldn't you? After all, she did fall down the rabbit hole.
"My name is Alice Cullen." So that's their clan. The Cullens. And their leader must then be Carlisle. What an unfortunate soul that man truly is, trying to deny his instincts. These vampires I have heard of. They survive by posing as a family and defending their territory, keeping out those who have the guts to drink real blood.
Boy, does she smell good.
"What is your name?" Oh crap. The dreaded question, the one I cannot answer without opening my mouth and inhaling more. The smell is becoming almost unbearable. I have to leave quickly.
Standing as quickly as is humanly possible (to blend in) I whisper the name "Rose" as I leave quietly. By now, the experience with this vampire, who is staring my back in a way that makes me even more cautious towards her curiosity, has made it absolutely impossible to maintain control. I was not prepared to meet a clan. Just before the last bit of control snaps completely, I grab the human closest to me and sprint into the nearest closet.
The mission is definitely not going as planned.