The Hopeless Life of a Teenage Vampire

Chapter One: Tag Along (Part One)

I drove slowly down the Mountain road that leads to my best friend, Orphica's, house. Stopping at the small plant-covered house she calls home, she skipped down her driveway to my car. Orphica is probably my opposite, her skin is a golden sun-kissed, Whereas I'm the palest of the pale, Her hair is long and curly and still it's natural blonde color, she is tall and curvy, and her blue eyes shined. Whereas I am short and slender and my red-dyed hair and brown eyes just make me look like an emo 12-year-old.

"Hey Kal," She said, hopping into my car, smiling and bringing in a strange but pleasant smell of Sage and Blackberry.

She was wearing a bright yellow shirt covered in sunflowers and a jean skirt with some round purple sunglasses.

I smiled and nodded, admiring her enthusiasm. Her bag was filled with small vials, bottles and bags. Potions and enchanted items no doubt,

"You got any liquid-love in there? I heard that's been selling in the goblin market for 300 dollars a pop," I said as I pulled out of the driveway back onto the dirt road.

"You know I don't brew that stuff, That stuff starts wars." she replied, shaking her head.

"Yeah I guess," I replied, and I watched her run her hand over her bag, causing the contents to appear to disappear.

"I learned a new spell last night, it turns humans into animals. So I was thinking..." she started, desperately trying to change the subject, but I stopped her before she could finish.

"No, you can't turn Brooke into the dirty rat she is, We don't need you getting expelled," I laughed, shaking my head and speeding up as we neared the base of the mountain. She frowned and looked out the window.

"You never let me have any fun."

We continued this banter until we reached Swain County High School, which to most students, was very similar to Purgatory. Only 555 students attend my school, so everyone knows everything about everyone and had since we were five. There was no escape from anything you'd done since you were a little kid, reinvention didn't exist here.

I parked and crawled out of the car and began my speed walk into the school building, trying not to get hit by a car. Orphica walked close behind, and after what felt like forever I stepped onto the curb and stood in front of the colossal school building. That's when I saw her: Brooke Felicity Martin. Her thin, blonde, perfect, and overall annoying body was standing right in front of the entrance.

I deliberated dashing to the washroom near my class at full speed, I looked around. Too many witnesses.

"Hey, Calorie!" she called.

"*dio perché io?" I mumbled under my breath before walking forward ignoring her. I walked closer hoping to maybe walk around and enter through a side door, but as I passed her one of her little buddies shoved me. I gritted my teeth and stared into the concrete void beneath me, begging for my brain to hyper-fixate on a line of ants so my anger didn't overpower me.

"You got something to say there, Elvira?" I continued to ignore them. Orphica had been pulled away a few minutes ago by one of her other friends. I kept walking hoping to round the corner and then be able to teleport with no witnesses. They started to follow me, so I started to run. I rounded the corner, and then a tall girl grabbed me. I stared at her in fear.

My breath hitched; I knew for a fact that I could win this fight, but my mother had made me swear never to hurt a human, and I could never bring myself to break a promise to my mother.

"I will not tolerate being ignored, Calorie," Brooke said, having her friend spin me around like a top.

"Leave me alone, Brooke," I said, trying to keep my voice deadpan.

"How's that brother of yours, still falling apart over me," Brooke said, smiling down at me with her conniving green-grey eyes.

That line sent me over the edge. I practically growled at her through my teeth,

"My brother doesn't care anything about you anymore, you self centered Barbie-doll!"

Her friend's grip tightened on my arms, with the force she was holding onto me with it wouldn't have surprised me if she were half troll.

I could feel my fangs unsheathe in my mouth. I slammed my eyes shut there was no doubt in my mind that they were turning red. I tried to focus on a sound to keep my instincts from taking over.

"Let her go!" a familiar voice called from over Brooke's shoulder. My eyes flew open.

Rocco stepped forward, His black hair combed back, His dark eyes scanning the situation. Looking like he was going to rip everyone apart, he clenched his jaw and forced his way into the circle.

"I suggest you all get to class," He said, looking around at all of them, and I felt the girl's hands lift from my shoulders. Brooke shot me a disapproving look before walking away.

I nearly bolted after her but Rocco grabbed my arm. I glared at him, my eyes must have been red now.

"Calm down, Kal." He said, squeezing my arm slightly.

I closed my eyes again and took a deep breath after a few minutes my mind became clear. When I opened them Rocco was in front of me along with Orphica. His hands were on my shoulders steadying me.

"How did you know?" I said once the red had finally vanished from my vision.

"I could hear you from the parking lot," Rocco replied, tapping his slightly pointy ear.

"When I couldn't find you, I texted Rocco and he said you were here," Orphica replied, placing her hand on Rocco's shoulder, I pretended not to notice how he blushed.

Rocco walked me over to a bench and sat me down, Orphica walked over with us and fished a pack of crackers out of her pocket and handed it to me. I nibbled on the edge of one for a few minutes before piping up,

"I'm really sorry I worried you guys, It's just," I took a deep breath before finishing. "She started talking about Marc, and it sent me over the edge."

"Kal..." Rocco leaned his head into one hand and sighed before looking up at me again. "Marcel only has himself to blame for what happened, he never should've gotten involved with her in the first place, he was being introduced as a suitor a week before they started dating, plus only idiots fall for someone outside their species," he practically groaned.

"*Devi essere un grande idiota" I mumbled just low enough that Orphica, who had been squeezing my hand like mad at that moment, couldn't hear it. He tensed slightly, but didn't respond otherwise.

"That's really insensitive Rocky, She obviously manipulated him, or she was different back then and he really did fall for her. Either way it is in no way Marc's fault. You sound like your dad." Orphica replied, shaking her head.

I could see Rocco's jaw tighten, I could tell he wanted to scream. He always screamed at me when I compared him to Father, but he couldn't do that to Orphica, for some reason.

I opened my mouth to change the subject, but thankfully the five minute bell beat me to it.

...

Italian Phrases:

* dio perché io? ~ God why me?

* la mia bellezza della notte~ my beauty of the night

*Devi essere un grande idiota~ you must be one big idiot