Mythfits

7- Steve

"So, we got a new assignment in English today." I say, then glance over at mom to see if she was listening. Holding a phone to her ear, she made a face- she was on the phone with her boss and was trying to coax Ethan to eat the mouse she was pushing at him. Most definitely not listening, " I also robbed a bank." still nothing.

"I shot someone, and told a werewolf where we live. I also told everyone about San Francisco's vampire population."I added, curious how far I could push it.

Mom glanced over her shoulder, like she finally registered that I was talking "Mhmm, that's nice. Go do your homework now."

Wonderful.

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After changing into a bat, I jump out the window and into the cool night air. Flying over to an old apricot orchard on the edge of town, I grab an apricot and hang on a nearby branch.

After devouring the apricot, I hang there with juice dripping off my face as I fume- my family is so messed up. What with my dad always going back to south america to 'study' vampire bat colonies and my mom being, well, mom. Although you can't blame her, I mean, she has Grandfather as a father, which I can't even imagine. Granted, it would have been far easier for her, not being me. She is, after all a 'decent, respectable vampire.' As Grandfather says, unlike me, an 'insolent, rebellious, good-for-nothing disgrace."

I can't even start to number the times that he has compared me to her, it's like, because mom is his daughter and a traditional vampire, she can do no wrong. And because I am the son of my father, who, while a normal vampire, was looked down upon by my mother's side of the family because he was not the usual, cold, distant, Romanian/Transylvanian vampire, but an Azeman. While, in folklore, these South American vampires are women, they are both male and female, but the legend started because the women are the ones responsible for feeding the kids.

Anyway, because he is slightly different (from Grandfather's point of view, anyway) they already were dubious of this family. But then when I came along, well, all heck broke loose.

"Why is my family so judgemental?" I say aloud, my voice coming out as a series of high pitched squeaks, reverberating off the tree's in the orchard and creating a sonic image of the grove. Resigned, I sigh as I fly back home, hoping to get some studying in before Ethan starts making his nightly but-I-don't-want-to-go-to-bed ruckus. After all, I have a test tomorrow.

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The next day at school, I notice that Christine and Ella are spending more time together than usual. They keep conferring over a printed piece of paper with strange characters on it. I drift over in their direction to get a closer look, but I turn back when Ella turns around are glares murderously at me.

Jeesh. What on that paper could be so important that Ella, who from what I've seen hasn't exactly been an open person, would ask Christine about it? The better question is, how do I find out what's on it? If I can find out what's on that paper, and I'm able to help her with whatever it is, maybe I can finally show Mom, and more importantly Grandfather, that I can be useful. Perhaps then they'll finally see that I am an actual, important person, and that I can make a difference to someone.

As the bell rings and we switch classes, I sidle up to Christine in the hall, " So what have you and Ella been talking about?"

She glances sideways at me and tosses her hair, "Wouldn't you like to know." and walks off.

Cursing silently, I jog to catch up, " Please? I need to know!"

"Why? It's none of your business!" she inquires, skeptical.

"Christine! I just do!"

"Humph." She tilts her head nonchalantly, " Well, I guess you don't really want to know then."

I sigh, defeated, "Fine. I want to help Ella-"

She interrupts, smiling, "Oh really? And why is that, Steve?" She raises an eyebrow.

"Christine!" I shove her playfully, "no! Nothing like that! I just want to, you know, be useful."

"Interesting choice of words, Steve. Useful, not helpful, kind, or any other work you might have used instead."

I shuffle my feet awkwardly, "I don't really know how to respond to that."

"I'm thinking that. This might have something to do with your parents."

"Umm, why would you think that?"

Christine pats my shoulder sympathetically, "you know, this won't impress them, they won't want you having anything to so with a werewolf."

"You still haven't told me what you were talking about."

She sighs, " You just don't give up, do you?"

I grin cheekily, "nope!"

"But it's not my place to tell."

"Christine!" I protest, frustrated at being so close

She shrugs helplessly, " I'm sorry Steve, you're going to have to ask her yourself."

"The last time I tried to talk to her, she punched me in the face. I don't want to see what happens when I ask her about her personal life!"

"Well next time, I suggest you duck." She shrugs and steps into the flow of students, " Good luck Steve."

Watching her leave, I toss my hands in frustration, good luck? What kind of help is that?! "Thanks a lot Christine!" I mutter discontentedly before stepping into my next class.