One More Bloodthirsty Insomniac

My Gift

I wandered around the town for a while, trying to ignore the awestruck stares of the humans as I pass by, their eyes boring into my back wherever I went. I didn't know what I was looking for exactly, just a scent that didn't smell human.

Eventually, I came across a school. Did vampires go to school? If they live civilized like humans, they must or people would get suspicious. I saw a sign by the door telling the date and time. Tuesday, April 7, 11:43AM. Almost a week since I left Volterra.

I went inside and was in an office. There was a woman behind the desk.

"Excuse me?" I said in a low voice.

She looked up, staring a moment then shaking her head. "Oh, hello. Are you a new student?"

"Erm..Not exactly...I just moved here. I think I know someone who goes here. Are there any students here who look kind of like me?"

"Well, yes, you do resemble the Cullen family, what with the pale skin, and such a pretty face."

I smiled at her. "Could you tell me where I might find them, please?"

She smiled back. "They should be at lunch right about now."

"Thank you, ma'am."

She nodded and looked back at her work. I turned and walked out of the office and headed towards the main doors. I put my hand on the handle, then stopped, realizing I was a newborn vampire and I was about to go inside a building filled with young humans.

Could I handle it? Should I take that chance? What other choice do I have? What if everyone stares? What if a teacher comes and asks what I'm doing here? Was I allowed inside without like a pass or something? I stood there for a few minutes, unsure about what to do. Then I pulled open the door and went inside.

I walked down a hallway, trying to look as human as possible. I looked left to right at every turn, trying to find the cafeteria. I caught the scent of humans, and an unfamiliar sweet scent. Vampire.

My throat was still torturing me, I suddenly realized I'd never drank any blood, I hadn't had anything since I awoke as a vampire. A voice in my mind screamed at me to stop, this was not safe, I was being selfish and impulsive. I ignored it.

I followed the scent of the humans and finally ended up in a cafeteria. Most people were laughing and continuing their conversations, but some eyes peered up at me curiously. Trying my best to breathe without smelling, and failing terribly at this, I walked slowly towards the smell of the vampires. Then I stopped when I spotted them.

There were seven of them. And one of me. What if they decided I was a threat? I had to get to know them better before I just went up to them announcing I desired to join their family. I turned on my heels and nearly ran back to the office, before remembering that I couldn't just disappear in the middle of the cafeteria with all those eyes on me. When I got back in, I walked straight up to the woman behind the desk.

She peered up at me again. "Yes? Did you find the Cullens?"

I met her gaze. "Actually, I am a new student."

She seemed confused for a second, then her face went blank as if in a trance. "Of course, I heard about that. You must be Clarisse." She handed me a schedule and a sheet of paper. "Have your teachers sign that."

I stared at her for a second. I didn't tell her my name, and how could she hear about it if it's not true? I recalled what Aro had said to me about my gift. Was this it? Could I make people believe lies? That could come in handy.

I smiled uncertainly at her and took the papers. I folded them and put them in my pocket, then backtracked to the cafeteria.