The Thirst In Me

Thirty-Five

"A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger." -Proverbs 15:1

Veron's POV

The first thing that caught my eye as we drove into the courtyard was a picture of Damion in his football gear with the word 'captain' written on the poster.

"You guys had an election and replaced me as captain without my consent?" I knew it wasn't very important but I honestly felt a little hurt.

"Well, you were busy being a vampire and all. You didn't expect the team to wait around for you, did you?" He said harshly as we got out of the car.

I guess I never once thought about the team or how they were managing without me. I don't even know if I'm even still on the team.

"Veron?" I heard Judith's cheerful voice. "Is that you?"

I nodded and smiled at her. She flung her arms around my neck and hugged me tightly. "I've missed you soooo much Veron." She was still clinging to my neck. "Ever since the night we shared that romantic kiss, I can't get you out of my head."

I tried to wiggle out of her embrace but she wasn't having any of that. She clung to me like a leech.

I heard Damion snickered. "He missed you too Judith. He couldn't stop talking about you." He teased.

Judith turned to Damion, flashing her hair in my face, almost blinding me. "He did?" She shrieked. "How adorable." She smiled up at me with her lips puckering. I was more than thankful when the warning bell went off and I got out of her deadly grip. "See you at lunchtime babe." She called after me as I walked away with Damion.

"I hate you, man." I punched him in the shoulder. "You know how crazy that chic is. Why would you encourage her?"

Damion laughed gleefully. "I guess it's payback for you taking so long to tell me you are a vampire."

I shook my head. The day has barely begun and I am already emotionally stressed. We stepped into our English class and all heads turned to look at us. Most of the girls perked up once they saw me and a few guys had scowls on their faces. I guess they are not too thrilled at having me back.

I went and took a seat at the back, keeping my head down. I didn't want to draw more attention to myself than necessary. 

"Veron, it's nice of you to grace us with your presence. We all thought you transferred." The teacher said and everyone turned to look at me. "We are glad you are still with us."

Some of them nodded at me with sympathetic smiles before turning to face the front. It was as if they were sorry for me.

I frowned. I hated feeling inferior and most of all, I hated people feeling sorry for me.

"Why the hell is everyone looking at me like that?" I whispered to Damion and he shook his head as if I had gone crazy.

"You lost your girlfriend?" He said. "Have you forgotten already?"

I leaned back in my seat. With Keisha being taken and everything going on at the house, I honestly forgot about Abby.  What kind of person does that make me? I have never thought of myself as a heartless person before....except for the time I killed that girl. But I couldn't control myself then. I didn't know what I was doing. Maybe I'm a monster after all.

Damion pushed a note to me.

Who has the best-smelling blood in this class?

I burst into laughter, forgetting that I was in class. I just had to laugh. Damion makes everything so much funnier.

"Would you care to share the joke with the class, Veron?" Mrs. Miller glared at me.

"Sorry Mrs. Miller. I was just remembering something." I lied blatantly.

Mrs. Miller rolled her eyes. "You're so lucky that you are sexy or else I would give you detention!" She said in her mind before returning to her lesson.

I smiled. Being a vampire has its perks and I definitely love being able to read minds. I turned the paper over and replied to Damion's note.

I have a thirst for one type of blood. Keisha's.

He sighed as he read it.

He didn't get to reply as Mrs. Miller started putting us into groups of two. I hated group work mainly because I always end up doing most of the work and getting the least credit.

I was paired with a girl I didn't recognize. Probably she started when I was out. Her heartbeat was very slow and the scent of her blood was almost nonexistent.

"Hi. I'm Mellisa Bright." She extended her hand for me to shake.

I took her hand in mine and shook it. Suddenly Abby's face flashed before my eyes. She looked so real and alive that I couldn't help but blink a few times. I pulled my hand out of Mellisa's. Who the hell was this girl? 

"Is everything alright?" She asked, looking overly concerned.

I cleared my throat. "Yea. Everything is OK. I just.....remembered something." I told her as I took out my notebook.

We were supposed to do a week-long journal, recording the challenges we faced each day. Before the class ended, Mellisa and I made a schedule of when and where we would meet.

"Who is Mellisa?" I asked as we sat at the lunch table.

Damion gasped dramatically. "First it was Abby, then Judith, then Keisha, and now Mellisa too? Why can't you keep it in your pants dude?" He said jokingly.

I slapped him over the head. "I'm serious man. Who is she? I've never seen her around before."

Damion rubbed his neck. "I don't know. She's a transfer student. I heard she's from Jamaica."

On instinct, I looked across the cafeteria and noticed that Mellisa was looking at me. "Just a few more days Veron." She said in her mind, then got up and walked toward the ladies' room.