The Condemned Clique

Chapter One: Unfinished

She walked into Devils Lake High School, which had approximately 400 students from the 9th grade to the 12th. It was one building, with three floors and it was the most boring place to be. It was September 1st, the first day of school and surprisingly a nice day out. Fortunately, it was cloudy. Her hair was short and wavy, worn in a half-up-half-down fashion. She only wore mascara and veered away from looking like "the average goth" so she wouldn't become too predictable. She wore a white cotton long sleeve shirt underneath a black tank top with blue jeans and black vans. Yeah, she wasn't too different in style, but in mind, she was unlike any teen at DLHS. It wasn't hard to notice newcomers, especially when they stood out from the basic teens of today's society, like showing bare mid-drift or wearing as much Lululemon and Hollister clothes as possible in a single day. Catarina has been the new girl 10 times within a whole 119 years. It has been a continuous cycle of starting at a new high school as a senior and living in the same town or city for 12 years then dying off somehow so the locals and friends will forget her. Yes, it's sad but it's imperative because she needs to keep a secret she's been hiding for over a century and a half: she's a vampire.

Catarina isn't a vampire that hates humans and constantly kills to quench an eternal thirst, but one that stays in the shadows and keeps to herself. Not all vampires are monsters but unfortunately, she feels like it. Besides, she didn't drink human blood from live bodies, but from donation bags at the hospital in town. It was easier to steal three bags a week and stay in a stable condition than ruthlessly kill humans and expose herself for what she was.

The days went on as normal; English, PE then Biology. When the bell rang at 12 o'clock, Catarina sprinted out of her biology class and headed for the cafeteria to snatch the table in the corner she has claimed as her own since freshman year. The cafeteria was in the basement and it was a jungle. Usually, at this time, Catarina would read non-fiction historic books to pass the hour by, but today was different. A pale girl was seated at the table, almost waiting for Catarina with a curious look on her face. She had long, wavy brown hair and a friendly face. She was wearing a floral patterned, off the shoulder top with short jean shorts and open-toed sandals.

Why is she staring at me and why the fuck is she at MY table? thought Catarina. Immediately the girl said, "I'm new here and I saw you in the halls. You seem like me and I figured you'd sit at the corner table, isolated like an edgy teen." Catarina thought, Can she read my mind? How did she know I was "like her"?

"What do you mean 'like you', I don't fit in with anyone at this school."

"I can tell, you're obviously undead like me."

"WHA-" Catarina shouted. The whole cafeteria turned to look at her in a way to tell her to shut the fuck up. She quickly sat down across from the mystery girl and said, "What the hell are you talking about?"

The girl looked at her with a devilish grin and said, "I'm Mandy. I'm like you. I know you're a-" she paused. She leaned in and whispered "A vampire." Catarina thought to herself, Well no time wasted there she just upright said it. I haven't met another vampire in like 20 years. Maybe I can finally have a friend. I'm lonely.

"Well, you hit the nail on the head, nice job. I'm Catarina, by the way. If you don't mind me asking, why are you here and for how long?"

Mandy said, "Well, I've been wandering around for a long time. I was born in 1901 in Mexico City. I was living a good life down there but one of my closest friends suddenly died and I didn't know how to cope, so I started traveling. I ended up in the United States in the 1970s, and I fell in love with the Flower Power Movement, so I basically became a nomad until the turn of the century. 2000 was the year I decided I should have a purpose in life, like becoming a millionaire who isn't corrupt for once or at least gain friends who I can have for longer than 10 years. So, one night in my apartment, I laid out a map of the United States, closed my eyes and pointed to my next location. My finger originally landed on Nebraska but once I got there, I was so disappointed and grossed out by all the hicks, so I traveled up. That was in 2010 and I spent the last 8 years in Winnipeg, Canada living it up in a big city. I got bored to be completely honest, so I started literally walking and I hit this cute yet eerie little town and I decided to try and fit in. I mean in such a small area I would have to so that's why I just enrolled in Devils Lake High School as a senior, to start my new life!"

Catarina thought Damn, it took you long enough to figure that one out, huh

Mandy said, "Hey, I was trying to find myself and let's be real here, I'm not going anywhere any time soon so what's the rush?"

Catarina, shocked, said, "You can hear my thoughts?" Shit, She thought. Mandy laughed, as if finally happy to have a friend who understands her again after nearly 100 years.

"Well, we can both do similar tricks. I can manipulate minds by looking at someone or by touching them," said Catarina.

Mandy, confused, asked, "That's cool but also a little scary. There's a lot of power in controlling others."

"I don't use it. I've used it once and it got my companion killed so I refuse to use it again."

"Another thing we have in common; death of a loved one. So, Catarina, I have two questions for you." Catarina nodded her head and thought Ask away. Mandy smiled and said, "So, can I call you just Cat because your name kind of a mouthful, and tell me about yourself. You seem really interesting."

Catarina responded," No, call me by my name. It expresses origins and who I am as a person. I love my full name. I would love to tell you my story but fifth period Math is going to start in 3 minutes so I better get going. Why don't we meet up after school?"

"Sounds good. I'll give you my number. Also, I do have a quick favor to ask of you and since we are practically family, I would really appreciate it." As Mandy wrote her number down on a napkin from the holder in the center of the table, Catarina said, "Sure, what can I help you with. I'm totally here for you." Mady then responded, " Well, I need a place to live since I dropped everything up in Winnipeg and I was wondering if you had room for me."

Catarina thought Well, my house is gigantic and I think this girl is cool. Why not?

Mandy blurted, "Thank you!!!! You don't know how much this means to me! Text me after school and I'll meet you at the front door!" She ran off to her next class and Catarina was left standing there, excited yet overwhelmed at the fact that she has a new roommate who she has known for literally 50 mins.