Tooth and Claw

Family

Charlotte hadn't realised how hard it was going to be to not kill her classmates, as the smell of their blood was overwhelming. There were a lot of people in her school who smelled so delicious, that Charlotte found it hard to resist the temptation to take a bite of them.
She felt like she was walking through a chocolate factory, but was forbidden to taste anything inside.
Which is why she was glad when lunch time finally arrived, and she was able to leave school.
Even though this meant that she wouldn't be able to hang out with her friends, and answer all of their questions.

When she exited the front doors she found Carlisle and Esme waiting for her on the steps outside.
"How did it go?" Asked Carlisle.
"Well, I think. No one died, so I'd call that a success" admitted Charlotte.
"I would too" agreed Carlisle.
"Thank you for teaching me while I was out of school. If you hadn't, I would be so far behind with my school work right now"
"You're welcome. We had a lot of time on our hands, you I thought you'd want to catch up with your classmates, so that you didn't fall behind"
"Well you thought right. As usual".

"Did you find it very hard to be around so many humans?" Esme asked as she placed her arm around Charlotte's shoulders.
"It wasn't easy, and there were certain points that were harder than others. But I got through it" sighed Charlotte.
"We're both so proud of you" praised Esme.
"Thanks Ma" replied Charlotte.
For the past week Charlotte had been calling Esme, Ma, due to her caring motherly nature. It had been a long time since she'd had a mother figure in her life, and Charlotte was grateful to have Esme.
However, Charlotte couldn't bring herself to call Carlisle dad, as that name and role had been ruined by her birth father. She had also known Carlisle well for years before she'd joined his family, and she'd always called him by his first name, so to break that habit would be difficult.

"Do you still want to come back here tomorrow?" Asked Carlisle, when they reached the car.
"Of course. Nothing will stop me from coming back" announced Charlotte.
"If you're sure... I just don't want you to push yourself too hard" sighed Carlisle.
"Honestly, I'm fine. I'm hardly pushing myself at all. And I did good today, you can ask Seth when he finishes later. I didn't lunge or make any attempt to attack anyone".
"But if you had, it wouldn't mean that you were a failure. Even experienced vampires struggle sometimes. When Edward first met Bella, he found her smell so intoxicating that he had to leave. And he didn't return for several days" revealed Esme.

"Really?" Questioned Charlotte.
"Really. Even Edward isn't perfect. Bella was made for him, which is why she smelled so appealing. You'll come to find that each human has a different scent, which you can use to tell them apart" replied Esme.
"Yeah, I noticed that today"
"Certain people will smell nicer to specific vampires, like Bella to Edward. Also, if someone has interfered with their blood by using drugs, then their blood will smell strange and unappealing, as they have damaged themselves"
"Right... I think it will take me a while before I can match up people to their scent without looking at them"
"And you have all the time in the world".

"Yes, I do... Come on, let's go home" announced Charlotte.
"As you wish" smiled Carlisle, as he turned the ignition key, and set off back towards their family home.
It had taken Charlotte a while to get used to the Cullen mansion, but after living there for a month, she was pleased to call the place home.

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