His Black Vampire Heart

3) He Smelled Like The Forest After The Fresh Rain

Mom called before I went to bed, but I ignored it. I just wasnt quite ready to talk to her yet. She then of course left a voicemail but that also went unheard of. At least for now.

Thankfully I slept better last night compared to the night before. Maybe if was the day I spent with Uncle Fred, feeling cared for and wanted. Or maybe it was because I finally have curtains on my window and the looming forested area behind the house was easy to ignore. Either way I found a restful slumber, having woken up to the alarm I had set on my phone.

6:15, time to get ready for my new school.

My suitcase still laid open in all its chaos in the middle of the room so I just grabbed a random pair of leggings and a long shirt before going to shower. I was mentally preparing myself for the day, or at least trying to. But those eyes. Those damn black eyes kept popping up in my head and I would just forget everything I was doing. Only to suddenly remember and start all over again. Right school.

Against popular opinion, I actually liked school. It just came easier to me I guess. I enjoyed learning new things and doing the work, it was almost therapeutic for me. The only reason it was slightly less then exciting back in Texas, was because of Nathan. My bully. The guy who singlehandedly tortured me for 11 years, only to get me completely kicked out of my home and shipped across the country... BUT HES NOT HERE! And this kind of made me giddy. I know normally any normal teenage girl would be dreading going to a new school, especially in the middle of the first semester. But I tried seeing it as a fresh start. A clean plate to just fully enjoy myself without the worry about some jackass looming around the corner with the intention to trip me. Plus, it helped me not to think about the betrayal from my own mother.

Heading down stairs, I paused, remembering the smirk from my dark eyed stranger right before he hit the gas and disappeared. It made my stomach turn. I wasnt sure if that was good or bad. Ah! Why do I keep thinking about him! Shaking my head, i went down the rest of the way to see Uncle Fred holding out a purple mug. Right! He bought me my own set of mugs. My heart squeezed over the thought that he poured me a cup.

"Oh, thanks." I smiled and graciously took the warm mug. Uncle Fred gave a similar short smile before nodding. He had liked my reaction.

"So I figured we would drive together for your first day, then maybe get you signed up for the school bus route if you want. I know its not exactly "cool" to be-"

I cut him off shaking my head.

"I dont mind riding with you Uncle Fred." I paused to take a large gulp of the bitter coffee before continuing.

"Besides, "cool" isnt exactly my thing."

Uncle Fred didnt argue with me, if anything he seemed happy with my answer with the way his mustache twitched up with his lips.

"Good..."

My phone started vibrating from my back pocket and I took it out to see the familiar face of my mom flash on the screen. Her green eyes bright with laughter. A picture I took when she dragged me to Dave and Busters for my birthday. I had always been envious of her carefree ways, something I clearly lacked.

I missed her already...

I hit the power button, ignoring the call once more. Just, not ready quite yet.

"You ready?" I asked, grabbing my new backpack and heading for the door. If Uncle Fred saw me ignoring my mom, he didnt say anything, and I appreciated his lack of hover more then ever.

Driving to school wasnt terribly bad. It was farther then my last school (a quick 8 minute city bus ride) but I enjoyed the comfortable silence that my uncle offered. In 25 minutes we pulled into the parking lot, and I am not going to lie, I thought maybe he had a stroke and drove to the wrong place.

Saying the school was small, was an understatement. It was probably the size of the football field at my last school, only two stories tall and seemed to have been last renovated in the 80's. There was no separate parking for the students and teachers, everyone just kind of jumbled together. I started to realize that a lot of the students here had their own car, all similar in the same old and rundown style of Uncle Freds. I guess with everything being a bit of a distance from each other, you kind of needed one.

Teens my age were beginning to break up there groups and head toward what seemed to be the main building, telling me that we might've been running a little late. Did Uncle Fred take his time because of me? I think he said he said he worked in the front office in administrations but I wasnt too sure. Unfortunately when he was explaining his job yesterday I had zoned out into the memory of that damn ebony gaze.

"-okay?"

I shot a look to my Uncle as he turned off the truck and began to climb out. Oh my gawd, was he talking again? DID I ZONE OUT AGAIN!?

Quickly I followed suit, slamming the passenger door behind me and rushing to his side. Students in the parking lot were starting to look over, I wonder if it had anything to do with what Uncle Fred said. You know, the thing I totally didnt hear at all.

"Here is the school map. I know its a little old but uh-" He handed me the faded ink paper that had a plain square on it and a number key on the bottom.

"Contel Heights isnt exactly use to getting new students."

I made a face at the map as I tried to keep up with Uncle Freds quick pace.

Yeah, it certainly looked like someone just kind of put together a school map for the first time ever.

"You can find me in the attendance room after school." He stopped then, and pointed out the entrance of the building that was kind of hard to miss. I wondered if he was taking the time to do this because he caught me not listening earlier.

"The moment you walk in, its to the right. The staff should know you so there shouldnt be a problem."

Wait, how would they know me? Before I could ask, Fred shuffled another paper into my hands and continued.

"Your class list. Just give this to each of your teachers and they should initial it."

Okay, initial class list, go to attendance office after school, school map that was drawn by a toddler... alright I think I got it all.

Uncle Fred seemed to hesitate. If he was feeling uneasy leaving me alone, he didnt say it. I know I mustve not looked too confident either. The looks for the students were starting to pick up and it was really starting to bother me. But I didnt want to admit any of that to him. He seemed like he would just worry for me.

So I plastered on my best fake smile and readjusted my backpack.

"Great! Thank you Uncle Fred. Im gonna try to get to my first class before the bell."

Turning, I walked quickly toward the main entrance, the only entrance, of the school.

I had no idea where I was going.

Once I was sure I was out of site of my uncle, I shuffled out the poorly drawn map and tried to make sense of it.

Okay, so first period is Mrs. Galows. She is English 3, and down this hall?

I took a turn and felt myself hit a hard wall, the papers completely scattering from my hands but thankfully I was caught before hitting the ground.

"Oh my god. I am so sorry! I wasnt paying attention-"

My voice died down as I looked up into the face of the stranger I had been thinking about all night. Only now, it was different.

He was just as handsome as I had imagined. Maybe even more so now. His lips had a pout about them that I was sure made woman envious, the crook in his nose still adding a striking personality to his profile, then those eyes. Once my gaze locked on, it felt like I was lost all over again.

Shrouded by a cluster of just as dark eyelashes, he stared down into me. I could feel the brace of his arm around my waist, the coolness of his skin starting to seep in between the thin fabric of my shirt. The fragrance of earth entered my nose. Like a forest after a fresh rain storm. The breath I had been holding finally breathed out as a sigh.

And just as quickly as I had run into him and held into an embrace, I was suddenly let go and fell on my butt.

I blinked several times trying to comprehend everything that had happened in what felt like a lifetime, but surely wasnt longer then a couple of seconds. Looking up, my stranger stood there, only his facial expression curled up into something that would resemble disgust. Next to him were three other people, who seemed just as strangely beautiful as him. There expression unreadable but they werent look at me like he was. They were staring at him.

He said nothing. Not a sorry for running into me, or for letting me fall. Not asking if I am okay. Not even to berate me for possibly stepping on his shoe. Nothing. Just walked past me, crew in tow.

"Are you okay?"

A warm voice spoke to me, shaking me out of whatever trance he had put me in. Next to me an all fours was another boy. Not strikingly stunning like the other guy, but he was helping gather my paperwork and for that I was thankful. He stood up with the grip of papers in one hand, and offered another for me to take. I didnt even hesitate and was appreciate of the offer as he helped me up.

"Yeah... yeah sorry. Im just trying to navigate these halls-"

He laughed and gently handed the papers back to me.

"Your the new girl right? Samantha?"

I blinked in surprise.

"Yeah... and you are?" I guess he heard the question in my voice as he let out another chuckle before taking my class list off the top and staring at it.

"Sorry about that. I know it mustve been creepy. I'm Harlen. We dont get a lot of new people here, so when we do its kind of wide spread news."

Oh, is that what Uncle Fred meant when he said the staff here would know me? Maybe thats why everyone was staring at me too.

"Yeah I guess that makes sense. But please, call me Sam."

He gave me a lopsided smile. His was sort of cute, in a typical jock kind of standard. Harlen had that 'good ol' boy' look to him. With short brown hair, hazel eyes, and large shoulders that were wrapped in a letterman jacket. No doubt a football player. With the tiniest cleft chin, he sort of had a superman feel to him. Certainly acted like it when he came to my rescue.

"Alright Sam, Well it looks like you have Ms. Galows for first period. You are going to go back that way, take a right, then its on the far left. You cant miss it. Her door has a Beware of Dog sign."

Harlen handed the paper back to me and shoved his hands into his jean pockets.

"Yeah I was completely on my way to being totally lost. Thank you so much."

I hoped my smile showed my gratitude as I was not typically use to being helped like that. Not in my city school that was for damn sure.

Just then the bell over head rang and students around started to shuffle a lot quicker.

"Welp, there goes me being early to my first class..." I mutter mostly to myself.

"Yeah not gonna lie, you might get some s**t from Ms. Galows. Shes kind of a tyrant." His face showing sympathy and I could tell it wasnt going to be fun.

Great. I was so excited for school, and now im already going to be on a teachers s**t-list.

"Hey I can walk you. She kind of tolerates me. Maybe she wont be so hard on you with you in my company."

His gave that same lopsided smile, which I wont lie, I found contagious. And his offer did seem appealing but still shook my head no.

"No but thanks. Im already keeping you from your first class enough. Plus you already saved me after I made a full of myself."

Maybe it was the florescent lighting, but he looked disappointed.

"Then, lets hang during lunch? I can give you the run down."

Harlen's voice held hope. And it confused me. Surely being the new student in a small town isnt that exciting. Maybe he truly did just want to be my friend. Which was the part that confused me. I had people I talked to in my old city. But, I never actively went out of my way to hang out with them and they the same for me. Kind of invisible, except to Nathan. I certainly wasnt expecting any friends here.

"Um, yeah. Sure. Come find me at lunch." I chocked out the words still unsure, but it seemed to be the perfect thing to say as his smile returned and he shuffled his shoulders back in victory. It was then that I realized how tall the guy actually was as he towered over me by a good foot

"Alright, lunch. Ill see you then Sam."

He left, and thankfully for his directions I was able to find my way to my first class. In which Harlen was also right about Ms. Galows.

I entered just as the second bell rang and although TECHNICALLY I was on time, I was clearly the last one to enter her class. And she sneered at me to let me know.

"Late!" She barked, standing behind her large desk with her thing arms tightly in a knot.

I didnt know what to say, it took my by surprise by a teachers distinct dislike for me. I wasnt use to that. Teachers loved me.

Either way I hesitantly approached her and gave her my slip in which she practically snatched out of my grasp.

"Dont think just because your father works here that you will be getting special attention from me Ms. Samantha Wilder." She quickly scribbled next to her name before forcing the slip back my way.

"Oh he's not my-" I took the slip timidly but never got to correct her as she barked more orders.

"Take a seat in the back! Hopefully you can keep up this year. I do NOT do extra credit." Her beady blue eyes stared sharp at me and the Beware of Dog sign started to make sense.

You know, im not gonna worry about it. Instead of correcting her on who Uncle Fred was actually to me, I turned around like an abused puppy and quickly shuffled to the back of the class where I took the one seat available. I tried to ignore how everyone else stared at me and told myself it was just because I was new. And by lunch time it would work itself out of everyone system. Which I think I could've handled, but as I placed my bag on my desk and looked around, my body went ridged and cold.

Just to the right to me was no other then strange eyes himself. And by the time the class ended, I was sure he wanted to murder me.