CHAPTER 3: FIRST DAY IN SCHOOL
2962 Words
I was eating alone in the canteen. It is better for me to be alone. I do not want to make friends with anyone. It is difficult to have an emotional attachment to other people, especially with the ordinary human being. They will grow old, get sick and die while I remain young throughout my life.
I looked across the canteen. There are a few foreigners eating. This is really an International School, and this will be the best place to hide for vampires.
I looked at the group of students entering the canteen. My whole body stiffened. There I saw Justin, along with five vampires! Almost all of them have blue eyes, three men and a woman, they are less than a century old. The man who looks stretched in the gym has golden yellow eyes. I could smell the vampires' blood on them. So there are still Daywalkers? Are they already allowed by the Supernaturals Association Council? I don't think I am updated with this. And the existence of a have-vampire is already legal? He got through to SAC? I wonder how old he is.
I turned my gaze back to what I was eating, but I could feel those vampires. I know they can't feel or smell me because of the vervain in my blood and perfume, but I am sure they can drink my blood and kill me anytime, even if my blood does not smell good. Vampires are heartless, well, of course, not including my family. There are still vampires with humanity still intact with them, like my family. They abide the law of SAC. But these Justin's companions, they have the killer look and intent.
I noticed someone seems staring at me. I saw in the corner of my eyes that Justin was looking at me. He stood up, grabbed his tray and headed for my table. "Care to share a seat?"
I looked up at him. "Why?"
"Nothing. I just want to. You look like a loner." He laid the tray on my table then he sat down in front of me.
"Just because I'm alone doesn't mean I'm a loner. Can't I want my personal space and a little 'me' time?"
Justin grinned. "Hey, chillax! I don't want to have a fight with you! I'm just being friendly."
"You're not being friendly, you're being offensive and pushy." I got up and grabbed my tray, then started walking away. I lost my appetite. I put my tray back in the dish stacking area before exiting the canteen.
I heard his 'friends' whispering and asking him.
"Who's that girl?" one guy with a deep voice said it.
"She's pretty, but dude, she's human," another guy with a husky voice continued.
"What went into your brain and you were flirting with the woman," the woman said looking annoyed.
"Nothing. She just looks hot and exciting for me." Then Justin laughed out loud.
Men will always be men. They will be excited just by seeing beautiful women. And at least now I know they have no suspicion that I am a half-vampire. That's a relief, but I still have to be careful. They can surely discover my identity if I will be careless.
I went to the school garden. It's not a crowdy place at the moment. Hopefully no one will bother me this time. I opened the book I have no intention in reading it, I would just pretend as a real student.
I was busy flipping the pages of my book when someone approached me. "Miss, can I ask you something?"
I looked up at the Adonis-like human shape in front of me. It just so happened that the sunlight was coming from behind him so he looked so shining in my sight. Tall, muscular, tall, muscular... I was a little dazzled by the sun that's why I could not see his face. I stood up to level our vision and avoid the sunrays behind him. I was shocked when I straightened up and when I looked at his face. I was so surprised at what I saw. He has a very handsome face with a prominent jaw line and a pointed nose, but what shocked me the most was his silvery eyes! I was shaking and I'm scared. An ancient vampire is in front of me!
"Y-yes?" I was trying to calm down in front of the supposed vampire.
"Do you know Justin? Justin Fischer?"
Does Justin know this ancient vampire? That man is filled with mystery. He's making me more curious about him. "Y-yes, he's my classmate. He's in the canteen with his five friends." I pointed to the building where the canteen was.
"Okay, thanks." Then he walked towards the building.
I felt so weak and sat down on the grass. I just simply looked at the man walking away from me. According to Martha, the senses of ancient vampires are sharper. Hopefully... hopefully he did not suspect me as a half-vampire. Uncle Fernand should know this. Why do Daywalker vampires come here? There is a legal half-vampire and there is an ancient vampire who seemed to get lost? Did I miss out something? The Uncle Fernan's intelligence report has not been updated.
I got up to go to my next class. I was walking while thinking deeply so I did not realize that I collided with someone again at the door to enter the classroom. This is my second day today.
"Sorry," I said sparingly.
"It's okay," the man replied.
I was nervous again. Maybe it's another vampire. I looked at the man's face. I breathed a sigh of relief when I saw his eyes—light brown. He is also taller than me. He's handsome, bulky, tanned skin, with thick eyebrows and kissable lips. Wait, what?
"Be the first to enter, the room, Miss." He gestured his hand as if allowing me to enter the door first.
"Thank you."
I sat down again in the designated seat next to Justin's seat. He is not there yet so I can still breathe normally.
A few moments later, he came followed by her five friends and the man with silvery eyes! Is he also our classmate? No way!
Justin sat down next to me, then looked at me. "Hello."
I turned to him and raised an eyebrow.
"Why is it you're always angry at me?" Justin made a sad face. "I haven't done anything to you."
"Have you heard of first impressions last?"
"I don't believe that. Try to know me first before judging me," he seemed challenging me to stare into his eyes.
He's trying to compel me. He's using compulsion, for someone he thought was an ordinary human! Will I pretend to be under his compulsion, or will I show that I am not affected? He and his colleagues would doubt when they found out that I was not affected by his compulsion.
I took a deep breath. "Okay. I will try to know you first." The safest answer I could think of.
Justin smiled sweetly. "Good girl."
I smiled at him too. The sweetest, innocent smile I could offer. It's so hard to pretend. That was all he commanded in his compulsion—'try to know him first' so this will be an opportunity to ask questions, pretending I'm under his mind control. "Where are you from?" I started asking questions.
"From Melbourn Subdivision behind this school," he replied with a smile.
"Are they your relatives? Your companions?" I pointed to his five friends and the one with silver eyes."They have nice eye colors."
"No, they are just my friends. They also have foreign blood. British."
"I thought you were related. You are all good-looking."
His smile widened. "Really? Are we good-looking? Especially me?"
"Of course." I hope lightning does not hit me in what I do. "But the girl... is she your girlfriend?"
"Nope. She's a good friend. Why, are you jealous?" he was grinning while talking.
I laughed. It's so difficult to answer him without being sarcastic, I almost talk back at him. If only I do not need to pretend of being compelled. I was so thankful and Professor Santos came. "Good afternoon, class. It's nice to see you again."
"Good afternoon, Mr Santos," we all greeted.
"Okay, since it's your first day today for the entire semester, I will make your lives easier." He picked up a whiteboard marker then started writing on the board. Everyone watched silently, trying to read what the professor is writing on the board. "Make a 15 second TV commercial. Any product will do. You are also the main endorser, support, creative stylist, director and camera men. Group yourselves in 10. Presentation will be next week, so you have a week to prepare. "
All of my classmates reacted. He hasn't taught anything yet. "Wondering why you are being instructed to do this? So that I can see who has the natural talent and who does not. Those with natural talents that I will discover will be easier to enhance their skills, while those who are trying hard and struggling will probably beat the teaching structures. You have different learning attacks. So, go, find your group.. or do you want me to group you?
"No, Sir, just let us group ourselves," my classmates said in unison.
Justin called my attention. "Let's be in a group so you can get to know me better."
I would have refused if I have not remembered that I was 'under his compulsion'. "All right." I answer sparingly.
Another person called me from behind. I turned to him. Standing next to me was the one I bumped at the door. "Hi, can I join a group?"
"Of course." I smiled back at him. He looks kind and harmless.
"No," Justin replied firmly.
"Isn't that what the group needs? Ten? We lack 2 if your friends are in the group. We are only eight," I reasoned.
Justin sighed deeply. "All right." I turned to the other guy. "What is your name?"
"Jeric Gomez." He offered a handshake.
"I'm Vanessa Smith, he's Justin Fischer." I reached out my hand. Justin just nodded.
Jeric returned to his seat. The groupings are dangerous. These vampires can take advantage of the situation.
"There are only 49 of you in the class, so one group will only have nine members. Is it ok with the last group to have 9 members?" Sir Santos looked around the whole class.
Justin raised his hand. "It's okay to have nine members in our group."
"Okay, well then, write your names on a sheet of paper and submit it to me," sir Santos instructed. "Start the meeting and planning so that you can finish the project early."
My situation here has become more complicated. I am still 'under compulsion'. How can compulsion be 'lost'? Ah! Vervain. I took out my perfume. VH Cologne. I sprinkled on myself. Justin was shocked by what I did.
"Why do you have that?!" Justin exclaimed, he moved his chair away while still sitting on it for fear that he would also be sprinkled.
"Oh, this? The company gave it away for me. It's part of my endorsement contract. It's fragrant, isn't it?" I even smelled my wrist. He was not trained in using vervain. Good.
"Ahhh... you're their endorser. It doesn't smell good. Change that," he seemed so disgusted, he moved a little further away from me. I guess he forgot that I was no longer 'under his compulsion'.
"Why? It smells good." I turned to the woman sitting behind me. "Miss, doesn't it smell good?" I reached out for her to hand my perfume.
"Wow! VH Cologne! Can I sprinkle some? I love it!" my classmate said. She giggled.
"All right, sure. The company just gave it to me. Do you want it? You can keep it. I still have stocks of that." It will also help you to stay away from these vampires, I whispered.
"Wow! Really? You're just giving it to me? Thank you!" She sprayed several times all over her body.
Justin moved even further. I wanted to laugh, but I held back. The woman looked at me. "Wait, you're their commercial model!"
"Yes, that's me." Then I smiled sweetly at her.
"Eeeeehhhh! You are that girl on the billboard too!" She even held her both cheeks.
Justin chuckled. "Let's have a meeting tomorrow. Don't use that perfume anymore. It really stinks." Then he got up and started walking away out of the room.
I was grinning while watching Justin walking away.
- Writer
