A Heretic and Some Vampires

Chapter 5

The assembly went just like Kat had said. The headmaster called me up, and Dante and Isaac came up with me. The headmaster introduced me to the school and asked some questions about myself.

After the assembly, I was standing outside with the boys, and a few people came to talk to me. Most were guys. I knew why they wanted to talk to me, and I tried to be as kind as possible. Everyone that came to speak to me left with my number, and I had a few party invitations, which I declined. I turned to face the boys, and their faces were full of anger.

“What? What is it?” I ask, worried.

“Why did you give them your number? Now they’re gonna try and get in your pants.” Dom asks angrily.

“I know what guys want when they approach a girl. Just because I am a girl does not mean I am clueless. And just because I don’t call out someone who’s trying to get into my pants does not mean I am unaware of their goal.” I say, slightly angered.

I feel my insides shift, in desperate need of a release.

“Good thing I don’t have magic right now. It would be going haywire.” I whisper as I clench and unclench my fists.

I lean against the side of the building and breathe deeply, trying to calm my rapidly beating heart.

“Come on. We should get to class.” Isaac says.

We all walk to class, and I’m surprised to see we are all in the same classes.

“How do the classes work?” I ask Dante.

“We all stay in the same classroom throughout the day. Only the teachers change after each subject. We have 2 subjects then lunch. 1 more subject, followed by a smaller lunch then another subject in the afternoon before heading home.” Dante tells me as we sit down at the back of class together.

“Seems simple enough. Should be easy to follow.” I smile.

“Good morning, Class.” The teacher says warmly as she enters the room.

Our first subject was English, followed by Math. After lunch we had History, and lastly, we had information technology. All in all, today was surprisingly fun.

Dante and I broke off from the others on our way home and went and got Kebabs and smoothies. When we got back to their house, his parents were waiting for us in the lobby.

“Hey, Ma,” Dante says, hugging her.

“Where did you two go? We were worried about you.” Mr Mateo asks with a worried expression.

“I’m sorry, Mr Mateo, we went to get Kebabs and Smoothies.” I smile as I hold up the rest of my Kebab and smoothie before taking a bite.

“I see. Please call me Andrew.” He smiles warmly, to which I nod.

“Of course, Andrew,” I reply.

“Are you both still hungry?” Kat asks as she hugs me.

“I am.” I smile brightly.

“Me too.” Dante whines. I laugh at his baby face and tickle him making him giggle.

“You two seem close,” Andrew says with a smirk.

“Yeah. We both shouted Kebab yesterday and instantly became best friends. The others called us best friend soul mates. Whatever that means.” I say with a slight thinking face.

“What do you mean?” Andrew asks.

“Best friend soul mates don’t exist. I’m not even sure if I believe in normal soul mates.” I explain to him.

After my last girlfriend, I don’t think I will ever love again. I just can’t bring myself to trust someone that much, if at all.

“Excuse me,” I say quietly as I slowly leave the lobby and head to my room to change.

I put my school bag on my bed and get out my homework. I quickly change my clothes to a pair of red booty shorts and a tight black singlet. I slip on a pair of runners and pick up my homework, phone and dock. I find my way to the garden and sit down. I plug my phone in and pick a song. Once the music starts, I start my homework.

“I was once a star, shining bright

You pulled me out of the sky

Stole all my light, why?

Why me? Why you got to pick on me?

I was once a tree, raising from the ground

Winter, spring, summer or fall, I still grew tall

Till you cut me down

Are you really happy now? Oh, Oh, Oh”

This song always reminds me that I'll be ok no matter what happens, as long as I stay who I’m meant to be. Sometimes I just need a bit of a reminder.

And I don't know where I'm going

But when I get there, I can say

That I have been the kindest me, that I can be

Now I'm a shooting star, can't catch me

Tried to pull me out of the sky, steal all my light

But look, it's not dimming.” I find myself singing along to the music as I finish my homework.

Clapping erupted behind me, and I turn around to find Andrew standing at the entrance to the garden.

“That was incredible, Clementine,” Andrew says with a bright smile.

“Thank you, Andrew.” I blush.

Now they’ve all heard me singing. Great. (Note the sarcasm)

“Kat tells me you are a siphon witch?” He says gently.

“Well, Yeah,” I admit.

“Extraordinary. In any case, I was wondering if you would like the opportunity to have a record deal? I have friends in high places, and I’m more than certain they will love your voice. It’s extraordinary. What do you think?” Andrew asks.

“I think that sounds amazing. But I don’t want you pulling favours or spending money on me unnecessarily.” I tell him as I collect my things and stand up.

“Nonsense. It’s not a waste, and you’re a part of this family now, aren’t you?”

“I suppose I am,” I say shyly.

“I’ll set up a dinner for this weekend, and we can go from there. Does that sound ok?”

“Yeah, that sounds good. Thank you, Andrew.” I say gratefully.

After a few minutes of talking, I got to know a bit more about Andrew.

Dinner time...

“Ok, I’ve just booked a reservation for this Saturday at Salvatore’s,” Andrew says as he takes his seat beside Kat.

“Why did you make a reservation?” Dante asks, confused.

“I have booked a meeting with Brent.” He replies, smiling encouragingly at me.

I blush and sip my water.

“How come?” Kat asks.

“I’ve told him about Clementine. He was surprised at my praise and wants to meet her.” Andrew pauses for dramatic effect. “To talk about a record deal.” He grins.

“Yeah!” The boys all shout happily.

“I’m glad you have decided to embrace your voice, sweetie,” Kat says, smiling brightly.

“I haven’t accepted anything yet. But I am curious about it. Before Tash, it was my dream to sing professionally.” I say quietly.

“Tash?” Andrew asks.

“My ex-girlfriend. She, Uh, she used to hit me when she heard me sing. It started after I sang at a fair and I sent the entire fair silent, apart from the rides and games and things. I accidentally sang along to the radio while she was driving. Because she was hitting me and not focusing on the road, we crashed. She died because a branch went through her chest, while I was pinned to the seat by a small branch through my shoulder.” I tell him a short version of what I told the others.

“That’s terrible,” Andrew whispers sadly as I show him the scar from the branch.

“Yeah, I guess it is,” I say just as the clock chimes 10 times.

“I’m gonna head to bed,” I say as I stand and wash my plate up. “Thanks for dinner. It was lovely.” I add as I leave for my room.

‘I can’t believe I may end up with a record deal. Thank you, mum and dad. If you guys hadn’t sent me here, this might never have happened.’ I mentally thank my parents for signing me up.

As soon as I got to my room, I climbed into bed and fell asleep. The first day at a new school is always exhausting.