Dark Famiglia

Chapter 3

Sabrina and her new friends walk into the school building. She puts on the spare clothes Miguel lent her and finds her homeroom class after getting her class schedule from the office. She is introduced to her classmates and begins her first lesson at her new school. Hours later, it’s the end of the day. Sabrina returns home and is greeted by her big brothers Leo and Jesse in the living room.

“Welcome home, Sabrina,” says Jesse with a bright smile.

“I’m back, Jesse, Leo,” Sabrina replies with a cheerful smile.

Leo looks closely at Sabrina and sees that she is wearing a men’s basketball uniform instead of the regular tomboy clothes she wears every day.

“What happened to your clothes? That’s a men’s basketball uniform you have on,” says Leo.

Sabrina starts pouting and knows she will get laughed at by her big brother.

“Promise me you won’t laugh?” asks Sabrina.

“I won’t laugh at you depending on what you have to say,” replies Leo.

“A certain basketball player accidentally lost control of his basketball, and it hit me. I lost my balance and fell into the school pond. Miguel apologized to me, so don’t do anything stupid. He lent me his uniform to wear while my clothes were drying.” explains Sabrina.

Sabrina sees smiles on her brother's face and sighs in relief.

“I guess I’m not good with first impressions,” says Sabrina.

“We’re just glad that you didn’t get hurt,” replies Jesse.

“Go take a hot shower and change clothes. I know you’re probably dying to wear your favorite night clothes. Dinner will be ready when you come out. Don’t worry about Lunette. She’s already in bed, asleep for the night. She had a big day at preschool and mom is working late at the office.” Leo says.

“Okay,” replies Sabrina.

Sabrina walks into her bedroom and sets her book bag down next to her bed. She takes her favorite night clothes from her dresser and enters the bathroom. She turns on the water and waits for it to get hot. As she waits, she undresses and stares at herself in the mirror. Her smile fades. Her pale skin and cold touch are a constant reminder of the monster she is: a vampire. Sabrina turns back to the shower and tests how hot it is. She enters the shower and gets lost in her thoughts. Once she is out of the shower an hour later, she changes into her night clothes and walks into the living room. She sees Leo watching TV and Jesse setting down a hot plate of food on the dining room table.

“Sit down and eat before it grows cold. I’m sure you’ve had a long day at your new school,” says Jesse.

Sabrina walks over to the dining room table and sits down. Once she's done eating, she cleans up the dirty dishes and returns to her room for the night. There is a small mini-fridge beside her bed. She opens it and grabs one of the cold blood bags from inside. She walks over to her writing desk and begins working on her homework while drinking the human blood contained in the bag.

The next day at school, it’s already lunchtime. Sabrina makes sure no one is around and walks to the school courtyard. Once there, Sabrina finds a spot near a tree and sits down under it. She places her book bag next to her and curls her knees to her face. Silent tears stream down her cheeks. Since sensing Jayden’s presence yesterday, Sabrina has been scared of meeting him. All she can think about is if Jayden despises her. Meanwhile, Miguel and Kason walk through the corridor to try to find Sabrina.

“Have you seen Sabrina anywhere? I saw her in first period and third period, but she disappeared once lunch began.” Kason asks.

“No. I haven’t seen Sabrina. However, I did notice that she has been quiet throughout second period. Like she has something on her mind.” replies Miguel.

Miguel thinks to himself and remembers the conversation he and Sabrina had yesterday. He remembers Sabrina wanting to find someone. Miguel remembers the sad smile Sabrina had on her face when she talked about it. He hopes that Sabrina isn’t crying somewhere alone.

“I hope that Sabrina isn’t crying alone. I think something happened between Sabrina and the person she’s trying to look for.” Miguel says with concern in his voice.

“Maybe she’s in the school courtyard,” says Kason.

Kason and Miguel run to the school courtyard and see Sabrina crying under a tree.

“I knew it. Sabrina is crying alone.” Miguel says.

Miguel and Kason nod at one another and walk up to Sabrina. Miguel sits next to Sabrina on one side while Kason sits on the other.

“Do you want to talk about it?” asks Kason.

“No…” replies Sabrina after a long silence.

“Okay, then,” replies Kason.

“Just stay here by my side and let me cry silently,” replies Sabrina through her sobs.

With the company of Miguel and Kason, Sabrina continued, occasionally sniffing up snot until the school bell rang to signify that lunch break was over. Sabrina freshens up in the lady's room and walks to her next class. Sabrina’s next class happens to be AP art. The teacher hands each student a sketchbook and a set of charcoal pencils.

“Students, I have each given you a sketchbook and a set of charcoal pencils. Your assignment is to draw a rough sketch of someone you know. It could be a family member, a friend, a boyfriend, a girlfriend, or anyone. This assignment will be turned in tomorrow, and we will review it as a class. Feel free to start drawing anytime. You have forty-five minutes until the final bell rings.” says the teacher as she gives instructions.

Several students, including Sabrina, opened their sketchbooks. Sabrina decides to draw Turaya. Turaya is someone who is sealed within the bracelet that she wears around her wrist. Turaya is a vampire, the same as Sabrina. But Sabrina has no clue that Turaya is her older half-sister, who was intentionally sealed in the bracelet by their father to watch over her. Sabrina imagines what Turaya would look like if she actually met her and starts drawing. She imagines Turaya having an oval-shaped face, almond-shaped eyes, long red hair that cascades down to the middle of her back, and blue-gray eyes. By the time the final bell rings forty-five minutes later, Sabrina has finished half of the drawing. The final bell rings and Sabrina puts her sketchbook into her book bag. She stands up and walks out of the art room. Sabrina then makes her way home. Once home, Sabrina is greeted by her little sister Lunette in a big hug.

“Welcome home, sissy!” Lunette says excitedly.

Sabrina chuckles at Lunette’s excitement.

“I’m home, Lunette,” Sabrina says as she picks up Lunette in her arms.

Sabrina’s mother walks out of the kitchen with a cheery smile.

“Welcome home, sweetie. Dinner is almost done.” Sabrina’s mother says.

“Okay,” replies Sabrina.

Lunette sees that Sabrina’s eyes are red and swollen from crying.

“What’s wrong, sissy? You seem sad.” Lunette asks with concern in her voice.

“Sissy just had a little bit of a bad day at school. Don’t worry,” replies Sabrina as she reassures Lunette that everything is alright.

“Then I will leave a plate of food in the microwave for you when you’re ready to eat. For now, go take a hot bubble bath,” says Sabrina’s mother as she smiles and walks up to her.

“Okay,” replies Sabrina as she sets down Lunette.