Blood Born

by Jamie Manning

  “That’s too bad,” Lacey said, tossing her hair over her shoulder; Laceybots One and Two copied her move perfectly. I actually bit my tongue that time to keep from laughing. “But we’ll see you there today, right?” Her doe-like eyes somehow grew bigger as she playfully twisted a strand of hair in her well-manicured fingers. She smiled seductively at Chance, and I was impressed to see that he seemed unaffected.

  “Yeah,” he said, taking my arm and pulling me away from the group. “We’ll be there.” He smiled mischievously over his shoulder at Lacey and her crew as he moved us down the hall. I waited what I thought was a respectable amount of time before speaking.

  “She likes you,” I said matter-of-factly. I know he said there was nothing going on, but I just couldn’t imagine someone being as persistent as Lacey if there was no hope of achieving anything.

  “I don’t like her,” he answered. “I told you that already.”

  “I know,” I said, sounding a bit defeated despite his reassurance. “I heard you.” We walked into homeroom and took our seats in the back. I hadn’t realized I was sulking until Chance pointed it out.

  “Oh wow,” he whispered, leaning over to me. I got a huge whiff of his delicious scent, causing my head to spin. “Are you jealous?” I jerked my eyes up at him when he said that, shock written all over my face. He had a wide smiled plastered on his; I wanted to smack it off.

  “Of course not!” I had to fight to keep my voice to a low whisper. “Are you insane? What would I have to be jealous about?” I looked away from him and laughed a little as I spoke. I began feverishly shuffling my books around on my desk, trying to find anything to occupy my mind so I wouldn’t look at him sitting there swooning.

  “Yes, you are,” he continued, further embarrassing me. I could already tell my cheeks were bright red from the heat I felt in them—which made me mad since obviously being a vampire didn’t stop me from getting embarrassed. I doubted they could get any worse, but I didn’t want to find out.

  “I said I wasn’t and I meant it.” I didn’t mean to be so snappy, but I figured it was the best way to get him to drop it. “Let it go,” I added, a bit softer with my tone.

  “Okay, okay. I’m letting it go.” He threw his hands up in mock surrender and leaned back over in his desk. After a few seconds I glanced over at him; he was still wearing that overly-confident smile. I couldn’t help but smile myself at his cuteness, which somehow managed to climb a few points. I also couldn’t help but notice that even though I had no clue who this guy was, I was slowly becoming more and more attached to him.

  We made it to lunch without another ‘Laceygate’ incident. I was actually feeling somewhat comfortable in my new surroundings, even laughing at a couple of Chance’s jokes. Although he didn’t have what I would call friends—which I couldn’t understand seeing as how he was totally gorgeous and very charming—there were a few guys that spoke to him in a friendly way. A couple of them even walked with us to lunch, laughing and cutting up with Chance like they were best friends. One in particular—Trent? Trevor?—seemed closest to him.

  “So how do you like it here, Ava?” he asked as we crossed the threshold into the cafeteria. It took me a moment to adjust to the noise and crowd level of the rather tiny lunchroom. I found myself moving a bit closer to Chance. He picked up on my uneasiness and moved next to me.

  “Um, it’s okay,” I said. “A lot bigger than what I’m used to.” I had no idea what I was ‘used to’ as far as my old school was concerned. I couldn’t remember anything about my past, but I didn’t think telling this guy was a good idea.

  “Oh yeah? Where’s that?” Of course he was persistent. I took a minute to try and come up with a believable answer before opening my mouth to speak.

  “She’s from the west coast,” Chance interjected. I cut him a what-the-crap look; he responded with a tell-you-later one. I kept quiet, thankful that his friend didn’t seem to notice. Obviously he wasn’t really concerned about my past, just making small talk. Chance and I got our food, said goodbye to Trent/Trevor—who joined his jock buddies on the other side of the cafeteria—and I followed Chance out the far doors to a tiny patch of grass beneath a couple of trees. We were halfway done eating before I spoke.

  “Okay, two things,” I said after swallowing some fries. “One, what’s that guy’s name?” Not knowing was starting to bug me.

  “Travis,” Chance said, swirling a fry in some ketchup. At least I had the first letter right.

  “Two, what was that back there?” I was thankful I didn’t have to elaborate, since I was busily stuffing fries in my mouth.

  “Sorry about that. I was supposed to tell you.”

  He finished up his fries, tossing the container into a trash can a couple of feet away. “Aldric kind of made up this past for you, just in case anyone asked.”

  “Oh he did, did he?” I sounded like a mother, questioning the teacher who accused her child of cheating. “Why didn’t you mention that this morning? And why don’t I know about my ‘past’?”

  “He just didn’t want anyone questioning where you came from.” He stole a fry from my tray and doused it in way-too-much ketchup. “He didn’t want someone finding out about your ‘death.’” I was mad that Aldric took it upon himself to create this whole new life for me.

  “What gave him the right to do that!”. I stood up and threw my fry container toward the trash can, missing it by several feet. Only fueling my rising anger, I stomped over, picked up the cardboard container, crushed it in my hand and tossed it into the can. Chance was at my side in a flash.

  “We gotta get you out of here,” he said calmly but urgently. His hands were groping my arms.

  “What? Why?” I was confused and mad all at the same time, firmly planting my feet as he tugged on my arms. I was shocked to see that even though he towered over me—and seemed to be really pulling hard judging by his flexed muscles—I didn’t move an inch.

  “Ava,” he said, fear drenching his words. “Your fangs are showing.”

  9

  . SEEN

  What?” I thought I had heard him wrong. No way did he say that my fangs were showing. No way. I turned to face him as I spoke.

  “Oh God, your eyes,” Chance said, startled fear weighing down his face. His head darted from side to side, searching for somewhere to hide me. There was nowhere to go.

  “Okay,” he said, his voice erratic. “I need you to calm down, Ava. Before someone sees you.” His face was inches from mine. I felt a thick heat between us, though I couldn’t be sure if it was radiating off him or me.

  What was he talking about? I felt fine. I was mad, yes, but my body didn’t feel any different. He mentioned my fangs, and my eyes. Both seemed in place, seemed normal. I flicked at my teeth with my tongue and felt the prickly point of one of my fangs, hanging out for all to see. I hadn’t even felt them come out. I quickly clamped my lips shut, hoping no one noticed. My eyes went to Chance’s, panicked.

  I threw my hand in front of my mouth. “What am I going to do?” Crazy panic soaked my words. All I could picture was a group of maniacal teens charging me with schoolhouse weaponry: mop handles, yardsticks, erasers full of chalk dust. I cringed.

  “I can’t risk moving you,” Chance whispered. He then pulled me into him, sort of hugging me against him, obviously hoping that to passers-by it would appear we were simply having a normal couple moment. Feeling his body wrapped around mine made my head swim. We stood like statues in the middle of the grassy knoll, kids walking around us, conversations about upcoming tests and weekend plans flowing in and out of my mind. I could feel Chance’s heart beating deep in his chest, pumping blood through his veins. I just knew that I was going to be overcome with the desire to taste it and bite him, but I didn’t. Somehow, the melody of his heartbeat calmed me down. After nearly a minute of our awkwardly perfect moment, Chance broke away, staring at my face.

  “Better,” he said with a half-smile. He exhaled the pent-up air from his lungs and tried to
look relieved, but I knew he was still freaked out. I watched his eyes dance across my face, probably searching for signs of the killer in me. His grip on my arms relaxed and he released me once he felt I had calmed down.

  “Are you sure?” I asked, fearful to even speak. I still had my hand over my mouth, but a quick brush of my tongue revealed fang-less teeth. The fact that I couldn’t control them, couldn’t even sense when they were out, really ticked me off. I thought that being hungry—for blood, gross—was the trigger, but now it seemed that any sort of heightened emotion could cause me to turn into the monster I really was. I lowered my hand, keeping my eyes fixated on Chance’s face.

  “You’re good,” he answered, stepping back and away from me. I, too, exhaled the breath I had been unknowingly holding in my lungs, and the two of us headed back into the building just as the bell rang, signaling the end of a very crazy lunch.

  In my next class, I focused on the clock instead of paying attention to the teacher’s lesson, watching the second hand tick away. I could feel each notch passing by like a year of my life. Is this how it’s going to be forever? Will immortality creep by like a second hand, one agonizingly painful click at a time? Just the thought of it made my skin crawl. Living forever sounded like hell. A hell I intended to avoid if at all possible.

  I have to kill to survive.

  Aldric’s plan re-entered my mind, taking over all my thoughts. I had to kill one hundred vampires—well, ninety-nine more—before I could rid myself of the monster growing within me, before I could become human again. Before I could grow old and one day die. I never imagined wishing for old age at only sixteen, but wrinkles and retirement sounded like heaven compared to the alternative.

  “Hey.” I heard Chance whisper from beside me, his face full of concern. “What’s on your mind?” His regard for me was a little flattering and totally unnecessary.

  “Nothing,” I smiled, though a bit forced. “Stop worrying about me so much.” I kept glancing at the front of the room, where the teacher was rapidly scribbling notes on the board. I should have been copying down in my notebook what she was writing, but I couldn’t force my mind to focus.

  “I can’t,” Chance said with a burning behind his eyes. He looked angelic sitting there, wisps of his curly black hair falling carelessly around his face. I wanted to reach over and brush them away, but refrained. I didn’t want to get close to him, this guy I barely knew and didn’t fully trust. The hugging we did at lunch—even though it was for my safety above anything else—was super uncomfortable—and totally awesome at the same time—and that was more than enough closeness in my mind. So instead, I smiled at him. He flashed another of his charming, perfect smiles before turning his attention to the blackboard at the front of class. He immediately slipped into student mode and began feverishly copying the notes piling up on the board. I figured I could just copy his later and returned to staring at the clock.

  I noticed that during our little exchange time had moved past the point I made it to yesterday before being bombarded with that sweet blood smell; when I had to excuse myself from school to go kill someone. I wonder if there’s a hall pass for that? So at least today was now officially better than yesterday. Well, the first part of it anyway. I smiled at my inside joke and lowered my gaze from the clock on the wall. My eyes fell on Lacey, sitting two rows to my left and three seats forward. She was staring at me with fierceness in her eyes and anger on her face. Great, I’ve made her mad again. I knew what it was this time, though. Chance. She obviously wanted him, and she felt I was standing in her way.

  I forced another smile, hoping it would cut the tension flowing between us. Her face remained rigid as she spun forward in her desk. I watched her for a few seconds before looking away. I couldn’t believe that I had already alienated one of the most—if not the most—popular girl in school, and it was only my second day. Chance was right, all bets were obviously off.

  The bell rang, and I couldn’t get out of that room fast enough. I didn’t even wait for Chance, who sometimes moved at a snail’s pace. I was already halfway down the hall before he caught up with me.

  “Where’s the fire?” he joked, stepping in beside me. I didn’t acknowledge him as I stopped at my locker and spun my combination into the lock. I could feel his eyes on me as he opened the locker next to mine. We both had gym next hour, but I planned on doing nothing but sitting on the bleachers and reading. Judging by the sneakers Chance fished from his locker, he planned on running. Good, I thought. I need some time alone.

  “Nowhere,” I blurted, “it’s just a crazy day.” Chance didn’t protest. I felt a little guilty as we walked in silence across campus to the gym. I did slow down so he wouldn’t have to run to keep up with me. Part of Ava 2.0 was having a much faster gait—one more thing to get use to.

  We made it to gym class just as the bell rang, and I immediately found a secluded spot at the farthest end of the bleachers and headed over to it. Chance reluctantly left me in the gym—after several assurances that I was fine—and went outside to join some of the other guys in our class in a game of football. From where I was standing I could see outside the gym doors and watched them play for a few minutes. I was impressed with how well they played, especially given the frigid temperatures. Even though cold weather only partly bothered me now that I was half vampire, I’m sure it was freezing to everyone else.

  I could tell that Chance was hurt by the silent treatment I was giving him, and I fully planned on apologizing later. But I had to get away from everything right then or I was going to explode. I climbed the bleachers, took a seat at the very end up against the wall, and opened a frayed copy of Frankenstein I found on a table in the library. I hoped that reading about a true monster would somehow make me feel more human. I was a couple of chapters in when I felt someone walking up the bleachers, headed in my direction. I found a comfortable place in the book to stop reading and looked up.

  Lacey. Great.

  “Hi,” I said, trying my best not to sound annoyed by her interruption. I put the book on the seat beside me. Lacey stood on the row just below mine, yet she was still almost eye level with me. I hadn’t realized until then how tall she actually was. Her blond hair was pulled tightly into a ponytail, accentuating her long neck.

  “So are you two a ‘thing,’ or is it just sex?” I knew she was talking about Chance, I just couldn’t believe she was being so blunt. I cleared my throat and shifted in my seat, uneasiness settling into my spine.

  “We’re just friends,” I gave back. Though I wanted to, I didn’t break my lock on her eyes. I wanted to make her feel uncomfortable, too; I didn’t think it was working.

  “Being ‘just friends’ doesn’t involve the looks you two keep giving each other.” She put her hands on her hips. “Don’t try lying, okay? You’re not good at it.” If she only knew how good at lying I actually was, she wouldn’t have said that. Maybe I should show her my fangs, or my crazy fire eyes. I decided against going full-on vampire right in the middle of a packed gymnasium. Instead, I just glared at her.

  “You like him,” I said knowingly. “But he doesn’t like you.” I knew it was going to sting her when I said it—that was why I said it. She pissed me off. It was all I could do to keep control of myself to avoid a repeat of lunch. “That must suck for you, huh?” I watched the anger move across her face like shadows, circling her eyes and turning the corners of her mouth. Her skin flushed with blood, and the smell of it boiling beneath her skin hit my nose with the force of a tornado.

  I had to get out of here.

  I stood up quickly—apparently too quickly; Lacey seemed startled– and clambered down the bleachers. I did my best not to look awkward doing it, having noticed a small group of guys on the basketball court staring up at us. I expected Lacey to come charging after me, demanding I leave Chance alone or she would beat the crap out of me. I made it to the gym floor and halfway to the girls’ locker room before looking over my shoulder. She was still standing on the bleachers, st
ill mad as hell and still staring me down. Apparently she didn’t go after people; they probably came after her (guys especially, I was sure). I tried to ignore her and the daggers she was throwing at my back and went into the locker room to get away from all the eyes watching me. Once inside, I took a deep breath and stared at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall.

  “Calm down, Ava. Just calm down.” I repeated the statement over and over at my reflection, watching my eyes for any signs of change. My skin felt alive with nervous energy, practically moving on top of my muscles and bones. I took deep breaths between chants, my blood pressure going down with each one. After a couple minutes, I felt normal again. Maybe I could control the whole turning thing. It seemed to be working at the moment.

  “I saw you.” A tiny voice from behind me made me jump. I jerked around, my eyes coming to stop on a girl even shorter than me standing against the row of stalls across the room. Her hair was going crazy on top of her head, obviously dyed black from a supermarket box dye. Judging by the streaks of brown peeking through at the roots, she was in need of another dose. She wore a plain black t-shirt and faded gray jeans that tapered down her skinny legs. Dingy black and white sneakers completed the semi-Goth look. I felt underdressed in Ms. Caldon’s hand-me-downs.

  “You scared me,” I said with an awkward laugh, clutching my chest in mock fear.

  “Sorry.” Her responses were simple and quiet, almost like she was keeping her voice low for a reason. Her eyes never moved from my face. Her body seemed paralyzed.

  “Guess you mean that mess with Lacey?” It came out like a question but was more of a statement. “Sorry about that. I don’t think she likes me.” I smiled at Goth girl, hoping she would stop talking to me and leave the locker room. She was kind of making me uncomfortable.

  “Lacey’s a bitch,” Goth girl said, this time a bit louder and with more anger behind her words. “She’s always been that way. But I wasn’t talking about her.” She took a couple of steps toward me. I instinctively backed up, the edge of the sink stopping me from getting farther away from her.