by Logan Byrne
I gathered my things and dragged my feet to history. I walked in just as the bell rang, signaling class to commence.
“Glad you could join us today,” Mr. Quigley said. “Take your seat.”
I shuffled myself to my desk and sat down. This was the last place in the entire world I wanted to be. Now I had to listen to this rude man speak for the next hour.
“Okay, class, who here knows about The Great Vampiric Battle of 1874?”
Great, more vampire talk. Why did this have to happen to me? A guy rejects you and then somebody tells you everything about him and won’t stop bringing him up. It was something that nobody, especially not a hormonal teenage girl, wanted to hear about.
Some people in the class raised their hands as Mr. Quigley looked around the room.
“Okay,” he said. “Not many of you know about it but that’s okay. That’s why I’m here.”
“The Great Vampiric Battle of 1874 was a battle that took place here in our country. A small town in Montana found out that there was a small group of vampires living on the outskirts of town. Enraged and scared by this, they banded together to form a small militia. They wanted to go confront the vampires and demand they leave and never come back. They went with guns, knives and any other weapons they could find. They marched in the middle of the night with their lanterns and torches and showed up at the house of the vampires. One man pounded on the door and the family came out. They said they knew what they were and told them to leave or they would kill them. The vampires didn’t take this lightly because their family had been there for years, longer than most of the people standing there. They didn’t feel they should have to leave and they had never been a problem to anybody there. The villagers relentlessly demanded they leave or they would attack. One man in the crowd, a drunken man, threw a rock and hit one of the younger vampires in the head, and so the battle began. The vampires were fast and cunning. They knew their strength and speed, and used it to their advantage. They went left and right, slashing people in their way. There were screams and shrieks as people were struck down everywhere. Finally, the villagers managed to strike down some of the vampires long enough to tie them up so they couldn’t move. Finally, with the vampire numbers going down, the rest of the villagers were able to catch all of them and tie them up. The villagers looked around to see bloodshed everywhere. People were gashed and mutilated, and the remaining villagers took no mercy on the vampires. A man pushed everyone aside and started chopping off their heads with an axe. That night, 34 villagers lost their lives and a family of five vampires was killed. This battle was one of the biggest between humans and vampires there has ever been. Both sides have never forgotten the injustice that was committed that day,” Mr. Quigley said.
I looked around the class to see everybody so infatuated with the story just told. Their mouths were open and some of the guys were looking at each other smiling as if they heavily enjoyed what was just told to them. Typical testosterone-filled teenage boys.
“Why didn’t the vampires leave?” asked Gunther.
“Well, reports from the time say that the vampires felt entitled to staying there. They felt since they had been there so long and didn’t ever harm anybody they should be left alone and stay there,” Mr. Quigley said.
“That’s stupid. They should have just left peacefully,” shouted Gunther.
I wanted to just yell that they should’ve stayed. They weren’t harming anybody. I couldn’t imagine anyone doing this to James and his family. I had been around them a couple times and never once felt threatened. They were so nice and didn’t want to hurt anybody. If anything they just wanted to help people, but humans didn’t care. They saw them because of what they are, and not who they are.
As the bell rang, it sounded like angels singing in the distance. I couldn’t wait to get away from the close-mindedness that clouded this classroom. People only wanted to think what they were told, and that was obvious.
The rest of the day went on miserably. I eagerly waited for it to be over so I could just go home. I was one day away from a very much needed girls’ night, and I was counting down the hours. I needed to get a second opinion on what to do about James and if they knew ways to get a guy back. My ideas obviously weren’t working well enough.
When I got home later that day, I put my bag down and let out a sigh. The day was finally over and I could relax. Nobody was home, thankfully, and I went upstairs and went on the computer.
I hadn’t been on Bubble Power Pets in so long, and I needed to relieve some of the stress I was holding in. I got on and started going crazy attacking anything in my path. I could feel the stress draining out of my body every minute as I was playing. While I was playing, a screen popped up with a chat message inside.
“So, you don’t like me anymore?”
It was Marcus. I hadn’t even seen he was online. I left him the other day when I told him I couldn’t be with him, and had forgotten about coming back. I felt a sort of nervousness in my gut as I was thinking about the argument that was about to ensue.
“It isn’t that. I just don’t see it going anywhere. We are two very different people, and I can’t live my life underground. I need more out of life, a lot more.”
“I’m sad to hear that. It just seemed like you liked me when we were together.”
“I did and I still care about you. It has nothing to do with your personality or who you are. I just have a life above the ground, and I want it to stay that way.”
“So essentially, my looks are holding back what we could have had.”
“In a sense, yes.”
“All right,” he said as he logged off.
I could tell he was hurting. I hurt when he hurt, but I had to be truthful with him and myself. He had many qualities that I wanted, but living a sheltered life underground wasn’t one of them.
Marcus really was hurting. He logged off from the chat with Juliet and got up in a rage. This wasn’t even his fault. He didn’t want to be like this anymore. He wanted to be normal. If his parents hadn’t made him into this monster, he would be with Juliet right now. They would be going out, kissing and spending their lives together. He would be with her and his life would be perfect. He had to change himself. He had to make himself look as human as he could. He needed to be able to pass in the streets as just a normal guy.
He started going to work designing something. Something that would change his appearance on the outside, while he and his friends tried reversing being like this. He needed some way to mask himself on the outside, while his parts hid underneath.
Marcus was skilled with computers and technology. Maybe he could build a device to hide everything. He went to work, and hoped that his dreams would come true.
I soon lost interest in playing the game after the talk with Marcus. Being a teenage girl was one of the hardest things in the world.
“Juliet, are you home?”
I went downstairs and saw my mother at the table taking things out of shopping bags.
“What is all of this?”
“Oh honey, I bought you and your friends some stuff for tomorrow.”
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to. I want you to have a good first experience!”
I looked at all of the items on the table. She bought us nail polish, movies, junk food and even new pajamas for me to wear. They were actually really cute.
“Thank you so much,” I said as I gave my mother a hug.
“Oh, dear, you are so welcome,” she said while embracing me back.
“Are you excited about tomorrow night?” she asked while sitting down.
“Yeah, I really am. I am coming home first to get my things but then going over to Ariel’s. I will get her information tomorrow for dad. I know he wants it so bad.”
“I know it annoys you, dear. Your father is just really protective of you and wants to make sure you are always safe. If anything happens, he wants to make sure he can come and get you and not have to wonder a
bout where you are. He means well.”
“I know he does, but he just needs to realize I’m almost an adult and I should be trusted more.”
“I’ll try to calm him down a bit.”
“Thank you, mom,” I said while smiling at her.
I was just happy to have one sane, respectful parent. One who didn’t try to implant something in me to track my every move. One who gave me distance and freedom to be myself.
I grabbed the things she got me and went upstairs as she started preparing dinner. I was happy she was supporting me and especially in these new experiences.
I tried to start on my homework while I waited for dinner to be ready. It proved impossible, though, as the thoughts of James lingered into my empty head. I really wanted him back, and I wanted to hold him once again. I wanted to feel his cool skin touch my face as I kissed him. I wanted to look into his hazel eyes and see my reflection in them. I wanted to give him my love again.
“Juliet! Dinner is ready!” my mother yelled from the foot of the stairs just before I started daydreaming.
“Coming!” I shouted back as I tried to collect my composure.
I went down and sat down at the table with my parents as my mother was putting food on my plate.
“Did you get me the information I asked for?” my father asked.
“Not yet, I will get it tomorrow,” I replied.
“Juliet, you know I wanted that information today.”
“Oh, Arnold, relax. She will give it to you tomorrow. Just calm down,” my mother interjected.
“No, Katherine,” my father said. “She knew I wanted that information and she didn’t give it to me. She shouldn’t go tomorrow.”
“She is going, and that is final,” my mother said while sternly looking at my father.
You could cut the tension in that room with a knife. My mother rarely was like this with my father, but the times she was, she always won hands-down. My father looked down at his dinner and kept eating, not even challenging her.
“Fine,” he said. “You can go, but I want what I asked for tomorrow before you leave.”
“I’ll make sure you get it,” I said while smiling at my mother.
Dinner was fairly uneventful after that spat. We all ate and went our separate ways after dinner. I went back up to my room and attempted my homework before going to sleep.
I woke up the next morning and smiled because of what today was. Today was my girls’ night, and I was going to make sure I did it right.
I got ready and made sure I looked cute. I did my hair and makeup, and wanted to make sure I looked good for tonight. I had no idea what we were even going to do so I had to look my best. I would rather be overdone than underdone.
I went to school and found Ariel and Taylor.
“Hey guys!” I said.
“Hey Juliet!” Taylor exclaimed.
“Are you ready for tonight?” asked Ariel.
“I am more than ready. I need this so bad. I hope this doesn’t sound weird but my dad wants your phone number and address. I hope it’s okay if I give it to him.”
“Yeah, that’s fine. My dad is the same way so I understand,” she said while laughing and handing me the information.
“My mom got us a few things for tonight,” I said.
“Great!” exclaimed Taylor.
Taylor always was very peppy and cheerful. She was a cheerleader and had the most pep out of anybody that had ever attended this school.
That day at school went by very fast. I was in a peppy, happy mood and counted down every single minute until I could rush home to get my things for tonight.
After school I made my guards drive me home fast. I ran inside and saw my father sitting in his chair.
“Did you get me what I asked for?” he said.
“Yeah, here it is,” I replied as I handed him the slip of paper.
“Thank you, dear,” he said as he took and studied the slip.
I jumped up the stairs as if I was winning the gold in the high jump. I threw my door open and ran into my room. I wanted to get as much time with my friends as I could. Losing even one minute was too much.
I threw my things in my bag and went back downstairs.
“I’m going to leave in a minute,” I told my father.
“Who is taking you there?”
“I am just going to walk, it isn’t far.”
“I’m not sure I like you going there by yourself. I’ll drive you.”
“No, you don’t need to. She lives ten minutes away and it is the middle of the day. I will be fine. Trust me.”
“Fine, I will let you do this. Just be careful and if you get lost call me and I will come get you.”
“Okay, dad.”
I gave my father a hug and grabbed the bag my mom had for me. I opened the door and walked outside. The crisp autumn air brushed against my cheek as I took a deep breath. I had a little bit of freedom and I liked it.
I walked to Ariel’s house and rang her doorbell. The door opened and Ariel and Taylor were standing there.
“Hey!” screeched Taylor. “I’m so glad you’re here!”
“Come in,” said Ariel. “We are waiting for some more girls to show up.”
I walked into Ariel’s house and was quite surprised. She had a very regal, elegant house. It looked more like a museum than anything else, and I was scared to even walk inside for the fear of breaking anything.
“I know it looks crazy in here,” she said. “Don’t worry about breaking anything. My parents never even notice.”
“Oh, okay,” I said as I looked around in awe.
There was old art on the walls and what looked like artifacts on pedestals. It was amazing. There were millions of dollars sitting in this room alone. I took on a child’s mindset and held my hands at my sides while walking through her house.
We went down to her basement to start the girls’ night. It was a lot more relaxed down here and it didn’t look like a history museum.
I was the only girl here so far besides Ariel and Taylor.
“Who else is coming?” I asked.
“Carrie, Melissa and Tawny,” said Ariel.
“I know they are coming together and will probably be here really soon,” said Taylor.
“When is the last time you went to a girls’ night?” asked Ariel.
“I have never had one, so I am all new to this,” I said shyly.
“Never?!” exclaimed Taylor. “We will definitely make sure you have a great time then. I don’t want you to go home tomorrow and not have had fun.”
I smiled and sat down on a giant leather couch.
“You have a really nice house,” I said.
“Thanks,” said Ariel. “Sometimes it can be a little much. It was hard as a kid trying to be normal but not really being able to play in the house. I always had to worry about breaking something in here. It feels too much like some museum and not a home.”
“Are your parents going to be here tonight?” I asked.
“Not really. They have a gala function and probably won’t even get home until 2 a.m. I’m not even sure if you’ll meet them. They aren’t as interested in my life as much as they are in their own lives.”
I knew all too well what that was like. My parents were there a lot more than hers, but I felt disconnected from them. I didn’t feel like they were my parents as much as my roommates.
The doorbell rang as we all got up to see who it was. Ariel opened the door to see Melissa, Carrie and Tawny standing there smiling.
“Now it’s a party!” yelled Taylor.
I ate lunch with everyone besides Tawny. She was a short, chubby girl with red hair and freckles. She was very sweet, but painfully shy.
We all exchanged hugs and proceeded to go downstairs.
“So girls, what should we do first?” asked Ariel.
“Change out of these constricting clothes!” shouted Melissa.
“Great idea. We don’t need to dress up for any guys now. Did everyone bri
ng their sweats?” asked Carrie.
Everybody said yes and we all got them out and changed. It felt so good to change into my sweats and just lie there on this huge leather couch. I felt like I was being warmly cradled and I could fall asleep.
“Can you believe we made the track finals?” asked Tawny.
“Yeah, it’s crazy. It’s all because of Derek,” said Ariel.
“What do you guys think of Derek?” I asked.
I wanted to gauge their opinions on him. I wanted to see if they knew he was a werewolf or even had any idea he wasn’t fully human. They had to have known that he was too good of a runner and athlete to be a mortal.
“I think he’s hot,” said Taylor.
“Yeah, he is, but he is with Cara. He doesn’t even look at other girls. He isn’t like other guys,” said Ariel.
“He is an incredibly fast runner,” said Melissa. “I don’t even know how he can possibly run as fast as he does effortlessly.”
I started getting a little excited. Maybe they would figure out he wasn’t human. Maybe Melissa would make everybody really think and realize it.
“I heard he has been training since he was four years old,” said Tawny. “His parents were Olympic runners and put him through the training so that’s why he is so good.”
“Yeah, that makes sense,” said Ariel.
I couldn’t believe they were being this naive. Maybe some people really were clueless about how many of these people were in actual society. I think they would be shocked and terrified to know that werewolves and vampires were all around them.
“What is going on between you and James?” Carrie asked me.
“Well, we dated and broke up. Now we are trying to work things out and hopefully get back together.”
“Where does he even live? Do you know?”
“Yeah, kind of. I went to his house twice for dinner. It was way out there, so I wouldn’t remember how to get to it again. I didn’t drive there or anything either. His family is really nice though. I liked being around them.”
“I know a lot of girls have had crushes on him, but he never seemed interested in them. Then you came along and he just was drawn to you. It is almost like you were made just for him,” said Tawny.