Caution: Baring Fangs

Chapter 1

Hiss of Death

“Yessir.” I replied evenly. The S's in my sentence tended to run together, so it was the third time I had to repeat myself to the principal.

“Listen, Adam, you really need to go to a speech class. It will also help you with that lisp of yours.”

I felt my already chalk-white skin turn red as I blushed, mortified. Everyone knew about my... speech impediments. I swear, he was rubbing it in. He was also the only person in the school who acted like he couldn't understand. Mr. Puth (awful name, I know) was definitely out to get me.

“Remember Adam, if I catch you sneaking into the lab again without a teacher, you'll be out of here.”

“Yessir, Mr. Puss.”

“Excuse me?”

“I didn't say anything sir. Jusst, yessir.”

“You are dismissed, Mr. Sleeth.”

I decided to just nod that time. I waltzed out of his office. I purposely made my converse sneakers squeak on the floor to help Mr. Puth with his on coming migraine which appeared after every meeting we had. I was still anger with him for my speech comment. Yes, I had a lisp, but I actually had a bit of control of it. I normally use it just to annoy the crap out of him. Hey, he deals it me, I deal right back.

I pulled my iPod out of my jeans pockets and tuned into some Greenday as I walked through the halls. It wasn't another ten minutes till anyone would actually show up, so I could do whatever I wanted...as long as I didn't get caught.

I first needed to use the restroom. After doing my business in the disgusting school lavatory, I stared into the mirror. I swiped my pitch black hair from my eyes and pulled on my blue-black striped fitted t-shirt.

Then, I looked myself in the eyes. I was used to people staring at me for my strange eyes. Half the time they thought I was wearing special contacts. The other half thought I had some strange disease. It's understandable though. My eyes are weird. They were both fairly large, which looked strange on my thin, pointed face. Then there was the fact that they were green and my pupil was stretched longways vertically. Like a reptile.

Like a snake.

I wandered aimlessly through the halls as other students began to file in, all chattering away like nobody's business. I soon neared my own group of friends.

“Hey, A! Nice play last Friday night. You really turned the whole game around!” Brock yelled at me from across the room. Because, yes, believe it or not, I play football. My slender form is not fit to be a fullback, but I have a tendency to be able to slip out of the opposing team's grasp, making me perfect for a runningback. I can run the ball down the field at breathtaking speeds.

“Hey, baby.” I turned to see Candy standing behind me. Her shorts were just too short as was her shirt. Not that I minded or anything. “Come here.” She said, batting her mascara covered eyelashes. I took a step forward and she stood on her tip toes to give me a long kiss. I smiled as she shoved her tongue down my throat.

“Teacher!” Brock grunted at me. I quickly broke the kiss and stood there with my hand still in the back pocket of her jean shorts.

The cranky old coot of a science teacher, Mr. Birdswell, was walking, hunched over, down the hall.

“Ah, Mr. Sleeth, you do realize we have a strict no PDA policy here.” I removed my hand from Candy's pocket. “Much better. But, if you do it again, I'll have to assign you with lunch detention.” I nodded solemnly, trying not to laugh. He huffed and continued down the hall.

“Thanksss man.” I told Brock when the old bird left.

“No prob. Better hurry. Don't wanna be late for English. I’m already failing.” He laughed and jogged to his locker.

On cue, the bell rang, sending the paths in a furry of rushing bodies. I gave Candy a quick on the cheek as a goodbye when I noticed that there was a drop of blood on her lips.

“What's that?” I asked her.

“I think you cut the inside of my lip when you kissed me. No biggie.” She giggled, “You might want to think about filing down your fangs there, Adam.” She hurried over to her gaggle of friends as they went somewhere that was anywhere but homeroom.

I touched my finger to my teeth. They were slightly pointed. That's strange. I thought to myself the rest of the morning.