I turn the corner stop to talk to Lizzie and then, I’m turned around and wham! Before I could even open my eyes, someone was kissing me. My eyes flutter open; William Stelling is my drive by kisser, the guy every girl with a normal mind is gaga over. “What the hell?” I say taking a step back, still dazed at even the thought of his lips touching mine. “That was interesting” he said still dazed as well. “ew” I said as we both turned and went separate directions, never to mention this to anyone, or so I hoped. My mind should have left that moment behind where it happened, but instead I thought about it the whole day. Through every class everyone was asking the same question. “Are you okay?” and I would nod and stare at the blackboard. But when I missed a question on Johnny Depp in theater, everyone, even the teacher, knew I wasn’t. The final bell rang and I went to my locker. I somehow wasn’t surprised to see Will standing there. “Back for more I see?” I said kneeling to open my locker. He chuckled and I did too. Something in my mind said “the first laugh” but my subconscious promptly beat it to a pulp. I looked up he was smiling; I couldn’t decipher whether that was good and decided it wasn’t. “Uh about earlier...” he said trailing off, trying to think of what to say. “Yes?” I said looking up at him. I examined his face. He would look good with eyeliner. But it would take a bet of a million dollars to get him to do that much. We, or should I say me and him, are of different clique. I know, I know, cliques are wrong, everyone should be of equal value. But you would have to pay me to wear pre-ripped jeans, and dye my hair blonde. Then I touched my hair, its bright blue streaks against my natural brunette, got me the nick name I wear so proudly. He stared confused for a moment as to what I was doing then proceeded to talk. “So uh about that “thing” that happened, it’d be best if it didn’t become school news” he said. “I can understand that” I said a bit to harshly, I bet he didn’t even know my name. “Right” he said smiling. The smile seemed to be on his face even now. With the sun streaming behind his face, catching a patch of blonde naturally programmed in his head, it would be beneath me not so sigh at his beauty. I contained myself and instead dropped my book. He kneeled eye level with me and handed it to me. We looked into each others eyes. Just then from the corner of my eye saw a sea of black. It was my clique, the differentail. They came down the hall at us, stopped obviously shocked and then proceeded. The terror on Jack’s face was indescribable. He escaped whispering “ill talk to you later, Alex”. Wow he actually knew my name. I didn’t have time to dwell on that fact as my friends all gathered around me like kids at a birthday party when the cake is served. Though usually I wouldn’t compare myself to something so corny, but I actually felt sweet, kind of good actually. Their lips fluttered like millions of tiny butterfly’s wings and it was like they were just as quiet. Ignoring their persistent questions I walked slowly down the hall. They just stood there their mouth agape with utter… surprise. Nothing, not even the nagging of my parental units could bring me down. I floated (for lack of a batter word) up the stairs to my room. The deep purple walls so inviting to lock yourself in is why I dubbed it so proudly my castle. My guards their stone eyes ever staring lined my room. I sat on my bed and counted them, yup still six. I did this everyday when I got home. My sister told me once; when they were hers, that if I didn’t pay close enough attention, they would fly off, to join the others in the clouds. I like to think she was right because when she knew them there used to be seven. One flew off and now adorns her grave, watching over her forever more. When she was in the hospital, she told me that I had to take care of them for her and never let them go. I remember her face, scratches all over, her eyeliner blending into the bruise underneath her eye. I realize I should’ve cherished all the time I had left with her, I should’ve known that this was going to be the end. But instead, after weeks passed in the hospital, I went to school. No my sister wasn’t in the hospital dying of course not. I was foolish, while I was at school, March 24^th; she left me, to deal with my grief. I cried, when I knew the mistake I had made. All I saw was the big picture, not the crucial detail that I might never get to see her again. Although she was ten years older then me, we were best friends. I was 5 when she passed away.  Everyone didn’t expect the step I would take next. The gargoyle’s I swore to take care off, I took into my room and did just that. I started dressing like her. The black clothes, the heavy eyeliner. Even my voice it started to resemble hers. At family gatherings, people confuse me for her, saying “oh good to see you Myrice”. Then I see the pain on their face when they realize the mistake they just made. I smile and just say “hello” then usually as soon as I get back home and the castle gates close, the flood gates open. But today, I felt loved. And in the presence of my guards, I felt overjoyed. Will I knew he was taken away from me, probably lost forever in his cliques grasp, but him knowing my name and wanting to speak to me again, that made me feel I had a chance. I floated around my room, looking for my diary, knowing I had to write this down to prove it actually happened, when I caught a glimpse of something. I drew back again and looked at myself in the mirror. “Oh yea” I sighed. My beauty was non existent. I was nothing compared to those supermodels his kind worshiped. There was nothing absolutely anything he would want in a person like me. My eyes darted around the room, trying to distract them from the cold needle baring truth. I collapsed on my bed, giving up at last, and I cried. The violent shaking of my shoulders, called my cat Tabitha to me. Tabitha a very fat grey cat was all the comfort I ever received from anyone. Her quick little mews are what compared her to a dog. But her soft purrs comforted me and reminded me that there is a reason to keep going. I sat up, tasting the eyeliner that had run down my cheek, and thought of the possibilities. I go on with life and pretend I had never met him, never seen his face, or could go up to him and talk to him about the whole situation in general. Or I could get a contagious disease, separating me from the rest of the cruel world forever ever, or as long as I could live that way. I laughed at myself for even thinking of the infectious disease rout. It would take me many attempts because I never got sick. The laughter was like morphine easing the pain so I could sleep. I did just that. I slept and I dreamed of him. Of how it could be … how it should be. I was in a black abyss. Just him, me and time on our side. He smiled as he told me of how we were going to be together for the meaning of forever. I giggled like a schoolgirl as he held me tight. I could actually feel his arm around me as I dozed, then he shifted getting more comfortable, that would not be included in a dream. I opened my eyes and instead of seeing my purple walls. I saw black. I turned and there he actually was holding me in his arms. I blinked frustration apparent on my face. He smiled and said “ I told you we would talk later”. I blinked “what are you doing here?” I asked not entirely sure where “here” was. “Talking to you of corse” he said. “but I’m asleep aren’t i? I asked. “in a manner of speaking yes you are, did you ever wonder why you couldn’t get sick?” he said. “how-“ “it doesn’t matter, but have you ?? I mean it is quite curious don’t you think?” he said cutting me off. “how do you know-“ “I mean you didn’t catch the killer flu last year when everyone else did, don’t you think it’s a little strange?” he asked. “uh I guess , but why does it matter?” I asked. “it will later, meet me before school at the body chute” he said. “ok I said closing my eyes, suddenly drowsy. I drifted back to sleep, and I felt his cold arm leave.

 

 

 

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I woke up suddenly to my cell phone ringing. I turned over to answer it but they hung up, and it was unlisted. I got up got dressed, black as usual and headed to meet him at the body chute. The body chute is what we of the darkness call this one hallway in the school. Its pure white, and it slants downwards to one lonely door, that people go in but never are seen coming out. Only the courageous hang out down at the bottom. I pick the school lock, what you haven’t? I walk inside and its dark. Well I should’ve expected that its 6 in the morning on sat. I walk quietly down the hall to the body chute. I see a person at the bottom but I cant tell who it is… “Will?” I call into the abyss. “down here” he replies. I walk down and it gets darker and darker. Then he turns on his lighter. “ I didn’t know you smoked” I heard myself ask. “I didn’t know you didn’t” he said teeth still perfect in the dim light. I reach the bottom he’s standing there like its nothing and opens the door. “you’ll need to see” he says as he flicks on the light. “its an old abandoned prop room, for plays and things are school is too cheap to put on” he says taking my hand and basically dragging me over to a chaise lounge. He sat down and I sat too. I looked around. It was a small room with purple flames painted on the walls. I found that funny, so I giggled. “What?” He asked looking down at me. “The flames are so funny” I said despite the fact his arm was around me. “ do you wanna know why you’re here or are you going to bable about the walls” he said chuckling. “Reason please!” I said. “ do you believe in love at first sight?” he asked. “ haha that’s funny… you cant possibly..” he gave me a stern hurt look. “oh” I said. “lemme show you something” he said getting up and walking to the wall. “put your hand here” he said pointing to the wall where their was a worn spot. “uh sure…” I put my hand on the wall, and I started moving downward. I looked over to him and he just stood there sinking with me. When the floor stopped sinking we were in a totally different room. He lead me over to a wall with some inscriptions on it. “look familiar?” he said pointing to what I swore was a mirror. There I was with him holding hands eyes closed, but my blue streaks were missing. “what the hell?” I said slowly backing up. “ the school was built on my covens sanctuary, so we joined it and disguised it under the prop house, and since theater is a dying art it was a perfect plan.”  He said as I looked around the room at the black leather couches and strange symbols. “coven?” I said a little shaky. He flashed me a smile and in it I saw something I thought I would never see outside of a movie screen. I backed up and ended up falling back onto a chair. “ don’t be afraid” he said his hands coming towards me. I kept backing up until I was against the wall. “calm down, I wont hurt you, I thought you of all people would understand.” He said looking a bit hurt. “ understand ?? I always thought vampires existed but you?? You do not strike me as a vampire.” I said my eyes tense. “alex calm down… seriously your one too..” “WHAT?!?!” I screamed practically in his face. I sat there confused looking at my hands, they seemed normal I mean a vampire?? Me ??? I stared at them dumbfounded. “look, when we kissed yesterday I was scared I was going to kill you … we cant kiss anyone unless their another vampire and it would’ve looked a bit weird if you ended up dead in my arms in the middle of the hall. It was an accident I swear but, you lived and that can only mean one thing. That’s why you couldn’t tell anyone. If the rest of the coven had found out I kissed you it would exile for me.” He said his eyes pleading into mine. “ but if I’m a vampire doesn’t that mean?” “you were bitten by death itself, your sister was one and she passed it on to you” he told me like it was no big deal. “how?” “she ever bite you ?? to your knowledge?” he asked. “no but I bit her cause she took my stickers.” I said smiling remembering how vicious I was as a little girl. “No she had to have bitten you, how else how you could’ve survived my kiss?” he said suddenly nervous. “calm down I lived is that so bad?” “no its what ive told you that’s worse, I told you too much without first realizing if you were one of us or not.” He said coming closer, and suddenly I was afraid of him. Afraid of what was going to happen to me, to my memories. Instead he took my arm and lead me back to the wall where I was pictured. Like it was no big deal at all he lead me through the wall. Then when we got to the other side, I barely recognized him. His once soft brunette hair with the patch of blonde, turned into jet black hair with my electric blue in the patch of blondes place. He smiled at me and my heart melted. His eyes once a pale blue were now dark crimson red, blood red. His hand still holding onto mine he lead me towards what I believe is the covens meeting place. “ everyone gather around this is alex” he said motioning for someone to come near. Suddenly we were surrounded, each and every grave marker around us had someone perched on it. Except 2. I counted them. There were 12 including Jack. We were in a cemetery type setting with gothic angels sitting all around us and it was snowing though I couldn’t feel it. Still feeling slightly afraid I looked at the vampires sitting waiting for any movement from me. Then slowly ,as if they didn’t move at all they all were standing around us. The smell of a musky tomb encased my nostrils as they came closer and closer making my head spin. “stop!” said a voice I wasn’t familiar with. They all suddenly were back on their perches and in front of me was their leader a man who appeared to be in his thirty’s with hair so white I couldn’t tell if their was snow on it. “welcome to the coven my dear” he said taking my hand and kissing it. “ I am Divurtue Morte, and this is my family” he said his eyes never leaving mine as he motioned to the others still perched on their graves. Then he turned, quicker then I could see, to Will. “ has she been transformed?” he asked Will his back still turned to me. “ seems I’ve had a bit of a tactical error their sir, I don’t know how she lived.. it doesn’t make sense.” Will said his eyes motioning to me. “well then let me” divurtue said as he came close to me. “ wait div!’ Will said stopping him as his mouth hovered over my neck. “ I don’t think it is wise, with her sister being already transformed I do not believe her parents could handle another jostle of death. “ my sister?” I heard myself whisper. “ hello alex” said a girl looking to be my age with long misty white hair. It was my sister, the one who left me 10 years ago, when I was to young to understand. I couldn’t help myself. I ran to her and hugged her. Her soft gentle arms clasped around me. And I cried, I didn’t care if this was a dream or if I had somehow miracously just died and gone to heaven but there she was my sister. I was never going to let her go again. “ shhh shhh its allright lex” she said stroking my hair. She then pried me off her and looked into my tear stained eyes. “ what have I done to you” she muttered underneath her breath hugging me again. We stayed like that listening to each other breathe , for what seemed like eternity. When my muffled sobs had slowed, she again parted from me when another vampire I recognized tapped her on the shoulder. It was her boyfriend, Lance, who had died with her in the accident. His once orange hair was now a pale green. “hello Alex” he said extending his hand. “its nice to see you again”.  “is everyone I know a vampire?” I said slightly confused. Divurtue Morte thought this was funny and chuckled. “div, what are we to do? She knows to much to be forgotten but to transform her may expose us” Said another girl with blue-grey hair. “William, remove her while we deliberate” Divurtue Morte said motioning to me. Jason took my hand and lead me into what appeared to be a castle of some kind hidden behind the trees. In the middle of the room was a fountain. He lead me over to it and said “here wash your face, it’ll calm you down while I go find a towel.” He left me by the basin. I took a step forward and peered into the water. I took a step back, shocked by what I saw. My once brunette hair was now dazzling purplish grey and my once electric blue streaks , were now as blonde as Will’s patch was.  He came back with a black towel in his hand. I sat on a chaise lounge and dried my face off. “I’m sorry bout all the confusion” he said. “if I would’ve maybe talked to you a little more instead of bringing you here right away, then this could’ve been avoided.” He said giving me the towel. “so what exactly happened to my sister?” I said trying to avoid his eyes. “well she fell in love with lance, who has been a vampire for about 100 years now, and so she concocted this plan to fake a car crash.” He said looking at me to see how I was taking the news. “and when you choose to become one you must be bitten, but the process takes several weeks, and its very painful and noticeable that your about to die. So she spent the weeks in the hospital baffling doctors as to why she was still barely alive. And then, you know what happened.” He said taking my hands in his and looking into my eyes. “you explain it like its nothing! You weren’t there for weeks! Weeks! Wondering, waiting ! waiting for her to be better!! Waiting for her to play Barbie’s!! Waiting for her to come home and teach me how to grow up!! And you didn’t think she was getting better to find out she died while you were away at school!!” I was standing now yelling my head off at him. “you don’t know how … how upsetting it is, that like an old goldfish your sister dies when your away!” I yelled at him. His eyes were still looking into mine, but the happiness that usually carried them was gone. They were serious. “and now for her to suddenly be all right like nothing even happened!” I said my hands flinging up top my face and I sat back on the lounge, crying in my hands. “alex….” He said his hand on my shoulder. I got up and ran tears streaming down my face. I didn’t know where I was going all I knew was I needed to go somewhere where things made sense. Where dead people stayed dead and all you had left of them was the memories. But I ran into something cold as stone, and as hard too. I looked up.Will, he put his arms around me and hugged me, and I cried until the front of his shirt was soaked. My sister came into the room just then. She saw me in his arms and said very quietly “ Alex my how’ve you’ve changed” She looked at me head to toe. “I like your shirt” she said pointing at it. It was my corseted purple top with the ruffles. I ran over and hugged her, remembering her sweet smell. My sister always reminded me of a spring day after a rain. “come on you, cheer up” she said patting me on the back. “u still got those gargoyles?” she asked me, now we were standing across from each other. “yea their in my room, all of em’ except the one on your grave” I said grave a little shakily as the realization still punched my heart.