Heart to Heart: Love of a Vampire

CHAPTER 6

“Hey Ania, why are you shaking like that?” Leila asked me as she pulled up on an empty space in the parking lot at school.

Earlier that morning, Leila offered me a ride to school and let her give me a tour to the school. Winter break was finally over, and second semester starts now. A week already passed since ‘Leila’s doppelganger’ showed up, or whoever it was. People were staring at us as Leila turned off her engine. I wore my black skinny jeans and a knee-high boots to keep me warm. I held tightly my sweater with the brown top under it. It really was freezing.

I sighed when I took off the seatbelt. “I don’t know. I’m kind of nervous you know. It’s my first time transferring to another school.”

“Oh… you’ll be fine. Come on, let’s go. I’ll give you a tour around.” She dragged me out of her car, pulling me to her side.

“Thanks, Leila. But, don’t you have classes?” I asked her.

“Yes, I do. We are having out midterm exam and today’s the last day actually. I finished everything before the break. So, I don’t have anything to do today. Besides, I’m a senior.”

I stopped and looked at her. “You’re a senior?” She nodded and I continued, “My sister is also a senior. You know, you’re just like her.”

“You have a sister? Why did you think I’m like her?” she chuckled a bit, feeling slightly embarrassed.

We were walking on a hallway. I felt everybody’s eyes on me. What? Is this the first time they’ve seen this kind of beauty? Ok. I’m just kidding. But they really give me creeps with those stares. Jeez. I told myself. To lift me off from embarrassment, I tried talking to Leila as much as I could.

“Yes, and her name’s Angelique. Well, you’re both seniors, you have a car like hers, and you both talk a lot. Both of you are kind of in the same height, and both of you are gorgeous.” I told her. I started laughing quietly. “Speaking of sisters, Leila, do you have a sister or a twin, maybe?”

“Why” she asked me.

“Well,” I started talking. “I think it was last week. I saw you, or so I think, getting off a car. So, I ran to you. Only that, I realized it wasn’t you. But she did really look like you.” I didn’t bother telling her what that girl did to me.

“Did she do something to you?” I shook my head. It was as if she read my mind. She continued, “Oh, it was probably Liana.”

“Liana?” this time, I asked her.

She turned to look at me. Her hand slowly turning the knob open. We were at the office. It was packed with students, so we waited in line, and continued to what she was saying before.

“Yes, Liana. She’s my… twin.”

“You have a twin? Well, that explains it. Leila, it’s not that I’m rude, but your sister is kinda—” she cut me off.

“Rude. I know, Ania. I’ve been with her all these years. Her attitude depends on her surroundings and her mood. Maybe you caught her in a bad mood when you saw her.”

I tapped her shoulder and said, “She looked down at me, you know. The first time I saw her, she raised an eyebrow at me. It was kind of creepy.”

“Ania, I’m sorry. She doesn’t know her place. She’s usually nice you know.”

“Leila, why are you the one apologizing? Well, it’s okay. I don’t really mind.” I told her, and she thanked me.

At last, we were now in front of a lady. A middle-aged woman was behind the desk. When she looked up, she was kind of confused.

Leila chuckled and finally said, “Miss, I’m not Liana.” Leila leaned closer, to let the lady see her eyes.

She flinched, “You’re right. Sorry about that Leila. So, what brings you here?”

“I almost forgot.” She turned to look at me, and pulled me closer beside her. “This is Anastasia Maurice. The new student.”

I smiled at the lady. She seemed nice. The lady then said, “Oh! Miss Maurice, I wasn’t expecting you to be with Miss Carlyle. Anyway, do you want to go to class today?”

“Uhmm… I don’t know. I heard today’s the last day for midterms. Since I already took my midterms from my last school, I don’t really have to go today, right?” I told the lady.

She smiled and said, “So, you want to check out first the school?” I nodded and she continued, “No problem. Leila will guide you. Don’t worry about getting lost. This is a small school. So… here’s your schedule.”

She handed the paper to me and said thanks. Before we left, she gave us hall passes, and she added, “Miss Maurice, we are grateful to have you here at our school. Welcome to Boe Greene High School.”

There were only two buildings at my new school. The buildings were a lot smaller, way smaller than my old school. I had the feeling that the students weren’t separated by grade in each of their classes. I caught a glimpse from one of the rooms as we passed, different people were there. I felt embarrassed when I met some of the student’s stare at me.

“What are you so embarrassed about, Ania?” Leila asked. We were now walking on a hallway. I tried memorizing every detail I have to know, of course, it circled in my mind.

I managed to make a smile. “Everything! Leila, the stares and glares gives me the creeps. I’m not used to this kind of atmosphere either. I think I’m going crazy.

“Oh, you’ll be fine, Ania. Hmmm… I think it’s time for lunch. You wanna eat lunch with me? I mean, I don’t really have anyone, besides my sister, to eat lunch with.” She calmly told me.

“Ha! Thanks. I would love to. Wait, what do you mean by you don’t have someone to talk to? Don’t you have other friends?”

She led me in a big hallway and then to the cafeteria. I looked around and put everything I could see in my mind. There weren’t so many students in the cafeteria, but I surely felt some strange glances from the guys on me. I shivered.

Leila chuckled, “You alright? If they’re staring at you like that, it means that those guys are starting to like you. But if they ask you out, don’t even bother saying yes. They always playtricks on new pretty girls around here. I once went out with a guy, just for fun, not really serious. I was tricked, but I didn’t took it seriously. It’s just the way they do with there boring life.” We settled on a corner table. Not far away from the center crowd. I thought I heard the bell rang, and suddenly, students burst in, immediately filling in the small cafeteria. Some girls who sat near our table smiled at Leila, but gave me an are-you-a-new-gorgeous-girl glare.

I smiled at Leila at the thought she said earlier. “Anyway,” she continued. “You see, some students here have issues with rich, I mean wealthy people, or what kind you are. If you’re a pretty-smart-friendly girl, then you belong where I belong. That’s what they told me. I don’t really belong anywhere. I am kind of a free-girl, just hang out with everyone. Everybody are friends with each other, but they stick to what they like, or more like what they are like.”

It took me awhile to register everything what she said. I finally answered Leila. “Weird. I never heard of things like that before. People from my old school are way different. I sensed, I mean I think I know why they have attitude towards rich people. So, is your sister coming to lunch with you?”

She muttered about something and then replied, “Yeah, she’s coming with her ever-so-popular-gorgeous boyfriend.”

Ever-so-popular-gorgeous boyfriend? Leila sure know how to give description of them, in a good way. I simply said back, “Your sister has a boyfriend? Who?” She rolled her eyes and replied, “Nathan Hughes, you know him, right?”

I winced and almost choked. Just hearing his name made my heart beat faster. I think I blushed. Leila asked me if I was alright. I nodded. I haven’t seen him at all. Ever since the incident that happened between us. I didn’t even know that he goes to the same school.

The crowd’s chatter became louder. I heard a boy yell Liana’s name. Seconds later, I saw Leila’s twin approaching our table, gracefully. Her pale black eyes ignoring the presence of everyone, but us. She flipped her hair to her side before she sat on a chair, across from me.

“Who are you?” were the first words that came out of Liana’s mouth. I looked over at Leila and she nodded.

I smiled at Liana and said, “Hi Liana! I’m Ania.”

“Oh, hi! So you’re Sammie’s… I mean Aunt Sammie’s youngest granddaughter? Sorry about the way I acted before. I was kind of pissed at that time. Actually, let’s forget about it.” Liana simply said. She was definitely in a good mood.

Leila stared at her sister. “Did something happen? You seem strange today.” Liana nodded with her big smile. She knew that her sister wanted an answer, so she opened her mouth and started blabbing.

“… and the best part is, I get to spend more time with Nathan. I really missed him. I didn’t get to spend time with him alone last month.” Liana had told us that she will be staying more frequently at my grandmother’s house.

Leila broke the silence. “Speaking of that guy, where is he?”

“Nathan? Oh, he’s out hun-” she paused and looked at me for a second. “I mean, uhh… he had some business with the principal. I think he’ll be here any minute.”

Awkward. Both of them were quiet for some time. They were like talking to their selves, through their minds. I wanted to go home. My head started to ache. I sighed deeply. I didn’t want them to know what I was feeling. When I looked up, Leila looked worried, but I ignored her.

“Uhm… guys, I should go back now. Talk to both of you later. Bye.” I told them and stood up, walking out of the cafeteria, as well as out of the school.

I was standing near the parking lot of the school, waiting for Spencer to pick me up. Both of my hands were in my pocket. Seconds later, a black Lamborghini Gallardo was turning fast from the corner towards where I was standing. I knew immediately that it was mine. The car stopped right in front of me.

The windows rolled down and I saw Spencer on the driver’s seat. He smiled at me and said, “Hey Annie, want a ride?” and then he winked at me.

I giggled and got in. His humor never stopped humoring me. “Hey Spencer, thanks for picking me up. That was fast. I called you like five minutes ago, and here you are. Also, I haven’t talked to you for awhile.”

I sat beside him, the front seat. Of course, the car was designed for only two people, the driver and a passenger. Spencer was a brother to me. We were talking for quite some time as he drove. A few yards away before the dirtroad to the mansion, I saw something move from my right side. I looked out. Nothing. There were only tress, it was the forest.

“Spencer, stop the car!” I yelled. Spencer immediately hit the break. It was a good thing no car was behind us. He asked me if I was fine. I nodded, but my gaze was locked on the forest. My heart beat went faster now.

“Hey Ania, where do you think you’re going?” he asked when I opened the door and stepped out.

“Uh, Spencer? I’m just taking a walk around here. Feel the fresh air, and stretch. You don’t have to wait for me.” I ordered him sweetly.

He gave me a worried look, and then finally said, “Oh, Fine. But you have to be back before sunset, you heard me?”

I smiled in agreement. I waited for him to turn to the dirt road and disappear.

I started walking towards the forest. I walked faster and faster. My feet leading me to nowhere but huge trees around me. It felt nostalgic. It was as if I’ve been here before. I was definitely positive about earlier, before we stopped. I saw a figure running around the forest. I ran out of breath, dizziness started overtaking my head. Suddenly, I tripped over a rock and fell. I was lying with my back on the ground, forest floor more like it. I closed my eyes and concentrated with every sound around me. Someone, or something was definitely out there, and it was fast, very fast.

Is someone out there? I asked.

My eyes bolted open when a familiar singing voice responded to my thoughts.

Anastasia Maurice, what are you doing here?

I sat up and looked around, bewildered. One thing was clear to me, not a single soul was there on my sight.