I shrug it off, because I honestly don't know. Most Vampiro are docile creatures who still have a firm attachment to their human sides. The personality they had in their human life is who they are as the undead. The Watch doesn't worry about them much, the only ones on their radar are called the Forsaken. The Forsaken have renounced their humanity, and enjoy killing for sport, and blood.
Since the Sanguis Accords of 1612 Vampiro's are forbidden to drink the blood of an unwilling. It’s also prohibited for humans not within our world to know about any Supernaturals. There are exceptions to the rule, when necessary, of course. Most Vampiro use blood banks for sustenance now. The males are often referred to as Vampiros while the females are Vampiras. Those who don't identify as either are simply known as Vamps. You can also say vampire, although you might get a side eye if you do.?
"Ethan’s eyes weren't dark gray, but he could have been wearing contacts." Vampire’s eyes always shift to a variation of that color after being turned.
"True." She agrees. "Hit me with the second red flag, please."
I smile wickedly. "He knew my name without me telling him."
"He what?" She crinkles her nose in that cute Merrie-Beth way.
"Yes. As I go to leave, he says, and I quote: I will see you later, Arabella." The last part said in my very terrible impersonation of a British accent.?
Mer almost squeals. "That's so creepy."
"I know!" I reply with a shrug.
"What if he's Umbra?" Her eyes are wide as saucers.
"Then I'll kick his ass." It really is just that simple. The Umbra are the anti-us.?
She laughs. "Definitely. And don't worry, if he kills you, I will avenge your death."
Yeah, she will. Our wild laughter earns us a dirty look from Mrs. Lopez. "Thanks, Merrie-Beth. I can always count on you."
Merri Beth gives me a grin. "Did he really say ‘mum’?"
Smiling broadly, I waggle my eyebrows. "Yesss."
"That's so hot! That shouldn't be hot, but it is!" When she's right, she's right.
Pondering what’s wrong with us, I nod in wholehearted agreement. Then Mrs. Lopez decides to start class before I can say anything filthy about him. Ethan was absolutely scrumptious.
"Class, can I have your attention, please? CLASS!" Mrs. Lopez shouts.
Wow, she is not playing around today. Good thing my butt was in the seat before the final bell. I curl my lip up at Merri Beth, which causes her to stifle a laugh behind her perfectly manicured hand. Hot pink as per usual.
"Thanks and believe me I know you are all excited about graduation. But let's keep the outburst to a minimum. Jeremy, that goes double for you. What are your plans for this summer? I'll go first. In June, I will be taking an art class at SCAD. The month of July will be my ten-year wedding anniversary, and in celebration, we have decided to take a trip to Italy." Her smile is big, and she appears to be glowing.
Ten years and still in love, no small feat these days. Way to go, Mrs. Lopez! I wonder what Mr. Lopez looks like. I'd say he is tallish, with a pop belly and minimal facial hair.
As the kids go up one by one, I realize that everyone has a much better social life than we do. When Sara Whitmore, our arch nemesis walks up to the front of the room, my face cannot be held responsible for the stank expression that automatically appears. Unfortunately, she is a member of the Lux and will be attending the same college as us in the fall. Much like in the world around us, our high school is a mixed assortment of the societies and regular civilians.
Merrie-Beth shakes her head in agreed disapproval. From the outside looking in most people would think we're just jealous of the "perfection" that is Sara Whitmore. However, she's a thot and that's why we dislike her. I can't help that my eyes always seem to roll to the very back of my head when she opens her deceptive, pouty pink mouth. It's an involuntary reaction to her bullying, mean girl self. She is cruel and vile, and I don't like her. It's as if Regina George had a baby with the devil, and the creation was Sara.
I lightly tap my fingers on my desk, so my fist doesn't itch to punch her face. Sara makes nausea form in my belly as she tells the class about her forthcoming skydiving adventure and how she’s going to visit Paris for the tenth time Let’s not miss that she is finally going to get to meet the President, which is not surprising since her Daddy owns half of Fifth Avenue. Not only is she the wealthiest kid here at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, but she’s also the cruelest. Sara loves to tell people how her father makes her go to public school, so she won’t take her privileged life for granted. Well, Daddy needs a refund, because it didn't work.
Sara, who we have so graciously nicknamed“the Bitch,”has tortured us our whole academic career. With her little snide comments and impeccably good hair. Why couldn't she have at least one bad hair day like the rest of us do on the daily?
Standing up in front of the class is not my favorite. So, when it's my turn, I freeze. They stare at me, and I stare blankly back at them. It's a stare-off. Sweat beads form at my temples, and in my mind, I got nothing. Zilch. Nada.
"Twenty bucks says she barfs, just like when she played Little Red Riding Hood in the third grade. Come to think of it, that was on the last day of school, too." The Bitch throws her head back and laughs.
My fear intensifies, and bile begins to rise in my throat. I've worked hard to get that one incident out of my mind forever. Throwing up in front of everyone is horrible enough but add in the fact that I threw up on my crushes foot and the whole thing became catastrophic. Justin Chang had played the coveted role of the wolf. Years later, and the cutest boy in our class still looks at me like I am a leper. I should have never eaten those cinnamon rolls. To this day, I avoid the things.
Merrie-Beth's eyes shoot daggers into Sara's back. "I'm surprised you can remember that far back, Sara, considering your head is so full of air."
Sara turns, her eyes glazed over with embers of fire. "Listen, Fattie-Beth, the only thing full of air, is you."
