A Vampire In Grade 12

The school gate was crowded with people, and I could detect the distinct scent of blood from each of them. I noticed the girls who had mocked me the previous day because of the way I smelled, as well as the security guard. None of them recognized me, and they simply walked past.

Samantha had already explained everything I needed to know about enrolling at Central City High School, and I wasn't the only new student registering that day. To make our plan work, we used one of our people—someone old enough to pose as a parent—along with forged documents and fake transfer papers from a school that never existed.

The principal, Mrs. Rebecca Ashford, struck me as someone who could easily be manipulated; with her tiny voice, she looked to me as someone fake. But I didn't care. I was over two hundred and sixty years old, my mind consumed by revenge, and I had no intention of truly studying. My plan was simple: make Eric fall in love with me, turn him into a vampire, and spend eternity together. Maybe help me with my revenge plan too. It should be easy.

I never told Samantha the truth. I only said that I wanted to fit in, and she believed me. What a joke, I scoffed inwardly. Because I knew that the moment my mission at Central City High School was complete, the rest of these people would become nothing more than meals to me.

After we finished the entire registration process in the principal’s office, Mrs. Ashford decided to show us around the school herself. She led us down the quiet, empty hallway.

“Where are all the students?” Samantha asked, glancing around curiously.

“They’re all in their classes, Sam,” Mrs. Ashford replied with a smile. “Since you’re both in 12th grade and have chosen the same department, you can request to be placed in the same class.” She added with a light laugh, “It’ll even make my work easier. I mean, less filing for me.”

The moment we stepped into the classroom, Mrs. Ashford introduced us as transfer students before leaving. My eyes immediately met Eric’s. The warm smile he gave me made me feel strangely comfortable.

“Introduce yourself,” the teacher requested.

Samantha looked happy and cheerful, as though she was genuinely excited to be there. She wore a warm smile that could make anyone forget she was a blood-sucking vampire. “I’m Samantha,” she said.

“No last name?” the teacher asked. “And where did you transfer from?”

“Isn’t that a little too much information to share?” I interrupted.

“Do you plan on finishing the school year here—”

“No—”

“Yes,” Samantha replied quickly, cutting me off. “Yes. My last name is Michael, and we’d prefer to keep our previous school private for safety reasons.”

The teacher turned his attention to me. “What about you?” He stared at me expectantly. I wasn’t smiling. I simply stared back, barely concealing the rage in my eyes. Then I glanced at Samantha, who kept blinking at me, giving me signals I couldn’t quite understand.

“Her name is Aliya,” Samantha answered for me.

“Let her speak for herself, Samantha. This is an interactive class, and I’d like everyone to participate, including your friend here.”

“Sister,” I corrected him. Deep down, I knew Samantha and I weren’t related by blood. But we belonged to the same clan, and in an unfamiliar environment, she was my sister. At least, that was how everyone needed to see us.

Samantha stared at me, shock written all over her face.

“You two are sisters?” the teacher asked. We both nodded.

“Isn’t she the same girl who came to school yesterday looking all dirty and stinky?” one of the students blurted out.

The entire class erupted into laughter.

“Oh, shut it!” Samantha snapped loudly. “Just follow my lead,” she whispered to me. “Students are like this. Don’t let them bully you.”

“You two should grab a seat. The class is about to begin.”

We made our way toward the empty chairs. My eyes remained fixed on the girl who had made the insulting remark. There was something about the way she spoke that made me wonder if she knew who I really was.

Samantha found a seat, but just as I was about to sit down, Eric called out to me. “You can sit with me,” he said, removing his bag from the chair beside him. “If you want.”

“Ooooooh!” The entire class erupted again. Murmurs spread from one side of the room to the other.

I heard whispers: “Eric has never let anyone sit close to him.” “Lilith is going to kill her.”

I almost smiled. I’d like to see her try.

I had no idea what to make of the situation, so I looked at Samantha. Since she had told me to follow her lead, I waited for her approval. She gave me a small nod.

I sat beside Eric. The moment I settled into the chair, the murmurs died down.

“You don’t look bad today,” Eric said.

I smiled at him, unable to tear my eyes away. But there was one problem: the scent of his blood was intoxicating. It made it almost impossible for me to concentrate.

“Who is Lilith?” I finally asked.

Eric glanced toward the other side of the classroom. “She’s the one staring at you right now,” he replied.

“Who is she? What’s her deal?”

“Don’t worry. You’ll find out after class,” another student chimed in.

“Buzz off,” Eric snapped at him.

Throughout the class, I barely understood a word the teacher said. He kept rambling on about the history of things that, as far as I knew, had never happened. Apparently, it was all written in the textbook. I just sat there, pretending to listen. A few hours later, the class finally came to an end.

The moment the bell rang, the classroom came alive. Students pushed their chairs back, grabbed their bags, and flooded into the hallway, filling the corridors with loud conversations and laughter.

Eric and I left the classroom together, but I eventually caught up with Samantha.

“Is it time to go home?” I asked, glancing around.

Samantha gave me a strange look. “Who’s that guy?” she asked. “He seemed like he already knew you.”

I followed her down the hallway, unsure of where she was taking me.

Then she added, “And when did you start getting to know humans without killing them?”

I frowned. “Where are we going?”

“Our locker, Aliya,” she replied, sounding amused. “It’s down the hallway. We still have several classes before school ends today.” She stopped for a moment and looked at me. “And you still haven’t answered my question. Who is that guy?”

“Eric,” I replied simply.

Samantha raised an eyebrow. “How did you get to know Eric?”

“Well...” I hesitated. “I can’t really say. It’s kind of embarrassing—”

“No one cares, transfer students.” The voice came from behind us.

I stopped walking. Slowly, I turned around. And there she was. Lilith.

She was a beautiful white girl with long, naturally blonde hair that fell perfectly over her shoulders. Her features were almost too perfect—clear skin, bright eyes, and a flawless smile that somehow made her look both innocent and intimidating at the same time. She stood in the middle of the hallway with three girls behind her, all of them watching us. Judging us. Whispering among themselves.

From the way the other students moved aside to make room for her, it was obvious that Lilith wasn't just another student. She was popular, and she knew it. Her eyes settled on me. Cold and possessive.

“You,” she said, pointing at me. “Stay away from Eric.”

Samantha folded her arms. “And why exactly should she?”

Lilith's expression hardened. “Because he's mine.”

A few students nearby immediately started whispering: “She actually confronted her.” “That's Lilith.” “Poor transfer student.”

Lilith took a step closer. “I don't share what belongs to me.”

Samantha scoffed. “And what if she doesn't listen?”

Lilith's eyes narrowed. Before she could answer, one of her friends stepped forward. “You haven't heard what happened to the last girl who got too close to Eric?”

I remained silent.

Her friend lowered her voice dramatically. “She ended up in a coma, and she still hasn't woken up. So if you don't want the same thing happening to you, stay away from Eric.”

Samantha rolled her eyes.

“There are plenty of guys in Central City High. Why don't you just pick someone else?” Lilith added.

I let out a loud scoff. Then I slowly stepped forward. One step, then another.

The hallway became strangely quiet. Students began gathering around us, forming a circle. Some pulled out their phones, already eager to see the newest drama unfold.

I stopped directly in front of Lilith. She is beautiful. I'll give her that. But beauty meant nothing to me.

I looked straight into her eyes. For the briefest moment... I saw something there. Fear.

Interesting.

I tilted my head slightly. “You still haven't figured it out, have you?”

Lilith frowned. “What are you talking about?”

A small smile appeared on my lips. “Eric is the reason I came to this school.” My voice went slow.

The whispers around us grew louder. I took another step closer. “And I'm not leaving until I get him.”

The entire hallway erupted. Students shouted and whispered over one another: “Did she really just say that?” “She's crazy!” “Lilith is going to destroy her.”

Samantha stood behind me, staring at me like she couldn't decide whether to laugh or panic.

Lilith's beautiful face twisted with anger. It was then I realized something—that this school was going to be much more entertaining than I had expected.