Since their first day at the new school, Ren and Rebecca have taken the habit of walking together during breaks.
They stroll through the wide courtyard, chatting about random things.
Each day, their talks get friendlier.
They snack and sip fizzy drinks while they walk.
At first, Ren joined those walks out of boredom, not because he liked them.
But day by day, he started to enjoy being with that human girl.
With her, he feels like he's living the peaceful, carefree youth he was cruelly robbed of.
This morning, Rebecca is wearing a blue dress that ends at mid-thigh.
It's tight around her chest, showing off her firm, compact breasts.
Her hips and thighs look toned and athletic.
«You still haven't told me how I look in this new dress,» Rebecca grumbles.
She gives Ren an annoyed glance.
«I don't think you asked me,» Ren replies with total nonchalance.
«Because a girl shouldn't have to ask things like that! I even bought it just for you! You're such a doofus!»
«For me? Why?» Ren asks, looking confused.
Rebecca sighs and gives up.
«Double doofus!»
After saying that, she spins around to show off her outfit.
As she turns, her short skirt lifts a little from behind.
Ren clearly sees the outline of her butt.
It's not wide, but it's firm and round, just like the rest of her body.
A thin red lace thong barely covers it.
It's the first time he looks at the body of a fully human girl.
Even if there's no real difference between humans and vampires, something stirs inside him.
A strange, forbidden excitement starts to grow.
His heart starts racing for no clear reason.
It's the same mix of wonder and newness a young boy feels watching his first porn video.
They've known each other for two weeks.
Until now, Ren has never looked at his desk mate with any hint of desire.
At least, not until now.
«Red really suits you...» Ren says with light sarcasm.
He feels embarrassed, yet completely mesmerized by that heavenly sight.
«But my dress is blue!» Rebecca replies.
She pauses, thinking about what Ren meant.
When she realizes it, a fake angry look spreads across her face.
«Hey, you didn't peek under my skirt by any chance, did you?!»
«Wasn't that what you were trying to show me?» Ren asks, trying to play dumb, but failing miserably.
«And why would I ask you how my underwear looks on me?!»
Ren stays silent.
~Human girls are really weird sometimes...~
Seeing how awkward he looks, Rebecca bursts out laughing.
«Of course! You and humor live on different planets, doofus!»
«Hey, you're the one who didn't get I was joking! And when are you going to stop calling me that?»
«When you stop acting like a doofus.»
A second later, a sudden look of worry appears on Rebecca's face.
A large shadow falls over her from someone standing behind Ren.
«Ren...» she whispers, nodding slightly for him to turn around.
Ren turns around and sees a boy much taller than him.
The guy looks scruffy, wearing a black leather jacket with studs and old, worn-out clothes.
He has a thick, messy beard, greasy black hair, and brown eyes that glare at him.
«And who's this supposed to be?» Ren asks Rebecca in an annoyed tone.
He already suspects that guy doesn't have good intentions.
«How do you not know him? That's Christian Pileggo. He's in your precious Brianne's class. But he got held back three times, so he's way older than us. Trust me, you really don't want to mess with him,» Rebecca warns.
~If Brianne never mentioned him, he's probably not worth knowing. Still, what did I do to piss him off this much?~
«You're the filthy little shrimp who stole that slut Brianne from me, aren't you?!» Christian asks, his voice full of hostility.
He looks Ren up and down with arrogant eyes.
«I don't know what you're talking about. But if a filthy little shrimp—your words—stole your girl, you must've been a lousy boyfriend,» Ren mocks, not even slightly intimidated by that pile of muscles and nerves.
«You don't know who I am! If you did, you'd think twice before talking to me like that!»
Ren shrugs. «Nope. Sorry. I have no idea who you are.»
«Stupid motherfucker! Are you messing with me?! I swear I'll kill you!»
Christian gathers all the strength in his body and throws a right hook straight at Ren's jaw.
With nearly seven years of boxing behind him, that punch should be enough to crush any human's jaw.
But Ren isn't human.
He doesn't even flinch at the punch. He blocks it with his palm, then grabs Christian's hand.
It's a terrifying show of strength, impossible for someone his age and size.
But Rebecca doesn't even flinch, like she's not surprised at all.
The sound of bones cracking fills the air, mixed with Christian's screams of rage and pain.
«Let go of me, dickhead!»
Ren pushes Christian down slowly, like he's trying to torture him.
Bit by bit, he forces him to his knees.
«I told you to let go of my hand! Or else...» Christian growls, angrier than ever.
«Or else what?» Ren cuts him off and squeezes harder.
A sadistic smile spreads across the vampire's face.
His blood-red eyes shine with something inhuman and cruel.
Christian starts trembling, scared for his life.
«Please, let me go...» Christian begs, on his knees, crying in pain and frustration.
~How dare this cockroach talk like that about my familiar and my dead mother? He deserves to die! Yes… I should kill him.
If I do, people will talk, and some Monster Reaper from HESPARC will show up…
Fine. After I crush him, I'll silence everyone who saw it!~
«Ren, stop now!» Rebecca shouts.
Her firm, commanding voice snaps Ren out of it.
He lets go right away.
~Again...? Damn it! Just like in the basement, the day I met Brianne. The Scarlet Crown almost took control again!~
Meanwhile, Christian runs off, chased by the laughter and mockery of the students around him.
«Did you see that? Big and tough, and he got wrecked by a kid seven years younger! What a joke!»
Comments like that follow him as he flees.
Rebecca places her hand on Ren's trembling shoulder.
«Come on. Let's head back to class.»