Last night hadn't gone as expected. Not only had Colette been attacked by a vampire, but now she had to explain to her parents why she was home so late. Her fall left her disheveled, and covered in dirt and scrapes. For obvious reasons, she left out the details regarding the vampire attack. She hadn't gotten bit, so she didn't see the harm in omitting such a small detail. She tripped and fell regularly, so the abridged version of events that she told was believable.
Colette wondered if she would see Theo at school again. Vampires typically kept to themselves, but she felt they had broken the ice by the end of their encounter. Regardless, it was a new day and Colette was back to business as usual.
During biology class, Colette could continue her retirement planning. After all, how many lectures does it take to understand that the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell? Colette was about to begin her daily retirement planning when Rika called her name.
"Colette… Colette…Colette!" The faint whispering voice got louder and closer.
"Rika, what is it?" Colette responded, annoyed. Any interruption to her strict retirement regimen was wholly unwelcome.
"What happened to your knees this time?" Rika pointed to Colette's knees discreetly.
Colette wondered if she should be honest with Rika about the events that had unfolded with Theo. Although they were best friends, it would still be a lot of information for anyone to handle.
"Ah, well, you know me… I tripped and fell on my walk home during some intense bird watching." Colette came up with that white lie on the spot, but she instantly felt guilty.
"Oh Colette! What else is new with you?" Rika chuckled. "Will you be heading to the library after school today, too?"
"Of course. I have a commitment every day after school to protect my sanctuary." Colette meant it as a joke, but there was a hint of seriousness to what she said.
"Well, I guess today I'll join you because otherwise I don't get to spend any time with you!"
Before they could hash out anymore details, the teacher walked over and scolded them for talking in the back of the classroom.
Meanwhile, Theo couldn't get his mind off what had transpired the previous night. Really, he was thinking about Colette. He kept an eye out for her in the hallways, but he hadn't t caught a glimpse of her yet.
He also couldn't get over the bold remark she made regarding human blood. Who asks a vampire that while they help clean a wound? Aggravated, he thought, "Of course I want blood just as much as any other vampire would. To be honest, I've only ever had synthetic blood, so I never gave human blood much thought. Something about her reaction and the smell of her blood has me thinking I should have just asked if I could have hers-"
Theo sucked his teeth irritatedly…"What the hell am I even thinking? And why the hell did I make that comment about her disappointment?"
Theo ran his hands through his hair in frustration. Throughout the day, he continued to play out scenarios of 'what if's' with Colette.When the school day ended, Theo met up with Alexandru and Catalina. They were vampires he grew up with and whose covens associate with one another. Vampires associate with covens that get along. There's a lot of drama that comes with the territory, so the cooperative covens stick together.
"Hey Theo…we still have to work on that history project together. It's supposed to be a piece on a remarkable moment in history. I was thinking we could go over the non-hunting pact. My coven says that they got the facts wrong, so another thorough analysis wouldn't hurt anyone!" Catalina declared.
"How original Catalina."
Theo was as sarcastic as ever. He really didn't want to spend his day working on an assignment. Especially one with such a foolish concept.
"Someone's as personable as ever," Alexandru chuckled.
"Let's just go! The sooner we get the information, the sooner we can finish." Catalina nudged Theo so that he would start walking forward.
Alexandru and Catalina walked ahead while Theo tagged along behind them. He really had no interest in the project, so his feet were dragging more than usual. His friends got ahead of him and rushed to the back of the library to find the books that referenced the non-hunting pact. Rather than join them in their search, he took a seat at the first table he could find.
Theo sighed, leaning back into the chair. He reached across the table for a magazine and draped it over his face. I'm sure we'll be here for a while, so I might as well try to rest my eyes, he thought.
"Are these all the books you'll be checking out today? As a reminder, they will be due back by December 1st to avoid any late penalties. You'll find the return slip inside the cover as well! Enjoy."
Why does that voice sound so familiar? Theo lifted the magazine to take a peek at the owner of the voice. It was Colette! She was working behind the library's reception desk, helping a few students with checkout. So this is what she does with her free time?
He wondered if she had noticed that he was there. She still had bandages on both of her knees. He caught himself feeling worried about a human, though he should have known better. Humans are fragile and wouldn't heal as quickly as a vampire.
"Rika, it's a busy day in the library, but nothing is going to stop me from my retirement planning," Colette chuckled.
"Retirement planning?," Theo asked, as he approached Colette and Rika.
Colette turned around and noticed Theo was standing beside her with his head tilted as if he were confused.
Colette laughed awkwardly and responded, "yeah… it's kind of a long story."
"How are your knees doing…you know, after everything that happened last night?" He questioned, concerned.
Colette quickly peeked at Rika and back at Theo. She realized she had been caught lying.
"They're much better! I feel like I could run a marathon!"
"Well…hopefully you won't given how much of a klutz you are."
Embarrassed, Colette blushed and quickly changed subjects. "Are you here for any books today?"
"I'm supposed to be working on an assignment with my classmates, but I'll leave the content selection up to them."
From the back of the library Catalina noticed Theo making small talk with Colette.
"Hey Alex… Who is Theo talking to right now?" Catalina asked in a passive-aggressive tone.
Alexandru took a peek through the shelves and shrugged his shoulders. "She just looks like the librarian."
"Well, he's giving an awful lot of attention to the school librarian," Catalina frowned.
"What are you jealous?" Alexandru teased.
"Of course not! I'm just trying to figure out why he's so interested in her." He never gives anyone that much attention, she thought as she clawed at a book.
Alexandru and Catalina made their way to the checkout counter where Rika, Theo, and Colette continued their conversation.
"So Theo…who are your friends?" Catalina asked as she interrupted their conversation.
Colette jumped forward as if she was guilty for not doing her job. "I-I'll check you out right away! Two books, right? These will be due back by December 1st." Colette glanced over at Catalina, who was glaring at her.
"Hey don't we have the same gym class?" Colette asked Catalina.
"Do we?" Catalina responded shortly.
"Yeah, I'm sure of it! You might not have noticed it because the gym teachers give me a bunch of side jobs to do during class, so I don't get hurt. I am a bit clumsy after all." Colette let out an awkward laugh to ease the tension.
"Right. Okay, maybe I'll see you one of these days, Miss Librarian. Let's go guys. We need to start the project."
Theo looked down at Colette's knees again before turning to walk away. "Be careful out there twinkle toes," he joked with a soft look on his face.
"Huh? Y-yeah, I will," Colette responded quickly, in a bashful manner.
The group left the library and Colette let out an enormous sigh.
"HMPH!" Rika exclaimed as she walked up to Colette, avoiding any boundaries of personal space. "Don't you think you have some explaining to do?"
Colette backed up to escape, but the checkout counter trapped her.
"Heh, okay-okay. You caught me. Help me close shop and I'll explain everything."
Rika joined Colette on her walk home, where she learned the true events that had occurred last night.
"What!?" Rika let out a howl of bewilderment. "So what you mean to tell me is that library boy is that the hottie vampire that saved you last night and you thought it was okay to keep this a secret?" Rika started pacing back and forth with her hand on her chin. "Okay Colette, this is by far the coolest thing that has ever happened to either of us."
"Gee …thanks. I'm glad you consider my near death experience as a rite of passage," Colette responded sarcastically.
"But more importantly, I think he likes you!" Rika pointed at Colette with determination on her face.
"How?.. He's a vampire and I'm a human.… Besides, even if he did, you know I have no time to even think about that right now."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. Retirement planning and such. That's all fine and dandy, but you have a hottie who is giving you more attention than I've ever seen you receive before. It's just something you should know."
Colette was curious about Theo, but she was mindful that she already had obligations. She wondered if she could even be friends with him.
*****
The next day Rika was as giddy as ever as she imagined intricate vampire romance scenarios that Colette had no interest in entertaining. During second period, Colette's cell phone vibrated. She discretely scanned the screen and saw it was a message from Rika. "I guess she's determined to not get scolded for talking in class again," Colette thought.
'I'll meet you in the library again after school. This excitement has me wanting to delve into the shoujo manga section.'
Colette sighed. At least the manga would give Rika a distraction. The day seemed to go by slowly, leaving Colette consumed by her thoughts. She wondered if she could ever understand Theo. His behavior was initially rough, however, his manner had become noticeably gentler. She honestly didn't expect that they'd cross paths again.
It was already 7th period, which meant it was time for gym class. Fortunately, the gym teacher put Colette on cone duty so as to avoid any un-foreseen injuries. She was in charge of setting up the relay cones, and had to return them to the storage shed at the end of class. Colette was making her last trip to the storage shed when someone called out for her.
"Miss librarian! So this is where you were all period. I was looking for you."
It was Catalina, Theo's classmate that she had met yesterday in the library. Colette couldn't help but admire how pretty she was. She had long silver hair that she kept tied up in a high ponytail. Her red eyes really stood out against her fair complexion.
"Oh, hey…How's everything going with your project?"
"It's fine! Did you need help with those cones?" Catalina kept her answers short as she flipped her hair arrogantly.
"Oh no, it's okay don't worry about-"
Catalina cut Colette off before she could finish what she was saying. "Don't be silly. I'm here to give you a hand." Catalina had a threatening smile on her face. She held the door open for Colette as she stocked the last set of cones onto the shelves.
"The storage shed is super cluttered. I need to some time to organize the space…Thanks again for your help…" Colette was cut short by Catalina's hostile demeanor.
"Is everything okay?" Colette asked fearfully. Catalina's pupils suddenly seemed like they were dilating as she grabbed Colette by the wrist.
"Hey, why don't I get the nurse or a teacher for you?" She continued to ask Catalina hesitantly.
Catalina continued to close the gap between them, as Colette's mind suddenly started going blank. Fearfully, Colette wondered if she was going to pass out right before she collapsed into Catalina's arms. Catalina had glamoured her. Catalina thought to herself, what's a little glamour prank to teach you a lesson?
It was the end of the school day, and Rika was waiting outside of the library for Colette. About 25 minutes passed, and she still wasn't there. She tried texting and calling her cellphone a few times with no response. "Where is Colette? She's always the first one to the library because she runs over after her last class." Rika was worried since this was out of character for Colette. Before she wandered off to search, she noticed the 'hottie' vampire passing by in the hallway.
"Hey! Th- Theo right?" She exclaimed. Theo glanced her way with a scowl. "H-have you seen Colette, by any chance?"
"Why would I have seen Colette?" He responded with attitude.
Rika was a little disappointed by his response. In a worried tone, she responded, "I haven't been able to get a hold of her. She usually comes here right after last period… It's just a little odd."
Theo stood there silently before he sighed and responded. "Maybe she's in the nurse's office, seeing as how she gets hurt all the time."
Rika's expression became lighthearted. "Oh, you're right! Great idea…I'll check over there now!" Rika replied as she darted off.
Theo continued on his way outside. That girl probably got herself hurt again, he thought as a joke. He made his way towards the back of the schoolyard when he noticed a faint scent. Is that blood? He still wasn't sure, but as he continued, the smell became stronger. It wasn't just any blood, either. He recognized this sweet fragrance. It was Colette's. He was sure of it.
"What the hell?" Theo questioned in a frustrated tone.
He scrambled around the back of the schoolyard to see if he could pinpoint the location. As he searched, he began to worry for Colette's safety. He wandered towards the back of the school, following the increasingly recognizable scent of her blood. Ever since their encounter the other night, he had been thinking about her blood, so it was more than obvious that it was hers.
He made his way to the gym's storage shed where the scent was the strongest. He opened the doors and didn't really notice anything other than gym equipment. Undeterred, he continued to investigate. Theo stumbled around the inside of the shed with no success. Upon further inspection, he finally noticed a tarp that seemed out of place. He lifted and found Colette there, sleeping peacefully.
He grabbed a hold of her shoulders and screamed, "Hey…Colette, Colette, Colette! What the hell is going on here?" He growled.
He couldn't make heads or tails of this incident, but there were no signs of a struggle. However, he noticed that one of bandages came off of her right knee, causing her wound to re-open. Was she get dragged in here?
He lifted Colette as gently as he could and ran her over the nurse's office.
Colette was still resting in the nurse's office. Theo remained at her side for longer than he expected to. He spent some time examining her as she slept. Her breathing was soft and slow, her cheeks were a rosy pink, and her lips had a glossiness to them. He appreciated that she looked comfortable despite finding her in those conditions.
Suddenly, he could hear her gentle heart beat. Ba-dump, Ba-dump, Ba-dump. He was surprised by how well his senses were attuned to Colette's. He moved closer to her to look into this phenomenon when suddenly he lost control of his fangs.
'What! Why am I baring my fangs?!'
His thoughts ran wild. He rushed over to the mirror. Not only were his fangs exposed, but his cheeks were flushed. He could feel heat radiating off of his body.
"Why is this happening to me?" He exclaimed
The school nurse returned to the office, and he quickly flashed past her.
"I'll leave her in your care." He stated as he ran off in a panic.
Colette finally woke up and found herself in the nurse's care. The nurse had already called her parents to pick her up.
"You passed out in the gym's storage room today. But don't worry…you should be fine. You must've not eaten enough today. I've already notified your parents, and they should be here soon."
"How did I get here?" Colette had a dazed look on her face.
"A student brought you here…He actually just left."
"Huh?"…who could it have been?