Sleep evaded me. Not that I missed it. Dreams are just unpaid hallucinations.
Instead, I stayed up writing a list titled:
> "Possible Explanations for Edward Cullen's Supernatural Strength"
> 1. Vampire
> 2. Genetic mutation
> 3. Failed lab experiment
> 4. Witchcraft
> 5. Possessed by an overachieving spirit
> 6. Gym membership at Satan's Fitness Club
I crossed out "gym membership." Too obvious. Even if Satan had a gym, I doubt It would be that easy to find out.
By sunrise, I was ready. My curiosity wasn't a flame, it was a scalpel. I got dressed and left for school. When I arrived, I found him by his car before first period, leaning against the metal like a sculpture that accidentally came to life.
"Good morning," he said, voice smooth and rehearsed.
"Morning is merely a concept invented by optimists." I replied.
He smiled faintly, which I counted as a victory.
"Are you always like this?" he asked.
"Always like what?"
"So… morbid?"
"It's not morbidity." I said. "It's awareness."
He seemed.. interested in my differences from everyone else. Besides his own family.
In first period, Mr. Banner began lecturing about blood types. The irony wasn't lost on me. When he asked for volunteers for a blood typing demonstration, the class groaned. I raised my hand. Edward immediately stiffened.
"I'll pass." he said, voice low, strained.
I smirked. "Afraid of a little blood, Edward?"
He shot me a look that could melt glaciers.
"I don't like the smell." he murmured.
"Understandable." I replied. "You probably prefer it aged."
He froze, eyes flicking to mine, a flash of panic, then control. Interesting. He knew I was unto him.
A student fainted at the sight of the needle. Humans are so delicate; even the smallest puncture unravels their courage.
Edward offered to help me walk the poor boy to the nurse. His hand brushed mine, cold as marble.
"You're freezing." I observed.
"Bad circulation." he lied. Badly.
"Perhaps you're just clinically deceased." I said.
He glanced at me, startled— then laughed, soft and low, like a ghost humoring the living.
"You don't scare easily, do you?"
"I've seen worse." I said. "My cousin once coughed up a live spider."
He let out a chuckle. "You're.. different. I like that."
I felt strange in that moment. That was the first time someone's complimented me, actually complemented.
Rain dripped down his hair like liquid glass. He looked at me with something between amusement and warning.
"You should stay away from me," he said quietly.
"People tell me that often." I replied. "Usually right before something interesting happens."
He sighed, the sound of an immortal being realizing his worst mistake was talking to me.
"You don't understand what I am." he said.
"On the contrary," I said. "I think I do. I've been studying you. You're a contradiction wrapped in secrets. And possibly anemia."
He almost smiled again. "You're not afraid?"
"Fear is for people with more to lose."
I researched folklore until my laptop overheated. Every legend pointed toward one word: Vampire.
I considered the evidence:
Pale skin, Cold touch, Inhuman strength, Unhealthy avoidance of sunlight, Suspicious perfection
It was almost poetic, a creature that drinks life to stay alive. Mother always said romance is just mutual fascination with mortality. I guess I can fully understand what she means now.
If he is a vampire, then I want to see it for myself. If he's not… Then I'll just have to find something else that wants to bite me. Either way, this town just got more interesting. If theirs vampires living here, I'd love to meet them all. Possibly see what we have in common, since I've considered myself pretty similar to vampires.