I've been feeling a bit better lately. Perhaps I'm finally getting used to the heat! At thus rate, I will be able to continue fooling everyone into thinking I'm not a vampire!
I put the plus sign necklace around my neck, put on my long sleeve shirt and scarf, followed by a wide brim gardening hat.
'Time for school!'
I walked out confidently through the door.
'At first I had thought that the club at my school had found me out and that's why they had stayed over break when no other non-sports clubs had. But it turns out, they had only stayed to borrow the school kitchen to practice baking!
It's such a relief. I knew that my strategies were working. My imagination just got the better of me. The stares that scared me beyond recognition don't seem so scary anymore either. One of my friends thinks they're just shy. Another did tell me to be careful. He doesn't know I'm a vampire… I think. Maybe he's not used to girls! That could be it!
I nodded as I walked under the scorching sunlight. Although its not as hot as before, I still feel like the rays are crushing me.
Hm?'
I suddenly felt more relaxed.
Good morning! The girl they called the class president was standing beside me… holding an umbrella over the two of us.
My eyes began to spin.
"Uh… why are you holding an um-umbrella? Uh- I r- real- REALLY LOVE THE SUN THOUGH!"
Mira cocked her head with an extremely confused expression.
"I'm afraid I'll burn under the sun, but I'm too embarrassed to be the only person using an umbrella… Can't you walk with me?"
Her eyes glistened as she stared up at me with anticipation.
'I haven't been discovered!'
"Ah- well if you insist. Wouldn't you rather walk with a friend though?"
"Ah, you're just the first classmate I've seen. We must live close by."
"Ah is that so?"
I scratched behind my ear.
'I was almost going to think she may like me. I shouldn't make assumptions. Ah… but, I don't think I've seen her on this path before…"
As I was about to ask her about it, she began speaking first.
"There's hardly any students at school since it's break. It's lucky I ran into you here."
"Ah, that's right. Your club must really love making to keep coming in."
"We aren't as serious as your club, we get to stay out of the sun after all."
"Indoor activities are nice, I'm a bit jealous. I'm better at moving around though."
"There's indoor sports too, have you ever tried any?"
"I used to play basketball but I quit a few years ago. Perhaps I quit the wrong sport."
"But there must be a reason you chose the choice you did."
"Well, I guess running outside gave me a sense of freedom that I didn't get in basketball."
I grinned widely. I had been so on edge lately with constantly looking over my shoulder, and having to change my behavior to compensate the recent change that sometimes I forget how nice it is to chat without worrying.
Right before we arrived at the school gates, Mira suddenly spoke up.
"Ah- Look at the time!! I need to go!"
She shifted the umbrella to my hand and waved before running into the school.
"Wai-"
But before I could finish speaking she was far away.
'She's quick.'
While Ian was among the most athletic of the boys, even he who only knew around his close-knit group had heard about the athletic yet intelligent girl in his grade. The girl he begun seeing around much more lately- Mira, had an impressive reputation. Not only did she do well in sports, her main reason for fame was being at the top of the grade in every subject. Whether it was gym or math, she was well-known as a high-scorer.
'If my team was co-ed I would recruit her in a heartbeat.'
Ian placed his hand over his chest.
"Ah"
'Well its kinda there? Its very slow though. What would be faster… No well even if it takes a minute thats still fairly fast to make a decision… Ian pondered his choice of words.
"but I would receuit her in less than a minute…"
He mumbled to himself.
"Ian!! Nice umbrella haha"
His friend Ben tapped his fist against his arm.
"Oh… uh I'm carrying this for someone."
'I feel bad to abandon Ian at the school gates. I don't want to cause him to fall prey to rumors though….'
Mira lamented she had to leave Ian's side. So she quickly sat in a nearby room partially tilted shades to watch him safely enter the building.
"I made the right call… his friend ran into him. Ah and theres a couple of our members squealing as they pass them to enter the school."
I mumbled as I watched each interaction unfold.
I waited in the cooking room which had somehow became our main meeting room lately with the other members as we waited for our new president. Our president Mira has different motivations than our previous president. I was only in the club to begin with because of Ian's attractive face and body. I thought Mira was a bit odd… no very odd at first. Her tastes were a bit… strange compared to the other members who just wanted to idolize him. I think I understood her viewpoint quicker because I didn't have high expectations like the other members. I just really liked him as a hot school idol and ended up joining. I was treated a bit like a ghost member before, I never would have dreamt of being recognized by the president so much as I do now.
"Hi everyone!"
While I was lost in thought Mira had entered the room.
She sat next to me.
"So, Eli. Did you bring everything?"
Mira looked cool as she neatly arranged her belongings.
'Do I just like attractive faces too much?'
Eli was slowly starting to think she might just like shallow features.
'I suppose I like what I like.'
But Eli wasn't one to put herself down or let others' opinions weigh her down.
She wouldn't be here still today otherwise.
But that wasn't to say she couldn't be easily influenced. She quickly adopted to the new policies that respected Ian's boundaries more than before. She herself had taken a few pictures of Ian which she used as a lock-screen on her phone. However, when Mira started advocating against photos without Ian's permission she quickly accepted it and deleted the pictures. She missed seeing his face every time she picked up her phone, but instead learned to appreciate seeing the real deal in person. Perhaps seeing the new president every day helped even out her desire as well.
Regardless, members who didn't abide by the rules were quickly removed from the club. She liked the club well enough so she fell in line. She had asked however,
"Won't those who left just keep taking pictures?"
According to Mira's response however, that wasn't something to be too concerned about.