Chapter 1-2

"Thanks, well I guess it's my turn to speak. My wish is to learn all that I can and to eat lots of fish."

'And I want to find acceptance for who I am, not hated for how I appear.' I continued on to myself.

I stuck my tongue out at them when they laughed at me. I started to take a sip as Bram sat up. It was a blackberry punch, my favorite of juices.

"Well, I guess we all love food! My wish is that I would find love and be accepted at this new school. Because it pains me when people are scared of me just for the fangs I have."

I saw Bram squeezing his blood bag as he said those words to us.

"It won't be that hard, I trust you with my life even though you keep biting me."

"Fangs, always remember that even if they don't even try to accept you, I will kill anyone that tries to hurt you." She had a glint in her eyes that showed she meant it.

He wiped his eyes and truly smiled.

Normally when he fake smiles, he hides his fangs. But, when he is genuinely happy, he forgets that he has fangs and shows them off as he smiles. To me, it feels like the world will end if Bram ever stopped smiling. He normally tries to hide the pain when people try to bully us for what we are. I may not be strong but I will do my best to make sure he keeps smiling. If he ever stops smiling, I would go to the end of the world to bring his smile back. In my eyes, he is a true warrior for always fighting on to survive in this cruel world.

"Thank you, that means a lot to me."

"Just don't get all sappy on us. Otherwise, I will smack you."

"Joy, at times like this, I wonder what drugs your parents were on when they named you," I told her.

She flipped me off as someone opened the door.

"Well, apparently the freshmeat is having fun without me! Shame on that!"

I looked up to see Viktor standing in the doorway. Viktor White is a half-werebird that is also somehow part Albino. He is only two years older than I am, but he thinks that makes him better than me, really he just acts younger. He is egotistical and offensive all the time. He picks on me occasionally, but playfully, unlike the other villagers. I seriously do not know what the hell Alex sees in him and his giant ego. Nevertheless, I could tell that they love each other completely.

"Viktor, just because you are dating my brother doesn't mean you can be a bother to me constantly."

"I am so cool I could do whatever I want! I don't need Snowflake's permission to bug you!" he said while messing up my hair.

The three of us started snickering because of Viktor's nickname for my brother. I have seen my brother, he does not look like a snowflake, but Viktor does look like one with his white hair and skin. I looked over and saw a section of the shadows reach out to pull on his hair braid. He squawked before going back inside. I high-fived Bram for that bit of spell work. When it comes to pranks or stopping bullies, Bram's shadow magic the best to use.

"Ugh, why must we go to school with him?" Joy asked before taking a bite out of her tomato.

"Because he is a half-were like me and no one else wants werebeasts, let alone half-breeds at their school except Emerald Prep."

"It is his third year there, so you only have to deal with him for two years."

Joy huffed at the answer.

"This village is full of dumbasses."

"That is so true. I wish that we could leave this stupid village behind."

"Doesn't most of us have that dream?"

"Hey Joy, is it true that your cousin, Anna likes Lewis?!" Bram said to change the subject.

I spewed out some of my drink when he said that. Joy started to pat my back while I was coughing out the juice.

"As crazy as that is, Anna really likes him."

Bram handed me my glasses because they fell off when I spat up the juice. I carefully put them back on my face and the world came into focus.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, it's just so surprising that someone could like Lewis. He such a…damn, I can't remember the word."

I started to snap my fingers as I was thinking of that word. Introduction no, hermit no, vertical no? I could not remember the word that I was looking for that fit my cousin so well.

"An introvert?"

"Yes! That is the word that I was looking for! But, I think it might be good for him if he dates her."

Joy yawned then I followed in suit.

"Well, I still need to finish packing up, so I will see you two tomorrow over here."

"Girls, always take so long packing up enough for a ten-year trip, you do know that we are coming back over here for the Yuletide vacation," Bram said.

"Well then, you will be fucked when you forgot something and I won't give you my spare thing."

Joy got up, grabbed her remaining fruits, and then walked away. Bram stretched out and continued gazing up at the stars. He had such a miserable look on his face that troubled me straight to my heart.

"Ash, I'm terrified."

I watched a single tear fall down his cheek.

"Why?"

"What if when we go to school, I lose control and attack everyone? I know I'm a vampire and I need blood to survive but I don't want to be a killer."