Intro to Vampirism (Vampirism Series #1)

When it came to college, there was nothing I hated more than oral presentations. Sweaty palms, dry tongue and the overall understanding of Socrates’ – I know that I know nothing – saying. That was how I felt while Professor Martin judgingly stared at me as I tried my best to explain the nature of MRI head scans and their connection to Alzheimer’s disease.

I concluded my petty attempt at sounding knowledgeable and charming. A nervous smile escaped from my lips as I awaited my punishment for procrastinating and doing a shitty job, once again.

“Ahem.” Professor Martin murmured, another line added to his already wrinkled face. “And that is why we should not be accepting scholarships based on cheerleading.” His sentence caused some prolonged oof’s and wide-eyed stares.

With all my strength I tried not to puff as I left the spotlight and sank next to Sheila, a six feet tall Jamaican who played female basketball and protected me against all male forces of the world, including Professor Martin.

“He had no right to say that!” Sheila hissed, but I shushed her immediately.

“Look at him, he’s way too old to think anyone blonde could ever have brains.” I whispered to Sheila and tucked a loose strand of my blonde hair behind my ear. Frankly, I really screwed up the presentation. I spent all night fighting with my mother over why I didn’t want to go to church with her and her new husband.

“You’re way too understanding.” Sheila shook her head and I shrugged.

“It’s a small consolation, but he’ll definitely be dead before me,” I laughed out loud and Professor Martin shot a mean look our way.

“Jesus, Chloe.” Sheila laughed quietly.

Fortunately, the class ended soon and we were both headed to our dorms. I took a side turn for the bathroom and entered the neon-lit windowless room, needing to splash some water on my face.

“So, it’s 5PM, if we head out now, we can reach the mall, buy something and be back to the dorms just in time to get ready for Brenda’s Halloween party.” Sheila fixed her curly, voluptuous hair and applied some red lipstick on her perfect face. I cast a glance at my own reflection. Other than being completely sleep-deprived from last night, I looked good. My green eyes were just a tiny bit bloodshot, nothing some cucumber wouldn’t fix.

“Oh, we gotta buy something slutty.” Sheila winked and I rolled my eyes. One might think that Sheila would have problems finding guys, considering she was so tall, but every single man on campus was completely glued to her.

“Ugh, and I thought college would be different from high school. It’s just more booze and less virgins.” I said, wondering if I had time to stop by the hair salon. I needed some life in this blondish mess I had on my head.

“Speaking of virgins, when are you finally going to get laid?” Sheila grabbed her stuff and we headed back to the dorms.

I rolled my eyes at her, “I feel like you’re always trying to hook me up with someone.”

Then I stopped, right at the exit towards the beautiful, leaf-covered park in front of the Science Center. New Hampshire autumns were cold and unapologetic, but beautiful.

“Wait, why did you mention virgins?” I asked Sheila as we walked down the stone steps.

The yellow, orange and red leaves overwhelmed my eyes as we left the building. The day was beautiful, sunny and relatively warm. High boots, long cardigans and colorful coats turned into essentials for every girl on campus. I took a deep breath full of autumn.

Sheila stopped immediately and turned to me, gazing at me suspiciously.

“Because you’re a virgin?” Sheila said, the squinting made her eyes look even more intimidating than usual. I stared at her confused.

“What?”

“What?” She repeated.

“I’m not a virgin, Sheila.” I laughed out loud. I was in no way sexually active, but I also wasn’t a virgin. And that was indeed an interesting rumor to go around.

Leaves were falling all around, creating a beautiful scenery that made me want to drink hot chocolate and read spooky books.

“Then, why does everyone think you are?”

“I have no idea. I didn’t say anything to anyone.” I shrugged.

I wasn’t that far from a virgin, anyway. I’ve only had sex once in my life and it was a memory I’d rather keep safely tucked in the inaccessible corners of my mind.

Despite the... strange experience, I wanted a fresh start when it came to sex. No one was worth it in high school, but college was different. Boys actually looked like boys and not like disproportional chicken.

Sheila and I made our way to the simple, squared building with lame beige facade. The resident halls of Hill University were situated on the western side of campus, male and female dorms separated by a large yard. The University itself was humble; with two large lecture halls, Science and Arts Centres, a separate library and a dining hall. The lawn-covered parks spread between the buildings.

Sheila and I entered the girls’ dorms and dragged ourselves up the double staircase to the second floor, where our room was. Sheila was my roommate, which made things a whole lot easier. Right now, while freshmen, we had most of our classes together. Sheila wanted to major in chemistry and my goal was molecular biology.

The rooms on campus were plain, but they allowed decorations, so we splashed some light green color on the walls and added a couple of pictures and plants to the dark-wood furniture.

“So, what are we dressing up as?” Sheila threw herself on the small bed and I mimicked the movement.

“You can pull off LeBron James.” I chuckled, expecting the pillow that landed on my head. “Ouch!”

“I wanna be hot!” She whined.

“Slutty LeBron James?” I asked.

“You never told me anything about the guy you slept with.” Sheila changed the subject. “I feel bad because I wouldn’t shut up about all the guys I’ve been with. And you never said anything so I assumed the rumors were true.”

Sheila and I quickly became friends, despite knowing each other for only a month and a half. Our friendship was one of those rare instances when two people just clicked. Sheila wasn’t the prodding type; she quickly realized there were things I wouldn’t talk about and respected that.

“It’s really not that big of a deal.” I shrugged.

“Tell me anyway?” Sheila turned on her hip and looked at me.

I sighed, not really wanting to recall the event, but I also felt guilty for rarely sharing anything with her.

“I was sixteen and we were alone in the lake house. We found a bottle of my father’s whiskey and pretended we were older and more mature than we were. One thing led to another and we slept together. It was dumb and we had no idea what we were doing.” I shrugged.

A painful lump formed in my throat; one I wasn’t expecting. It’s been three years since and I didn’t like thinking about it. Some things were better kept buried, unaddressed and ignored.

“But you weren’t together?” Sheila asked and I shook my head, not wanting to talk about it anymore.

“You know,” Sheila said after a moment of silence, “I think I know someone who has a crush on you. Thomas Bailey.” She winked.

“Thomas the Untouchable? I don’t think so.” I laughed, trying to seem cool, but I sounded like a strangling cat.

Thomas wasn’t even a student; he was a college assistant and he was twenty-six years old. Fortunately for me, I didn’t take any of his classes, so technically, I was totally allowed to date him. But with my insufficient experience, I doubted I was ready to date a man.

Boys would do for a few more years.

“He doesn’t seem so untouchable when he’s around you.” Sheila shrugged. “And he’s a real catch if you’re into mysterious, broody types.”

“I don’t know, I feel like the first date would be him explaining the early phase of Edgar Allan Poe and correcting my grammar.” I huffed.

“’Tis the season to be creeped out.” Sheila said, her wide smile almost circling her head.

My phone buzzed and I grunted.

“I gotta return Nietzsche to Caiden. I don’t even know why I pretended I would read that book.” I frowned at the message and unwillingly got up.

I knew exactly why I pretended I would read that book. It gave me an excuse to check up on Caiden.

“I can’t believe you’re friends with Caiden.” Sheila’s disgusted expression threw me off a bit.

My voice dropped to a whisper, “It seems unfair to ignore him since we grew up in the same neighborhood.”

“Yes, but the guy’s like, totally strange.” Sheila actually shivered.

“He’s not strange.” I defended Caiden while I searched for the book in my drawers “He’s just a little quirky. Plus, he used to be more normal, until his parents died in that accident.” Someone hating Caiden bothered me, for reasons I wasn’t ready to admit to myself.

“I don’t know, Chloe, I wouldn’t hang out with him if I were you. Like, I’m afraid he’ll kidnap you or something.”

“You’re overreacting.” I found the book and closed the door on her. Hopefully, she’d be out of the bed by the time I returned. Otherwise, we could wave the handkerchief at the possibility of shopping.

I thought about what my outfit could be for tonight while I skipped down the corridors of the dorms. The male and female dorms were separated by a huge grass-covered garden with benches and a small fountain. Sometimes we drank there at 4AM, when everyone else was soundly asleep.

The male dorms were suspiciously quiet, but then I remembered there was a game of something on campus and everyone was probably there. I had to walk through the living area, full of tables with computers and couches, even an occasional bookshelf. While I was lost in my daydreaming, I noticed Thomas Bailey sitting on the couch, reading something.

His black, ruffled hair was the first thing I saw, and I immediately wanted to run my fingers through it. His eyes were focused on the book, but I got a good look at his strong, clean-shaven jaw and his thin lips. The white shirt made his muscles stand out, but the way he held the book made his hands seem gentle, caring. He was so different from all the guys on campus, he was older, more experienced.

Chickening out, I tried to walk past him, pretending I didn’t see him.

“Chloe?” His deep voice stopped me.

“Oh, hi, Thomas.” I flashed him a smile, hoping I wasn’t too obvious. And then I met his crystal blue eyes and my whole world went spiraling.

“What are you doing here?” He closed the book and stood up. My heart hammered wildly. It might seem like overreacting, but Thomas didn’t talk to girls. He never even dated someone on campus. Every time there was an official party, he showed up with a different gorgeous woman. They were always so many leagues ahead of all the girls here, always much more mature, sophisticated and eloquent. But none of them were actual girlfriends.

“I- I had to return the book to Caiden.” I lifted the book, realizing my voice sounded a little off. As Thomas approached, I felt a sudden pull that almost frightened me. He stopped in place.

“I heard you were friends with that kid.” His eyes danced across my face and I felt self-conscious in my plain jeans and a deep red sweater. I probably looked so much younger without any makeup and that made me feel insecure under his gaze.

“Yeah... I went to high school with him.” I stopped myself from fawning over him and realized that he heard something about me. Actually heard. Rumors usually flew over his head. Oh, crap, he probably thought I was a virgin.

Hill University was relatively small; everyone knew everyone around here, as well as everything about everyone.

“Something about him bothers me.” Thomas frowned, but quickly regained his posture and offered an apologetic smile. “Sorry, that probably made me sound like a creep.”

“No, it’s okay.” I literally made a mental dance as those words left his mouth. Was it possible he was worried about me? “I know people don’t like him around here, but I’ve known him my whole life.”

“You’re a good kid, Chloe.” He smiled.

Well, fuck me. Now he called me a kid.

“Are you coming to Brenda’s party tonight?” I asked without thinking it through. I actually wanted to spend a few more seconds talking to him, since that was the only thing that would ever happen between us.

“Are you going?” He countered, catching me by surprise. My heart stopped in my throat and I could feel the nervousness seeping off me. He probably sensed it, too.

“Uh, yeah, It’s a college party, I’m a college student.” Kill yourself now, Chloe.

“In that case, I might stop by.”

I chuckled nervously and lifted the book again, unsure how to answer.

“I gotta... return the book.” I said and Thomas returned to the couch and picked up his book, smiling. Dammit, I should’ve asked about the book. That might have made me look smart.

But then he’d ask me about Nietzsche and the only thing I knew about Nietzsche was that he was a total doomer.

“Sure, I’ll see you around.” He opened the book and I walked by as fast as appropriate.

What the hell was the matter with me? I knew how to talk to guys, I never had to pay for a beer in my life. But when it came to this man, I was completely lost.

Silently, I walked over to Caiden’s room; the closest room to the campus’ backdoor exit and the street. I knocked, knowing this encounter would be just as awkward as any.

“Come in.” I heard through the door. Caiden paid to be alone in the room, he almost freaked out when they wanted to give him a roommate. Just quirky. Not weird.

I opened the door, the scent of weed washing over me. Looking over the dimly lit room, with curtains drawn over the windows, I noticed Caiden on the computer and sighed.

“Have you even left the room today?” I asked and walked over to the window, letting some light inside. Caiden was in his sweatpants, but he had no shirt on, which made me feel weird. His pale skin was almost see-through under the rays of sunshine that I let into the room.

Caiden and I used to be best friends back in high school, until an unfortunate series of events pushed us apart. We haven’t spoken in three years and now, by mistake or design, we attended the same University.

“I’m going to the party tonight.” Finally, he turned around. Dark circles decorated his hazel eyes and his lips were bordering on blue. There was so much sorrow in his face and the need to comfort him surged through me. We had a strange dynamic, one without a proper label.

“Jesus, Caiden.” I approached, but he defensively pulled away.

“Stop, Chloe. You brought back my book, that’s all I asked from you. You can leave.” He dismissed me and returned to whatever he was doing on his computer.

“You’re pushing people away, Cai.” I used the old nickname, causing his back to tense.

“No use having them around, anyway.” He never turned around, so I left without another word.