Run, Little Vampire. Run!

Ch. 6: Rumors

(Mason’s POV)

These past three weeks have been excruciating. My mother has not relented even a little on this d*mn party, which is next weekend, and Jessie has been MIA from school since the incident.

The only good thing that came from that is that dad saw the footage from school and agreed with me that Michelle went well beyond the pale. She could've exposed our kind to humans and then we’d have one h*llova a mess to clean up. So dad did exactly what I was hoping he’d do and convicted Michelle in abstentia for her reckless disregard of our laws.

For some odd reason, Nate didn’t like that decision and I couldn’t understand why. It’s not like he was a friend of Michelle’s or anything. He didn’t stay grumpy over it for long, though.

Right now we're at lunch and Kraig comes in and sits down next to me with this weird smirk on his face as he leans in all conspiratorial-like and says, “so.. Remember the dweeb?” Nate and I nodded, “Well, rumor has it she got herself knocked up and her parents took her outta school. I heard they’re even moving away because of it.” “Well d*mn. Guess instead of trying to snap that a** I shoulda been tryin' to tap that a**”, Nate says and starts laughing. Kraig laughs too, but I just frown.

That didn’t sound at all like the Jessie Monroe I know. Something wasn’t right there. Question is, do I even chance tryin' to find out? I mean what would I say to cover my tracks if Carl found out I was sniffin' around her?

The guys continued to make fun of her and I tried my best not to growl at them over it.

I saw that tape. I was sickened by what Michelle did to her. I still don’t know why, either, which bothers me. But she’s dead now, so I guess I’ll never know. What I do know is that Jessie is no sl*t. So I’m not buying' this rumor at all. If there’s one thing that's universal to all species, it’s that they love some juicy gossip! I’ve never been one much for gossip, myself. But Kraig? He lives for it.

Nate seemed to love it too. He was in a particularly good mood today, in fact. “Hey, Nate? How do we know you AIN’T the baby-daddy?” Kraig joked, and my stomach turned. "Man, I wouldn’t actually touch that dweeb with your d*ck.” Nate replied but I could see in his eyes he was lying. Kraig just laughed as he said, “Man, dweeb or not, the chic was hot. It always just creeped me out how the b*tch could be so gorgeous yet so ugly at the same time.”

That comment intrigued me enough for me to ask, “Ugly how?” and Nate’s head bobbed as he looked at Kraig oddly. I guess he didn’t get it either. Kraig didn’t seem to notice our reactions as he continued, “Well, first of all, a chick that hot shouldn’t be that f*ckin smart. Second of all, a chick that f*ckin hot shouldn’t be so d*mned alone all the frickin’ time. That’s cereal killer behavior, right there! Third of all, didn’t you guys ever notice how she would just stare at us when we talked to her? It was creepy.”

Nate and I looked at each other for a second, then we both burst out laughing. “Check out Braveheart over here. Afraid of a little human chic because she’s a little ‘creepy’. Next thing you’re gonna tell us is that you sleep with garlic under your pillow to ward off humans.” Okay, that was a good one, right there. I couldn’t help but laugh even harder. Kraig punched Nate in the arm as he said, “shut up, a**hole! At least I don’t sleep with my binky at night still, like you do!” Nate didn’t appreciate that comment and before long they were rolling around on the floor wrestling like the couple of id**ts they were.

All throughout the rest of the school day I kept hearing these st*pid rumors. And there were plenty, let me tell you. One rumor was that Jessie ran off with the baby-daddy to parts unknown because her parents threw her out when she came home pregnant. I’ve watched her with her parents. I know they would never do that.

Another was that she committed s**cide rather than face everyone in disgrace. Again, it would never happen. I think the weirdest one was that one of the teachers was the father, and her parents had him locked up for touching their underaged daughter, then sent Jessie away to live with relatives in Russia.

Jessie isn’t even Russian! And I know for a fact no teacher in this school would touch her. Not to mention the fact that no teacher has turned up missing in the last three weeks. I swear people are just id**ts. Plain and simple.

I finally had enough of the rumors and decided to do a little sleuthing myself. So I ditched my last two classes and went to the office. The secretary was human, so compelling her was easy-peasy. She let me into Jessie’s file without any problems whatsoever. I was kind of surprised at what I found.

Turns out, Jessie was being home-schooled due to her injuries. I didn’t even know she’d had to go to the hospital, but here I was reading a copy of the release forms stating her injuries and that she was to be homeschooled for a minimum of three weeks when she would have new X-ray's taken and a new course of action would be recommended.

Michelle did a real number on poor Jessie. I almost wish she weren't dead yet. I’d like to show her what this kind of pain feels like first hand. Seriously. Who does this to someone for no apparent reason?

After that, I went outside to wait for the guys. We didn’t have a last period, so lately we’ve just been going home. I was smokin' a joint when the bell rang letting everyone out of seventh period class, so I started to gather my things. I didn’t wanna hang around any longer than I had to today. Though I also didn’t wanna go home, either.

Mother was driving me absolutely insane with the d*mn party. So going home meant listening to her nasally voice drone on and on about event planning and sh*t. Apparently, I’m supposed to be getting fitted for a new suit today specifically for the party. Not that I’m gonna wear the d*mn thing. I might even just show up in my real birthday suit! That'll teach her!

Oh, and.. I almost forgot.. The st*pid invitations went out the other day too! But luckily, mother is toning it down and keeping it as a normal vamp affair. Nothin' over the top, and no humans. Just a nice… quiet… peaceful affair.

NOT!

She sent out frickin' invitations to every household within two hours' driving distance that had anyone around my age living there. Especially if they were daughters. This is going to be quite the d*mn spectacle. The one and only good thing is that it means Jessica will be invited. So maybe I can arrange a way to dance with her or something. Who knows?

Thankfully, I didn’t have to wait long for the guys to come out, so I didn’t get myself all worked up thinking about all that, “Hey man. Where’d you disappear too?” Kraig asked and I shrugged, “Just wasn’t feelin it today, man.” I said as I passed him the joint and we started for home. “Man, some of those rumors about the dweeb are downright hysterical.” Nate said and Kraig laughed, “I know, right? I heard one in sixth period where she was abd*cted by aliens. I can’t believe people actually buy into some of this bs.”

Nate laughed before saying seriously, “Man, Jerome told me his cousin said she hadn't been around because some future alpha punk claimed her as his mate. I almost feel sorry for the punk.” They both laughed but for some reason I felt like someone just ripped my heart from my chest. I hope that’s just another rumor. I don’t know if I’d wanna even come to school anymore if Jessie were never coming back.

(Jessie’s POV)

I was sitting there, staring at my computer screen, just kinda zoning out. Mom and dad had decided that instead of enrolling me in another school, I’d just go to school online to finish out my senior year. Which was fine, I guess. I was just sorta pondering things like senior prom and stuff, seeing as there was definitely zero chance of me going to those events now. Not that I had any chance before, but still.

I mean, I have the GPA to just get my GED and just skip straight on through to college, but I don’t wanna do that. If high school has taught me anything, it’s that being different is not really a good thing. Yah might actually get your head caved in for it one day. Literally.

So I guess taking classes online at least gives me something to do, right?

I no sooner had that thought out when mom knocked on my door. She was now working from home two days a week. Her bosses were really chill. They were still putting together the lawsuit, so I had no idea when that was gonna happen. But mom and dad should get a good reward when it’s all said and done. Not like it’s not an open and shut case of negligence on the school's part.

I actually really thought I’d have heard something from that d*ckhead principal by now, too. Wonder what his bimbo nurse is doin' these days. I doubt she’ll be nursing for very long once the case closes.

That thought made me laugh to myself as mom knocked again. “Yeah, mom?” I called out and she opened the door, a big smile on her face. Mom was a naturally cheerful person. From the time she opened her eyes in the morning, till the time she closed them at night, she was mostly all giggles n’ sunshine. “I was thinking… Maybe we could take a trip to the mall this afternoon. Maybe grab some lunch and do some window shopping, at least. What do yah say, sweetheart?” Mom asked with this huge smile.

I swear she used that thing as a weapon. Do you have any idea how hard it is to say no to someone with this huge smile and such hope shining in their eyes? Well, let me tell you… It ain’t easy!

I just sighed and rolled my eyes, “Mom, we just went shopping right before school started. I have more clothes than I’ll ever need at this point.” Mom laughed at me as she said, “that’s why I said WINDOW shopping, sweetheart. Unless you’re in need of a new window, I think your father’s credit card will be safe. And so will your aching closet.”

I laughed at her comment before looking down at my laptop. It was old and laggy, so I really didn’t feel like fighting with it to do work I didn’t actually even need to do. Soooo, I finally closed the lappy and smiled as I said, “Okay, I’m in. When do yah' wanna go?” Mom looked at me with surprise. I guess she thought she’d have to beg more, but today is her lucky day because even shopping sounds better than online schooling.

Yeah, I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this, but I’m not much of a shopper. I know what you’re thinking right now, too. ‘That girl should turn in her PINK card and get a BLUE’. But, I’ve never been into those girlie-girl things. I’m not always at the salon or out spending money I don’t have. I spend my money on things I need. Sure, every now and again I’ll splurge on something I've got my eye on, but I save up and buy it with my own, hard-earned, mullah. I don’t sponge off mom n’ dad.

I once knew a girl who thought, quote, ‘you don’t ask to be born, therefore your parents should always provide for you anything you need or want. They're the ones who forced you into this world, after all. They should take responsibility for that.’ I think that’s gross.

“How about half an hour? It’ll give me time to finish up those notes for Amber and send them over.” Mom asked and I nodded.

Amber was mom’s boss. She’s a nice lady. Kinda weird, though. “Sure, mom. I’ll be ready.” “Alright, sweetheart. I won’t be long. I promise.” Mom answered as she left the room and I went into my closet to dig out something to wear.

It took me a good fifteen minutes to decide, but finally here I am, standing in front of my mirror in my dark blue, ripped skinny jeans, a red off-the-shoulder top with a winking smiley on it, and my white canvas sneakers. I threw my hair up in a ponytail without bothering to straighten it, then grabbed my dark blue denim jacket and headed downstairs.

I never wore skinny jeans to school because they show off too much and I’m not exactly built like all those super-model wanna-be’s at school, so I just would wear looser fitting clothes. Not that I didn’t look presentable. I just didn’t flaunt myself like some little skank-hoe is all.

I was just sticking my phone in my handbag when mom came out of her home-office and said, “ready?” and I nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be, I guess.” Mom laughed softly as she grabbed her purse and keys. “You act like an afternoon at the mall with your mother is such t*rture.” Mom teased and I laughed, “Nahhh. I like spending time with you, it's just my poor feet that balk at the idea.” We both laugh as we leave the house and mom turns to lock up.

As we were leaving, Esther Carmichael was coming up the walk. I just groaned inwardly when I saw her and I could swear mom did too.

Mom was a pretty easy-goin' person, but if it was one thing she couldn’t stand it was a career gossip. You know the type, right? The old lady on every street who'll stalk you if she thinks you've got some juicy deets to spill because she wants to be the one to spread them all over the place first. Yeah, that type. Esther. Through-n-through.

Neither mom nor I could stand her. Dad? He could at least tolerate her for long enough to be nice. Not me. Not that I was overly rude to her. I just ignored her, mostly. But mom?

Mom couldn’t stand her. A few years back, old Esther here spread it all around that mom was havin' an affair. Mom and her got into this huge fight. I mean they were literally rolling on our front lawn cause Esther took a poke at mom when mom called her ‘a f**king worn out old hag who has nothing better to do than to cause other people problems’.

Needless to say, mom didn’t take kindly to Esther trying to punch her, so when she ducked, she came up swingin. Next thing we all knew, they were tryin' to kill each other. Esther didn’t fare so well. She’s pretty much stayed away from us since, but I could tell by the way she was walking she had a bee in her bonnet she was dyin' to let loose.

This b*tch walked straight up to me with a fake smile on her wrinkled up old prune of a face and handed me a gift-wrapped package as she said, “Congratulations, Jessie! I imagine you're so excited. Do you know what it is yet?” I looked from the pink and blue baby wrapping to the old crone and back again in utter confusion as mom stepped between us and snarled “Esther, what are you doing here? And what is this bullsh*t about? Excited about what, exactly?”

Unrelenting, Esther smirked at mom before saying, “Why… about the baby, of course.” That’s when I lost it, “WHAT! YOU THINK I’M…. WHAT ACTUAL F**K IS WRONG WITH YOU? DO YOU GET OFF ON MAKING BASELESS, TACKLESS ACCUSATIONS OR DO YOU JUST ENJOY SCREWING WITH PEOPLE?” Unfortunately I wasn’t the only one going off, so was mom. “YOU CONNIVING LITTLE B*TCH! WHY WOULD YOU SPREAD LIES LIKE THAT?! I GET YOU’RE P*SSED WITH ME BUT TO ATTACK MY DAUGHTER’S REPUTATION LIKE THIS JUST FOR SOME A**ANINE SENSE OF REVENGE IS DOWNRIGHT DISGUSTING! YOUUUUU ARE DOWNRIGHT DISGUSTING! GET OFF MY PROPERTY! BEFORE I CALL THE COPS!!”

Mom turned on her heel, grabbed me by the arm, and walked me back inside.