Chapter One - Introduction What can be possibly worse than a whole bunch of people cheering? Nothing I can possibly think of. I wonder if there was ever silence in Seattle High. I can even hear whispers during exams. And it hurts. Of course, I don't show it. Wait, scratch that. More like I'm not allowed to show it. If I do, people will find out I'm a freak. Yup, I'm a freak that can hear anything within 10 miles away from me. The doctors don't know why, but it seems like I was born with it. My parents always feel touchy talking about my abnormal hearing. They must be scared to let others know what a freak their daughter is. They probably imagined me as the perfect daughter, born as an angel with a halo upon my head. Not someone who can hear things from far away like a freak. I entered the hallway with my friends after the pep rally ended. Sometimes I get annoyed by them too. Seriously, can't they just stop talking at least for a while? Especially Kaitlin, her loud booming voice just irritates me so much that I just want to snap. But instead I plastered a fake big smile on my face. High school is such a pain in the ass. And I'm furious when I know I have to wait three more years. Yes, I'm a freshman. And even worse, you can consider me popular. I inherited my grandma's dazzling appearance; flawless creamy skin, slender with bigger curves than others and long natural dark red hair with waves. But there was something I didn't get from my grandma: my eyes. My eyes are what make everyone notice about me. The color was absolutely impossible. No one had violet eyes like mine. It was a violet you have never seen. It was a violet that looks so dreamy but mysterious, and yet so alert with a glint of coldness. The violet was pale, so pale that it looks almost white, but then it's suddenly so dark like the lavender field. Somehow it seems that the violet color of my eyes doesn't go well with me, but I still look so perfect. Everyone knows that I'm different. And they like that. They just didn't know I was also a freak with hearing that's abnormal. But it doesn't matter, because I don't care what others think. I only care about what one person thinks, and she's my best friend. Cady Savanna was gentle, shy and beautiful. She has features which makes her look like a delicate doll. Everything she does looks so graceful, and peaceful. She was absolutely the opposite of me. I'm loud, and yes I know I mention how loud noise makes me dizzy, but interestingly my own voice doesn't. I'm really energetic, and I walk like I'm ready to spring in action and kick some ass. I laugh a lot, and I even talk a lot. So really, I guess I can't judge Kaitlin. Another interesting fact is that when I talk, the other voices don't bother me that much. In fact, I'm pretty normal when I do talk. So that's probably the reason why I talk a lot. And also – "Hey, are you even listening to me?" Kaitlin's annoyed screech interrupted my thoughts. "What? Sorry, I had a lot on my mind lately." I said, half lying. It's not like I can tell her about my hearing, or that it wasn't just lately, and that it was forever. Not that she need to know. But sometimes, I thought maybe I can tell Cady about my hearing. I trust her a lot. And I know she will never betray me. How can such a gentle person betray me? And what's more is that – "So, who is it?" Kaitlin asked, annoyed again. "Who's what?" I asked, irritated since she interrupted my thoughts again. "Who are you going with to the back to school dance tomorrow? Gosh, do you ever listen?" "Sorry, but I really do have… a lot of things on my mind." She rolled her eyes. "Audrey Rose Felicia, have you ever noticed you always say that? And you never listen anyways, which is what I'm getting tired of." "Sorry." I said, trying my best to sound sincere. Then I muttered very, very quietly to myself that no one can possibly hear, "And the crap you say isn't interesting anyways." Kaitlin raised her eyebrows. Apparently she heard something, but she can't possibly hear what I say. Unless… "What did you say? I saw your lips move slightly." I smirked. No, Kaitlin isn't like me. "Nothing, just reminding myself to ask someone to the back to school dance. Thanks for reminding me." Then I saw Cady running fast towards me, and I walked (or rather, ran to escape from Kaitlin) to Cady's side. "What's wrong?" I asked, not bothering to hide my concern. Cady took a deep breath, exhaled, and said, "I'm not sure… I might be having illusions…" She bit her bottom lip and started to tremble tremendously. I putted my hand on her shoulder to calm her down, and her shoulders relaxed slightly. "You can tell me, and I'm sure whatever you saw wasn't an illusion." I determinedly said. She looked at me, and took another deep breath again. "This morning… I saw him," She said, saying 'him'shakily. I urged her to go on. "He was…he was…drinking blood from my neighbor!" Her voice shook, and she was fighting back tears. I was stunned. Drinking blood? C'mon, this was the 21st Century! No one should believe in vampires. I absolutely do not believe in them. But this was Cady, and Cady never, ever jokes around. But then again, she's always over dramatic about stuff. "Did you scream?" I asked, soothingly. She nodded her head, and hesitated. "Tell me, I know you want to say something." She looked at me, and stared at the ground. Then she forced herself to look at me. "When I screamed… he looked at me, extremely frightened," I snorted. Huh, so he's scared? Well I guess he should, after all someone just caught the big baddie and his little secret, why wouldn't he? But then he could bite Cady... which would be horrible to think of. I realized my snort just interrupted her, so I let her continue. "And he immediately dropped the girl, and I realized there was no blood on her neck. But there was a lot of blood on his mouth. He tried to cover up his mouth and said, '"This…this is not how it looks like! Please… I beg you don't tell others! It's important to keep my identity a secret…' And then he just disappeared, right into thin air! I'm telling the truth! I saw it." I tried my best to look as if I believed her, but what came out was a frown. She immediately dropped her face at my reaction, and I immediately regretted for not being a better actress. "You don't believe me, don't you?" She said so sadly. I shook my head fiercely. "Of course I believe you! It's just that I was frowning at the part where he suddenly disappeared. After all I never heard of vampires disappearing, or sucking someone's blood when there's no blood on the victim but only on the vampire." I lied. "Really, you don't think I'm some crazy, or suddenly have illusions?" She asked eyes wide with hope. I smiled. Of course, I don't believe her, but I don't think she's crazy or hallucinating l either. It's probably some random weird dream that's really realistic, and she probably couldn't tell that it was just a dream. I didn't want her to feel bad, so I lied. "Of course, and if you're crazy then everyone else is crazy too. I think you're the sanest person in the world. You are the most gentle, and graceful person I've ever met. A gentle and graceful person definitely won't go nuts like a monkey. Or suddenly scratch its armpit." I said, laughing at my own comment even though it was a lame joke. She laughed gently too. Then she suddenly frowned. "But what should we do with the vampire…" She said, with horror in her eyes. "I would walk you back home since we're only two streets away, and kick his little ass if I spot him. He will be sorry he even showed up in your face!" I triumphantly smiled. Cady laughed, and I saw her relax out of her stiffen posture from mentioning this "vampire" which I still do not believe. But I would definitely keep Cady safe, no matter what. "You're the best, Aud, and really eccentric." Then she suddenly wanted to say something, but she just smiled. Cady should be smiling, after all there was no way vampires actually exist. Who knew I was so wrong?
