After that Rachel and I hugged exchanging a few more tears and said goodbyes with the promise to keep in touch. I didn’t want to go home and face Michael and Anna, but I did have to pack. Now I found myself standing at a terminal hugging a crying Anna. I was surprised that the weekend had passed by so quickly, but I was even more surprised by the tear streaks that stained my cheeks. They would be announcing my departure in few minutes. So, Anna finally let me go and wiped away the few tears still lingering on my cheeks.
“You are going to grow up to be such a beautiful young woman.”
“Goodness Anna, you’re talking like we are never going to see her again. We are going to come up there and see her in a little over a month. They are having that family banquet remember?” Michael was trying to make a joke out of my leaving but I could tell that he was just as sad as Anna, but it was in his character to cover up his emotions with humor. That’s one of the things I love most about him.
“Come here kiddo.” Michael swept me off my feet and swung me around like he used to when I was seven. He set me down and stared at me.
“Man, I’m going to miss waking up to those dark brown eyes of yours over my morning coffee.” He leans down to kiss my forehead.
“Flight two sixteen is now boarding at gate four.” Says a voice on the intercom.
“Well that’s me.” I sigh.
“We both love you so much and remember to call us when your plane lands.” Anna says breaking into a fit of sobs. I give them both one last hug and turn to leave.
“Make us proud.” Michael yells after me. I turn around to see pride fill his eyes.
“I will. I love you.” I yell back and wave. I turn around and smile as I head down the gate. My new life was just starting and by tomorrow morning I will be walking down the halls of my new school. I was sad that I was leaving but excited that I was going to finally get a chance to be independent and make my own choices.
After seven and a half hours my plane finally touched down in Augusta, Maine. My flight was delayed an hour in New York so my plane didn’t land till eleven thirty. I was looking around for someone who resembled a teacher or someone who least looked like they were suppose to be picking up a teenage girl when a voice behind me made me jump and turn around.
“Are you Alexandra Stewart?” Facing me was a tall boy around my age. He had golden blond hair and kind baby blue eyes. He was wearing khaki shorts and a turquoise polo on that made his eyes stand out.
“Alex.” I said automatically. I’ve never liked being called by my whole name, but when he said my name it sounded as though angels were singing it. He laughed which only furthered my angel interpretation.
“Well Alex, I’m Blake Mathews. Firestone sent me to pick you up and take you to the academy.” I guess I had a funny look on my face because he asked.
“What?”
“You don’t look like a teacher.”
“Is it really that obvious? I’m a student. None of the teachers could get away from their busy lesson planning to pick up the new girl.”
“Well I didn’t mean to be a burden.” I joked.
“Oh not at all. Believe me. I don’t mind missing a few classes to leave school and pick someone up.” I laugh confused.
“Why would you be having classes at twelve o’clock at night?” I ask checking my watch.
“Well at Firestone we run on a nocturnal schedule.” He grabs my suitcase and we start to walk outside. “We sleep during the day and have all our classes at night.”
“Why?”
“Well that answers my question.”
“What question?”
“If you’ve changed yet. You obviously haven’t yet. See, when you become a vampire over time all your senses are gradually strengthened. So light bothers you more. We can still go out in it, but it makes us weak.” I had gotten a little used to the idea of vampires, but I still winced when he mentioned them. We were now in his truck heading towards Firestone Academy. Seeing Blake’s truck made me miss mine back at home but Michael and Anna promised she would stay sitting in our garage waiting for me when I came home. These thoughts made me a little home sick but I quickly waved them off and fixed my attention on Blake.
“Speaking of change, when will I change?”
“It all depends. Some people it takes only a couple of days, others a couple of weeks. The closer you get to changing the more heightened your senses will become and then it will just hit you. It’s one of those things you can’t explain. You have to actually experience it.” I had so many more questions but that didn’t stop me from yawning.
“You should get some sleep. We will get there in about an hour.” I nodded toward him gratefully and fell asleep the instant my head touched the glass.
That night I dreamt of Blake Mathews.
