The Black Velvet Rose : Ch.1 - Hidden Identity

 "Tristan!" His oldest brother called from upstairs. Tristan woke up, still sitting against the wall and he glanced at the torn plastic package. He scooped it up and rose. "Yeah?" He answered. "Good.. you're home." His brother sarcastically muttered, jogging down the stairs. Tristan sighed, "What now?" He tossed the package in the trash. "Oh nothing... the whole towns buzzing about how you were flipping out at a party last night..." His brother explained, a scolding tone in his voice. "Oh yeah? That's funny , maybe they should keep it on the d.l if they dont want people finding out about all the under aged drinking..." Tristan sarcastically grumbled. His brother shook his head, "Thats not the point Tristan.. how long?" Tristan stared blankly. "How long did you go without eating?" His brother demanded. Tristan sighed, "Too long..." "Ya think?" His brother snapped, "You're lucky nothing happened! You would've blown it for everyone!"  "Nothing would've happened!" Tristan snapped back, "I controlled it!" "Oh yeah?" His brother crossed his arms, "For how long did you have control before you stepped outside of your own little boundaries...?" Tristan rolled his eyes and brushed past him, "You don't know what you're talking about." "No?" His brother turned around, "How do you think others like us died?" Tristan paused and lookedback. He shook his head, "I wouldn't know because I'm not them."


    After breakfast, Tristan crawled into the drivers seat of his black comaro and started the engine. His brother was watching out the window. He sighed, put the car in drive and backed out of the driveway. Tristans brother watched him closely.

    The morning bell rang and all the students headed for their first hour classes. Tristan opened his locker and threw his stuff in there. After grabbing a few books, he shut the locker and turned the corner.

    "And who discovered the plantation?" Mr. Brooks, the World History teacher asked the class as Tristan entered the classroom. Everyone looked at Tristan. "You're late." Mr. Brooks stated. Tristan nodded, "Yeah?" He sat in his desk and sighed. Mr. Brooks shook his head and then continued his lecture. A soft tap shook Tristan out of a daze. He turned to see a note being held up. "It's from him." The book worm explained, pointing at a guy Tristan talks to occasionally. Tristan nodded, taking the note. He opened it and read it. 'Dude, what happened to you last night? Everyones talking about how you flipped out on that girl. Some dumbass tried spreading a rumor that maybe you're gay...' 'Great..now I'm a gay vampire.' Tristan thought to himself. He continued reading, 'Dont worry, I know you're not gay.haha. but seriously, what gives?'  Tristan placed the note on the desk and started writing, 'Alcohol + Empty Stomach = Sick' He wrote. Passing the note back, Tristan leaned back and waited for school to be over with.

    The bell announced the beggining of the summer vacation, papers flew in the air and people were cheering and jumping all around the place. Tristan raised his hood and his hands retracted inside the sleeves. He quickly walked across the parking lot and opened his car door, sliding in he was able to put his hood down. "Damn sun..." He muttered, unzipping the hoodie. "Hey," A familiar voice greeted. Tristan looked up to see the blonde he almost fed on last night. Speechless, he just stared. "Why did you freak out last night?" She asked, shifting her purse to one side. "Ummm..." Tristan hummed, searching for an answer. 'Im a vampire?' He thought to himself. "Tristan..." Another female voice greeted. He looked to see the other girl from the night before sliding into his passenger seat. She lowered her hollister hood and moved her dark layers from her face. The blonde nodded, understanding why he freaked out - or atleast, she assumed why. Tristan watched as the blonde dissapeared. He looked over and raised an eyebrow, "Can I help you?" "Ouch," She laughed, "Don't act so happy to see me... you were happy last night..." "Last night was different." He bluntly muttered. "Why? Because you didn't feed?" She innocently asked. Tristan froze and stared at her. "Relax, your secret is safe with me...." She stuck out her hand, "I'm Vanessa." He politely nodded and then turned his keys in the ignition. "What do you want, Vanessa?" Tristan asked, putting his seatbealt on. "Don't you think that's a little cliche?" She asked, eyeing the seatbelt, knowing he CAN'T die. Tristan sighed, "You have to look the part to play the part..." Vanessa nodded, "Tell me about it, I'm glad Senoir year's over because now I don't have to explain why I never age..." She eyed Tristan up and down, "I heard what happened with you and goldie locks... close call?" "What the hell do you want?" He asked, growing impatient. "Relax..." She stated, "I want to hang out with you, it's not everyday you meet someone you can relate to." "I'm busy." He lied. "It's a shame you don't have a heartbeat, that's the one clue when someone's lying..." Vanessa sighed, she raised her hood and crawled back out of the car. Tristan watched as she jogged across the pavement and into the shade. She glanced back at him and blew him a kiss.

   
    "Brandon!" Tristan called out as he entered the house. He tossed his keys down and quickly walked around, "Brandon!" His older brother walked into the kitchen, calmly and shrugged, "Whats up?"  "Did you know there are others around here?" Tristan asked, crossing his arms. "Others?" His brother cluelessly asked. "Yeah," Tristan nodded,"Vampires." "What are you talking about?" Brandon narrowed his eyes, "I checked out this area before we moved here... I didn't sense any other vampires..." "Well you might want to check your sonar..." Tristan sarcastically snapped, "Some.... bitch from the party last night knows what I am and she wasn't too afraid to admit what she was either." "Did she flat out say..'I'm a vampire'?" Brandon asked, leaning back against the wall. Tristan shook his head, "No, but she couldn't drop any more hints.." "Great..." Brandon sighed, "So you're not a concern after all... there's another naive little shit running around out there."