A Vampire's First Day

'I don't think I've ever been so close to being in the sun like this.' Juliet thought, staring through the car window. With the safety of the tinted windows, she is protected from sunlight. Looking through the glass makes everything gray and dull, but Juliet can imagine the colors.

The red, green, and yellow of the stoplights. The red on the roses that are displayed outside a flower store. The splash of colors that are shown on clothes displayed outside a boutique. The blue in the sky and the white in the clouds.

'It would be nice to see it all up close.' Juliet thought sadly, placing a hand on the window. The warmth of the glass is all that can substitute that of the sun.

Juliet presses her forehead against the glass, trying to imagine the sun's warmth on her skin. The raven-haired girl closes her eyes, focusing on the soft rumble of the car's engine. The car is driving smoothly enough that she is starting to lull back to sleep.

It is already difficult enough to stay awake as it is. Juliet's eyelids are growing heavier and heavier with each passing minute. The dark exterior of the car is inviting her to sleep in.

The moment her eyes shut, Juliet is overwhelmed by the image of flames surrounding her.

The flames feel so real how they scorch her skin. Smoke forces itself through her mouth and nostrils, filling her lungs. The heat scars her tongue and throat.

Juliet's eyes snap open as she lets out a silent gasp. The raven-haired girl sits up straight in her seat. The seatbelt tenses up in response, keeping Juliet in place.

Cold sweat sticks to her skin, making her chilly in the already cold car. Juliet corrects herself in her seat. She straightens her hair, fixes her clothes, and rechecks her book bag.

'Everything is here. Everything is alright. I'm just nervous.' Juliet thought, taking in slow, deep breaths.

For the past month, Juliet has been suffering from a recurring nightmare. She always finds herself surrounded by an inferno. It's like a record on a loop.

Pain. Fire. Screaming.

Juliet doesn't understand why she is experiencing such a dream. The girl has tried to interpret the vision and escape the nightmare. No matter what she attempts to do, it always ends the same. The teenager would look out into the fire, looking at a shadowed person. The dream ends with her begging the shadowed person to free her.

'Is this one of those premonition dreams that Mom talks about?' Juliet pondered worriedly.

Her mother, Serena, has been gifted with the ability to see the future. Most of them occur when she's asleep. Every premonition warns Serena of something that'll happen to her family or herself.

Juliet's mother often talks about how most of her dreams can be glimpses into the future or hints at what may come. Sometimes, Serena may see a storm that will destroy the house and expose the family to daylight. Others, she might see a misty meadow with an owl flying by.

Premonitions can be helpful or confusing.

Juliet is unaware if this is a glimpse into her future or a confusing premonition she must interpret. Does the fire represent destruction or rebirth? Is she going to be burned to death by some mysterious figure?

'Being in between a vampire and a human is exhausting.' Juliet thought as she struggled to rub the sleep out of her eyes.

Despite how many popular books and movies suggest, vampires can reproduce naturally. People don't always have to be bitten to be a vampire. Also, vampires age slowly rather than remain the same age when bitten.

When vampires give birth, their children are labeled fledgling--in between being a vampire and human.

Naturally-born fledgling grow up in between the worlds of night and day. They can walk in the sunlight but still face sun sensitivity. (Sometimes, the skin breaks out into painful blisters.) The children can consume both blood and human food. As well as possessing the strength and speed of a full-fledged vampire.

Fledgling age as a human does unless they become a full-fledged vampire. On the eighteenth birthday of fledgling, they decide to remain human or become one of the undead.

Juliet is seventeen and will soon decide whether to become a vampire or keep her humanity. Her eighteenth birthday is a year away, and it is creeping closer and closer.

Both of her parents are vampires that have lived for nearly two centuries. Juliet is their first child and faces the dilemma of immortality over humanity.

When natural-born fledgling reach a certain age, they are given vampire blood to drink. If the fledgling ingest the blood, they will become full-fledged vampires. But if they don't, the fledgling remain as they are and age as a human. (Although it is unheard of for fledgling to keep their humanity.)

Juliet has until the next blood moon to decide whether to be a human or a vampire. Which, coincidentally, is next October 31st.

'Did my parents plan when to conceive me so I'll have a perfect ceremony? Blood moon with vampire blood? They are so superstitious.' Juliet thought.

Having parents born in the late seventeen hundreds has its ups and downs. They can tell Juliet wondrous stories of their past and talk about historical figures like they were old friends. One drawback is that they are so superstitious.

Her parents believe in omens, old gods, and bad luck.

Once, her parents freaked out when they saw an owl fly over their house. They hung so many charms on every door that Juliet couldn't move through the house without causing any jingling. (She got so annoyed that she tossed a few out the window.)

'I wonder if they stuffed any charms in my backpack? It wouldn't be the first time.' Juliet thought, glancing at her bag. The night before--or the day before in her parents' case--they pinned several charms to her clothes. Juliet was able to remove some of them but assured to wear one of them. Now, she has a pendant filled with a special good-luck potion.

Juliet notices how the car turns into a parking lot full of school buses and other vehicles. Excitement builds up as she recognizes the large building beside the parking lot.

This is the first time that Juliet has laid eyes on a human school. This is the first time she's seen her school.

The car rolls up to a stop, and Juliet prepares herself for the inevitable. Juliet's heart is pounding against her rib cage. 'Can't believe I'm finally going to high school.' Juliet thought, biting her lower lip nervously.

Going to a human school is difficult when you're a dhampir. You can't make friendships with humans as they'll expire. Schools test a person's mental health and potential. Participating in sports activities can be tricky as fledgling need help to contain their strength.

'This is more terrifying than playing Stone Dodging with Father.' Juliet thought, shaking off any lingering nerves.

Just before she leaves the car, Juliet pops a pill into her mouth. The tablet dissolves in her mouth, and it feels as if ice fills her veins. She develops a burst of energy to fight the lethargy from the long night.

Vampires have developed energy tablets for fledgling to ingest. The pills give them a boost of strength and energy to be at their best. (The tablets also include sun protection by strengthening their skin.)

'I have got to get used to sleeping at night and not during the day.' Juliet thought as she opened the car door. The morning sun touches Juliet's body and makes her hesitate. Despite the layers that hide her skin, Juliet is still wary.

This would be the first time she'd set foot in the sun. Juliet has always dreamed of walking in the daylight. And now, it has become a reality.

Fledgling can walk in the daylight, but only to an extent. Prolonged exposure can cause permanent skin damage or worse. If Juliet isn't careful, she could risk her life.

"Are you sure you want to go, Juliet?" asked the driver.

Juliet looks at the driver and smiles at him in assurance. "I'll be fine, Daniel. I'll see you at two," she said, waving him goodbye. The older gentleman smiles back at the dhampir as he wishes her a good day.

Daniel Maxwell is her family's butler of many years. The man is close to fifty, yet it looks like he's in his early forties. He has a finely trimmed beard and dark brown hair. The Caucasian male is dressed in a butler's uniform but without the tailcoats or white gloves. (He looks more like a businessman.)

The man is like an uncle to her. He's been there since Juliet was born. (In fact, his family has been in service with Juliet's parents for decades.)

Vampires don't usually enlist in the service of humans due to distrust. In her family's case, Stefan saved the life of one of Daniel's male ancestors and gave him a job as a butler with the promise of a prosperous life. In return, Daniel's family has served Juliet's family for generations.

While her parents have several disagreements about humans, they love Daniel like he is part of the family.

"Alright. Call me if you need help."

Nodding, Juliet climbs out of the Rolls Royce and opens up her umbrella. The added protection of the umbrella helps ease her nerves. Shutting the car door behind her, Juliet moves forward.

Almost immediately, eyes are upon her. Students stare at her oddly as Juliet approaches the high school entrance. They whisper to their friends as students watch Juliet as she walks by.

The raven-haired girl expects these looks as she wears a long, asymmetrical skirt and a black corset with thin, flouncy sleeves in ninety-degree weather. Hiding her hands are lacy gloves that climb up to her elbows. Along with pointed, mid-calf heeled boots. Her hair is dolled up in intricate curls tied into a neat bun.

The hair on the back of Juliet's neck stands as the eyes cling to her. She isn't used to such attention. Juliet hasn't been surrounded by this many humans. The dhampir is used to small parties of people.

'It's expected. Daniel warned me about this.' Juliet assured herself.

When she reaches the large doors, Juliet almost pauses. Unlike her parents, Juliet doesn't need to be invited in.

'Yes, the myth that vampires must be invited in is true. Otherwise, it feels like they're being eaten alive from the inside out.'

Taking a deep breath, Juliet walks through the doors and enters Northwood High School.