I turn around to see which Oakridge Clone is trying to feel better about her own sorry existence by poking fun at mine. My eyes fall on a cluster of cheerleaders, staring at me from across the hall. Of course.

Of all the losers at Oakridge High, cheerleaders have to be the worst. With their sickly sweet fake smiles, swishy skirts, and bouncy, sun-kissed (aka highlighted from the muddy brown color they were born with) blonde hair, cheerleaders think they’re God’s gift to high schools. They expect worship from guys, girls, even teachers. And they get it. And if one isn’t interested in falling on their knees to kiss their perfectly sculpted asses, they might as well catch leprosy. The cheerleaders will guarantee them social outcast status for the rest of the year.

“Hey freak girl!” calls another cheerleader. They all look alike to me. “I thought vampires couldn’t walk around during the day.”

I roll my eyes. Of course she has no idea I really AM a vampire. She’s making a clever assumption based on the fact I’m not wearing a stitch of pink.

“Of course we can,” I retort back. “How else can we sink our teeth into succulent virgins such as yourself--oh wait! I’m sorry, I must have been thinking of someone else. Someone who HASN’T banged the whole football team.”

The girl’s eyes narrow. “You’d better watch yourself, Freak Girl.” Yup, that’s her oh-so-clever comeback. No denial either, I note.

“Oh yeah?” I grin saucily, sauntering up to their gang with my most confident steps. “How come?”

“Because if you don’t, I’ll kick your skanky vampire ass.”

I let out an overly loud laugh. Gotta let them know I’m not afraid. “You and what army?”

 

Another cheerleader steps forward. This one I do recognize. Mandy Matterson, my former best friend back in the day. Before she realized that I was nothing but a roadblock in her journey to high school stardom. She’s gone through an extreme makeover since we used to hang--inside and out. Now she’s blonde, beautiful, and oh-so-bitchy. No wonder she’s the current captain of the squad. I can’t believe we were once friends.

“You think you’re so cool,” Mandy sneers, narrowing her eyes. She wouldn’t admit to our former friendship if she was being tortured and threatened. “But really, you’re just another Oakridge High wannabe.”

I squeeze my hands into fists, fury burning through very vein. That’s it. I don’t care if it’s the first day of school. Or that I’m supposed to be keeping a low profile, what with my new undead status and all. I start to dive toward her.

“Rayne!” Someone grabs my arm and yanks me back, just in the nick of time to save Cheerleading Barbie’s perfect Ashley Simpon’esque “AFTER” nose.

I turn around, annoyed. If I was a healthy vamp, no mortal human would have been able to stop me like that. Stupid blood virus. I should start lifting weights.

I realize it’s my current best friend Spider who’s grabbed me. The only person in school who understands me. Which means she should understand my cheerleader rage and let me go.

“It’s not worth it,” Spider says, not living up to her potential.

“It is so worth it.” I growl back, glancing over at the three girls, who are staring at me with haughty expressions. As if they really think they can even lay a scratch on my body. Puh-leeze.

“It’s the first day of school. You really want to sit in detention the first day of school? I thought we were going to the My Chemical Romance concert tonight.”

I sigh. “You’re right. I guess. But look at those smug losers,” I say gesturing over to the Barbies. “They deserve to die.”

“Believe me, I’m not saying they don’t. Just not necessarily before A period.” Spider says rationally. “Besides, Mr. Teifert is looking for you.”

Mr. Teifert is the school drama teacher and, as only I know, also president of Slayer Inc. I wonder why he’s looking for me. After all, I’m technically retired from the Slayer biz. The virus made me too weak to perform my duties. But Teifert says once a Slayer, always a Slayer and you never know when they might need me.