Affinity

Chapter 1: Child's Play

To many vampires, those early years are as inconsequential and insignificant as the humans they resemble during that time. But some parents do see value in the experience a young vampire has before their fangs descend. It is for this reason the Lord and Lady Turgenev had allowed ten-year-old Anastasia to choose where their family would live for the next decade before her awakening.

They gave her a map of North America, explaining that crossing oceans wasn't on the table right now due to strict regulations set by their society. Anastasia first set her sights on "the happiest place on earth" in one of the sunniest states knowing that her days in the sun were numbered. They shot down that idea. They were willing to leave their isolated cold paradise in Alaska for her, but there are some things vampires will not do.

After some thought she settled on Portland, Maine. She was intrigued by the city's seal depicting a phoenix rising from the ashes. It was a reference to the recoveries from four tragic fires in the city. But to Anastasia it will signify her transformation, her rebirth.

Tuesday, November 1, 2005

Anastasia's first day of school came. She stood at the front of Mrs. O'Bryan's 5th grade class nervously picking at her apricot dress. The woman wanted her to tell the class three things about herself. They stared.

She closed her eyes taking a deep breath. They are only humans. No need to be nervous. You're above this, she internally chastised herself. She found her voice whilst her fingers continued twisting the soft fabric of her skirt.

"My name is Ana-stats-see-uh," she said, correcting the teacher's mispronunciation of her name. "I enjoy reading dystopian books and I keep a diary, but I will only write when there is something worth noting. My favorite season is-- "

Anastasia's words were cut short by the outburst of abrupt laughter. She met the deep emerald eyes of a boy with medium tan skin in the back corner. He had a hand covering his mouth hiding his amusement, his mocking gaze burning a hole in her stomach. His pale, lanky friend beside him had his whole face buried in the curve of his arms on his desk, his shoulders barely containing his chuckles.

She almost lowered her gaze feeling her face heating up but remembered herself. Instead, her fingers halted their timorous dance. "Winter," she finished her introduction lifting her chin whilst maintaining the eye contact with the impertinent human. He mimicked her challenge, his narrowing eyes setting off a nervous flutter in her gut.

The staring contest was short-lived as the girl was forced to forfeit when the teacher asked her to take a seat. Taking her new assigned seat, she began to lay out her composition book and pencils when she felt a light tap on her arm. A pudgy girl with a fusion of freckles on her face and flaming red hair whispered to her, "I really like your name. It's pretty."

"Thank you..."

"Pam."

"Pam..."

"It's short for Pamela. Can I call you Ana?"

If she likes my name, why change it?

Anastasia preferred either her full name or the diminutive her father and brother called her, Nastia. Allowing just anyone to address her with such informality was out of the question. She gave Pam permission to shorten her name to Ana reasoning that the human girl won't have much occasion to use it anyway.

But for the rest of the day, Pam was stuck to the new girl's side. Anastasia kept her remarks short and to the point. She had no use for friends she'd forget after taking her rightful place in the vampire society.

Pam, on the other hand, talked a lot. She had two younger brothers, but she wished for a sister and her parents were separated. She didn't mind this because they fought a lot when they were together, and she got two Christmases now. She refused to believe Santa wasn't real. She swears she saw him. She asked where Anastasia was from? She thought everyone in Alaska rode dog sleds. She was a bit disappointed this was not true. She kept a diary too and thought 'Ana' was so cool and brave to admit it to the class.