Chapter 4

The bell for the first period rings, and we are having biology. I and Denise both walk into the lab.

"Okay, class, we will be talking about osmosis." Mr. Lovato says as he picks up the textbook from the table. Denise and I search for a seat and end up sitting next to the window. "Who can define osmosis?" he asks as he stares at Chase. Chase ignores that one of Chase's football members raises his hand. "Okay, Larry, please define it for the class even if it's in your understanding."

Larry stands up. "Osmosis is a process by which molecules of a solvent tend to pass through a semipermeable membrane from a less concentrated solution into a more concentrated one."

"Good. You can sit down. Who else can try?" he asks as he looks in my direction. "Hmm, your face is new."

"This is her first time in your class," Denise replies, as Chase looks my way. I stood up and didn't know what to say because all that I learned in Shadow Academy was blood. Everything was about controlling fangs, not trying to turn into a monster by feeding on a bloodsucker or trying to defend ourselves when we are in trouble. So yes, I don't know what osmosis is.

"Go on, Miss..."

"Inez." I completed it as I stood still on my feet.

"So, what do you understand by the word osmosis?" he asks again.

I swallowed hard. "Osmo..." I open my mouth to talk but now interrupt.

"Osmosis is the tendency of a fluid, usually water, to pass through a semipermeable membrane into a solution where the solvent concentration is higher, thus equalizing the concentrations of materials on either side of the membrane," Chase says and sits down.

"Thank you, Mr. Parker." He checks his watch, then drops the textbook. "So, we will be having a test."

"Urghhh." All the students murmur, then Mr. Lovato drums the ruler on the table to silence the class.

"We will be having it in the next class, and it will be a group of six. Five people in a group, so select yourselves."

Everyone goes to meet their friends. Chase didn't bother standing up, and Jada was too proud to look for a group, so she and her best friend stayed on one side. I and Denise were also by the window. The only human I got attached to was Denise. She's never been near my house before, and I have never told her about the history of my life. Who would wanna open their mouth and say; I'm a Dhampir and I might end up becoming a bloodsucker soon? Who would want to hear that and not call me a freak?

"What are you kids doing? Mingle already and let me share my questions." Mr. Lovato says as he looks at Jada and Maddie.

"No more groups available, Mr. Lovato," Jada says as she looks at herself in the mirror, then jams her lips together.

"Oh, the situation is already solved." Mr. Lovato said.

"How?" Denise asks.

"One, two, three..." He counts the remaining one of us. He gasps in surprise. "You are all five now, and that means you are all in the same group."

"I'm the captain," Jada says immediately. Denise looks at her.

"You can't be the captain, all you do is look in the mirror and check yourself out."

"Are you done?" Jada asks as she picks up her bag.

"I guess so," Denise replied.

"Good."

"Okay guys, it's gonna be more of an experiment so group one question will be; Experiment to demonstrate the osmosis by using a sheet of cellophane or goat bladder." Mr. Lovato shares the questions with the groups and finally gets to my group. He says we are to demonstrate the phenomenon of exosmosis and endosmosis.

The bell finally rings and the student walks out of the lab.

~~~

Over the next couple of days, I noticed Chase hanging around and staring at me while I was hanging with Denise.

I open my locker, then he stands in front of me with his hand on top of my locker.

"You are Inez." He says this with one hand in his pocket.

"Yeah," I say nervously.

"Good, I just want to clear that up. Anyways, I'm Chase."

"I know, umm, hi." I give a small laugh. "Thanks for the save at Mr. Lovato's class."

Everybody is staring at us, even Jada.

"You are welcome...Hey, I have a ticket to see a movie."

"Really?" I say as I take my note out.

"You are interested?"

I swallowed. "You are asking me on a date?"

"Well, my brother had a ticket and he can't go." He blinks, then continues. "Anyway, it's this Friday. Can I pick you up?"

I couldn't talk for a few minutes. I don't know whether to say yes or no, but who wouldn't want to go out with Chase Parker? I'm a Dhampir, remember? I can't get close to him or I'll ruin lots of lives. I can't be with him either. It's against the law to fall in love with humans, especially if it's Chase Parker.

"What?" he asks calmly. "I know you feel it too, whenever I look at you. You can't hide it. It's too late." I still keep my gaze on him as he talks. "I will see you." He adds.

"Hey," Denise says as she walks towards us. "I'm Denise." She introduces me. He looks at her and then back at me.

"Hi, I know who you are," Chase replied as I cleared my throat. "I will see you guys later." He says as he leaves my locker.

"Bye," I said, still nervous.

Denise walks closer to me. "Oh my gosh." She chuckles.

"What?" I ask.

"The hottest guy just talked to you without you seeking attention."

"No, no, he just had a question about Abraham Lincoln." I shut my locker.

"Abraham Lincoln? Seriously?"

"Yeah," I reply, trying not to laugh.

"You both aren't even offering history."

"I know, but it's true," I say.

"Okay." She says as she rolls her eyes. We walked down the hall together. "He better be nice to you or I'll break him." She adds. I give a small laugh as I place my hair behind my ear. "You know, there are two types of girls in this world. Those who have boyfriends in high school could be you and girls like me who are waiting for college."

"I don't want to have a high school boyfriend," I reply.

"I know, but you can't reject him if he approaches you."

"Well I can, it's my choice besides he is not for me."