After lunch, the entire school pours into the massive courtyard to unwind before classes start again.
Like in any American high school, there's the popular crowd, which Megan Felmont is part of.
Then there are the athletes, the nerds, the bullies, and everyone else.
And then there's me, staying well away from all of them. Natalie's company is more than enough for me.
Today, though, there's a new group that's much bigger than any of the others.
The Emily Jones Fan Club.
Dozens of guys surround her like she's some kind of celebrity, bombarding her with questions and compliments.
Westchester Crown Academy is a strict elite high school, so every compliment she gets is polite and respectful.
After all, everyone knows that one wrong word could be enough to get you expelled.
I'm not surprised a smoking-hot girl like her is practically being worshipped even by the other seniors.
Pfft... do those losers seriously think they have a chance with someone like her?
Idiots...
"Looks like you're not the only one who's got his eye on Emily. You've got some serious competition, huh, Darko?" Natalie jokes.
"That pack of idiots is supposed to be competition? Don't make me laugh."
"I'm not talking about them... I'm talking about him."
Natalie points to a tanned guy with bleached-blond hair walking toward the crowd of admirers.
Lars Nightclaw, one year older than me. Quarterback of the Westchester Crown football team and one of the big shots in the popular crowd.
More importantly, he's the son of a powerful boss in the lycan faction.
Even though we both know who the other is, we've never had any problems with each other.
The same goes for our families, even though they belong to rival factions.
We simply ignore each other, and I'm perfectly fine with that.
"Move it, losers. Can't you see you're crowding her? Get lost, all of you!" Lars snaps.
He pushes his way through the crowd with his arms spread wide, scattering people like he's Emily's personal bodyguard.
One of Westchester Crown's unwritten rules is that when one of the popular kids gives an order, everyone listens.
And sure enough, the crowd clears out in an instant.
We vampires have incredibly sharp hearing, but they're too far away and speaking too quietly for me to make out a single word.
Judging by the way Lars keeps gesturing, though, it doesn't exactly take a genius to figure out he's trying to impress her.
I'm not surprised pretty boy has his eye on her too.
When it comes to girls, I think he's the only guy in this school who can actually compete with me.
Emily says something to him with an awkward smile.
She probably feels uncomfortable, and sure enough, a moment later she gives him a quick wave and walks away.
Or rather... she starts heading toward us.
Yeah, she's definitely heading straight for me and Natalie.
There's no one else around but the two of us, so there's no way I'm imagining it.
I pretend not to notice and casually look away while Natalie mutters something under her breath.
She's already getting a taste of what it feels like to lose that bet.
"I said three days would be enough... I take it back. One is all I need."
"Shut up, asshole..."
"Um... am I interrupting something?" Emily asks politely.
"Not at all. Needed a little breathing room, huh?"
"Yeah... the guys at this school are all really nice, honestly. But... let's just say it was kind of hard to breathe with that many people around me."
"I can imagine. Your name's Emily, right? Emily... uh... remind me what your last name is?"
I actually remember it perfectly.
But everyone knows the best way to get a girl's attention is to act like you couldn't care less.
"Jones. Emily Jones. And you're Natalie Harris and Darko Bloodshade, right? Sorry, I'm still getting everyone's names mixed up."
"You got it. Honestly, it's impressive you've already learned our names after only half a day here. So, what brings you to this school, Emily Jones?"
God, I wish I hadn't asked...
Ten straight minutes of her telling me a whole bunch of stuff I couldn't possibly care less about.
Women really would be the most beautiful creation in the universe if only they talked a little less...
Long story short, her father moved from Philadelphia to New York for work, and the rest of the family followed him.
More specifically, they got a place in Riverdale, in the Bronx.
The same neighborhood I live in.
Looks like luck is on my side.
Still... ten fucking minutes to explain something that could've taken four seconds to explain!
Obviously, I didn't interrupt her out of politeness, but maybe I should have.
The bell signaling the end of lunch break rings just as she finally finishes her painfully boring story.
No big deal. I'll just find another chance to get her alone.
And that's exactly what I do as soon as classes are over.
"Since you just moved here, it'd probably be better if someone walked you home to Riverdale, right? Getting lost in New York is a lot easier than it looks."
She gives me a bright, friendly smile.
"Thanks, Darko. That's really sweet of you. But my dad has the day off today, so he'll be here to pick me up in a few minutes..."
Shit, that's definitely an excuse.
Maybe she still doesn't trust me enough to walk home alone with me.
Or did I completely misread her friendliness?
"...but I'd like that tomorrow. I'd feel safer walking home with you."
Perfect.
It's a done deal.
I'm fucking her tomorrow.