*not edited*

Adira's pov

Walking through school hallways was always the same. Getting shoved out of the way. Flinching when someone shoves me too hard and presses on a dark hidden bruise. My books being shoved to the floor. Me being shoved the the floor.

It's been this way ever since three years ago. My mom and sister died. They were shot in a robbery.

Well, that's what everyone else thinks. Ever since my father did what he did I become his personal punching bag. The more I fought back the worse it was. I've learned just keep my mouth shut and it wouldn't be as bad.

My mother was beautiful. Long brown hair. Hazel eyes. Her smile could light up the room. Her name was Ava.

My sister was just like me. Same hair and brown eyes. Her name was Sophie.

The school bell rings snapping me out of my thoughts and I rush out. I step over a leg that was meant to trip me and open my locker. I shove my books in my bag and jog through the schools double doors.

I walk inside my house and resist the urge to cover my nose. It reeks of alcohol and cigarette smoke. I head straight to my room and take out my homework so I can get that done before I have to make dinner. My bedroom door bangs against my wall as its roughly shoved open, making me jump.

"Where the hell have you been?!" My father yells. He was clearly drunk just like he always was. In a dirty white shirt and jeans.

"I've been at school." I say quietly.

"Speak up!"

"I've been at school!" I yell.

He storms over to me and grabs my arms, yanking me up. He smacks me across the face, my head turning to the side so now I'm facing my window. I see a red blur but its gone as soon as it came. Must be my mind playing tricks on me again.

"Make dinner!" He orders.

I stumble down the stairs and into the kitchen. I grab the food that I need and make a sandwich. I grab him a bottle of whatever beer from the refrigerator and walk into the living room. I hand him the food and drink before grabbing my coat. I put my shoes on and slip on my coat before walking out the door.

Digging in my coat pockets I pull out a cigarette and my lighter. I lean against the side of building, taking a long drag. I close my eyes and feel my tense muscles loosen up. After a few more long drags I continue walking on my normal route.

On my way home I take a shortcut through the ally I always cut through. There normally isn't anyone around.

"Hey, wait up, sweatheart!" A loud voice calls out but I keep on walking.

"What's the rush?" He asks stepping in front of me.

"I actually have someone waiting for me across the street, so if you could let me pass that would be great."

"They can wait." He smirks before grabbing my wrist.

"Well I cant, so if you could let me go." I gesture to his tightening grip on my wrist.

"Too bad sweatheart." He traps me against the building and tugs at my shirt. My body goes stiff and tears fall from my cheeks. Not again. A sob escapes my lips and I squeeze my eyes shut tightly.

Suddenly, he is flung off of me and my eyes shoot open. A woman with fiery red hair has him against the wall pinned by the throat in seconds. I cross my arms over my shirtless chest and stare at her wide eyed. The cold wind stings my damp cheeks and I blink the tears away to see more clearly.

The man pinned to the wall is visibly shaking and the woman smirks. She licks her lips and lowers her face to his neck. The man starts screaming and I hear a sickening crack before the yelling stops. I turn my head when she lets him go. He falls to the ground and the woman wipes blood away from her mouth. Her eyes lock on mine. Neither one of us daring to look away.

"What are we doing with the girl?" Our heads snap to the men to the side. One extremely pale with blonde hair to his chin and one dark skinned with dreadlocks.

"Don't touch her!" The woman snarls. I back myself up against the wall, my eyes darting between them.

"Victoria, is she?"

"Yes." The woman, who I now know as Victoria, sighs.

"Is she where you've been sneaking off to lately?" The blonde one asks. Victoria nods. The man grins before looking over at me and frowning. I look down at my bruise littered skin. Oh.

I shrink back further against the wall and before I can blink Victoria is standing in front of me. My jaw drops and she hands me my shirt. I shakily reach out and grab it, my hand brushing hers. My eyes widen further at how cold her skin is. I quickly pull my shirt over my head and look for my coat. I pick it up and put it on. I stuff my hands into my coat pockets and look up.

"You just-how-what just happened?" I stutter out. Her face softens as I speak.

"Well, how about I tell you, if you let me walk you home." She suggests. I reluctantly nod and she smiles. We walk away from the two men.

"What are you?" I whisper.

"A vampire."

"Are you going to kill me?" I ask quietly.

"I'd never purposely hurt you, Adira." She says softly.

"Why not? And how do you know who I am?"

"I can't." She states, ignoring my second question.

"What do you mean?" I ask puzzled.

"Hurting you would hurt me worse. I physically cannot hurt you."

"Why?" She sighs.

"That's an explanation for another time."

"Why are you so cold and pale?" I touch her arm.

"Comes with being a vampire." Victoria shrugs.

"Why did you kill that man?"

"He was going to hurt you. I couldn't let him." A warm feeling bubbles through my chest. Why do I feel like I can trust her? I just met her and I already want to open up to her. She smiles and I furrow my eyebrows.

"Its normal to feel that way, you know." She says.

"How did you-"

"I can feel what you feel. Why, goes along with the explanation for another time." I furrow my eyebrows again and glance at her.

"Tell me abut yourself." She smiles.

"Don't you already know about me?"

"Some things. Just what I have heard." I take a deep breath.

"Well my name is Adira Dove Bennet. I don't have a favorite color. I live with my dad; my mom and sister were killed in a robbery." I blink away tears as the image of what really happened flashes through my mind. "I love to read. I want to be a photographer, I finish high school next week and that's about it." I stuff my hands back into my pockets.

"Colomba." She hums.

"Colomba?" I ask.

"It means dove." I smile slightly.

"Well, here we are." I look behind her and see my house. I sigh and she trails the back of her finger over my cheek before blurring away.

A tear trails down my cheek and I slowly walk up the pathway that leads to my house.