Author's Note: This is an EDITED VERSION of Chapter One. It's better, I think. I want people off my case about it being like Twilight. Just wait, you'll see.

Hey Guys. I know I've been like, really terrible about updating. Like, REALLY terrible. I'm working on it, I promise. I'm just having SUPER HUGE...dramatic pause WRITER'S BLOCK! NOOOOOOOOO!! But for now, I have another piece for you. This is actually a piece of my own, as in not actually a category of ACTUAL fanfiction...Well, you'll have to see. It will take a while to update because I'm trying to do this by chapter and they're pretty long and I'm sick, but when I get better, I'll have TONS of homework to catch up on and then the other fanfictions and I want to get this perfect, because I'm actually going to publish this- By the way, I own all these spiffilicious characters and the plot, so back off- and I wanted to know what the world thinks of my work. Oh, and I'll probably be going back and editing things to make it exactly what I want. It's the longest I've ever worked on a story and I'm really proud of it.

I'm so excited, aren't you? Now enough of my chattering. READ AND REVIEW! NOW! READ!!

Chapter One

Sunlight shone dimly over the grey streets of San Francisco, causing them to look almost dirtier than before. Angela Daniels shaded her eyes against it from the passenger seat of her Mother's red Mustang. The thermometer over their heads read 65.3˚. Not bad for mid-March. But there was still a lot of fog hanging menacingly from the tall buildings.

After a moment, Angela caught her reflection in the side-view mirror. Not really author material in her opinion. No distinguished-looking glasses or smatter of ink on her nose. Just plain old Angela Daniels, born and raised in the vast expanses of San Francisco, with straight brown hair, green eyes, and no father. Of course, it was probably better she didn't look like the writer she was. After all, if she were found out, public school would be out of the question. And she would much rather endure her classes than sit around at home all day.

Angela sighed and turned to look at her mother as the traffic light turned green. Angela's mother was a pleasant woman. Her silky black curls framed her soft, round face, making her own vibrant emerald eyes stand out. She was a surgeon who worked mostly on heart transplants. People always seemed to find it so shocking for one reason or another. But with her smarts and beauty, she made Angela feel drab next to her. Not to say that Angela was unattractive. She just couldn't compete with her mother's beauty.

"Thanks for driving me while my car's in the shop." Angela sighed as she remembered her sleek new Ferrari, sitting in the garage.

"It's quite all right. After all, I only have a few months left with you before you leave. Already a senior." She turned, looking straight out the front window, still mumbling, "Already a senior."

Angela laid a hand on her mother's shoulder.

"I know Mom. But I'm not going too far. Just to Santa Cruz." Angela's mother sighed, and then nodded. They came to another red light. The streets around them were already strewn with people. Angela watched them as they walked by. A short, busty woman was yelling at her husband, who looked as though he had been crushed in one of those junkyard car-squishing machines. Walking behind them, giggling quietly, were three identical red-headed women who wore Jimmy Choos and clutched their Prada handbags closely to them, just in case. Not too far behind them were a man and woman, walking slowly, their fingers entwined like shoelaces. Angela sighed and sat back in her seat, looking away as her mother took her foot off the brake.

Finally, Angela's school, Brook Mills High, came into view. Angela's mother pulled up and Angela stepped out of the car, waving as she headed for the entrance. Brook Mills High School was a tall, three story school complete with pool and small field. It was relatively clean, other than the occasional graffiti. The janitor was very good at his craft. Rarely did a person decide that it would be fun to litter. Stepping into the non-grey shade, Angela gratefully entered the main building. Once her eyes adjusted, she caught sight of her best friend, Kerra Anderson, rummaging through her locker.

Kerra was a tall, leggy blonde with blue eyes and a large, sparkling smile. Angela had met her in the 2nd grade, and they were a little rocky at first, both demanding the attention of their fellow classmates. But, eventually, once they had set their similarities aside, they became closer than bark on a tree. After that, they had fought only once, and it was so insignificant that neither remembered who had started it and what it was about. Smiling, Angela made a bee-line for her and tapped her shoulder. Kerra whipped around.

"Oh! There you are, good! I've been looking for you." Kerra pulled a copy of An Angel's Arms by October Evans out of her bag.

"I just bought it. Everyone's reading it! Here, read the back." Angela took the book from Kerra and forced her eyes to move back and forth across the glossy back cover. She already knew what it said. After all, she had written it.

When Jean Sparks finds herself in a tragic car accident, she is surprised to find that she is unmarked. While she sits at her parents bedsides, a strangely familiar boy approaches. She could swear she had seen him before, but when and where, she is unsure. This story, which tells of love, betrayal, family and thieves, mixes comedy and tears, blending together deliciously to form this book, An Angel's Arms.

Following this was a list of quotes from critics. Angela handed the book back to Kerra, smiling.

"It sounds good," she said. Kerra shut her locker and began walking, Angela at her side.

"Good? That's all? It's fantastic! I would kill to be this kind of writer. She's so talented…" Angela's thoughts cut off Kerra's monologue. She thinks it's fantastic…She thinks I'm talented…

"Ang? Are you listening to me?" Angela shook herself.

"Yes. Just thinking, that's all. Maybe I'll buy a copy." Kerra jumped up and down in excitement.

"Yeah, you totally should! Then we could--" Angela didn't hear the rest. As she was listening to Kerra talk, she had forgotten that she was walking and ended up accidentally bumping her books into the person behind her, sending them flying.

"Oh no," she said, dropping to her knees. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…" she stopped as she reached for her most recent English novel. The person she had run into was crouching down, holding the book out to her. It was a boy, probably 17, give or take a year or so. He was tall, about three, maybe four inches taller than her 5'7", and he was… beautiful. His skin was a medium shade of tan and his hair, a blonde so dark it was almost brown, was artfully tousled and hung in his eyes. But Angela only vaguely noticed this. She was too busy staring at his eyes, which were a shocking, startling baby blue. But that wasn't all. His eyes took on a strange, metallic shine, most definitely not something you saw everyday. It's not something you saw ever, for that matter. He was by far the most gorgeous boy she had ever seen. Angela took the book from the boy's outstretched hand, nodding.

"Th-thank you," Angela stuttered.

"Don't mention it. Hamlet, eh? That's a good one."

"Yeah, though I must say that Hamlet probably doesn't- or didn't- feel the same way." The boy smiled, a warm, crooked smile that made Angela's cheeks flush.

"Stand up already!" Kerra said impatiently. Angela, cheeks still burning, stood up, the boy following her lead. Meanwhile, Kerra continued talking.

"So, are you new around here? I've never seen you before."

"Uhm, yes I am new. Actually, I was wondering if you could help me." He pulled a slip of paper out of his pocket. "Class 105. Any idea where that is?" Kerra opened her mouth to answer, but Angela cut her off.

"It's down the hall, fifthird to your right. You can't miss it."

"Thanks," the boy gave his crooked pearly white half-smile again. To avoid an oncoming awkward moment, Angela blurted, "I'm Angela and this is Kerra."

"I'm Charlie."

"Well Charlie, are their any other classes you need help finding?" Kerra said, cutting in again.

It took less than about five minutes to figure out where all of Charlie's classes were. He had a good memory. He had some of the same classes Angela and Kerra took, just during different hours. All of them were honors and AP classes. Angela almost jumped for joy when she saw his fifth period. His AP English was the same period and class as hers. Fifth was last for Angela, and now Charlie, as well. Unfortunately, Kerra had put off PE for a year and didn't get out till sixth. She pouted for a full minute while Angela pointed out the rest of Charlie's classes for him. Finally, she handed the schedule back saying, "Here you are, and welcome to Brook Mills."

"Great. Thanks again."

"No Problem." Just then, the one minute bell rang. Charlie sighed, then comp-osed his face into one of concentration.

"Well," he said, "here goes nothing." He walked off. Angela waved, but he was already gone.

As soon as Physics was over, Kerra dragged Angela out of the classroom to find Charlie. They arrived as he was leaving the confines of Mrs. Berg's cluttered Calculus classroom and Kerra boldly stepped up to him, saying, "Hey, Charlie! We were going to go hang out with some friends. Wanna come with?" Without even waiting for an answer, she grabbed his wrist and pulled the two of them out to the quad where the gang was waiting.

The gang consisted of 6 people, not including Angela and Kerra; Brandon, Kye, Jezebel, Gabrielle, Jade, and Nayan. Brandon's brown hair fell around his eyes, which were a creamy, hazel color. In his lap, much to the dislike of the school staff sat his girlfriend Jezebel. Just below them, on the bench, were Kye, Gabrielle, and Jade. Kye was a bubbly soul. His blonde hair was sticking up with gel, as per usual, making his green eyes sparkle against his tan skin. Gabrielle sat next to Jade, and both were talking animatedly.

It was Nayan who first noticed the small party of three approaching. He turned around and smiled a smile that lit up his usually blank face. His russet skin smoothed across his face, his amber eyes twinkling.

"There they are." His smile vanished, making his face blank again as Jade began talking to him. She wasn't exactly a huge fan of Kerra. But two seats away, Kye jumped up and grabbed Kerra boldly around the waist, pulling her into a hug that made Kerra not only giggle, but gasp. Kye and Kerra had also been going out for a while, and Kye wasn't bothered by public displays of affection. In fact, he practically lived off of it. Ignoring Kye's whispered, "I missed you," to his girlfriend, Angela looked back at Charlie, muttering, "Ready? When you shake hands with Kye- yes, he will want to shake hands, he's too polite- watch his grip. It's gotten nasty a few times." Charlie nodded, making a mental note.

"Okay," he said. "Let's go." Angela smiled and took his hand, leading him over to the rest of the group. Everyone stopped talking to look up at her. Nayan smiled again and said, "Hello Ang, who's the stiff?"

"Oh, be nice. This is Charlie. He's new. Charlie, this is—"

"WAIT!" Kerra cut in. "I wanna do it!" Angela rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"Oh, all right," she said, sitting down by Nayan. Kerra cleared her throat, then said, "This is Brandon and Jezebel, Gabrielle, Jade," she said this through clenched teeth, "and this here, is Kye." Charlie nodded politely to each person, and shook Kye's hand with an unreadable expression. He didn't seem to be in pain though, which was a good sign.

Just then, someone tapped Angela's shoulder, making Angela jump. It was Angela's aunt. Angela smiled, and hugged her aunt, saying, "Heyllo Aunt Josie." Aunt Josie was Angela's History teacher. She had bright blonde hair that curled down her face, framing her blue eyes and round face, just like Angela's mother's. Unlike Angela's mother however, Aunt Josie wore outfits according to the style of today. While Mrs. Daniels wore somewhat fashionable clothing, Aunt Josie was up-to-date very week. It was a wonder that she could do it on a teacher's salary. Angela's aunt smiled and looked up at Charlie, who was now surrounded by the rest of the group, who was asking him every question Man could think up.

"Who's that?" she asked.

"Charlie. Today's his first day."

"Exciting. What are his classes?"

"He has you 4th, don't you worry." Aunt Josie's eyes lit up.

"Oh Goody! Fresh Meat!" Angela elbowed her playfully. Aunt Josie just laughed. "I guess I'll be heading to the staff room, maybe hang out with some people my age. See you later, kid." She clacked away. Angela shook her head again and turned to look at Nayan who was now sitting next to her. His eyes watched her attentively. Angela raised her eyebrows.

"What?" Nayan nodded to Charlie.

"Where'd you find him?"

"In the hallway. I bumped into him actually. He couldn't find his class." Nayan snorted in disbelief. Angela raised one eyebrow. "Just because you have a compass glued to your brain doesn't mean we all do." Nayan just shook his head. Angela rolled her eyes, then stood and walked toward Kerra, who was standing on her own, watching the small crowd with interest.

"How's he holding up?"

"Good. They're eating him up. He'll fit in by tomorrow, latest." Angela nodded, smiling at the accomplishment.

After fourth period Spanish, Angela rushed off to AP English, just down the hall. The room was neat and organized, and the teacher was so cool she didn't care where you sat. She settled down into her favorite desk by the window and waited for the rest of the class to arrive. As she stared out across the campus, an idea came to her. Astounded by this new inspiration, Angela quickly pulled out a piece of paper and began scribbling, the words drawing in, and the world around her disappearing.

Sara Breslin was your typical teenager. She was brown eyed and brown haired, with a tan any girl would kill for. But there was one thing about Sara that made her different from everyone else; she loved vampires. But she didn't just like them. They were her unhealthy obsession. She read about them in books, she dressed like them for Halloween; she would have loved to be turned into one of them. One day, she get's her wish. Sara and her friends were playing in the woods when Sara gets sidetracked and lost. In the middle of the trees, she comes across ahears a noise that takes her out of the light of the moon. man. This man is no ordinary man. He looks hungry. Next thing Sara knows, she's on the ground, being attacked by a human-like shape. Sara tries to run, but the man shape is too fast. Before she can truly comprehend what is happening, she feels something pierce her neck and blacks out—

"Hey, what's that?" Angela had been so wrapped in her idea that actually fell out of her chair. The entire English class turned to stare at her while the teacher, Ms. Jones Jones observed from the front of the class. She appeared to be holding her hand to her heart as though Angela's fall had almost given her a heart attack.

"Oh dear," she said. "Are you all right, Ms. Daniels?" Angela slid back into her seat, secretly glad she had decided against her miniskirt today.

"I'm fine, Ms. Jones." Ms. Jones sighed.

"Try to be more careful in future Angela." Angela nodded, a warm flush in her cheeks.

"Yes, Ms. Jones."

As Ms. Jones continued with the lesson, Angela turned to see Charlie watching her. Angela blinked.

"Sorry," she whispered. "What were you saying?"

"What are you working on so intently?" Angela looked down at her paper.

"Oh," she said. "That's just a-" she looked up and caught sight of Charlie's eyes; so clear and metallic looking. "It's an idea for a story." Somewhere inside Angela's brain, a voice was whispering, 'what are you doing!?' She had never told anybody about her writing.

"A story? Cool. Are you going to publish it?"

"Eventually." Angela almost clamped her hand down over her mouth. The voice was right to worry. She could blow her cover and then that would be the end of public school.

Charlie nodded, seeming to understand. Angela opened her mouth to say something, but Charlie raised his finger to his lips and pointed to Ms. Jones. As Angela turned her gaze, Ms. Jones looked over at them. Maybe it was just her, but she thought she saw a smile cross her face.

That night, Angela was thrilled to hear Aunt Josie's tale of Charlie's first day. They talked of nothing else over dinner, much to Mrs. Daniel's displeasure. She wasn't big on boys. But Aunt Josie blew off her mother's indescribable gaze throughout the meal, much too absorbed in what she was talking about.

"Oh Ang hon, he's the most brilliant kid I've ever laid eyes on. I gave him something from quite a few different time periods to start with, just to see where he was. He handed it back within five minutes. Perfect Score. He's got some great handwriting on him too. That boy's got a future ahead of him no doubt about it. I can't wait to see what he does next!" Angela smiled, glad that Charlie was fitting in.

Aunt Josie stayed until eight, when she announced that she had to leave to correct papers. Angela hugged her and smiled.

"Good night Aunt Josie."

"Good Night, kid. Don't forget the homework. It's due tomorrow whether you're my niece or not."

"I know, I know. Now go grade some papers." Aunt Josie waved from the car and Angela waited till she had turned the corner and vanished before she closed the door, smiling.

The next morning, Angela's mother dropped her off at the Auto Shop to pick up her Ferrari. Angela stood watching it for a few minutes before running her fingers over the hood and climbing into the plush cab. She turned on the heater as she carefully drove through the winding streets toward school. As she pulled into a parking space, she caught sight of Charlie leaning against the wall of the theater, talking to another boy about Charlie's age. She couldn't see the boy's face, but as he was animatedly waving his arms around him, Angela could see his auburn skin, just like Nayan's. His brown hair was long, shoulder-length. As she watched, Charlie rolled his eyes and waved him off. The boy seemed to sigh and he walked off. Angela finally turned off the car and hesitantly left the warmth of the comfy cab. As she approached, Charlie rubbed his eyes. He looked tired.

"Long night?" Charlie's head shot up. When he caught sight of Angela, he flashed her his pearly white half smile and nodded.

"Yeah. My teachers are piling on the homework already."

"That's high school for you," Angela agreed, sliding onto the cement planter.

"So, what do you think of Ms. Daniels?"

"She's cool. Better than all my other teachers. She's your aunt, right?" Angela nodded.

"Yes, but, how did you—"

"She doesn't exactly keep it secret. And she looks like a blonde version of you." Angela laughed.

"She's like the sister I never had. She's almost closer to me than my mother…well, almost."

Charlie nodded. "I understand." Angela sighed and sat back on the planter, leaning against the wall.

"So," she said, "How did you end up in San Francisco?" Charlie didn't look at her when he replied.

"I was living with my dad for a while. But he had a real bad drug and alcohol problem. So now I live with my mom, who's here." Angela nodded.

"I see. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's not you're fault…Unless, it is?" Charlie looked at her suspiciously. Angela smiled and playfully shoved him, then changed the subject.

"So, how do you get to school?" At this, Charlie's smile widened.

"Here, I'll show you." He stood up and Angela followed. He rounded the corner into a small parking lot.

"That," he said, pointing, "Is how I get to school. Angela's jaw dropped.

"That's- That's a-a-a-"

"An Aston Martin." Indeed it was, a sleek and shiny Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. It was black as Onyx and as clean as a whistle. Angela stepped carefully up to the car, running her fingers over the smooth surface of the hood.

"It's beautiful." Charlie smiled.

"You like it?"

"Like it!? I would marry this car!" Charlie laughed. He looked down at his watch.

"It's only 8. We have half an hour. Want to go for a drive?"

"YES!" Angela practically tackled Charlie, who yelled, "Okay! Okay!" Angela stepped back and collected the remainder of her dignity, then Charlie handed her the keys. Angela looked down at the key ring in her hands, shocked. She looked up at Charlie, wide-eyed.

"Are you serious?" Charlie smiled.

"Sure, why not?"

"Thank you!" Angela climbed into the driver's side of the car, Charlie sliding into the passenger seat. Angela had to keep herself from running her hands over the dashboard. Instead, she slipped the keys into the ignition and turned them.

"Charlie." Charlie Colton flew off the bed, gripping the ceiling on all fours. It was Aiden. Aiden, whose brown hair hung low over his coffee colored skin and ochre eyes. Slowly, Charlie let go of the top of the room, landing on his feet on solid ground.

"What?" Charlie muttered grumpily.

"Are you hunting tonight?" Charlie's expression changed. He suddenly felt ravenous.

"I probably should. Why?"

"Becky said we should spread out. You know her whole 'under-populating one area' thing."

"Yeah. Um, I'll see if I can get anyone on or by the Golden Gate tonight."

"M'kay." Aiden turned on his heel and left.

There was nothing else for it. Grumpily, Charlie grabbed his coat and trudged down the tedious flights of stairs to the parking lot for his car; the sleek black Aston Martin DB9 Coupe. Driving down the road, he was there within 20 minutes. He parked nearby, got out, and began walking. It was a cold, wet kind of night. Not many people were walking. He would have to go to the end of the bridge to make sure, however. As he walked, he felt the wind blowing his hair back from his face. He breathed deeply, loving the cold night air on his skin. He had been walking for a few minutes when he came upon a woman in her 40's, maybe even a little younger, staring over the railing at the dark waters. She looked oddly familiar, but he couldn't see clearly, as her hair fell across her face as she stared at the dark waters. Charlie snatched his chance. As the woman turned to leave, he pulled the hair back from her neck and sank his teeth in. The woman gasped and fell back against him. Charlie knew he should stop, but the animal inside him had taken over. By the time he was done, he knew the human would never live through this.

Charlie carried the woman back to his car, where he drove her to a well-known park. It wasn't until he placed her under a tree that he realized who it was. For a second, he thought he had killed the girl from school, Angela. But it was Ms. Daniels, his History teacher. His shoulders slumped sadly. When he had met her, yesterday now, she had been so lively, so funny, so kind. And look what he'd done to her. Thoughts and emotions raged through his mind. But what could he do?

"I'm sorry," he whispered and headed back to his car.

Well, what'ya think? Was it awesomely awesome? I actually came up with this because of a strange dream I had...really strange. Don't forget to review. if I made a mistake, please let me know! Thanks!