Free Bella Vita by Jesse Kimmel-Freeman Page A

have a
mirror reflecting a different angle of me. There were two women and
a man. I didn't understand why I needed three people to dress me
until I learned that they each did something different as the
others worked on alterations. After two hours of them turning,
poking, sticking, stitching, cutting, and hmming around me- they
finally finished. In the end, I walked away with two plain black
pleaded skirts, a pair of black slacks- much like Dickies, a pair
of black capris, two long and two short sleeve button ups, a black
knit vest with an emblem of a moon with a bat, and several pairs of
knee high stockings. I love black and all, but I seriously thought
that someone should've thought the apparel out a little better-
this stuff stood out more than street clothes.
    “ How are we supposed to lay
low if we're dressed like some sort of gothic reject school?” I
asked once the outfitters were gone.
    Dom chuckled. “Em, I told you this is the
basic, bare minimum. No one wears only black. They mix it up. I've
ordered more vests for you, that is one of the things that you do
have to wear, but everything else is subjective.” He smiled at
me.
    “ I think you have an evil
bone in your body- like the monster that Igor makes in that cartoon
movie.” I stared at the reflection of myself, clad all in
black. This would've been my dream back in
my normal life. I hated to have to remind
myself that my 'normal' life was long gone.
    “ Of course I do. I'm a
vampire, after all.” He smiled and kissed me.
    “ I love you, Dom.” I
replied.
    “ And I, you.” His breath
was warm on my neck.
     
    The rest of the evening was spent trying to
get me ready for the next day. I was frightened to go to a vampire
school. What if I was different and no one liked me? I know, it was
a stupid fear, but these were supposed to be my people- the ones I
might die for- and I really wanted them to like me. I got out my
messenger bag that I used in high school- it would serve me well
again. I pulled out some blood red fishnets, my black combat boots,
one of the black skirts, the vest, and my favorite tee- cautioning
those around me that I bite, even if they couldn't read it. I
packed up some paper and pens, but left the rest of my bag empty
except for my wallet. The night seemed to fly by, and soon I was
back in my bed for the night. I stared at the ceiling until the
blackness took me.
     
    When the alarm went off at
seven in the morning, I knew I hadn't set it. The annoying beeping
bounced off the stone walls of my room, making my ears ring like
bats in a belfry. Why is that on? My desperate attempt to turn it off was useless-
especially when I ended up toppling out of my bed. The soft fuzzy
texture of my fluffy rug tickled my face.
    “ Ugh! Damn you, stupid
alarm clock! Turn off!” I was just reaching for my boot when my
door opened.
    “ Good, it woke you.” Dom
came in full of smiles, sunshine, a cup of coffee, and didn't ask
why I was crawling on the floor holding my shoe.
    “ You! You set that beast of
a machine!” I snarled at his cheeriness.
    “ Si, cara
mia . Today we go early to school,
remember?” He looked at me quizzically.
    “ It's a vampire school, isn't it at night?”
I pleaded.
    “ Emma, you know we're not
like Dracula. We live in the human world. Besides, most classes
don't start until at least noon.” He smiled.
    “ But!” That was my best
protest.
    He handed me the coffee, pointed to my
clothes, and left.
    “ Grr!” I shouted at the
closed door.
    I grabbed my clothes and headed into the
bathroom. I took a quick shower- longing to just relax in the
perfect water. My clothes felt new, like I was trying on a new me.
Even though I would've bought something similar to this, it still
felt foreign. I brushed my straight hair and expertly pulled it
into two braids that fell on either side of my head. I lightly did
my normal black eyeliner. The red shimmer eyeshadow was a bit
dramatic for the first day, but I figured I couldn't tone