"Natalia time for school!"
Natalia groaned, rubbing her eyes as her room came into focus. The 14 year old damphir was most certainly not a morning person. "I'm up mom," she called back.
Rolling out of bed Natalia (she preferred Nat) now made her way towards her mirror, taking in her appearance before sighing. Frizzy red hair, a youthful face splattered with freckles, and a bust that had trouble filling a B cup. Yep it was her in all her awkwardness. As she now began her morning routine, she couldn't help but feel a certain amount of excitement.
After four months her best friend and girlfriend Reiko Tomizawa would be going to school with her again. The two girls had been best friends since preschool. Always inseparable they had sat next to eachother through elementary school, had numerous sleepovers, they even shared a first kiss on their shared 13th birthday. It was also during that time that Nat revealed to her best friend she was a damphir, a vampire with a soul. Then things took a sad turn.
Nats parents had to move. Natalia's mother was a vampire and when she discovered that her people were attacking she had to try to protect humanity. Nat could only sigh and chuckle about that. A vampire who loved humanity? An outsider to her kind. When Nat had worked up the courage to ask her mother, she had been surprised by the answer.
"You'll understand when you fall in love."
Nat didn't understand at first, that is until she got a text message from Reiko. By some stroke of luck, Reiko's parents were moving into her town. Reikos dad had been transferred, meaning the two would be going to school together once more.
Natalia's first day at her new high school would've been hell if not for Reiko or Rei as she liked to go by. Nat had felt insecure throughout the day looking at all the other girls. The two teens were probably the youngest in their class, both celebrating their birthdays in July. Couple that with their waifish bodies, natural shyness, and geeky tastes and neither one was exactly Miss Popularity.
As the school day ended both teens now made their way through the mall, catching up on old times. "So how's freshman year been Nat," Reiko asked.
Natalia shrugged, she had been so down throughout the year she hadn't been paying attention. "Okay I guess," she shrugged. "I'm just glad we get to be together again."
Rei smiled, gently taking her best friends hand as the two now made their way through the mall. As the two now passed the food court they paused as they stared at a very odd shop standing by itself.
"Magic Shop," Reiko asked. "I thought you said there was a comic book shop around here."
"There is," Natalia countered. "I mean I've been there, I sent you the pictures." The two young teens paused as they gazed at the shop momentarily. Something about the place seemed to draw their attention. "You want to check it out," Nat asked. Rei nodded as the two girls now entered the building.
Entering the Magic Shop, both girls shivered slightly. The place was cast in shadows with books and all sorts of odd things scattered amongst the numerous rows. Gazing towards the register, the two teens now saw a slightly older blonde teen smiling at them.
"Welcome to the Magic Shop," Gloria smiled. "What can I help you with?"
"Um were just browsing," Rei replied meekly.
"Well if you need any help feel free to ask," Gloria smiled, beckoning towards an old man emerging from the backrooms. "My names Gloria and this is Merlin. Just let us know if you find something you like."