Fallen (The Transformed Prequel)

"How did you ever guess, in a small town like this?" I asked, ignoring his thoughts, but noting to find out more later because I definitely wanted to spend time with him.

"Well it's not that small of a town," he said. "We do have a mall, you know."

"Do you want to go there?" I asked.

"To the mall?"

"Yeah. Unless you have a better idea."

"Sure. Let's go to the mall. By the way, my name's Tanner Monroe," he said, extending his hand.

I took his hand; he had a firm grasp. "Samantha Erikson."

He smiled and was even more gorgeous. "It's very nice to meet you, Samantha. Do you want to take my car or yours?"

"Let's take yours," I said, since I didn't even have one. I didn't need one because I didn't usually spend time with humans, and vampires are so much faster than cars.

"Okay, but I have to warn you that mine isn't as nice as most people's around here."

"That's fine by me. I don't understand the obsession with cars to begin with."

"You don't? They're a status symbol. The more expensive your car is, the more it boosts your popularity. I'm not sure how it is where you're from, but most people get a shiny new car for their sixteenth birthday."

I thought back to my sweet sixteen nearly two and a half centuries ago. "I didn't get a car for mine."

We made small talk as we made our way to the mall. There was something about him that I really liked, but I couldn't put my finger on what that was. Sure, he was enjoyable to look at, but it was more than that. Even though he was strong and well built, there was a gentleness about him. It made me curious to get to know him more.

As we meandered around the mall sipping smoothies, he told me about Delphic Cove. It sounded like a town full of rich snobs and he lived in the part of town that wasn't as nice.

"Why don't you guys have as much money?"

He looked at me curiously, as though my question was strange. "It's just my mom because my dad took off on us. He doesn't pay anything and she won't let me help financially. She wants me to enjoy high school so I'm not even allowed a job. My contribution is watching my kid brother after dark and then making dinner when my mom works late at her second job."

"Do you have to go soon? Won't it be getting dark?"

He shook his head. "She doesn't work that job tonight so I'm fine."