Amelia had always been a bit of an enigma. She wasn't the most popular girl in high school - far from it. She kept to herself, dressed in oversized black hoodies, and had a face dotted with acne that she rarely bothered to conceal. But she had a way about her, a strange charisma that made you want to lean in when she spoke, even if it was nonsense.

Her best friend, Lily, was the only one who truly spent time with her. They had met in their first year and bonded over their shared love for creepy novels and horror movies. They'd spent countless hours in Amelia's dimly lit room, curtains drawn, discussing everything from haunted houses to urban legends. So when Amelia casually mentioned between first and second periods one Monday morning that she was a vampire, Lily didn't know whether to laugh or take her seriously.

"You're what?" Lily said, barely suppressing a giggle as they navigated the crowded hallway.

"A vampire," Amelia replied, her voice so calm it made Lily's skin prickle. "But not like in the movies. It's different in real life."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Different how?"

Amelia glanced around to make sure no one was listening and leaned in closer. "We don't sparkle or sleep in coffins, but we still need to feed. And, we live among humans - just trying to get by, you know?"

Lily couldn't help but laugh. "Right. And your pimples are from all the blood you drink, I suppose?"

"Yes, actually," Amelia replied without missing a beat. "It's how our bodies cope. The toxins build up and cause acne. That's why there are so many people with bad skin around here - vampires, too. We try to blend in."

Lily felt a chill despite herself. She glanced around, suddenly hyper-aware of the faces passing by. She'd noticed the other kids with acne - everyone had, really. It was high school. But to hear Amelia say it with such conviction made her pause. Amelia always had a way of making the absurd sound oddly reasonable.

"That's ridiculous," Lily said, though her voice was less certain now.

Amelia shrugged, a sly smile tugging at her lips. "Believe what you want. I could show you, but I don't think you'd be ready for that yet."

Throughout the day, Amelia continued to weave her tale. During lunch, she casually mentioned how she couldn't eat regular food like everyone else. "It's all about the nutrients," she said, her eyes narrowing as she watched the other students devour their meals. "Our bodies need something more potent. Something alive."

Lily felt her appetite waning as she picked at her sandwich. "You mean... blood?"

Amelia just smiled and nodded. "Fresh is best."

By their free period, the tension between them had turned electric. They found a secluded spot in the school library, away from prying eyes and curious ears. Amelia leaned closer, her face taking on a serious expression that almost convinced Lily she was about to confess to something real.

"Remember your birthday party last month?" Amelia asked, her voice a whisper.

Lily nodded. "You couldn't make it. Your parents said no, remember?"

Amelia's eyes glinted with something almost predatory. "That's what I told you. But I was there, Lily. As a bat."

Lily laughed, then stopped when she saw Amelia's face, dead serious. "A bat?"

"Yes," Amelia said. "It was a full moon that night. I couldn't come in my human form. I saw you out on the balcony, talking to your cousins about how much you missed your dog. Remember?"

Lily's breath caught. She had been out on the balcony, exactly as Amelia described, sharing stories about her old dog with her cousins. She hadn't posted about that part on Facebook. How could Amelia possibly know?

"No way. You weren't there," Lily stammered, but her mind was racing now.

"You didn't see me, but I saw you. I remember the dress you wore - a blue one with white flowers. You kept fiddling with your necklace." Amelia's voice was soft, almost hypnotic. "I was right there, hanging from the balcony ledge. Watching."

A shiver ran down Lily's spine. She'd worn that exact dress. She had fiddled with her necklace - a habit she had when she was nervous. She looked into Amelia's eyes and saw no hint of a joke.

"You're serious," Lily breathed, half in awe, half in terror.

Amelia nodded. "I wanted to come inside, but I couldn't control the transformation. On full moons, it's automatic. That's just how it is."

Lily's heart pounded in her chest. She'd known Amelia was different, but this? this was something else. She began to think of all the strange things that had happened over the years - Amelia never staying over after dark, her peculiar aversion to sunlight, the way she sometimes seemed to vanish during gym class.

Then Amelia took it further. "You heard about the recent murder near the park, right?"

Lily nodded, her stomach twisting. Everyone had heard about it. A body was found with strange wounds on the neck, and no one knew who the victim was.

"That was me," Amelia said softly. "But don't worry, I was careful. I dropped someone else's ID nearby to throw off the police. They won't find me. I've been doing this for a while."

Lily felt the color drain from her face. "Y-you're joking, right? Amelia, this isn't funny."

"I told you," Amelia continued, her voice still calm. "It's just how it is. Sometimes you need to feed, and sometimes people get in the way."

Lily's mind was spinning. She looked at Amelia, searching for any sign that this was a prank, a joke - anything. But Amelia's expression remained eerily calm, and her eyes held a strange, almost ancient wisdom.

The rest of the day passed in a blur. Lily couldn't concentrate in her classes. Her mind kept replaying Amelia's words, trying to make sense of it all. Could her best friend really be a vampire? It seemed impossible, but the way Amelia spoke, the details she knew - it felt so real.

By the time the final bell rang, Lily was on edge. She didn't know whether to confront Amelia again or avoid her altogether. She decided to go home, let her thoughts settle. Maybe she'd figure it out tomorrow.

But as she walked home, Amelia caught up to her, her dark hood pulled up over her head.

"Hey, Lily," she said casually, as if they hadn't just spent the whole day discussing things that defied reality.

"Amelia," Lily started, her voice trembling, "if you're really a vampire? why are you telling me all this?"

Amelia paused, then smiled - a wide, toothy grin. "Because I trust you. And I know you'll keep my secret."

Lily nodded slowly, feeling a strange mix of fear and fascination. "I? I guess I will."

And with that, Amelia turned and walked away, disappearing into the evening shadows like a whisper.

It wasn't until Lily got home, sat down, and let the day's events replay in her mind that she realized the absurdity of it all. Amelia had always been a master storyteller, always weaving tales that felt real enough to believe, even when they were impossible. A smile slowly spread across her face, and she began to laugh - a mix of relief and admiration.

Amelia wasn't a vampire - it couldn't be? right? She was just a girl with a vivid imagination, a knack for storytelling, and an uncanny ability to make you believe in anything. And today, she had played the part of a lifetime.