Happy two thousand and eighty eighth birthday! How many people get to say that? Here's the answer...

No one. Literally, no one.

If by some miracle you are this age and you're not like me, get help and start writing your will.

Sorry. That wasn't the very polite. Let's start over.

My name is Cora Morris. Though you might know me better as Queen Cleopatra Thea Philopator. I was the last ruler of Egypt before committing a timely suicide about two thousand years ago at the age thirty-nine.

Don't ask me how I woke up twenty years younger cause I have no clue. The last, or should I say first, thing I remember is waking up and having to dig myself out of my own tomb. Creepy right? What a first memory to have.

Again, don't ask me if I remember everything from before I... well... I like to say, 'woke up'. It has taken me centuries to put the pieces together. I would sometimes get quick flashes of my century-old past, but mostly I just trust the museum's knowledge.

For example, apparently, I died by letting asp bite me. I know, it was a very dramatic way to go but it was either that or being killed by a Roman Emperor. I think I still agree that the snake was a good idea.

Back to my birthday.

I hadn't bought myself anything this year, nor had I the last couple of hundred years. Eventually it gets a bit repetitive and childish to repeat your nineteenth birthday over and over again. I leaned against the railing of my apartment's balcony and looked down at the busy streets of San Francisco.

I could still remember the times when horse and carriage was the most common way to travel. Now everyone was driving metal machines. Not that I'm complaining. Car is defiantly a better way to travel. But I do miss the old times.

Sometimes, if I close my eyes, I can remember the busy streets and uneven stone roads. The stalls set up left and right and women dressed in expensive bodices and long heavy skirts. I can still remember hearing the shopkeepers offering their goods, the creaking of wooden carriages and the thumping of heavy horseshoes.

Unfortunately, my short trip down memory lane was rudely interrupted by the doorbell ringing. "Coming!" I called, making my way across my apartment. After living for centuries I'd become quite well rehearsed at investing, meaning that nearly everything I owned was crazy expensive. What can I say? I have good taste.

I was wearing a silk nightie with my long black hair curling down my shoulders. When in public I usually wear glasses to avoid recognition. I like to think of myself as a female Clark Kent, except I'm no superhero and no powers of any kind. But because I was home alone, I'd left them on the counter.

I didn't bother putting them on now as I was almost certain of who had rung the bell. My suspicions were proven correct as I opened the door. A cold figure barged his way in. "Happy B'day Cora!" He grinned, showing off his sharp, white canines. He placed down a small golden wrapped package on the kitchen counter and sat down on one of the black bar stools.

"Seriously? Abdiel, I told you I don't need anything." I couldn't help but give my best friend a small look, showing him my displeasure. Abdiel and I had meet back in the 1600's. At the time I was one of Queen Elizabeth's ladies-in-waiting and he was a Spanish Lord. His name means Servant of God in Hebrew. Which I always thought was a bit of a coincidence seeing he was a vampire.

Yep, my best friend is a vampire. Abdiel rolled his eyes, he knew how much I hate celebrating my birthday but that never seemed to stop him from getting me something each year.

"Hey, never turn down a gift before you open it." He said sitting up straight and still. Too still to be human. His chest didn't rise of fall, not that it needed to, and his clear blue eyes didn't blink once as I carefully untied the ribbon and ripped the shiny wrapping paper.

Inside was a small box. "A box, how thoughtful." I gave an expression of fake gratitude.

Abdiel pushed his hazel brown hair back and gave a small scoff. "Oh please, you should be grateful I didn't get you a roll of toilet paper."

"You did that once." I pointed out. I don't how I felt about being a mummy. I mean, as Abdiel had once pointed out, a mummy was technically an Egyptian zombie. Only, zombies can't get hurt or feel pain. I on the other hand could.

Unlike vampires I had to eat, sleep and breath like every other human being. I didn't have super strength, speed or even smell. Which was completely unfair. "Just open it already." Abdiel twirled in his seat impatiently, making me smirk.

Lifting the lid, I marvelled at its contents. Inside was a small necklace with a silver chain decorate with white stones, attached to the end of the chain was a tiny pink diamond, from it hung a bigger transparent diamond in the shape of a raindrop. On either side of the raindrop were two small dolphin charms.

"Oh, Abdiel." I breathed. "It's beautiful, you shouldn't have-"

"Eh, don't mention it." He held up a hand. "And before you say anything the people who sold it, told me they did not accept refunds." I gave him a grateful smile as he gently helped me to put it on. Abdiel's touch was cold, almost like ice.

He wore a plain v neck t-shirt, dark jeans with holes around his knees, a leather bikers' jacket and a dark red scarf. His light hair was styled into a small quiff and his skin was a perfect white.

Like all his kind he was stunning to look at. He reminded me of a vampire from the Twilight series, unfortunately he didn't sparkle in the sun. But at least he didn't burst up into flames either. The whole, vampires can't go in the sun thing, was just a lie. Sure, it may irritate their eyes but that's all.

"Don't you have any plans tonight?" I asked flicking my ebony black hair over the chain, hoping he would. Unfortunately, Abdiel just grinned again. "Nah, nothing much and no one should have to celebrate their birthday alone."

"That was kind of the point, I'm not celebrating."

"It's looks good on you." He complimented, ignoring my previous comment. "You know dolphin supposedly represent intelligence and protection?"

"And that is to say I need those things?" I turned around facing the bar and pulling out two beers from the mini-fridge and offered him one.

"No, I just thought it was cool." He shrugged, flicking the cap off like someone would flick an ant. I handed him my bottle and he repeated the action with ease. "Okay," he said after taking a large gulp of the alcoholic liquid, "as much as I love hanging out with you, I am not letting you spend your birthday here."

I took a sip of my drink. "So, do you usually go to your friend's houses, take one sip of their beer and decide to take them somewhere else?" I asked.

"Well you're my only friend so, yes."

"Come on Diel. I'm not in the mood-" I groaned, but he had already gotten up and was heading towards the door.

"You're acting as if you have a choice." He said holding out his hand for me to take.

"Just... give me a minute to get dressed." I walked towards my bedroom. I met him downstairs where he waited atop his blood red motorcycle. I jump on the seat with him, my arms wrapping around his waist as my vampire BFF began to engine. "Where are you taking me?"

"A club."

"Which club?"

"One that serves alcohol." It didn't take long till we found one. "If we're lucky, there'll be drug dealers." Drugs affected me but not Abdiel. It makes them energetic, but their minds remained intact. It even holds back their unquenchable thirst.

"Oh God yes!" I groaned in relief.