Luna, however, was much more fairylike than any girl I'd ever met. I felt almost hypnotized and relaxed as she smoothed out my hair, opposite of the way I felt when I was a child and my mom ran a fine-toothed comb through my tangles.
"Alexander's so dreamy. His eyes are like milk chocolates. His attic room is filled with portraits he's painted of me and his family," I rattled on like a drippy girl, then changed my tone. "But it's hard sometimes," I confessed. "I want to share our reflections.
I want to have a photo of us on my night stand."
“Yes, it does have its drawbacks. But it's a small price to pay for an eternity together.”
Luna pulled my hair off my shoulder and began to braid it.
"Where is the wound from Alexander's bite?" she asked curiously…I quickly covered my neck with my hand.
She released my hair and raised her white, luxurious locks, exposing two round purple marks on her skinny pale neck.
"They say it takes a year to go away," she said. "I hope it stays there forever."
"Uh…it's not on my neck," I teased.
"You are wicked!" she said with a smile, but then turned serious. "I could have sworn Jagger said he saw Alexander bite you on your neck."
"I really have to go," I said, getting up. "Alexander will be worried."
I climbed offstage.
"Wanna hang out again tomorrow?" she asked, following me. "We can meet at sunset."
"I have plans with Alexander," I said, walking up the aisle.
"Then the next night?"
"I'll see," I said, grabbing my bike.
"Why do you need to ride here when you could fly?"
"I have to keep up appearances."
"Good thinking," she said with a wink. "I'll see you later."
I hopped on my bike. "Later!"
I pedaled off. When I turned back to wave, the amphitheater was empty.
12 Guest Who?
I had to admit—I loved being a vampire. Luna not only believed I was part of the Underworld but wanted me as a friend. I felt like I was flying as I raced my bike through downtown and toward my house. I wondered where I would live. Perhaps my understanding parents could remodel our finished basement—board up the windows, remove the white carpeting, and dirty the cement floors with a few bugs and cobwebs. I could sleep in a black coffin with purple seams and silver studs. Or better yet, Alexander and I could live together in the factory with a super-deluxe two-person gothedelic coffin.
Plenty of pillows and comfy blankets, with a built-in flat-screen TV in the lid and stereo speakers on the sides.
I pulled into my driveway and found Alexander waiting for me on the front steps, looking as dreamy as ever in black vinyl pants and a ripped black long-sleeve shirt.
"Where were you?" he asked, concerned. "I got your note about meeting you at the cemetery, but you never showed."
"I got a note, too," I said, showing him the red envelope. "To meet you at the park."
"But I didn't write a note."
"I know. Neither did I."
"Then who did?" he asked.
"Your spurned lover."
"Luna? She was never my lover."
"I know. I was just teasing."
"How did you know it was her?"
"She told me. When I showed up at the park."
"Did she hurt you?" he asked.
"She wanted to. It was all a plan to confront me about Trevor. She wants me to stay away from him."
"This is getting out of hand," he said. "I'll talk to her."
"No, she thinks I'm a vampire," I said proudly, placing my hand on his. "Can you believe it? We chatted forever. Like we were best friends."
"Jagger and Luna don't have best friends. We really have to be careful. There's no predicting what they'll do."
"But she really liked me," I insisted.
"I'm sure she did," he said with a smile. "We still can't trust them."
"Well, she trusts me."
"Because you are trustworthy. I know their family, Raven. They're not like you.
They are vampires, remember. Real ones."
"She accepts me as a vampire. And Jagger is convinced I am one, too." I paused and looked up at my vampire boyfriend. "And I like it. Why can't you accept me as one?"
Alexander's smile turned into a frown. "I accept you as you are. I always have."
He turned away from me.
"I didn't mean to upset you," I said, reaching out to him. I gave him a squeeze with all my might. "I'm getting so caught up in this, I can't even think straight. You must think I'm so immature."
Alexander softened and caressed my hair.
"You know how I think of you," he said, his chocolate eyes staring into my own.
He lifted my chin and kissed me tenderly.
"I don't know how much longer I can go on like this. When will we be together—
just us? And not have to worry about Jagger, Luna, and Trevor?"
"How about now?" he said, suddenly bright. "I wanted you to have this." He handed me a wooden heart-shaped box that had been sitting on the window ledge.
My eyes lit up. "You are so sweet! And here I am being selfish."
I opened the box. Hanging from a silver chain was a pendant—black lips with a small vampire fang.
"It's a vampire's kiss," he said proudly.
"Alexander, it's beautiful. I'll wear it forever."
Alexander unclasped my onyx necklace and replaced it with the priceless one he had made just for me.
He gave me a long, lingering good-night kiss.
"Tell me. Would it be easier if I were a vampire?"
Just then my dad pulled into the driveway.
Alexander quickly stepped back into the shadows.
I waited for my dad to come up the front stairs. "Where did Alexander go? He was just here. I wanted to say hi."
"He had to get home before he turns into a pumpkin."
Exhausted, I walked into my darkened bedroom and switched on my Edward Scissorhands lamp.
I almost jumped out of my skin. Sitting on my bed, appearing more sinister than ever, was Jagger.
I let out a scream.
That only made the creepy teen smile.
"Raven? What's wrong?" my mom yelled up from downstairs.
"Nothing," I yelled down to her. "Just stubbed my toe." Then I whispered to Jagger, "What are you doing here?"
"Bats can sneak in anywhere. You should know that by now."
"I want you out of here!" I demanded.
"I won't be long. Luna had a lovely chat with you. She's very excited. She thinks she's found a new best friend."
"Well, maybe she has."
"She said you girls talked about all sorts of girly things. Boys. Hair. Vampire bites."
I caught myself in my dresser mirror's reflection and stepped back.
Jagger played with the nightstand light switch. On. Off. On. Off.
"Stop that!" I warned. Something was missing. "Where's Nightmare?"
I heard scratching coming from my computer desk file drawer.
I raced over and opened it up. "Nightmare!" I said, picking up my black kitten.
"You poor girl."
"Odd," he said, leering at me. "She doesn't hiss at you."
"She doesn't hiss at Alexander either," I said, gently stroking her fur. "She has taste."
Jagger lay back on my bed, placing his red Doc Martens on my bedspread. "This is a cozy bed."
"Get your feet off of there!" I scolded, pushing his shoes off.
Jagger leaned across the bed and pulled up the comforter from the floor.
"Where is your coffin?" he asked. "Not under here."
He rose and slithered over to my closet. He slowly opened my closet door. "Not in here," he remarked. "Maybe you're hiding it under your dress," he said with a wicked grin.
"It's in the basement."
"Funny. I didn't see it down there."
My blood boiled. I felt enraged. Jagger had been slinking around my house w
ith my family inside.
"It's hidden. Now get out—" "Sure, but can you show me something?"
"The door? Or the window?" I opened the curtain and lifted the window.
Jagger remained still.
"Some of Trevor's friends said you showed up at school. Curious, really. A vampire risking the sunlight."
"You'd believe a bunch of soccer snobs? They spread more rumors than the National Enquirer."
"Well, then," he said, sizing me up with his mismatched eyes, "I have noticed their penchant for gossip."
I felt a sense of relief, but only for a moment.
"At the drive-in I distinctly remember Alexander bit you on the neck. Blood dripping down your neck like a wild river, the sweet smell permeating the air. But Luna said she didn't see a wound. Maybe I could take a peek."
"You can leave. Now."
He stepped closer, his ice blue and green eyes piercing my soul.
"Show me your fangs and I'll show you mine."
"I only show Alexander," I said, inching back.
"What a waste, really." He took another step, pinning me against my computer desk. "So how do you like living this lie?"
"Lie?"
"Yes, it is a lie," he said, staring straight into my eyes. As if he were going to read my soul. "Pretending to be something you're not."
I gasped and looked away. My heart stopped. I bit my black lip.
I reached behind me, stretching my fingers across my computer desk in hopes of grabbing something to use as a weapon. At any moment Jagger was going to look into my eyes and hypnotize me and drag me back to Dullsville's cemetery. I fingered Billy Boy's two-ton encyclopedia.
"I think you enjoy being deceitful," he said, gently touching the vampire's kiss necklace. "Making believe to your family that you are still mortal."
I breathed again and released the book.
There was a knock at the door.
"I need my encyclopedia."
"Billy—go away."
"You borrowed it two months ago!"
"Billy. Billy—go away," I said sternly.
Jagger stepped back and I raced around him.
Billy Boy opened the door.
I turned around. The curtains were gently blowing. Jagger was gone.
"Is something wrong? You never call me Billy."
I closed the window, rushed over to my brother, and gave him a quick hug. "I never thought I needed to."
13 Gothic Fairy
The next evening, as I turned the corner to walk up Benson Hill, I saw a shadowy figure standing by the gate. Never one to retreat, I crept up the broken sidewalk slowly. I didn't want to be startled by Trevor or Jagger.
As I got closer, I saw a gothic fairy girl with long white-and-pink-streaked hair leaning against a tree.
"Luna—what are you doing?"
"Raven," she said, bouncing over and giving me a huge squeeze. "I thought I'd find you here."
"But I'm meeting Alexander," I said, almost apologetically.
"I know, but I thought we could chat for a few."
"I don't want to keep him…"
I looked up toward the Mansion. The attic window was dark.
"Well…maybe just a sec."
We sat on a few rocks outside the Mansion's gate.
"Trevor has a history test. I won't see him until this weekend. Jagger told me he saw you last night," she confessed.
"Did he tell you where he saw me?" I charged.
"In your bedroom."
"He can't do that again. He could scare my family."
"You did that to Trevor. You snuck into his room."
Luna had a good point. "That was different. I have a reputation."
"Jagger is a tricky one," she said with a hint of pride. "He's been teaching me so many things since I've been turned."
"Well, I hope they are good tricks," I warned.
"I love your purse," she said, touching the handle of my Corpse Bride clutch.
"Can I see?"
"Sure." No one, not even Becky, ever got excited about my clothes or fashion accessories. I was proud to share it with her.
She placed it on her arm and modeled it. "So gloom! I love it."
"Thanks. I ordered it online. Maybe I can get you one."
"I'd kill for one," she said eagerly. "Got any candy? I gave my last piece to you yesterday."
"I should have some gum."
Luna unzipped the purse. "Be careful, it's a mess in there," I warned.
"Wouldn't be cool any other way," she said with a smile.
I leaned back and watched the stars twinkling overhead.
Luna pulled out a pack of Gabe's Grape Gross-Out Gum.
She removed two sticks and returned the pack to my purse.
I didn't mind her rooting around. I didn't have anything to hide in there. Or did I?
"What's this?" she asked, pulling out Ruby's compact.
My heart stopped.
"What do you need a compact for?" Luna asked skeptically, holding the white plastic compact and stroking the red ruby R.
"It's an heirloom," I said, trying to reach for it.
"An heirloom?" she wondered aloud. "It doesn't look that old."
Just then a Mustang drove up the road and stopped in front of the Mansion.
I grabbed the compact and purse and ran to the car.
"Matt! Becky! How are you guys doing?"
"Hey, Raven, what's up?" Matt asked.
"Hi, Beck," I said, smiling.
Luna inched up next to me. "Hi, Beck," she said, also grinning.
Becky's smile was strained. My normally amiable best friend looked at me with disdain.
"I thought you were hanging out with Alexander," Becky said.
"I am; I'm just on my way in."
"We just had to have a girl chat before," Luna chimed in.
I was annoyed. There was no need for Luna to try to make Becky jealous.
"I better go see Alexander now," I finally said. "I'll see you tomorrow, Becky."
"Yeah," she said.
I stepped away from the car. Luna put her arm around me and waved at Becky.
Becky politely waved back.
The Mustang headed down the windy road. Alexander had warned me about the motives of Jagger and Luna.
"Bye, Luna," I said, heading for the Mansion as she waited by the street.
This time I was the one to disappear.
14 The Invitation
The next day the usually early-bird Becky was late. I had showered, eaten, dressed, redressed, and was sitting on the front steps, my hoodie tied around my waist, writing Alexander love notes. I was ready to call the school day off when she finally drove up my driveway.
I got into her pickup, and she barely said hello.
"Where were you?" I asked. "Did you oversleep? Or get halfway to school and realize you didn't pick me up?"
Becky didn't answer but continued to drive toward school.
After a polite conversation with her responses being "uh-huhs," "sures," and head nods, I'd had enough.
"So what's up with the silent treatment?" I finally asked.
"Nothing," she said as she turned the truck onto the road that led to school.
"Aren't you feeling well?"
"I'm feeling fine."
"Then why are you mad?"
"I'm not mad," she said, and turned up the radio.
I turned the radio off. "Okay. Let me have it. What's up?"
Becky pulled into an empty spot next to the senior parking lot and turned off the engine.
"It just seems odd," she began softly. "You left Hatsy's as soon as our order arrived. Then shortly afterward Jagger and Luna left too. I heard you hung out with Luna at the park. And it was like you were best buds last night outside the Mansion."
"She's not my best bud."
"I know you have way much more in common with her," she continued. "The gothic clothes. The dark music. She probably loves vampires, too."
"Is that what this is about?"
If there was anything worse than the jealousy between sweethearts, it was the threat of a new best friend.
"You've found someone more like you," she said as she got out of the truck.
"I don't want someone more like me," I said as we walked toward school. "I want someone just like you."
In all the years Becky and I'd been friends, she never judged the clothes I wore or the music I listened to. Becky never asked me to be anything but myself.
"You want to know the truth?" I asked.
"Of course."
"You are right, I owe you that." Becky and I went into the side entrance and snuck underneath the staircase. "All right, here goes."
Becky looked anxious, as if I were going to hit her with "Yes, I've found a new best friend. Good riddance."
"This is top secret stuff," I began.
"Go on."
"All right." I took a deep breath. "Here goes. Luna and Jagger are vampires," I began in a whisper, "and they are trying to turn Trevor into one. We left Hatsy's because Alexander and I were trying to remove their coffins from Henry's treehouse, forcing them back to Romania." I sighed, feeling a sense of relief at finally being able to share my darkest secrets with my best friend.
Becky studied me. Then she burst out laughing. "You expect me to believe that?"
"Well— " "I guess it was better than saying Luna and Jagger are friends of Alexander's from Romania," she said, "and you felt obligated to help out."
"Yeah," I lied. "Sweet, but anticlimactic."
The two of us laughed.
"I'm sorry. I just got a little jealous," she said.
"I'm sorry I made you feel that way. We'll always be best friends."
"Forever," she confirmed.
"For eternity," I added with a smile.
I was shoving my notebooks in my locker, which was filled with pictures of Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, and HIM, and stickers of black roses, spiders, and coffins, when I noticed Trevor passing out red flyers to the soccer snobs and cheerleaders. He was also taking pictures of them with his camera phone.
I wasn't aware Trevor had returned to school. I stepped back into a doorway so Trevor wouldn't spot me.
The bell rang and the crowds began to disperse.
A red flyer fell out of the goalie's notebook as he stepped into a biology classroom. Curious, I grabbed it. In black letters the flyer read: Graveyard Gala Covenant Ceremony
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