Twin Spins!

by Sienna Mercer

  ‘You were impressive back there,’ Ivy told Olivia.

  ‘Cold as ice. You should be a vampire!’

  ‘Yeah, go to vampire school or something!’

  Olivia joked. Ivy slowed to a stop and watched her twin pull ahead.

  You have no idea how close to the truth you are, Ivy thought. One of us really might be about to enrol at a vampire academy.

  Sink your fangs into these:

  Switched

  Fangtastic!

  Revamped!

  Vampalicious

  Take Two

  Love Bites

  Lucky Break

  Star Style

  My Sister the Vampire: Twin Spins! first published in Great Britain 2012

  by Egmont UK Limited

  239 Kensington High Street

  London W8 6SA

  Copyright © Working Partners Ltd 2012 Created by Working Partners Limited, London WC1X 9HH

  ISBN 978 1 4052 5984 2

  eBook ISBN 978 1 7803 1178 4

  1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2

  A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British Library

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the publisher and copyright owner.

  With special thanks to Chandler Craig

  For Mom and Dad, for everything

  Table of Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Twin Talk

  Chapter One

  O omph!

  Olivia Abbott winced as a pair of shiny black combat boots squashed the sparkly polish of her freshly painted toenails.

  ‘Sorry.’ Olivia’s twin sister, Ivy, smiled sheepishly, regaining her balance. Her boots might have been gothtastic, but they were also lethal in a crowd as squished-in as this one. Olivia helped steady her sister. With the whole student body crammed into the assembly hall waiting to hear Principal Whitehead’s big school announcement, it was all Olivia and Ivy could do to keep from being knocked flat.

  Olivia felt her phone buzz twice from inside her pocket – a new email! It had been days since Camilla’s last Paris update. Camilla was a loyal friend to Olivia and Ivy, even if she was a bit, um . . . eccentric. All anyone needed to know about Camilla was that she was creative with a capital ‘C’. She’d organised their school production of Romeo and Juliet, giving it an interesting cyborg update, and she’d become really involved on the film set when Hollywood had come to Franklin Grove. Now she was in Europe, on holiday with her family, soaking up the culture there.

  Olivia wormed her fingers into the pocket of her jeans and pulled her phone out, squinting at the screen:

  Olivia,

  Please say you have finished the last installment of the Cyborg Trilogy. It’s at least five times better than Random Access. We must discuss ASAP.

  Camilla

  P.S. Paris is cool. We should work on our French accents.

  In every message Camilla had sent from her vacation, she’d seemed just as interested in the latest Coal Knightley book as in exploring one of the most romantic cities on the planet. Only Camilla could dig great culture and get lost in a book at the same time!

  A confident, familiar voice was chattering away behind Olivia. ‘I overheard a couple of the teachers talking, so I already know what the big announcement is.’ Olivia turned to look. Blonde ponytail, extra-shiny lip gloss, and a manicured hand propped on one hip. It was Charlotte Brown, Franklin Grove’s resident head cheerleader and diva. Of course Charlotte would have made it a top priority to be in the know about something important happening at school.

  Charlotte’s friend Katie was craning to listen. Her eyes were out on stalks at the possibility of the juicy gossip. What was wrong with finding out with the rest of the school?

  Olivia squeezed her eyes shut. ‘Don’t listen, don’t listen,’ she whispered to herself. She didn’t want the surprise of the announcement to be ruined.

  ‘There’s going to be a school dance,’ Charlotte declared. ‘And I heard it’s going to be at the end of the summer holidays, which is killer because by then I’m guaranteed to have the perfect tan.’ Trust Charlotte to think that frazzling in the sun was a good idea.

  Katie squealed and clapped her hands. ‘Really? You’re sure?’

  ‘Totally. Plus, it will give me plenty of time to make my yearbook film.’

  Ivy and Olivia shared a surprised glance. Charlotte had been put in charge of making the yearbook film? Were the teachers crazy? If only Camilla was in Franklin Grove instead of Paris – she’d have done a much better job. ‘What are the odds that she’ll include any goths in that video?’ Ivy whispered.

  Olivia chewed her lip. Charlotte was all about pink, there was no denying it. But surely she would want to have Ivy’s ultra goth-chic style gracing the yearbook video? Perhaps Ivy was being too hard on her.

  ‘I don’t know.’ Olivia shrugged. ‘She’s been much nicer since the Bright Stars awards ceremony. She helped us out, remember?’

  Olivia still got the jitters thinking about that night. She’d been in line to win the Brightest New Star award when Jessica Phelps, top Hollywood actress, had tried to expose Olivia’s secret relationship with mega-star Jackson Caulfield. His fans had gone batty! Luckily Olivia had won the award anyway and she’d been able to win the fans over with her acceptance speech, but speaking in front of a swarm of rabid Jackson fans was not something she’d attempt again. Not that she could blame them. It was hard not to get a little light-headed when it came to a super-cute movie star like Jackson. Her own heart gave a loop-the-loop as she thought back to their first kiss, before another thought squirmed into her head. But what good is having a celebrity boyfriend if I never get to see him?

  Olivia and Jackson had barely laid eyes on each other since the award ceremony – he’d been busy promoting the film and she’d had to return to school in Franklin Grove. This wasn’t how she’d imagined things at all when they’d stood on stage together, listening to the cheers of the audience in Hollywood. It had all felt like a dream come true. But perhaps that’s all it was, she thought. A dream.

  Ivy must have guessed what she was thinking because she squeezed Olivia’s hand, her Midnight Mauve lips curving down. ‘You’re missing Jackson, aren’t you?’

  Olivia loved that her twin could read her emotions so well, but she didn’t want to come off too needy. ‘Maybe a little.’ She smiled, holding up her thumb and finger an inch apart. ‘But I guess I’d better get used to it. If there really is a dance, I doubt Jackson will even be able to come. Not unless Amy lets him wriggle out of his tour.’

  Ivy made a sour face. Amy Teller was Jackson’s manager and the chances of her letting a top star like Jackson take a break from a press tour were practically zilch.

  ‘Hi, guys!’

  Olivia beamed as she spotted Brendan and Sophia fighting their way through the crowd.

  ‘Pardon you!’ Charlotte jumped out of the way of Sophia. ‘Watch where your chunky boots are clomping!’ Katie made a big show of pulling Charlotte to safety as Olivia looked on, shaking her head. Perhaps Charlotte should save some theatrics for her yearbook film.

  The chopsticks pinning Ivy’s hair in place nearly poked Olivia’s eye out as she spun to greet their friends. Her slen
der arms wrapped around Brendan’s neck, pulling him into a big hug. From the look on Brendan’s face, Olivia reckoned he couldn’t be happier. She remembered when she first came to Franklin Grove, and Ivy had announced with such despair, ‘I’m utterly in love with Brendan Daniels.’ And look at them now!

  ‘We thought you were hiding from us,’ Brendan joked, running a hand through his hair. It was usually shoulder-length, but had been cut shorter and shaggy last week.

  ‘No,’ said Ivy, craning up to look at her boyfriend. ‘We’re just vertically challenged.’

  ‘We were just discussing the dance,’ Olivia explained to Sophia.

  ‘Dance?’ Sophia’s eyes glittered.

  ‘You-know-who spilled the beans.’ Olivia hiked her thumb over her shoulder at Charlotte, whose head jerked up as if she could sense someone talking about her.

  Ivy gently punched her sister. ‘Olivia!’

  Her twin smacked a hand over her mouth, eyes wide. ‘And I’ve just done the same thing! You guys, I’m so sorry.’

  Brendan was gazing at Ivy, a smile forming on his lips. ‘It’s OK. Sounds like good news to me.’

  Ivy snorted. ‘Yeah, I’m sure you’re just itching to put on a fancy suit and waltz around the assembly hall!’

  Brendan’s smile faded. ‘But –’

  Sophia clapped her hands. ‘I’m not disappointed. I have a dress I’ve been dying to wear!’

  Olivia crossed her fingers. ‘I just hope Jackson can make it back in time!’

  Ivy tilted her head. ‘But won’t you be filming on set by the end of the summer?’

  Olivia felt like smacking herself square in the forehead. ‘You’re right!’ she squealed.

  The crush of students must have been squeezing her brain. How could she forget? She’d only been looking forward to filming Eternal Sunset every day since she’d got the part! As soon as Jackson’s press tour ended, the two of them were due to start work on a new film together.

  ‘I guess neither of us will make it, then,’ Olivia sighed. ‘Shame. It would have been almost as much fun as when we all went to the Transylvanian ball together.’ She lowered her voice and leaned towards Ivy. ‘Without quite so many vampires!’

  ‘And with way more bunnies,’ Ivy pointed out.

  ‘And more pink.’

  Ivy scrunched her nose. ‘So basically you’re saying there’s no way the Franklin Grove dance could be as amazing as the Transylvanian ball?’

  ‘Come on.’ Olivia nudged Ivy. ‘I bet there’s someone who would love to call you his date to the dance.’ Olivia nodded at Brendan, who was chatting with Sophia.

  Ivy blushed, glancing away. ‘I just feel sorry for whoever gets stuck organising this year,’ she stammered. ‘I’d rather be zombified than worry about colour palettes and dance themes. So not my thing.’

  ‘Oh!’ Olivia hopped up and down, pointing at the front of the assembly hall. ‘It’s Principal Whitehead. Look! Look!’

  Their principal stepped up to the small podium and the hall went quiet.

  ‘Good morning, Franklin Grove,’ he said, and cleared his throat. He fumbled with a few sheets of paper. ‘I have a special announcement. As you may have heard . . .’ The principal paused, making Olivia wonder if he shared her love of the dramatic. She had learned a thing or two about theatrical timing during her hours on set. At last, he spoke. ‘We are going to have a school dance.’

  Principal Whitehead held up his hand. ‘One more thing.’ The crowd was buzzing, so he lowered his mouth closer to the microphone. ‘The big date for the school dance has already been decided and it is . . . next Friday!’

  ‘Next Friday!’ Charlotte shrieked. Everyone went mad. Girls grabbed their friends, jumping up and down on the spot. Boys shared alarmed glances – who would they invite to be their dates, with only a week to decide?

  ‘Hold it, hold it.’ Principal Whitehead held up his hand until the crowd settled. ‘The date has been pushed forward because of essential renovations to the school building. You should also know that the school board has decided to increase security ever since some unsavoury paparazzi were found lurking in the vicinity.’ Olivia felt her cheeks flush. Their principal was talking about the photographers who’d been chasing Jackson around. He’d come to study at Franklin Grove and to be close to Olivia. That was then, but where was he now? Out on his promotional tour. Olivia tried to ignore the tightening in her chest.

  The hall was filled with bunny-mania as the principal walked back to his office. Olivia and Sophia cheered along with everyone else, while Charlotte attempted to yell over the crowd, ‘I knew it!’ Even though the announcement hadn’t been a surprise, it was still exciting. Olivia would need a new outfit and a new shade of shimmery eyeshadow and – oh! – she hoped Ivy would go shopping with her.

  ‘How will I find a dress in time?’ Katie cried.

  Charlotte already had her mobile glued to one ear. ‘Yes, this is an emergency,’ she stressed into the receiver. ‘No, I’ll need a cut, a blow-dry, a manicure and a pedicure.’ She cupped her hand over half the phone and mouthed to Katie, ‘My tan!’ Her eyes shot skywards and she flipped shut the mobile. ‘Girls,’ she called to anyone who was listening, ‘to the beach!’

  Katie looked around as if her friend had gone completely insane. ‘What beach? We’re hundreds of miles from the coast.’

  Charlotte seemed to teeter on the edge of a breakdown. ‘Um . . . strappy sandals . . . cocoa butter . . . I don’t know! Let’s just go!’

  She rushed off, following the rest of the crowd as they left the hall. At last Olivia could breathe. Her eyes locked with a girl from her grade, Jenny, who scurried over, several big ring-binders pressed close to her chest.

  ‘Hi, Olivia. I was wondering . . .’ She ground the toe of her shoe into the floor. ‘Would you like to be involved in planning the dance? You could even be chairperson if you wanted. You’d be great at it!’

  Wow! Olivia hadn’t so much as applied and she was being offered a lead position.

  ‘What does a chairperson do, exactly?’ asked Ivy, frowning at the piles of folders the girl was clutching.

  ‘Chooses decorations, discusses colour schemes, themes, music and agrees it all with the principal. It’s a very important position.’ She waved her hand through the air. ‘We have to turn all this into a dance hall by next Friday!’

  Ivy shuddered. ‘Not my idea of fun.’

  But Olivia was already picturing the perfect centrepieces and hundreds of lights sparkling over the dance floor.

  ‘So, do you want to?’ Jenny asked, bobbing on the balls of her feet.

  ‘What about your film?’ Ivy whispered out of the side of her mouth. Olivia’s visions of a romantic dance disappeared into thin air.

  ‘I’m sorry.’ And she genuinely was. ‘But I’ll be too busy learning lines for my film role.’

  ‘OK.’ Jenny nodded slowly, her shoulders sagging. ‘I understand. Thanks anyway.’ Olivia felt a twinge of guilt as Jenny pushed her way through the other students. But this was going to be her big break. She needed to give it her all, and that meant rehearsing and re-rehearsing until she knew her lines better than she knew her own name!

  As the four friends were making their way out of the hall, Olivia felt the phone in her pocket vibrate again. She slipped it out of her jeans and touched the flashing message to open it. The message was from Jacob Harker, the studio head giving Olivia her shot at Hollywood: Olivia, my rising star, we need to catch up. Stuff ’s going down. Call the office. 818-350-4917.

  Olivia tugged at her sister’s elbow, pulling her to a stop. ‘Harker wants me to call him.’

  Ivy read the message over Olivia’s shoulder. ‘Even for a V, that guy’s a little kooky. Shouldn’t he have, like, a whole squad of minions taking his calls and sending his memos? At least that’s what I would do if I was that powerful.’

  ‘Well, then, let’s hope you’re never that powerful,’ Olivia teased. ‘You’d be a slave-driver!’

  ‘Hey!�
� Ivy dropped her chin and tried to shoot Olivia a death stare, but instead burst into laughter.

  Olivia’s stomach flip-flopped as she punched the keys for Harker’s number. She couldn’t believe that she, Olivia Abbott, was calling the head of a major Hollywood movie studio. How cool was that?

  After three rings, the sound of Harker’s drawling voice eased on to the line. ‘Duuuude, what’s up?’

  Olivia didn’t know the proper response to that. ‘Nothing . . . er . . . man,’ she replied uncertainly, hoping it didn’t sound weird.

  ‘Bad news.’ Harker’s voice became grave. Oh no . . . Am I getting fired? Is Jackson OK? ‘The Hollywood writers have gone on strike,’ he announced.

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ Olivia tried to sound sympathetic, although she had no idea what this really meant.

  ‘No worries, my friend, but you’d better start watching reruns of your favourite shows, because it looks like it’s going to be a while before you get any new episodes.’

  She hadn’t expected that. Olivia’s mouth went dry. ‘And movies?’

  ‘Kaput, too. With no one to write the scripts around here, we’re like bums on the beach. No choice but to relax and put everything on hold.’

  Olivia stopped dead. ‘No more movie shoot?’ It felt as if a sumo wrestler had climbed aboard Olivia’s shoulders and taken a seat. She was crushed.

  Ivy turned and shot her sister a worried look.

  ‘The movie shoot will still go forward – just a year later.’ Harker’s voice was silky on the other end of the phone. ‘Until then, we all just chill.’

  Olivia couldn’t tell him that she had been counting down the days until she got to work with her boyfriend.

  ‘No problem,’ she fibbed, though her voice was wobbling and she knew how miserable she must look. At least Harker couldn’t see her down the phone line. ‘I’ll see you in a year!’ She ended the call and buried the phone in her pocket.