"I kind of wish Sebastianhadn't left," she said in a tone that was mostlysaved for a confessional. "Not because I like him--inthat way--but there was something different about him. LikeAlexander and that Jagger guy. Ireally can't put myfinger onit. They're different from the guys here."
Because they are vampires, I wanted to say.
"It must be that Europeancharisma," she finallysaid.
"Yes, that must be it." Ismiled.
Beckypulled into the student parking lot and turned off the truck. "Your birthdayis coming soon," she said excitedly as we got out and headed toward the mainentrance. "What do youwant to do? We could all go to Hatsy's or Hooligans."
"That wasn't what Ireallyhad inmind."
"The cemetery?" she asked nervously.
I smiled again. I hadn't thought much about celebrating my birthday. Ever since I was little, all my parties were duds and the only ones I ever enjoyed were when Becky and I just stayed up all night pigging out on brownies,chips, and super-sugared and hyper-caffeinated sodas and endlessly watching vampire movies.
"Alexander turns eighteenjust before mybirthday. Ithink we should just have one partytogether."
"That sounds awesome! Maybe we canhave it at the Mansion," she suggested.
"Did I hear it's going to be someone's birthday?" a familiar male's voice said from behind me.
I didn't even bother turning around and continued walking, but that didn't stop mynemesis from disturbing me. He jumped in front of me, blocking my way.
"It's been a whole year, has it?" he asked in a syrupytone. "Maybe this birthday I'll finally give you what you've always wanted."
Becky was shocked and blushed. But I wasn't moved.
Trevor was as menacing as he was gorgeous. If he were a vampire, he'd be the dark kind, the kind that sneaks up on innocent girls and bites without a thought. Trevor possessed many of the qualities of a vampire without actually being one. He constantly preyed upon me, was deeply charismatic, and tried to suck the life out of me.
Trevor could have anygirl he wanted--except for me. But for some reason, I'd always beena thorninhis side,maybe one that he never really wanted to get rid of.
"I'll just have to Lysol myself and make sure to get a rabies shot," he said. "Iwon't turnonthe lights. For my protection--not yours." He leaned inso close to me I thought for a moment he was going to kiss me.
"Don't forget to bring your `Dating for Dummies' handbook," I said. "I'm sure you'll need it."
Instead of scowling, his face lit up witha glistening white, devilishsmile. It was as if I'd made his dayand our quick and battling banter were like an aphrodisiac to him. He winked at me before he arrogantly turned away and disappeared into the crowd of students.
Becky appeared weary as we headed to our lockers, but I remained unperturbed.
At the moment, celebrating our birthdays ina joint partyshould have beenthe biggest event inmylife. UsuallyI'd be obsessed with thoughts of decorating the mansion with bat-shaped balloons, dark purple streamers, and a monster-size chocolate cake with tiny coffins.
But Icouldn't think of anything else whenJagger and his friends were secluded inthe vacant mill, designing its transformationinto one of the most cryptic of all clubs. WithAlexander's best friend onlya short distance away from the Mansion, insecret, I knew I wouldn't be able to invite him or the others. It felt like a stake throughmyheart and made me miserablylonelyfor myboyfriend's sake.
The whole birthday celebration was already ripe with drama.
Chapter 4 - Creeping in the Crypt
I was dying to know more about the plans for the Crypt and Sebastian's sudden love for Luna. I had been hoping he'd be the perfect matchfor either Onyxor Scarlet, but he'd fallenforAlexander's former nemesis's sister. Now Sebastian would be hanging out with Luna and Jagger instead of Alexander and me and even going into business with Jagger. It was all happening too fast--evenfor someone as impulsive as me.
I decided I had a chance to find out more of Jagger's intentions that afternoonsince Iwould be protected by the sun--Iused it to myadvantage.
As soon as Becky dropped me at my house after school, I hopped on my bike and pedaled toward the Sinclair Mill. The ride was exhausting, with its curving hills and narrow, winding roads.
The rockygravel of the mill's drivewaymade it too unwieldyto ride over evenwithmythick tires, and Ididn't want to stir any sleeping vampires with the noise, so I walked my bike over the gravel and leaned it against one of the brick walls. I found a few rusted and locked gates with boarded-up windows.
I went around to the back of the building. This empty factory was historical to Dullsville, and I remembered learning about it in school. The mill prospered manufacturing uniforms for the war in the 1940s. After the war ended, a linen company bought it but it eventually went bankrupt. I imagined the noises of the running machinery cranking out uniforms for the war and the voices of the workers. The hours must have been long and laborious. I sweltered at school; Icouldn't imagine what it must have beenlike to wear a floor-lengthheavydress while sewing all daylong.
I thought it was hard to have worked at Armstrong Travel filing and making copies in a blouse, pencil skirt, and hose. Iwas happyI'd beenborninthe time of air-conditioning.