Would I have to protect Becky from the modern vampire world forever? It appeared I would, at least for the near future.
"I'm just saying," Ibegan, "if the popular crowd is hanging out there, thenit's not going to be a funplace for us."
"It's supposed to be awesome. Matt and his friends will be going. I'm sure it will be fine--we canhang with just us.
We'll just keep to ourselves.And besides, clubs are dark and loud. I've seenthem on TV."
"Did you hear that there's going to be a place to rave?" a Prada-bee a few lockers away said to her friend.
"I've heard about it," the friend said. "But I don't have any info."
"It would be so cool. We don't have anywhere we candance.At least not without a fake ID." The Prada-bee laughed a snorty laugh.
"Where is it going to be?" her friend asked.
"I heard it's going to be in that abandoned church." The Prada-bee spoke ina whisper.
"I was told they're renting out the country club on Friday nights," her friend gushed.
"Who is `they'?" the Prada-bee asked.
I leaned in.
"I heard they're going to have it in the graveyard. Surely you'd show up," Trevor said, spotting me eavesdropping.
"Last to know, as usual?" he asked.
Ididn't evenbother witha response.
"Perhaps another highlyanticipated event youwon't be invited to?"
"What? Youhave to be invited?" Iasked, breaking myshort silence.
"For the opening, of course," mynemesis said. "Theyaren't going to let just anyone in."
"The yare my friends, not yours," I said. "Believe me, I can make sure you don't get past the bouncer." I shut my locker.
"Don't be so sure," he said. "I'm onthe VIP list." He slithered up to me so close Icould smell the peppermint gum he was chewing. "And if there is a new hot spot club, you'll be needing a date," he said coyly. He took my hand and before I could withdraw it, he wrote his number on my palm.
Becky passed me hand sanitizer and I did my best to rub it off.
So the Crypt's grand opening was byinvitationonly? Jagger was killer ongetting the buzzstarted. He hadn't even started to decorate. By the time he did open, he'd have the whole highschool lined up around the block waiting to get in.
And I wasn't sure that was sucha great thing after all. The students here would be exposed to unknownvampires.
Once the drinks were flowing and the heat of the dance floor kicked up, who knew which of these mortals would be hanging out with, kissing on, or being driven home by vampires from other towns? And though most of the students had contempt for me and had made my life here in Dullsville hell by either ignoring or teasing me, I couldn't let their materialistic lives be indanger.And if anyone inthis townwas going to fall preyto a handsome vampire, it was going to be me.
Beckyand Iwere hanging out onthe soccer field's bleachers shortlyafter the sunset. Iwas doodling inmyjournal,drawing pictures of what Iwanted the club to be like and ideas for gifts forAlexander's upcoming birthday. I was set to meet him inanhour, after he'd awokenand had dinner. Iwas killing time bydoodling as the soccer snobs competitively kicked the black-and-white ball up and down the field against the opposing Tigers.
"Remember whenwe were here at the game withSebastian?" Beckyasked, referring to whenAlexander's best friend first arrived in Dullsville.
"Uh-huh. . ."
"I took a picture. Of you and him."
"Yes . . . I remember," I said. Then it hit me what Beckyhad just told me.
"Well, the weirdest thing happened. Iwas flipping throughthe photos onmyphone and he's not there."