Chills ran down my spine. I almost fainted right there in the alley of the Crypt. "Alexander - I don't know what to say. This is beautiful!" "This way you'll always know that just because I haven't turned you doesn't mean we can't be together forever." "How can you afford this?" I asked. "How could I not afford it?" "I've never had anything real - besides a pearl necklace my parents gave me last year for my birthday." "Just put it on."
Tears welled in my eyes. Nothing I'd ever owned twinkled liked the ring I was now holding. I slid it on my right ring finger.
"It fits?" he asked eagerly. "It's like having the stars on my finger," I said, jumping up and down. I reached up to him and gave him the most passionate kiss I'd ever given. "Get a room, dudes. Or at least a car," Sebastian said, slapping Alexander on the back. I showed Sebastian the ring. "Are you getting married?" he asked. "Dude - " "It's not an engagement ring," I said. "It's an eternity ring." Luna spied the glistening ring and bore her fangs at me. The expression she wore spoke volumes. "It's time we get to the club. We've been waiting forever for it to open!" Alexander said.
Chapter 16 - The Crypt
When I turned down the alley to the mill, I saw an image even I couldn't have ever envisioned in Dullsville. A long line snaked around the corner of the factory and led up to the Crypt. Every student in Dullsville High was standing, texting, and gossiping in line, waiting for a chance, like me, to dance in a club. I was lucky to be in Sebastian's and Luna's company so we could walk past the sea of would-be clubsters and make our way to the entrance.
A sign in blood-red letters marked the entrance: CHECK ALL CELL PHONES, CAMERAS, AND MP3 PLAYERS. PHOTOGRAPHS PROHIBITED . A bouncer was checking all electronic devices.
When we entered, Sebastian and Luna disappeared into the Crypt while I stood spellbound. Alexander stood behind me, his hands on my shoulders. A lot had changed since I'd last been to the factory. The scene was truly magical.
Dullsville finally had a place, besides the Mansion, where I truly belonged.
Gray arched columns made the once-flat ceiling appear curved. Lightning flashed against the windows, and thunder rumbled over the music as if there were a nasty storm outside the club. The center stage was magnificent. It was in the shape of a large coffin. Headstone doorways had handles resembling skeleton bones. Votives and LED torch lighting hung on the walls like a creepy tomb. The bar, too, was shaped like a giant coffin. Bottles covered in fake cobwebs were on wooden racks. The dance area was illuminated by candelabra chandeliers flickering LED lights. Two metal cages with twisted wrought iron were in the corners for dancing clubsters. Neon exit signs hung above all outgoing doors. An open coffin rested next to an erect one with signs inviting customers to step inside. For a small price, a photographer dressed as a caretaker took pictures.
The conservative students raved about the new club. Any club party with loud music was the chance to let loose and be away from nagging parents.
"Wow!" I said. "This is what I've always dreamed of." I found Scarlet and Onyx already dancing.
While Alexander and Sebastian tried to find Jagger, I jumped onto the dance floor and rocked with my vampire friends.
I noticed Luna, off in the corner, waiting for Sebastian to return. She was a misfit, even in her brother's club. Aloof and unfettered, she just observed the goings-on around her. Scarlet and I ran over to her and dragged her onto the dance floor with us. It was as if she was relieved, finally having some friends of her own to hang out with. It wasn't long before her pink hair was tossing back and forth as we all danced to the morbid music.
Exhausted, I took a break. It was then I caught sight of the curious door - only tonight it was adorned like a grave marker and had a skeleton-bone handle.
"Do you know where Jagger is?" I asked Scarlet when we headed off to the bar. "I want to try that door again and I don't want him to see me."
"What?" She tried to shout over the music. "That tombstone door. We still don't know what it leads to. This could all be a ruse for something nefarious underground."
"You can check it out," she said, uninterested. "I want to dance. I think I see Trevor." She slipped into the crowd while Luna and Onyx continued to dance.
I made my way through wall-to-wall clubsters until I reached the grave marker door. There was so much going on, I was sure no one would notice me trying to sneak in.
I had put the key in and turned the lock when someone grabbed my hand. "Time to dance," Trevor said. Before I could shake free I was back on the dance floor, staring at Trevor Mitchell. Where were Alexander, Sebastian, and Jagger to protect me? I stood motionless, with my arms folded. "You can move better than that," he said. He put his hands on my waist and shook my h*ps back and forth. "Get off!" I said. "The dance doesn't start until you do!" he said. Then I thought, What difference does it make? I was as close to Trevor as I was to anyone else on the dance floor.
I let the song take over me and I danced my heart out. All at once I was lost, dancing with Trevor. His green eyes burned through me as if we were the only two on the dance floor. He put his hand around my waist and drew me to him, so close our bodies touched. I could feel his rock-hard stomach against mine. He stared at me intently and a
smile crept across his face. I was in his clutches. I knew any moment Trevor was going to kiss me. Suddenly Alexander was standing next to Trevor. There was no denying Alexander was ready to take him off the dance floor - physically.
"It's okay," I said. I pulled Alexander close. "That dance is over now. The rest are saved for you." Trevor watched me as I snuggled with Alexander. I checked back and Trevor was dancing with a group of girls, as if I didn't exist anymore.
The following morning I stumbled into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee. My mom caught sight of my ring. "That's gorgeous. Where did you get it?" "Alexander gave it to me." "Sweetheart - that's real." "I know. Can you believe this? I don't deserve something this beautiful." "Maybe you're too young to get a gift like that," she said with a crinkle in her brow. "I just turned seventeen! And Alexander's eighteen. Too young?" "I didn't mean it like that." "I'm sorry I snapped." "Did he ask you anything when he gave it to you?"
"Like getting down on one knee?" I asked, slightly horrified at her overreaction to my good news. "No, he didn't. Why does everyone have to take this as more than it is?"
If she was this freaked out about a ring, I couldn't imagine what she'd say if I told her I wanted to turn into a vampire - for real.
"Maybe we should talk," my mom said. "About the birds and bees? I think we've been over that." "No, about your future. College. Getting out of town. Alexander." "What, now you don't approve of him?" "Of course I do. I think he's been amazing for you. I just hope you'll go to college."
"You met dad at college. It's not my fault that I met my true love in high school. Besides, can't I just enjoy my birthday present?"
"I just want you to make sure you are as focused on school as much as you are on relationships." "Well, you know I have never been focused on school." We both had a small chuckle. "If Alexander decides to study in Romania, I'm up for it," I assured her.
"It shouldn't be about what Alexander wants. That's what I'm trying to talk to you about." "Have I ever done anything in my life I didn't want to do?" I asked candidly. "Uh . . . no. I wish you had - it would have made my life a lot easier." "Have I ever succumbed to peer pressure?" I asked. "No. You are the antithesis of that." "Then why can't you trust me?" "Because I know what love does. It makes you think things - that the world is more romantic than it is." "Is that so bad? You have Dad, this house, and Billy and me." "You are right, but - "
"I've been pretty miserable most of my life. For almost a year now, I've really enjoyed this town. I have a great boyfriend and I've met a lot of people that I connect with. I haven't gotten into trouble and my grades have been pretty good."