No one is leaving me anything.
Is that so? Then what were those flowers doing on Mrs. Hathaways desk?
Teacher Appreciation Day.
Thats not until
I was planning ahead.
Im not going to even react to your lies. I thought when you ditched your boyfriend, the least you could do was come to me. After all, Im much better-looking.
I didnt ditch Alexander!
Then he doesnt know? he asked as if he was unraveling a mystery. You are two-timing him.
Youve wasted enough of my time.
Or are you having a monster threesome up there in that filthy mansion? You always seemed the kinky type with your studs and boots. He sidled up to me, so close I could feel his warm breath against my neck.
Noyou have it all wrong. I faced him hard. This was one time Id rather have been in class than out in the hallway. I have to go.
Well, someone is going to know about you sneaking aroundand it might be Alexander. Trevor thumped me on the head and disappeared into the crowd of students.
I wasnt dating Sebastian. There was nothing to hide from Alexanderbut by the way everyone was treating me, the whole school must have believed I was cheating on him. My boyfriend, like any other, would not have been happy about that.
After school, I was at Beckys waiting for sundown. The time had slipped by as Becky typed away at her computer doing research for an English paper and I ignored my own homework by lying on her bed, rereading The Vampire Lestat.
I think Im almost finished, she said gleefully.
Well, I should be going, I said. The sun was slowly sinking; only a few rays still poked out behind the field. I need to tell Alexander that the whole town thinks Im dating Sebastian before it gets back to him.
Im sorry things have gotten so far out of hand. If you hadnt stuck up for me
Thats my job, I said. Im your best friend. I hopped off her bed and grabbed my jacket. I better get my bike.
When we arrived at her house, Becky and I picked apples from one of her trees for a snack, and Id parked my bike in the barn.
Becky peered out her window. Why dont I drive you home instead? she asked with concern. Its totally dark out there.
Thats okay. I can find my way.
But there arent lights, she said. Even in the barn.
I'd always protected Beckyat school, in town, in lifebut this was her property and she wasnt normally afraid on her own land.
Dont worry, I reassured her as I walked down her creaky stairs. I can go by myself. It will just take a minute.
The light switch hasnt been working, and quite frankly its kind of spooky without it, she confessed.
Im all about spooky!
I'll drive you home, she insisted.
You dont have to do that. Besides, I love wandering around fields in the dark. Maybe well find a dead body.
Dont say that!
Once outside, Becky picked up a flashlight from on her back-porch railing. I never get used to coming out here in the dark, she said.