Whats wrong? Becky asked.
Alexander is a perfect match, I said with a sigh. I was just thinking how I didnt want Sebastian to crowd us.
Thats totally normal. I get bummed when I have to share Matt with the entire soccer team. They talk about the most inane subjects, like ESPN and computer sports games. But I imagine Sebastian and Alexander are different from guys here. Is he an artist, too?
I dont know.
They probably talk about world events, she imagined aloud.
I dont even know what they talk about, I answered, clueless.
Well, whats he like?
He is hottheres no doubt about that. But other than that, I dont know. Hes a total flirt and he likes electricity.
Becky laughed. I think its a good thing. You can find out more about Alexander through him, she said.
She had a point. Sebastian possibly held the key to the Alexander I never knew. For a moment, I lost myself in thought as I lay back on the slide. I imagined a young version of our goateed guest and Alexander having sleepovers in the cemetery, dining with Draculas descendants, or flying in bat form over European cities.
Is he like Alexander? she asked, awaking me from my daydream.
In some ways he isbut Im still not sure.
Well, weve been friends forever and we arent the same. It should be exciting to see what hes all about.
Was Sebastian a real romantic or was he a player? Did he have a menacing streak like Jagger or more noble intentions like my own boyfriend?
I still cant believe that for so many years Trevor and Matt were best friends, Becky said to me, breaking me out of my fantasy. It really turns my stomach. But Im sure Sebastian is not like Trevor.
Lets hope not.
Becky and I were best friends but polar opposites. Were Alexander and his best friend like Matt and Trevor?
I knew one thing for sureI couldnt wait to find out!
Unlike when Alexanders parents arrived in town, Alexander wasnt keeping me a secret from Sebastian. I was invited to the Mansion as usual. Perhaps Sebastians arrival wasnt a bad thing after all. He could show me the side of Alexander Id never known, as Becky suggested. I biked over to the Mansion, hoping to get there just in time for the sun to set.
I happily coasted down a hill and squeezed the brakes as I turned the corner to avoid any oncoming or parked cars. What I didnt anticipate was an obstacle of another kinda pack of runners. I barely avoided smacking into them and veered off into a small band of hedges instead.
Watch where youre going, Monster Girl! I heard a male voice call.
I withdrew my bike from the bush and picked a few leaves off my hoodie.
Trevor stormed over to me, flanked by a few soccer snobs, and held the handlebars of my bike so I couldnt pass.
Where are you off to in such a hurry? His stunning green eyes bore through me. A corpse convention? Even sweaty, Trevor was gorgeous.
What are you running away from? I retorted. Your mirror?
The soccer snobs laughed. Trevors already flushed face reddened like a sunburn.
The Mansion loomed behind Trevor up ahead on Benson Hill, the sun moments from setting.
I suggest you turn back now. Before its too late, he tried to warn as only an adversary could. When darkness falls, the monsters arise.
The monster has already arisen, I said, in his face. And hes standing right in front of me.
Trevors cohorts snickered again.