Final quarter, she said.
We have to meet Alexander, I said. We need to go.
Off in the distance, a shadowy figure emerged over the horizon and began strolling down the grassy hill toward us.
Even from a distance, his presence was intense. A figure like no other. My own breath escaped me and I felt a magnetic and magical connection. For a moment, words eluded me.
Handsome, charismatic, and truly alluring. Alexander Sterling, the perfect vampire.
Chapter 13 Paper Chase
I stumbled into the kitchen, my vision blurry from lack of sleep and caked-on eyeliner that had smeared like a chocolate bar in the summer heat.
I was greeted by my overly chipper parents, nursing their coffee and tea before making their way to work.
I bet this will wake you up, my mom said, finding me bumping into the counter as I reached for a mug. Alexanders in the paper!
My eyelids shot open like a rocket.
Where is it? I scoured the countertop and dinette. Do you have it?
I think Billy read it last.
Billy? You let Billy touch it? I was horrified. How could you! I know he got his snotty paws all over it! He probably mangled the whole thing!
Calm down, my father said.
I stormed upstairs to find my brothers door locked. I banged so hard, my fist pulsed with pain.
Itll cost you, I heard him yell back.
It will cost youan arm and a leg!
The door slowly opened and I pushed myself inside. Billy was nowhere to be found. I jerked open his closet door, then heard his nerdy little voice from behind me.
He says he sleeps in a coffin! he teased.
What?
I spun around. Billy was standing at his door with the Gazette in his smarmy little hand.
Im not sure who took off first. We both tore down the stairs as Billy cried, Mom, shes trying to kill me!
Nerd Boy I screeched, as Id done all his life.
I hadnt called him that name in months, but in my anger it just naturally rang out.
I tackled him before he reached the kitchen. I tried to wrangle the paper out of his hand as he pleaded with my parents for help.
It had been a while since we had a major sibling blowout bodyslam event, and he had grown stronger. It took all my might to hold him at bay.
Raven, get off him, my dad shouted.
Billy, give your sister the paper! my mom ordered.
Shes sitting on my chest! Billy hollered.
My dad pulled me off my brother by my woven belt, and I grabbed the paper from his hand.