Maybe they got lost, Alexander said. Did you give them directions?
Several times.
Then I bet something else came up, Sebastian lamented.
I know these girls, I said defiantly. If they said theyd be here
Its okay, Raven, Sebastian said. Its really the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. But we dont have to wait all night. Besides, this is as good a time as any to tell you that Ill be leaving tomorrow.
What? I asked.
Even Alexander was surprised by his comment. We were having a blast.
I knowbut Ive worn out my welcome here.
No, you havent, I told him. Id gotten used to Sebastians presence, and I knew it was good for Alexander to have the company.
Why dont we go inside, he suggested. We can have a little band session to take it off my mind. I think youre on your way to being a lead singer.
We cant give up on our party yet, I tried.
Even Alexander was getting a bit fidgety. We havent eaten yet and Im feeling hungry. Well have Jameson make us some drinks.
But you have a bottle out here, I told them.
Well save it for something special, Alexander said.
Fine. My first party, and it was a disaster.
They headed inside. I remained at the table and sulked for a few moments until I heard a car in the distance. I took off around the side of the grassy Mansion lawn, doing my best to avoid uneven patches of soil. When I reached the driveway, I saw two headlights shining on the street. The streetlamp illuminated a car. When I got closer I noticed a bright white Beetle, the headlights highlighted with black paint, the hood with a dark circle, and vertical white stripes adorning the bumper. It looked like a giant human skull.
Theyre here! I exclaimed. Theyre here.
I raced down the long driveway as if I were competing for a gold medal.
When I reached the Mansions gate, exiting the cryptic car were two amazingly stellar party girlsScarlet and Onyx.
Scarlet wore her curly red hair long with a black bow; she had on a cream-colored velvet dress, black lace gloves, and stilettos.
Onyx, with her jet black, blade-straight hair, wore a corset top, knee-length skirt, ripped stockings, and wicked witchy boots.
We all screamed like children, and they engulfed me in a tight embrace.
We thought wed never see you again, Scarlet said.
I thought so, too, I said.
When we saw your message, we knew we had to come, Onyx said. No matter what.
I love your car! I proclaimed. I could only dream of driving that up to my house in the burbs. I thought I was lucky to have a black bike.
I just got it. Isnt it ghoulish? Scarlet grinned.
The two girls linked arms with me and we ascended the steep and winding drive. It was as if we were miniature dolls in comparison to the stately Mansion that loomed above us.
Is this where you live? Onyx asked, aghast.
No, my boyfriend does, I replied.