Royal Blood(46)

Word has it? It was just announced in the paper yesterday morning. "Who did you hear that from-Trevor? "

"How did you know?" Matt asked, like I was clairvoyant.

Even Trevor's scenario was better than the reality. At least Alexander would remain in Dullsville.

I was as miserably morbid as my black attire. I spent the day daydreaming about a life inRomania with theSterlings .The four of us as vampires, without any downside.A life of eternal love and beauty and moonlight.

Before class I was at the vending machine buying a soda.

"Finally that horrible mansion is for sale," I overheard aPradabee say. "Hopefully they'll burn it down and put up a shopping mall."

"So you finally scared him away" Trevor said at my locker before English class. "I guess when his parents sawyou, they had to pack their coffins."

"Don't you even start withme. Not today."

"Well, when then? When will we start our essays?" he asked.

"I have our list of questions and my answers are blank," I said.

"To match your brain?That's not my fault,"

"Half the soccer team is almost finished with theirs and we haven't even started. I know you're a procrastinator, but I'm not cramming this in the night before it's due. Unless we pull an all-nighter-then I'm game." His suggestive gaze bore through me. "I know how you like to sleep in."

I snarled and slammed my locker shut. "I have a lot on my mind."

Trevor blocked my exit.

"You'd better do this assignment. You heard what Mrs.Naper said. If I fail this, it could affect my grades for college. I'm not going to spend the rest of my life in prison with you."

"We'll finish it in time. I've just been preoccupied."

"Doing what? Polishing gravestones? Painting your nails with blacktop? Conjuring the dead?"

Now he was getting on my bad side. "Then maybe I won't do it," I challenged him.

Trevor paused. His face grew red with anger. "I knew that was your plan all along. I'm not going to let you ruin my chances for a soccer scholarship, Monster Girl."

The bell rang, ending our hostile discussion.

"Don't bother asking me to walk you to class," he said sharply.

Here I was worried Trevor was planning to sabotage me when all along he was thinking I was going to do the same to him. My nemesis and I were more alike than I ever would care to admit.

"Remember, I know where you live," he said in his most threatening voice, "and that monster family, too. And believeme, they will be here for a while. That house won't sell."

Trevor started off for English class in a huff.

I was taken aback by my nemesis' last statement. I raced after him.

"What do you mean the Mansion won't sell?" I asked, jumping in front of him.

"Who do they think they can sell that bat trap to?" he asked. "It's an eyesore. And my dad says it's a major money pit. With all the new houses being built, who would buy a ghost- filled broken-down home when someone could buy a brand- new one?''

Trevor's injurious comment was actually a blessing in disguise. If the Mansion didn't sell, then Alexander couldn't move. My boyfriend could remain in Dullsville forever.

"I could almost kiss you," I surprised myself by saying.

"Then why don't you?" he asked, his eyes piercing through mine.