The Coffin Club(17)

He cracked a smile.

And you? I asked, only to be polite.

The crop circles. Then I knew there was a population of our kind here.

Aliens? I asked.

The stranger laughed again. I was intrigued by his response, but I knew if I pressed him for more info, he`d interpret our continuing conversation as a come-on.

Let me buy you a drink, he said, moving close.

Thanks anyway; I`m not staying.

You`re cautious. I understand...We all are. That`s why the Coffin Club is the hottest underground club. We can all be ourselves. By the way, my name is Leopold.

Uh...I`m... I felt something vibrating in my purse. I reached in--it was my cell. Saved by the bell-- or in this case vibration. I have to take this, I said, leaving the bar. I flipped my cell open and snuck under a stone archway.

Raven? It was Aunt Libby. I could barely hear her. How are you?

Hi, Aunt Libby, I shouted back. I`m fine.

What are you doing? I can hardly hear you.

I sauntered through the catacombs, heading away from the noisy dance floor.

I have your stereo cranked.

You`ll have to turn it down. I don`t want my neighbors to complain.

Of course. I`ll turn it off as soon as we hang up.

Are you having a good time?

Can you talk louder? I asked, holding my other ear closed with my index finger.

Are you having fun? I`m sure you`re bored to tears.

It`s not too bad, I bellowed back, continuing to walk.

I wish you had come to class with me. Our teacher was from Kenya. He was truly amazing.

Don`t worry about me. I`m having a great time by myself, I said truthfully.

What? I can`t hear you.

I`m having a great time, I shouted as a few clubsters dressed in cosplay outfits passed me.

Class will be letting out shortly. I`ll see you soon.

Take your time, Aunt Libby.

What?

You don`t have to rush on account of me.

I can`t hear you. We`ll talk when I get home. See you soon. She hung up before I had a chance to stall her departure.

It was imperative that I beat Aunt Libby home.