Curious, I thought. While Aunt Libby`s nails were drying, I toned down her warm glow and sun-kissed face by applying a soft, pale white powder. I drew her heavy eyeliner to a point and spread coffin black eyeshadow on her lids. I overapplied her mascara and finished off with two-tone vampire red matte lipstick.
I dolled her up with a hemlock lace choker necklace, rose dangle earrings, and chunky black bracelets. Then I zipped her into her recently hemmed Crucible dress.
I quickly unpacked my clubbing clothes and felt like I spent more time getting ready in my aunt`s bedroom than riding the bus to Hipsterville.
I think I`m melting out here, she hollered, knocking on the bedroom door. Hurry, I want to see what I look like, too. I sprayed my hair and opened the door.
Wow! Get a load of you! she exclaimed.
I twirled like a model in front of her, wearing a black minidress with a violet and black stretch bodice and jagged skirt, midnight-colored fishnets, and Demonia black leather buckled- up monster boots. I felt confident in my skin and clothes. I`d passed for a vampire in the Dungeon and a young adult in the Coffin Club and I was just being myself. It was electrifying that I had the opportunity to return as myself--much less with my aunt Libby.
Only she didn`t think so. Next to you I look like I could be your grandmother!
Get out! We look like sisters.
As long as you give me props like that, I`ll hang out with you wherever you want. Where to next, the cemetery?
Now, are you ready to see yourself? I asked.
For like an hour....
Drumroll please... I began, and presented her in front of her full-length bedroom mirror.
When my aunt saw her reflected image, she didn`t recognize herself. She gasped as if she`d just seen a ghost.
You look beautiful, don`t you think? I beamed.
Well...it`s certainly different from what I`m used to.
I made you look like me, I said with admiration.
There was dead silence. Then, as if she thought she`d hurt my feelings, she said, No one can look like you, Raven. You are unique and beautiful.
I can tone it down.
Don`t you dare. She grabbed a handheld mirror and fluffed her hair. This color is very slimming. She puckered her vampire red lips like a morbid Marilyn Monroe. Black is a girl`s best friend.
Chapter 9 Ghouls' Night Out
Look at that line! Aunt Libby shrieked when we arrived at the Coffin Club. It`s as long as a New York hot spot`s! This will not do--follow me.
Aunt Libby headed straight for the entrance and right up to an unfamiliar bouncer.
Excuse me, my name is Libby Madison. I`m with the Village Players and...
Libby? the bouncer asked skeptically.
My aunt scrutinized him. Jake? she asked, suddenly recognizing him. What are you doing working here?
It`s just part-time while I go to school, he said, taking the five-dollar teen-night admission fee from a girl in line. I almost didn`t recognize you.
Well, I`m out clubbing tonight. Do I look the part?
Jake smiled and stamped a fourteen-year-old who had more piercings than I had. The stamp barely fit on her tiny hand.
Raven, this is Jake, my aunt began proudly. Jake, this is my niece, Raven. Jake played Lenny in the Village Players production of Of Mice and Men.
It`s nice to meet you. He stamped a bat on each of our hands.