“Thank goodness,” Ivy said, “because Principal Whitehead always says that a great reporter is never swayed by prejudice.” She smiled at the principal over Serena Star’s shoulder.
“That I do!” Principal Whitehead confirmed cheerfully.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Serena said stiffly, glancing uncomfortably toward the camera. She changed the subject. “So where do you kids hang out?”
“The diner,” Sophia told her with a shrug.
“Which diner?” Serena Star asked immediately.
“We like the Meat & Greet,” Ivy replied.
“Is that the one that’s decorated like a meat locker?” Serena Star said.
Uh-oh, thought Ivy. She’s digging, and soon she’s going to hit a coffin. “Plus I love Mister Smoothies,” Ivy lied.
“Me, too,” Sophia chimed in quickly.
Serena Star paused. “So you two don’t know Garrick Stephens?”
Ivy and Sophia didn’t say anything.
“And you don’t know anything about him or his friends?” Serena pressed.
“Everyone calls them the Beasts,” Toby piped up from a few feet away. Ivy hadn’t even realized he was still there.
Serena Star nodded at him encouragingly, and Toby went on. “They’re always playing practical jokes and things. Several weeks ago, they dragged me to a party at Ivy’s house, even though they knew I wasn’t invited.”
Ivy winced. Serena turned to look at her. “You invited Garrick Stephens to a party?”
“Just a, you know, a Halloween party.” Ivy gulped. “Lots of people were invited.”
“But not Toby, who you work with closely on the school paper?” Serena said pointedly. Ivy shrugged helplessly.
Serena Star turned back to Toby. “What else can you tell me about Garrick and his friends?”
“I think they’re into heavy metal,” Toby said, “although that might just be their T-shirts. And they’re always saying weird things, like ‘bloodsucker’ this and ‘bloodsucker’ that.”
Ivy’s mouth went dry.
“Bloodsucker?” Serena’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Toby replied.
Serena looked at her cameraman. “That’s a wrap,” she said. She didn’t even thank Toby or anything. “Looks like we have some investigating to do, Martin. Let’s start by doing some undercover eating at this Meat & Greet, where certain elements seem to hang out.” She looked at Ivy and Sophia meaningfully. Then she marched out of the room, her cameraman hurrying after her.
“Celebrities.” Toby shrugged at Ivy and Sophia by way of explanation. They smiled back at him awkwardly.
A few moments later, Ivy and Sophia were trudging down the hall toward the cafeteria.
“You’ve got to do something, Ivy,” Sophia said.
“Me?” Ivy cried. “What about you?”
“I can’t. I’m just a photographer,” Sophia said. “You have to get that assistant job.”
Ivy knew her friend was right, but it wasn’t going to be easy. “I have a feeling Serena Star doesn’t trust me very much.”
“You have to make her!” Sophia pleaded.