“Yes. It is weird. But I’m sure he just moved away at the last minute. That’s all.”
I returned to doodling in my journal.
“I guess,” Becky said. “But I’m saving this picture. I was hoping to have a picture of Sebastian. At least I have a cool one of you.”
The game was over and I saw Trevor hanging out by the trees. He was resting his arm against a trunk and was posing in a seductive way that led me to believe whomever he was talking to was of the female persuasion, and of the pretty kind. It was unlike Trevor to be secretive with his women, so I became curious. As he continued to talk and pose, the girl remained hidden in the shadows. After a few minutes I noticed something illuminated by the field lights — bright scarlet hair — the kind that came from a bottle, not used on any of the girls at our high school.
“Where are you going?” Becky asked as I leaped over the bleachers and raced down the metal stairs.
So that’s who’s leaking the info. Jagger must have put her up to it, I immediately surmised. If Trevor’s on board, then Jagger is sure to have a crowd. Jagger knows Trevor will tell the whole school, along with the whole town.
“Oh, Scarlet!” I said.
She looked surprised to see me, and stepped even further back into the shadows. Trevor also seemed taken aback by my presence.
Just then Matt called to him as the team headed toward the gym. Trevor paused. It was odd for him to have two goth girls in his company. He was used to being surrounded by preppy, conservative types. He was reveling in his rebellious attraction to us.
“I’ve got to go. . ” Trevor said reluctantly. I knew he wanted to stay with us, but it would have to remain a fantasy for him.
The way he lingered in front of us by the tree, it was as if he wanted to kiss one or both of us, but he wasn’t brave enough to make a move on Scarlet in front of me. And he knew if he kissed me, I would slug him.
“Is that Trevor’s number?” she asked, noticing the smudged digits on my palm.
“Yes, and I tried to burn them off. I told you — he’s not what you think he is.” I paused for a moment.
When we were alone, I said to her, “After Alexander’s party, you all just left.”
“Yes. I’m so sorry it ended so quickly.”
“So, are you in town long? Will the others be joining you?” I asked with pretend innocence.
“I can’t lie to you, Raven. We’re all still here.”
I was so relieved my friend was confiding in me about what I already knew. I would have hated for her to have turned out to be a false friend. She had accepted me as a vampire, and then when she found out my true identity, she accepted me for being a mortal. She was a better friend to me than I’d been to her. And because she and Onyx didn’t have the history with Alexander or the cunning actions and animosity of Luna, they were the type of vampire girl friends I’d longed for all my life.
“I was so sad when you guys left,” I said. “I knew you had to, but I was really bummed. I am relieved knowing you’re still here.”
“I wish we could hang out,” she said sincerely. “But don’t tell Jagger you saw me if you run into him. Please.”
“I won’t,” I said. I hated that he had a hold on her. He was providing her and her best friend with room and board, and I’m sure she didn’t want to jeopardize that. But I wanted to hang out with them and didn’t want him to get in the way of my fun. “Why don’t you and Onyx meet me tonight at the cemetery?”
“Yes, that’s a great idea! We can have some girl time!” she said, giving me a hug.
Then Scarlet disappeared into the night.
I called Alexander and explained I’d be a little late for our date since I wanted to meet Onyx and Scarlet at the cemetery. He agreed it was a good idea to get information from the girls and invited me to the Mansion when I was finished. Though I was excited to spend some time with Onyx and Scarlet, I pined for any missed hours not spent with Alexander, since we were separated for all of the daylight hours.
When I arrived at Dullsville’s cemetery I found the grimmest sight; deep within the graveyard I spotted two goth girls sitting on tombstones, their legs dangling over the headstones — one wore white-and-black striped tights, the other torn black tights.
When they noticed me they both rushed in my direction.
“It’s so great to see you, Raven,” Onyx said.
“Jagger told us not to tell you we were here—” Scarlet blurted out. “For Sebastian’s sake, he said. We shouldn’t have listened.” Scarlet was remorseful.
“But he’s giving us a place to stay—” Onyx said defensively.
“And Onyx has a major thing for him,” Scarlet blurted out.
“I do not!” Onyx retorted.
“Don’t lie.” Scarlet was brazen.
“So what’s the real deal?” I asked.
“Jagger plans to open a club called the Crypt,” Scarlet said as if she was sharing breaking news.
“Will it be like the Coffin Club? With a secret dungeon?” I asked.
Onyx nodded.
“He’s hoping to invite vampires from around the area,” Scarlet shared.
“There aren’t vampires around this area,” I said. “It’s only Alexander.”
“Well, Jagger wants the Crypt to eventually be as big as the Coffin Club,” Scarlet said.
“But it’s just not a good idea,” I urged. “Not in this small town. Everyone knows everything and they all gossip. It will be harder to conceal yourselves,” I warned.
“We are good at being secretive,” Scarlet reassured me. “It’s our life.”
“I know,” I said. “It’s one thing to go underground in a bigger city. But here? People will find out easily — then you’ll all be in danger,” I told them.
“I don’t know,” Scarlet said. “We are always in danger. It’s part of being a vampire in a mortal world.”
“But here you could be one of the few — the special ones.” I tried to convince her.
“But it’s hard to meet other vampires,” Scarlet said. “The Coffin Club is special for us. It’s a place to be ourselves and not have to hide. Do you know how hard it is to hide every waking minute of every waking night?”
I didn’t answer as she stared at my outfit.
“Of course you don’t,” she said. “You are bold and outspoken. Everyone in this town knows you are different. You are yourself. I don’t think you realize how hard it would be for you to be a vampire. That there would only be a few mortals you could know. That you couldn’t be your whole self in public, like you are now.”
It was one of the parts of being a vampire that I thought would be the hardest for me. I’d spent my life being truthful about who I was, what thoughts I had, my style and tastes. Finally getting the bite of my lifetime would change all that in an instant. But at this moment, we weren’t really talking about me being a vampire, and I needed to fight to make this club Jagger was opening a safe one for Dullsville.
“I totally understand and get your position,” I said. “But in this town, the Crypt wouldn’t be like the Coffin Club. In Hipsterville, everyone is accepted for being a hippie, a goth, or whatever. They’re even embraced for being different, and no one digs any deeper. Dullsvillians fear the kind of people they don’t find in their country club on the back nine, tennis courts, or cigar bar. I really can’t stress enough that the vampire part of the club here would not be like the Dungeon. It can put your existence in jeopardy. You have to believe me — you know I’m in love with a vampire. His needs come before my own. I want what’s best for him and all of you.”
Scarlet softened and gave me a hug. “We really were lucky when you arrived at the Coffin Club. If only all mortals were like you, we wouldn’t have to hide at all and our world would be much better.”
“Maybe we should say something to Jagger?” Onyx asked shyly.
“That would be awesome,” I chimed in. “But he doesn’t have to stop the entire club — just the vampire part.”
It was then I realized that what I said might be hurtful.
“But what would be the point?” Scarlet asked, offended. “Mortals have their clubs everywhere.”
