Even wrinkled, Alexander Sterling was still the most gorgeous guy I’d ever seen.
14
Mortal Kisses
I wasn’t the only one who read the article on Alexander. In a town the size of Dullsville, small as a Shrinky
Dink, any news was news. No one wanted to be left out from any new information or, worse, be the last one to know.
A group of cheerleaders was stretching out in the hallway while I waited for Becky outside the restroom. I was exhausted as usual.
“Did you see the picture of that Mansion guy?” the captain asked.
“He’s totally hot,” her assistant said, fixing her headband.
“He’s really funny,” another said.
“Did you see how he was ribbing the reporter? He must be really confident to do that.”
“And talented. My parents bought one of his pictures at the Art Auction a few months ago,” the captain boasted.
“Hot, talented, and funny.”
“How did she ever land him?” her assistant said.
They all glared at me. Just then I received a text.
Funny article.
Picture of a vampire?
Impossible.
It was pitch-black when I went to Becky’s house to meet her. Her parents weren’t home and her house was unlocked. I called her name throughout each room, but she didn’t answer. I knew she was afraid to go to the barn alone, but perhaps she needed to replace the rake. I found the flashlight resting on the back-porch railing.
“Becky? Where are you?”
When I finally reached the barn, the metal door was ajar.
“Becky? Are you in there?”
I heard some whispering voices and a giggle.
“Becky? Is that you? Are you okay?”
I shined the light on a few bales of hay. On an empty ladder. Then the tractor. It caught Becky, who quickly covered her face.
“Becky, what are you doing in here? You hate the dark.”
Her hair was messy and she bore a menacing smirk on her face. I helped her up when I noticed two fresh wounds on her neck.
“No! What has Sebastian done to you?”
“What are you and Alexander waiting for?”
“No—Becky! What about Matt?”
“He’s not a vampire!”
Just then I heard a beeping sound. I awoke to find Mrs. Hathaway and a classroom full of students staring at me.
“Miss Madison,” she said with a stern voice. “Is that a cell phone I heard?”
“No—it was my alarm clock.”
The class laughed.
“I have the authority to confiscate anything that is electronic, other than a calculator—which, I might add, you don’t need in history class.”
Mrs. Hathaway returned to her lesson, and I quickly checked my message.
Let’s make history together.
I glanced up and saw Trevor peering back at me.
I shook off my dream, and Mrs. Hathaway stepped out of class.
“What are you doing this weekend,” Becky asked, “besides sleeping?”
Alexander’s party was fast approaching. I didn’t have much time to decorate. I only had one day to gather some gothic and groovy items. I’d been so distracted with keeping Sebastian away from Becky that I hadn’t had much time to be excited about Onyx and Scarlet’s arrival or figure out something to wear.
“Uh…not sure,” I finally answered.
“Why don’t we all get together?”
“I think Alexander has plans,” I said truthfully.
“Doing what?”
“I’m not sure. I just think I heard him say he was doing something. Nothing big—just hanging in.”
“We can stay in, too…unless you don’t want us over.”
“Oh…it’s not that. I just hate for you to cancel something dreamy like a movie night when all we are doing is hanging out playing video games.”
“Matt loves gaming. Besides, he’s never been inside the Mansion. And I haven’t either, for that matter. We were only outside for Alexander’s ‘Welcome to the Neighborhood’ party.”