“This mansion is going to be party central,” said Sebastian. “The girls think you are a rock star, and I don’t mind taking your leftovers.”
I glared at Sebastian.
“I mean, taking them off your hands so you can be alone with Raven.”
A band of jocks bumped into the tomb-shaped table, knocking it over. Alexander rushed to help steady it.
“There is no reason you need to be cruising this crowd,” I told Sebastian. “There are two perfect and single girls—that were just meant for you,” I said as the ultimate matchmaker. “Onyx or Scarlet.”
“I know, Raven. They are beautiful, but there aren’t any sparks.”
“What do you mean? You just met them. And now you are totally ignoring them. You need to spend more time with them.”
“It’s just something I feel—or rather don’t feel. And by the way it looks, they don’t seem to be bothered.”
Trevor was talking to Jagger, and Onyx and Scarlet were by their sides.
“Well, maybe I’m not meant to be in love,” he said. “Maybe I’m supposed to just have fun. And is that so bad?”
I was a major failure at matchmaking.
“This was not supposed to happen!” I said. “None of this was supposed to happen!”
I ditched Sebastian and was heading toward Alexander when Becky jumped in front of me.
“Where have you been?” she asked.
“This night has gone all wrong,” I said frantically.
“No it hasn’t. Look! Everyone is enjoying themselves. You might be having the best party Dullsville’s ever seen.”
“Sebastian was supposed to like Scarlet or Onyx and he doesn’t like either,” I rambled, “and to top it off, Scarlet seems to be struck by Trevor—gag me—and Onyx is smitten by Jagger.”
“It’s nice that they came to town for your party.”
“Jagger and Luna weren’t invited. Remember? You weren’t even invited.”
Becky laughed. “Raven, you’ve brought the whole town together—even a neighboring one.”
“But I didn’t want to. Even Jameson is freaking out.” He was standing guard outside the kitchen door. “I have to do something. I know…” I took out my phone. “I’ll call the police. A noise complaint and a few squad cars are enough to drive everyone back to their sprawling estates.”
Becky stopped me. “Raven—then Alexander’s party will be a bomb. Look at him.” Alexander was joking with the group of jocks as they replaced the items on the table. He was as content and happy as he’d been when he was out with Sebastian and me. “Wouldn’t you rather the party be a hit than have your boyfriend stuck in his attic room forever alone?”
I weighed my friend’s thoughts heavily.
“Then what should I do?” I finally asked.
“How about have some fun—like everyone else? Why should you be the only one moping?”
Becky didn’t understand the severity of the situation. And it wasn’t something I could delicately break to her over the sounds of pounding music. However, it was Alexander’s mansion, and if Alexander was having a blast, then it wasn’t my place to break up the party.
Alexander was now hanging out by the fire pit with Matt, Sebastian, and several soccer snobs. I was approaching him when I overheard a few cheerleaders talking to him.
“Are you the painter in the article?” one asked.
“Uh…yes.”
“I like to model,” another told him.
“Do you do nude portraits?” the first one asked.
The girls all laughed.
I was steaming! My blood began to boil and my whole body raged.
“There is only one model I use,” Alexander said. “And her name is—”
“Raven,” they said in unison.
“Yes,” he said.
A warm feeling flooded me.
“Perhaps you should get to know her,” he said. “She’s a great girl.”
The girls all turned their noses at him and walked away. I snuck up behind my boyfriend and gave him a huge embrace.
“There you are,” he said. “I was just talking about you.”
“You have groupies,” I said. “Sebastian was right.”
“No I don’t,” he said humbly.
He drew me close and kissed me by the open flames.
“I never dreamed we’d have a hit on our hands,” I said.
“I never did, either,” he said.
Jagger and Onyx and Luna joined us by the fire pit.
“Jagger Maxwell,” Sebastian said, a drink in his hand. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you. This is the last place I’d imagine bumping into you.”
Jagger moved in close, out of earshot of the soccer snobs and Matt.
“Alexander and I have to make up for lost time. I thought now was as good a time as any to begin our new friendship.”