There was a knock at the door.
"I need my encyclopedia."
"Billy—go away."
"You borrowed it two months ago!"
"Billy. Billy—go away," I said sternly.
Jagger stepped back and I raced around him.
Billy Boy opened the door.
I turned around. The curtains were gently blowing. Jagger was gone.
"Is something wrong? You never call me Billy."
I closed the window, rushed over to my brother, and gave him a quick hug. "I never thought I needed to."
13 Gothic Fairy
The next evening, as I turned the corner to walk up Benson Hill, I saw a shadowy figure standing by the gate. Never one to retreat, I crept up the broken sidewalk slowly. I didn't want to be startled by Trevor or Jagger.
As I got closer, I saw a gothic fairy girl with long white-and-pink-streaked hair leaning against a tree.
"Luna—what are you doing?"
"Raven," she said, bouncing over and giving me a huge squeeze. "I thought I'd find you here."
"But I'm meeting Alexander," I said, almost apologetically.
"I know, but I thought we could chat for a few."
"I don't want to keep him…"
I looked up toward the Mansion. The attic window was dark.
"Well…maybe just a sec."
We sat on a few rocks outside the Mansion's gate.
"Trevor has a history test. I won't see him until this weekend. Jagger told me he saw you last night," she confessed.
"Did he tell you where he saw me?" I charged.
"In your bedroom."
"He can't do that again. He could scare my family."
"You did that to Trevor. You snuck into his room."
Luna had a good point. "That was different. I have a reputation."
"Jagger is a tricky one," she said with a hint of pride. "He's been teaching me so many things since I've been turned."
"Well, I hope they are good tricks," I warned.
"I love your purse," she said, touching the handle of my Corpse Bride clutch.
"Can I see?"
"Sure." No one, not even Becky, ever got excited about my clothes or fashion accessories. I was proud to share it with her.
She placed it on her arm and modeled it. "So gloom! I love it."
"Thanks. I ordered it online. Maybe I can get you one."
"I'd kill for one," she said eagerly. "Got any candy? I gave my last piece to you yesterday."
"I should have some gum."
Luna unzipped the purse. "Be careful, it's a mess in there," I warned.
"Wouldn't be cool any other way," she said with a smile.
I leaned back and watched the stars twinkling overhead.
Luna pulled out a pack of Gabe's Grape Gross-Out Gum.
She removed two sticks and returned the pack to my purse.
I didn't mind her rooting around. I didn't have anything to hide in there. Or did I?
"What's this?" she asked, pulling out Ruby's compact.
My heart stopped.
"What do you need a compact for?" Luna asked skeptically, holding the white plastic compact and stroking the red ruby R.
"It's an heirloom," I said, trying to reach for it.
"An heirloom?" she wondered aloud. "It doesn't look that old."
Just then a Mustang drove up the road and stopped in front of the Mansion.
I grabbed the compact and purse and ran to the car.