“But you wanted him to be a vampire because you like vampires!”
“Thanks. Maybe I’m supposed to give it twenty-four hours,” I said as we started to walk home.
I awoke to another sunny day. Not only didn’t the sun burn my skin on contact, but its warmth actually felt good against my flesh. Not only didn’t mirrors shatter like they did for Gary Oldman in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, but my reflection looked like it did every day—a pale girl in all black. And the only thing I was thirsty for was a chocolate soda from Shirley’s Bakery.
Still, my heart raced when my mother served linguini with garlic for dinner that night. Everyone stared at me as I played with my food, smelling and taking deep breaths.
“What’s with you?” Billy Boy asked. “You’re acting strange, even for you.”
I twirled some pasta on my fork and raised it slowly to my mouth. “Here goes,” I said.
My parents looked at me like I was an alien. The noodles touched my tongue and I chewed and chewed and took a huge swallow.
“Here goes what?” my mother asked.
I took a breath. I expected my throat to burn and my skin to crawl. I expected to choke and gasp at the first taste of garlic. And then it happened. Nothing. Nothing is what happened.
“Here’s to what?” my mother repeated.
“Here’s to…here’s to another Sarah Madison gourmet dinner!”
Though I wasn’t melting in the sun, shattering mirrors, or cringing from the sent of garlic, I was feeling Alexander’s power in different ways. I was walking on air, as if I could fly like a bat. I couldn’t possibly sleep at night, my mind was racing, dreaming of him, replaying his kisses over and over. I doodled our names surrounded by hearts in all my notebooks during class. I wanted to be with him every moment, because whatever he was, he was my Alexander. My funny, intelligent, caring, lonely, gorgeous, dreamy Alexander. He was more incredible and exceptional than I had ever imagined.
And I was glad I was changing, and not in the way I had fantasized about for so long. I was happy to see my mirrors didn’t shatter, because now I saw a reflection of a girl in love, glowing with happiness. Why should I want to live in a cemetery for eternity, when it might be possible to live in Alexander’s attic room? I didn’t want to cringe from the sunlight but watch Hawaiian sunsets with him. I didn’t want to drink blood but sip pop from Alexander’s neon-green glasses. I wanted to enjoy the things I had always enjoyed—ice cream, horror movies, swings after dark—but now I wanted to share them with him.
“I heard you’re hanging with the vampire,” Trevor said the day before the Snow Ball as Becky and I walked through the hall after lunch. Signs for the dance hung from the ceiling and were plastered on the walls. “Isn’t it enough that you’re a freak and Becky is a troll? Now you have to date a lunatic? Don’t you know that the Mansion is haunted?”
“You don’t know anything! You’ve never even met Alexander.”
“Oh, Alexander. The monster has a name. I thought you just called him Frankenstein. If I do ever meet him, I’ll kick his ass and run him out of town. We need to know that we can walk the streets safely at night!”
“I’ll kick your ass if you ever even come near him. If you ever even look at him.”
“If he looks anything like you, I’ll need sunglasses to guard against the blinding ugliness.”
Principal Smith walked by. “I hope everything is okay with you two. We haven’t received a budget for new lockers.” Then he put his arm around the jerk and said, “I heard you kicked the winning goal in yesterday’s game, Trevor.”
They turned away, Principal Smith engaging the reluctant Trevor in jock conversation.
“How did he know I’m seeing Alexander?” I asked Becky, puzzled.
“Uh, I guess people…you know how people talk in this town.”
“Well, people in this town are stupid.”
“Listen, Raven, I have something to tell you,” she began in a nervous voice that was even more nervous than her normal nervous voice.
But I was distracted by the signs for the dance. TICKETS ON SALE NOW. SAVE FIVE DOLLARS IF YOU PRE-PURCHASE.
“Tickets? Frig! I didn’t know I needed tickets!
Do I get them at TicketMaster? Charge by phone?” I laughed. “That’s what happens when you’re on the outside, you know?”
“I totally know. The outside gets worse and worse each day.”
“Maybe they’ll be sold out and we’ll have to dance on the school lawn,” I joked.
But Becky wasn’t laughing.
“Maybe it’s best you and Alexander have a private dance at the Mansion.”
“And miss seeing Trevor’s face when I walk in with Alexander?”
“Trevor knows a lot, Raven,” she said oddly.
“Fine, so he’ll get into a good college. What do I care?”
“I’m afraid of Trevor. His father owns half our farm.”
“The corn or the sugar?”
“I have a confession—”
“Save it for Sunday. Forget about Trevor. He’s just a bully.”
“I’m not strong like you. I never was. You’re my best friend, but Trevor has a way of making people say things they don’t want to. But please—don’t go to the dance,” she said, grabbing my arm.
Suddenly the bell rang. “I’ve gotta go. I can’t get another detention or I’ll be banned from the dance.”
“But Raven—”
“Don’t be afraid, girlie, I’ll protect you from the monsters.”
19
The Snow Ball
I couldn’t sit still through the rest of my classes. Not through algebra, history, geography, or English, which I spent underneath the football bleachers composing love poems to Alexander. I raced home and danced around my bedroom. I tried on every piece of clothing I owned in a million combinations until I had the perfect ensemble.
“Are you okay?” Billy Boy asked, peeking his head into my room.
“Just jumping around and dancing, my most precious little brother,” I glowed, giving him a big squeeze and a kiss on the head.
“Are you insane?”
I sighed deeply. “You’ll understand someday. You’ll meet someone who is connected with you in your soul. And then everything will be exciting and peaceful at the same time.”
“You mean like Pamela Anderson?”
“No, like a computer-math girl.”
Billy Boy gazed off into the distance. “I guess that won’t be so bad, as long as she looks like Pamela!”
“She’ll look even better!” I said, messing up his hair. “Now get out. I have a ball to attend.”
“You’re going to a dance?”
“Yes.”
“Well…” I could see he was revving up for a big sister major put-down. “Well…you’ll be the prettiest one there.”
“Are you sure you’re not on drugs?”
“You’ll be the prettiest one there…with black lipstick.”
“Now that sounds more like your style.”
I finally paraded into the kitchen, wearing high-heeled knee-high vinyl boots, black fishnet stockings, a black miniskirt, a lacy black tank top, and metallic black bracelets. A black cashmere scarf hid my love bite, and black leather fingerless gloves revealed my black nail polish—glittering like black ice, in keeping with the theme of the Snow Ball.
“Where do you think you’re going dressed like that?” my mom asked.
“I’m going to a dance.”
“With Becky?”
“No, with Alexander.”
“Who’s Alexander?”
“The love of my life!”
“What’s this I hear about love?” my dad asked, entering the kitchen. “Raven, where are you going dressed like that?”
“She says she’s going to a dance with the love of her life,” my mom said.
“You’re going nowhere in that! And who’s the love of your life? A boy from school?”
“Alexander Sterling,” I proclaimed.
“As in, the Sterlings that live in the Mansion?” my dad asked.
“The one and only!”
“Not the Sterling boy!” my mom said, shocked. “I’ve heard horror stories about him! He hangs out at cemeteries and is never seen in the light of day, like a vampire.”
“Do you think I’d be going to a dance with a vampire?”
They both stared at me strangely and said nothing.
“Don’t be like everyone else in this town!” I shouted.
“Honey, I’ve heard the stories all over town!” my mom gossiped. “Just yesterday, Natalie Mitchell was saying—”
“Mom, who are you going to believe, me or Natalie Mitchell? This night is very important. It’s Alexander’s first dance, too. He’s so dreamy and intelligent! He knows about art and culture and—”
“Cemeteries?” my dad asked.
“He’s not like what people say! He’s the most fantabulous guy in our solar system—besides you, Dad.”
“Well, in that case, have fun.”
“Paul!”
“But not in that outfit,” my dad quickly demanded. “Sarah, I’m glad she’s going to a dance. Raven’s actually going to school without being forced. This is the most normal thing she’s done lately.”
My mom glared at him.
“But not in that outfit,” he repeated.
“Dad, this is all the rage in Europe!”
“But we’re not in Europe. We’re in a quiet little town where turtlenecks are the rage. Buttoned-up collars, long sleeves, and long skirts.”
“No way!” I declared.
“This boy hasn’t been out of his room in years, and you’re going to let him escort your daughter looking like that?” my mom asked. “Paul, do something.”
My father went to the closet. “Here, wear this,” he said, handing me one of his sports coats. “It’s black.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“It’s this or my black bathrobe,” he said.
I reluctantly grabbed the coat.
“And we’ll be meeting the most fantabulous guy in the solar system when he comes to pick you up?” my mother chimed in.
“Are you kidding?” I was stunned. “Of course not!”
“It’s only right, we didn’t even know you were seeing him. We had no idea you were going to a dance.”
“You want to interrogate and embarrass him. Not to mention me.”
“That’s what dating is all about. If your date can stand the questions and the parental embarrassment, then he’s all yours,” my dad teased.
“It’s not fair! Do you want to come with us, too?”
“Yes,” they both replied.
“This is hideous! It’s the biggest night of my life, and you’re going to ruin it!”
I heard a car pulling into the driveway. “He’s here!” I screamed, peering out the window. “You guys have to be cool!” I said, running around frantically. “Channel those hippie days for me, please! Think about love beads and Joni Mitchell. Think bell-bottoms and incense, not golf pants and china,” I begged. “And nothing about cemeteries!”
I wanted this night to be perfect, like it was my wedding day. But I felt like a bride who suddenly wished she had eloped.
Now that my parents were going to meet my date, my hands began to shake. I was hoping he wouldn’t freak out sitting on their perky pastel furniture.
When the doorbell rang, I dashed to greet him. Alexander looked amazing. He was wearing a glossy, chic black three-piece suit and a red silk tie. He looked like one of the billion-dollar basketball players that I see on television interviews. He held a box wrapped in flowered paper.
“Wow!” he said, looking me over. My father nodded to me to put on the sports coat with a scolding eye. Instead I draped it over a chair.
“I should have worn a knit hat or snow boots,” he said awkwardly. “I didn’t really keep with the theme.”
“Forget it! You’ll be the best-looking guy there,” I complimented, pulling him into the living room. “These are my parents, Sarah and Paul Madison.”
“It’s wonderful to meet both of you,” Alexander said nervously, extending his hand.
“We’ve heard so much about you.” My mother glowed, taking his hand.
I gave her a cold stare.
“Please sit down,” she went on. “Would you like something to drink?”
“No, thank you.”
“Make yourself comfortable,” my dad said, motioning to the sofa, and settled into his beige recliner.
Uh-oh. I’d never had a guy over before. I could feel my dad taking full advantage. The “goals” inquisition. I prayed it went quickly.
“So, Alexander, how are you finding our town?”
“It’s been great since I met Raven,” he answered politely and smiled at me.
“So how did you two meet since you don’t attend school? Raven neglected to tell us that part.”
Oh, no! I started to squirm in my chair.
“Well, I guess we just ran into each other. I mean, it was just one of those things, the right place at the right time. Like they say, everything is about timing and luck. And I’d have to say that I have been very lucky since I met your daughter.”
My dad glared at him.
“Oh, no, that’s not what I meant,” Alexander added.
He turned to me, his ghostlike face bright red. I tried not to laugh.
“What do your parents do exactly? They aren’t in town much, are they?”
“My father is an art dealer. He has galleries in Romania, London, and New York.”
“That sounds very exciting.”
“It’s great, but he’s never home,” Alexander said. “He’s always flying around somewhere.”
My mom and dad looked at each other.
“Time to go or we’ll be late!” I quickly interjected.
“I almost forgot,” Alexander said, awkwardly standing up. “Raven, this is for you.”
He handed me the flowered box.
“Thank you!” I smiled anxiously and tore it open, revealing a gorgeous red rose corsage. “It’s beautiful!” I gave my mom and dad a look of “See? I told you so.”
“How lovely!” my mom gushed.
I held the corsage over my heart as Alexander tried to pin it on. He fumbled out of nervousness.
“Ouch!”
“Did I stick you?” he asked.
“My finger got pricked, but it’s okay.”
He stared intensely at the drop of blood on the tip of my finger.
My mom stepped between us with a tissue she grabbed from the coffee table.
“It’s nothing, Mom, just a little blood. I’m okay.” I quickly stuck the pricked finger in my mouth.
“We better go,” I said.
“Paul!” my mom pleaded.
But my dad knew better. There was nothing he could do. “Don’t forget the coat” was all he said.
I grabbed the coat and Alexander’s hand and dragged him out the door, afraid my mom would try to ward him off by making the sign of the cross.
We could hear dance music from the parking lot. No red Camaro anywhere. We were safe—for now.
“Don’t forget your jacket,” Alexander reminded me as I stepped out of the car.
“You’ll have to keep me warm.” I winked, leaving it on the backseat.
Two cheerleaders dressed for arctic temperatures stared at us with looks of horror.
I led Alexander away and we paused outside the main entrance. Alexander was like a child, inquisitive and nervous. He looked at the building with interest, like he’d never seen a school before.
“We don’t have to go inside,” I offered.
“No, that’s okay,” he said, squeezing my fingers.
Two jocks in the hallway stopped talking the instant they saw us and stared.
“You can pick up your eyeballs off the floor now,” I said as I led Alexander past the gawkers.
Alexander examined everything: the Snow
Ball signs, the bulletin board announcements, the trophy case. He ran his hand against the lockers, touching the cold metal. “It’s just like on TV!”
“Haven’t you ever been in a school?” I wondered.
“No.”
“Gosh! You’re the luckiest guy in the world. You never had to eat a school lunch. Your intestines must be in great shape!”
“But if I went here we would have met sooner.”
I hugged him close underneath the same Snow Ball banner that Trevor and I had argued beneath the day before.
Monica Havers and Jodie Carter passed us and did a double take. I thought their eyes were going to bulge right out of their pom-pom heads.
I was ready to fight if they said anything. But I could tell by the pressure on my wrist that Alexander wanted me to remain calm. The girls whispered and giggled to themselves and went on their gossipy way toward the gym.
“Here’s where I don’t learn chemistry,” I said, opening the unlocked door to my chemistry lab. “I usually have to sneak into places. This is a breeze.”
“By the way, I’ve always wanted to know why you snuck in—”
“Look at these!” I interrupted, pointing out the beakers on the lab table. “Lots of mysterious potions and explosions, but that wouldn’t bother you, right?”
“I love it!” He was holding a beaker like it was a fine wine.
I pushed him into a desk, then wrote his name on the blackboard.
“Does anybody know the symbol for potassium? Raise your hand.”
He raised his hand to the ceiling. “I do!”
“Yes, Alexander?”
“K.”
“Correct, you pass the whole year!”
“Miss Madison?” he said, raising his hand again.
“Yes?”
“Can you come here for a moment? I think I need some tutoring. Do you think you can help me?”
“But I just gave you an A!”
“It’s more along the lines of anatomy.”
I stepped over. He pulled me onto his lap and kissed me softly on the mouth.
We heard some giggling girls run past the open door. “We better go,” he suggested.