nt size"I don't trust her," I said.
He pushed my sweaty hair away from my face and took the drink from my hand and placed it on the bar.
"You did all that so we could be together?" he asked, massaging my cola-sticky hand.
"Uh-huh."
"That might be one of the sweetest things in the world," he said. "But don't worry - it will take more than pink eyelashes to keep me away from you." d
Chapter 2 Believe It or Not
I still can't believe Alexander is a real vampire," Becky said the following day at Evans Park. We met at the swings, our usual outdoor hangout. No one was around, and we could talk freely about the Underworld.
Becky had a revulsion to my favorite haunts - cemeteries - and the swings always brought back memories of childhood. And I loved that swinging as high as I could gave me the closest feeling I ever had to flying.
"It's really hard to imagine that it is true," she continued, trying to keep up with me.
"I know," I shouted proudly. "And there's more. Jagger and Luna. Scarlet and Onyx. And Romeo..."
"And Sebastian?" she asked.
"Yes. Cool, isn't it? And to think they are all living here in Dullsville."
"It is so overwhelming. But most of all, Alexander."
Becky was full of questions about the Underworld. And even if I'd already answered them, she wanted me to tell her again.
Becky dragged her white Keds into the dirt, and I followed suit with my untied combat boots. "When did you know?" she asked as I caught my breath. "I mean really know, like I do now?"
"I suspected when I first met him - especially because the people around town were saying his family were vampires. But I didn't really know for certain until I didn't see his reflection in Ruby's compact mirror."
"And you didn't tell me," she said with a sad longing.
"I wanted to!" I responded sincerely.
"I know it must have been hard. I'd have to tell you something like that immediately." I'd always felt guilty that I hadn't blabbed the vampire news to my friend then. But I also had an obligation to Alexander. And the more I grew to know him, the more the sense of obligation was stronger.
"I wanted to every time I saw you," I defended. "I even tried once - "
"I know you did. I guess I just wasn't ready to hear it."
"And now you are," I said.
"It's hard for me not to want to tell everyone, too. My parents..."
"But you know you can't!" I insisted. "If word gets out, they'll all be run out of town. And that includes Alexander."
"I know. But it's so hard. That's why I have to talk about it with you."
"Have you told Matt?" I asked.
She appeared shocked, as if I'd caught her stealing candy. "You said I could!"
"I know. I couldn't imagine you keeping it from him, and for some reason he doesn't seem to have loose lips."
"Well, I told him."
"Did he freak out?"
"Yes. I still don't think he believes me. But I think the fact that I knew made me seem more worldly or something to him."
"That's cool."
"I thought so, too." Becky grinned. "So what's it really like dating a vampire? You have to wait all day to see Alexander?"
"Yes."
"Like now?"
"Uh-huh."
"Until the sun sets?" she asked, looking at the bright sky.
I nodded.
"Isn't that awful? I can see Matt at school and on the weekend. How can you take it? You are missing so much."
"Thanks for reminding me," I said sarcastically.
"I just mean..."
"I know. That part is a drag." It was one of the many reasopire many ns I longed to become a vampire - so Alexander and I could be together full-time. "But since I like the nighttime and sleep through most days when I can, it's really the perfect fit," I told her.
"Does he sleep in a coffin?" she asked.
"Yes."
"Have you seen it?"
"Yes.
"Is it in a dungeon?"
"No, in a small room off of his bedroom."
"Have you been inside it?"
"Yes."
"Oooh. I bet you loved it!"
"I did!"
"Do you think... I could see it sometime?"
"I'm sure you can."
"I can't imagine Alexander sleeping in a coffin. I mean, I can - he is different, in a good way. But Matt - everything is pretty normal about him. I can't imagine what I'd do if I went to his room and found him sleeping in a casket."
"I know exactly what you'd do. Faint!"
Her cheeks flushed as we both laughed. "But for you," she began, "isn't it a dream come true for you really, to be dating a vampire?"
"It is, Becky. It is. And I'm so happy that we can finally talk about it. I've been dying to tell you for ages."
"And does he really drink...?"
I nodded eagerly as she cringed.
"And you still want to become one?"
"And you still want to become one?"
I nodded again.
"Does he try to bite you?"
"No, but I wish he would."
She shook her head at me. "So do you think it will happen?" she asked, slightly terrified, clinging to the swing's metal chain link.
I was quiet for a moment.
She hung on for my answer.
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"It takes two for me to become a vampire. I can't do it alone. I need Alexander."
"Of course. Isn't he willing?"
"He wants to protect me from his world. He thinks I might hate it. I understand his struggle. It's a big decision to make for someone else."
"That is a big decision."
And something I wanted so badly to happen. "But he did take my blood," I confessed proudly. This was big news, and I felt like I'd burst with joy to finally be sharing it with my best friend.
"You are kidding!"
"No!" I exclaimed. "I had a cut - just like you did that night when you fell and Sebastian took..."
"What?"
Then I realized. Becky hadn't known what Sebastian had done that night. "Oh ... nothing."
"No. What were you going to say?" she pressed.
"Uh ... it's not important."
"You have to tell me. What do you mean, that night I fell?"
"Uh ... you skinned your knee."
"I know - I remember that. And Sebastian helped me when I began to bleed." Her eyes grew wide as she remembered. "Oh no! Then you pushed him away. I thought it was odd then - that you struggled with him when he was trying to help me. But now that I know... Did he bite me? Did Sebastian bite me? Am I going to be a...?"