All eyes were on Trevor.
"Alexander, go back inside," I urged. But he didn't move.
"He hangs out in the cemetery for freakin' sake!" Trevor said, pointing to my Gothic Mate. "There were no bats in this town before he came!" he shouted.
"And there weren't losers in this town before you came!" I said.
"Raven, calm down," my father admonished sternly.
"Enough of this!" Matt said, bursting forth, with Jack Patterson right behind him.
"Look here! I've been attacked!" Trevor exclaimed, pointing to a scratch on his neck. "By a bat! I'm going to have to get freakin' rabies shots!"
"Let it go, Trevor," Matt said, exhausted.
"It happened on the way here. I'd called your house and your mom said you were partying at freak Mansion. What's up with that? You were supposed to be hanging out with me!"
"You've done this to yourself," Matt answered. "I'm through driving you around town so you can spread your stupid rumors. You've played me long enough, Trev."
"But I was right! They are vampires!" Trevor shouted. "And I was right when I didn't invite you," Matt said.
"You guys are crazy. Partying with freaks!" Trevor argued, glaring at us all.
"Okay, Trevor, that's enough," my father said, stepping toward him.
"I didn't have anything to do with this," Alexander said, confused.
"I think we know that," I confirmed.
"But--" Trevor began, his angry eyes thirsting for blood.
"I'd rather not have to call your father," my dad finally said, putting his hand on Trevor's shoulder.
Trevor was fuming, but he was running out of steam. There was no one here who'd fall for his jokes, take his side, think he was wonderful for scoring a winning goal. No giggling girls who wanted to date a soccer snob or hang with him anymore because he was popular. There was nothing left for him to do but leave.
"You just wait--my dad owns this town!" he said, as he stormed off. It was the only thing he could say.
"Don't forget to use some ice on that," my mom advised as if she were Florence Nightingale.
"He needs a tranquilizer gun, not ice, Mom."
We all watched as Trevor reached the gate and was finally gone.
"Well, we had planned on a singing telegram, but they must have gotten the instructions wrong," my dad joked. The crowd laughed with relief.
Alexander and I hung onto each other for comfort. The children began running around, pretending to be vampires. Later, after Alexander had said good-bye to his neighbors, Becky found me cleaning up the refreshment table.
"I'm sorry," she said.
"Are you going to apologize for the rest of your life?"
I gave her a Ruby squeeze-hug. "See you tomorrow," Becky said with tired eyes.
"I thought your parents already left."
"They keep farm hours, you know. Early to bed and early to rise."
"Then who are we riding with?" I asked, confused.
"Matt."
"Matt!"
She smiled an I-have-a-crush smile. "He's not as snobby as he seems."
"I know. Who would have thought?"
"He's never ridden on a tractor before," Becky said. "Do you think he says that to every girl?"
"No, Becky, I think he really means it!"
"C'mon, Becky," Matt called, just like he used to call Trevor.
"I'll catch up in a minute," I said. I was helping Jameson with the last of the party trash when Alexander descended the stairs, wearing a cape, slicked-back hair, and fake vampire teeth.
"My dream vampire," I said.
He pulled me close in the hallway.
"You tried to save me tonight," he said. "I will be eternally grateful."
"Eternally," I said with a grin.
"Hopefully someday I'll return the favor."
I giggled as he nibbled on my neck. "I don't want to go," I whined. "But Becky is waiting. See you tomorrow?" I asked. "Same bat time? Same bat channel?"
He walked me to the door and playfully bit me on the neck with his vampire teeth.
I laughed and tried to pull the fake teeth out of his mouth.
"Ouch," he exclaimed.
"You're not supposed to Superglue them on!"
"Raven, you don't still believe in vampires, do you?" he asked.
"I think you've cured me of that," I answered. "But I'm going to keep the black lipstick."
He gave me a long, heavenly good-night kiss.
As I turned to leave, I noticed Ruby's monogrammed compact on the doorstep and picked it up. I opened it to smooth out my lipstick. I saw the Mansion's open door reflected in its glass.
"Sweet dreams," I heard Alexander say. But he didn't appear in the mirror.
I turned around. Alexander was clearly standing in the doorway.
But when I checked the mirror again, he was gone!
When I turned around once again, I found the serpent door knob staring me in the face. I rapped on it desperately.
"Alexander! Alexander!"
I backed away from the door in disbelief. I slowly retreated and stared up at the attic window. The light came on.
"Alexander!" I called.
He peered out from behind the ruffled curtains, my Gothic Guy, my Gothic Mate, my Gothic Prince, my Knight of the Night. Looking down at me, longingly. He touched the window with the palm of his hand. I stood motionless. As I began to reach toward him, he withdrew from the curtain and the light vanished.
Chapter 22 Deadline
My childhood dream had come true, but it was more of a nightmare than I could have imagined. I lay awake all night, trying to make sense of it all.
The guy I was in love with was really a vampire? Would I spend eternity as a cool ghoul?
I didn't react to this development in the way I'd always dreamed. I didn't pick up the phone to call CNN. In fact, the whole ride home with Becky I didn't say a word, only stared out the window in disbelief as she flirted with Matt.
At home I locked myself in my bedroom. I scoured my vampire books for answers but found none. I rehearsed telling him that I loved him, no matter who or what he was. That his secret was safe with me. But was I prepared to leave everything I knew? Trade my world for his? Leave my parents? Becky? Even Billy Boy? I stared at my reflection in the full-length mirror, as if for the last time.
I spent the next day at the cemetery, pacing in front of the baroness's monument. As soon as the sun set behind the trees, I took off for the Mansion.
When I came around the hill, I noticed the gate was locked. I scaled the fence to find the Mansion even more eerie and lonely than usual. The Mercedes was gone and the lights were off. I rang the bell, over and over. I rapped on the serpent knocker. No one answered. I peered through the living room window. White sheets were draped over the furniture. I ran around back and pressed my nose against the basement window. I couldn't breathe. The crates of earth were no longer there!