“Oh no!” I covered my mouth in shock.
“I better go.” Phoenix revved up the motorcycle while I took off for the Crypt.
Sebastian gave me a death stare. His shoulders were tense and his face was fierce.
“Let me explain—” I started.
“I can’t believe you — after all Alexander’s done for you? And you do this to him?”
“It’s not—”
“With some guy you’ve just met?”
“I already know him. It’s not like you think. You don’t even know what you’re talking about.”
“So you’ve been seeing him before — and that’s your excuse?”
“I didn’t mean—”
“So help me!” Sebastian was so hurt. I wanted desperately to tell him who Phoenix was, but if I did, the whole plan would be ruined.
“It’s not what you think,” I pleaded with him.
“What’s there to think? You were making out with another guy and you’re supposed to be in love with my best friend!”
“Please, Sebastian. Don’t — you’ve misunderstood everything.”
“No, I’ve only misunderstood one thing — you.” He stepped past me and disappeared into the Crypt.
I felt as awful as if I had cheated on Alexander. Maybe the image was just as bad, if no one knew the truth.
I would have told Sebastian, but if he had loose lips, Alexander’s cover as Phoenix would be blown. Even the events at the Coffin Club, where it was actually Alexander who prevailed at getting the vampire club to be civil, would now be known. And the worst part was that Jagger would feel betrayed and double-crossed and the truce would be broken.
That was something we couldn’t afford.
I headed back into the Crypt. I tried to dance my feelings off on the dance floor. But when I saw Alexander’s back sitting at the bar, next to Sebastian, I hurried over.
Sebastian didn’t even turn around. I scooted next to Alexander.
“Sebastian hates me,” I whispered in his ear. “He has lost all respect for me.”
“He should. You were kissing someone else!” he said softly.
“Please, Alexander. It’s not funny. We should tell him.”
“But what if he spills it to Luna? I don’t think we can take the chance.”
“So this is how it will be?” I asked. “He’ll go on thinking I’m cheating on you?”
“For the time being.”
“I feel like Trevor,” I mumbled, “but with a conscience.”
“So, did you miss me?” Alexander said loud enough for Sebastian to hear. “What did you do until I arrived?”
Sebastian finally turned toward me. “Yes, Raven, what did you do?”
“I waited patiently for you to come,” I said, giving Alexander a squeeze.
“Yes, that’s exactly what she did,” Sebastian said. “Waited by herself. All alone.”
“Well, I was going to ask you to keep an eye on her, but you don’t need to do that with Raven,” he teased.
“I think you might want to start keeping an eye on her,” Sebastian warned. “She isn’t as patient as she looks.”
The next day Becky and I arrived at school to an unusual sight. Students were buzzing about the Crypt, and I noticed several girls wearing the same T-shirt Becky had given me for my birthday — black with THE CRYPT in white skeleton bone letters.
“That club rocks!” I heard the Prada-bee say to her friend. Her Crypt shirt was over her long-sleeve button down. “I can’t wait to go again.”
“I’m going every night,” her friend retorted. She was wearing one, too, but it was underneath her green cashmere cardigan.
“How did they get those?” I asked Becky.
“I don’t know,” she said, just as bewildered as I was.
Several other students we passed as we headed to our lockers had Crypt shirts, but even those who didn’t were blabbing about the fantastic time they had at the new club.
I was so pleased that even though I was still looked at as an oddball, we were all sharing in the same joy that was the Crypt.
Now that Alexander (as Phoenix) was key in cementing Jagger’s mortals-only club policy, I breathed a sigh of relief knowing that my fellow students, family, and townspeople were in no immediate danger from unknown vampires. Maybe Scarlet, Onyx, and Sebastian would be staying in Dullsville. It would be a dream for me to spend time with them and Alexander in the darkened hours. Even Jagger and Luna, who were far from what I’d call best friends, could be a nice addition to this town. Jagger had made a fantasy of mine come true — and I had to give him major props for that.
And by the number of Crypt T-shirt — wearing students, Jagger could be next in line to my own nemesis, Trevor, in being Dullsville’s most popular.
I opened my locker.
“Can you believe that tonight is finally your joint birthday party?” Becky said.
“I’m so excited, I can’t wait. I wish we could just skip the school part and head straight to the club. But you know I wish that every day.”
She laughed.
“But seriously, I can’t even concentrate. I have a test third period and all I can think about are tombstones.”
“What are you wearing?” Becky asked.
“I’ve tried on a million things. I can’t decide between a minidress and a corset one.”
“I can’t believe that out of all the students, we get invites for the party. And you are the guest of honor,” Becky gushed.
As we shut our locker doors, I walked proudly down the hallway, knowing I was going to open the Covenant just for us.
When we turned the corner, I bumped into Trevor, who was wearing a black Crypt T-shirt.
“Where did you get that?” I asked.
“I’m all out. Too bad I only have the one I’m wearing. Want to swap shirts? We can change here,” he suggested with a wink.
“Thanks, but it would be best for all of us if you kept your shirt on.”
The truth was Trevor had the best physique in school, but I wasn’t about to tell him that. Besides, he already knew.
“So are you going to wear that special bracelet?” Trevor whispered as Becky got a quick drink at the water fountain.
I didn’t say anything. My usual stinging barbs would have been funny but not totally appropriate. Trevor had given me a present — a real one. And to slam him would have made me a heel.
“Thank you,” I said. “It was beautiful.”
He was surprised at my sincerity.
I felt like hugging him. It was the right thing to do. I know he would have wanted a kiss, but I wasn’t about to get sick to my stomach.
Trevor looked like he didn’t know what to do. He was ready to slam me back, but since I had said something nice, he was speechless. He just grinned awkwardly and walked away.
“Hey, Trevor,” I called.
“Yeah?” he asked, stopping. He stood with his hands on his hips, probably sure this time I was going to hurl a major verbal assault. He grinned like a champion.
I scurried up to him and before he could move, I hugged him. I hugged him so hard, I could feel his heart racing.
For a moment I locked my hands together behind his back, like one hugging someone they really cared about would. I’d caught Trevor off guard.
He didn’t know what to do. For a moment he didn’t return my hug. Then he softened, as if he’d waited all his life for this display of affection. Just as he drew his arms around me, I stepped back.
Trevor smiled a bigger smile than I’d ever seen.
It was the least I could do. I was so excited about the party that even pressing my body against my nemesis to show my gratitude wasn’t going to spoil it.
“Now I have to burn these clothes,” I said to him as Becky caught up to me and I slipped inside my classroom.
Becky showed up at my house well before sunset. We modeled our outfits and tried out different hairstyles. She looked stellar in a black cami with a demi sweater and violet rayon skirt.