Bella Notte (13 page)

Okay, let's think
this through. Something is up with Kelly. Dominic is here. Maybe
they're in it together? I know Kelly doesn't like me- she never got
over kindergarten. I also know Dominic got into some trouble for what
he did. So, this is some scam they're playing against me. My monster
movies are just movies, vampires and things like that don't really
exist. Damn them both for screwing around tonight.
My temper was getting the better of me.

“
Mike, we're
going to ignore them. Kelly and Dominic. Tonight is about us and I'm
sure this is some trick they're playing, I mean it is trick or treat
night after all.” I was trying to put all my conviction behind
the words- I so desperately wanted them to be true, no one wants to
believe that there really are things that go bump in the night.

“
Alright,
Emma. Tonight is our night- but if he gets out of line at all, I'm so
there. I'm sure you're right about them screwing around too.” I
could feel the anger begin to burn itself out as he looked at me.

I turned from
Dominic and made sure Kelly wasn't in my view. Mike and I glided
gracefully back into the crowd of welcoming comments. The night
turned into a beautiful event. I managed to avoid both Kelly and
Dominic the rest of the evening.

As the night began
to wrap up, all the votes had been counted and now it was time to
announce the king and queen. My heart beat quicker and my palms
actually began to sweat. Mike gripped my hand as Principal Taylor
walked up to the stage.

“
Ghouls and
goblins, now, as the witching hour approaches, it is time to crown
the royalty of the night.” His voice boomed in the gym.

“
I can't stand
this,” I said to Mike.

The principal had
the envelope for the queen in his hand. He popped the seal and began
to speak, “Our queen of the night, who will haunt amongst her
undead following, is none other than...” He paused for effect
and someone yelled, “Hurry up.” “It is our very own
Goth girl- Emma Hutchinson!”

The room filled with
applause and cheers. I let go of Mike's hand and used my gliding walk
to get to the stage. I turned to face the crowd and felt the wreath
of black and red roses placed on my head. Cheers rose once again.

“
Congratulations,
my Little Emma Bird.” I felt his words on my neck.

My body froze in
instinct.
How
did he get behind me? How did I not notice him? He must have put the
wreath on my head. Ugh.
I shivered and watched Mike's eyes on me. He knew something was
wrong.
I
have to do something
.
I smiled wide and open. The effect was instant, I bared my fangs –
the crowd gasped and cheered. So easy to please. But Mike's eyes
still showed he was concerned.

Principal Taylor was
speaking again. “Whereas the vote for our queen was unanimous,
the vote for our king was split completely in half- exactly. I was
the one who had to break the vote. I felt that this would be the best
welcome I could offer to our new student.” He paused.

Thank God, it's
Mike.

“
So, without
further adieu, our king, to stand beside our lovely queen, is none
other than our new student ... Dominic DeDominico.”

The crowd cheered.
What?
New student? Holy crap!
I looked at Mike and we both had fury in our eyes.

Dominic stepped out
from behind me. He was dressed as Dracula.
Oh
my God, we match. AH
!
He took his cape and did an elaborate bow. He smiled as I had and
bared his fangs as well. It had the same effect.
God
I hate him.
He was crowned by a dazed looking Kelly.
Okay
I really want this night to end now.

Mike stepped to the
stairs to the stage and he was waiting for me.

“
Now, Dracula
and his bride will have their dance.”

The room turned
black except for the numbing glow of the spotlight hitting us.
Dominic held out his hand to me.
I'd
like to do something with that hand.

Instead of beating
him with his own hand- I took it as to not make a show. We walked
down the opposite stairs Mike was standing at, but I knew Mike could
easily follow the spotlight. I couldn't see anything but Dominic. He
led me out to the center of the gym. The area cleared instantly and
we swept into yet another waltz.

“
Why are you
here?” I hissed through my fanged teeth.

“
Because
you're mine.” His words held only a possessive tone.

“
I belong to
myself. Besides, I'm already with someone.” I sneered at him.

“
It doesn't
matter about your pet; he'll leave your mind once the change occurs.
I am patient.” His tone never changed.
God
save me
.

“
I still won't
want you; even if Mike decided he didn't want to be with me.”
It hurt to say the words but I needed it to be clear that I wouldn't
leave Mike.

He laughed. “Oh,
Emma. You are naïve. It doesn't matter what you say now
anyways.” He smiled again.

“
What did you
do to Kelly?” I wanted to change the subject and I needed to
know that Kelly was fine.

“
Nothing that
she didn't ask for. She'll be fine. You know she's jealous of you
right?” He cooed at me.

“
What? No she
isn't.” I shook my head but kept my smile in place. I wouldn't
make a scene here.

“
Oh, she is.
You walk to your own tune. You shun those that don't and you easily
drew Michael to you.” His voice held laughter.

The music stopped
and flowed into a new song.

“
Thank you for
the dance, Dominic, but my
date
is waiting for me. Welcome to our school.” I pulled away from
him and backed into Mike.

He nearly growled as
he stared at Dominic with hatred. Dominic merely smiled and bowed to
Mike, as if inviting him to do something. Then he walked off with
Kelly who had apparently followed the light as well. Mike exhaled a
long breath and we swept into another dance- it was fast and helped
to relieve some of the tension that had just formed.

By the end of the
dance, Mike and I were once again in good spirits. Everything had
fallen back into place.

Mike and I rode to
my house in the hearse in silence. When we got there, he smiled and
gave me a gentle kiss.

“
Goodnight, my
love, I'll write to you.” He got on his bike and took off.

I went inside and
upstairs. I gratefully put on my satin jammies and climbed into bed.
Sleep took me instantly. I only hoped for a dream free night- even
though I knew I'd definitely have at least one.

The next days passed
easily and I never saw Dominic at school. It was strange how he
managed to avoid us. I knew if he was really in town then I would
definitely see him on Thanksgiving. All I had to do was wait- I knew
Dominic wasn't as patient, he'd show himself.

Mike and I spent the
weekend watching old monster movies. I told him about what I thought
was wrong with Kelly. He, of course, looked at me as though my brain
was oozing out of my ears. I still thought it made sense, especially
while we watched the old vampire flicks but I couldn't convince him.

The following week
of school was filled with tests. I wanted to kill all the teachers
for their evil plotting- unfortunately, I couldn't. I had to pass all
my tests to keep my valedictorian position. I know what you're
thinking-
me,
valedictorian?
I needed to ensure I'd get out of this town, so I made sure I'd have
my ticket to any school that I wanted. The problem was that Mike was
giving me a good run for my money. I also knew Mike had intentionally
let me get higher grades in some classes. He knew how desperately I
wanted out. So, I spent that week taking tests and asking for extra
credit to keep my lead on Mike.

After the evil tests
and my attempt to do as much extra credit as I could get my hands on-
another week flew by.
It's
scary how fast things are moving
.
I spent the weekend with Mike again, but this time we were trying to
make some sort of plan for Thanksgiving.

“
Okay, so we
get the day before and the day after- which gives us a five day
weekend. Woot!” I laughed.

“
Sure put you
in a good mood. I know I'll have family over for the days we have off
from school. But my weekend
should
be free,” Mike huffed.

“
Well, I've
got family coming too. They're
supposed
to
leave Friday. So we are doing
something
this weekend.” I smiled at Mike.

“
Okay. Are you
sure you're gonna be okay with that evil Dominic while he's here?
Yes, I know he'll be here.” I heard the concern instantly.

“
I'm not even
gonna ask how you know that. But, yes, I am positive I'll be fine. If
anything goes too wonky I'll leave and go to your house.” I
batted my lashes at him.

“
Um, I don't
know about that, Em. My family's kinda weird about holidays and
outsiders. But, if you need me, call okay. I'll figure out
something.” He became extremely nervous.

“
Whoa, I don't
want to make waves for you. Besides, I'm not easily turned into a
damsel in distress. You know that.” My brow scrunched together
as I tried to sound not hurt.
That's
odd
.
I've
never met his family.

“
Emma, it
isn't you- it's my nutty family.” His eyes seemed to plead with
me to understand.

“
Mike, why
haven't I met your family?” My mind was lost to the idea that
he didn't want me to meet them.

“
My family is
kinda strange about bringing people over without permission. Since I
am still kind of new to the whole school circle, they're being weird
about bringing anyone over.” He smiled weakly.

“
Mike, do you
know that I can tell when you're lying? I find it to be a very useful
skill.” My brow arched up and my smug smirk appeared.

“
Em.” It
was all he said and I knew.

“
Its okay,
Mike. So our families don't like each other, I'll live. At least we
can still hang out at my house.” I smiled but I still felt
hurt.

“
Yeah, but
only if I don't come in contact with your rents.” He looked
away with a pout.

“
Well, maybe
there's bad blood between the two, like in
Romeo
& Juliet
.”
I was clinging to anything.

“
Great. We're
gonna have to die to fix it,” he sighed.

The dreams!
“Mike that so isn't funny.” My voice came out in a sigh.

Mike looked at me
with concern and then the idea must have hit him- his eyes went wide
as saucers. “Oh, Emma. I shouldn't have said that. I never want
anything to happen to you.” He grabbed me in a bone shattering
hug.

“
Mike- can't,
can't breathe!” I panted until he let go.

After that we both
seemed a little drained. There was so much I didn't even know that I
wanted to, and Mike always knew more than me. He even appeared to
know what was going to happen with this “change”,
something I desperately wanted and needed to know anything about.

Mike decided to go
home and I sat in my room watching the sheer red curtains blowing in
the wind.
So,
Mike and I will see each other after Thanksgiving. That's at least a
comforting thought. What's up with our families? Perhaps it has to do
with the stuff Grandpa said he wouldn't tell me about.
I sighed at all the secrecy that suddenly was everywhere at once.