New Boy in School...And He's a Vampire?!

New Boy in School...And He's a Vampire?! [Chapter Three]

I was standing in front of my closet nervously pawing through the clothes I had. I must have had a hundred different outfits but I couldn’t find one single thing to wear.

Where was Daria when you needed her? Oh, that’s right, she was out with her date.

I tried not to think spiteful things at Daria but it was proving difficult as I ran out of clothes to go through. Suddenly I was rethinking my lack of dresses. Usually, when Daria and I went to a party, I just wore a dress of hers and she’d always find the perfect one to make me look stunning.

The best I’d found so far was an old jean skirt my father had bought for me once when he demanded I go to a work meeting with him. I’d never had to do it again, as I had acted out, so he’d never bought me anymore. I wasn’t even sure if it fit me anymore.

Finally, after what seemed like hours and my room looked like tornado alley, I found a small, black dress.

It was fairly simple: short, tight at the top and then loose around the waist and backless with skinny shoulder straps to hold it up. It wasn’t really my ideal dress for partying, but it would have to do.

I slipped it on and dug around for my black stilettos, sliding them on and trying not to break my ankle as I made my way to the dresser. I had already done my makeup so all I had to do was put in some earrings and brush my hair.

I didn’t think I looked too horrible.

The doorbell rang and my mind flashed to my father once again. He’d always ring the doorbell when he came home, and then he’d unlock it. I could never figure out why he did it but it always gave me time to stop doing whatever I was that I shouldn’t have been. I was never caught with boys when they weren’t supposed to be over.

I rushed downstairs, more nervous than rational and opened the door.

Kaiden was extremely, amazingly beautiful, as he had been at school. I felt suddenly overdressed. Here I was in a ridiculous, (ridiculously short, that is) dress and he was only wearing worn jeans and a button up black shirt.

Somehow, however, he looked much more formal than I did.

“You look great.” He smiled and I beamed, forgetting my worries. He held out his hand and I took, reaching behind me to lock the door. We walked slowly to the car in silence.

Once he had pulled out of my driveway he asked, “So what are these kinds of parties like?”

I shrugged, thinking about it. “It’s pretty much like any other party only Dawn’s are always better somehow.”

“I’ve never been to a party.” Kaiden admitted looking over at me with a small smirk.

“Oh.” This confused me for a moment but then I remembered that he wasn’t from around here. Wherever he came from may have had different.. activities. “Well... we all dance and most people get drunk. And there’s an inside pool at Dawn’s so you can swim if you want. And people play all kinds of games.”

I blushed at this, remembering a particularly scanty game that had taken place at the last party.

Kaiden noticed my blush and looked thoughtful. “It sounds like a bunch of buffoons go and get drunk and hookup with other people.”

I laughed. “Yeah, it pretty much is.”

He smirked at me, shaking his head slightly.

We arrived at the party a few minutes late and most everyone was already there. One of Dawn’s boyfriends came out to park the car but Kaiden said he could handle it and drove around him.

I laughed. “You know, you’re supposed to let him park it for you. Then you and your date get to walk down the sidewalk and inside and look all elegant and stunning.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’d rather not have some drunk wreck my car.”

And I had to admit, it was a valid worry, as the guy was wobbling around looking very unsteady.

“Besides,” he said, parking and shutting off the engine. “We still get to walk up the sidewalk this way.”

He got out and walked around my side of the car and opened my door for me then led me up to the sidewalk, smirking and looking quiet stunning. We linked arms and people started taking pictures immediately.

Kaiden leaned close to my ear. “Why are they taking pictures of us?” He whispered.

I shivered. His breath was cold. “Dawn likes to document her parties. And I think they’re taking pictures ofyou, actually.”

He laughed. “I wouldn’t be so sure.” It was dark so I couldn’t really tell, but I thought I saw his eyes dance down my body.

Once we were inside, I began to look for Daria. I craned my neck, noticing how it felt when my shoulder rubbed against Kaiden’s. He tugged at my arm lightly and pointed toward the couch by the window where Daria and Matt sat, entangled. Kaiden led the way over to them.

“Hey girl!” Daria yelled over the music. Her eyes traveled over Kaiden’s and my linked arms. I pulled mine away, trying to be subtle. Matt and I nodded to each other in greeting. He didn’t look like he was enjoying himself much. He looked kind of sick, actually.

Kaiden nodded at the empty couch and we took a seat.

Within five minutes the conversation I was having with Daria and Kaiden was interrupted by a shy-looking blonde girl.

“Would you like to dance?” She asked Kaiden, blushing furiously. She shot me an apologetic look and I couldn’t help but smile encouragingly back. The poor girl.

Kaiden mercifully stood and walked to the dance floor with her. Matt muttered something about drinks and then left, leaving Daria and I alone. I sat beside her.

“How are things going?” She asked.

“Fine.” I laughing, picking up on her tone at once. “With you?”

She sighed heavily. “I really just want to get out of here.”

I looked at her with shock. Daria never, as a general rule, left one of Dawn’s parties before she had to forcefully remove them. “Did something happen with Matt?” I asked quietly, putting my arm around Daria.

Daria leaned against me and laid her head on my shoulder. “I dunno. I thought it was great... But he’s barely even spent any time with me tonight. He’s just been saying he needs a drink or running off to the bathroom. Then he’ll come back for a bit and then leave again.” She sounded so sad.

I stroked Daria’s hair. “I’m sure it’s just nerves or something.” Daria nodded and straightened up.

“Anyway, I’m going to go to the back patio for a little quiet. Do you want to come?”

I nodded and we walked toward the back of the house. I didn’t see Kaiden anywhere.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

KAIDEN’S POV

Celia, Daria and I were talking when a small, blonde girl walked over. She looked so embarrassed I wanted to laugh.

“Would you like to dance?” She asked, blushing. She glanced at Celia, looking even more embarrassed. I glanced at her too. Celia was smiling up at the girl.

I stood and followed the girl out onto the dance floor. She was a good dancer. She wasn’t like the other girls I could see dancing around us; she didn’t try to come too close to me or danceonme. I smiled, trying to seem like I was having fun.

Why did I agree to come to this stupid party?

My thoughts flitted back to Celia. Her skin was so soft and warm. And she had a smile that just made you want to be near her.

The song was over and the girl was saying something to me. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” I asked, leaning in slightly to hear.

She blushed. “I said that my name is Courtney.” She smiled.

“It’s nice to meet you.” I held out my hand and she shook it. She seemed like a pretty nice girl.

“I have to go. I’m sorry.” She didn’t look hurt or try to stop me, like I expected. She just smiled and started in the other direction. I felt guilty for a moment.

Then I looked around for Celia or Daria. I didn’t seem them so I took a deep breath, trying to smell Celia. She had such a unique scent. It was... almost floral but with a deep kind of perfume that I couldn’t describe.

I couldn’t pick it up, with so many people so close to me. Which reminded me why I probably shouldn’t have come here.

I started walking toward the back of the house. I noticed one girl dancing very explicitly. She had on a very pink, v-neck shirt, showing off her neck perfectly.

I took a step toward her then shook my head slowly and forced myself to go out back and get some fresh air.

I could smell Celia even before I got to the doorway. I hesitated, listening.

“Aw, Dar. He must like you, he asked you to come with him.” Celia was saying.

“Yeah.” It was Daria’s voice this time. She sounded kind of put-out. “Speaking of the boys that asked us here–”

Celia sighed, cutting her off. “I dunno, okay.”

Daria giggled. “So you like him then?” After a short pause she giggled again.

“He’s so... I dunno, mysterious. I feel like he’s hiding something.” Celia said quietly. He imagined how her eyes would be distracted as she gazed off into space, as they had been at lunch, when he’d asked her to accompany him here.

She thought he was mysterious. Hiding something.

If only she knew.