Starstreak

A Magical Night

It was nice to finally have a complete family (I'm excluding my dad). Although Jordin did leave Jewel and I haven't seen him since. He told me he wanted to make a name for himself. One that didn't have Dad's shadow weighing down on him. I understood completely, so I didn't get in the way, but it still hurt.

I still remember the night he left. I had been trying my best not to cry, wearing a mask of emotionless stone. Jordin could see right through it, though.

"You know, I'm not leaving forever," he said.

I nodded vaguely. It certainly did feel that way. Jordin hadn't told me where he was going, and it wasn't helping the situation. "Es fühlt sich auf jeden Fall wie eine Ewigkeit an," I murmured. It definitely feels like forever.

Jordin let out a breath. "Do you really think I'd just leave after just finding you?"

I thought about that and shook my head. I glanced at Jordin's arm where his scar was. Jordin almost always wore a jacket to conceal it from view. Again understandable, it would be quite alarming to see it randomly on the street, and who knows what people would think of it. I shivered in spite of myself. Jordin kept trying to tell me that he didn't care about the scar, although I still felt guilty about it.

"Ich möchte nicht, dass du gehst, aber ich weiß, dass ich dich nicht aufhalten kann," I said quietly. I don't want you to go, but I know I can't stop you.

That night laid heavily on my mind for the next few days until what he had said to me finally made sense. He'd be back. When he would I couldn't say. I don't think Jordin himself knew when he'd return. All I knew was that he would. I guess I just had to wait and see.

School was as it always was. Brittany was still testing my nerves to their full extent. But now when she made one of her vampire insults I'd look at her and say, "Maybe I would like a taste of blood to finally satisfy my everlasting thirst," or something like that. If I wanted to really scare her I'd lick my lips as if I was thinking of sinking my fangs into her neck right then and there. The fear on her face gave me a thrill not unlike looking into the eyes of a criminal who'd just been caught.

Of course, everyone was also getting increasingly jittery about the upcoming prom dance. Guys were asking out girls who immediately ran to their friends to tell them the news. Candidates for the prom king and queen were setting up campaigns that I mainly ignored; I didn't care who was voted for that kind of thing. I just found it annoying AF. Plus I didn't really care who got it even if it was Brittany.

The weeks went by in a flash and before I knew it, it was the day everyone had been so eager for. Prom night.

Prom was the week before the last week of school, so I was busy cleaning out my locker since the last week was entirely for my final exams.

"Hey, Raven," said Zara from behind me.

I was startled out of my thoughts and whipped around to face her. "Oh, hey, Zara," I replied.

"You still coming to Prom?" she asked. "I mean, I completely understand if you don't."

"Yeah, why wouldn't I?" I answered, grinning.

"Anyone asked you out?" I shook my head unphased. Zara pressed on, though. "How about Alex? I was sure he'd ask you at some point." The words felt like a jab at all my heartstrings. He hadn't asked me out, and it was pretty much too late now for him to ask me to the dance. Not unless he caught me as I was walking home. Which was a pretty unlikely scenario since I'd barely seen him since that night. And the truth was, I'd kind of wanted to go with him.

I nodded solemnly. Zara looked sympathetic. She leaned forward and clasped my hands in hers. "I'm sure it'll be a fantastic night anyway."

I smiled weakly. Then I shoved all thoughts of Alex from my mind and flashed a grin at Zara. "It's a party, you know I will."