Eighth Grade Bites

Halloween 3

Henry ran ahead, calling over his shoulder for Vlad to catch up. Just as Henry was stepping onto the porch of Matthews house. Music was blaring from the open door, and flecks of coloured lights hit the porch from inside. Matthews mum greeted them with laughter. 'Well, come on it, you devil dudes! The party's started and is totally rockin!!'

Vlad and Henry exchanged looks. It was both sad and annoying when adults tried to act cool. They walked inside.

Vlad counted twenty of his schoolmates before he gave up trying to figure out how many were there, but not before he noticed Meredith standing near the punch bowl at the opposite end of the room, giggling with several of her girlfriends.

Henry said something to Vlad but couldn't hear because of the loud music so he was left to his own devices when Henry disappeared in the croud.

Bill Jensen and Tom Gaiber were moving towards the front door. Vlad shrank into his seat, hoping they wouldn't notice him. Bill looked straight at him and pulled on Tom's sleeve until Tom nearly fell over on top of Vlad. 'Oh my god, check this geek out.'

Tom guffawed. 'Nice costume, goth boy.'
Vlad glared and three away. 'Nice breath loser.'

Matthews mum was standing at the door watching the situation with pitty-filled ayes.

To Vlad's relief, Bill and Tom started moving out the door. Then, to rub salt in the wound, Bill yelled as loud as he could, 'Bite me!!'

Vlad ignored him and went out to the cool quiet porch trying to get his fangs under control.

He flopped down on the porch swing and listened to the music pouring out the front door. He was kidding himself if he though he'd be able to ask Meredith to the dance.

His fangs shrank back, and as he stood, he head Meredith sweet voice. 'Are you asking me out?"

Vlad's heart sank into his stomach.

He snuck to the window and peeked inside.

Henry was sitting on the kitchen counter, his sneakers dangling. He was leaned forward and whispered to Meredith. Vlad tried not to jump to conclusions, but the of Henrys lips moving just inches from Meredith's ear was enough to send him to jealously.

Henry glanced up at the window. Vlad ducked, but it was too late. Moments later Henry was on the porch. 'That wasn't what it looked like.'

Vlad tried to play it cool, to grasp the last remaining thread of dignity he had and cone of uncaring and nonchalant. Instead, his voice cracked and a lump formed in his throat.
'This was a mistake. Maybe I should just go home.'

'Already? What about Meredith?'

Vlad hurried ahead, shrugging as he descended the porch steps. 'It looked to me like she was in good hands.'

Henry followed, stopping Vlad with a hand on his shoulder. 'You've got it all wrong. I was trying to hook you up for the dance.' He looked at Vlad. 'You believe me don't you?'

Sure, he believed Henry. Bit it was hard to ignore the fact that Henry was probably the most crushed on guy.

Vlad managed a smile. 'Of course I do.' He continued down the steps with Henry following.

Henry said, 'Did you hear about Mr Craig?'
'What is he going to be out sick for another week? I don't think I can handle any Kore of Snelgroves pip quizzes.'

Henry slowed his steps. 'People are saying he's been declared missing.'

'No way.' Vlad stopped walking for a moment and leet it sink in. With concentrated effort, he moved forward and tried to erase the possibilities from his mind. 'Does anybody know anything?'

'Not really. They say he just up and disappeared.'

'Weird.'

'Yeah.' The serious expression Henry wore was replaced by his grin. 'Hey did you see Stephanie's sister in there? She was looking pretty nice.?

Vlad shook his head and turned the corner toward home. 'Dude. Seriously. She's twelve.'