Drink, Slay, Love

Chapter Twenty Five

"We need to talk," Evan said into her ear.

Bethany jumped forward. Her face was bright red as all eyes focused on her. "New prom theme! Vampires! Do you like it?"

Most of the students cheered. Some groaned. A few catcalled.

Conversations burst out across all the tables.

"Outside," Evan said to Pearl. She thought about flinging him away. It would be easy, a quick manoeuvre that she'd done a thousand times with Jadrien. One twist of her arm, and he'd be splayed across the nearest cafeteria table. "Please, don't fight me," he whispered. He took his hand off her mouth. "And keep your fangs in."

Pearl froze. Fangs? He knew?

"Trust me, okay?"

She let herself be shepherded across the cafeteria. As she passed by tables, various students called out to her, "Great theme!" "You rock!" "This will be the best prom ever!" "Can we wear fangs?" "Will there be fake blood?" "Can I wear fake blood?" "Does blood come out of tuxedos? Mine's a rental. . ."

As they reached the courtyard doors, Mr. Barstow, their English teacher, intercepted them. "Am I right to think you're planning a dinner-theatre kind of show with this 'Fealty Ceremony' during the prom? I love the concept of imposing a story structure on a free-form event."

"Still need to work out a few details," Evan said. "We need to do a little planning where the rest of the junior class can't hear." He reached past Mr. Barstow to open the door. "Lots of surprises to be staged, you know."

"It just started raining out there," Mr. Barstow said.

"We'll stay under the trees," Evan promised.

"All right," Mr. Barstow said. "You know, I used to be involved in amateur dinner theatre, improv with audience participation. Let me know if you'd like any advice."

"Uh, thanks," Evan said. He pushed through the door and propelled Pearl outside in front of him. Drizzle hit her skin. "Come on, vampire girl, this way."

She followed him across the courtyard to the trees. She expected him to stop there, as he'd told Mr. Barstow, but he kept walking out of the courtyard and through the parking lot. She caught his arm as he headed into the woods. "Enough," she said.

He shot a look back at the school.

"Unless Superman is in our school, no one can hear you from here," she said. Rain snaked down her cheeks and wormed down the back of her shirt. "I've been patient enough."

"A little farther," he said. "I can't be seen. Please, Pearl, you've trusted me before." His eyes were so ridiculously earnest. She sighed and gestured for him to continue. He plunged into the woods and led her in between the trees. Rain hit the leaves in soft smacks. The pine-needle floor squished under her boots.

Evan halted in a clearing with a rock in the centre. It was the same clearing she'd chosen to wait with Bethany for the unicorn. She frowned at him.

"That afternoon when you took Bethany here, I watched you from those bushes," he said, pointing to a thicket of brambles. "We weren't sure you were safe yet."

"Excuse me?" Pearl said.

"Just . . . wait a minute, okay?" he said. "Easier if I show you first."

He closed his eyes and held still. Rain drew streaks down his face. It flattened his shirt and curved across his arms. Slowly, Evan began to glow. Soft white light emanated from him as if he were in a cheesy religious movie.

"Huh," Pearl said. "Super Glow Boy. Unexpected but interesting."

The glow brightened, washing out the features of his face and the outline of his body. He looked like a white blur, and then light flashed so bright that Pearl flinched.