Lon Chaney Has Nothing On You

Chapter 15

It's been nearly a month since the night they took out the vampires, and for once, Eleanor doesn't feel so jumpy anymore. Things have finally calmed down a little, barring school of course. Eleanor has spent most days over at the Sands' house, studying, working on projects, and generally procrastinating.

Tonight, though will be different.

Eleanor sat in her last period class, eagerly watching the clock, ignoring her teacher. It's pretty standard material, stuff she's already learned. Finally, the bell rang, and she hurriedly packed away her things.

Rich hurried after Eleanor, grinning eagerly.

"So, I'm dropping you off at your place first?" she asked him.

"Nah, just stopping by," he clarified. "Rob and I were in charge of the cake."

"Thanksgiving cake," Eleanor scoffs. "There's a first for everything, I guess."

"Dude," Rich says somberly. "It's a tradition. And besides, it's the friendsgiving cake."

Eleanor laughed, nodding. They made their way into the parking lot, where the rest of their group had already gathered. Rob was sitting cross-legged on the hood of her car, pouring over the contents of one of Hunter's uncle's file. Natalie sat beside him, trying the keep the papers organized as Rob threw them around. She perked up when she saw the pair, smiling brightly at Rich in particular.

Eleanor hid her smirk. She'd never played matchmaker before, but she couldn't wait to try. Speaking of...

"Hey, E," Eleanor flushed as Hunter hurried over, looping an arm around her shoulder and pressing a kiss to her cheek.

"Hey, yourself," she said, leaning up to kiss him back.

"Gross!" Rob cried in mock-disgust. "Get a room."

"Don't pretend you aren't living vicariously through me," Hunter teased, grinning wide. Rob rolled his eyes, flipping Hunter the bird before going back to his notes.

"Are we going to just hang out in the parking lot all night, or...?" Eleanor gestured to the car, quirking an eyebrow.

Natalie hopped off gracefully, sliding effortlessly into the passenger seat. Rob stumbled off, tripping a little in his haste to keep all the papers intact.

"Yo!" Hunter whined, frowning at Natalie, who grinned up at him cheekily.

"Best friend privileges trump boyfriend privileges," she said. Hunter conceded, slipping into the back. Eleanor shot him a private smile in the rearview mirror. Instantly, his annoyance melted and his signature cherubic smile came back in full force.

Natalie was quick to hook her phone up, blasting her newest playlist. Rich lit up, leaning up to the front to eagerly talk about the music.

"So, when does Jordan and her boyfriend get in?" Rob asked distractedly.

"They're getting in at four, but I think my dad already left to get them," Hunter explained. Rob nodded, not bothering to look up.

"What's so interesting?" Eleanor asked, gesturing to the file he propped up on his knee. They pulled up to the boys' house. Rich hurried in, leaving the front door wide open. Eleanor shook her head at his eagerness. Friendsgiving cake. Honestly.

"Ensuring the bloodline," Rob answered, head whipping up. He gave Eleanor a wicked smile and she blushed instantly. Hunter smacked him, cheeks darkening. His mouth twitched, like he was trying not to smile.

"Even if they were 'ensuring the bloodline', you'd be the last to know, dude," Natalie said. Eleanor sputtered wildly and Hunter didn't fair much better. His eyes flashed gold and Rob shut up instantly. In the front seat, Natalie scoffed.