A/N: Konnichiwa minna-san! This was written as an inspiration of MTV's My Super Sweet Sixteen, Gossip Girl & also Dark Shadows! Facts from the 2012 movie differ due to the AUness for the fanfic. Carolyn is turning sixteen and she plans to have the greatest sweet sixteen of her life. Barnabas is thrilled and he joins in the ride too. Rated 'M' for Lolita X Humbert theme implied.

Settings:

Completely AU.

Year- 2011.

Location- Collinsport, Maine.

Characters:

Everyone is still the same. Victoria & Angelique are OUT of the story because I kicked them out and they are NEVER mentioned in the story and they don't exist here. Roger is OOC and Barnabas still maintains his personality except that he's more high tech savvy and dresses up normally this time.

Disclaimer: I don't own ANYTHING related to the Dark Shadows movie or tv series. It's solely owned by the producers, the directors and the story writer for both the series and movie. I'm just doing this for entertainment purpose.

The Songstress And Her Partners In Crime

Time is ticking. The second hand of the clock on the wall is swinging clockwise second by second. I have to get out of this horrendous boring math class with Mrs Pritchard. I wish Mr Faraday is back here instead of him teaching in another school out of this town. How sad could that be? It's bad enough that Mathematics is one of my least favourite subjects and a very dull, jaded person is teaching the subject. If only Mr Faraday is back in class now.

I could feel my cellphone vibrating in the pocket of my cardigan, which is on top of my lap. I slide my fingers gently inside the pocket and pull out the phone.

I flip the clamshell phone open and stare at the home screen of the phone. My driver, Mr Winston had sent me a text message.

Pressing the 'Read' button, I wait for the message to be revealed. Apparently, he is already waiting for me at the gates of the school. It seems that we are in a rush to pick up my mother. I wonder what the rush is.

I flip close the clamshell phone and slip the electronic device inside my schoolbag. I return back to the mathematics worksheet on my desk. I pick up the pencil and attempt to focus back on the questions.

However, I can't seem to concentrate for some reason. My mind keeps dwelling off to the plans of my sweet sixteen party. There are still a lot of things that needed to be done and my mother and Uncle Roger are working on it. Mr Banabas Collins, also known as my distant undead uncle, mister 'annoying prick once awhile' and also my 'on and off lover' had also come up with many plans to spice up my party. Bless him.

Barnabas Collins. Where should I begin? How about I just let in a little bit of history about this arrogant, spoiled and pompous son of a rich man? I shall start off by stating that he had told me that he hails from Liverpool, England a few centuries ago. And no I shall not dwell into soccer. That is the least of my favourite sports. Back to him, his parents voyaged to America and opened up Collinsport, built Collinwood and also focused their business on fishing and fishery. Sounds like a fishy business, doesn't it? But no, that is the truth.

Over the years, Barnabas grew up and took over until today, with the help of my mother and Roger. How he turned into a vampire is still a mystery to me and he will never reveal it until the day comes and I wonder when that bloody day will ever emerge.

That part of him makes me fathom so much about him. I could still remember it clearly since the day I was born. Barnabas is still a mystery to me until today. His presence in Collinwood makes me think so much about my family and my life. In a nutshell, I live a complicated life.

Speaking of my complicated life, my mother gave birth to me when she was married at a young age. Her ex-husband, Thomas Stoddard lived with us until I was eight because he cheated on my mother and they divorced. Apparently, Barnabas was the most furious person of all and the hatred from my family towards him even grew in me. I swear that I would never want to see that womaniser ever again.

Back to Barnabas, I always thought of him as an alien and I never spoke much to him until I got to know him better and I developed a strange deep feeling for him when I was fifteen years old and a few months. I was foolish because he loves teasing me and I have a strong feeling that he is a typical classic playboy. In addition to that, he is my distant uncle, an undead being and is rather old fashion in some ways eventhough he has experienced living in different eras and centuries.

I could still remember my first kiss from him when I was fifteen. I have kissed another boy before him and I was fourteen that time. That boy was my first boyfriend and it was just puppy love. As for this vampire, I can't exactly describe my actual feelings for him. Sometimes I feel like hating him, sometimes I feel annoyed with him but sometimes I feel comfortable being around him. It really hurts me that our odd 'on and off' relationship is in secrecy and is very shaky.

I did try to date other guys from my school but I don't seem to have any romantic feelings for them and also the vampire. I usually date guys just to annoy the vampire and to also tease him for being a player by going on dates and humiliate myself by not being in a relationship with any of them. This really puzzles me. I can't seem to understand how I could suddenly be so emotionless when it comes to love and affection. I do feel joy once awhile. Anger and sadness accompany me once awhile but affection? That is something totally out of the question. Lust for the vampire? I suppose, but it doesn't exactly feel like lust too.

I sigh, loud enough for the student next to me to hear me.

"Are you alright, Carolyn?" says the student next to me, who is my close friend, Kiyoko.

I look at her and say, "I'm ok. I just need to rush out of this place as soon as the bell rings," while looking at the bell on the wall.

The Japanese girl smiles at me and places a hand on my shoulder. I look over my shoulder and admire the colourful faux nails glued to her real nails. She really is good at nail decorating. I place a hand on her hand and grip it.

I glance at the girl with a soft expression. Her dark brown eyes really compliment her dyed dark brown hair. She is the most beautiful Asian of my age I've ever seen in my life. I'm so happy to have a friend like her.

The bell rings and I pull my hand away from her.

"Kiyoko, I really am sorry but I have to go now," I say as I pack up my things and shove them inside my bag.

"No worries," the Japanese girl says as she packs up her things in a casual manner.

"Text you later babe," I say as I swing the bag over my shoulder and head for the exit of the classroom.

I walk briskly down the hallway, trying to avoid bumping into people. I wonder what the rush is. Could it be an accident? Could it be something dreadful?

Those thoughts keep replaying themselves in my mind like a song on 'repeat mode' as I finally walk out of the main building of the school, heading to the gates.

Mr Winston is smoking in front of the limousine. I quicken my pace and walk towards him but a friend of mine, Lloyd steps up to me, blocking my way.

Lloyd is a big sized Italian American boy with shoulder length dark brown hair.

"Lloyd?" I say as I slow down my movements to a stop.

"Hey, we haven't actually spoken at all today," he says with a friendly grin.

"I'm actually in a rush right now and I really should get going," I say in a firm tone.

He stares at me and says, "Whatever, princess."

I sneer back at him and say, "I hate that name!" as I walk away from him.

"Text me later!" he says.

"In your dreams!" I reply as I walk closer to the vehicle.

Winston grins at me as he opens the door and I step in, feeling surprised to see my mother inside, talking on the phone.

The door closes behind me as I sit next to her. I try not to be interested in her conversation with any of her clients.

I go through my schoolbag to fish out my cellphone. I flip open the clamshell phone and there is a new notification. Barnabas has sent me a text message which reads like this: Afternoon sweetheart. I miss you so much.

I quickly look at my mother to make sure that she isn't looking at my phone. I slip it back inside the bag and zip it up, pretending as if nothing had happened.

Winston gets inside the car and immediately starts driving.

My mother ends the conversation and puts the phone inside her Gucci handbag. She goes through her handbag, looking for something.

"Winston, has Roger told you about our plans later in the evening?" mother says as she pulls out the compact powder.

"Yes I did, madam," Winston replies.

"Good afternoon, mum," I say curtly.

Mother looks at me and says, "Carolyn dear, I have to attend an important meeting with the townspeople tonight regarding the expenditure of the factory and you will be left with David tonight."

I stare at her and say, "I can't go out tonight?"

"No, Carolyn. It's a school night," she says.

"What? No!" I say, feeling annoyed.

She looks away from me and says, "Willie is in the hospital."

My eyes widen with shock.

"What happened to him?" I say, feeling surprised.

"A lorry crashed into his car on his way back to Collinwood," mother says in a serious tone as she looks at me.

"Oh, alright," I say, suddenly forgetting about my plan of going out with Kiyoko and Olivia tonight.

"It's a serious accident. His injuries are rather terrible, according to Roger," mother says.

I bit my bottom lip. I feel sorry for that old man. He had been a great house keeper for a long period of time.

"Is Dr Hoffman there too?" I ask curiously.

"Yes. She came with Mrs Johnson, Roger and David," mother replies.

I slump on my sit and sigh, wondering about Willie.

The trip to the hospital was rather bitter. Willie looked awful, covered up in bandages and barely able to speak. I feel very sorry for him.

Things got even worst when I had to call up Kiyoko and Olivia to tell them that I had to cancel tonight's plan although I felt like sneaking out of the house.

^%^%^%^%^

Night comes and I am in the kitchen, helping out Mrs Johnson preparing spaghetti for us, David and Dr Hoffman. I admit that I'm not a great cook but I do like to cook simple dishes once awhile. I'm more interested in music than cooking but I had to help out Mrs Johnson for the next few days due to Willie's absence in Collinwood Manor.

"I think it's done. Should I put them on the plate?" I say as I stir the spaghetti in the pan.

Mrs Johnson comes over and looks at the pan.

"Thank you for helping out dear. I'll take over now. You could set out the dishes at the dining table if you want to," she says.

I nod and head to the cupboard to collect the plates and other cutleries. I stack them up and head to the dining table.

I place the plates and other cutleries on the table and I shout, "David! It's time to eat!"

I hear him reply, "In a minute!"

"It'll be cold if you don't get your ass over here right now!"

"I'll be there in a minute!" he yells back.

That stupid boy.

I shake my head and walk out of the dining room, heading to Dr Hoffman's room but bumping into her on my way there.

"Dr Hoffman," I say casually as I look at her.

She looks pass my head.

"Finally, I'm starving," the doctor says as she walks pass me.

I shake my head and walk behind her, heading back to the kitchen.

David is seated at his usual place and Mrs Johnson is pouring orange juice into his glass.

"We're having spaghetti only?" David asks as he plays with his fork, twirling the spaghetti around it.

I glare at him.

"You should be thankful that there is at least something to eat. There are other people in other parts of the world are dying of hunger," Dr Hoffman says in a factual manner.

"That is true," I say with full of agreement as I glare at David and he instantly eats his spaghetti.

Silence falls on us as Mrs Johnson pours orange juice into our glasses and she leaves the jug on the table before returning to the kitchen.

The psychiatrist speaks up again, "Have you planned out everything for your sweet sixteen?"

"Fifty percent," I reply sourly.

^%^%^%^%^

Later that night, I lock myself up in the music room, practicing songs on the guitar and the piano. Music is my ultimate getaway.

The name of the room speaks for itself. There are many guitars in this room; acoustic, classic and electric. There are two pianos. One is classic and the other is electronic.

I had been spoilt with musical instruments at a very young age. I love dancing to music and I decided to pick up an instrument after several nights of lyric writing. I immediately fell in love with the art of lyric writing and song writing. I even planned to go to a music school in Berkeley after finishing high school but mother disagrees with me and I'm stuck studying in science stream.

I listen to Avenged Sevenfold's 'Seize The Day' and read the tablature at the same time. I am determined to play this song. It is a challenging song for me but I am willing to practice this, more than doing stupid Mathematics worksheet.

I practice the solo over and over until I get it right but I seem to be stuck at some parts, annoying myself.

"How does he do it?" I mumble as I play the guitar aside.

I pick up the cold glass of water from the table and drink it.

"Seize the day or die regretting," I quote the song as I place the glass back on the table.

I pick up the guitar and continue where I left off but the sound of my cellphone interrupts me.

"What is it now?" I grumble as I place the guitar aside to pick up the clamshell phone.

I flip it open and there is a new notification displayed on the screen. Barnabas has sent me another text message.

I sigh and read his message. He said that he is really intrigued with the food being served at that meeting.

I replied to him, saying that he doesn't need to text me very often about small things like that.

An hour pass and I face a vampire standing on front of me with an electric guitar secured around his body.

"Rockstar material," I say as I place my index finger on his chest, trailing down the fabric of his shirt until I reach the guitar.

The vampire holds my hand and brings it to his lips and kisses it.

"My beautiful lady, playing such loud music but still appears very elegant," he says as he releases my hand.

"Whatever," I tease him as I pick up my clamshell phone.

"We're playing 'Seize The Day' tonight," I say as I play the song on the phone.

The both of us play to the music. I am very astounded with his performance. He has been practicing a lot recently and he is getting better from time to time.

After a few rounds of playing that song, I play some of the songs that I have written recently. He listens to me attentively and grins every once awhile, which makes me blush. His smile is really charming and I am addicted to it.

"It's getting late my dear," Barnabas says as I strum a random chord on my guitar.

"It's only eleven thirty," I say as I roll my eyes.

He places an arm around my waist and whispers against my neck, making the hairs on my arms stand up.

"I'll meet you in your room in ten minutes," he whispers as his fingers curl around my waist, brushing it gently.

"Fine," I say sourly as he releases me.

He exits the room as I place the guitars at their respective places. I switch off the lights as I shut the door silently behind me.

I walk back to my room, feeling a bit anxious about my sweet sixteen. This party has to be memorable in a positive way. I can't allow anything to ruin my sixteenth birthday.

Shoving those thoughts aside as I step into the bathroom, I brush my teeth while replaying scenes of that vampire grinning at me. It really makes my heart skip a beat at the sight of his smile. Such charming smile he has but to me, he is indeed a devil in disguise.

That vampire used to visit strip bars and fooled around with other ladies but not since last year, which was rather surprising.

I exit the bathroom and head back to my bedroom.

I turn the doorknob and push the door open and I receive one of the shocks of my life.

My eyes widen at the sight of the vampire sitting at the edge of my bed.

He has removed the vest but he is still dressed in his long sleeved button up shirt and dark brown pants. The sleeves of his shirt had been rolled up neatly to his elbow and a few top buttons had been unbuttoned, revealing his intimidating greyish white flesh.

I fold my arms to my chest and say, "I haven't even changed yet."

He nods once.

Shaking my head with dismay, I walk over to my closet to take my nightdress.

"Get out," I say as I point to the door.

The vampire stands up and in just a blink of an eye; he is standing in front of me. I try not to look into his eyes as I lock my gaze at his greyish papery white neck. I cannot believe I'm forcing myself to stare at his Adam's apple.

"Don't be such a grouch my dear or else those wrinkles will drain your youth," he says in his teasing tone.

With full force, I push him backward and say, "Get out!"

He displays a sly grin on his face and makes his way to the door. I push him and shut the door behind me, quickly locking it.

In an instant, I strip until my lingerie and slip on my nightdress. I dump my clothes in my laundry basket and remove the hairband from my hair. I pick up the brush from the dressing table and brush my hair.

I walk over to the door and unlock it while opening the door.

The vampire struts in and locks the door behind him.

In just a blink of an eye, he appears right in front of me.

"My dear princess is all dolled up before getting her beauty sleep," the vampire says as he slides his hands from my shoulders to my waist, his fingers feeling every inch of the silk fabric which outlines my body.

"I hate being called a princess," I grumble as I look away from him eventhough deep down, it makes me happy because he actually treasures me like his precious little porcelain doll.

The vampire's hands stop at my waist as I lean my head forward, my forehead landing against his bare cold chest, inhaling the cologne on his body.

"How can I help you with your birthday party, Carolyn?" the vampire asks as he presses his nose onto the top of my head, inhaling it deeply.

I could feel the excitement rushing through my body. Finally, someone still notices that I have a big party coming up.

"I want a new car," I say firmly as I place both hands on his bare chest, allowing my fingers to venture his cold skin.

"You really are a demanding princess, aren't you?" Barnabas asks as he breathes into my hair.

I click my tongue with annoyance.

"I'm not a princess," I say in an authoritative tone but trying to keep my cool at the same time.

It is pleasant being called 'princess' by him but I've had enough of people calling me 'princess' in a day. It does annoy me and I don't like it.

"Forgive me, my dear. I just want you to feel treasured by me," he says as his hands slide down slowly, reaching my buttocks.

I grumble when his fingers rub and pinched the cheek of my buttocks. I know what he wants but I'm not ready for it. Despite the fact that there are many girls of my age had already lost their virginity, but I'm not ready yet and I still have doubts losing it to him. I know that making love with a vampire would not make me pregnant but the thought of a rough session does scare me.

"Barnabas, stop it," I say as I try to pull away from him.

The undead man releases his hands from my ass and places them on my cheeks as he looks into my eyes. I try not to gaze into his black eyes for a long time, as I fear that I might be hypnotised by him.

"Carolyn, look at me," he says softly as his fingers rub themselves gently against my cheeks.

I slowly look up at him and hold on tight to the cloth of his shirt.

"You'll make my sweet sixteen party rock, won't you?" I ask him gently as I display a weak grin on my face.

He leans forward and whispers against my lips, "Anything for you, Carolyn."

Our faces lean closer until our lips are in full contact. I could feel his hands placed at my back, pulling me closer to him to ensure that our bodies are also in contact. I could feel my heartbeat racing faster by the minute.

The vampire's lips beg for entrance into my mouth but I deny and I slow down my kisses. Our lips part and he looks at me with a begging expression clearly written across his stone cold face.

I place my index finger on his lips and display my signature smirk.

"It's a school night, Barney! Remember that!" I say as I hop away from him and head to my bed.

"Carolyn, I've told you not to call me that!" he says in an annoyed tone.

"Whatever!" I say as I lay my back on the bed.

"Darling, please," he says as he pulls the comforter over my body.

"I'd like a Ford Bentley, Lord Barnabas Collins," I say as I shut my eyes.

"I deserve a goodnight kiss, my stunning silk clad young lady," he says.

The bed sinks lower a bit as the undead man lays next to me. What is he trying to do?

I open my eyes lazily and turn to stare at him. He leans forward, stretching out a hand to caress my cheek and he presses his lips gently on mine.

"Would you give me permission to sleep next to you tonight?" he asks formally.

I scrunch up my nose at his sentence and at the pathetic desperate look on his face. I roll my eyes and turn to the other side.

"Go away," I instruct him as I point to the door.

"You are so cold hearted, my dear Carolyn," he purrs into my ear as his hand wraps itself around my waist while his fingers gently circle around my stomach.

I could feel my body shiver as his cool breath brushes against my ear.

"Please, I'm not ready, ok? I'm only fifteen," I say, feeling slightly fearful of the vampire next to me.

"If wait is needed, I shall be patient about it. You are like a precious gemstone to me, Carolyn. I will not force you. I will prove to you that I am a patient lover, sweetheart," he coos into my ear.

Softly, I say, "Alright, we'll see. But please, leave me alone now."

"You have my word, my dear Carolyn," he says and he slowly gets off the bed.

The vampire switches off the light and slowly shuts the door behind him.

I stare into the darkness and think about the songs I have written about my confused feelings about that vampire.