Chapter 1 Cemetery Stalker

"Hey, Monster Girl. Thought I'd find you here," Trevor called out. I'd come to the cemetery tonight to think, and pray that Alexander would come home early from "Hipsterville" and find me here.

"What do you want, Neanderthal?"

"Do you really have to ask?"

"Didn't you embarrass me enough last night at prom by rigging the votes and trying to me to dance with you?

"I didn't rig the votes. I just told everyone to vote for you, instead of Jennifer."

"Yeah. Sure you did. I totally believe you." I said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Raven-"

"I have a question for you. A personal question."

"It'll cost you."

"How much?"

"Depends on the question. Now ask away. And I'll be honest with you. 100%."

"Okay, here goes. Trevor Mitchell-"

"Seriously, just ask the question," his voice was a mixture between annoyance and impatience, which probably wasn't a good idea, but it sure was fun.

"And you promise to be honest with me?"

"Yes, as long as you promise to pay up afterwards," he thought for a second, "Show me your hands," he must've remembered what happened last time I asked him a question, I didn't have to pay up since my fingers were crossed, but, of course, he got me back at prom, by making me prom queen, when it should have been Jennifer.

Reluctantly, I pulled my hands out of my pockets. "Now you," he showed me his hands, and intertwined them with mine.

"Trevor, do you love me?" I saw something flicker in his eyes, but I wasn't sure what it was. I wasn't even sure if he would answer me honestly, but I was definitely going to hope so and, unfortunately, trust him.

"You want an honest answer," he said, after about a minute of silence. "Yes, I'd like you to be honest with me," how many times did I have to tell the kid that? I saw that he looked uncomfortable, but that could've just been from being in a cemetery, after dark, with the only person there being Goth-girl Raven.

"I've always loved you, Raven," he blurted, "I've loved you since you said that when you grew up, you wanted to be a vampire. I've loved you since you got me to bite you and then you tried to fly off of the swing. I've loved you since you gave me that Dracula action figure, when I turned five, which I knew was from you, so I adored it. I've loved you since that night at Matt's party, where I made you think that I was getting paid to make out with you, just so I could. I love you Raven, and I always have." He took a step towards me. Now it was my turn to be embarrassed. Trevor had just admitted to me his biggest secrets, let his walls come down, and let me see the real him. I just wasn't sure how to deal with it all.

"Then why have you always been mean to me?" I asked, suppressing a smile, which I knew would be completely inappropriate, and totally be mean, which, I, for one, wasn't going to ruin this genuine moment with Trevor.

"Cause I didn't want you to know. You're the only girl I knew that I could never have, you were always different, slightly odd," he took another step closer.

"Well, then why were you with Luna?" I asked, desperate for there not to be too much of an odd silence.

"She reminded me of you. I still wish I'd gone to that graveyard Gala with you, instead, you know."

"That's exactly what he said," I muttered to myself, thinking of that awkward conversation I'd had with Valentine.

"Who said what?"

"Valentine Maxwell. When he read your, um... mind, sorta, at Hatsy's Diner, that's what he said you were thinking. That you were thinking of being at the Graveyard Gala, but instead of being there with Luna, you went with me."

"Yeah, that's how I wish it went," he said, leaning down to kiss me. And I must admit, I felt good in his arms. I felt safe. As I wrapped my arms around his neck, I remembered, "Alexander!" I said, pulling myself away from his embrace. "Don't worry about him, baby! He's not here! But I am, so come here," he reasoned in my ear. "Okay," I answered reluctantly, letting myself get lost in his arms again, and let him pull me to the ground.

I was wrapped around Trevor when I heard, "Raven? Is that you?" the guy's voice cracked. "Bye. I'm out of here." It was Alexander.

"Trevor, I have to go. I'll see you at school tomorrow. Good-Bye."

"Bye, Monster Girl," I could hear the smile in his voice. "Bye Neanderthal."

"Alexander, where are you? Alexander, I can explain! Alexander," I almost started to cry. "Alexander, please," I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I, Goth-girl Raven Madison, rarely ever cried. I felt a hand on my shoulder, "Alexander!" I turned around and hugged him, but he didn't return the gesture.

"Raven," I was afraid of what he was about to say, "get off of me." Reluctantly, I released him from my grip. "Raven," I saw tears swell up in his eyes, as he tried to keep them in, and realized just how much I had hurt him. "Raven we're done. Good-Bye."

Watching him walk away from me was probably the hardest thing that I have ever done. "Alexander, I still love you. Only you," I knew that there was no way that he would be able to hear me. "I hate you, Trevor Mitchell!" I yelled into the darkness. The cemetery had never made me feel so afraid and alone.

"That's not very nice of you. What would your mommy say?" Trevor voice slid up behind me, and he put his hands on my shoulders."

"I don't care what my mom would say."

"What would Becky Miller say?"

"She would agree with me." Becky Miller had been my best friend since the third grade. She'd always been teased for living on the "wrong side", or east side, of Dullsville, but ever since she'd started dating Matt, former soccer snob and Trevor's ex-best friend, that's all changed. Now even the cheerleaders would at least say hi to her. Unlike with Becky, they, and everyone else in the terribly dull town of Dullsville, except for my, currently ex, boyfriend Alexander Sterling, still looked at me as if I were diseased.

"Okay, you win. I'm sorry, I won't tease you anymore."

"Or Becky."

"Or Becky," he was reluctant in saying it.

"Or I'll tell the whole school about your little outburst."

"No." His whole expression changed. I had just knocked him of his throne at Dullsville High, and he had worked hard to get it back. Me blabbing about his secret would totally ruin his reputation as King of the Soccer Snobs.

"I'm sorry Trevor," I said, not wanting to make him mad.

"It's okay, Monster Girl," he leaned down to kiss me, "Good-Bye, Monster Girl."

"I love you too, Neanderthal!" I yelled to his back, after he had stalked away, and into the darkness.

I made my way home, knowing that my mom would be mad that I stayed out late, and also that I wouldn't be able to sleep.

"Raven, you missed dinner."

"Good. I'm not hungry."

"Okay, then. Go to bed."

"All right."

I brushed my teeth, slipped on my pajamas, and hopped into bed. I could have sworn that I heard a rustling sound outside, similar to that of a bat wing.

"You seriously need to get a grip, Raven." I muttered to myself. Oh, great, now I'm talking to myself. Sleep managed to escape for a while, but I finally captured it.