Day 8 Chapter 9. Really, I have 9 chapters but since I combined Chapters 1 & 2 as well as 3 & 4, I only have 7 chapters. Sorry for the confusion.
As James and Shane were getting ready for the day, there was a knock on their door. After pulling on a shirt, Shane answered the door to see Tony standing there, wearing a grey polo shirt, jeans, and Nike tennis shoes. He motioned for Tony to come in and take a seat.
"Good morning guys. I thought you might want to know that classes will start an hour late," Tony said, sitting at a desk. James and Shane turned to him sharply.
"Were more car windows shot out?" Shane asked.
"Actually, this time, shop windows were. I texted Brandy about the news and she said she would tell Lily."
"How did you find out?" James asked.
"Mrs. Bethell told Anna and Anna told me. The principal sees Anna as the mom of the dorm," Tony explained.
There was another knock at on the door and this time, James answered to see Drew standing there sleepily rubbing his eyes.
"So you guys have already heard," Drew assumed when he saw Tony. "Brianne texted me. She and I going to town before classes to see the damage. I was wondering if Shane wanted to go with us."
"Sure, let me finish getting ready," Shane replied, walking towards the bathroom. A cell phone chimed and Tony pulled his from his pocket.
"Brandy and Lily are waiting for us downstairs," Tony informed everyone.
James and Tony met up with Lily and Brandy downstairs; Shane and Drew had already left for the small town that served as Lucky Clover's campus. Lily was wearing a black shirt decorated with lavender stars, jeans, and her black converse. Brandy was dressed in a bright, tight pink shirt decorated with stacked TV's, jeans, and her Air Speed shoes. They were seated in the near empty cafeteria.
"There is no way that this is Derek's doing," Tony stated firmly.
"What makes you say that?" James asked.
"Usually, when he gets pissed –which I assume he is- he kicks soccer balls like there's no tomorrow."
"Could it be a Cross student then?" Brandy asked.
"That sounds like a possibility," James said. "I mean, if our rivalry is that big –"
"Which it is," Tony threw in.
"Then one of their students could be setting this up to blame Clovers'."
"Good theory James except for one problem: Cross students aren't allowed off campus."
James and Brandy turned to see Brianne walking up to their table wearing a Paramore shirt, jeans, and Mary Jane's.
"Brianne? Aren't you supposed to be in town with Drew and Shane?" Tony's brow was furrowed.
"Drew asked me if he could use me as an excuse to hang with Shane," she explained.
"Anyway, what were you saying about Cross?" Brandy prompted.
"They can't be causing these crimes unless they're sneaking off campus."
"Lily, what do you think about all this?" James asked when he noticed she hadn't said anything.
"I think I need to talk to a few people before I make conclusions," she said. She flashed James and Brandy a look, which they both noticed.
"I should go call my mom and check up on her," James stood from the table.
"I'll go with you," Lily followed him from the cafeteria.
In town:
The small town was busy as residents and shop owners were walking about, assessing the damage.
"Look, the arcade's windows are gone," Shane pointed to a large, two-story brick building.
"This is crazy. I cannot believe someone would do all of this," Drew said as he pulled out his camera phone. Shane smirked at him.
"So, Brianne decided not to come after all, huh? Kind of last minute, don't you think?" he asked.
"Uh…yeah. She had some studying to do," Drew wouldn't look at Shane.
"Really? What class is she studying for?"
"Oh you know…that class with the book…and assignments…" When Drew made eye contact with Shane, he threw his hands into the air. "Fine! You caught me! I wanted to spend time with you! Is that such a crime?"
"No, but it's cute," Shane quickly kissed him on the cheek. "Just like you." Folding his arms behind his back, he walked away.
"You just called me cute…" Drew said with widened eyes. He walked behind Shane and wrapped his arms around his waist. "Thank you for the compliment."
"Oh just kiss him already!"
They turned to see Brandy and Tony walking up to them, smiling.
"So where's Brianne?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"She had some 'studying' to do," Shane used air-quotes around the word 'studying.' The four friends laughed.
Meanwhile, in Lily's dorm:
James and Lily were standing in her dorm while he used her phone to call his mom and sister.
"Hello?" answered a confused woman's voice.
"Hey mom, it's me. I'm using a friend's phone," he replied.
"James! I'm glad to hear from you! How is the school?"
"I love it already. I've made some friends and the classes are easy. Mom, have you watched the news lately?"
"Yes; I've heard about the shot out windows. Alice and I are so worried about you."
"Is sis okay?"
"Yes dear, she just misses her big brother. She's at school right now."
"Tell her I miss her and I miss you."
"I miss you too. Oh, and great news: I've found a job at a nearby bakery!"
"That's awesome!"
"I know! I'm excited! I've got to go dear, my shift starts in an hour."
"Okay, I'll talk to you later. Love you mom."
"Love you too James. Bye!" With that said, James' mom hung up and he gave back the cell phone.
"How is your family?" Lily asked.
"They're both doing fine. My mom got a job so she's happy about that," James chuckled; Lily smiled. "So spill: what do you know about the incidents?"
"I'm assuming that a rogue vampire is behind them." She sat down at her desk. Since Lily had a single dorm, she had more space to move around.
"What's a 'rogue vampire'?"
"They are born into vampire families but they don't follow the rules and cause trouble. They commit crimes and harm humans. We try to catch them and put an end to them."
"We being…who?" James confusedly asked.
"Basically, the top vampire family." She laid her head on the desk.
"Hey, you don't have to give me the full explanation. Just tell me how to spot a rouge vampire when I see one." James walked over and started massaging her shoulders.
"They have stormy-grey eyes." Her shoulders slumped and she sighed contentedly.
"I'm guessing this feels good?"
She barely nodded her head and James chuckled.
During US History: James and Lily
As the teacher was lecturing about the Civil War, the P.A. system turned on.
"Attention, every student and staff member is to report to the gym immediately. I repeat, every student and staff member is to report to the gym immediately," the principal said.
Soon after, there wasn't an open seat in the gym. Mrs. Bethell and all of the teachers were gathered on a makeshift stage in front of the entire student body. When the principal stepped up to the microphone, everyone quieted down.
"As many of you know, there have been windows shot out in town. I was just informed by the chief of police that the culprit appeared in town wearing a ski mask and they shot out more windows," Mrs. Bethell explained. Many of the students turned to one another and started talking.
"Quiet!" Ms. Scott called out. Everyone gave her their undivided attention.
"The police pursued the culprit into a dead-end ally where they discovered the culprit disappeared. The chief of police is turning his attention to our school since Storm's Cross students are not allowed to step off their campus."
"That's crazy!" a student called out.
"We would never do anything like that!" another yelled angrily.
"We shouldn't be the ones to blame!"
Mrs. Bethell raised her hand and once again, everything became quiet. "I know that we have taught you better than that; we have taught you to be more mature. But know this, if any of you is assisting the culprit in any way, you will be punished. Because of the current circumstance, classes have been canceled. You are dismissed."
Lily, Brandy, James, and Shane made their way to the dormitory's roof to talk. Tony and Drew decided to just chill in their dorms.
"Lily, I think you need to call Rose," Brandy said once they were under the autumn's sun.
"Why should she do that? Don't tell me you think Rose is behind this," Shane said. The others looked at one another. James and Brandy nodded and Lily turned to Shane with sad eyes.
"Shane, there's something I have to tell you. I told Brandy this our freshman year and I should've told you as well." Lily paused, looking at the others. "I'm a vampire."
"What? That can't be true," Shane said, disbelieving.
"It is."
Shane looked upset that he wasn't let in on the little secret. He looked to James who wouldn't make eye contact. "So you know too?" James nodded.
"Shane, please understand."
"Oh I understand alright. I understand that you didn't think I was important enough to know," Shane stormed off and made his way to his dorm. When Brandy went to go after him, Lily held her back.
"Let it sink in…" she said sadly. Brandy nodded in agreement. Lily pulled out her phone and dialed Rose's number. "Rose? It's Lily. There have been a few problems in town and I assume a rouge vampire is behind them." She listened to Rose's response. "Okay, I'll be sure to keep you updated." Lily hung up and slipped her phone into her pocket.
"What did she say?" Brandy asked.
"She'll tell her parents to keep their eyes open on any suspicious activity." Then she walked to the roof door. "C'mon, let's go talk to Shane."
James and Shane's dorm:
Shane was laying on his bed, glaring at the ceiling with his hands behind his head. When Lily, Brandy and James walked in, he turned away.
"Shane…Please listen. It's not that you're not important enough, because you really are. It's just that…I didn't know how close we would become. I know it was wrong for me to tell James before I told you, especially since we just met him but…" Lily shook her head firmly. "No, I don't have an excuse. Please forgive me Shane; I really am deeply sorry," Lily looked at him. Shane sat up in his bed and looked at each of them.
"I guess you couldn't let many people know huh?" he asked. Lily nodded.
"But I don't care about that rule anymore; however, I won't go running down the street yelling it to the sky." That caused everyone to laugh.
"I'm sorry that I got upset…" he stood up and gave everyone, even James, a hug.
"I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner but Shane, you have to promise me something: you can't tell anyone else," Lily held out her pinky. Shane connected his pinky with hers and smiled.
"Of course. But I have one question: what about Rose? What's her story?"
"Rose is a vampire too," Brandy answered.
"I knew it!" James yelled out smiling. Everyone laughed.
"So when you say you're old friends with her, you really mean that you're old friends," Shane assumed. Lily shrugged and nodded.
When they heard a low growling, they all looked at Brandy and she blushed fiercely.
"Come on, let's go grab a bite to eat; it'll be my treat," Lily said.
The four friends looped arms and walked through town, talking about anything and nothing at all.
Derek and Dana stood in a dark alley, watching the friends go by. Derek turned to her with a pissed off look.
"I thought you said your plan would work," he hissed.
"All in good time, Derek. All in good time," Dana smiled her coy smile. He turned his attention back to the small group of friends.
'You will be mine again, Lily. Don't think I'm kidding around,' Derek thought to himself.
