9. A Night with a Nemesis

I awoke to birds chirping and sunlight streaming through the window. Turning to my Nightmare Before Christmas clock, I saw it was already two in the afternoon. After last night, that was a much-needed sleep. I gently pet Nightmare, as she lay asleep beside me. I grabbed my phone to see I had a message from Trevor.

Hatsy's at 7?

Wow, now that I thought about it, I hadn't been to Hatsy's since I had taken Stormy there when she was in town. For a brief moment, I wondered how she was. I hadn't given her or the rest of the Sterlings much thought since Alexander had left. Was she cozying up to Luna once more? Did she feel disdain towards her and Alexander? She was so excited when we had told her we were going to be bonded for eternity. She didn't even show up for the ceremony. Alexander had probably whisked her back to Romania, along with Luna and Romeo. I guess it didn't matter at this point though. Stormy and I would never be the vamp sisters I had longed to be.

Sounds good. See you then. I went ahead and replied. I had to get those thoughts out of my head, they only made the pain worse.

I had five hours until Trevor and I would meet up. I jumped in the shower, taking my time to relax under the steamy water. Once done, I dried off and headed to my room. I debated what I would wear. I didn't really get a chance to decide last night when Jagger had stopped by unannounced, but I guess that didn't really matter with how the night ended.

I rifled through every black article I owned trying to find something perfect. Why does it even matter? It's not like you're trying to impress him. The little voices in my head nagged. They were right though. Did it really matter? Why was I so caught up in how I would look tonight? It was a night out with Trevor Mitchell, my former nemesis. I still had trouble wrapping my head around everything that had happened, especially with him. He had transformed from an annoying bully to a doting boy.

I kind of missed how we would spit words covered in venom back and forth, it was something I had been so accustomed to. Of all the warnings I had gotten from Scarlet, Becky, Valentine, and even Stormy, I had never actually thought Trevor Mitchell would admit he had feelings for me.

Thinking of my vampire friends, I was upset I hadn't seen Scarlet or Onyx at the club last night. Maybe Scarlet was trying to hit up Trevor and Onyx had been out with Sebastian. Then I wondered about Scarlet and Trevor. I started to doubt going to Hatsy's with him. What would Scarlet think? Had he broken things off with her? I'd have to ask him tonight. She was one of my friends and the last thing I wanted was for her thinking I would backstab her.

To clear my conscious a bit, I called Becky for advice. And of course, to fill her in on the Jagger details. I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it from her for long. She answered after a few rings, then I unloaded. Having Becky as my best friend was the only constant in my life right now, and I knew that wasn't going to change.

"Oh, my God, Raven!"

"I know, I know. And I'm going to meet Trevor at 7, but it's not like it's a date. Not to me, anyway," I emphasized.

"Well, he totally thinks it's a date," she replied.

"I know, but if it's a date, then not only will I feel guilty about liking what happened between Jagger and me, but also that it's only been a week since Alexander left, and that Scarlet has a thing for Trevor! Who knows if he's told her what happened. What if he's just been avoiding her? I feel like such a terrible friend," I wailed into the receiver.

"Raven Madison, you have the purest heart when it comes to family and friends. You are not a bad friend for hanging out with Trevor. Scarlet has got to understand, especially if she knows about Alexander."

"But I don't know if she does! I haven't seen her, or anyone else for that matter. I've been so busy sulking that last night was my first night out to the Crypt in over a week. Do you think they've already guessed since I haven't been around? Do you think they're worried?" I suddenly felt that I should've told them immediately so they wouldn't worry.

"Maybe Jagger mentioned something to them. He is there every night anyway. It's his club."

"Yeah, you have a point. I think he moved back in there anyway. I don't think he's been at Trevor's since the whole lock thing happened."

"Ooh," she replied, "good point."

"I'll ask Trevor tonight, and then I'll talk to Jagger about it the next time I see him. Maybe we should go to the Crypt, just you and me sometime this week," I suggested, majorly needing time with my bestie.

"Definitely!" She said. "I gotta go. I'm meeting up with Matt, but let me know how everything goes."

"Okay, don't worry, I will." With that, I ended the call and went back to deciding on my outfit. I finally chose a black lace minidress, fishnets, my fingerless lace gloves, and combat boots. I applied my corpse white powder, along with charcoal eyeliner and eyeshadow. I accessorized with an onyx choker and spider web earrings.

Then a thought came to me. It was something I hadn't thought about in a while. I wasn't sure if I should act on it or not, but I went ahead to my dresser. I dug around until I found it. The small white box given to me on my birthday by none other than my nemesis. I slowly opened it, admiring the bracelet that fit my wrist perfectly. I had never told Alexander about it and now seemed like as good a time as any to wear it.

What if I got Trevor's hopes up? He had been so surprised when I had thanked him for my gift, he'd be even more surprised to see me wearing it. Against my better judgment, I took it out of the box and slipped it on my wrist. It still fit like a glove, and it complemented the rest of my accessories perfectly. I almost hated it.


"Monster Girl!" Trevor leered as I entered Hatsy's. He almost sounded like his old self. I walked over to the booth he was seated at and slid in opposite him.

"Haven't heard that in a while. It's almost refreshing," I said, trying to hold back a giggle. Would he finally go back to the person who was always quick to throw venomous words my way? Would I want him to? He had my thoughts tangled in confusion, as always.

"Yeah, it just felt familiar. I think we need familiarity right now," he replied, those green eyes glistening with confidence. That's something that will never change, I thought to myself.

"I agree."

"I already ordered a chocolate malt for you, if you don't mind. I figured that was what you'd want."

"Actually, yes. Thanks. I guess you constantly stealing my drinks and food turned out helpful," I couldn't help but laugh. Of everything Trevor Mitchell and I had been through, I didn't realize how much our antics had helped us learn about one another.

Trevor laughed as well, "Well, yeah. How else was I supposed to learn about you, Raven Madison? You and I could never hold a friendly conversation." I realized he was right. It was rare for us to talk normally to one another.

"Can I ask you something?" I questioned.

"Yeah, anything."

"How could you love me and still make my life hell in school? I mean, of course, it's something I'm used to. I'm sure without you leading the pack, I'd still have the Pradabees whispering about me, but how can you justify love, when we've had this feud our whole lives?" It was a question that needed to be answered. I knew he picked on me due to his feelings, but I didn't understand why he had to have the whole school behind him on it.

"Raven," his expression saddened for a moment, "I thought I was going to lose you to Alexander. Forever. Even before I figured out that what happened underneath the Crypt with the trick covenant ceremony was a vampire thing, I knew you and Alexander were perfect. To me, bullying you was the only way to keep your attention. Yes, I've always strived for popularity and picking on you helped with that, but it's always been something more to me. I know you can never forgive me for everything I've done to you. And I don't want you to, but everything I've done has been to show you how I feel. I couldn't come right out saying how I felt about you…" he trailed off. And I knew exactly why.

"Because if you said you had feelings for the goth girl, then you wouldn't be king of the castle anymore," I finished his sentence. He only looked at me with those saddened eyes, saying nothing. "Do you realize how many people have said you had feelings for me anyway? You've dyed your hair to be like me and you're still king. They still accept you."

"What do you mean people said I had feelings for you? Most people just say they're rumors," he said, almost defending himself. It kind of upset me, but I knew what his popularity meant to him.

"Trevor, everyone knows you have feelings for me. People whisper about it in the halls, Scarlet told me after making out with you in the woods by the soccer field, Becky has even mentioned it. Everyone knows and you're still king of the castle. It just sucks that you wouldn't say anything just to keep your popularity. That's why we might never work," I said truthfully, reaching out my hand and placing it on top of his. He looked at our hands, then up at me, his face more jovial than a few seconds before.

"You're wearing the bracelet," he stated. I quickly retracted my hand.

"Yeah, so what? It matches my outfit," now I was the defensive one. I knew it had been a mistake to put it on. Trevor was sporting a grin I hadn't seen a while.

"Oh, yeah? Never thought I'd see you put it on. Actually, I figured you would've thrown it out, but you didn't. Admit it, you've always had a small thing for me, no matter how many times you've denied it," his eyes sparkled mischievously. Trevor didn't need to know that I'd always felt something between us. Something I knew wasn't possible because he was the soccer captain and I was the lonely goth girl.

"Trevor, would you have even tried so hard for me if Alexander hadn't come into my life?" He didn't answer for a moment.

"Do you remember when I asked you what you would've done if my family had moved into the mansion on Benson Hill?"

"Um, yeah. I said I would've been talking to Alexander instead of you. Why?" I wasn't quite sure where he was going with this.

"Raven, would you have fallen for me instead of Alexander?" I was caught off guard. I didn't really know how to answer. Would Alexander have been the one wearing khakis and sporting blonde locks? Or would he have been like me? Would Trevor have been my Gothic Guy instead?

"I…I don't know," I replied honestly. When Trevor had first asked me that I just brushed it off like everything else he said. Now I was actually contemplating it, and it made my stomach turn.

"Just some food for thought," he said. Thankfully Dixie came over with our malts in hand.

"You guys wanna order some food?" Dixie asked, pen and paper ready.

"I'm good with just the shake," I replied, my appetite gone. "Thanks."

"Yeah, same," Trevor told her. She popped her pink gum in a bored manner.

"Alright. Just get me if you need anything," she said, quickly striding to the counter.

"Trevor, are you still with Scarlet?" I asked, remembering mine and Becky's conversation. I also just wanted to change the subject.

"Um, I'm not sure. I haven't seen her recently and since I quit soccer she hasn't come to the games. Why?" Suddenly, he seemed engrossed with his malt.

"You know why. Scarlet is a very close friend of mine. I don't want her thinking I'm trying to steal you from her or anything. And I don't want you hurting her feelings."

"Raven, you said it yourself. Scarlet knows I like you."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have feelings for you, Trevor! You've been spending a lot of time together, what will she think now that you've disappeared on her? You can't just stop seeing her." I knew she would be heartbroken if he left her.

"I can stop seeing her. It's not fair to her that I'm in love with you," he said, almost menacingly.

"Why would you put her in that position in the first place? She has feelings for you and you act like it's nothing to break her heart. I've seen how you treat girls, and just because you have feelings for me doesn't mean you can just toss aside people like they don't mean anything," I was getting more worked up about this than I had meant to. Then I realized it was because that was basically what Alexander had done to me. Just tossed me aside at the most crucial point of our relationship. Like my feelings had meant nothing.

"Okay. Okay," he raised his hands in surrender. "I'll talk to Scarlet. I'll break it off. Then will you consider being with me?"

"Trevor, I'm not considering being with anyone at the moment. But maybe you'll be first on my list when I decide I'm ready." This comment made him beam.

"I knew we were always meant to be, Monster Girl," he said in triumph.

"Don't get cocky, I said maybe," I replied, but I couldn't hold back my slight laugh. "Oh, by the way, is Jagger still staying at your place?"

"No, he went back to the Crypt after I locked up his coffin."

"Can't say I blame him."

Trevor and I spent the rest of the time, slurping down our shakes, and talking about random things that came to mind. I couldn't believe we were sitting here, having a real conversation, without lashing out at each other or anyone declaring feelings of love. It was something refreshing, something I had needed.

When we had finished, Trevor kindly paid the bill and led me out of the diner.

"Where to next?" he asked. I checked my phone, seeing it was only eight-thirty.

"Hmm… I don't know. Surprise me," I challenged.

"As you wish," he replied with a mischievous grin. He grabbed my hand and led me to his bright red Camaro.

Ten minutes later we were standing outside of Dullsville Cemetery.

"Here?" I questioned. "Why would you want to come here?" This was way beyond Trevor's comfort zone.

"What? We can't have our own private Graveyard Gala?" He asked.

"Without the ceremony, right?" I laughed. "You realize neither one of us are vampires."

"You're so funny," he rolled his eyes. "I thought I'd take a stroll on the Monster Girl side of things tonight. Maybe you can convince me that the cemetery isn't only for freaks." Classic Trevor was creeping into view and I couldn't even be mad. He was actually taking an interest in what I liked. It made me feel oddly giddy.

"Well, first, we have to scale the gate," I replied, sticking my booted foot between the bars for leverage.

"What? You don't have a key? I figured you'd be the keeper of the graveyard," he jabbed. "Don't dangle at the top this time. I won't be on the other side to catch you."

"Oh, shut up." I made my ascent and smoothly slid down without a hitch. "Okay, your turn," I said, eyeing him from the other side. He looked nervous, but I knew he would do it anyway, even if it was just to prove he could. Trevor could never shy away from a challenge.

Having the athletic abilities and body he had, Trevor made it over the gate easily.

"Like what you see?" he asked coyly. I turned away, feeling a blush coming on. I didn't realize that I had ogled his body the entire time he had climbed over.

"Whatever," was all I could manage as I started to make my way through the tombstones. But instead of heading for the Baroness's burial ground as I usually did, I veered off in a different direction. I didn't want to go to a place Alexander and I frequented. Just going to the willow tree was hard enough last night.

"Where are you taking me?" Trevor asked.

"What? Don't trust me?" I shot back.

"Should I?" Trevor whispered seductively in my ear, much closer to me than he was earlier. It had sent chills down my spine to the point where I had slowed to a stop.

I didn't know what to say for a moment, I didn't have a witty comeback like I usually did. "I mean, you are the one that decided to walk among the tombstones with me. I'd say that shows a little trust."

"Yeah, I guess it does. But do you trust me?" Trevor had spun me to face him, locking his grip around my wrists. I looked into those mischievous green eyes of his and realized that maybe I shouldn't have come out here with him. Had I actually thought that my nemesis was going to be nice to me forever?

"I…" I began, unsure what to say. Part of me wanted to push him away like I always did. Spit some venomous words in his face and turn away. But another part of me realized that I had no excuse for not wanting to be in this position. It had always been a "you wish" situation because I was with Alexander. Now was I the one wishing for it to happen? Were the lustful dreams I'd had about Trevor from time to time actually happening?

"What? Bat got your tongue?" He mocked, pulling me closer. Our chests were almost touching and I had no idea what to do. I was frozen, not wanting to be here, but not wanting to run away.

"Ha-ha, very funny. Come up with that on your own?" I retorted. A grin had spread across his face. That wasn't the reaction I was expecting.

"Felt good, didn't it?" He asked. Sensing my confusion, he elaborated, "Picking on each other. Felt like old times, right?"

"Oh," I was taken aback, but slowly felt a smile of my own creeping on my face. "Yeah. Yeah, it did." I laughed. This, although vicious and never up to any good, Trevor was the one I had missed.

After my laughing spell, I was very aware how close Trevor and I were. Those gorgeous green eyes bore into me, making me feel uneasy and giddy all at the same time. I was in the arms of my lifelong nemesis, but I wasn't quite regretting it. Maybe Trevor was right. Maybe we belonged together. It was undeniable that there was something between us, but I still couldn't make up my mind about him.

But in that moment, I guess I didn't have to. Trevor pulled me impossibly closer, causing our lips to lock. I was startled, but couldn't help relinquishing myself to him. It felt like the other times we had kissed, riveting in every way, proving he knew how to make a girl weak in the knees. But this time, I could feel the way he loved me. It was unlike any kiss Alexander and I shared, the love was different, one I felt was only possible from being around each other our entire lives.

Not wanting to go into my second make out session in two days, I gently pushed Trevor back. He unwillingly parted from me.

"I think I should get going," I said, quickly escaping his embrace. Departing from him, made me think of my departure with Jagger last night. I was slightly freaking out and needed to get to the safety of my bedroom.

"Oh," Trevor looked pained. "Can I drive you home at least?"

"Um, yeah, of course." I wasn't sure if my legs worked properly enough to carry me that far anyway.

Clasping onto Trevor's hand, I walked us through the tombstones, back to the gate. As I got ready to stick my boot between the bars, Trevor crouched down and clasped his hands together. "Allow me," he said, flashing that sexy grin.

"Quite the gentleman," I commented and put one boot into his hands. He hoisted me up to the top, where I quickly threw one leg, then the other over, and landed on the ground. "Thanks," I replied. Once again, I watched his lean body clamber to the top and gracefully make his way over. I couldn't help but think of all the times I had fallen off the gate in my clumsy manner, whereas he made it look effortless.

When we got to my house I made my way up the driveway, Trevor following close behind.

I turned on him when I got to the door. "Good night."

"Good night, Raven. I'll see you at school, I guess," he awkwardly shuffled in place.

"Yeah, I guess so." As I turned to go inside, Trevor grabbed my wrist, spinning me back to him quickly. "Yes?"

"I just wanted to end this night properly," he said, his black and gold locks brushing past his piercing, green eyes. He leaned over, kissing my cheek politely. I had to cover the blush creeping up. "It wasn't such a bad night, was it?" He jested.

"No, it wasn't. Bye, Trevor," I replied and hurried my way inside. I hadn't expected my night to go so well, and now I was even more confused about where I stood with Jagger and Trevor.