Ch. 2: Jessi

Dear Keisha,

Guess what? I'm going to England! I'm super-excited. Maybe I'll even go get to see a ballet in Covent Gardens! And you know what's even better? I'm going with the entire Baby-Sitters Club! I'll make sure to send you a postcard!

Love,

Jessi

I was excited to go to England, but not for the reason I told my cousin Keisha (although I'd love to see a ballet at Covent Gardens – I hope to dance there myself some day.) I'll explain that in a bit, but first I have to back and tell you what happened after Mal returned from that "sitting job" with the Wells.

As soon as Mallory got home that night she called me and told me she had something dibbly exciting to tell me, but it had to wait until the emergency BSC/Pike family meeting she was calling for the next night. Mal has what my mom calls an "overactive imagination" so I wasn't really surprised to get her call. I figured she'd break down and tell me all about her newest story idea or imaginary mystery or whatever in a few minutes like she normally did.

But she didn't. She just kept talking about how excited she was and using words like "chilly" and "distant" over and over again, which is a bit much even for Mal. Truth to tell, I was getting a bit annoyed. With all my ballet classes, school, homework, and baby-sitting, I had things to do besides listen to Mal babble about something she wouldn't explain. Even if she is my best (white) friend.

I got a bit more curious when I realized she was serious about the emergency BSC/Pike family meeting. But I didn't exactly lose sleep wondering what was going on.

The next day after dinner (it was the only time we were all free), I parked my bike outside the Pike family house. I was expecting it to be chaotic. After all, Mallory has seven younger brothers and sisters and they aren't exactly quiet. But this was way weirder than usual.

In one corner, stood a youngish, smallish man wearing an honest-to-god cape. A cape! He was also carrying a crystal ball. I hoped that was just a Claudia-style fashion accessory, but to be honest, it made me kind of nervous.

Speaking of Claud, she had latched onto the Cape Man and was begging to know where he bought his outfit. I wasn't surprised; her orange tuxedo looked downright subdued in comparison.

Stacey, on the other hand, had attached herself to the other stranger in the room; a thin, graceful woman with blue hair and skin, a leather jumpsuit, and a crossbow. Huh? Was she one of Mal's archery buddies? She didn't look like a SMS student.

"Oh my God," Stacey was gasping as she pointed at the woman's clothing. "Sam Thomas would just love that on me. You should hear what he says about girls and leather." Sam Thomas is Kristy's older brother. Stacey has been in love with him off and on since she moved to Stoneybrook. He's fifteen and goes to the local high school, but Stacey's so sophisticated that they seem like they're the same age.

Anyway, she said something else, but I didn't catch it. I was distracted by two of Mallory's sisters (Claire, who's five, and Vanessa, who's nine) who were also mobbing the blue woman.

Claire was chanting "Bluey, silly billy goo goo," over and over again and rolling around on the floor. The Pikes say that Claire is in a "silly stage," which means she tends to make up words. I'm sure it's an early sign that some day she'll be a totally creative writer like Mallory.

The blue woman was ignoring Stacey and staring impassively at Claire. "I believe there is something wrong with this child," she said calmly.

Vanessa, eager to get attention focused back on herself, broke in. (You should know that Vanessa is a determined poet and loves to speak only in rhyme. Especially when she's trying to impress someone).

"I've always thought she crossed the line," Vanessa said, "But the doctor says she'll grow up fine." Actually, Vanessa's not half bad for a nine year old. The blue lady stopped staring at Claire and turned her gaze to Vanessa, who beamed proudly.

Meanwhile, the triplets, who are ten, were standing just a bit off to the side and were daring eight-year old Nicky to touch the crossbow. Kristy, thank God, realized this was a disastrous idea and broke them up. She's so good at things like that. Sometimes there's no substitute for a sharp whistle and a well-aimed pencil. Chastened, the triplets settled for circling the blue lady and staring. The effect was kind of like that of a swarm of insects.

"Your pretty hair is so, so blue," said Vanessa. "Like the sky or some kind of glue." Sometimes Vanessa has to reach a bit for the rhyme.

"Bluey! Bluey! Bluey!" chanted Claire.

"How do you get your hair that color?" Stacey asked, "Do you think it might make me look older? People say I can already pass for 15!"

The blue lady just stood there and glared. She was actually dealing with this quite well. I wondered if she was a former baby-sitter.

Back on the other side of the room I heard Claudia exclaim "You like my outfit! I've always said orange is perfect for formalwear!"

I decided I was safest in the entryway and stood frozen in place for a minute or two before realizing that Mr. and Mrs. Pike were right next to me. They looked as shocked as I felt. I guessed they hadn't been told the purpose of this meeting either.

Just then, Mallory emerged from the kitchen holding a tray with little paper cups.

"Tang?" she asked cheerfully. Mr. and Mrs. Pike and I turned to look at her, openmouthed. She didn't seem bothered.

"Well, we can't get the meeting started till Dawn and Mary Anne get here, so I thought people might like refreshments." Claudia and the Cape Man (who seemed to share her knack for sensing the presence of sugar) headed over and helped themselves to a cup. Mallory smiled at him.

"Mom, Dad, Jessi . . . I'd like you to meet Andrew Wells, and his associate," she gestured towards the blue woman, "Illyria." Mr. Wells extended his hand to Mr. and Mrs. Pike. They didn't move.

Just then, Mary Anne and Dawn appeared in the doorway. Mary Anne was carrying two large bags of chips and Dawn had some carrots and celery.

"Sorry we're late," Dawn said, "We stopped at the store to get refreshments and some totally stale person was buying veal . . ." Dawn took in the room and her voice trailed off. Wow, that was a first. Maybe Mallory was on to something after all.

"Ah, Mallory, these are the last two?" asked Mr. Wells, "Than we can began." He gestured for everyone to move in and began to speak in a deep voice (just like a movie star). "Everyone, I have a tale to tell you. A tale of the darkest creature of the night – the vampyre!"

Somehow, his voice managed to cut through the entire room. Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned towards him. Mr. Wells began to speak.

The story Mr. Wells told us was very long and very interesting. (I prefer horse stories, but this wasn't bad either.) Apparently, at the beginning of time, demons walked the Earth instead of people. And then there were people too, but then that caused there to be half-humans/half-demons, which were named vampires. Vampires are pretty much like in all the stories, except they don't mind garlic. They're soulless, evil creatures who suck people's blood. Sometimes, though their souls get put back and then they're mostly good and also sometimes they're good when they fall in love, but to tell you the truth, that part kind of confused me.

Anyway, the important thing is that when vampires were created so was a Chosen One who stood alone against the forces of darkness. She was always a girl and was called the Slayer. She had lots of super powers like super strength and prophetic dreams.

But a few years ago, the people Mr. Wells works for did a spell to make girls all over the world with the potential to be Slayers into actual Slayers. And now, any girl with the potential to be a Slayer will be called when she reaches what Mr. Wells calls "The full power of her womanhood."

Stacey nodded knowingly when he said that. I'd have to ask her what it meant later.

Mr. Wells went on and explained that he is a "Watcher." That means that he's someone who finds new Slayers, brings them back to the Slayer and Watchers Academy in England and helps train them to go about their slaying. Apparently he's a really super-important Watcher.

I could see a lot of us didn't believe him at this point. It was a nice story after all, but a story was all it was, right?

Except, and I couldn't explain how, I knew it was true. I knew I was a vampire slayer. It all made sense! How else could I be the youngest person ever (and the only black person) to have the lead in all my school's dance recitals? How else could I have won a gold medal in synchronized swimming the first time I ever tried it. It probably even had something to do with my ability to learn sign language in under a month. This was such a revelation! No wonder I had been born with such long legs!

Mr. Wells must have been trying to reach me when he called for a sitter – they would have just assumed that I did archery. So then Mallory had to call this meeting to explain it to everyone. Well, it was a reasonable assumption. After all, if I hadn't been so busy with all my other commitments, I might have joined the archery team myself.

Then Mr. Well spoke in his most important voice, breaking my train of thought. "Mallory," he intoned, "is a slayer of the vampyres." The room broke into an excited chatter, although I'm pretty sure they still didn't believe him. I, on the other hand, was just confused. Mallory? She wasn't athletic at all. And her legs were really short.

"I can see many of you do not yet believe," said Mr. Wells, sensing the mood in the room. Mallory. Illyria. Please move to the center of the room."

They moved forward, slowly and purposefully. It was actually kind of creepy.

"To demonstrate to you the extent of Mallory's new powers," he said, "I shall show you that she is almost a match for this ancient goddess, now held captive in human form."

Mallory and Illyria began to fight. I had never seen anything like it. Their arms and legs moved with incredible speed and grace – much faster and more graceful than me when I'm dancing. And they were strong. My family is Episcopalian, but I was starting to believe that was Illyria was a goddess in human form. And Mallory? She was amazing. I didn't quite realize how amazing until Mallory managed to push Illyria down onto the coffee table and it snapped. In half. Mr. Wells called an end to the match.

I could tell that everyone in the room believed now.

I was still puzzled, though. I knew I was a Slayer; it was the only thing that made sense. But Mal clearly had Slayer powers.

And then it hit me. Her powers were only temporary. They were trying to test me to see if I would rise to the occasion. Poor Mal. It was going to be awfully tough on her when she found out.

But that didn't change anything. I had to get to that Slayers and Watchers Academy. I'd show them what I was made of.

I didn't think it would be easy. Even Mallory's parents weren't likely to be thrilled with her going so far away for so long, and she had been officially named as a Slayer.

Mr. and Mrs. Pike surprised me though. All the Pikes did. I think it was the demonstration that did it; they were a little afraid of what would happen if Mal wasn't trained (especially after she reminded everyone what had happened at the archery meet a few days earlier).

"We know that you do have to go," chirped Vanessa. "But we'll be sad to see you go!" The rest of the family nodded.

"But darling," Mrs. Pike said. "I hate to think of you going so far away alone. Your father and I can't leave work or the children, but do you think the BSC could go with you?"

Mr. Pike agreed. "We have enough saved up to pay for the tickets, if we skip Sea City this year."

"Oh, I'm sure I could find someplace for them to stay," Mr. Wells said casually. "They could help out Clem in the campus daycare center!"

It's nice that we have a reputation for being so responsible; it gets us all kinds of dibble opportunities. I talked to my parents that night (although I left out the part about Mal being a Slayer; as far as they were concerned she was going to "writing camp"). They agreed it was too good an opportunity to pass up. So did the parents' of the rest of the BSC.

We were going to London!

We were all excited about our trip, but I was most excited of all. I was going to prove myself worthy of being called "Slayer."