Sweet Sixteen

The atmosphere is wild, loud and full of vibrant colours. Men and women are clad in suits and dresses that resemble the Victorian Era. On their faces are vibrant colourful masks, sealing away their identities.

Walking among the crowd, my eyes seem to monitor everything in the ballroom. The butlers serving glasses of wine, the group of pretty women talking to each other while fanning themselves with fabricated fans, the group of handsome men raising their glasses of wine to give a toast and also the young ones dressed in stunning item of clothing.

My movements slow down as I reach a circle of people who perimeter the couples dancing in the middle of the ballroom.

I stand still as I watch the couples dance gracefully to the classical music being played by the group of musicians.

Across the room, my eyes land on Barnabas Collins. His skin is pale as ever and the dark circles around his eyes are dark as ever. His walking stick seems absent but he does, no doubt appear as a wealthy man.

The man smiles at me as he gestures me to dance with him.

Without hesitation, I walk towards the dance floor and we meet.

Barnabas wraps an arm around my waist and the other hand holds mine and I follow suit. We dance in a pattern that is similar to the other couples dancing. He smiles at me as I lock my eyes on him, exploring every feature of his face; from the jet black hair swept across his face to his pale lips.

He leans forward and so do I. I attempt to kiss his lips but he aims for my neck instead! He smiles as he reveals his fangs and immediately dives into my neck and I scream….

My eyes snap open as I inhale and exhale in a vigorous manner. It was only a stupid dream.

I look around in the darkness. I am still in my bedroom, still in my bed and staring wide eyed into the darkness.

I pick up the cellphone that is on the table next to my bed. I flip open the clamshell device to check the time. Apparently it is four thirty in the morning. I've finally turned sixteen.

What a way to ruin the first day of the sixteenth year of my life. I cannot believe it.

I place the phone back on the table and slump back onto the bed.

I close my eyes and try to ignore the dream but it can't seem to exit my mind. It seems to be dwelling in my mind, haunting my thoughts.

I thought he really is going to bite my neck and drain me to my death in front of those people in my weird dream.

And the worst part is that I had been thrown off to the Victorian Era.

"Stupid vampire," I mutter sourly as I turn to the other side of my bed, facing the posters on the wall.

In the silence of the atmosphere, my ear could pick up the sound of my doorknob being unlocked and turned.

My heart pounds really fast.

Who could be holding the spare key to my bedroom?

I pull the blanket over my head and try hard not to open my eyes. I try to calm down to pretend that I am sleeping.

I swear that I locked my door last night before I slept.

Who the hell is this person at the door?

Could it be Barnabas?

Did he hear me scream in my dream?

The door swings open and it closes with a small click to indicate that the door is being locked.

I keep silent as I listen to the soft footsteps emerging my bed.

The sound gets louder as the figure approaches closer to me and it finally stops.

I have a strong feeling that the figure is standing right in front of me.

I dare not to open my eyes.

"Carolyn," the voice says softly, giving me chills down my spine.

I stay motionless. I knew it is Barnabas.

With my eyes still shut, I rely on my ears to detect the sounds to roughly indicate what he might be doing.

The vampire places a hand on the blanket and slowly pulls it open until it reaches my hips.

He laughs hollowly.

"You still are awake, aren't you, my petite princess?" he says in his deep voice.

I try my best to pretend to sleep.

"Don't mock me," he croons as he runs his fingers in my hair.

The vampire pulls his hand away from my hair and lands it on my shoulder, trailing down to my chest and he does the unthinkable; his stupid icy cold fingers caress the side of my breast, which gives me an automatic response of slapping his hand roughly away from my assets as a jolt of electricity flows through my body at his touch.

My eye lids open and I glare at him in the darkness as I hiss, "What the hell was that for, you pervert?"

"I'm sorry," he apologises.

I pull up the blanket to my chest and face my body away from him.

"Stupid vampire," I mutter angrily.

"It was accidental," he says.

"Shut up and get out of my room!" I hiss angrily.

However, he still stays in my bedroom and makes things worse by getting on my bed and lying next to me while wrapping an arm around my waist.

"Go away," I say authoritatively.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," he says as he kisses my neck, draining away a part of my anger, which makes me weak to his touches.

I could feel my cheeks stretching as I smile in the darkness. He is the first person to greet me.

To control myself, I refrain myself from moaning or responding physically to his kiss but inside of me, my body temperature is getting higher.

"Stop," I say, feeling fear, lust and anger at the same time.

These feelings are tearing me apart in my mind, making me lose my sanity.

"Sweetheart," he coos into my ear, making me lose control of my thoughts.

I can't believe I'm succumbing to my lustful desires in the morning of my sixteenth year as a mortal.

I have to admit that although I am angry that he had invaded my assets but deep inside my heart, I actually like the feel of his fingers caressing them. It makes me feel excited, in a sexual manner, I suppose?

I turn around to face him, only to bump into his chest. I have never felt so idiotic in my life!

"Perverted vampire," I mutter against his chest.

"As much as you freely label me that, you seem to be enjoying every moment of it, my dear," Barnabas says as his free hand caress my cheek.

"If I had my way, I would tell everyone in this mansion that you are a sick pervert but seems like you're a vampire, you'll hypnotise them so that they will laugh at me instead," I say firmly.

He laughs as he plants a kiss on my forehead before my lips.

"However, you have not attempted it, I suppose?" he says.

I keep silent.

"Anyway," he changes the topic, "you were screaming just now. What happened? You had a nightmare?"

"You really enjoy ruining my life, don't you? You made me scream in my dream," I say in an annoyed tone.

"I made you scream?" he says in a different tone, indicating that he might have thought that I was screaming in my dream for a particular reason.

"Not that!" I growl as I push his hand away from my face.

"You were about to bite my neck, thank you very much," I say, feeling slightly annoyed.

The stubborn vampire continues touching me, particularly caressing my neck and my shoulder.

"I came to your room because I heard you screaming. I was afraid if it was an intruder inflicting pain upon my princess," he says in a serious tone.

"Inflicting pain? You love doing it to me as if I'm your slave," I growl at him.

"You are such a tease," he says in a very seductive voice which makes me feel hotter by the second.

"Stop it," I say.

Instead of letting go of myself, I take control of myself.

I throw my hands at his chest and grip the fabrics of his shirt and simply lean my head against his chest.

Barnabas pulls me closer to him to kiss me but I pull myself away from him.

"I think I have to leave now," he says, understanding my body language.

I could feel my hopes fading away at his sentence. I want him here but I still need to rest before my party tonight.

"Before that, answer my question: do you hold the spare keys to every single room in this manor?" I ask with full of confidence.

"Of course, dear," he whispers against my lips.

Barnabas slowly pulls away from me as he gets off the bed.

"By the way, you will not be seeing your new vehicle today but the salesman guarantees that it will be delivered next week as soon as possible," he says in a factual manner.

I could feel my cheeks stretching to a smile. I can wait for next week.

"I love you, Carolyn," he says as he kisses my lips for the last time.

The vampire walks away, leaving me speechless.

^%^%^%^%^

A few hours later and I was awaken by Anna and mother. Thankfully Barnabas hasn't left any trail of himself in my bedroom or else I would have been so called doomed.

The two of them greeted me happy birthday and I had my breakfast as usual with my family members and Dr Hoffman. Everything felt normal for once. Willie was also at the dining room to put a smile on my face.

Apart from that, my cellphone had been busy receiving messages from my friends and I couldn't help but to smile at every message that I have received.

We left home in the afternoon to get my hair and nails done and I have to admit that it really was a hassle trying to keep up with the schedule but what I fear the most is me having to perform in front of my guests later in the evening. I did practice many times but I fear that I might screw up later and make myself look like a miserable fool.

"Oh my god, you look stunning," Kiyoko says with full of admiration.

"Thank you," I say as I look at myself in the mirror.

In the mirror, I could see a blonde girl dressed in a long loose black tank top with a skull printed on it and a black leather jacket over it. The girl is also clad in a pleated kilt pattern mini skirt too.

I cannot believe what I am seeing in the mirror. I really look like a punk rock princess who's about to rock her party and later she will be clad in a dress which will give her a glam rock look.

The best part of all is that this girl is me!

"I can't believe I'm finally sixteen," I say as I check myself out in the mirror.

"You look so beautiful," Olivia says as she places a hand on my shoulder.

I turn to look at her.

"Thank you," I say.

Kiyoko comes up to us with her digital Sony camera in her hand and with a smile, she says, "Let's be queen of camwhores tonight, shall we?"

"Obviously!" Olivia and I say in unison and we giggle.

The three of us snap photos of us in various poses alone, in twos and also in threes. Apart from that, we make silly faces for fun and also pose with a few random objects from my bedroom. I really am having the time of my life. I really love these girls and I hope I can keep my friendship with them until the end of time. They have been really nice to me and I can't afford to lose them.

There is a knock on the door.

"Yeah?" I say.

"Carolyn, Good Charlotte is here and you have to be downstairs in ten minutes!" I could hear my mother's muffled voice behind the door.

I strut over to the door and open it.

"Mrs Stoddard, you look beautiful," Kiyoko says.

"Stunning!" Olivia says.

"Thank you Kiyoko and Olivia. You can just call me by my maiden name," mother says.

"Thanks mum!" I say happily as I hug her tightly.

"Smile!" Olivia says as she holds up the camera.

The both of us smile at the camera and Click! Click! Click! the camera goes.

"These are so adorable," Olivia says as she passes the camera to my mother.

She looks at the preview of the photos with a grin on her face.

"Thank you, Olivia," mother says with full of glee.

"You're welcome," Olivia says.

"Should we get going now?" I ask excitedly.

"Meet you down there!" Kiyoko says as she and Olivia exit my room.

"Come on, let's get Good Charlotte to accompany you down the stairs," mother says.

I nod and we lock my bedroom and head to the hallway.

We meet up with the members of Good Charlotte at the hallway and my mother leaves me with the band members as she heads off to the sound system crew.

The band members compliment my outfit and I could feel my cheeks going red as they look at me. I shake their hands once again and hug them. I can't believe I'm going to perform with them soon for my party.

I could hear the emcee announcing our arrival and we walk down the stairs. A loud metal music is being played and I could see and hear my friends screaming at our presence. The instruments had been set up at the stairs and I could feel my heart beating faster than ever.

I look at the crowd to spot Barnabas and my family members. I could only spot David and Dr Hoffman. I can't seem to see Uncle Roger, my mother and Barnabas. I wonder where they are right now.

As I reach for the mike stand meant for me, I say, "Good evening guys and girls! Are you ready to rock?"

The crowd cheers louder than ever.

I could hear someone screaming, "Carolyn you're damn hot!"

I smile and say into the mike, "Thank you, you're freaking hot too!" to whoever that is.

I look over at Joel Madden as a cue that we should start the performance.

He greets the crowd and he signals the band to perform the first song for the night. I nervously pick up the electric guitar and recall the tabs and chords I have practiced recently.

As we play two of the band's songs, I dance and sing a bit and for the last song of their performance of the first set, I play the solo of the song with Benji Madden. I have never felt anything like this before!

When their performance has ended, I say into the mike, "Thank you so much for attending my party! I have some songs written two weeks ago and I'm going to perform two songs right now!"

Uncle Roger's friends come up to the stairs and they immediately position themselves. The drummer initiates the beat and we play the first song.

Finally it's my time to shine.

The crowd cheers for me as I sing and play the guitar. I have never felt like a rock star in my life!

When the performance is over, I walk up the stairs, shortly accompanied by my mother, Olivia and Kiyoko.

I quickly change into my ultimate dress for the night in my bedroom and I feel really excited to go back down to join the crowd and have something to munch a bit.

"Carolyn, I've recorded the whole performance," Kiyoko says excitedly.

"And Kiyoko's boyfriend got photos of you too," Olivia says with a smile.

"Thank you so much," I say.

"Now, let's try some of the food. As usual, my mom chose the best caterers ever," Olivia says proudly as we walk down the stairs.

The two girls bring me to the dining hall and we hug and snap photos of us and our other friends, seniors and juniors. Everyone looks stunning and lavish in their clothing.

"Kiyoko!" Caleb says as he walks over to us, shortly followed by Chace and Lloyd.

"Hey guys!" I say as the other boys come to us.

Olivia shakes her head dismissively at Caleb.

"And you're not going to greet me and Carolyn?"

"Happy birthday Carolyn," Caleb says.

"Thanks," I say, as I shoot him my signature smirk.

"Happy birthday punk princess," Lloyd says.

"Happy birthday Carolyn," Chace says with a grin.

I laugh at the two boys and say, "What's up with the formal tone?"

"Is it abnormal?" Chace asks carefully.

"Obviously. Just relax and have fun," I say lightly.

"Dance with me, princess," Lloyd says.

I laugh hollowly at Lloyd and say, "I'm not your princess. Go find another girl."

At the corner of my eye, I could see Uncle Roger heading towards us.

"Carolyn," he says as he approaches me.

"Uncle Roger?" I ask.

My friends greet Uncle Roger and he smiles.

"Could I borrow Carolyn for awhile?" he asks my friends.

"Sure," Chace says.

"We'll wait," Lloyd says.

Uncle Roger wraps an arm around my shoulders and he brings me to a less crowded corner in the dining hall to have a private conversation.

"Do you want to have some light snacks with Good Charlotte? You could bring a few of your friends over but just for awhile only," he says in a serious tone.

I laugh and say, "Why is everyone so tensed tonight?"

Uncle Roger stares at me and says, "I'm not tensed, am I?"

"You were," I say with my signature sarcastic grin.

"Alright, maybe I was. But, you could bring a few of your friends over," he says.

I bite my bottom lip and I think.

With full of rationality, I say, "I'll go alone. It would be unfair to the others. Besides, it's my party. I deserve the band's full attention on me."

Uncle Roger nods.

For a split second, I sounded like a spoil bitch at my last sentence to Uncle Roger.

I walk back to my friends and lie to them that I have to help out with my uncle for awhile and that I would be back as soon as I could.

I spent roughly half an hour being with the band members and David in the dining room where we usually have our breakfast. David seems to enjoy their presence and I spoke a lot to Paul Thomas and Billy Martin.

As I speak to them, I enjoy and savour the tasty food at the same time. I really owe Olivia a lot this time.

I exit the room after spending some time with them and I head back to the crowd to meet my friends and the other guests.

I walk back to the dining hall to search my friends but I couldn't seem to spot them.

Suddenly, I hear, "Where were you?" as I walk to the bowl of punch on the table of bowls of juices and drinks.

I turn around to see Lloyd standing behind me.

"Hey," I say as I scoop up some punch and pour them into a paper cup.

"To answer your question, I was with Uncle Roger and my mother to sort out some stuff and I bumped into Good Charlotte and we had a little chat. I'm sorry if I was taking too much time," I say.

"It's alright. I was just worried if something happened to you," he says.

I roll my eyes at him incredulously.

"Yeah, right," I say sarcastically as I walk away from him.

"Do you want to dance?" he asks.

"Sure. Where are the rest?" I say as I look around.

Lloyd grabs my free hand and says, "Our friends are waiting for us at the dance floor. I mean, you know, near the stairs."

I nod as I finish up the drink and leave the paper cup on the table.

Lloyd's fingers entwine around my fingers and we walk off to the dance floor. I could feel all eyes on me as we walk. Lloyd and I are holding hands and people would think that we are an item when actually we're not.

I could anticipate that he would want to dance with me tonight. He had shown me several times that he wanted me but I tried to keep this platonic friendship so that I wouldn't be stuck between being his girlfriend and also being Barnabas' on and off secret lover.

As we reach the dance floor to meet up with my friends, Good Charlotte was already on stage, getting ready to perform their second and final set for the night.

Kiyoko and Caleb dance all by themselves, leaving me, Olivia, Chace and Lloyd to dance in a huge circle as the band plays their songs.

The music slows down and I find myself dancing with Lloyd. Olivia is dancing with the senior girls and Chace is talking to other boys of the same age as us.

"You're very beautiful tonight, Carolyn," Lloyd says as we dance slowly to the slow rock song being played.

"Thank you," I say monotonously.

"You're very cold, aren't you?" Lloyd says.

"I am Carolyn Collins, abandoned by her terrible father, after all. I do not want to be known as Carolyn Stoddard," I say as I stare at him.

I feel very awkward having my arms around his neck and having his arms around my waist. I wonder if Barnabas is hiding somewhere, glaring at me from a hidden corner in the room.

"What has that got to do with your coldness, dollface?" he asks.

"Will you stop calling me ridiculous names? I'm not from the Victorian Era, thank you very much," I say sarcastically as I display my annoyed face.

"I'm sorry," he quickly apologises.

I nod and stare elsewhere.

"Carolyn, there's something I've been wanting to tell you," he says.

"What is it?" I say, acting very blunt.

"I think you could actually sense it," he says nervously.

"I am a cold person," I stare at him, pretending that I am being very annoyed with Barnabas.

"And I will never be sensitive enough to bother to know what others feel and think," I lie.

I know what he feels but I just want him to go further away from me by acting like this.

Silence falls on us and I look away from him.

I am feeling very uncomfortable right now.

"Carolyn," he begins.

I look back at him.

"I like you," he says carefully.

"That's why you're my friend," I say stupidly.

"No. I like you more than a friend," he says as he leans forward.

I place up a hand in front of his face.

"Lloyd, I don't feel like being in a relationship right now. I just want to be single. I think I've declared that a few hundred times to you guys and Olivia and Kiyoko. I've already experienced it. I want a simple life right now," I lie in a very convincing manner.

He nods and I could see the hope on his face draining away.

"Do you want to get some drink?" I say, quickly changing the subject.

"Sure," he says and we exit the dance floor, without holding hands.

I feel very sorry for him but at the same time, I feel fearful if Barnabas had seen us dancing like that on the dance floor.

I can't believe that every moment of my life has to be so complicated and it just has to interrupt with the best night of my life.