I couldn't tell my mother about my mysterious invitation to the Mansion. She'd say no, I couldn't go. I'd say yes, I could. She'd ground me; I'd run away. No gigs or band practice. It would all be very dramatic. I was certain nothing could stop me from going, until my dad dropped a bomb on the morning of December 1.
"I'm taking Mom to Vegas tonight!" he said, pulling me aside. "It's all very spur-of-the-moment. We're flying out this afternoon. "
"Isn't that romantic?" My mom beamed, grabbing a suitcase from the hall closet. "Your father's never done anything like this for our anniversary!"
"But I have plans!"
"So invite Nudge and the guys over here tonight. " He tossed a hairbrush into his travel bag. "You're always going to their house. But pick out a movie you all can enjoy."
"Jeb, should I take this?" my mom interrupted, holding a red strapless dress.
"I'm sixteen, Dad. I want to go out on a Saturday night!"
"I know, " my mom said, placing a pair of red stilettos in her bag. "But not tonight. Your father's just surprised me! He hasn't done that since college. Just this once, Max, then you can have all the Saturdays you want."
She kissed me on the head, not waiting for a response. "I'll be calling in at midnight sharp, " my father warned. I groaned in annoyance.
"Don't worry. I'm not going to throw a wild party, " I said angrily.
"Good, I might have to use the house as collateral at the blackjack table."
He went into his closet and pulled a jacket out. I went into my room and pulled my hair out. In all the seventeen years my parents had been married, my dad had to pick tonight to surprise my mom? It was seven-thirty that night when I broke the news to Igtard.
I was wearing my best. (Outfit link: . ) My hair was loose and I arranged it so it was all hanging on my left shoulder.
"I'm going out tonight."
"But you're supposed to stay here." Iggy ogled my outfit like a protective father.
"You have a date!"
"I do not. I just have to go."
"No you're not."
"I'll give you 30 bucks, and cover for me if dad calls ok?" He sighed and nodded, he handed me mom's car keys. She had the same car as dad but grey.
Some hideous Dullsvillians had spray-painted GO HOME FREAKS! on the crumbling brick wall by the Mansion gate. It could have been Dylan. It could have been anyone. I felt an emptiness in my stomach.
I guess the Walkers didn't get many visitors. There was no buzzer on the gate. Was I supposed to wait there, or climb over? But then I realized the gate was open. For me. I walked up the long driveway, looking at the curtained attic window, hoping I would be able to finally see it from the inside. Anything could happen tonight. I really didn't know what to expect.
I gently rapped the serpent knocker. The huge door slowly opened and Creepy Man greeted me with his crackly smile.
"So glad you could come, " he said in his thick European accent, straight out of a black-and-white horror flick. "May I take your coat?"
"Oh no thank it's fine," I smiled. I was wear a strapless shirt underneath so...yeah...He nodded.
I stood in the hallway. Where was my dinner partner anyway? "Fang will be joining you in a few minutes, " Creepy said.
"Would you like to sit in the drawing room until he comes down?"
"Sure," I agreed, and was led to a huge room next to the living room. It was decorated simply with two scarlet Victorian chairs and a chaise lounge. The only thing that didn't look dusty and old was the baby grand piano in the corner. Creepy Man left again.
There were leather-bound books in some foreign language, dusty music scores, and old crinkly maps, and this wasn't even their library. Then I felt that same unseen presence I had felt the last time I visited the Mansion. Fang had come into the room. He stood, mysteriously handsome. His hair was sleek and he wore a silk black shirt hanging over black jeans.
He was even more handsome than Dylan but didn't come off as self-assured, more like a wounded bird that needed to be held. As if he'd been living in a dungeon all his life and this was the first time he'd seen another human. He seemed uncomfortable with conversation and chose his words carefully, as if once spoken he might never get them back.
"I'm sorry I kept you waiting, " he began. "I was getting you these." And he timidly held out five red roses. Flowers? No way!
I was completely overwhelmed. I blushed and took the flowers from him, softly touching his hands in the process. I felt a tiny zap when our hands touched. I looked into his eyes and saw confusion. He must have felt it too. I blushed a darker shade of red.
"I've never gotten flowers before. They're the most beautiful flowers I've ever seen."
"You must have a hundred boyfriends," he said, glancing down at his boots."I can't believe they've never given you flowers." I giggled softly.
"Thank you so much...but why five?" I looked at him shyly.
"One for every time I saw you." I was touched...Then Creepy Man appeared.
"Dinner is ready. Shall I put those in some water, miss?"
"Please," I said, though I didn't want to part with them.
"Thank you, Arthur, " Fang said. Ah, so that's creepy man's name...
Fang waited for me to exit the room first, but I was unsure which way to go.
"I thought you'd know the way, " he teased.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Sure, water please."
He returned a moment later with two crystal goblets.
"I hope you're hungry."
I smiled and nodded. He led me into the candlelit dining room, dominated by a long uncovered oak table set with ceramic plates and silver utensils. Fang pulled out my chair, then sat a million miles away at the other end of the table.
The five roses stood in a crystal vase blocking my view. Creepy Man-I mean, Arthur wheeled in a creaky cart and presented me with a basket of steamy rolls.
He returned with crystal bowls filled with a greenish soup. Considering the number of courses, the slowness of Arthur's service and the length of the table, we were guaranteed to be here for months.
But I didn't care, I didn't want to be anywhere else in the world. "It's Hungarian goulash," Fang stated as I nervously stirred the pasty soup. I tasted it and it was so good. A bit spicy but still good!
I didn't know what to ask Fang, but I wanted to know everything about him. I could tell he had fewer friends than I. He seemed uncomfortable in his own skin.
"What do you do all day?" I asked.
"I wanted to know the same thing about you, " he offered.
"Well I go to school," I said.
"I sleep," he said.
"Oh...most people don't sleep in the day."
"I'm not most people."
"True," I sat back against my chair.
"So...How did you get my information?"
"Arthur was supposed to return the phone to you but gave it to a blond football player who said he was your boyfriend. I might have bought the story if I hadn't seen you beat him up, run off, and have him curse at you."
"Well, you're right, he's not my boyfriend. He's a totally lamoid ass at school."
"But fortunately he also told Arthur your name and address to back up his story. That's how I knew how to find you. I didn't think I'd find you exploring the house again." His dreamy eyes stared right through me. We both laughed.
"Where are your parents?" I asked.
"Romania."
"Really?" I sat up straighter.
"Yes."
"How interesting," giving him a smile.
"You're a wacky girl. You certainly give life to Dullsville. There isn't any nightlife here, is there? Not for people like me and you. " Nightlife. People like me and you.
"Well sometimes there is," I mumbled scratched the back of my neck.
"Oh?"
"Um...never mind," I coughed. I don't know what I'd do if I saw him at one of our shows, I'd probably focus on him the whole time and I probably wouldn't focus.
"Okay...I preferred living in New York and London, " he said.
"I bet there's a lot to do there at night. And a lot of night people," I said fascinated. Just then Arthur came to take the goulash away and served us steak.
"I hope you're not a vegetarian, " he said.
I peered down at my dinner. The steak was medium rare, more on the rare side, as the juice spilled onto the plate and into the mashed potatoes. He was so mysterious, and funnier than I could have imagined. I was under his spell as I peered at him through the flowers.
"I'm sure it'll be delicious, " I said. He watched as I took a bite.
"Yum, once again. " Suddenly he looked at me with sad eyes.
"Listen, do you mind" He picked up his plate and walked over to me.
"All I can see are the flowers, and after all, you're much prettier. " He set his plate next to mine and dragged his oak chair over.
He sat smiling as we ate, his leg softly touching mine. My body was electrified. Alexander was funny, gorgeous, and awkward in a sexy way. I wanted to know his whole life story.
"What do you do at night? Where else have you lived? Why don't you go to school?" I rattled on suddenly.
"Slow down."
"Um...where were you born?"
"Romania."
"Then where's your Romanian accent?"
"In Romania. We traveled constantly. "
"Have you ever gone to school?"
"No, I've always had a private tutor."
"What's your favorite color?"
"Black."
"What do you want to be when you grow up?"
"You mean I'm not grown up?"
"That's a question, not an answer, " I said coyly.
"What do you want to be?" he asked. I stared into his deep, dark mysterious eyes.
"A singer." He stared at me curiously. I looked down, embarrassed and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. I saw his hand go under my chin and lift it, making me look into his eyes.
"Can you sing something for me later?" he looked down at my lips for a second and looked back into my eyes. I couldn't say no so I nodded. He smiled at me and it almost took my breath away, his smile was beautiful.
"Maximum, why did you sneak into the house?" I looked away, embarrassed. Arthur wheeled over some pastry on a cart. He lit a match and flames rose around the dessert. "Flamb?!" he announced. And just in time, Fang extinguished our desserts and told Arthur we would finish our dinner in the living room. He led me towards the living room and once inside placed our dessert on top of the piano. He extended his hand to me.
I took it and sat down next to him on the piano's bench. I sighed and placed my hands on the keys.
(Sally's Song - Amy Lee Version) P.S. SONG AT BEGINNING OF CHAPTER.
I sense there's something in the wind
That feels like tragedy's at hand
And though I'd like to stand by him
Can't shake this feeling that I have
The worst is just around the bend
I looked over at Fang and saw him staring at my fingers playing the keys.
And does he notice my feelings for him?
And will he see how much he means to me?
I think it's not to be
I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sound of the piano's keys made.
What will become of my dear friend
Where will his actions lead us then?
Although I'd like to join the crowd
In their enthusiastic cloud
Try as I may, it doesn't last
And will we ever end up together?
Oh ooh
I looked into Fang's eyes for the last part.
And will we ever end up together?
No, I think not, it's never to become
For I am not the one
"Beautiful," he whispered.
"You're amazing, Max," he said. I blushed.
"Thank you," I smiled.
"Do you sing in public?"
"Yes I'm in a band with my brother and my other 3 guy best friends," I said.
"I'd like to see you sometime."
I looked at the keys and thought. Then it hit me.
"Well we're going to play a show next Friday night, at the park three blocks behind the mansion at 7:30 pm," I said hopefully.
"Great! I'll be there," he said. I smiled.
"Be sure to be there at like 7:00 to get a good spot," I said. He nodded.
"You're very talented Max."
"Ha, thanks," I smiled.
"Care to join me outside?"
"Yes," I said. Fang stood up and offered his hand to me. I took it and we walked hand in hand to the dilapidated gazebo.
"I hope you aren't afraid of the dark," he murmured.
"No, I love it," I whispered.
"Me, too, " he said, smiling. "It's really the only way to see the stars properly."
He lit a half-melted candle on the ledge.
"Do you bring all your girlfriends here?" I asked, fingering the used candle.
"Yes. " He laughed.
"And I read to them by candlelight. What would you like?" he asked, pointing to a stack of textbooks on the floor.
"Functions and Logarithms or Minority Group Cultures?" I laughed.
"The moon is so beautiful tonight, " he said, staring out the gazebo, which made me think to the dream again, I said the same thing but I shook it off.
"Makes me think of werewolves. Do you think a man can change into an animal?"
"If he's with the right girl, " he said with a laugh. I laughed and moved closer to him. The moonlight softly lit his face. He was beautiful. Fang grabbed my hand.
We lay down on the cold grass and gazed up at the stars, holding hands. We relaxed in silence, our hands warming together.
"Who are your friends?" I asked, turning to him.
"I keep to myself."
"I bet you met tons of cool girls before you moved here."
"Cool is one thing. The kind of girls who accept you for who you really are is another. I'd like something lasting."
"I want a relationship I can finally sink my teeth into," he continued. I felt my heart skip a beat as he squeezed my hand once.
"So you don't have any friends here?" I asked.
"Just one."
"Arthur?"
"Someone who has dirty blond hair with black at the bottom," he said.
We both stared up at the moon in silence. I beamed from his compliment.
"Who do you hang out with?" he finally asked.
"My brother, Iggy, my other 3 best friends; Ari, Gasman, and Sam. Also Nudge or Monique," I said.
"Gasman?" he laughed and looked at me.
"His digestive system is a bit...different, just don't stay with him in a locked room," I said and we both laughed.
"They all accept me for who I am, for not being like every girl in this is, and I accept them for who they are. They aren't your average teenagers as well."
"You seem a lot like me, " he said. "You don't gawk at me like I'm a freak."
"I'll kick anyone who does."
"I think you already did. Or at least gave him a purple eye and kicked him in his privates." I giggled. Fang slowly stroked my arm up and down, and I smiled up at him.
"I've never seen bats around here, until you moved in," I said pointing to a flurry of dark wings circling high above the Mansion.
"Yeah, we found some hanging in the attic. Arthur set them free. I hope they don't frighten you. They're wonderful creatures."
"You know, they hate mall hair," he said softly. I laughed softly, and he stroked my hair softly. I wriggled over him and pinned his arms down. He looked up at me with surprise and smiled.
"Tell me your favorite thing about bats, Bat Girl, " he asked, as I anxiously stared down at him.
"They can fly."
"You want to fly?" I nodded. He wrestled me over and pinned my arms down.
"So what's your favorite thing about bats, Bat Boy?" I asked.
"I'd have to say, " he began, thinking, "their vampire teeth."
I smiled and thought about the rumors but I shook the thought off.
"We should probably head inside," he murmured. I nodded.
I listened to the grandfather clock chime away.
Nine-Chime-Ten-Chime. No! Eleven-Chime. Frig! Twelve. It couldn't be! "I've got to go!" I exclaimed.
"So soon?" he asked, disappointed.
"Any second my dad will be calling from Vegas, and if I'm not there to answer, I'll be grounded for eternity!"
"Thanks for the flowers and the dinner and the stars, " I said hurriedly by mom's car, scrambling in my pocket for the keys.
"Thank you for coming. " He looked dreamy and gorgeous, and somehow lonely.
"Max?" he said cautiously.
"Hmm?" I said, looking down at my phone and saw one missed call from Ig ten minutes ago.
"Would you like me to invite you again, or would you rather sneak back in?"
"I'd love to be invited, " I answered, looking at him.
"Wonderful then. I'll call you. " He kissed me softly on the cheek. I blushed.
I could still feel his lovely, full lips against my face as I drove home. My body tingled all over with excitement, longing, passion feelings I had never felt about a guy before.
I ran through the door and saw Iggy going "uh huh" a lot with his head banging against the table. I tapped his shoulder and reached for the phone.
"I had no idea he was so fascinated with Las Vegas. Next time I'll bring him. He tells me you guys have been watching movies all evening."
"Yeah."
"Glad to hear that. Love you honey," said dad.
"Love you too dad."