Mist danced around my feet as laser lights shot across the dim room. The smell of a Langraabster, the beach clothing shop, gave the room a rather sensual aura. Stars milled around and tried to chat with each other, but their noses were so high in the air that it was difficult for them to make eye contact. I thought I might gain a star level just from being in the same room as them all, breathing the same cool air. The light reflected off their faces, giving everyone a particularly impish expression, the same one I wore on the regular basis. Yet I could tell that only the one and two stars were out here; the fours and fives must be in the VIP section. Oh well, their loss, because the party was clearly out here.
Now I was completely swept away by the scene. "No wonder Bianca was so desperate to get in," I said under my breath. "This place is amazing." At that moment, Sugar Bijou walked by in a sassy orange number that could barely contain her curves. She didn't seem to be walking with a purpose, just flowing with the party. She was only a one star. I could probably get in with her easy. Still, for good measure, I tried to convey as much Attractiveness as possible. As she walked by, I caught her on the shoulder.
"Hi! You're Sugar Bijou!" I said, my voice coming out shriller than I expected.
"Uh… yeah," she replied dryly. She looked at me over her sunglasses, clearly confused as to how I'd even made it in. "Obviously."
"Ohmigosh, duh, of course you know that. I'm Zayn Xu, but you can just call me Zayn," I gushed. Oh my God. What was I doing?
Sugar sighed, making her impatience evident. "I'm sorry, but I didn't come here for a fangirl meet-and-greet, okay? So, umm, Zoey, unless you think you can impress me, get to steppin'." She was already looking past me, trying to find the next group to mingle with.
I tried to think of a topic to talk about. If I didn't start strong, she'd lose interest quick, and I'd be known as the biggest lame in here. I could already see some of the others peeking over at us, trying to figure out if I was accepted or not. I ran my hand through my hair to try to appear more relaxed.
"So, Shug, I was just wondering if you knew about mixing? I wanted to take a mixing class, but—"
"My sister mixes. I hate my sister," she said flatly. What a great start.
Time to try another angle. "So, umm, I think you're really, you know, magnetic. I mean, you've definitely got some charisma. I'm studying charisma too, you know, just learning to be charming!" I smiled, hoping this would go over better.
Sugar gave me a blank stare for a while, and I was just sure she was getting ready to walk away and let everyone know what a poser I was. But, to my relief, she began to smile too. "Oh really? I took a few classes at city hall for starters, but the rest is all natural."
I didn't know where else to take the conversation, so I thought I'd try charisma again. "Yeah, well, I can definitely tell. I'm just hoping I can get to the point that you're at, you know? I love how you're able to talk to everyone. Everyone just loves you!" Jeez. A Little thick there.
This just made Sugar even happier. I thought I saw her head swell a little, too. "Aha! Well, it can be hard sometimes, you know how celebrities can be. I guess it just pays to be likeable, huh? That's how I got Tom!" She winked. I had a feeling that her relationship with Tom had less to do with her sparkling personality and more to do with her spreading legs, but I decided to keep that thought to myself.
"Speaking of Tom," I started. "How do you like his music career? Front row seats to concerts and everything, you've gotta love that!" I hoped she didn't think I was calling her a gold digger. I mean, she is a gold digger, but I didn't want her to know that I thought that.
"Ohhh, girl," she laughed, touch my arm as if we were longtime friends.
"Fabulous. Absolutely fabulous. I mean, right now, he's just a rapper, but I'm sure he'll be a full-out rockstar in a couple of weeks. In fact, Tom has a concert tonight, think you wanna come with me?"
Did Sugar Bijou just invite me to a concert? Seriously? I mean, I knew I had Attractiveness, but I didn't know that meant instant friends! With celebrities, nonetheless! "Why, of course I would, Sugar! That'd be… that'd be awesome! Thanks sooo much!" I tried my best to suppress my excitement and behave as if celebrities invited me places all the time. I definitely failed.
"No problem! And just call me Shug; all my friends do. By the way, what's your name again?"
"Zayn," I said, grinning.
"Of course. Here, let me go introduce you to the rest of my friends. Come on." Shug took my hand and led me toward a group of celebrities, all holding drinks and looking completely disinterested in one another. I gulped. "Hey, guys, this is Zoey. Zoey, meet Elvira, Morrigan, Kai, and Big Hartley." Her voices dropped in enthusiasm considerably at this last name, but I was too star-struck to care.
"Umm, Shug, I believe the girl's name is Zayn," said Elvira. I'm not sure how she knew this, but it probably has to do with her glowing eyes and the fangs she keeps licking.
"Hi Zayn, nice to meet you," said Morrigan, smiling warmly. I held my hand out for a hangshake, but she pulled me in for a hug instead. Her eyes also had the glow of the undead, but she seemed a bit warmer than I remember Griffin was, so maybe she was a convert. All the same, I couldn't help but notice the way her fangs rubbed my cheek when she gave me two European kisses on both sides. I tried not to shudder.
Big and Kai just nodded courteously, but neither of them seemed too interested in knowing me. I'm guessing that if the two girls weren't vampires and didn't want to eat me, they wouldn't have cared either.
Once the greetings were over, it got a bit awkward. Nobody was saying anything, but I think Morrigan and Elvira were telepathically debating the best way to bite me without the paparazzi seeing. Feeling hunted, I tried to find a way to get out of there.
"Hey, Shug, want me to go grab us some drinks? I'd hate for us to be the only two without a glass."
"Hmm? Oh, sure, hun. I like mines with salt around the rim." She twiddled her fingers in that high-class wave, and I turned from the constellation of stars and began making my way through the dance floor.
*I know this was a short and uneventful chapter, but I had to break it into two parts. The next chapter, I think, is more interesting.