Eleventh Grade Burns(55)

He thought he heard Henry say something about having fun as he moved down the hall and into the gym, but he couldn’t remember how to speak, so his reply was merely silence.

She was dressed in black from head to toe. The top of her luxurious silk gown was strapless, baring her flawless, pale shoulders, and corseted, revealing just a hint of something that made Vlad’s face flush bright red. The skirt of her gown was layered and full. Her hair was pinned up in messy curls, tiny bats dotting the barrettes, matching the tiny, glittery bats on her nails. Vlad took a step closer and breathed her name. “Snow ...”

Her nervous smile relaxed. Vlad couldn’t help but wonder what it was she had to be nervous about. He was the one who felt like a stuttering idiot. He walked down the hall in what felt like slow motion, and when he reached her, her smile faltered. “Listen, Vlad. I know I’m only here because October forced you to take me. So we don’t have to pretend we’re dating or anything. We can just be here as friends.”

Vlad shook his head, a smile fixed on his lips, unwilling to let reality spoil the already magical evening. “You look amazing.”

Relaxing her shoulders, Snow beamed. “You look pretty hot yourself, mister.”

He held out his elbow and she looped her arm in his, then they walked arm in arm through the open gym doors into a winter paradise. Wide, wondering eyes turned toward them, and though Vlad was certain most of them were questioning who exactly was the beauty on his arm, he was happy to speculate that maybe a few of the gathered crowd had no idea who he was. He felt like a different person, oddly confident, ready to shine, and very, very aware of the feel of Snow’s arm on his own.

One couple in particular caught his eye. A good-looking guy in deep blue and a pretty girl in white and pink. Joss and Meredith. And for once, Vlad didn’t care about what Meredith might be thinking. He was too wrapped up in the shocked expressions that had greeted them.

But there it was, on the cusp of the other kids’ thoughts. Meredith’s words in his head. “Is that why he broke up with me? To be with her?”

Vlad pushed her thoughts away and with them, his anguish at seeing the heartbreak in her eyes.

Though the rest of the goth kids were nowhere to be seen, Henry was standing by the punch bowl with October; Vlad steered Snow toward them, smiling the entire time. October grinned. “You’re the perfect couple”

Henry nodded. “Our work here is done.”

He and October clinked their plastic cups together and smiled. Vlad was happy to see his two friends getting along and working together toward a common goal. Even if he was the reason that they had to work so hard.

The evening proceeded with much more grace than Vlad thought was possible. He and Snow danced to almost every song, when they weren’t hanging out with Henry and October, who seemed to have developed a sort of friendship when Vlad hadn’t been looking. The music was incredible—a perfect selection of songs. The food was amazing. Even luck seemed to be on his side, as he didn’t see much of Joss or Meredith at all. Halfway through the night, a slow song came on, and Snow tugged him onto the dance floor with a gleam in her dark eyes.

As they danced, Snow stepped in closer and Vlad let her. They swayed side to side, so close and warm, and Vlad’s heart fluttered happily. Then, without warning, his gums throbbed and his fangs elongated. Tensing, he snapped his mouth shut.

Not here. Not now. Not when he was trying so desperately to quit drinking from Snow.

Snow looked at him, concern filling her eyes. It took her a second, but when she realized what the problem was, that Vlad needed to feed and he needed to feed now, she tugged him out into the hall. Henry emitted a howl from across the room, which made Snow roll her eyes right along with Vlad. Once in the hall, Snow pulled him into a semidark corner, bent her neck to the side, and whispered, “Hurry. Before someone sees.”

Vlad nodded, unable to speak, unable to refuse, only capable at the moment of hungering for what lay within Snow’s delectable veins. He pulled her closer, trying to be gentle, and bit firmly into her jugular. The sweet taste of warm blood splashed across his tongue, and Vlad almost moaned with pleasure. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a flash—Eddie, probably, and his stupid camera—but he didn’t care. The hunger had him now. He drank deeply, filling himself with her essence, feeling his body growing stronger as hers grew weaker. For a brief moment, he opened his eyes, and over Snow’s shoulder he saw a face that he knew very well.

Meredith’s brown eyes were wide, but not terrified. She muttered, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to interrupt,” and turned to walk away, her eyes shimmering.