The Childe (20 page)

“So, what do you think? It’s perfect, right?”

“I’ll take it,” she said meeting the eyes of the young clerk.

Leaving the store with a clothes bag containing the items she purchased and the dress she rented, Cat made her way to the car where Trish and Taylor were waiting.

Sitting in the back of the car on the ride home, with her window rolled down, Cat felt the cool breeze flowing through her hair. Most of the streets in Astoria were dimly lit by pumpkins lining front porches. Creepy statues and scary graveyard scenes decorated lawns and windows of houses they passed by. Cat’s love of Halloween started at the age of four when her mom, along with her friends and their moms, walked the neighborhood trick or treating. Her parents took several pictures. Cat especially loved the one of her and all her friends looking more cute than scary. She was a lady bug, Amanda a pink elephant, Elle a kitten, and Matt was a pumpkin. Every year after that Cat wore a vampire costume. She had seen a cape and fangs in the store and begged her mom to let her wear them. She giggled as she remembered Matt’s face when he saw her for the first time, scared since he didn’t recognize her. Elle was a little scared as well, but Amanda was quick enough to realize it was Cat under the disguise.

The Masquerade Ball was three days away and counting. Numerous flyers were posted on every wall of the school advertising the event. The flyers stressed the necessity for masks to be worn and the motto,
YOU WILL NEVER KNOW WHO YOU ARE DANCING WITH,
was in large print covering the bottom half of the sheet. The entire school was excited. This was the first annual masquerade and it was a welcomed change from the ordinary Halloween party the school hosted in previous years. The school even shelled out some money to rent out the most posh ballroom in the whole county. Rumor had it the faculty was just as excited about dressing up as the students were.

The whole school was decorated for Halloween. Miss Amaya’s classroom was particularly neat, as she had gone all out and turned her classroom into a haunted house. A black beaded curtain hung at the entrance and the ceiling was covered in black paper with a huge full moon painted on it. A coffin stood in one corner, a realistic vampire resting peacefully inside. A witch hung from the ceiling flying on a huge broom with a black cat sitting behind her. Tiny skeletons and pumpkins framed the blackboard. A ghost hovered in the graveyard scene she had displayed next to her desk. Near the entrance to the classroom, a mummy stood with its hands reaching out as if to grab unsuspecting students. The best attraction happened when the lights were turned out for movie days and all the decorations glowed, giving an even more eerie look to the room.

It came as no surprise that Mr. Crawley hadn’t bothered to make his room festive. In fact he manage to make it more plain than usual. He hated holidays and their rituals.
His loss,
Cat thought.

Kirsten spotted Cat standing by her locker talking to her “geeky” friends.
I need to get closer to Cat. I have to draw her into my circle so I can get closer to Taylor,
she thought with an evil grin. Watching him with that “ugly” Trish girl everyday made her angry and more determined to snare him.

“I have to do it,” Kirsten uttered determinedly.

“Have to do what?” Jess piped in.

Kirsten looked blankly at her.
Surely I didn’t say my thoughts out loud,
she wondered
.
“Oh, I was just thinking I need to get Cat in my corner and I need suggestions.” Looking at Tonya who was twirling a lock of hair and popping her gum with a vacant expression in her eyes, Kirsten knew she would get no help from her. Frustrated she turned to Jessica, “Well?”

“Um, maybe you should invite her to the annual Halloween bon fire at the beach. That’s what I’d do.”

Kirsten turned away and then quickly turned back. “I know! I’ll invite her to the Halloween beach party on Saturday! Perfect! I knew I couldn’t count on you two,” she said moving toward Cat, who was now standing alone at her looker.

“Hey Cat,” Kirsten said smiling sweetly, leaning against the locker next to Cat’s. “Are you free Saturday night?” Cat looked at Kirsten seeing the smile but also noticing the calculating look in her eyes.

“Excuse me, I need to get in my locker,” a voice said standing beside Kirsten. Turning to the girl who was interrupting her conversation, she gave her a cold stare.

“Beat it freshman!” she growled. Turning back to Cat, she plastered a smile back on her face. “As I was saying before I was so
rudely
interrupted. I want to invite you to the annual Halloween bon fire party at the beach on Saturday. Normally freshmen are not invited. Of course some of the upper classmen aren’t either, but I’ll make an exception with you. Now, I won’t take no for an answer, and if you need me to pick you up I will.”

Cat saw the girl still standing behind Kirsten, waiting to get into her locker. “Kirsten let’s walk and talk, we really should get to class.”

“Sure, but you’ll come right?” Cat seemed to ponder the question.

“I guess, and don’t worry I’ll get a ride there.”

“Great! We’re going to have so much fun!” she gushed pulling Cat’s arm through hers as they walked briskly down the hall. Cat tried not to giggle as she looked back and saw Jessica and Tonya, their short legs trying to keep up.
What have I gotten myself in to?
Cat’s inner voice asked.

Cat and her friends arrived at the Jefferson Hotel several minutes late. The school had rented out their ballroom for the masquerade ball because it had the right ambience for the occasion. Cat was surprised to see how packed the lobby was. A sign with old century gothic writing greeted them, pointing the way to the event. Reaching the huge wooden double doors, Matt pushed in front of the group grabbing the handle of one and bowing at the waist. “After you me ladies,” he said in his best English accent. Cat went through first. To the right she saw a masked man, one of the teachers, but couldn’t make out who it was. She approached him, and handed over her ticket. Cat smiled, looking evil, her realistic fangs protruding from her mouth. The group moved past the ticket table toward the next set of doors which were propped open. They stared in awe at the sight before them. The room was decorated in creepy elegance, like one of the scenes described in a Robert Craven vampire novel. Giant wrought iron chandeliers hung from the ceiling providing low eerie lighting. A light fog, trailing the floor, added to the mysterious atmosphere. All of the tables were covered in a blood red velvety fabric and were surrounded by high back, red leather wooden chairs. The grand ballroom’s huge rotunda ceiling and towering Corinthian columns encircling the dance floor added an elegance that would’ve been lacking if the dance was held in the school’s gym. People could be seen moving to the beat of the music pouring out of the speakers strategically placed around the room. The music stopped and everyone headed to their tables. As if pulled by some unseen force, they all turned their heads to the entrance. Cat stood, framed in the doorway with her friends standing behind her. She turned to see what could have caused the crowd’s reaction and then realized it was them. Everyone was staring. It was like a spotlight had been cast on Cat and her group.

“Why are they staring at us?” a nervous Elle asked behind Cat. No one answered. The crowd of students looked on, almost like they were mesmerized by the sight before them.
I wish they’d stop! Poor Elle might pass out in front of everyone!
Cat thought to herself. As if they heard her, the crowd turned back to their activities. The music started again and Cat and her group moved forward.

Ryan stood in the corner watching Cat walk into the ballroom. He knew immediately, despite the disguise, that she was leading the small group.
She looks amazing! Like royalty! She’s commanded the attention of everyone here! Oh man, you’ve got it bad Ryan!
He thought. The restraint he had tried so hard to perfect these last few weeks was starting to weaken. It drove him crazy. She seemed to glide across the floor and he could hear people whispering, wondering who she was.

Amanda, dressed as a pirate wench, moved ahead of Cat to grab a table in the back. Matt dressed as a medieval knight pulled out a chair and sat down heavily, his sword clanging against it, causing people to turn and stare at him. Julie was dressed as a fairy god mother and she fit the part to a tee. Her gown was white with baby blue sequins sewn all over.

“Where’s Elle?” Cat asked puzzled.

“When we walked in and everyone was staring, she squeaked bathroom, and flew out the double doors. I swear she has the weakest bladder ever! She should have it checked.”

Cat smiled.
Trust Amanda to miss the obvious sometimes. It has nothing to do with Elle’s bladder. She’s just shy and hates attention
. Cat watched as the subject of their discussion entered the room looking for them. Elle looked wonderful in her Snow White costume. Cat wished that she could conquer her shyness for good.

“May I have this dance?” Cat looked up and saw a Roman Centurion standing beside her. She noticed that his bare arms and legs were very muscular and that he looked like he just stepped out of a history book.

“I’d be delighted,” she replied trying to figure out if she knew him. They reached the dance floor just as a slow song began and he took her in his arms, swaying to the music.

“I love your costume. You look like you belong in a horror movie. A beautiful villainess, for sure,” he whispered in her ear. “Will you tell me your name?”

“Now that wouldn’t be much fun. It would ruin the mystery of the night.” she laughed watching his mouth droop. “Let’s just enjoy this. Believe me, I’m boring in real life and you wouldn’t notice me at school.” she smiled baring her fangs.

“Oh I doubt that, I’d surely notice you.” Cat felt safe in his arms, being anonymous was definitely exciting.

Ryan watched on with jealousy building up inside of him.
Why am I getting so jealous? She can dance with whomever she wants to! It’s not like we are going out or anything!
Ryan tried to convince himself that he wasn’t jealous but he failed miserably. The lime green Jell-O monster was definitely rearing its ugly head. Ryan watched as Cat struggled to release herself from the grip of her dance partner. He pushed himself away from the wall, to intervene on her behalf. He then realized she had the situation under control as she smiled and carefully pulled her hand away from the admirer.
What am I doing? Why am I getting so protective over her? She can handle herself, right? Maybe I should go talk to her…see if she is okay…only as her tutor of course…nothing more, because that’s all I am, her tutor,
he told himself.

On her way back to the table, Cat spied Miss Amaya standing by the refreshments and laughter bubbled up in her throat. She had donned the traditional witch’s garb. A big floppy black hat, a long slinky black dress and a decorated broom in one hand. In lieu of a warty nose, she wore a black and green mask that covered the upper half of her face. “So, you came as a witch, huh? Nice costume.” Cat gave a devilish grin, her fangs adding the final touch.