I sped through the kitchen, down the long, haunting hallway, and found Alexander at the front door. I couldn’t tell whom he was talking to, so I sneaked up close and peered out.
I spotted Becky’s truck in the driveway.
What was she doing here? Was she in trouble?
It was then I noticed Trevor’s Camaro parked behind the truck.
I wedged myself between the entranceway and Alexander to find Matt fuming at the foot of the stoop.
“What’s going on?” I asked. “Are you all right?”
Matt, normally upbeat and smiling, was brandishing a frown. Behind him was Trevor and a team of soccer snobs.
“What are they doing here?” I asked Alexander.
Matt glared at me coldly.
“It’s okay,” Alexander said to me.
“Where’s Becky?” I asked. “Is she all right?”
“I thought you were my friend, Alexander,” Matt said sternly.
Alexander didn’t move. “I am,” he said calmly. “What’s this all about, Matt?”
“Your houseguest.”
“He’s out back.”
“Well, he better stay there.”
“Is something wrong?” Alexander asked.
“You bet. Your best friend has been hitting on my girlfriend,” Matt challenged.
Alexander shook his head. His best friend had gotten him into a mess. “That’s just Sebastian’s way. He didn’t mean any harm.”
“Did you know that after Sebastian met Becky at Hatsy’s he texted her all night?” Matt asked.
“Not at the time. I’m not with him every minute.”
“Sebastian sent the flowers to Becky. Not Raven. Did you know that?”
“No—or I would have stopped him.”
“But you did find out.”
“Yes.”
“So were you going to tell me?”
“There wasn’t a need to. We had it resolved.”
“Really? Did you know he had the nerve to show up at her house?”
“He did?” Alexander said. “I thought he bumped into her in town.”
“And all the time you both were laughing and encouraging him,” Matt said, annoyed.
“Now, take it easy. I never laughed, and I most certainly didn’t encourage him. It was just the opposite.”
Now I was mad. It was one thing to accuse me, and now Sebastian, of causing trouble, but quite another to accuse Alexander. “You have it wrong, Matt. Alexander—”
“It’s okay, Raven,” Alexander said, trying to calm me down. “I understand you might be mad, Matt. But it’s not as bad as it sounds.”
“And to think I included him at Hooligans.”
“You are misunderstanding what happened.”
“Am I?”
Matt stepped forward.
I was ready to pounce on anyone who charged at Alexander—though he was quite capable of defending himself.
Alexander held out his arm. “It’s okay.”
“Now you’re having a party,” Matt said. Then he fixed on me. “And Raven—you don’t invite your best friend?”
Trevor stood behind Matt, arms folded, smiling gleefully.
“What’s he doing here?” I charged. “I thought you weren’t his shadow anymore.”
“He’s the one who told me,” Matt said. “Seems Trevor is a good friend after all.”
The soccer snobs surrounded Alexander. I rushed in, but Alexander held me at bay.
“I don’t think you know who you are dealing with here,” I said to the gang of athletes.
Alexander appeared concerned for Matt’s situation, but he wasn’t worried about the threat from the others.
He was confident in his own power, and I knew he wouldn’t use it unless it was to defend me.
“Is Becky with Sebastian?” Alexander asked.
“No—she’s with me,” Matt said.
“Then isn’t that your answer?” Alexander assured Matt. “After all the texts, the flowers, and the visits, she’s still with you.”
Matt’s anger changed to relief. He even broke a smile.
Sebastian suddenly appeared beside us. “What’s going on?”
When he saw Matt, he knew he must have found out about his feelings for Becky.
“I’m the one you have a beef with,” Sebastian said. “This isn’t about Alexander.”
“I know that now,” Matt said.
“Let’s talk calmly,” Sebastian urged.
“I know how you feel about Becky—but I’m the one who loves her,” Matt suddenly proclaimed.
Becky hopped out of the truck. She raced to Matt and clutched him around the waist. He’d declared his love for her in front of everyone. She gazed up at me with an almost thankful smile.
I was surprised by Matt’s sudden passion and proud that he was standing up for Becky. However, I didn’t want this conflict to continue.
“And just so you know,” Sebastian defended, “Alexander ordered me to leave the Mansion.”
“He did?” Matt asked.
“But I was the one who wanted to stay in town. Raven and Alexander went out of their way to arrange a party for me—to find my own Becky. So they really are better friends to you than you might think.”
Matt was speechless.
“Yeah—so you might have Becky,” Sebastian began, “but I have Raven and Alexander.”
Matt was stunned. “I feel awful,” he said.
“I do, too,” Becky added.
Matt glared at Trevor. “You started this, didn’t you? Just like always.”
But Trevor’s attention was on a few cars that had pulled up to the Mansion’s gate.
Within a few minutes, vehicles began to line the street.
Students came up the driveway and the lawn, decked out in their Saturday-night best and carrying bags of beverages.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“You know how news travels in this town,” Trevor said. “Everyone likes a party. Not just you guys.”
“Where’s the coffin guy?” a Pradabee asked.
“Is that him?” another asked, pointing to Alexander. “He’s gorgeous!”
“I wonder if he has a dungeon,” the Pradabee commented. “Or a secret room. I wouldn’t mind if he locked me up in one.” The pair laughed and followed the others to the backyard.
“What are we going to do?” I asked frantically. “Call the police?”
“No—it’s fine.” Alexander beamed.
Alexander surveyed his uninvited guests and their festive mood.
“Well, we don’t have enough drinks,” I said. “I mean, the non-Romanian kind.”
“Doesn’t seem to matter. Looks like they are bringing their own,” Alexander commented.
Sebastian lit up. “Now, this is a real party. This is what we’re missing by being homeschooled. Look at these girls. They’re all hot!”
We arrived in the backyard to a full-fledged happening. The backyard began to fill up with every teen in town.
“Here’s some liquor,” a soccer snob said, holding the unfinished Transylvania 1972.
He lifted it to his lips and leaned back to take a huge swig.
“No—” I yanked it out of his hands. “That’s an import!” I chastised. I grabbed the goblets and carried them into the house like a seasoned waitress.
As I exited, I met an anxious Jameson in the doorway, examining the expanding party.
“Miss Raven, what has happened?”
“We had a few party crashers.”
“A few? More like a hundred. I must go to the basement. I know we have more stock.”
“Not the cellar, Jameson,” I said. “It’s not that kind of party.”
“Of course, I meant in the downstairs pantry.” Jameson fretted. “Oh, I wish I had time to prepare!”
I’d watched plenty of movies. Couples using pieces of furniture and empty bedrooms for makeout sessions while others used the furniture as coasters. I didn’t want the Mansion trashed and, more important, Alexander’s and Sebastian’s identity revealed. “Don’t let anyone in the house,” I told Jameson before he started off. “If they find Sebastian’s bed…”