How to Date a Dead Guy

by C P Fleur

  “You don’t know that’s true,” he replied, sounding annoyed. “And you showing your face put her at risk.”

  “How does embarrassing me in front of her help your cause?”

  He stopped walking now, turning to face me, his eyes narrowed. “You mean our cause.”

  “What cause is that? She doesn’t even know why she is here. You told her nothing. You’re not even giving her a fighting chance.”

  “If you feel there is something she needs to know, I trust you can deliver that information, Mr. Carter.”

  “Is it not enough for you to rip her from me? Now you want to watch me suffer? Is that it? All because I didn’t follow some stupid rule written hundreds of years ago?”

  “There are consequences for our actions, Lucas. That is what separates us from the animals.”

  “What about her, huh? What about what she wants?”

  “What about her, Mr. Carter? You do understand that she is human and off-limits. Or do I need to remind you of the rules?”

  “I know the rules,” I bit out, struggling to keep my temper under control. “But, you know they don’t apply to Nova.”

  “That’s not true,” he replied, shaking his head as he continued down the hall at a brisk pace.

  “Which part? That the rules don’t apply to her or that she’s human? She doesn’t belong to any academy.”

  “And she doesn’t belong to you,” he snapped before lowering his voice.

  “How do you know –”

  “Because she isn’t one of us.”

  “No, how did you know we went to Edgewood?”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Did they file a formal complaint against me? Am I going to be charged?”

  “Thankfully, I was able to talk them down from bringing this before the tribunal. I cleaned up this little mess for you like I have all the other little messes you’ve made.”

  “And they agreed to let me walk away, even after being seen with a human?” I asked, causing Fellows to stiffen with his nostrils flaring in anger.

  “I suggest you focus on the task at hand, and when this is all over, I’ll personally see to it that you’ll be spending eternity with Sylvi, as a punishment of my own. Are we clear?”

  “You can’t make that decision.”

  “I just did.”

  I watched his back as he disappeared down the hallway and out into the night. It took everything I had not to go back to Nova and take her far away from here. But life on the run wasn’t what she deserved.

  I had to figure out a way to make all of this right for her, even if that meant exposing all of us. An eternity of torture would be worth every moment that she got to live.

  But not knowing what Fellows was really up to would make all of this even harder. He claimed the only way we could protect Nova was to bring her in. But judging by the reaction of the waitress at the Pizza Peddler, the only danger to her was being associated with us. None of this was adding up.

  One thing was sure, having her here gave him complete control over me, and if I didn’t figure out a way to take away that power from him, I’d be stuck with Sylvi forever.

  Rule 6: Never Turn Your Back on Anyone

  Nova

  THE NEXT DAY, I MANAGED to make it to all of my classes and even avoided making a fool of myself in front of my peers.

  Everyone here belonged in a clique, just like any other school. Since it was my senior year, and I’d just arrived at Briarwick, I was an outcast. That didn’t mean people didn’t talk to me. I was a sideshow, an oddity. That made the other students gravitate toward me more. The rumors that Lucas had taken me to Edgewood territory didn’t help.

  “So, is it true? Did you really go to Edgewood?”

  I rolled my eyes. It was the millionth time I’d been asked that very question today. “I’m Kamala... Woods, by the way. So, is it true?” Her brown eyes were oversized like she was some sort of woodland creature straight out of a Disney movie. Her skin was smooth and blemish-free and the same tone as her irises. She was so perfect I wanted to reach out and touch her, to see if she was even real, but I was worried some of my mediocrity would rub off on her.

  “I’m Nova Ambroise, and it wasn’t a big deal,” I replied.

  “Are you kidding? It’s all anyone can talk about.” She pushed her sable box braids over her shoulder.

  “What happened with that school anyway? Did they steal your mascot or something?”

  “You don’t know the story?” she asked, her eyes grew even wider in disbelief. She leaned in, her eyes fluttering from side to side before she spoke in a rushed whisper. “Like a bajillion years ago, supposedly, one of their students started dating some guy from Briarwick. Super rich type, like most of the students here,” she groaned as she rolled her eyes, and I got that feeling that maybe Kamala was more like me than I realized. It was clear she had money judging by her purse, but I got the feeling it hadn’t always been that way for her. “Anyway, he, like, murdered her or something and then went on the run.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, and it has been this thing ever since. People were worried that they would go all vigilante and take it out on other kids, so we were banned from going anywhere near Edgewood.” She shrugged as if she’s just rattled off the ingredients to her favorite cookies or something. “Honestly, I think it’s just an old wives’ tale to keep both schools out of trouble. What was it like?”

  “We just got some cheese sticks and ate in a park.”

  Kamala scrunched up her nose in disgust, giving me the impression that the truth wasn’t very entertaining. “Sounds boring.”

  “It was actually kind of nice,” I replied, before digging out my textbook from my bag.

  “I’ll take your word for it.” She sank down at the desk next to me, sliding her chair a few inches closer to mine. “Has Lucas given you the grand tour of the campus yet?”

  I glanced up to look at Lucas, whose eyes were already fixed on mine as he sat sideways in his chair, chatting with another student. He’d never replied to my text last night, and this was the first time he’d even looked in my direction since he’d left my room. “No. We haven’t really had a chance.” I looked back to Kamala, her blinding smile nearly as wide as her entire face.

  “That’s probably because of Sylvi. She’s been obsessed with him for years. She won’t let another girl get within five feet of him. Believe me. I’ve tried. I can show you around if you like. We have this old library that has been closed off for years. They recently started opening it on Wednesdays for a sort of youth hangout. We sneak in on the weekends and party. Like really party.”

  “That’s tragic,” I replied, picturing a library being gutted to make way for a dance floor.

  “Yeah, you can’t expect a guy like him to be an easy catch, you know?” She replied, mistaking my comment about the library for the gossip about Lucas Carter. “But I’m like, he doesn’t want you girl, let the rest of us have a chance at him. I don’t get it. If you ask me, he can do so much better. I think he knows it too, but once she sinks her teeth into someone, she’s hard to get rid of. Like a tick. Don’t worry. There are a lot of hot guys at this school who would love to get their hands on you without all that crazy stalker baggage.”

  I glanced up again, but Lucas was no longer looking up at me. I sank lower in my seat, my eyes scanning the back of the heads in front of me, wondering which one was Sylvi.

  “Third one from the left, front row,” Kamala whispered. My eyes zeroed in on the blonde with big barrel curls that hung down the small of her back.

  “She’s pretty,” I replied, clearing my throat.

  “She knows it too. Stay away from that one. She doesn’t play well with others. In fact, the only person who can seem to tolerate her is Lucas. Maybe because they’re both perpetually irritable.”

  “Thanks for the advice.”

  Her smile grew fractionally. “So, you’ll come? Tonight? It’s Friday.”

  The teacher began speaki
ng, and I gave her a quick nod before focusing my attention on the front of the room.

  “AM I INTERRUPTING?”

  I gasped, spinning around to see Lucas leaning against the doorframe to my room, making me wish they hadn’t greased those hinges. “You scared me.” I clutched the dress I was holding to my chest.

  “Rule number seven – never turn your back on anyone.”

  “Or maybe I need to lock the door.”

  “That would be a good color on you.” Lucas pushed from the doorframe and took a few steps closer. His fingers slid over the silky crimson fabric before his eyes met mine. “A little dressy for hanging out in your room and watching Vamp Camp.”

  “Oh, I... I didn’t know you were coming over. I kind of made plans.”

  “Cancel them.”

  “I can’t,” I winced, wishing I could get out of dancing, but I needed to make more friends. I promised my mother and myself. “I told Kamala I’d come to the old library with her for some party... besides, it’s the weekend. Don’t you want to hang out with Sylvi?”

  “Nova, if you’d like to know something, just ask me.”

  “I just thought you might already have plans. That’s all.” I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant.

  “No plans.” His eyes narrowed before he took a small step backward. “I’m here, asking you, aren’t I?”

  “You could come along if you want. I’m sure Kamala wouldn’t mind,” I tried to hide my smirk when I thought of her crush on him.

  “The library might be a little crazy for your first weekend. Why don’t we hang out here? I can help you with your homework.”

  I rolled my eyes at him, my hands going to my hips. “Is there a reason you don’t want me to go? You don’t want to be seen with me or something?”

  “Seen with you?” He laughed, shaking his head. “There isn’t a guy on campus who wouldn’t want to be seen with you, Nova.”

  “Most guys don’t have their very own stalker,” I added, teasingly. I tossed the dress on my bed before running my fingers through my hair. “So, are you going to introduce us or –”

  “No,” he smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. “She’s not very friendly.”

  “That’s saying a lot coming from you,” I deadpanned. “That’s okay. I’m sure she’ll be there tonight. If you’re scared, I’ll just have to introduce myself.”

  His smile fell, and he shook his head, his eyes going to the silky fabric I’d discarded on my bed. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

  “Really?”

  “It’s a date. Wear the dress.”

  I nodded, my teeth digging into my lower lip as he slipped back out of my room and closed the door. As soon as the latch clicked, I squealed, dancing around my room.

  I HAD A FEW HOURS TO kill before Lucas would be back, so I decided to do a little exploring of my own. I didn’t want to wander too far because I had a tendency to get myself turned around, but I was starving.

  Slipping out of my room, the sun barely hung in the sky as I made my way down a brick path, flanked by large oak trees. The temperature was perfect, not too hot or too cold with the slightest whisper of a breeze.

  “Are you lost?” Someone called from behind me. I spun around to see a girl smiling with a few of her friends. Her blonde hair was nearly white, hanging in perfect long ringlets that cascaded down over her chest, and her eyes pale blue. In another life, she could have been a Viking queen, but in this one, she was Lucas Carter’s sort-of-ex-something-or-other, according to Kamala.

  “Just trying to find a place to eat,” I replied.

  “Oh, not having Lucas take you to Edgewood today?” She asked, rolling her eyes. “I sure hope Fellows wasn’t too hard on you after I told him you broke the rules.”

  “Y-you told him? Why would you do that? H-how did you –”

  “I’m not gonna let some new girl take away my chance to get out of this place,” she sneered. She stepped forward, close enough to make me uncomfortable before she snatched the paper map from my hand, turning it the other direction. “You had it upside down. Carson’s Corner is up past Lockhead Hall, to the right. If you see Archway, you’ve gone too far. We can show you.” Her eyes danced to the girls on either side of her, who eagerly nodded in agreement.

  “Yeah, we know a shortcut,” the brunette with blonde streaks spoke up.

  I took the map from her hand and let my eyes dance over it. “Thank you. I’m Nova.” I held out my hand, but before she could shake it, her eyes glanced over my shoulder, and she took a small step backward.

  “She doesn’t need your help, Sylvi.”

  I spun around at the sound of Lucas’ voice. His signature sunglasses were in place even though it was nearly dark, but I could feel his eyes linger on me before turning to Sylvi.

  “We don’t mind. She doesn’t need you lurking over her shoulder anymore, right, Nova?”

  “I’ll help her.” His voice was calm and even, but something about his posture put me on edge. Maybe he wasn’t exaggerating when he said she wasn’t pleasant.

  “You sure you don’t want any company? We could all go for a bite.” Her eyes narrowed, and her friends erupted in giggles.

  “I’ll see you later, right?”

  I let my shoulders fall fractionally, but it didn’t go unnoticed. Sylvi smirked before dragging her eyes back to Lucas.

  “I look forward to it. See ya’ later, Nova.” With that, she turned and left, her friends at his side.

  “She’s... nice.” I mumbled, focusing my attention back on Lucas.

  “No, she’s not.” He didn’t smile, his eyes watching Sylvi and her friends retreat. “Come on.” He motioned back the way he came with his chin.

  We began walking in the opposite direction of the girls. Lucas was silent; his hands shoved deep into his pockets.

  “You want to talk about it?” I asked.

  His eyes met mine briefly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips.

  “There’s a history between us.”

  “History, huh?” I asked, worrying my lip between my teeth. “It doesn’t really seem like she is over you.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “She told me it was her who told Fellows we went to Edgewood.”

  He nodded, his nostrils flaring in anger, but he remained silent on that revelation.

  “You scare her, you know?”

  “Me?” I scoffed. “I highly doubt that.”

  “There are a lot of things in this world you wouldn’t believe. Doesn’t make them any less true.”

  I followed after him, and within a few minutes, I was finally in front of the small cafeteria. My body felt weak, and I couldn’t get inside fast enough. To my surprise, it was mostly empty, aside from a few staff members.

  “Most people leave campus on Friday,” Lucas explained as he ushered me toward a counter. “Actually, on most days. Their tastes are a little more refined.”

  “Must be nice being able to come and go as you please,” I sighed as I grabbed a tray, my eyes dancing over the different eateries set up inside of the small space. “Oh, cheese sticks.”

  “They only force new students to stay on campus for the first few weeks.” He leaned closer, his breath blowing against my neck and causing me to shiver. “If you need a ride somewhere, you just have to ask,” he whispered before drawing back and winking.

  “I couldn’t put you out like that.” I shook my head as I pointed out the mozzarella sticks, and the man behind the counter loaded a stack into a dish.

  He guided me to a table against the wall, and we sat across from each other.

  “I wouldn’t offer if I didn’t want to do it. You know, no one would blame you if you wanted to go home.”

  “Thanks.” I took a bite of my food, letting my eyes fall closed as I savored the cheesy goodness. “But you can’t get rid of me that easily, and I’m not looking for handouts. I already need to prove I deserve this.”

  “You don’t need to prove anything to anyo
ne here. Trust me.”

  “I want to. They all look at me like I’m –”

  “Like you’re different? That’s because you are. That’s not a bad thing, Nova.”

  “It doesn’t exactly help me fit in.”

  “Then stand out.”

  Lucas

  NOVA WASN’T GOING TO retreat to New Salem. She was a fighter, even if she had no idea what she was up against. Tonight was going to be rough, but I couldn’t keep putting off telling Nova what I was. And if I could use that teaching moment to let Sylvi know that she had zero chance of being with me, I could make it clear to Fellows that he doesn’t make the rules when it comes to Nova.

  I just hoped no one got hurt in the process. Sylvi was wild, untamed by the rules and years of training. She was already warned to keep her distance from Nova, and she’d ignored them just to show me she could.

  I paced the floor of my room, clutching a small bloodstone in my palm. I’d held on to it for my entire afterlife. But if I was going to show Sylvi what Nova meant to me, I was going to do it in no uncertain terms.

  A knock at my door pulled me from my thoughts. “Come in.”

  The door pushed open, and Remy stood in the entryway, his eyes narrowed. “I can smell her on you,” his lip curled up in disgust as he sniffed the air before his piercing ice-blue gaze fell to my hand. I glanced down at the necklace in my palm, clutching it tighter.

  “What do you want?” I asked. He shuffled his weight, shaking his head and causing his dark hair to fall into his eyes. Remy was a punk, at least that’s what he called himself. He was so weighted down in silver chains and jewelry that I was surprised he was even able to walk. Everything else was black – his holy shirt, his ripped fitted jeans, the thick eyeliner that circled his eyes like a raccoon, and even the chucks on his feet.

  Remy was an outcast, like me, sired against the rules. An unauthorized creation. But that didn’t make us friends, because his creator happened to be Sylvi Bell.

  “I need a favor.”

  I shook my head, trying not to laugh. “I’m busy. Ask your maker.”