‘Aye!’ Lucrezia and Melinda raised their hands before anyone had a chance to protest.
Talk about a hostile takeover, thought Olivia. She squared her shoulders and took a giant step forwards.
‘Ahem,’ Olivia cleared her throat.
Melinda whipped around. ‘Can it, you cheerleading cloudhead.’
Olivia’s mouth dropped open and there was a collective gasp from the room. She did not just say that! Olivia sank into a chair. She had completely lost her ability to speak.
‘Aren’t you going to do something?’ Charlotte mumbled from the seat beside her. ‘No way would I let someone speak to me like that.’ Olivia knew their behaviour had to be bad when even Charlotte was alarmed. For a moment, she wished Ivy was with her. Ivy would know what to do. She always knows what to do.
But what was Olivia going to do? The dance was in jeopardy before it had even begun, the secret of her twin’s vampire super-strength was in danger of being exposed and three mega-divas were muscling in on her action. And that wasn’t even taking into account the fact that her boyfriend was hundreds of miles away and unlikely to be giving her a hug any time soon.
She watched the three bullies flicking their ponytails over their shoulders as they smirked at each other. Olivia let out a big sigh.
How much can one girl take?
Chapter Five
Ivy could get used to having Horatio around. It wasn’t every day that you enjoyed a three-course lunch chock-full of meaty goodness in the Vega household. It was only noon and she was already stuffed! Too bad Olivia had been busy with her committee meeting and hadn’t been able to join them.
Ivy’s grandmother dabbed at the corners of her mouth with a black cloth napkin. ‘Well, darling. Have you put any more thought into Wallachia Academy?’ An emerald necklace glittered at the Countess’s neck, casting green prisms of light on the dining-room table.
No. In fact, Ivy had been trying her best to avoid the subject completely. ‘Not really,’ she confessed. The thought of leaving Franklin Grove behind was almost too much to bear. But, on the other hand, so was the thought of disappointing her grandparents.
The Countess folded her hand over the Count’s. ‘We really think it would be for the best.’
‘And that you would grow to love it. Did we mention it’s in a big Gothic castle? With flying buttresses and beautiful stone gargoyles and spindly towers,’ Ivy’s grandfather added. He had traded his crimson coat for a sleek black tuxedo jacket. ‘And you should see the kitchens!’ He winked at Ivy, and she knew he was thinking about all the pizza she could eat there.
‘Oh, yes! And the professors are top-notch. Nowhere in the world is there such a robust curriculum for young vampires.’ Ivy thought maybe her grandmother ought to do a second stint there if she was so excited about it.
‘All in a school?’ she asked, pushing the leftover meat around on her plate.
The Countess’s eyes sparkled. ‘That’s what we’ve been trying to tell you. Wallachia Academy is not just any old school. It is the best vampire academy in the world. It was founded by Vladimir Ivanov, the longest-living vampire of all time, and it has produced some of the finest vampire thespians, artists and Nobel laureates. Every generation of the Lazar family has attended – even your father did. Going there, you will learn all sorts of new vampire skills. Plus, you’ll learn to control your powers. What could be better?’
Ivy sighed. ‘I get that you want me to attend, but I don’t know if Wallachia Academy is the right place for me.’
‘Of course, we understand you don’t want to leave your friends behind, or Olivia. We’d never ask you to do anything that would make you truly unhappy, but we honestly believe this is the best thing for you. We’re sure you’d thank us one day,’ said the Countess. ‘We promise.’
Ivy’s pulse quickened. ‘I don’t know how, when I can’t even tell my sister where I’m going!’
‘This isn’t just about us, Ivy.’ Her grandfather pushed back from the table. ‘These vampire secrets have to be respected. Which is another important thing you’ll learn at Wallachia Academy.’
‘For your information, sharing the vampire secret with Olivia was one of the best things I’ve ever done. Can’t you see that not all secrets are worth keeping?’ Ivy knew her voice was getting so loud that she was almost shouting, but she couldn’t help it. It looked as if her grandparents might spontaneously combust, their faces were so pink.
The Count’s voice was steady when he finally spoke. ‘Ivy, you’re not appreciating how important your vampire heritage is to all of us. If it wasn’t, we wouldn’t have travelled halfway around the world to talk to you – and at our age, too.’
Ivy felt like she’d been stabbed through with an iron stake. ‘I’m sorry if you left Transylvania because of me, but . . . but . . .’ Ivy couldn’t finish her sentence. She was too close to tears. ‘I’m sorry,’ she managed to say at last. ‘I need to be alone right now.’ Then she sprinted to her room, squeezing past Horatio, who stood by the doorway with his gloved hands folded in front of him. Her father called after her, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t. The only person she wanted to talk to was Brendan. She grabbed her cell phone from her nightstand and slammed the door to her bedroom. Since when did I become the drama queen?
She slid open her window, hiked one leg over the sill and climbed down the trellis out into the backyard. She hoped the fresh air would help clear her head. Then she dialled Brendan’s number and took a seat on the rough brick of the Vegas’ backyard patio. Out here, she didn’t feel so trapped.
Brendan picked up. ‘Ivy?’ He sounded concerned, and she imagined his dark eyebrows puckered. ‘I thought you were supposed to be having lunch with your grandparents today.’
‘I was.’ Ivy rested her chin on her knees. ‘I mean, I did.’
‘That was quick.’
‘Brendan, it was a disaster! They want me to go to finishing school in Transylvania, some place called Wallachia Academy. It’s supposed to be the most A-positive place on earth, but I already can’t stand it. I’d have to leave you and Olivia. Plus, they won’t let me tell Olivia and I actually yelled at my grandparents. Can you believe it?’ Ivy was glad Brendan wasn’t here in person. She felt like she might burst into tears at any moment, and she didn’t want him to see her looking like a gothic clown when her eyeliner started to run.
There was silence on the other end of the phone, and then he said, ‘I’m sure your family are doing what they think is right.’ His voice was gentle. ‘Although . . .’ Ivy heard him take a deep sigh, ‘I don’t want you to go to some school across an entire ocean either.’
‘I know! I’d rather go to the school dance than leave my home behind.’ She laughed at how silly that idea was. Me! In a frilly dress at a school dance! The line went silent. Ivy waited. ‘Hello? Brendan, are you still there?’ She held the receiver away from her ear, quickly checking the screen. ‘Brendan?’
‘I’m here.’ Brendan sounded like he had swallowed soda the wrong way. ‘I think the school dance might be fun if we went together. You know?’
Ivy wasn’t sure what to say. Fun? Was Brendan kidding with her? ‘Yeah, right!’ she said, laughing. Then Ivy heard the door behind her open. She turned to see her dad stepping outside. ‘Hey, Brendan? My dad’s here. I’ve got to run.’ She ended the call and prepared herself for a nice long father–daughter lecture. How absolutely fatal, she thought.
Charles sat down next to Ivy. He was still wearing his velvet smoking jacket, and the expression on his face was grim. Ivy was seriously considering digging her own grave.
‘Your grandparents only want to do the right thing.’ Her father’s voice was immediately soothing. ‘You don’t have to make a decision yet. Why don’t you sleep on it?’
Ivy swallowed hard. Maybe she had overreacted . . . just a bit. The two of them sat in silence for several moments.
‘I guess I should apologise to them,’ she said eventually.
Her dad smiled and
put an arm around her shoulders. ‘They’re old and they’ve travelled a long way,’ he reminded her. ‘We need to make allowances if they’re a bit . . . to the point. It’s only because they care.’
The two of them got to their feet and made their way back inside.
The Count and Countess were sitting stiffly on the edge of the couch. Ivy could barely meet their glance, she was so mortified.
‘I’m sorry for running out of the room.’ Ivy had worms crawling in her stomach. She felt dreadful. Never in twelve centuries would she have guessed she’d ever get into a fight with her sweet grandparents.
There was nothing else for it – she went and wrapped both of them in tight hugs.
When she pulled away, her grandfather was wringing his hands. ‘I can’t believe we upset you so. It was silly to mention our age. We would have come to Franklin Grove anyway. We love travelling!’
‘Yes, yes,’ the Countess rushed to agree. ‘We’re happy to be here visiting you and Olivia. But surely you can understand. We would dearly love to see our granddaughter become the very best vampire she can possibly be.’
‘I understand.’ Ivy could see her grandparents believed in what they were saying and weren’t just trying to make her toe the vampire line. ‘But I still don’t think Wallachia Academy will be right for me.’ She couldn’t just take off and leave her sister with no explanation.
The Countess pressed her wrinkled lips into a thin line, nodding. ‘Very well. At least we tried.’ Like most vampires, Ivy’s grandmother had different-coloured eyes – one green, the other a rich amber – and both looked close to tears.
Ivy hated disappointing them, but she had other loyalties as well. Like her loyalty to Olivia. ‘I promise,’ said Ivy, ‘I will always try to be the best vampire I can be.’
Her grandmother pulled Ivy into another hug. ‘Oh, Ivy, I know that is true!’
A loud sniffle came from the corner of the room. When Ivy turned round, Horatio was wiping a tear from the corner of his eye.
‘I’m surprised the dance committee can survive without their fearless leader for one day,’ said Ivy, tossing a pillow at her sister. ‘What have you left them doing?’
Olivia was sprawled on the bed in Ivy’s room, sucking on a Cherrylicious lollipop. She propped herself up on her elbows. She wasn’t so sure the committee could survive without her, but tomorrow she and Ivy were going to Aunt Rebecca’s farm, and that meant another twin sleepover at the Vegas’ house. Olivia had written detailed instructions for Jenny. ‘Follow these and you’ll be fine,’ she’d told her:
Take suggestions for a theme
Make a list of supplies
Check the budget
And most importantly, try not to let Lucrezia,
Melinda and Veronica boss you around. I know it’s hard, but try!
A mental image of Jenny, with her mousy-brown hair and her shoulders hunched over, snapped into Olivia’s mind. ‘Maybe I’d better call to check in with Jenny. They’re supposed to be thinking about themes, but . . . you know. Just in case.’ Olivia fumbled inside her straw tote bag for her phone. ‘Hi, Jenny?’ she said when Jenny picked up. ‘I was just calling to double-check that you all don’t mind having a committee meeting without me . . .’ She held her breath.
‘Honestly?’ Jenny’s voice was high-pitched. ‘I’m not so sure.’
Not so sure, thought Olivia, trying to stifle a groan. She had cleared this with everyone yesterday.
‘It’s just, well, what about Lucrezia and her friends?’ Jenny continued. ‘I don’t know if I can keep them in line.’
Unfortunately, Jenny was right. Those girls would stomp her like a chewed stick of spearmint under their platform heels.
Olivia twisted one of her bangle bracelets around her wrist, until suddenly she had an idea. ‘Jenny, leave those girls to me. I’ll call you later with an update.’ She snapped the phone shut.
‘You are going stand up to those girls, right?’ said Ivy, jabbing a chopstick into her dark bun. Olivia had told her twin all about their performance at the first committee meeting.
The thought of confrontation made Olivia queasy, but she couldn’t just leave Jenny to become roadkill. ‘What’s the one thing bullies can’t handle?’ Olivia asked, more to herself than to Ivy.
‘I don’t know. Teachers hanging around?’
Not a bad suggestion, thought Olivia, but that wasn’t what she was getting at. ‘Bullies can’t stand it when the victims push back. What I need to learn is how to push!’
‘Care to borrow a bit of my super-strength?’ asked Ivy.
‘Hopefully, I’ll just need my brains this time!’ Olivia jumped off the bed and skipped down the stairs to the living room, where Mr Vega was lounging on the couch with an open newspaper.
‘Dad? I was wondering: do Ivy and I have time to slip out before dinner?’
Ivy pulled up behind her. She gave Olivia a confused look, but played along.
Olivia’s bio-dad agreed. ‘I guess,’ he said, folding his paper. ‘How much trouble could you get into before dinner?’ Quite a bit, thought Olivia. Especially if she was armed with a few dollars.
‘Where are we going?’ Ivy asked, as they grabbed their jackets and headed out of the front door.
Olivia grinned. ‘To the mall!’
Ten minutes later, Olivia and Ivy were power-walking through the busy shoppers and the strong smell of food-court pretzels. They passed Pink and Pretty, Dancing Delight, Trudy’s Beauty Palace . . . If I weren’t here strictly on business, the temptation of all this shopping would be too much to resist! Olivia thought.
‘How are you going to find them here?’ Ivy asked, trotting alongside Olivia. ‘I mean, I assume this is about those three dance-committee bullies.’
‘Trust me,’ said Olivia, ‘I’ll find them.’ But the closer she got to her destination, the more uncertain she felt. What if she couldn’t reason with the girls? What if she forgot what to say?
With balled fists, she marched into Panzers department store, where, sure enough, the three older girls were right where Olivia had suspected – the make-up counter. Lucrezia sat in one of the tall black make-up chairs while Melinda added bright pink-coloured streaks to her friend’s long blonde hair. Veronica was leaning close to a mirror, admiring the thick, shimmery blush she had painted over her cheekbones.
‘Fashion victim alert,’ Ivy whispered. Olivia agreed. Apparently these girls had never heard the phrase, ‘too much of a good thing’.
She tugged Ivy into the shoe department and ducked behind a display of knee-high riding boots. ‘What now?’ asked Olivia.
Ivy blinked. ‘I thought you had a plan?’
Olivia bit the side of her thumb. ‘I do. I’m just . . . bracing myself.’
‘Well, consider yourself braced!’ Ivy’s eyes grew wide. ‘You have to go over there.’
‘OK, OK, I’m going!’ Olivia took a deep breath. She had once balanced one-legged on top of a cheerleading pyramid in front an entire football stadium. Compared to that, how hard can this be? She walked over to the girls. ‘Lucrezia, Melinda, Veronica, I’ve had enough of you muscling in on the school dance.’ Olivia tried to keep her voice from quaking. ‘It’s not right and it’s not fair.’ Channelling her sister, Olivia put her hands on her hips and waited.
The trio glanced around at one another and then Lucrezia burst into a fit of laughter. She doubled over, grabbing her stomach. Evidently, Olivia was quite the comedian.
Melinda stood over Olivia, at least four inches taller. ‘Who do you think you are, talking to us like that?’ Olivia was seriously regretting her choice of ballet flats. ‘You’re younger than us!’ This was enough to send Lucrezia and Veronica into hysterics.
Olivia’s face blazed. She was starting to back away, when she remembered how she’d managed to deal with Jessica Phelps when the actress had tried to humiliate her at the Hollywood awards. She thought about sending the girls her best killer death stare, but then something made her stop. Don’t
stoop to their level.
‘I just want you to know that if you interfere with the committee again, you’ll leave me no choice but to formally ask for you to be banned from meetings. I’m sure none of us wants that. It wouldn’t look good on your school records.’ Olivia narrowed her eyes to let them know she meant business. ‘If I were you, I wouldn’t push your luck.’
She’d kept her voice pleasant, but there was no mistaking how serious Olivia was.
Veronica flipped her hair over her shoulder. ‘Fine. We’ll stay away . . . or whatever.’
Olivia arched an eyebrow, silently congratulating herself on her acting skills. ‘That’s better.’ Then, without waiting for a response, she pivoted on the spot and walked over to Ivy.
The two of them breezed out of the store. When they’d got round the corner, Olivia pulled out her phone and busied herself dialling Jenny’s number.
‘Hello, Jenny? No need to worry. You’ll be fine to go ahead without me for one meeting.’ Olivia grinned at her sister. ‘I guarantee it.’ She hung up and skipped next to Ivy.
‘You were impressive back there,’ Ivy told her. ‘Cold as ice. You should be a vampire!’
‘Yeah, go to vampire school or something!’ Olivia joked. Ivy slowed to a stop and watched her twin pull ahead.
You have no idea how close to the truth you are, Ivy thought. One of us really might be about to enrol at a vampire academy.
When Ivy and Olivia returned home, they found their father pacing in the hallway. Olivia had told him they were going to the mall. He didn’t need to be worried. She checked her watch. They weren’t late. Was something wrong?
‘Dad?’ Ivy tapped him on the shoulder. ‘We’re home.’
‘Great.’ He flashed a smile. ‘How does my hair look?’
What?
Olivia examined his dark, slicked-back hair. He always looked old-world dashing. ‘Like it always looks?’ she said, shrugging.
Twin Spins! Page 5