Fashion Frightmare! (My Sister the Vampire)

by Sienna Mercer

  Linking arms, the two girls hurried off to collect the pashmina from the display room, Amelia’s big black boots stomping in time with Penny’s delicate blue satin high heels.

  Charles gave Olivia a fond smile.

  Grinning back, she tugged him down so she could kiss his cheek. ‘Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you later – I have a fashion show to prepare for!’

  ‘And a twin sister to reassure, I expect,’ Charles added. ‘I’d hurry, if I were you.’

  ‘Good point!’ Olivia stepped away hastily, walking as quickly as her heels would let her all the rest of the way through the café.

  Ivy hadn’t been happy about the fashion show from the beginning. Now that it was actually time for her to put on a designer outfit and strut onstage, she would definitely need some sisterly support!

  Olivia pushed open the door to the staff break room that was functioning as “backstage” for the night . . . and came to a dead halt.

  The room was pitch black. Am I in the right place?

  A sudden faint glow lit up in the back of the room for a moment, followed by another glow in a different corner. Neither of them was bright enough for her to see who or what had made the light.

  ‘Is anyone here?’ Olivia called softly.

  ‘Unfortunately.’ Ivy’s sigh echoed through the room. ‘Close the door! We’re in the middle of getting changed.’

  ‘Ohh-kaayyy . . .’ Hesitantly, Olivia stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Blindly, she reached out with both arms to check for obstacles in her way, apologising as she bumped into other models. ‘Is there a reason nobody’s turned on the lights?’

  ‘They’re not working,’ Reiko called. Her voice sounded muffled, as if she was in the middle of pulling something over her head. ‘Ivy thinks a fuse must have blown. All the other rooms seem to be OK. Someone’s gone to look for Albert, but . . .’

  ‘That could take forever.’ Olivia sighed. ‘He’s busy guarding the front door right now. He won’t be able to fix anything until the show’s already in progress.’

  ‘That’s why we’ve all got started anyway. We’re over here,’ Ivy called. ‘Just follow my voice.’

  It took a few moments of stumbling through darkness, bumping into models and tables along the way, but Olivia finally made her way to her twin sister, as two more faint glows swept through the darkness nearby. This time, she was close enough to see that they came from tiny cell-phone screens: the only light the girls had to help them find their clothes.

  Ivy grumbled as she yanked her own dress over her head. ‘If I step out into the light of the café and see I’ve put this thing on back-to-front, I swear I’ll stake myself !’

  Olivia giggled. ‘Not before Amelia stakes you for ruining the effect of her dress!’

  Reiko’s infectious laugh sounded nearby. ‘I love this! Everything in America is so . . . dramatic.’

  There’s one way to think of it. Smiling, Olivia pulled her own cell phone out of her small evening bag and aimed it at the rack where all the remaining dresses hung. It didn’t help much, especially since the faint light only stayed on for a few seconds at a time, but luckily, she still remembered where her and Ivy’s dresses had been hung up last night after the dress rehearsal.

  It was hard to keep her smile, though, as she fought to change out of her chiffon gown and into the new one without tearing or wrinkling either dress – or dropping anything on to the floor to be trodden on by one of the other models!

  Unfortunately, she had to set down her cell phone and evening bag to pull her new dress over her head. As she finally managed to work one arm through a sleeve, she reached out blindly to find the cell phone again – and toppled as she lost her balance in the darkness.

  ‘Got you!’ Ivy’s strong hand snapped out to catch her.

  Thank goodness for vampire reflexes! Olivia clutched at her sister’s arm for balance . . . then frowned. ‘Your sleeve is a little frilly tonight, isn’t it?’

  Ivy grunted. ‘Amelia probably added the frills after last night’s dress rehearsal, to lighten up her goth look. You know they’ve been obsessively fiddling with their designs over the last few days.’

  ‘You’re probably right.’ Olivia nodded as she straightened, letting go of Ivy. ‘She wouldn’t want to contrast too dramatically with Penny’s style, would she?’

  The far door opened, letting in light and noise from outside. Both designers stood silhouetted in the doorway. ‘Reiko?’ Penny called. ‘Are you in here?’

  ‘We’ve got the pashmina!’ Amelia announced. She cradled it in her arms as carefully as if she were handling a precious relic.

  As the two designers closed the door and fumbled their way through the darkness towards Reiko, a sudden riot of noise sounded from outside.

  ‘Sounds like all the rest of the guests are finally being allowed into the café!’ Olivia said. Excitement bubbled up inside her like sparkling water. This might be modelling, not acting, but still, this was her first live performance since Camilla’s play, Romezog and Julietron. It felt even better than the nervous energy she got before every first take on a movie set!

  In the distance, she heard the soundtrack of Camilla’s short film playing for the assembled guests. Soon, I’ll get to watch the whole thing, Olivia told herself. But right now . . .

  Ivy sounded like she might be sick. ‘I guess it’s showtime.’

  ‘Is everybody ready?’ Amelia’s voice barked through the darkness, sounding higher and shriller than usual. ‘Make sure you’re all lined up in the right order!’

  ‘Ow!’ Olivia gave a pained squeak as she bumped directly into a table’s edge. ‘That might be easier said than done!’

  Stumbling through the darkness, the girls whispered their names to each other in order to find their places in the straggling line. They put their hands on each other’s shoulders to keep the line linked through the pitch-black room.

  ‘Reiko, make sure you’re at the very back,’ Penny called anxiously. ‘Remember, our “Altegular” collaboration has to be saved for the grand finale!’

  Olivia groaned. ‘I can’t believe I’ve been in this room with your big secret for the past fifteen minutes, and I still haven’t even seen it!’

  ‘Very, very soon!’ Reiko carolled happily from the back of the line.

  Just behind Olivia, her twin let out a very un-Ivy whimper.

  ‘Ladies and gentlemen . . .’ Lillian’s voice sounded through the door, amplified through a microphone. ‘Tonight we begin . . . with a fashion show!’

  This is it! Olivia couldn’t help giving a wiggle of excitement.

  The runway music kicked in, blasting from speakers set around the stage, and Amelia pulled the “backstage” door open partway, just wide enough to let the models through without letting the crowd outside get any glimpses of what would be coming next.

  As the music thumped through the building, shaking the walls of the dressing room, each model stepped in turn through the open doorway, heads high and postures perfect. As they passed, just enough light shone through the doorway to illuminate their dresses for the first time . . .

  And Olivia sucked in a breath as she finally saw each dress in its final version. Wow. These designs are amazing! If Amelia and Penny were any sign of the calibre of young talents who would be flocking to Lillian’s establishment after tonight, there was no doubt about it: Café Creative was going to be a hit!

  Olivia heard a shaky sigh behind her. As the line continued to shuffle forwards, she turned and found Ivy’s hand in the darkness. ‘Don’t be nervous,’ she said firmly.

  ‘Me, nervous?’ said Ivy, with a laugh that was a little too loud. ‘I’m just getting myself into “graceful” mode, that’s all.’

  As the model in front of her stepped through the open door, Olivia gave Ivy’s hands a gentle squeeze. Squinting through the darkness, she tried to take a good look at her sister’s dress, but all she could see was a dull, pale shine in the shadows. Still . . . ‘You have nothing to be afrai
d of. Remember? No one can pull off a fabulous goth look the way you can!’

  ‘Go!’ Amelia hissed, from the doorway, while Penny made shooing motions with her hand.

  Putting on a wide, confident smile, Olivia stepped through the doorway – and tried not to squint as bright light fell across her, after standing so long in the darkness.

  Gasps sounded all around her as she strutted, half-blinded, toward the runway. Beneath the thumping music, she could hear murmurs of approval rising around her. Whatever I’m wearing, they really think it looks fantastic!

  Olivia couldn’t help it. She had to see what final modifications Penny had made to her design! As she stepped on to the runway, she quickly looked down at herself.

  Then she jerked her gaze upright again just in time to stop herself from tripping. Her mind whirling, she fixed her smile even more brightly on her face and sauntered forwards, just as she’d practised in dress rehearsal.

  The audience was right – she did look good.

  But she’d never expected to look like this . . .

  Chapter Four

  As the light from outside fell over Olivia, Ivy’s jaw dropped.

  I know that dress!

  Sleek, black, and mysterious, it was the goth gown Amelia had designed for Ivy . . . which meant that she must be wearing the super-bunnified dress that Penny had designed for Olivia!

  ‘Stupid broken lights!’ Ivy groaned.

  ‘What was that?’ Amelia swung around sharply. ‘Is something wrong?’

  ‘Never mind,’ Ivy mumbled. She’d just have to brave this through – the last thing she needed right now was for the Goth-Queen to have a meltdown!

  But I never thought I’d have to walk that runway in front of everybody while wearing pink . . . or is it blue? She couldn’t even remember – she hadn’t paid enough attention to Olivia’s gown at dress rehearsal. Whatever it is, it’s definitely not goth!

  ‘Go! Go!’ Penny shooed her through.

  Ivy tried to smile as she stepped out into the hot, bright spotlights. She had a horrible feeling, though, that her ‘modelling smile’ was coming off more like a sickly grimace . . . especially after she took a quick, desperate look at what she was wearing.

  If only this spotlight was sunlight and I was a movie vampire! Right now, spontaneous combustion sounded so much better than half-walking, half-strutting towards the runway in Olivia’s frilly blue-and-white dress!

  Her smile faltered as she stepped up on to the runway and heard the audience gasp. The contrast between her and her goth-outfitted sister, on the other side of the catwalk, must have been absolutely stunning . . . and it made her want to burst into sky-high flames just to escape!

  Olivia’s perfect movie-star/model’s smile never faltered, but as they passed each other on the runway, she mumbled out of the corner of her mouth: ‘Sorry!’

  Me, too, Ivy thought. She bit back a sigh as she took in her sister’s appearance.

  Olivia, of course, looked as fabulous as always – but hadn’t anyone ever told her that goths didn’t do delighted grins in public?

  But then, bunnies aren’t supposed to do scowls, either, she told herself. With an effort, she tried to notch up her own smile. At least one of us should match her dress tonight!

  Walking all four points on the x-shaped runway seemed to take forever, with humiliation burning through her at every step . . . but finally, finally, she was finished. Ivy nearly ran down the steps on the far side to join the other models who had congregated there.

  ‘And now,’ Lillian announced behind her, ‘our final model, presenting the young designers’ stunning new collaboration: “Altegular”!’

  Even Ivy turned around for that.

  Reiko’s blood-red hair gleamed in the spotlight . . . but nothing could take the focus away from her stunning dress. There was no whispering this time from the audience – only a stunned silence as they took in the half-black, half-pink gown, with embroidered clasped hands running along the seams – and Tessa’s deep red pashmina cleverly arranged above it all.

  I bet no one in the audience has ever seen anything like it before, Ivy thought. She sure hadn’t . . . but she knew exactly what the design of the dress meant, and she couldn’t help the tiny smile that curved her lips as she took it in.

  Together, Penny and Amelia had designed the perfect symbol of how Franklin Grove High had changed for the better in the past few weeks. Goths and bunnies had once been totally separate, but now those barriers were broken down – and a lot of that was down to Penny and Amelia.

  I don’t usually care much about fashion, Ivy thought, but this is actually kind of genius. The choice to accessorise that dress with the priceless pashmina was alternative and mainstream, both at once.

  Perfectly Altegular!

  Reiko strutted proudly down the runway as the stunned silence was gradually broken by more and more murmurs of appreciation . . . and then a swell of growing applause! As the cheers rose higher and higher around the runway, Ivy felt her shoulders relax and an actual smile break across her face for the first time in hours.

  ‘Ohh . . .!’ Olivia’s own grin made her positively glow in the slinky goth gown. ‘Can you believe how great this is?’

  Ivy shrugged, still smiling. ‘I guess they were right not to give any previews or hints about this one, huh?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Olivia’s eyes never wavered from Reiko, who had struck a fabulous pose to soak in the applause like a true model. ‘This was just the right way to do it.’

  Flashbulbs clicked across the room as the gathered audience raced to snap photos before Reiko could end her turn onstage. As Ivy’s vampire hearing took in all the murmurs around the room, she had to admit . . .

  Maybe this fashion show hadn’t been such a bad idea after all.

  Ivy shuddered. Between this bunnified dress and that scary thought, even I don’t know who I am any more!

  Fifteen minutes later, Ivy was feeling even better, with the spotlights finally turned off and the runway dismantled to let the guests flood all the way into the room. She might still have been wearing ‘the blue horror’, as she’d privately renamed her gown, but now that she was standing to one side with Olivia and their bio-dad, no one’s eyes were on her any more. Thank darkness!

  Better yet, Charles looked absolutely giddy with pride in his wife, whose opening night had been truly spectacular. ‘You were both wonderful,’ he said, putting his hands on their shoulders. ‘And Olivia?’ he turned to Ivy.

  Ivy sighed. Great, I’m a bunny.

  ‘That’s Ivy, Dad!’ cried Olivia. ‘We put the wrong dresses on by mistake. I can’t believe you couldn’t tell!’

  Charles’ eyes widened as he stared at his daughters and then he burst out laughing, ‘Well, I was wondering why Ivy was smiling so much but that explains it! Anyway,’ he said, turning to the real Olivia, ‘I’m very pleased that I let you talk me into using the Vein of Love as part of the fashion show.’

  Ivy blinked. ‘Um . . . should I be grossed out?’

  Charles laughed. ‘No, no, it’s only Tessa’s pashmina,’ he explained. ‘It was used at her wedding to fulfil a ritual that’s commonly known as the “Vein of Love”. Other weddings have used a red scarf or a length of red velvet or silk, but Alex and Tessa’s pashmina worked perfectly for the ritual.’

  ‘Seriously?’ Ivy traded a wide-eyed glance with Olivia. ‘We were at that wedding, but I don’t remember any . . . “rituals”.’

  ‘No?’ Charles raised his eyebrows, his voice taking on a lecturing tone. ‘Tessa’s pashmina symbolises the deep bond between a prince and princess. Don’t you remember, at the wedding reception, the moment when Alex and Tessa danced while each holding on to one end of the pashmina?’

  ‘Ohhh,’ Olivia breathed. ‘That was a ritual? I thought it was just a dance.’

  ‘It wasn’t just a dance,’ Charles told her. ‘It was also an ancient, Transylvanian tradition.’ He smiled faintly, dropping his voice to a whisper. ‘It symbolised
that their love is “everlasting” . . . immortal.’

  ‘Got it,’ Ivy murmured.

  ‘But . . .’ Olivia looked a little queasy. ‘Why does it have to be the Vein of Love? I mean, are vamps so committed to darkness, they have to make even romance feel just a little bit . . . bleurgh?’

  ‘Ah, now there’s the downside.’ Charles shook his head ominously. ‘If the Vein of Love is ever broken – ruined or damaged – the marriage it once blessed is doomed to fail!’

  ‘Yeah, right.’ Ivy scoffed. ‘I don’t see that happening, do you?’

  Olivia laughed. ‘Even if that superstition was true, there would be no chance of it happening with Alex and Tessa! I’ve never seen any couple so in love.’

  ‘And speaking of seeing . . .’ Ivy winced as she glanced down at her frilly white sleeves. ‘We need to go get out of these dresses before I turn permanently bunnified!’

  Laughing, they stepped together into the still-darkened changing room. Someone had finally got hold of a torch, and by the light of its glow, they could see Amelia and Penny stroking the pashmina fondly as it lay folded over Penny’s arm.

  ‘I hate to say goodbye to it,’ Penny said wistfully.

  ‘It was definitely the star of the show!’ Amelia agreed.

  ‘Oh, I don’t know.’ Reiko’s voice rang out cheekily from the darkness beyond. ‘It would have been nothing without me!’

  Grinning, Ivy rolled her eyes. At least it was good to see that the exchange student had finally recovered from the shock of riding in Jackson Caulfield’s limousine tonight!

  ‘Do you want me to take the pashmina back to its display for you, as soon as I’ve changed?’ Ivy asked Amelia and Penny. ‘That way, you guys can go mingle and meet everyone.’

  ‘You really should,’ Olivia agreed immediately. ‘There are so many people out there waiting to meet the designers!’

  ‘Thank you!’ Amelia gave the pashmina one last stroke, then stepped away. ‘And thanks again for taking part tonight, you guys.’

  ‘Actually . . .’ Penny held the pashmina over her arm, biting her lip. ‘If you don’t mind, Ivy, I’ll come with you. I haven’t seen much of the museum yet – and, this way, I can put off saying goodbye to the pashmina for another couple of minutes!’