Diary Of A Vampeen Part 30

"Red booking?" I questioned.

"Ryan has a black book of VIP clients which is where I'm listed now. But he also has a red book of people he works with only if he's bored or broke," my aunt explained.

"Oh. Ok?" I shrugged. My aunt's acquaintances were nice, but reminded me very much of a Hollywood crowd in their arrogant tendencies at times.

"We'll be back in a minute Lexi. And no bra," my aunt advised. "It has a built in corset."

I nodded and they closed the door. I heard them singing praises over Mel's up-do outside. I undid the dress off the hanger and sifted into it from the bottom up to avoid a hair and make-up disaster. I slid the small straps up onto my shoulders; already the dress was hugging my silhouette from my hips down creating a gorgeous pear bottom. I put on the heels and called for my aunt, who I heard zipping up Mel's dress from my room.

She fastened me in with an awe-inspired gasp. I had to admit I never dreamed I could look so breathtaking, even on my wedding day. The dress pulled tight over every part of me, yet remained cla.s.sy by design, not revealing too much though my cleavage jumped out a bit. Aunt Claire clasped a gold necklace around my neck with a single brilliant pearl. She gave me matching stud earrings. It was at the final result that I became speechless with her. Exiting the bathroom door, silence fell over the bedroom as if the Queen of England had just entered. My parents stood beside Mel giving me the oddest stare; it was a cross between shock and awe.

"Do I look okay?" I pressed. Their silence was killing my confidence.

"You're definitely not my little girl, yet you remind me so much of your mother at your age," my dad commented in a breathless exhale.

"You're stunning sweetie. I feel like a peasant next to you. Gorgeous," my mother added.

"Don't say that Mom." I looked at Mel for the first time. "Oh my gos.h.!.+ You look gorgeous Mel."

"Thanks, but it's nothing compared to you. I'm okay with that though. You look beautiful Lex. Kellan is going to die," she smiled sincerely.

"I'm gay honey and you have me second guessing," Javier announced.

I chuckled, "Thanks."

"You ready everyone?" my aunt prompted. "The limo is outside."

"Limo?" I was surprised by the extravagance, but then again, Aunt Claire hadn't exactly skimped on anything thus far. I don't know why I thought this would be any different.

"Of course. You need a grand entrance, remember?" she winked.

When we arrived at the hotel, I was shocked by the scene awaiting. It was set like a red carpet event. Crowds of teenagers lined both sides of the hotel, roped off from a red carpet rolling from the street to the door. Security officers draped in black suits stood by the entrance. A gray suited Ryan Seacrest look-alike with a microphone stood by the road announcing my arrival as if I were a celebrity. I heard it echo over the speakers strategically dotting the hotel's exterior.

"Wait, Lex!" Mel called as the door opened. She whisked out a camcorder. "You have to let me video their reaction!"

"You were serious?" I was baffled by her eager sincerity.

"h.e.l.l yea!" she said exiting the limo.

I scanned the audience and quickly spotted the band of preps and jocks that I equally despised near the front. I was infuriated over how anxious they were to attend the party of a girl they deemed a hungry hippo. In a way, I was eager to vindicate myself as neither of those anymore, yet I longed to do it outside their terms and advances.

Mel had the camera rolling and instructed the host to proceed.

"And now, the star of this event, the teen queen of this evening and birthday girl herself, Lexi Jackson!"

I heard the crowd pressing forward, my cla.s.smates craning their necks to catch a glimpse of me exiting the limo. Nerves twisted in my stomach, a faint feeling rushed over me in a second of self-doubt. I didn't belong on the show Sweet Sixteen, yet that's what was in front of me by design thus far. I took one last steadying breath.

"Go on honey! They're all waiting," my aunt encourage. I nodded and exited the limo.

A unified gasp spread over the crowd. "Is that really her? She lost oobers of weight," one girl commented. A guy in my history cla.s.s said, "Wow. I so want to tap that now."

I smiled and gracefully proceeded towards the door as quickly as possible ready to escape the embarra.s.sment of being on display in such a manner. Near the entrance, I heard a male's voice call, "Lexi?!"

I turned to see Jason, wide-eyed and nearly drooling over me.

"Hey Jason," I said as if he'd never insulted or tortured me before.

"You look... Wow! You look beautiful," he said pus.h.i.+ng past a clearly miffed Jenny who was now glaring at me, piercing me with two blue knives.

"Thanks. I'll see you inside." I turned back to the doors.

Mel came running up beside me squealing, "Holy sugar plums Lex! That was so awesome! I got it all on tape! I knew he'd fall to bits over you now!"

Her words came out as a double-edged sword. I knew she meant no harm yet she smashed a reminder in my face. Apparently I did look like a fat ogre before and now I'd emerged a swan. I was beautiful, appealing to most men, but for some reason I still found myself cringing insecurely inside. I'm a vampeen, yet my humanity still reigns supreme. I wasn't ignorant to their changed expressions and rather sickened by their new-found l.u.s.t. If you couldn't accept me before, then I would be a fool to allow you access now. But I suppose Mel was right; there's no harm in having a little fun with them.

"O.M.G. Lex look!" Mel screamed.

I turned just as the announcer began to speak again. "Wait, don't leave us yet Lexi. You definitely will not want to miss your gift being driven in by your father, Stewart. Congratulations and Happy Birthday! You are the proud new owner of a Mercedes E350 coupe! I hope you're ready to rev it up!"

I stared in awe. I was shocked to see my dad behind the wheel of a two door white car adorned with a huge red bow on the roof. He drove up as the limo left.

"O.M.G. Lex! That, oh my! Wow! I love it, don't you?!" Mel exclaimed. She had flipped open the camera again to film my reaction and then my dad exiting the car. I heard the gasps in the crowd, voices, some jealous, abuzz over my gift.

I walked down towards the car. "Is... Is this really for me dad?" I stuttered in shock.

"Absolutely. Kellan helped me pick it out."

"Oh my gosh. Thank you so much Dad!" I squeezed him tight caught up in the moment.

"Told you she'd love it Sharon." I turned to see my mom and aunt standing nearby.

"Let's look inside! You are so driving me to school Monday!" Mel squealed.

"But I don't have my license."

"You will Monday morning. Kellan has agreed to teach you tomorrow," my mother announced. "It's best I not have to lie to your father should you be a slow learner."

"Thanks for the confidence Mom!"

"You know I love you sweetie," she smiled.

"Yea, I know."

My dad handed me the keys. The moment they touched my palm Mel was dragging me towards my new gift.

The exterior boasted a s.h.i.+ny, snow white finish still coated with a thin layer of wax visible only to my keen eyes. Eighteen-inch six-spoke alloy wheels set abase the curvature of the frame projected a design for speed as if the car was already racing down the highway.

Inside, the seats were outfitted with gorgeous sleek black leather. The new car scent hit my nose immediately smelling of cleaning supplies and crisp leather. I instantly noticed the panorama sun roof followed by the exquisite walnut trim of the dashboard; centered was a fancy navigation system I would probably never master. Just above it though, a red iPod was attached to the dashboard. I recognized it as Kellan's immediately.

"That's Kellan's," I noted aloud. I lifted it out of the docking station and a note fell.

"What does it say?" Mel asked nonchalantly as she opened every compartment and compulsively touched every k.n.o.b.

Happy Birthday to the only thing I value more than music - my heart, my life - you!

Love, Kellan "I hate to kill your tender moment, but these people are getting impatient," Mel interrupted my melting heart. Kellan loved his iPod, his music. He was always with it, always toting it around his arm. I wasn't expecting this yet it's better than the car. Now I could hear all the songs he pa.s.sed his days with. Ever improving, I couldn't wait to listen to them in the car together.

"Lex, let's go," she repeated.

"Okay." I put the iPod back in place and tucked the note in the glove compartment while taking one last look around.

I grazed my eyes along the black dashboard complete with satellite radio and many other dials Mel no doubt had messed with. The feel of the car was luxurious and it appeared to be built for thrill rides, nothing less than twenty over the speed limit. A surge of enthusiasm ran through me at the thought of driving the car. A feeling of empowerment jumped out at me from the steering wheel. There was no denying this was definitely the car of a vampeen.

I slid out, delivered the keys back to my dad for safe keeping, and returned to the entrance with Mel.

"I can't believe you got a car! I knew you were going to get one!" she shrieked as we entered the hotel.

Mel abandoned me along the way leaving me to blindly search for the ballroom. Turns out I didn't have to worry. Flowers and balloons marked the entrance as well as a large banner above the doors reading 'Happy Birthday Lexi.'

Inside the ballroom was Caribbean chic all the way in decor. It reminded me of an upscale resort. The far wall composed floor to ceiling windows revealing the ocean and sunset outside. The center contained gla.s.s pocket doors opening onto a cedar deck of black high-end wicker sofas and chairs with tightly knit plastic weaves. The coffee tables were presented with palm leaves and exotic floral centerpieces seeming drawn from the inner jungle plants of the Amazon.

Within the ballroom, the ceiling was draped with a sheer teal chiffon material intertwined with white twinkle lights. Located to the right was the dance floor built into a black square with a teal 'L' monogram projecting onto the center. The DJ was in the corner scanning a stack of discs.

On the left wall stood several buffet tables of sea food, chicken, sandwiches and other items grab-n-go style. Empty pineapples monogrammed with the same 'L' design filled the s.p.a.ce between the platters. Like Halloween pumpkins they lit to life with votive candles inside and filled the room with a mild pineapple scent. A dessert bar was stationed beside it followed by a cake table.

The cake itself was an extravagant art piece. It reminded me of a colorful five tier wedding cake. It took me a minute to piece together the resemblance: the cake was designed after my dress. It held a soft aqua fondant base with black lace on the first four levels. The top tier was cream with an exact wrap around teal bow holding a replica broach centered within. It wasn't until I saw the cake that I realized in absorbing the scene before me that the entire party was colored and designed via inspiration of my dress, no doubt on purpose by my Aunt Claire.

Stationed next to the pocket doors was the bar. Its top was covered with red and blue drinks. The remainder of the inside center s.p.a.ce flowed with round tables and the same sofas and chairs filling the patio. Every chair held a teal pillow monogrammed coordinately and the sofa cus.h.i.+ons were the same light aqua. Exotic floral arrangements of red, coral, and pink were spread throughout. Each table was adorned with a silk teal or chiffon light aqua cover, reversed of the fabrics on my dress. It was all very matchy-matchy, but not overdone. It all worked cohesively without feeling thrown together.

My aunt approached me with a drink in hand. "I hope you approve of everything."

"It's gorgeous Aunt Claire. More than I imagined."

She smiled. "We incorporated red into your color scheme for your drink. Here is your extra special 'Luscious Lex'," she winked.

I took the chilled martini gla.s.s s.h.i.+mmering with a red liquid. I sipped to taste and discovered it was blood. "Thanks."

"Of course. You know you are the closest I will ever come to a daughter. That's why I go overboard with you sometimes. I want to give you everything I would have given my own child had I been blessed with one. I'm proud of you Lexi, and I love you as my own."

"I love you too. And you do go overboard and spend way too much but I appreciate it all," I said giving her a one-armed hug.

"You ready to get this party started?!" Mel chimed in beside me.

"Absolutely," I beamed eager to mix amongst the gathering outside rather than stand out.

"Mr. Hustle, hustle on over to your booth and start the music!" Aunt Claire hollered to the DJ.

"Ok. That was super elementary corny," Mel laughed. My aunt just shrugged and walked towards the guard at the door.

"Do you know if Kellan's here?" I searched the visible areas for him.

"Umm. I saw his parents talking to yours in the lobby," she said.

"How do you know his parents?"

"Your mom introduced me on my way in after you."

"Oh. Ok."

"Come here. You have to taste this," Mel grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the food tables. I hadn't noticed the table of plates and monogrammed napkins on the wall beside the door. It came to create an L-shape of precise flow.

I also hadn't noticed the huge 'L' monogram blue ice sculpture standing solid in the center of the room. It was at least six feet tall and showed exquisitely amongst the decor. Everywhere I turned I noticed tiny details my perfect vision seemed to overlook prior.

"You have to try the spicy pineapple wings," Mel gushed. "They're delis.h.!.+"

Just the thought of it sent the serum soaring into my throat. I took another sip of my cold b.l.o.o.d.y-mary-esk drink. "Maybe later. I don't want to endanger my dress right away."

The music pumped into the walls of the room. I heard a herd of footsteps and chatter approaching the doors. I knew they were piling in when I heard the first exasperated, "Oh my G.o.d."

Within minutes the room filled with buzz, motions, and swirls of bodies over the floor, in the seats. It wasn't like prom. There were no stragglers; no one-off exclusions huddled in a corner despite the obvious cliques. Nerds, drama-geeks, goths, preps and jocks all filtered together at one event yet each was adorned in their own slightly dressy attire appropriated to their group.

Several girls approached me, cheerleaders to my surprise, exclaiming, "Cool party Lexi. We love the vibe."

I muttered a polite, "Thanks. Have fun," before moving past them giving a shocked look at Mel. She just shrugged.

"Let's dance. I see Caleb over there," she tugged me in that direction.

I pa.s.sed my drink to my mom on the way with a guarded, "Don't put this down."

Along the way we ran into Justin and Sasha sashaying to the music.

"Great party Lex! You look good too," Sasha yelled over the music.

"It's awesome! And she's right. You're gorgeous," Justin agreed.

"Thanks guys. Have fun!" I was yanked away from them towards the dance floor once again. Did I mention Mel is quite impatient?

Caleb met us on the dance floor twisting and moving to the edgy hip-hop beat. He greeted Mel with a smile and a kiss on the cheek fawning over how beautiful she looked tonight. He was dressed in khakis and a blue b.u.t.ton-up s.h.i.+rt that was undone several b.u.t.tons down at the top. It complimented his dark curly hair and hazel eyes.

No sooner had Mel turned her attention to Caleb that I felt a light tap on my shoulders. Expecting it to be Kellan, I spun around and froze... in front of Mike. My heart sputtered erratically as my serum held strong in the lower levels of my throat.

"Hey Lex. You look gorgeous. I would envy any guy you belonged to. I'm glad your mine."

My skin crawled at his words. "Mike, I don't want to fight. It's my birthday party. But be clear, I'm not yours anymore."

I wanted to placate him, avoid any eruptions of fighting amidst the faces I would see daily at school. The last thing I needed was more rumors surrounding me.

"Oh, but you are, unless you want me to announce your little secret to everyone," he grinned devilishly.