Pretty in Black (Pretty in Black #1) A Vampire Romance Series

Making a Scene

Madison approached me at my locker. "You need to start focusing on your future. It's still not too late to join the squad and help us win Nationals this year. It would look good on your college application. Show that you're determined, focused, passionate. You could even get an athletic scholarship. I can overlook you lashing out and I can even overlook the moody attitude you've gotten lately. But you seriously need to get your shit together."

"I don't want to be a cheerleader anymore, Madison."

"Oh, that's right. You want to hang out with creeps in graveyards and kiss them. Do you want everyone to know about your little cemetery love song?" She crossed her arms over her chest and gave me that daring look that usually gets her what she wants.

I glowered. "How do you know about the graveyard?"

"I followed you. That's beside the point. You need to drop the freak. Is he even in school? He's probably a dead beat with no goals in life. He's a bad influence, Ellie."

I slammed my locker shut. "Shut up, Madison. You don't know him." I started to walk away, but she blocked me.

"Oh and you do? You need to stop hanging around him and get your act together. The girls and I will be waiting for you in the gym. Be there." She stormed off.

Maybe she had a point. Maybe it was time to quit being so gloomy. I should give myself a chance. Maybe cheering again would be a great way to start feeling normal again.

This is why I showed up in the gym in my purple shorts and yellow tank top. Upbeat music blasted. Practice had already begun.

"Oh my God, our girl is back!" Madison ran over to hug me. "Everyone doesn't get second chances, Ellie. I did a lot of talking with Coach and Mr. Delaney to let you back on squad, considering what you've been through. We'll have to order you a brand new uniform, and you won't be team captain this year because I am. But I'm so glad you're back!"

"Rah-rah. Go Black Ravens." My voice was tired and flat.

"Say it with more spirit."

I ran and did one of my favorite flipping routines and when I landed my last flip, "Go Black Ravens!"

"See," Madison said. "I bet you're feeling better already."

But I really wasn't. Being here seemed false to me. It didn't feel like it used to. I didn't feel like myself. It was almost as if I were forcing myself to be someone else. I went through the motions of cheering, but I really wasn't there with the team. My mind was elsewhere. My body was in the room with the cheerleaders, but my consciousness had floated back to the world of Marcus Marble.

By the end of practice, I'd worked up both a mental and physical sweat, so I headed to the locker room to take a shower. After the shower and after I got dressed, I walked down the empty hallway to my locker to get my books and homework. I swore I saw that cloaked figure eying me again, from the end of the hallway. I was almost positive it wasn't an illusion this time. The red hood was unmistakable. I kept my eye on the figure, which paced back and forth, watching me. I closed my locker and picked up my book bag, but when I turned my attention to the end of the hallway, the figure had disappeared.

I stepped outside the school building and stood under the awning. I needed to breathe the fresh air. The gray skies, rain, and cold air rejuvenated me.

A cold hand touched mine and I jumped. When I turned to look, Declan was standing there.

"It's just me. Football practice is over. Do you need a ride home?"

"I'm not going anywhere with you."

"Do you still hate me? I said I was sorry. I was stupid."

"I don't hate you. I don't feel anything toward you at all. It'd all be wasted energy."