EVABELLE

"Would you like some lemonade?"  Aza asked as she poured some for herself.  Evabelle blinked.  She hadn't quite been paying attention, instead she had been watching all the mindless teenagers spin themselves sick, or laughing at nothing in particular.

            "What?"

            Aza pushed the cup in her face.  "Lemonade, my dear dreaming friend.  Would you like some?" 

            Evabelle took a step back from the wavering glass, disoriented by its rather close proximity, and bumped into someone.  "I'm sorry!"  Evabelle cried whirling around.

It was a boy, of course, but Evabelle let out a small sigh of relief. It was just CJ. He had short mousey brown hair, hazel eyes that were covered by rounded rectangle glasses, and a beaming smile as he looked at Evabelle. "Hey, Evabelle! Don't worry about it." His eyes widened as they passed up and down her. "Wow," He blinked, dumbly. "Y-you look..." His voice trailed off with his mouth hanging open, making Evabelle shuffle uncomfortably.

Aza chuckled, putting down her lemonade. "Ello', Harry." She said in a British accent, cutting into the awkward like a pro.

It always amazed Evabelle that Aza could know so much about the vast world of media, and do all her extracurricular activities, when Aza was not much of a reader or a TV watcher, although admittedly Harry Potter was a hard one to miss. CJ was a big fan of it all, though. He was always talking about video games, comics, anime, anything and everything, and Aza did her best to follow along. Evabelle loved reading as well, and she had at least gotten her friend to read the first book of that particular series.

CJ grimaced. He was fairly used to Aza calling him that. In reality it didn't bother him that much but it didn't stop him from arguing a little. "My glasses are square, not round. They're more like Lloyd Asplund's. He's cool and charismatic, so why don't you call me that?"

Aza shrugged, still grinning. "So what if you wanted new glasses, it makes no difference to me." She replied, totally ignoring the Lloyd Asplund bit, considering she probably had no idea who that even was.

            "Quit hassling him, would'ja?"  Said a high clipped voice.  Out from behind CJ came a, if possible, even smaller and skinnier girl than Aza.  Her frizzy hair swayed precariously as she shoved her enormous glasses up her nose and put her hands on her small hips.

            "Well, are you two a couple now?"  Aza asked.  "That means I'm going to have start calling you Ginny."  She directed at the small one.  "It actually works out pretty well."  Aza gestured at the little girl's hair, which happened to be a bright fiery red. 

            "We are here just as friends."  She squeaked.  "And don't you dare make fun of my hair, or you'll regret it deeply."  The red-head brought up her scrawny fists. 

            Aza put her hands up, grinning.  "Hey, I was just kidding, Sophie.  You know me."  She looked back at CJ.  "I'm glad you two could make it."

            Evabelle straightened at this.  "You invited them?" 

            Aza nodded.  "I figured you get sick of me sometimes.  I also knew that you needed at least a few people that you felt comfortable around." 

            Evabelle opened her mouth to thank her, but a voice from behind the four of them, cut in first. 

"Look who it is ladies, the stick." 

            They all turned to face a tall slender figure.  Her posture was hostile as was the sharp make-up adorning her eyes.  Beside her was her little, two girl posse, in exactly the same stance.  In fact the three of them seemed like clones of each other, the same designer clothes and purses, the same make-up, the same superior expression. 

            They were glaring at one person in particular... Aza.  She smiled back at them pleasantly.  "Evening, Darla, Beatrice, Chloe."  She nodded her head at each of them in turn. 

The middle one who had initially spoken, Chloe, looked at her in disgust.  "What are you doing here, Stick?  This party is for people, not ugly little roaches."

            Aza laughed, which just infuriated Chloe even more.  "You are good," Aza replied.  "At reading minds, I mean.  I was about to say the same to you."

            "You disgust me."  Chloe hissed.

            Aza just smiled.  "You kind of annoy me."  She shrugged.

Evabelle, who had been watching, bit her lip. Chloe was the prettiest, most popular girl at their school. Aza loved calling her Lady Cliché, not caring if it was behind her back or right in front of her. She hadn't moved in all that long ago, but she had climbed to the top at a record pace. And in that short amount of time, a rivalry had bloomed between her and Aza that everyone was very much aware of. The truth was Chloe felt threatened by her. Everyone loved Aza; they loved her friendliness, her crazy outgoing personality, her way of just not caring what people thought of her. It was hard not to be drawn to her. Chloe's reaction was quite understandable, but it made Evabelle nervous.

            "Aza..." she began.

            "Shut it, Princess."  Chloe snapped, making Evabelle flinch.  "This doesn't involve you." 

            Aza's eyes narrowed.  "Don't snap at her, Snake.  What do you want anyway?" 

            "Hmm," Chloe murmured.

            One of the boys who had been watching called out in a loud voice.  "Fight!  Fight! Fight!"  Soon others joined in chanting that dreaded word.

            Evabelle gasped.  "Aza don't, she's not worth it."

            Aza turned to her, a wicked grin playing on her lips, that made Evabelle swallow.  "Don't worry, Darlin.'" She reassured.  "This won't get bloody."  Then she turned back to Chloe, who was looking around at all the chanters with concern.  Probably didn't want to mess up her beyond expensive clothes.  Evabelle thought. 

            "Oi, Snake," Aza cried which brought Chloe's attention back to Aza.  "Yeah, I'm talking to you, Deary."  Chloe snarled.  Aza grinned.  Evabelle shook her head.  She knew that Aza was enjoying this.  "Dance competition.  Whoever gets the most cheers, wins." 

            Chloe's eyes narrowed.  "Wins what exactly?"

            Aza shrugged.  "Bragging rights, unless you want to raise the stakes."  Aza's expression was like a cat's sneaking up on her plump little mouse.

            Evabelle could tell Chloe was nervous.  She shook her head.  "Dance competition it is, but I warn you I've taken years of ballet." 

            Everyone began to spread out to make room for the two of them.  Chloe pulled off her jacket and purse, handing them both to her groupies.  Both moved to the center of the floor.  Aza laughed as she slid off her own vest and handed it to Evabelle.  "I don't know if you've been paying attention to the music playing here, Deary, but it ain't classical."  Chloe bared her teeth.

            The DJ spoke into a microphone, "Ladies and gentleman, we have a dance fight on the floor tonight.  On the left we have Chloe Bernard and on the right we have Azara Kendall."  Cheers went up from all the teens.  "Once we get the beats they'll bring out their moves.  Whoever gets the most cheering wins the Queen of the Night special."  More cheers echoed after this. 

            The music started up again and Chloe began.  She gracefully swayed to the music.  Her moves were fluid and Evabelle began to understand why Aza called her, Snake.  She finished and cheers went up, loudest of all from Beatrice and Darla. 

            Aza went next.  Her moves were not graceful, but choppy and random.  She laughed as she jumped into the air.  Cheers soared through the roof, Evabelle cheering right along with them. 

            Chloe scowled and took her next turn.  It went back and forth between these two for some time, Aza continually getting the louder cheer.  It was true Chloe's moves were more controlled and technically they were probably better, but she didn't look like she was having any fun, she took it way too seriously, Aza on the other hand, was laughing and twirling, not caring whether she won or lost.

            Evabelle smiled fondly at Aza as she spun and winked at her.  "She's great."  CJ chuckled beside Evabelle. 

            She looked up at him.  He turned to her and she quickly turned back.  "No kidding."  She murmured. 

            "Are you ever jealous of her?"  Evabelle could still feel his gaze on her.  "Or do ever wish you could be like her?"

            She shook her head.  "I'm not jealous, more like angry with myself that I'm not already like her."

            "I think the point of it all is to just be yourself and don't worry about what others think."  CJ paused.  "Being honest with yourself is important."

Evabelle spared a glance at him. His expression was anxious. He was staring off at the dancers without seeing them. He licked his lips. "Evabelle, I-"

            Chloe's voice screeched, cutting off CJ.  "Enough!"  Evabelle snapped her attention back to them.

            Aza grinned at her opponent.  "Giving up already?"

            She glared at Aza.  "Not in your dreams.  Obviously everyone in this place has no taste."  She gave everyone there a scathing look.  "I say," She turned back to Aza.  "We change this.  Grab a partner."  With that she turned glaring around the crowd, finally choosing a tall young man, who hadn't been paying attention.  

            "What's going on?"  He asked looking at Chloe. 

            "You're my dance partner, Handsome.  You had better be good."  She threatened.

            Evabelle understood why she had called him handsome.  He was.  He had pale gold curls that fell gently past his ears.  His face would have stood out anywhere.  It was soft, but defined.  And when he looked around the circle, still a little lost, she saw his eyes.  They were an unmistakable blue like a cloudless sky.  His outfit was simple, just a pair of jeans with a white sweatshirt, but he was definitely attractive.

            Aza shrugged, never losing her smile.  "Whatever you say."  She then turned to the crowd.  Looking over to where Evabelle and CJ stood her grin widened.  She ran over and snatched CJ's arm. 

            He gasped.  "Aza, I can't dance!"

            "Then you're perfect."  She continued to drag him out onto the floor.

            Evabelle gave him her best reassuring smile.  "Good luck out there."  She called.

            They began again and Evabelle watched.  The young man with blond hair was good.  He twirled Chloe easily and fluidly, lifted her with grace, and dipped her with poise.  His arms and hands were strong, but gentle.  She watched almost mesmerized.  He seemed just too perfect to be real. 

            Aza and CJ could never match the other pair.  That was apparent once it was their turn they bucked around, looking ridiculous.  Everyone laughed.  Evabelle felt sorry for them, especially when Aza got CJ on his hands and knees.  She then jumped on his back, spanked his rear, and rode him like a horse.  Aza threw her arms up in the air and let out an insane cry.  "Yee haw!"  This caused poor CJ to turn a deep red color, Aza of course didn't mind a bit.  She laughed right along with them and continued to flap around aimlessly. 

            "She's insane." 

            Evabelle turned.  Sophie had come up beside her.  Her arms were folded, as she shook her head consolingly.  "How does she expect to win with him?" 

            Evabelle smiled.  "She doesn't necessarily expect to win.  She just wants to have fun."  She sighed and said more to herself than Sophie.  "That's something I really need to do."  

            "Hmm," Sophie thought.  "I still think it's stupid.  CJ is awful, and it's not like Aza's any good either." 

            Evabelle shook her head.  She'd never listen to her.  Suddenly something caught Evabelle's eye, a lone figure standing away from the crowd.  He was leaned against one of the walls, his hands in his dark jacket pockets.  His pale skin accented his long black hair that fell into his face.  He was just as handsome as the blond guy dancing with Chloe, if not more.                         

Evabelle's heart sped up.  The world seemed to close in on him.  It was just him and her.  The music, the voices, the cheers all fell away.  She wasn't sure why, but she was drawn to him.  Maybe it was the fact that they were both wallflowers.  This wasn't his element, she could tell.  

She took a step forward but stopped herself, biting her lip.  She couldn't, she just...

"Whoa!"

Evabelle jumped at the high voice.  Sophie had noticed the dark stranger as well. 

"He must be a vampire, because no real person it that hot." 

So it wasn't just Evabelle. 

"I've always wanted to date a vampire.  It would be so romantic."

It was true, Sophie believed in vampires.  She believed in a lot of weird things.  Just then somebody crashed into Evabelle making her fall to the floor.  She got hurriedly to her feet, hoping that the boy didn't see that.  She looked up at him and felt as though her heart had been dowsed in ice cold water. 

He was staring right at her.

At least that's what she figured.  His hair was still in his face, but he was looking in her direction and she could swear that she saw his eyes glinting through his veil.  There was moment where they seemed to stare at one another, but then he turned his head away from her and she felt her spirits plummet. 

Evabelle turned to see who had crashed into her.  It was Aza and she was laughing her head off, still sitting on the floor.  Evabelle felt a little prick of annoyance, but she couldn't suppress a smile. 

"That was awesome!"   Aza threw her arms up as though triumphant.

Evabelle and Sophie reached down and pulled her to her feet.  "So did you win?"  Evabelle asked. 

Aza beamed.  "I'm a half queen tonight, ladies.  The lone dance I won hands down.  The partner thing," She shrugged.  "It was a close call, but not this time." 

"Close call?"  Sophie scoffed.  "You never had a chance against those two." 

Aza laughed.  "You don't know anything.  We're having a tie breaker at midnight."    

CJ had come over as well.  He was grinning.  "Okay, I have to admit that was kind of fun." 

Aza punched him lightly on the shoulder.  "I told you it wouldn't be so bad." 

Sophie shook her head.  "Well, while you two were out there making fools of yourselves me and Evabelle, over here found a vampire."

CJ looked confused.  "A vampire?"

Sophie gestured over to where the dark stranger had been standing.  Evabelle looked back, praying he was still there.  She let out a sigh of relief; he was, leaning casually against the wall. 

            Evabelle looked at Aza expectantly.  Aza was looking at him, not with admiration, but something quizzical.  Evabelle looked at him just as a group of girls passed by him.  One tried to talk to him, but he waved her away.  All the girls walked away with their heads down, but Evabelle didn't think about it.

            "Are you going to ask him out?" Aza's voice cut in.  Evabelle looked back at her.  Aza had an eyebrow raised, not playfully this time.  Evabelle swallowed.  "It's obvious that you like him."  Her friend said simply. 

            Evabelle bit her lip and spared another glance at her dark prince.  "I just... can't." She hung her head.  "I could never do it..."  I'm just too awkward.  She thought. 

            "Well if you won't, then I will."  Sophie chirped excitedly, shoving her overlarge glasses up her skinny nose. 

            "Hold on Soph," Aza cut in.  "This is Evabelle's sixteenth birthday after all.  In all fairness she's Queen of the Night.  If she really likes this guy I think she should try for him first."

            Evabelle looked at her friend, heart pounding.  "I already told you I can't." 

            Aza looked back at the lone young man.  "How about this," She said slowly.  "I'll go over there and talk to him, see if he's a good guy and if he's even worth it.  If he is, then I'll ask him for you."  She turned back to Evabelle.  

            Evabelle gazed at her, her eyes shining.  "You would do that for me."

            Aza laughed.  "I got freaking make-up done for you.  Trust me this'll be a cinch."

            Sophie held up her hands.  "Hold up," She glared at Aza.  "How do we know that you won't just keep him all to yourself?" 

            Aza sighed.  "Let me establish this again.  It is Evabelle's birthday."  She said very slowly and clearly.  "And plus he's not my type." 

            Sophie shook her head.  "Whatever."   She mumbled, grabbed CJ's arm, and began to march off. 

            CJ didn't look too happy either.  "You know, I don't see what's so special about him."

Sophie snorted, and dragged him away as he gave one last retort.  "I don't see any sparkling is all I'm saying."  

            Evabelle and Aza waved to them.  Slowly Aza put her hand down.  "Well, here goes nothing." 

            Evabelle gave her quick hug.  "Thank you, and good luck." 

            Aza returned the hug briefly.  "You bet." 

            She didn't sound too happy.  Evabelle thought as she watched her friend walk toward the dark young man.  Her heart skipped a beat when he turned to look in her direction again.  She knew he was just watching Aza approach, but she couldn't help it.  His hair came away from his eyes, and she saw them clearly for a moment.  Evabelle scrunched her own eyes, she couldn't be seeing right.  Perhaps it was just a trick of the flashing lights.

No one had purple eyes.