Serena glared at her. “I insist.”
With a shrug, Ivy picked up the glass of water and took a tiny sip. Serena Star leaned forward expectantly.
Actually, the water felt good. Ivy hadn’t even realized how dry her mouth was. She took a big swallow, and Serena looked like she was going to fall off her chair. When did drinking water become such a big deal? Ivy wondered.
Ivy put the glass back down on the table, ready for the next question. Serena sat back in her chair, looking disappointed. “Um ...what’s your favorite of all the articles you’ve done?” she asked.
“I did a series of pieces on the history of Franklin Grove Middle School that won a special achievement award,” Ivy explained, but once again, Serena appeared to lose interest the moment Ivy started talking. “Most people don’t know this,” Ivy soldiered on, “but in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge accidentally dropped his favorite pocket watch in—”
“What’s your favorite book?” Serena interrupted eagerly. Then, before Ivy could even answer, Serena pulled a fat volume out from beneath her chair. She held it up to the camera before shoving it into Ivy’s hands. “How about this one?”
Ivy looked at the book in her hands. The Bible?
Serena Star stared at her accusingly.
“Well, it’s certainly a good book. In fact, it’s the Good Book,” Ivy said at last, cracking a nervous smile.
Serena’s shoulders fell.
Suddenly, Ivy began to put two and two together, and Serena’s strange behavior started to make sense. A Bible, a big glass of water. She’s testing me to prove I’m a vampire! Ivy realized. This isn’t an interview about a good role model. Serena Star’s trying to expose me! I bet that glass was full of holy water, and Serena must have thought the Bible would set me on fire or something! Of course, that religious stuff only worked in the movies, but who knew what else Serena had up her sleeve?
If she hits on something real, Ivy thought in a panic, I’ll be revealed as a vampire on national TV!
“Did you see her show on celebrity underwear, when her made-up word was ‘INCROTCHIBLE’?” asked Olivia, who was waiting for Ivy on the steps in front of school with Sophia and Brendan.
“No,” Sophia said. “Serena Star has her own ridiculous language.”
“As a matter of fact,” said Brendan, leaning back on his elbows so his black button-down shirt hung open over his white top, “that’s what I ended up writing my English paper on.”
“You’re kidding!” said Olivia.
Brendan raised his eyebrows. “I’m going to call it, ‘The Stupidfying Words of Serena Star!’ ” he said, laughing.
Olivia and Sophia burst out laughing, too. Then the front doors of the school opened, and Toby Decker emerged, his tie hanging undone around his neck.
Olivia waved and walked over to join him. “Hey, Toby,” she said. “Is Serena Star’s interview with Ivy over already?”
Toby shook his head. “Still going,” he replied. “I’m surprised you’re not watching it.”
“What about you, Mr. Special Assistant? Shouldn’t you be in there?” Olivia said. “Camilla got a special invitation from the cameraman, but I didn’t think I’d be allowed.”
“You wouldn’t have, but it’s live TV.” Toby shrugged. “You could have watched it in the library with everyone else.”
“I didn’t realize it was live!” Olivia exclaimed.
“It is.” Toby sighed. “The only reason I’m not in there is that ...well, I quit my job as Serena’s assistant.”
“You did?” Olivia was shocked.
Toby hesitated, as if he was trying to figure out whether he could confide in her. “Olivia,” he said finally, “I think Serena is having some sort of nervous breakdown.”
“What do you mean?”
“She’s convinced there are real vampires in Franklin Grove,” Toby explained, “and that Ivy is one of them.”
Olivia felt a wave of panic wash over her. “Why would she think a ridiculous thing like that?” she asked nervously.
Toby looked at the ground guiltily. “Olivia, I have a confession to make. I followed you, Sophia, Ivy, and Brendan to the graveyard last night.”
Olivia was speechless.
“I’m sorry; I hope you’re not mad,” Toby pleaded. “I called Serena Star from outside the cemetery. I figured she’d be interested, since she’s so convinced that Goth culture is corrupting the youth of Franklin Grove. Not that I think you’re corrupted,” he added quickly. “Well, anyway, Serena went there and . . .”Toby’s voice trailed off.
“And?” Olivia urged.
“And I had to go home for dinner. But earlier today Serena told me that she followed Ivy back to her house, and that then she saw—” Toby hesitated.
“What?” Olivia gulped. “What did Serena see?”
“It’s silly.”
“Toby, what did she see?” Olivia begged, fighting the urge to give him a shake.
Toby sighed. “She said that she saw Ivy jump into a second floor window in a single leap.” Olivia put her hand to her mouth. “Serena called it a ‘display of superhuman strength.’ Then she went off on this wild rant about how she thinks people in Franklin Grove aren’t just vampire obsessed. She thinks they’re actual vampires!” Toby went on as Olivia’s heart pounded in her chest. “Right now, Serena Star is on national TV trying to prove that Ivy is a vampire. I tried to tell her not to, but she’s planned a whole bunch of ridiculous tests, like making Ivy drink holy water and eat garlic.”