‘That’s OK.’ Olivia skipped over the cracks in the sidewalk. ‘A twin sleepover is better than a cheerleader one any day.’
A chirpy ringtone sounded from Olivia’s pocket. Ivy snorted. She wasn’t sure anyone’s telephone needed to sound that enthusiastic.
Olivia dug out her mobile and read the screen. ‘It’s Jackson! I’ll be right back.’ She held up one finger before bouncing ahead out of earshot.
Brendan slowed at a stop sign where two roads intersected. ‘I should be getting home.’ Brendan’s parents liked him to be home for dinner on time, which made sense since his mom was a fantastic cook. Ivy’s mouth watered at the thought of his mother’s famous hamburger patties. ‘I’ll see you later, though?’ He pressed his lips to Ivy’s cheek, a lock of his dark, shaggy hair brushing her forehead.
Ivy took the binder from him, hoping this was as close as she’d have to get to any dance planning. ‘Sounds good.’
Brendan was being strangely quiet, Ivy thought, as he walked away. He must not like the idea of a dance any better than I do! That’s vamps for you. She shrugged and jogged over to Olivia.
‘Well?’ Ivy asked. Olivia was putting her phone back into her pocket.
‘He’s in the deep south,’ said Olivia. ‘Where, I have no clue. I could barely hear through the bad reception.’
Ivy bumped shoulders with her sister, trying to nudge her back into her usual cheery self. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll talk again soon.’
‘I know,’ Olivia groaned. ‘But I miss him so much! I haven’t seen Jackson since we left LA after the awards show a few weeks ago. I wish he hadn’t had to go off on that promotional tour for The Groves straight after. It would be nice if we could talk properly at least once a century.’
‘Once a century?’ Ivy glanced sidelong at her twin, trying not to grin.
‘You get what I’m saying. The last time I tried calling him he was being photographed on a rollercoaster at Graceland. You try having a conversation with someone surrounded by people screaming at the top of their lungs.’
‘Isn’t that sort of business as usual for Jackson?’ Ivy pointed out. Wherever Olivia’s boyfriend went, so did a swarm of screaming fans. It was enough to give any bystander a headache – especially Ivy.
They carried on walking in silence. The sidewalk started to slope up towards the top of the hill and the cul-de-sac where Ivy’s house sat. The sun had dropped in the sky and now reminded Ivy of the colour of blood-orange juice, spilling reddish light on to the tops of the neighbourhood trees. She listened as her sister’s jeans swooshed with hers in perfect unison.
‘Hey!’ she said, suddenly. ‘Why am I the one left carrying these monster binders?’
Olivia cringed. ‘Please, could you carry them? We don’t have too far to go and my arms are dead.’ She rubbed her skinny biceps.
Her twin looked so pitiful, how could Ivy say no?
‘Seriously,’ Olivia continued. ‘My arms ache just thinking about lugging those folders again. Plus, you have vamp strength. Carrying that lot should be no big deal for you.’
Olivia was right. Ivy could carry the binders, no problem. ‘OK, fine,’ Ivy conceded. ‘But this doesn’t mean I’m going to help with the dance planning!’
Olivia placed her hand over her heart. ‘I solemnly swear not to rope you into any more dance-related activities.’
‘Good.’ Ivy tried to look serious.
Ivy’s keys jingled as she used one hand to unlock the heavy Gothic door. Inside, she dropped Olivia’s dance folder on the dining-room table with a loud thud, and made a big show of shaking her arms out.
‘That was rough.’
Olivia stuck out her tongue. ‘Stop pretending! I thought I was supposed to be the actress in this family!’
‘Girls, in here.’ Ivy heard her father call.
The twins tramped into the kitchen. It was strange, but now that Olivia was part of the family, this room was actually home to real human food. It still surprised Ivy when she opened the refrigerator sometimes. Vampires got all their food from the BloodMart, a secret vampire grocery store hidden in the basement of the FoodMart. Ivy couldn’t remember the last time they’d had a vegetarian in their home pre-Olivia.
‘Hi,’ said a familiar voice. It was Lillian, leaning on the kitchen counter, looking casual-fabulous as usual, in a black turtleneck and skinny jeans tucked into her stiletto-heeled ankle boots.
Ivy and Olivia had first met the ultra-chic vampire film-maker on the set of The Groves, where she had been working as an assistant director. Ivy had spotted the romantic chemistry between Lillian and her father a mile away. Her dad hadn’t been able to take his eyes off Lillian for a second when she had walked the red carpet at Olivia’s big debut, and it didn’t take super-powered vamp sight to see what that meant.
Lillian wrapped the twins in a double hug. ‘I thought we’d all have dinner. Is that cool?’
‘That’s perfect!’ Olivia clapped her hands, squealing. Ivy knew Olivia was beyond pleased that their father had fallen in love. Come to think of it, Olivia was beyond pleased when anyone fell in love. Ivy could only imagine what romantic scenes her sister anticipated taking place at her dance. Yet another reason not to go.
Lillian touched Olivia’s elbow. ‘How are you doing?’ Her voice was soothing. ‘Have you heard about the strike?’
So much for the dance distraction. Olivia wilted. ‘Yes and it bites.’