Boys That Bite by Mari Mancusi Read Free Book Online Page B

being a vampire really BITES," I add, bringing on a whole new wave of laughter. We're practically crying and rolling in the aisle, we're cracking up so bad. "Who's a vampire?" A deep voice cuts through our laughing and sobers us up immediately. We both whirl around to see Mr. Teifert, the drama teacher, peering at us curiously behind his black-rimmed glasses. I guess we were laughing so hard we didn't even hear him approach. Rayne smiles wickedly. "Sunny's a vampire," she says. "Well, she's on her way to being one." Then she starts laughing again. I kick her in the ankle to make her shut up. While I'm about one hundred percent positive Mr. Teifert will take her claim with a grain of dramatic salt, I've still got to work with the guy on the school play. I don't want him to think I'm some stupid ditz. Then he'll never give me a good part and I'll be in understudy world forever. Mr. Teifert raises a bushy eyebrow. "Is this true, Sunny?" he asks in a voice that seems far too serious for the discussion. What's his deal? "Are you a vampire?" Thank goodness I wore a turtleneck to school so he can't see the bruised, hickeylike bite on my neck. Then he'd really be speed-dialing the guidance counselor. "No, Mr. Teifert," I say, forcing myself to keep a straight face. "I am not a vampire. We were just messing around." His serious expression relaxes and he smiles. "Good to know. Especially since we need you for this play. I've just learned Heather has come down with mono and won't be back. So from this point on, you'll be playing the part of Kim." I restrain myself from giving a loud "W00t!" right then and there and try to look like I'm concerned for poor little Heather Miller. But to hell with her! I'm now the star of the school play. How cool is that? You know, besides the whole vampire thing being a downer, the rest of my life sure seems to be turning around in a big way, go figure. "Thanks, Mr. Teifert. I won't let you down," I tell him enthusiastically. "I know you won't," he says with a wink. "Just promise you won't go turning into a vampire on me. We've got a lot of rehearsals and most of them are during the day." "I, uh, won't." I say, laughing my nervous donkey bray. As if what he's saying is the silliest thing in the entire universe. He nods and smiles and waves good-bye as he exits the auditorium. Rayne and I exchange looks and then grab our book bags and hustle out. "That was kinda weird," I say, as we head out into the parking lot toward our car. "That was more than weird," Rayne agrees. She rummages around in her purse for the car keys. "You need to be careful around him." "Oh, I'm sure he just overheard us and thought it'd be funny to join in on the joke." Rayne pulls out the keys by her spider key chain. "I don't know, Sunny. I get creepy vibes off him." She unlocks the door and hops in the car. I join her and take a seat in the passenger side. "What are you, a vibe reader now?" I ask skeptically. "He's a teacher. He thought he was being funny. You're paranoid." Rayne shrugs as she puts the key in the ignition. "Okay, Sun, fine. I'm only trying to look out for you. There's a lot of vampire prejudice out there, you know." She pauses. "Actually you don't know," she adds, "since you'd rather read the sexploits of Spike and Buffy than research the subject." "I actually preferred the stories about Angel." I giggle. Rayne shakes her head. "See what I mean?" she says, sounding more than a little frustrated. "You refuse to take anything I say seriously. I don't know why I'm bothering to help you. I should just leave you to flounder and figure it all out yourself." She looks seriously mad, so I decide to throw her a bone. After all, I need a ride to the cemetery to meet Magnus. "I'm sorry, Rayne. I know you're trying to help me," I say in the most sincere voice I can muster. "It's just sometimes I use humor to defuse a tense, stressful situation." Wow, I sound like I should be on Dr. Phil. "I do appreciate you helping me, though.