Bella Notte by Jesse Kimmel-Freeman Page B

even
though I knew I'd definitely have at least one.

Chapter
Four

    The next days passed
easily and I never saw Dominic at school. It was strange how he
managed to avoid us. I knew if he was really in town then I would
definitely see him on Thanksgiving. All I had to do was wait- I knew
Dominic wasn't as patient, he'd show himself.
    Mike and I spent the
weekend watching old monster movies. I told him about what I thought
was wrong with Kelly. He, of course, looked at me as though my brain
was oozing out of my ears. I still thought it made sense, especially
while we watched the old vampire flicks but I couldn't convince him.

    The following week
of school was filled with tests. I wanted to kill all the teachers
for their evil plotting- unfortunately, I couldn't. I had to pass all
my tests to keep my valedictorian position. I know what you're
thinking- me,
valedictorian? I needed to ensure I'd get out of this town, so I made sure I'd have
my ticket to any school that I wanted. The problem was that Mike was
giving me a good run for my money. I also knew Mike had intentionally
let me get higher grades in some classes. He knew how desperately I
wanted out. So, I spent that week taking tests and asking for extra
credit to keep my lead on Mike.
    After the evil tests
and my attempt to do as much extra credit as I could get my hands on-
another week flew by. It's
scary how fast things are moving .
I spent the weekend with Mike again, but this time we were trying to
make some sort of plan for Thanksgiving.
    “ Okay, so we
get the day before and the day after- which gives us a five day
weekend. Woot!” I laughed.
    “ Sure put you
in a good mood. I know I'll have family over for the days we have off
from school. But my weekend should be free,” Mike huffed.
    “ Well, I've
got family coming too. They're supposed to
leave Friday. So we are doing something this weekend.” I smiled at Mike.
    “ Okay. Are you
sure you're gonna be okay with that evil Dominic while he's here?
Yes, I know he'll be here.” I heard the concern instantly.
    “ I'm not even
gonna ask how you know that. But, yes, I am positive I'll be fine. If
anything goes too wonky I'll leave and go to your house.” I
batted my lashes at him.
    “ Um, I don't
know about that, Em. My family's kinda weird about holidays and
outsiders. But, if you need me, call okay. I'll figure out
something.” He became extremely nervous.
    “ Whoa, I don't
want to make waves for you. Besides, I'm not easily turned into a
damsel in distress. You know that.” My brow scrunched together
as I tried to sound not hurt. That's
odd . I've
never met his family.
    “ Emma, it
isn't you- it's my nutty family.” His eyes seemed to plead with
me to understand.
    “ Mike, why
haven't I met your family?” My mind was lost to the idea that
he didn't want me to meet them.
    “ My family is
kinda strange about bringing people over without permission. Since I
am still kind of new to the whole school circle, they're being weird
about bringing anyone over.” He smiled weakly.
    “ Mike, do you
know that I can tell when you're lying? I find it to be a very useful
skill.” My brow arched up and my smug smirk appeared.
    “ Em.” It
was all he said and I knew.
    “ Its okay,
Mike. So our families don't like each other, I'll live. At least we
can still hang out at my house.” I smiled but I still felt
hurt.
    “ Yeah, but
only if I don't come in contact with your rents.” He looked
away with a pout.
    “ Well, maybe
there's bad blood between the two, like in Romeo
& Juliet .”
I was clinging to anything.
    “ Great. We're
gonna have to die to fix it,” he sighed.
    The dreams! “Mike that so isn't funny.” My voice came out in a sigh.
    Mike looked at me
with concern and then the idea must have hit him- his eyes went wide
as saucers. “Oh, Emma. I shouldn't have said that. I never want
anything to happen to you.” He grabbed me in a bone shattering
hug.
    “ Mike- can't,
can't breathe!” I panted