Blackbird by Nicole Salmond Page B

bad?”
    Nate smiled. “Wow as in good, definitely good. Who
knew ballerinas could be sexy?”
    Claire rolled her eyes. “I could say the same
about you, although I think the sexy vampire thing’s been done a few times
now,” she said, eyeing Nate’s costume. He was wearing all black and fake fangs
with blood running down his mouth and throat.
    Nate raised his eyebrow, looking at her with a
confused expression on his face.
    Claire started laughing. “But you, of course, have
no idea who Edward is? Damon? Stefan?”
    Nate still looked confused. “Are they your
friends?”
    Claire shook her head. “Never
mind.”
     “Are you drinking tonight?” Nate asked.
    “I’m not sure. Why?”
    “Well, I still can’t drive, and if you’re planning
on drinking I’d rather us take a taxi and leave your car here.”
    “I was only going to have a couple of drinks, so I
could still drive.”
    “I’d rather just take a taxi. I don’t want you
drinking and driving. Even if it is just a small amount.”
    “But I’ll be fine.”
    “Claire, please, just do this for me.”
    Claire looked at Nate’s pleading eyes. He was
concerned for her, and she understood why. He was still suffering the
after-effects of drunk driving. Although Claire would never get behind the
wheel drunk, she understood where he was coming from.
    “Okay, let’s just catch a taxi,” she agreed.
    Nate sighed in relief. “Good. I’ll call one now and
we can get going. But I will warn you now: Tim’s parties can get pretty wild,
so I don’t want you leaving my sight.”
    She smiled. “Okay, I won’t.”
     
    ***
     
    “Okay, now I’m regretting my outfit
choice,” Claire mumbled as they approached Tim’s house.
    It had only taken a ten minute taxi ride to get to
the party, and as soon as they had gotten out of the taxi she had known she was
going to look out of place. The girls lining the street and driveway to the
house were all dressed in skimpy costumes that barely covered their bodies.
Claire looked like a nun in comparison.
    “What? What are you talking about?” Nate asked as
they walked closer to the house. The music could be heard from down the street
and judging by the noise there were easily over a hundred people at the party.
    Claire grabbed Nate’s leather jacket and pulled
him close. “I look like some kind of prudish princess compared to everyone
else,” she whispered.
    Nate took a quick glance at the girls nearby, then
bent down and whispered into her ear, “You’re the only girl I’m looking at
tonight, and I happen to think you look amazing. If those girls want to dress
that way then it’s their problem. Don’t worry yourself about it.”
    Claire watched two girls nearby dressed in
matching maid costumes eye her up and down before laughing behind their drinks. “Easy for you to say. I’m sticking out like a sore
thumb.”
    Nate stopped abruptly and pulled her so she faced
him. “How many times do I have to tell you how beautiful you are? You are ten
times better looking than any girl here. Stop doubting yourself because of some
girls who have nothing better to do than bitch and be rude. You’re better than
them. Plus, you’re with me, and that says something.” He winked.
    “What, that you’re hot?” Claire asked confused.
    Nate beamed his trademark mischievous grin. “That,
and the fact I’ve never taken a girl to a party before.”
    Claire shook her head. “What-t? Like never?”
    “Never. You’ve been my
first for a lot of things now. First girl I’ve ever bought to a party, first
girl I’ve ever taken on a date, and first girl I’ve ever called.”
    Claire had known Nate wasn’t a relationship guy,
but seriously?
    “So how come I’m the exception?”
    “For many reasons- but we need to get into this
party now.” Nate stepped up the side porch steps leading to the front door.
“Coming?”
    Claire sighed, wishing she could understand Nate.
She was sure she had him figured when they first met, yet