Speechless, Ivy could only stare. Is she for real?
‘Now, as for clothing . . .’ Amelia leaned forwards, her expression turning intent. ‘You should all have at least three shades of black in your wardrobe – matt black, faded black and grey-black.’
The girl across from Ivy pulled out a notepad and started scribbling notes, looking panicked. All around the table, Ivy could see goths studying their own clothes with worried expressions. They’re probably trying to figure out if they’re wearing matt black or faded black! Ivy rolled her eyes, fighting back a snicker.
But Amelia’s next words made her blood run cold.
‘Most of all, I cannot overstate just how important it is to avoid associating with non-goths.’ Amelia looked grimly around the table, holding each person’s gaze in turn. She tried to catch Ivy’s eye, but Ivy had developed a sudden and urgent interest in her food tray. ‘Maybe you’ll be tempted. Maybe some will seem OK. But a true goth will never fall for that trap!’
What?! Ivy’s mouth fell open. This was going way too far.
Ivy had always loved being a true goth herself, but she would never dictate to anyone else how they should dress or behave. Being a Goth was all about creativity and imagination, not falling into line! And no friendships with non-goths? By those rules, Ivy shouldn’t have anything to do with her own sister, one of the kindest human beings she knew!
No way am I following that rule, she thought grimly. If Amelia thinks she can tell me what to do, she can –
Brendan nudged her elbow, and Ivy shook herself, making sure a death-squint did not come over her face. She met his eye and could read the expression on his face straight away: Don’t let them see what you’re thinking.
This was Ivy’s first day at a new school. She didn’t want to make enemies – not yet. It wouldn’t be fair to Brendan or Sophia to draw the fire of the most popular girl in school.
And it’s sure not happening so far. Ivy’s mouth twisted. Amelia had announced at the beginning of lunch that Ivy would be sitting on her left. At the time, Ivy had shrugged and agreed, not realising exactly what an ‘honour’ it was supposed to be. Now, she could feel admiring glances aimed her way from all around the cafeteria. They made her hunch her shoulders with irritation.
These people really are crazy. I’m not supposed to be popular!
Beside her, Amelia had launched into her opinions of the Pall Bearers’ latest album, Ivy’s favourite. At least we can agree on one thing, Ivy thought. We both know that the Pall Bearers totally suck, in the best way possible!
As if she’d heard Ivy’s thought, Amelia shot her a sudden look. ‘That’s it!’ she said. ‘That’s why you seemed so familiar. You’re that girl who got up on stage and sang at their summer show in Franklin Grove!’
‘What?’ Ivy frowned. ‘I didn’t –’
‘You didn’t realise anyone would remember?’ said Brendan, grabbing her left hand under the table and squeezing.
Sophia reached over to grab her other hand. ‘How could anyone forget something so memorable?’ she asked firmly.
Ivy stared at them both. ‘But –’
‘Yup, that was Ivy,’ Brendan told Amelia. ‘She was picked right out of the crowd.’
Ohhh! Now Ivy remembered. Olivia had gone to the concert disguised as Ivy to use Ivy’s set of free tickets, as a favour to Brendan and Sophia while Ivy was at school in Transylvania. Unfortunately for Olivia, she’d been chosen at random to sing in front of the audience. She’d been photographed in her Ivy-guise, desperately trying to look comfortable while singing the words ‘I hate you’ in front of thousands of goths!
Poor Olivia. Ivy bit back a laugh at the thought of her prim, pink-loving sister in that situation. The fact that they were identical twins could be useful . . . but their twin-switches did sometimes get them both into trouble!
‘That’s right,’ Ivy said, gathering herself. ‘That was me. I sang with the Pall Bearers.’
Amelia stared at her, her expression suddenly open and vulnerable. ‘Was it amazing?’
‘It was . . . awesome,’ Ivy muttered, and picked up her burger to hide her expression.
At least that wasn’t much of a lie. It really would have been awesome, if only she hadn’t been trapped at Wallachia Academy!
She had never been so glad to hear the bell signalling the end of lunch. The moment it sounded, she leapt to her feet, carrying her tray – and collided hard with a blonde bunny in a baby pink mini-dress. Ivy’s tray tilted and spilled edible carnage all over her deep grey dress.
‘Oh no!’ The bunny girl gasped, jumping backwards. She clapped one hand to her mouth and stared at Ivy with stricken eyes. ‘I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to! It was an accident!’
‘Don’t worry about it.’ Ivy shrugged. ‘It was my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going.’
The bunny girl gave a squeak of panic and took another step backwards. ‘No, no, no. I didn’t say that! I never said that!’ She swallowed hard, pulling out her wallet and handing it to Ivy with trembling fingers. ‘I’ll reimburse you for any damage to your clothes, I promise. Please –’
‘Don’t be silly.’ Ivy gently pushed the wallet away. ‘It was my fault, remember?’
‘No, it wasn’t your fault. Please!’ There were beads of sweat popping up on the bunny girl’s forehead now, as she darted a look at the table of watching goths. ‘Let me buy you lunch tomorrow.’
Ivy winced. ‘You really don’t have to do that.’
‘Yes, I do. I really do.’ She forced a five-dollar bill into Ivy’s hands. ‘Please, just take it!’ With a wail of panic, she turned and fled for the door.
Ivy stared at the crumpled bill in her fingers and shook her head helplessly. She couldn’t wait to get out of the crowded cafeteria. The moment she’d finished clearing up the mess, she hurried out with Sophia and Brendan on either side. Once they were safely out of hearing range of the others, she hissed, ‘This is ridiculous! I thought being the new girl would be difficult, but I had no idea being a bunny would be even harder! What is wrong with this school?’
Sophia just shook her head, looking shell-shocked.
Brendan sighed. ‘It’s different, that’s for sure.’