richellemead-vampireacademy01-vampireacademy-110824015328-phpapp02

and of itself. Remembering how Mason sort of held my hand, I pulled away from him. He and
Alberta finished up their joking remarks, and we all went our separate ways.
Music blasted inside the commons when we arrived, white Christmas lights and—ugh—a disco
ball casting the only light in the otherwise darkened room. Gyrating bodies, mostly
underclassmen, packed the dance floor. Those who were our age stood in too-cool clusters
along the edges of the room, waiting for an opportune time to sneak off. An assortment of
chaperones, guardians and Moroi teachers alike, patrolled around, breaking up those dancers
who did a little too much gyrating.
When I saw Kirova in a sleeveless plaid dress, I turned to Mason and said, "Are you sure we
can't hit the hard liquor yet?”
He snickered and took my hand again. "Come on, time for your surprise.”
Letting him lead me, I walked across the room, cutting through a cluster of freshmen who
looked way too young to be doing the kind of pelvic thrusts they were attempting.
Where were the chaperones when you needed them? Then I saw where he was leading me and
came to a screeching halt.
"No," I said, not budging when he tugged my hand.
"Come on, it's going to be great.”
"You're taking me to Jesse and Ralf. The only way I can ever be seen with them is if I've got a
blunt object, and I'm aiming between their legs.”
He pulled me again. "Not anymore. Come on.”
Reluctant, I finally started moving: my worst fears were realized when a few pairs eyes turned
our way. Great. Everything was starting all over again. Jesse and Ralf didn't notice us at first,
but when they did, an amusing array of expressions played over their faces. First they saw my
body and the dress. Testosterone took over as pure male lust shone out of their faces. Then they
seemed to realize it was me and promptly turned terrified. Cool.