The Vampire Blog Read Free Page A

miss her. She’s got jet-black hair andhas already been sent to the headmaster twice for wearing black nail varnish. She’s only been here a short while, and all the other girls hate her already.
    Anyway, this morning she jumped to the front of our classroom and said, ‘I’ve got an announcement to make. And it won’t interest most of you because you’ve got no personality.’ There were a few muttered protests at this, but she had everyone’s attention all right. ‘I live on the dark side,’ she said. ‘And if there’s anyone here like me …’
    â€˜There’s no one in the world like you,’ I called out. ‘Thank goodness.’
    â€˜I’m starting a new secret organization called M.I.S.,’ she went on, ‘which stands for Monsters in School. We’ll meet in a secret place tomorrow night and tell really scary tales about werewolves and zombies and, of course, my total favourites: vampires.’
    That gave me a bit of a jolt. You don’t hear anything about vampires for ages – and suddenly they’re mentioned everywhere.
    â€˜I should warn you though, we’ll be telling very gory stories, so if you’re easily frightened don’t even think of applying.’
    â€˜It’s not the monsters who frighten me,’ I called out, ‘it’s you.’
    I’d only meant it as a joke but Tallulah gave me the full death stare. ‘I knew, Marcus Howlett, that you’d have to try and be silly,’ she snapped. ‘And you’re just a total wimp anyway.’
    â€˜Hey, I resent that,’ I said. ‘One of my toes is quite brave.’
    She sighed heavily. ‘If you want to know more about M.I.S. just ask me. I may not accept you as a member though.’ She was looking right at me now. ‘Because I’m very choosy who I allow to be in my society.’
    â€˜In fact, you might not even choose yourself,’ I said.
    Tallulah gave me another glare and stormed to her seat as the teacher came in.
    â€˜That girl,’ I said to Joel, ‘has all the charm of a rattlesnake.’
    11.15 a.m.
    You won’t believe this, blog, but Joel has decided he’s going to join M.I.S.
    â€˜You’dvolunteer to spend a whole evening stuck in some grim dive, with hertalking on and on about monsters?’ I queried.
    â€˜I probably won’t go back,’ Joel admitted, ‘but I’d like to try this M.I.S. once – just for the experience.’
    â€˜Well, it’ll be just you and her,’ I said.
    â€˜Oh no, you’re wrong there,’ said Joel. ‘Others have been joining too. But I think they’re only going along to laugh at her.’ He grinned. ‘Which is exactly why I’m going too.’
    10.15 p.m.
    This evening my dad announced: ‘Got a little surprise for you.’
    â€˜Not another one,’ I said.
    â€˜Ah, this is a present,’ said Mum.
    â€˜My own pet bat?’ I suggested.
    â€˜Come into the sitting room,’ said Dad eagerly, ‘so you can see your gift properly.’
    I sidled in after them and Dad said, ‘This belonged to me.’
    â€˜Soit’s a second-handpresent. Wow, thanks.’
    â€˜Be quiet, dear,’ said Mum. ‘This is a very important moment.’
    â€˜Sorry,’ I murmured.
    â€˜I believe the time has arrived,’ said Dad,‘to pass this gift on to you.’ Then he handed me a cape. It was black, with red lining and a pointy collar. And inside were Dad’s initials, which are the same as mine. It was very heavy and nicely made. But it wasn’t for me. I knew that, even before I tried it on.
    It was too big for me for a start. ‘You’ll soon grow into it,’ said Dad eagerly. ‘Now, take a look at yourself in the mirror.’
    â€˜So vampires can see themselves then?’ I asked.
    â€˜Of course,’ said Mum. ‘You might find your reflection