To her surprise, the inside wasn’t as bad as the outside. The tile floor was scuffed but clean. A giant plant next to a sign listing the week’s activities gave the entrance a welcoming feel. As she walked further into the foyer, she took in the art on the walls that she assumed was created by the youth that came here. A massive corkboard full of flyers and notices gave strong high-school vibes.
She glanced around for a reception area. A room on her left had a “Career Counseling” sign, but the door was shut, and the blinds were down. Besides that, and a long hallway, there was nothing else. What kind of youth center was this?
The sound of feet shuffling down the hallway drew her attention to her right. The girl who’d been outside walked toward her, swinging a key ring in her hand. She slowed as she passed Vanessa, giving her a curious glance before hurrying on toward the career counseling door.
“I think it’s closed,” Vanessa called, and the girl turned to look at her.
“I know,” she said impassively. “I’m getting a stapler.”
“Oh.” A nervous laugh bubbled out of her throat. “Do you, um, work here?”
The girl scoffed, like the idea was ridiculous. “No, I’m hanging out in the rec room, but Chantal asked me to grab the stapler, because she wants to put up the Valentine’s display.”
“Chantal, yes. I’ve come to see her.” Vanessa clapped her hands together with renewed motivation.
“You know Chantal?” The girl’s voice was heavy with skepticism.
Vanessa flipped her ponytail over her shoulder. “Yeah, she told me to drop by. Can you take me to her?”
“Uh, sure. Hold on.” The girl made quick work of unlocking the career center door, disappearing inside and emerging victorious with a stapler in hand. “Come with me.” The girl turned down the hallway, leaving Vanessa to follow.
Alright, time to start phase one of her new, non-snobbish persona: show interest in others. “So, what’s your name?”
“Rory.” The girl side-eyed her as they walked together.
“That’s a great name.” Was she sounding overly enthusiastic? She didn’t want to appear showy. She cleared her throat and summoned a more casual tone. “One of my favorite TV show characters of all time is named Rory.”
Rory offered her a bland stare before mumbling, “Cool.”
Okay, tough crowd. Undeterred, she tried again. “How old are you, Rory?”
This question resulted in a disdainful scowl as Rory sped up. “Not sure why that’s any of your business. Also, who the hell are you anyway?”
Well, hello rude. Seriously, how did this kid not know who Vanessa was? She’d starred in a hit vampire show marketed to this exact age group. Then again, she’d only lasted two seasons before her character had been killed off. Perhaps her untimely demise wasn’t memorable?
They arrived at the last door at the end of the hall.
“My name is Vanessa Barone.” She tilted her chin, waiting for the recognition to hit.
Rory halted mid-step, her focus narrowing as she stared at Vanessa, before widening with recognition. “No way. I mean, I thought you looked familiar, but I didn’t think there’d be any way a famous person would bother coming to this place.”
That was more like it. Vanessa popped a hip and smiled. “Way.”
“Like, fromCrimson Creek?” Rory’s mouth was hanging open now as Vanessa nodded. “But you’re dead. The vampire king killed you at the end of season two.”
“Well, not in real life obviously.” Vanessa slid around a gobsmacked Rory and entered the rec room.
Big, comfy-looking couches were set up next to a beat-uplooking pool table. A dartboard hung in the back corner. A few mismatched tables were set up nearby, some cluttered with half-played board games and a jigsaw puzzle. A small flatscreen TV stood in the center.
Chantal stood on a chair, holding a big heart that readHappy Valentine’s Dayup against the wall. She glanced over her shoulder when they entered the room, then did a double take when she saw Vanessa.
“It’s you.” A smile bloomed on the older woman’s face.
Vanessa waved. “It’s me.”
With Rory’s help, Chantal finished sticking the heart to the wall, then carefully stepped from the chair. “I didn’t expect to see you again.”
Fair enough, Vanessa had given the woman a hardnothe last time they met.
