Braced to Bite by Serena Robar Page B

matter, so did I.
    “I hope it’s a vampire user manual or something, but I’m not sure.” I opened it up and pulled out a bunch of official-looking documents that were notarized. Vampires had notaries?
    I started to skim the letter, then slowed down to read it more carefully.
    “What is it?” my mother insisted.
    “It’s a summons. I am being called to some sort of vampire court.”
    “Whatever for?” Aunt Chloe asked.
    “Apparently, I am Undead without a license.”
    “That’s the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard—”
    “What?! That’s insane—”
    “Is that like traffic court for vampires?”
    They all spoke at once.
    I handed the paperwork to my mother, who was used to legal jargon and such. I sat down in the chair I’d occupied earlier, my head swirling with the information I’d just read.
    “Colby, you know what this means, don’t you?” my mother asked seriously.
    “Yeah, Mom. In three days I have to go before the Tribunal board and defend my existence. If I can’t, I will be ‘relieved of my Undead status.’ ”
    “My, that doesn’t sound good,” Aunt Chloe said to no one in particular.
    Nope, it didn’t sound good at all.
    After the Tribunal dropped its little bombshell on us, I wasn’t in the mood for any other visitors. Our family needed to have an emergency meeting. But alas, the well-wishers just started rolling in.
    Marci and Rachel gushed over me when they stopped by, which did a lot to boost my spirits.
    “Ohmigod! You poor thing. Are you okay?”
    “What happened?! Tell us everything! Are you sure you’re okay?”
    I retold the same version my mother shared with the police, including my clumsy trip into the ravine.
    “You are so lucky you’re a bit of a klutz, Colby. I mean he could’ve killed you or worse!” Rachel’s eyes were as big as plates and I couldn’t help wonder what was worse than being dead in her eyes. Being Undead?
    “She’s right, you know. Stumbling during a stunt just embarrasses you in front of the whole school, but stumbling down the hill saved your life !” They both nodded in unison.
    I wasn’t that klutzy, was I?
    “Why are you wearing sunglasses?” Marci demanded, trying to remove them. I shooed her hands away.
    “Black eyes, I don’t want to gross you guys out.”
    “It’s okay, we don’t mind. We’re your friends.” Rachel looked only too pleased to see my phantom injury but I held firm. What would they do if they discovered I was really hiding yellow eyes? I imagined Rachel’s first concern would be accessorizing with the appropriate matching shadow.
    They didn’t stay long once they realized I had nothing new to share. I stood at the door, assuring them as they climbed into their car that I would see them later on.
    “You’re not going to school tomorrow,” Mom announced, coming toward me.
    “Why not?”
    “School can wait a couple days until we figure out what we are going to do. How do you expect to go to class when you sleep all day? We have to go to the police station and make an official statement. No, no. You’re staying home for awhile.”
    I still held the door open as I started to complain, “Mom, I can’t miss school. What about cheering? What about my classes? I have that college interview coming up, midterms to prep for. I can’t just hang out at home.”
    “I’ll get your homework.” Piper surprised me by sliding through the door and greeting my mother with a container of baked goods.
    “See? It’s all settled. Piper will get your schoolwork, cheering can wait, and you can go back to school when you are physically ready.”
    I glared at Piper as Mom went back to the kitchen.
    “Well, aren’t you helpful.” My voice dripped sarcasm.
    “Good to see your ordeal hasn’t changed the sweet Colby we all know and love,” Piper retorted.
    I sighed deeply. Piper was right—she was just trying to help and I was being a brat.
    “I’m sorry, Piper. Thanks for offering to bring me my