Nevermore, the Complete Series by K. A. Poe Page B

was neatly wrapped in shining teal paper. I eyed it suspiciously, having not seen anyone bring it in. As I picked it up, I felt my heartbeat quicken when I read the tag: 'From Salem.'
    “It's from him...” I said quietly.
    “Who? That boy?! So he is here?” her voice grew excited as she glanced around the room.
    “I-I don't know,” I said honestly, wondering where he had escaped to.
    I tore open the paper, and my jaw dropped. It was an entire collection of Edgar Allan Poe's work in a beautiful leather bound book, identical to the one Janet had left behind. There was a thin piece of paper, roughly the size of a bookmark, sticking up between the pages. I flipped through the book and pulled out the paper. In beautifully scripted letters it read 'To my little raven.', and it was placed on the page where The Raven began. I felt my cheeks grow warm. I shut the book hastily as Karen came creeping over to peek over my shoulder.
    “Well, what is it?” she asked impatiently.
    “It's just a book.”
    “That's lame. Who gets someone homework for their birthday?” she laughed.
    I glared at her. “It was a very thoughtful gift!” The words came out angrier than I had intended.
    Karen looked taken aback and I frowned. “I'm sorry,” I apologized, “I'm just stressed...from you know what.”
    She nodded slowly. “I understand.” I wondered if she really did. “But I mean if this boyfriend of yours is trying to impress you he should’ve gotten you some jewelry!”
    I smacked her on the shoulder playfully. “Boyfriend? I hardly know him!”
    “Uh-huh, and what was all that blushing about then? Huh?”
    Before I could muster a response I was saved by a knock on the door. The pizza delivery man had arrived and carried in four large pizza boxes. As everyone gathered plates of food, I stood back and waited. There were only two slivers of plain cheese pizza left by the time I got to the boxes. I wasn't surprised that no one had been considerate enough to let me, the birthday girl, get her share first. Nor did I really care; I wanted this all to be over with – And I wanted to know where Salem had went.
    I sat alone in the living room on the sofa while everyone else chattered in the dining area, downing bite after bite of pizza.
    “Cake time!” Karen shouted and dragged me out of the living room.
    Good. This meant the facade was almost over and I could go to bed. She lit eighteen brightly colored candles and the whole room was filled with a chorus of the traditional birthday song. I smiled awkwardly as everyone sung, noting that Mitchell was only moving his lips to the words and not really singing, then blew out the candles. Karen dished out slices of cake to everyone – giving me the first slice this time. At least someone was being considerate. I smiled gratefully before sulking back to my spot on the couch.
    She joined me moments later, followed by Jason. “So, how do you like the party, Alex?” she asked as she put a forkful of chocolate cake into her mouth.
    I shrugged my shoulders as I swallowed. “So far, so good,” I smiled.
    “That's good. I hope it isn't too much...I just thought you would feel better with some company.”
    “I know. I appreciate it, really.”
    “Admit it – you're in a hurry to get all of these people out of here so you can play with your new toy,” Jason winked at me.
    “If by new toy you mean that boy…” Karen laughed.
    “I told you, I don’t even know him!” For a moment I thought about what it would be like to be with a vampire but quickly shook the notion away. I had never been all that interested in having a boyfriend, anyway.
    “Wait, what? Alex has a boyfriend!?” Jason said, more than a little shocked.
    “No, she’s just talking about that new boy from music class I told you guys about in gym.”
    “Oh right, him. Come on Karen, Alex wouldn’t be into some music nerd,” he laughed and Karen followed suit.
    “You guys know me way too well,” I lied, though not