“How?”
Ivy smiled. “Well, Olivia, have I ever told you how seriously great you are at making friends?”
Olivia looked at her suspiciously. “Why do I think you’re buttering me up for something?”
“I’m not,” Ivy answered innocently. “I just thought you might like to make Toby Decker the next new friend on your list.”
“Toby Decker?” Olivia repeated. “I know him. He’s in my math class. He’s nice. A little boring, though.”
“Not anymore,” said Ivy. “Now he’s bound to have some interesting stories to tell; he’s Serena Star’s new assistant on her Franklin Grove investigations.”
Olivia took this in. “I’d better start befriending,” she said.
Chapter 5
After school, Olivia was warming up for cheerleading practice in the gym, trying to ignore both Charlotte Brown, who was chattering on obliviously beside her about how being on TV had completely changed her life, and Garrick Stephens, who was lounging on the bleachers with Kyle Glass and leering at all the cheerleaders as “research” for his movie.
Suddenly, the gym door swung open and in marched Serena Star, followed by Toby Decker and her cameraman. Charlotte’s friend Katie shrieked and whispered, “But I’m having the worst hair day!”
“Hey, Serena!” Garrick Stephens sprang up from the bleachers and trotted over. He was still wearing the same Interna 3 T-shirt, which Olivia thought was starting to look crusty. “I was wondering when you’d be back for more of me!”
Serena turned to Toby and said, “Keep him away from me,” loud enough so that everyone could hear. Toby looked doubtfully at Garrick and went to distract him while Serena went up to Charlotte.
“I need to talk to you,” Serena said.
“Of course!” Charlotte winked at Olivia smugly as Serena led her out of earshot.
I have to hear what they’re saying! Olivia thought. She started doing huge jumping jacks, inching closer to where Charlotte and Serena were standing with every jump. Finally she heard Serena Star say, “...you have a big role in a film that Garrick Stephens is making?”
Charlotte flipped her hair and said, “Not really, it’s just—”
“It’s called ‘Cheers for Fears,’ ” Garrick interrupted, reappearing beside them as Toby scrambled to intercept him. “It’s going to be a blockbuster!”
Serena spun around to face Garrick and snapped, “Don’t you have a coffin to be in?” Then she looked over his shoulder at her new assistant. “Toby, is there a problem?”
“No, Ms. Star,” Toby answered sheepishly. “I mean, yes, Ms. Star. I mean, come on, Garrick.” He put his hand on Garrick’s arm.
Garrick shook him off. “Showbiz,” he scowled. “One day you’re the big story, and the next you’re out on the street.” He glowered meaningfully at Serena Star and then stalked away.
Serena turned back to Charlotte and switched her smile back on. “Have Garrick or his friends ever asked you to do anything strange?” she asked.
“Like what?” said Charlotte.
“Like sleep in a coffin? Or do anything with vampire fangs?”
Charlotte laughed, “Oh, that!” and Olivia’s jumping jacks skipped a jack. “I thought you meant something serious. Those guys are always playing Dracula. It’s so lame. They’re all, like, ‘I want to suck your blood’ and ‘I should bite that guy’s neck.’ ” Charlotte rolled her eyes. “I mean, this is eighth grade. Isn’t it time to stop playing dress up?”
Serena nodded. “All this vampire talk could be the start of something dangerous,” she said. “Have you heard of any vicious animal attacks or gruesome murders taking place in Franklin Grove?”
Charlotte frowned, looking faintly alarmed. “No, I can’t ...I mean, I don’t remember . . .” she stammered.
Serena smiled reassuringly and changed the subject, but Olivia’s stomach was churning. Serena Star was becoming obsessed with vampires, and the problem was that that fixation could lead her to stumble on the truth.
Out of the corner of her eye, Olivia saw Garrick still lurking off to one side. He was clearly eavesdropping, just like she was, and he did not seem happy with Charlotte’s description of the Beasts’ behavior. Olivia saw him gesture to Kyle Glass, and a moment later, the two boys slipped out of the gym.
Toby was still hanging around, waiting for Serena to finish talking to Charlotte, and Olivia suddenly remembered her promise to Ivy.
Now’s my chance, she thought.
She did an extralarge jumping jack so that her arm accidentally clipped Toby’s shoulder.
“Oops, sorry!” said Toby, stepping backward apologetically.
Olivia gasped. “Oh, my gosh! Toby, I’m so sorry,” she said. “Are you okay?”
He pushed a blond lock of hair off his forehead. “Yes,” he said, blushing slightly. “No problem.”
“So,” Olivia went on, “what have you been up to lately, Toby?”
“I’m acting as special assistant to WowTV’s Serena Star on her big story about Franklin Grove,” Toby told her.
“Wow! Really?” Olivia said with wide eyes.
“Yes.” Toby nodded proudly.
“Any big leads?” Olivia inquired.
Toby looked around to make sure no one was listening. “Garrick Stephens asked my dentist’s office for a set of vampire fangs, and Serena thinks it might be the big break we’ve been waiting for! She’s absolutely determined to discover everything she can about the obsession with vampires in Franklin Grove.”