Sienna Mercer - Love Bites

I promise Ill be quick, Olivia Abbott told her sister. She kicked the snow off her fuzzy wool boots outside the east entrance to the Franklin Grove mall.

As long as I dont have to spend my morning surrounded by crazy, screaming fan girls, Ivy replied. The doors slid open and blasted hot air in their faces, sending Ivys black hair and matching scarf flitting behind her.

As they walked inside the mall past all the familiar stores, Olivia said, Were more than an hour early. How busy can a book signing be?

She checked her reflection in the window of Trudys Beauty Palace. She was wearing her favourite jeans, pink-and-white striped sweater and rhinestone belt. It had been over a week since shed last seen her movie-star boyfriend, Jackson, and it would be at least another week before she got to see him again so she wanted to look her best.

Since the film set of The Groves had left town a few weeks before, Jackson had called her every day and visited at weekends whenever he could. It was hard dating from a distance, and it was going to be even harder tomorrow when Olivia and Ivy left for Transylvania for a weeks vacation.

Olivia picked up a noise, a hum of voices that got louder with each step. The twins turned a corner and Olivia couldnt believe her eyes. They stopped at exactly the same moment, shocked by the roped-off line of girls that wove across most of the huge atrium in the centre of the mall. The bookstore wasnt even open yet, but it looked like an entire prom was waiting outside.

Ivy looked at the huge line. Tell me this line is for free ice cream day.

Olivia crinkled her nose. I dont think so.

One girl at the front was clutching the entire set of Action Jackson dolls, and the girl behind her had a photo of Jackson on her T-shirt. The next girl was dressed up as an ice skater, the love interest in Jacksons first movie, and the girl after that was holding the Caulfield Collection DVD box set of Jacksons first six movies which, Olivia knew from personal experience, was very hard to get hold of. These girls werent waiting for a chocolate-dipped cone; they were waiting to gawk and giggle at and get autographs from Olivias boyfriend. It made her feel like a wet pom pom.

Revenge of the glitter zombie hoard, Ivy said, flinging her hands up like a cheesy horror movie actress.

Its fine, Olivia said, pulling out her cell phone. Ill call him and well say a quick hello before the doors open.

She dialled Jacksons number but it went straight to his voicemail.

Um. Olivia hadnt prepared for this. She had told him last night that she was going to come to see him before the signing. Why hasnt he left his phone on? She took a deep breath. No big deal. Im sure Jacksons told the security guard to expect us.

Olivia led her twin past the crowd towards the front of the line.

The glitter zombies are looking at us, Ivy whispered, pulling on Olivias sweater, still pretending to be afraid.

Dont make eye contact. Olivia plastered her sweetest smile on her face and kept going. But she could feel four hundred eyes watching her every step.

They reached the store entrance. The windows were covered with pictures of Jackson and pink and red hearts.

Be Jackson Caulfields Valentine, the sign boasted. Buy his book and get it autographed!

But Im his Valentine! Olivia thought.

A security guard with an earpiece stood in front of the door with his arms crossed.

Good morning, sir, Olivia said, knowing that a little politeness could go a long way. But, like a secret-service man at the White House, he didnt even flinch.

Olivia refused to give up easily. She took a step forwards and put her hand on the door.

The security guard thrust his arm across the door, right in front of her face. Where do you think youre going?

Im here to see Jackson, Olivia replied.

Yeah, you and every other girl in this line. He didnt move his arm.

She didnt want to have to do it, but she didnt have a choice. Really, you should let me in. She leaned closer. Im Jacksons girlfriend.

You cant be! shouted the girl with the action figures. Im his girlfriend.

You are not. The ice-skating girl looked ready to spit sequins. I am!

Dont be ridiculous, put in the girl with the photo T-shirt. Last month, he autographed my magazine Love, Jackson. She thrust a crumpled magazine under the other girls noses. See? Ive got proof!

Olivia felt like shed tripped flat on her face during a cheer. She didnt know what to say.

Ivy leaned in and said to the security guard, Look, Jackson really is expecting to see us today. Cant you... uh... check your list?

Theres no list, young lady. Just that line behind you, filled with two hundred of Jacksons girlfriends. He pointed to the end of the line, which had doubled in size since theyd arrived. Everyone has to wait their turn.

Youd better not be trying to cut in line, said the girl with the action figures.

Ice-skater Girl glared at them. Weve been waiting here for hours! Who do you think you are?

Uh, I, um Olivia didnt know what to say. If she told them that she really was Jacksons girlfriend, she could get lynched. I must be the only girl in the world who has to line up to see her own boyfriend, Olivia thought.

No, no, Ivy told the girls. Were not cutting. Not at all. Excuse us, please! Ivy pulled Olivia away from the line. Did you see the look in their eyes, Olivia? I may be a vampire, Ivy muttered, but these girls scare me.

Olivia, darling! called a familiar voice.

She looked back to see Charlotte Brown, the captain of the cheerleaders, waving her over. Olivia felt her already twisted stomach do another flip. Olivia spent lots of time with Charlotte on the squad and knew that Charlotte was mean even when she was trying to be nice.

Youre not in line yet? Did you sleep through your alarm? Charlotte asked sweetly. Her blonde hair was messy and her frilly silk blouse looked crumpled.

She couldnt have, Olivia thought. She wouldnt. Did Charlotte

Did you camp out overnight? demanded Ivy.

Of course not! Charlotte smirked. Katie did it for me. Ive only been here for three hours. She teased her hair with her fingers. But Im going for the camped out overnight look for the TV cameras.

Olivia couldnt believe even Charlotte was willing to wait hours.

Too bad you cant use your special friendship with Jackson to skip the line, Charlotte went on, using the biggest air-quotes Olivia had ever seen when she said special friendship. You know, this could look to some people like you might have, um... stretched the truth about being his girlfriend.

Olivias jaw dropped. She did not just say that! But she kept quiet she didnt want to get kicked off the squad.

Ivy stepped in. And this could look like you were paying someone to be your Valentine.

Charlotte narrowed her eyes. Paying is clearly something you have a problem with, freak, judging from all those second-hand clothes.

This is vintage! Ivy retorted, smoothing down her black satin high-waisted skirt.

This is so not how I pictured my morning, Olivia thought. Ivy, lets go to the back of the line before its out of the building.

She stomped to the end of the line, her face blushing, and crossed her arms.

Yeah, back where you belong, taunted one of the girls.

Just ignore her, whispered Ivy. Shes wearing a pink glittery scrunchie.

Olivia gazed down the long line of girls holding signs with her boyfriends picture on them. Twenty different Jacksons were watching from the posters plastered around the atrium. His face was everywhere but Olivia had never felt so far from her boyfriend.