Ivy hid her smile. Serena Star isn’t the most ethical reporter, she thought, but she’s not as dumb as I thought.
Ivy cleared her throat. “Does the quote have to be about Garrick Stephens’s stunt at the cemetery?” she asked. “I mean, that was just a lame practical joke, right?”
“I think there’s more to the story,” Serena said meaningfully, “and a good reporter will find out what.”
So much for my attempt to derail her, Ivy thought.
Camilla raised her hand, looking a little bored. “Does everyone need to get a quote? I mean, I’m more of a critic than a reporter.”
“Only those with investigative reporting experience need apply,” Serena answered.
Ivy saw Sophia grin at Camilla and whisper, “Looks like you and me are off the hook!”
“Well, for those of you who do audition, I cannot imagine a greater opportunity than working with a journalist as respected as Serena Star,” Principal Whitehead said.
A snort of disdain erupted from Sophia. Ivy kicked her under the table, and her friend tried to make it seem like something had been caught in her throat. She descended into a dramatic coughing fit, shrugging at Ivy in a way that said “Oops.” Camilla was also suppressing giggles.
If Serena Star noticed, she didn’t show it. She flashed her trademark smile at the staffers around the table. “You have twenty-four hours to get your quotes. May the best reporter win!” she declared.
“Thank you, Ms. Star,” Toby Decker said professionally. With that, the Scribe staff started to file out of the room, chattering about their highprofile assignment. Sophia started to leave, too, but Ivy put a hand on her arm. They had to talk to Serena first.
“See you,” Camilla said to Ivy and Sophia and headed toward the door. Just before she reached it, though, Ivy saw her do a double take and walk over to the cameraman.
“That’s the Sign of the Cyborg!” Camilla said, pointing to a symbol on the guy’s T-shirt.
“You’re a Coal Knightley fan?” he responded.
Soon they were deep in conversation about Coal Knightley’s books.
Meanwhile, Ivy and Sophia went over to talk to Serena. The reporter grabbed Ivy’s hand and shook it. As she did, she peered down at Ivy’s fingers. “Interesting choice of nail polish,” she said, raising her other hand and signaling her cameraman to come closer. He was too busy talking to Camilla to notice, so Serena smiled at Ivy in a plastic way and waved her free hand more frantically. Finally she snapped, “Martin!”
“Sorry!” Martin the cameraman said, rushing over as Camilla left the room.
Serena huffed and let go of Ivy’s hand at last. She looked at her and Sophia intensely. “You two must be friends with Garrick Stephens.”
Sophia scoffed, and Ivy elbowed her before she said something rash. “Do you mean because we wear dark clothes?” Ivy asked innocently.
Serena Star nodded. “Exactly.”
Ivy frowned. “You mean you agree with stereotypes?”
“What?” Serena Star spluttered. “No. Of course not.”
“Thank goodness,” Ivy said, “because Principal Whitehead always says that a great reporter is never swayed by prejudice.” She smiled at the principal over Serena Star’s shoulder.
“That I do!” Principal Whitehead confirmed cheerfully.
“I couldn’t agree more,” Serena said stiffly, glancing uncomfortably toward the camera. She changed the subject. “So where do you kids hang out?”
“The diner,” Sophia told her with a shrug.
“Which diner?” Serena Star asked immediately.
“We like the Meat & Greet,” Ivy replied.
“Is that the one that’s decorated like a meat locker?” Serena Star said.
Uh-oh, thought Ivy. She’s digging, and soon she’s going to hit a coffin. “Plus I love Mister Smoothies,” Ivy lied.
“Me, too,” Sophia chimed in quickly.
Serena Star paused. “So you two don’t know Garrick Stephens?”
Ivy and Sophia didn’t say anything.
“And you don’t know anything about him or his friends?” Serena pressed.
“Everyone calls them the Beasts,” Toby piped up from a few feet away. Ivy hadn’t even realized he was still there.
Serena Star nodded at him encouragingly, and Toby went on. “They’re always playing practical jokes and things. Several weeks ago, they dragged me to a party at Ivy’s house, even though they knew I wasn’t invited.”
Ivy winced. Serena turned to look at her. “You invited Garrick Stephens to a party?”
“Just a, you know, a Halloween party.” Ivy gulped. “Lots of people were invited.”
“But not Toby, who you work with closely on the school paper?” Serena said pointedly. Ivy shrugged helplessly.
Serena Star turned back to Toby. “What else can you tell me about Garrick and his friends?”
“I think they’re into heavy metal,” Toby said, “although that might just be their T-shirts. And they’re always saying weird things, like ‘bloodsucker’ this and ‘bloodsucker’ that.”
Ivy’s mouth went dry.
“Bloodsucker?” Serena’s eyes widened. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Toby replied.
Serena looked at her cameraman. “That’s a wrap,” she said. She didn’t even thank Toby or anything. “Looks like we have some investigating to do, Martin. Let’s start by doing some undercover eating at this Meat & Greet, where certain elements seem to hang out.” She looked at Ivy and Sophia meaningfully. Then she marched out of the room, her cameraman hurrying after her.