The Renfield Syndrome by Clifford Beck - HTML preview

Chapter 28

She had just turned eighteen, and displaying a rather mature physique caught the eye of every boy in school as well as some teachers. Her name was Ava, and everyone knew her, if not personally, then on sight, mostly by her long red locks of Irish hair. She had been offered a spot on the cheerleading squad but declined, seeing cheerleaders through the same lens as the jocks. They were arrogant, poking fun at those who they believed were beneath them, never seeing past the bubble of ego they had trapped themselves in. People like this seem hopelessly lost in the tarry pool of narcissism, but graduation was waiting, and the harsh reality of the world was getting to pound them into the ground. They would either see themselves for what they were and break out of their chrysalis of attitude or be despised for the rest of their lives.

On the surface, Ava seemed innocent and honest. She always seemed to be there when someone needed a shoulder to cry on but occasionally would show her true self, ignoring those she found unattractive or cocky. She seemed to especially despise those who repeatedly made their romantic advances, expecting to get in her pants. During one such episode, Ava was forced to drive a knee into the groin of a boy who didn’t seem to understand the word ‘no.’ But like many people, Ava had a dark side, and for some reason she chose Caspian as the target of her personal darkness.

Social events are common in high school, and while nearly everyone attended, Caspian remained at home watching old black and white movies. But out of nowhere, Ava approached him and struck up a conversation. “Hey!” she said. “Caspian!” Initially, Caspian wasn’t sure where the voice was coming from, as the hallways were always crowded between classes, but walking to the lockers, he waited as the voice got closer.

“Hey,” she said. “You’re Caspian, right?”

Caspian ordinarily lived his life as something of a lone wolf and never thought that any girl would take an interest in him. But here she was. Standing in front of him was likely the most attractive girl in school. For a brief moment he wondered why such a beautiful girl would even bother to speak to him. The fact that she had even approached him put him on edge. Yet, he managed to put his suspicions on hold long enough to at least listen to what she had to say.

“Um, yeah,” he replied.

She bounced slightly on her heels, just enough that her breasts jumped in time. And yes, Caspian noticed. “I was wondering,” Ava began. “There’s a concert coming up, and I was wondering if, maybe, you might want to go with me.”

Caspian’s attention was turned up to ten as he studied not just her words but also her face, her eyes, and what she did with her hands. He saw no signs in her behavior that he was being misled, but the idea of such a beautiful girl asking him out on a date left him suspicious.

“Uh, yeah,” he replied. “Sure.” Now, he needed details. He wasn’t aware of a concert playing at the school anytime soon.

“So,” he continued. “What’s the name of the band?”

For a moment Ava struggled for words, having forgotten the band’s name.

“Um, oh, 805,” she answered. Caspian wasn’t one to get out much and had never heard of the band she referenced.

“I’m sorry,” he said. “I’ve never heard of them.”

Ava wondered how anyone could have never heard of them, but that was okay. This would give her the chance to introduce him to her favorite kind of music—classic rock.

They agreed to meet at the school’s front doors. If they got there early enough, they could get seats close to the stage where the music would be the loudest. Ava had seen them before and was familiar with their stage show— the fire pots, fire breathing, and other theatrical tricks. She wasn’t sure how Caspian would react but hoped that he would at least enjoy the music.