Saint Laurent's Most Eligible Vampires

Jeannot!

     We are sitting in the Dining Area hanging out after lunch.

  “I think we should invite the other girls over,” Shawna said.

“These girls are her competition,” Mitch rolled his eyes.

“She doesn’t even seem like she’s interested in him,” Shawna said.

“No, I said, I’m not interested in competing for a man,” I corrected her.

Mitch took a swig of his Pepsi. He then walked over to a table where a couple of the girls are sitting.

“You can’t tell them about the show,” Shawna whispered.

“I’m not,” I said. If I’m going to do some catty dating show, I should try to make friends. 

“This is Lucy and Briana,” Mitch said as he walked up to the table with two girls. 

They sat down at the table next to Mitch, “I’m Lucy, Fab shirt,” the bubbling blond said.

“Nice to meet you, and you must be Lucy,” I said to the other girl. 

She nodded her head, and her black curls bounced.

“Are you guys one of the chosen five?” Briana asked.

“She is,” Shawna pointed at me, “I’m Shawna,” 

“I’ve been dying to hit the malls up around here. Daddy sent me his black credit card,” Briana bragged. 

I could tell right away she’s a spoiled little rich girl. I already don't

 like her.

“That’s nice,” I faked a smile.

“What about you, Lucy?” Mitch asked.

“I’m from Alabama,” she said.

“Have you guys met anyone else here yet?” Mitch asked them.

"A hot guide named Johnny,” Briana licked her lips. I rolled my eyes.

“I met him too, but I have a boyfriend back home,” Lucy said.

Shawna and I exchanged looks, “Tell us about him,” Shawna said.

“We’ve been together since Middle School,” Lucy blushed, “He’s sweet and kind,”

“That’s boring,” Briana said.

“Oh, and you don’t have a boyfriend?” Mitch asked Briana.

“I’m going to be here a year. What would be the point?” Briana rolled her eyes and flipped her blond hair.

I felt bad for Lucy. She seemed like such a sweet girl. Being forced to do a dating show could end her relationship.

I see Johnny leaning against the wall talking to that Sasha girl. His eyes meet mine for a moment before he looks away.

“Did you hear me?” I hear Shawna say, bringing me back to the conversation at the table.

“Sorry, I thought I recognized someone,” I lied.

“We are going to the mall with Briana tomorrow. Do you want to come?” her eyes were pleading, begging me to say yes.

“Sure,” I said, knowing I owed her.

“Attention, will the following students please report to the Dean’s Office, Briana Anka, Lucy Hayes, Sasha Brokov, Savanah Stiles, and Lina Shope,” A feminine voice said over the loudspeaker.

“I guess that’s me,” I said.

“This is it,” Shawna said. She looked at me knowingly, and I realize she means they are going to tell us about the dating show now.

I walked down the hallway as the other girls chatted with each other. I tuned them out. I stayed up late last night, wondering what I would say when they told me. According to everyone, I have no choice but to do this show. I signed the contract.

We entered the double doors of the Dean’s Office. A dark-haired woman greeted us at the door, “It’s so good to meet you ladies. Please come in and have a seat,”

 I pulled out a chair and took a seat at the table. The other four girls did the same.

“My name is Bella Laurent. I’m so excited to meet you ladies. I’ve got your files right here and let me just say, wow. You ladies are the best of the Country,” She flipped through the files quickly and sat them down.

“Did you say, Laurent?” Sasha cooed.

“I did. I’m sure you’ve met my nephew Johnny by now,” Bella said.

“I did. He’s wonderful,” Sasha said.

“Yes, he is,” Briana said.

I rolled my eyes. Tomorrow's shopping trip was going to be interesting.

“I’m glad you ladies think so highly of him. He’ll play an important role in your lives over these coming months,” Bella said. She pulled out a few pieces of paper and stuck them in front of us, “I want to call your attention to the highlighted text and signature there,”

I looked at what she referred to and read it to myself.

The student and or parent agree for the student to take part in any filming. The student agrees to take part in any programming the school offers her. Such programs will never come at the harm of the student and always be in their best interests.

My initials are on each line. I guess that’s where the clause is. Such a sneaky way, too.

“Are we going to be doing some special programming?” A red-haired girl I’ve never met asked.

“Yes, Savanah,” Bella waited a few moments to give all the girls time to read before collecting the papers once again, “The five of you will compete to be the bride of my nephew Johnny,”

The room fell silent for a few moments before erupting into chatter. Everyone is talking at once. I just sat back and watched. Let the games begin.

“Will we be on tv?” Briana asked, excitedly.

“Noone you know will ever see the show,” Bella said.

“Is this a script for Hollywood?” Sasha asked.

“I have a boyfriend,” Lucy said,

“My father would kill me!” Savanah leaned forward, “I can’t do this,”

“Ladies relax. You’re all adults now, and your parents will never see the show,” Bella waved her arms.

“Why would we do a show no one will even see?” Briana crossed her hands over her chest and rolled her blue eyes.

“Your parents, family, and friends won’t see. It’s exclusive for Campus,” Bella said. She studied me from across the table before saying, “You’ve been quiet, Lina, how do you feel?”

How did I even answer that? I could fake excitement, lie, or tell the truth. I went with somewhere in between, “I’ve always put my studies before any guy. I don’t feel the need to compete with anyone for love, but it sounds exciting,”

“Great! Tomorrow we will film the introduction videos. You ladies enjoy the rest of your day,” Bella stood up from her chair.

“Can we talk about it with our friends?” Sasha asked.

“That depends if you mean your friends here, then yes. Friends back home, no,” Bella replied.

“I can’t wait to tell Johnny tonight at dinner,” she gushed.

He didn’t wait long at all to move on, but then again, we are all technically dating him now.

“Yes, I’m sure by now you have all had someone on one time with him. It’s how we do this,” she said.

It knocked Sasha down a peg, but it punched me right in the gut. I thought we had something special going but it seems this is all a part of the game.

“What about my boyfriend?” Lucy asked.

“Look, honey, he’s not here. No one is forcing you to do anything on the show you’re not comfortable with. A little tip ladies, you can date someone else too,” she winked.

“What do you mean?” I asked. This sounded interesting.

“I created this show, and I don’t think it’s fair that all five of you date the same guy. I made some rules,” she pulled the chair out and sat back down, “Rule number one, is no eliminations for the first five weeks,”

“Why five weeks?” Lucy asked.

“Each week there will be a group date, competition, and two private dates. The winner of the competition gets a private date. Johnny also will choose one of you every week to take on a date. He must choose a different girl weekly for that one. He eliminates the first girl in week six,” Bella said.

“Do we have to go home?” Savanah asked.

“No, you will attend school here all year as promised. Rule number two is after the five weeks have passed we allow you to go on dates with someone else. This won’t happen on the show, of course. You may not have s****l relations until the show is over, or Johnny eliminates you,” she warned.

“So, does this include my boyfriend? We’ve been together since middle school?” Lucy asked. I felt so bad for her.

She nodded her head, “we chose you five not only for your intelligence but also because we match you for him,” Bella said.

I couldn’t figure out what Sasha or Briana could have in common with him. To be fair, I hardly knew them.

“I’m going out to dinner with Johnny later. Will this count towards my date?” Sasha asked.

“No, it’s a recent development that we allowed. Once the show starts those will end,” Bella smiled, but her eyes fell on me. I blushed, wondering if she knew about Johnny and me, “Each of you will have spent some time with him before the show starts,”

Sasha’s face fell, and I stifled a laugh. I hate girls like her, that think they know it all.

“Anything else we need to know?” I asked.

“Not right now. If you can read these over and sign them for me. They are Non-Disclosure Agreements. Once you hand it in you’re free to go,” Bella passed a few papers around to us.

I read every bit of the paper before signing it and handing it back to her.

Earlier that day Johnny’s POV

“Take a seat, son,” My father motioned for me to sit down.

My Aunt Bella walked into the room, “Sorry I’m late. I had a last-minute production meeting,” she said excitedly.

Aunt Bella is my father’s sister and the producer of Saint Laurent’s Most Eligible Bachelor. It means they want to go over some last-minute details for the show with me. I hope they made this quick; I want to talk to Lina.

“Do you know why we brought you here?” Bella asked me.

“I know the show starts soon,” I shrugged, eager to get on with it.

My father reached into the wooden cigar box on his desk and took out a cigar. He lit the end and puffed. The smell of burnt toast and cinnamon filled the air. He leaned back in his chair. This is a sure sign I’ll be here a while. All of my father’s stories start with a cigar, “do you remember the story of when I met your mother?”

“Yes. You met Mom here at school,” I said.

“Just like you, they chose five women for me. I knew I wanted your mother the moment I laid eyes on her,” he puffed his cigar as a mischievous smile crossed his tanned face.

“I remember you telling me that,” I thought of Lina and wondered if it’s the same with me.

“Back then, being a Vampire was taboo. People feared us. I remember the look on your mother’s face when she found out. She ran away from me,”

“I remember she came crying to me,” Bella said.

“Dad, I know not to reveal myself until she’s ready,” I said.

My father leaned forward in his chair and rested his elbows on the desk, “Then what were you doing with Lina Shope at the Cathedral?” He roared.

Many fear my father as the vampire king, but I don't fear him, “Her sick grandmother used to paint the Cathedral. It has a special meaning for her. I offered to show it to her,”

He puffed his cigar in silence for a moment before saying, “I hear she’s staying in your old dorm,”

“It has a view of The Cathedral,” I said, maintaining eye contact. My father hated fear. To him, vampires don't have fears.

“Do you know what problems that will cause her once the other girls learn you showed favoritism towards her?”

 I sighed, knowing he was right. I couldn’t help myself. Something about Lina pulled me to her.

“The other girls will just step up their game,” Bella shrugged.

“When your Aunt Bella wanted to turn a family tradition into a TV show, I was hesitant. It’s hard enough on these girls, let alone pitting them against each other in such a way,” My father said.

“That wasn’t my intention,” I told him.

“Then you’re running all over the French Quarter with her,” he butted out his cigar.

“I like her,” I told him. I hope he understands. He once felt the same about mom.

“I’m glad you do, but for fairness, you will take the other four girls out on a date before the show,”

I know he’s right but dammit this is my life too, “Look, I’m doing your show, and your tradition but I do this my way too. This is my life,”

“Do not take that tone with me! I am your father and your King,” My father shouted.

“Alexandre, calm down,” Bella placed her hands on his chest. I laughed inside at how she thought she was going to stop him. Bella is tiny compared to my father.

“I’ll go on the dates, and do the show,” I said.

“Good, and Jeannot, there are to be no more unsanctioned visits to the Cathedral. Our secret can not get out,” I hated when my father called me by my French name, Jeannot, and he knows it.

“We’re done here,” I said as I walked to the door.

"I mean it, and no visits to the Crypt below. Erasing the memory of being a vampire away, is one thing. I don't want to have to erase an innocent human's memory if she discovers our secret. Longer-term erasure has side effects," He warned as I slammed the door shut.

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