“You think?” she asked, excited, as if I’d given her a hundred dollars.
“Yes, I think it would look great on you.”
“I can wear it to a dance,” she said, modeling it.
Just then Billy walked by my door.
“Who’s that?” she asked.
“My dopey brother.”
“You have a brother?”
“Yes. Didn’t Alexander tell you?”
“No.”
“Has Alexander told you anything about me?” I pried, but Stormy now appeared more interested in my brother than hers as she continued to stare out the doorway.
“Can I meet him?” she asked.
“Billy?”
“Yes.”
“But he’s not cool like Alexander. He’s a dork.”
“I can’t imagine a brother of yours who’s a dork.”
“Well, you don’t have to imagine—you can see for yourself.” I rose from my chair and headed for the doorway.
“Hey, Billy. Get in here,” I called.
“I’m busy,” he answered.
“There’s someone I want you to meet.”
When I didn’t hear any movement, I said, “Excuse me” to S Sse ize="3">tormy, headed down the hallway, and pounded on Billy’s door.
“I need to talk to you,” I told him.
“I said I’m busy.”
“I have someone I want you to meet.”
“Me?” he asked skeptically. “Go away.”
“No, really. It’s Alexander’s sister. Please be polite, for once.”
He didn’t respond.
“Open up, already!” I demanded. I was seconds from storming into his room and pulling him out by his ear.
But then he opened his door. “I’m the one in this house with manners,” he snarled. “It’s you who acts like you live in a zoo.”
Billy finally came out of his room and followed me into mine. Stormy smiled brightly.
“This is Stormy,” I said. “Stormy, this is Billy.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” she said, extending her hand. He wasn’t sure what to do with the formality and finally shook it.
“Hi,” he said. “I heard you were coming to town.”
“Yes, I’m visiting my brother.”
“Well … it was nice meeting you,” he said.
There was an awkward pause between the two of them.
“Okay, thanks for saying hi,” I said. “Now let’s get back to the clothes and our plans for the evening.”
Billy Boy returned to his room as Stormy continued to beam.
“Want to go to Hatsy’s Diner for some shakes?” I asked her.
“Yes! And maybe Billy can come with us,” she said.
“Uh … he’s not into anything that doesn’t involve microchips.”
“Well, we’ll just have to change that for next time,” she said as we grabbed our things and headed out of the house.
Stormy was super impressed with the jukeboxes on the tables and the framed records on the walls. Conservative customers gawked at us, since we stood out like tombstones on a lawn. I was used to this treatment f Ss tfonrom my fellow Dullsvillians, but I felt protective of Alexander’s sibling. I glared back hard at anyone who looked, and most turned back to their meals. Stormy was so caught up in the nostalgic restaurant that she didn’t even notice.
“This is so American!” she said.
“Yes, I guess it is.”
“I’ve seen places like this in movies.”
“You can get anything you want,” I offered.
“Do they have Romanian smoothies? Or steak tartare?”
“I don’t think so. I think most things are cooked here.”
“That’s okay,” she said. “I brought this with me just in case,” she said. She pulled out a water bottle, only instead of water it appeared to be filled with blood.
Dixie, in her fifties-diner red-with-white-piping waitress uniform, shimmied her behind as she walked over to the table.
“What’s that?” Dixie asked.
“Uh … it’s Kool-Aid,” I said.
“That doesn’t look like Kool-Aid to me.”
“It’s an energy drink,” Stormy tried to explain.
“Well, if you came here for a nutritious meal,” Dixie said, “you came to the wrong place. If it’s not fried, burnt, or floured, we don’t serve it.”
She chomped her gum and blew a bubble.
“No, we are indulging tonight,” I said as Stormy surreptitiously slid her bottle back into her bag.
“Two chocolate malts, please,” I said.
“That’s all?” she asked.
“Yes. We just had dinner.”
Dixie shimmied away, displeased that she didn’t have a big order on her hands to increase her chances of a bigger tip.
We both laughed as she placed our order at the counter.
“This is fabulous,” Stormy said.
“You think? I’ve been coming here for years with my best friend. Dixie has been working here since it opened.”
Stormy flipped through the jukebox songs on our table.
“What is your favorite music?” I asked.
“I like the Skeletons.”
“You do? So do I. I don’t think they are on there. They only have fifties artists.”
“What about Elvis?” she asked.
“Alexander loves him,” I noted.
“I know. So do I.”
I found a quarter in my pocket and placed it in the jukebox. “Play your favorite,” I said. A moment later, “(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear” began to play overhead.
She seemed fascinated by the music and the power of her pushing the button and it playing.
Then I remembered the Sterlings lived by candlelight. Modern technology wasn’t something they dealt with every day.
“So what’s Alexander like as a big brother?” I asked.
I was always dying to know more about my boyfriend—especially because he was so mysterious that I didn’t even know until recently that he had a sister.
“He played with me when I was little, but when he got older, he went to his room most of the time and painted.”
“What did you play?”
“Games mostly. He loved checkers, so I did, too. But when I pulled out my fashion dolls he ran for his room.”
I laughed, and so did she.
“Do you always get along with him?”
“Yes, I guess so. I get on his nerves a lot,” she said.
“I can’t imagine that.”
“Oh, it’s true. When he and Luna were going to their ceremony—” Then she stopped. “I mean…”
“No, that’s okay, you can tell me.”
“I was dressed as the flower girl. I had dead black roses and held them in a small urn.”
“I bet you were pretty,” I said.
idth="2em" align="justify">“Thank you. Luna was waiting for him to start the ceremony, and everyone was getting impatient. We couldn’t find Alexander.”
“Oh?”
“I was the one who found him sitting by himself outside a crypt. He told me that he wasn’t going to the covenant altar with Luna. I got mad and poured the flowers on his shoes. And then I told my mother where he was.”
I had never heard this story before, and from Stormy’s point of view, Alexander’s arranged eternal betrothal caused disappointment for many besides himself and Luna.
“I’m sure he understood.” I tried to ease her guilt.
“When my mother got to the crypt, he was gone.”
“What happened?”
“He eventually came home. But the Maxwells wanted revenge. Then he had to leave for Grandmother’s Mansion here. But he didn’t come back.”
I didn’t know what to say. “Well, you’re together now,” I said.
“Yes,” she said. “Finally.”
“What do you like to do?”
“I like to write poems.”
“What about?”
&n
bsp; “Boys.”
“That’s a great subject.”
“I hope to have them published someday.”
“I’m sure they will be,” I assured her.
“I bet you are glad to see Jameson, too. He’s so cool,” I said.
“Yes, I’ve missed him. He’s funny.”
“Funny?” I asked.
“When I was little, he liked to hide my dolls during the day. So when I woke up, I’d have to search every room for them. I’d find them resting under the stairs, poking out from behind an antique vase, or sticking out from my coat pocket. It was a fabulous game.”
I laughed, imagining Jameson sneaking around their Romanian mansion with dolls under his bony arms.
“He’s a half vamp; that’s why he can be out all Sn b
“He is?” I asked.
“Yes, you didn’t know?” She appeared surprised.
I didn’t want to fib, but I also didn’t want to appear like I hadn’t been “in the know.” “Uh…”
“Yes, he’s mortal,” she continued. “He can be out in day and night but needs a vein like we do to exist.”
She said it so matter-of-fact that I was almost taken aback. I had to remind myself that I was, after all, sitting with a young vampire. But where Alexander was mysterious and kept much of this identity to himself, Stormy blurted out her information like any other girl without a secret.
“That’s why I love his Romanian smoothies,” she continued. “His California smoothies are terrible. They don’t have blood.”
“Blood?” a familiar voice said as someone scooted into the booth with me.
“What are you doing here?” I asked Trevor. Then he gazed at Stormy.
“Ditched Becky for the evening?” Trevor asked.
Dixie returned with our malts and placed them on our table. Trevor grabbed mine before I could and stuck my spoon in it. He took a scoop of my malt and put it in his mouth.
I wasn’t about to be bullied in front of Stormy. It was uncomfortable enough for me to experience it without her having to experience it, too.
“That was Raven’s,” Stormy said forcefully. I was surprised that she was defending me. I was proud of her. She was feisty like I was. But ultimately I didn’t want her to be involved in my torment.
“Raven likes to share,” he said to her. “I didn’t know you had a little sister,” he said to me.
“I don’t. This is Alexander’s sister.” I stressed Alexander, hoping that he’d pick up on not picking on her. That Alexander would seek revenge if he did. And that I’d stop him, too, if he tried.
“Oh … so Monster Girl has a Mini-Monster.”
I was ready to dump the malt on his head, but I worried it wasn’t the best example of proper behavior in front of Stormy. Instead I slid my hand underneath the table and pinched his leg with all my might.
“Ouch!” he said, putting the malt down.
I let go and gave him a death stare. “You can address her by her real name. Athe Sal ="2em" na. Other than that, any name is a violation.”
“A violation?” he chuckled.
“Yes, of Raven’s law.”
“I see. And if I break it, will you arrest me? Please?” He was as menacing as he was attractive. His blond hair flopped perfectly in place like a model’s.
“It’s time for you to go,” I said. “Before you turn into a pumpkin.”
“Fine,” he said. “It was nice meeting you, Athena.”
She extended her hand. He paused for a moment, surprised by her formality.
Then he shook her hand.
“Wow—you can learn a thing or two about manners from her,” he said to me.
“Uh … so could you.”
Trevor walked off to the counter.
I pushed my malt away from me. I wasn’t about to drink it.
“I’m sorry about that,” I said. “He’s been bugging me since he was born.”
“I think he’s cute!”
“Trevor?”
“Yes, this town is full of good-looking guys!”
“I think that’s the jet lag talking,” I said.
“He really likes you. That’s why he picks on you,” she said.
I was shocked by her keen insight into Trevor. “It’s time to call Alexander,” I declared.
Just then Dixie sashayed over and handed me another malt. “It’s from Trevor.”
“Ah,” I said to Stormy. “I think your good manners are rubbing off on him.”
A short time later, Alexander met us in the diner’s parking lot. This time Stormy hopped in the back of the car.
“You can sit up front,” I said.
“No, that’s okay. I like being chauffeured,” she said. I thought it was cute how she was slowly warming up to me.
“So, did you kids have fun?” Alexander teased.
“I did,” I said.
“Yes, Raven gave me this dress,” she said, pulling it out of the bag.
“You shouldn’t be taking clothes from her,” Alexander scolded. Normally the driver looks in the rearview mirror when talking to the passenger in the backseat. But Alexander didn’t. He knew he wouldn’t be able to see his sister in the reflection.
“It’s okay,” I assured him. “I want her to have it.”
“You’ve done enough already,” he said.
“And I met her brother, Billy,” Stormy added.
“That’s cool. He’s your age.”
“I know…” Stormy giggled under her breath.
“Sounds like you guys had too much fun without me. I’m not sure you need me anymore.”
“Of course we do,” I said, putting my hand on his shoulder.
“Well, maybe not…” Stormy teased. I thought she liked the attention she was getting, no matter who it was from.
“And I met this guy named Trevor,” she continued.
“You did?” Alexander asked. There was a hint of concern in his voice.
“It wasn’t a big deal,” I said.
“I think he likes Raven,” she said.
Alexander paused.
“Are you trying to start trouble?” he asked.
“I’m just being honest.”
“Well, he’s going out with our friend Scarlet,” I said. “Besides, Alexander doesn’t have to worry about anyone.”
“You should keep an eye on him,” she warned Alexander. “I don’t trust him.”
“I have to keep my eyes on you,” Alexander said. “One night out and you’re already meeting boys and getting new dresses and hanging around the town bully.”
Stormy giggled again. “Too bad you didn’t come.”
“Well, you’ve both had a full evening,” he said, pulling into my driveway.
I stepped out of the car, and Stormy jumped out of the Mercedes, too. Instead of extending her hand to say good night, she smiled and leaned in to me. She wrapped her lithe arms around my waist and gave me a hug so hard I melted inside. Then she hopped into the front seat.
I was so flattered. I had had a great time, and so had Stormy.
Alexander took my hand and walked me to the door.
“I see you’ve made a good impression on her.”
“I really had a blast,” I said. “I wish I had a little sister.”
We turned around and saw Stormy watching us from the car. I knew she was dying to see if her brother would kiss me.
She turned away like she hadn’t been looking. She leaned over and got the dress out of the bag and began eyeing it instead.
Alexander took the now private opportunity and leaned in and kissed me. His lips were so tender that I became lost in them. Suddenly the car horn honked and we both jumped.
I tried to catch my breath, and Alexander was now frustrated with his sibling. Then we both burst out laughing.
“See, she’s not so mannerly after all,” my boyfriend said. “Thanks so much,” he added as I unlocked the door. “This meant a lot to me.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” I said truthfully
. “I’ve been waiting for nights like these for all my life.”
8 Surprise Invite
The following evening at dinner, I was chomping on grilled herb chicken when Billy asked out of the blue, “How long will Stormy be in town?”
“Why?” I wondered.
“The fall dance is coming up at school. I thought I could invite her.”
I was stunned at my brother’s suggestion. First, I couldn’t imagine that my nerdy little brother had become brave enough to ask a girl to a dance, and two, the girl he wanted to be his date was a vampire.
“That would be so nice,” my mom gushed. “I think you should.”
“Sorry. No such luck,” I said. “I think you should go, by all means, but you should ask o Viv>
“Won’t she be in town?” he asked. “It’s this week.”
I knew she’d be in town and I wasn’t prepared to lie, even though it was the easiest solution.
“Uh … yes, she will be. But I don’t think taking her would be a very good idea.”
“Why not?” he asked.
“Yes,” my dad said. “I think it’s a great idea.”
“Isn’t there that girl from Math Club that you’d like to invite?” I asked. I remembered going to one of his parties at the library and seeing a girl there who appeared to be really attached to him.
“Yes, but I just thought it would be fun to ask Stormy.”
“I’m dating Alexander. You can’t date his sister,” I said as if it were a fact.
“There isn’t a law against it,” he responded. “Besides, it’s not a date. It’s just a dance.”
“This would be a wonderful opportunity for both of you,” my mom said to Billy. “This will be Billy’s first dance, and Stormy’s first in America. She could learn a lot. I think it would be very special for them both.”
Nerd Boy attending a school dance? I knew he was growing up, and if he’d been someone else’s brother it might have been okay. But he was mine, and I knew his every smarmy quirk. I wasn’t ready to accept he was growing up, and I definitely wasn’t ready to see him falling for a vampire.
“I don’t think so,” I said. “Can we change the subject?”
“Why?” my mom pressed. It was just like her to get her nose into other people’s business—especially mine.
Because she’s a vampire, I wanted to say. But I knew I couldn’t share that information with them.