She nodded enthusiastically.
"Hey - " Scarlet said. "We asked her first."
"Fine, why don't we all dance?" Sebastian winked at Onyx, who couldn't help but smile.
"That sounds like fun," Stormy said. Just as they started for the dance floor, I saw pink hair bobbing our way. Within a few moments, she broke through the crowd and there stood Luna in all her glory.
"Stormy Girl!" Luna called, her twiggy arms outstretched.
"Luna!" Stormy ran to her like I'd wished she'd run to me when I first met her. Luna picked up the young Sterling and swung her around. They giggled and squealed exuberantly. Their embrace was that of best friends reuniting after years of separation.
Luna fiddled with Stormy's hair and bracelets as the two girls talked.
I tried not to sulk openly, but Alexander must have sensed my awkward feelings.
"It's okay," he said, patting me on the shoulder. "They've known each other for years."
"I know...." I said. Normally I didn't care what people thought of me, but Stormy was different. I really hoped for a friendly relationship with Alexander's sister.
Luna took Stormy by the wrist and led her out onto the dance floor, leaving Scarlet, Becky, and me on the sidelines.
"Pure evil," Scarlet mumbled.
"Yes," Becky said. "Luna acted as if we weren't even here."
"I ought to pummel her," Scarlet snarled.
"It's okay," I said. I didn't want to start trouble, and I really wanted Stormy to have fun while she was in town. And if that meant being with Luna rather than being with us, I had to be the bigger person and accept that.
Stormy and Luna bopped up and down like firecrackers. Alexander's sister was having a great time. And though I'd wished she was having it with me, I was pleased that she was enjoying her visit, regardless.
"How's it going so far?" Becky asked.
"I think really well."
"I knew you'd hit it off," she said supportively.
I pulled Becky aside while Scarlet went to find Onyx. "But there's this whole Luna thing."
"Yes, I see."
"It's like Luna is trying to take her away - to show me that she is a better friend to her than I can ever be. Like she wants to throw it in my face that she and Alexander's little sister are BFFs or something."
"That's Luna," Becky said resignedly. "She's always sticking it to you."
"I know. But this time she's right."
"So, Luna knew her first. What's the big deal?"
"I think Stormy wanted Alexander to..." I began but then stopped. I realized I hadn't told Becky the real story about Alexander and Luna's history. "Uh ...
never mind."
never mind."
"No, tell me. Is it about them being vampires?"
"Yes."