When the dance was over, Alexander and I walked our siblings out to the car. I watched as Billy again held the door open for Stormy. It was as if he had come into the dance a boy and came out a young man. Billy was beaming, displaying more confidence than I'd ever seen in him.
"That was so much fun!" Stormy said as we drove home.
"Yeah, and the best part was when our chaperones almost got kicked out for making out on the dance floor!" Billy exclaimed.
Our siblings laughed while Alexander and I tried to cover our embarrassment.
"I want a picture of us together, Stormy," Billy said when we pulled up to the Mansion. "Raven, you can take it with my cell phone." My heart broke a little then. It was Billy's first dance, and he wouldn't have a picture of his date. I wasn't sure what to say.
We all climbed out of the car.
"I don't like pictures," Stormy said.
"But why?" Billy asked. "You're so pretty."
She blushed ruby red.
Billy stood next to Stormy and tossed me his phone. "Take it," he commanded.
Stormy was still glowing from Billy's compliment. I looked to Alexander for help. But the pair appeared so happy, neither one of us wanted to be the ones to break their spell.
Alexander shrugged his shoulders and I quickly snapped one picture and tossed it back to Billy. He checked it and stared at it oddly.
Stormy tapped him on the shoulder, distracting him from the camera.
"Good night, Billy. I had a great time," she said sincerely.
"I did, too," he said.
Stormy gave him a quick kiss on his cheek as Jameson opened the door for her.
My brother's face illuminated like a Star Wars lightsaber.
Stormy waved to him as he headed to our car to wait for me. Alexander gave me a long good-night kiss and I, too, was buzzing from our magical evening.
As I drove away, Billy stared back at the looming Mansion like I had many times, gazing at it until it disappeared as we turned the corner.
"So, did you have fun?" I asked.
"The best night of my life." He stared out the window with a huge, boyish grin.
For once, Billy and I agreed on something. There was no better time than that spent with the Sterlings. I was hoping Billy didn't get too attached to Stormy, though. If someone in the Madison household was going to be turned into a vampire, I had first dibs.
I was really proud of my brother. I'd always been the risk taker, the one who did things against the grain. Though he was more conservative, I realized now that when pushed, he, too, could be fearless. It must have been in our blood.
Chapter 10 Starry Night
After the night of the dance, Stormy was dying to see Billy again, and though our younger siblings were clearly old enough to spend time by themselves, Alexander was mindful of his little sister in a foreign country. So on their next adventure together, a few evenings later, Alexander and I followed close behind.
We went to Evans Park, where Billy, Henry, and Stormy hung out by the swings while Alexander and I sat atop the hill. The park was the one Becky and I frequented, with a swing set, a run-down tennis court, and lush grassy areas for picnics or hanging out. We were all eyeing the stars; Billy and Henry were showing off Henry's telescope, and Alexander and I were lying on a blanket gazing at the sky as we held hands.
But the star that most intrigued me was my own boyfriend, whose handsome face was only a few inches from mine.
I continued holding his hand and softly stroked his lean, strong arm. I still couldn't get over how lucky I was to have Alexander in my life. He was everything I wanted in a guy; when he was in my company, I had to touch him to make sure that fous ster in ahe was in fact real.
We took the opportunity to share some kisses privately. His lips were always as tender as imaginable.
I heard the trio talking down by the swings, but I couldn't make out their conversation.