I could tell Stormy was feeling lonely for people her own age. But I also knew she liked my brother and his friend.
"That was really cool of your brother," Alexander said. "Maybe it's best for now that I keep her busy here?" But keeping them apart was as bad as forcing two people together. We needed to let Stormy make her own decision.
Stormy returned with the vase of flowers. "I'm going to put them in my room," she said, but then stopped before she reached the staircase. She spun around and came over to me. "Do you think Billy will be going to the haunted house at the Crypt? Luna told me all about it."
"No," I said, not imagining my brother stepping foot in the Crypt. "I think he and Henry are going trick-or-treating."
"Oh..." she said, disappointed. She sighed like a deflating balloon. "I was hoping I could see him there." She started for the stairs once more, then doubled back again to me. "Uh ... do you think? I know it's rude to ask."
"No, go ahead," I said, putting my hand on her shoulder.
"Do you think I can go trick-or-treating instead?"
"You'd rather do that than go to the Crypt?" Alexander asked.
"We practically live in a haunted house," she said with a laugh. "I can see that every day. Besides, I'd like to hang out with Billy and Henry. Please?" I looked to Alexander for his approval.
"If Billy and Henry say it's okay," he replied. "You'd probably have more fun with them."
"I think those flowers are your answer," I said, "but I'll check with him for sure." Naturally, Halloween was one of my favorite times of the year. I wish it could have been celebrated three hundred and sixty-five days a year. I'd never grow tired of it, as it seemed as if everyone in town was in a good and giving mood.
Jagger had closed part of the Crypt for a few days so he could fix it up for the haunted house, but the dance floor was open. A few nights later, Alexander, Jagger had closed part of the Crypt for a few days so he could fix it up for the haunted house, but the dance floor was open. A few nights later, Alexander, Stormy, and I headed over.
We were getting ready to hit the dance floor when I spotted Jagger. I waved him over.
"So when can we see what you are up to?" I asked Jagger. I was longing to get any information about it that I could before Halloween night came. I wanted to be in the know.
"You'll see on Halloween," he said with a sultry voice. "And not a day before. You want to be scared, don't you?"
"Will it be open to everyone?" I asked.
"You mean you? Or vampires?"
"I mean all of us."
"It will be open to the locals. I think that includes you. Will you be coming?" he asked Stormy.
"I'm hoping to go trick-or-treating," she said.
"What? You have to come here and see me!" Luna said.
"I know," she said. "But I'm going trick-or-treating with some friends."
"Friends?" she asked. "And who would they be?"
"Uh, just some kids I met." It was unclear why she wasn't telling Luna who they were. I figured perhaps because one of them was my brother and she didn't want Luna to feel competitive with me.
"Well, if you're not coming to the Crypt, then we should at least shop together and help pick out Halloween costumes."
"But what about Raven?" Stormy asked.
"Raven? I'm not sure that's a good idea. She'd be a third wheel," she whispered.
Stormy squirmed. I could tell she was struggling with including me in her and Luna's adventure.
"I think we vampire girls should stick together," Luna said, her pink lips triumphantly stretching across her porcelain face.
Stormy took a breath and looked up at Luna. "I think it will be fun to shop together, but I want to go with Raven as well." Luna's smile turned into a frown. She was stunned by Stormy's declaration. "Well," she said, "I think we'll talk more about this later," she said. "I have to go see Romeo." Then Luna spun away from us and headed to the bar.