We both laughed.
"Well, what do you think?" I asked.
"Drop- dead gorgeous!"
The first time I had a dinner date with Alexander I was nervous. Would he like me? Would he ask me out again? Would it end in a passionate kiss?
This dinner would be different. I brushed my hair a thousand times and reapplied my makeup. Was I too pale or not pale enough?
On this date I'd be judged by Alexander's parents. Would theSterlings think I was a good fit for their son? I knew they had approved of Luna-but I wasn't Luna. I didn't come fromRomania or have vampire blood or a vampire family. My whole relationship was riding on this one meal.
I was getting ready when my mom poked her head into my room.
"So, are you excited about your big night?" my mom asked.
I tried to downplay its importance and hide the panic attack I was having. "Sure, it's no big deal."
"Of course it is. You are going to meet your boyfriend's parents!"
"You are supposed to make me feel better-not worse!" I whined.
"That's not what I meant. I meant it is exciting."
I felt tears welling. Any minute my eyeliner was going to bleed down to my shoes.
"No- it's a make-it-or-break-it night. I'm not like them."
"Why do you have to be like them? You are you." My mom smiled.
"TheSterlings have royal blood. Alexander's grandmother was a baroness. I'm sure they've dined with kings, queens, and noblemen. They live in mansions! They are fromRomania . I'm from Dullsville." I plopped down on my bed.
"Just relax."
"How can I relax? You have no idea what it's like."
"You don't think I do?" she asked, sitting down next to me. "Your father and I were both hippies, remember? Our parents were ultraconservative. When I first met Grandma Madison, I was in a tank top and cutoffs. I'm surprised she ever let me in her house again."
"Really?"
"It's normal to be nervous. Think of how Alexander feels. He wants you to like them, too,"
"You think he's anxious, too?"
"Of course he is. He probably thinks his parents will embarrass him, just like you think we will."
I felt relieved knowing that I wasn't carrying the entire burden of our meeting.
"I'm sure as soon as theSterlings meet you," my mom continued, "they'lllove you like I do."
"You have to love me; you're my mother," I rolled my eyes.
"Let's see what you chose to wear."
"Are you kidding? Becky and I already decided on it. I can't go back now."
"I'm sure you chose something appropriate. I'll go downstairs until you're ready,"
I retouched,rebrushed , and fussed until my EdwardScissorhands clock flashed, "You're late!"