The night before school started, I was stroking my kitten, Nightmare, and surfing the Net when she began to glare at my window and hiss. Her back arched and her fur stood straight up. I couldn't contain her in my arms. She bolted across my bed and jumped on the windowsill. She batted the glass with her paw.
"It's probably a bird, Nightmare. Calm down."
Then I heard a tinyping,like something had hit the outside glass. Nightmare freaked. She dashed across my room and pushed through the cracked open door.
I peeked out into the darkness. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust.
I didn't see anything unusual around the garage or the swing set that was a few yardsaway .
But a shadowy figure was leaning against the tree. I pressed my face to the window.
There he was. My Gothic Guy, my Knight of the Night, my Vampire Prince.
My heart throbbed.
I raced out of my room, down the stairs, out the back door, and into my boyfriend's arms.
Alexander greeted me with a long kiss. It sent shivers down my spine.
"I had to see you," he said. "I can't stay long but I wanted,to wish you luck before school."
"I've missed you so much."
"Me, too. I think even the Mansion misses you."
" Howare your parents?"
"Fine."
"What are they like?" I probed.
"I don't know...The same as any others."
"Are they happy to be home?"
"My mom says the Mansion smells like flowers."
"Did you tell her I placed them around?" I asked.
"I think she guessed."
"I bet you're glad to see them."
Alexander shrugged his shoulders.
"It'sokay-I know you had to have missed them."
He hesitated and then began as if he were revealing a national secret. "It's been great to talk to my dad. He's an art dealer. He's very interesting and has so much to share about the art world. He brought me a painting from a rising artist inFrance ."
"Does he like your artwork?"
"I'm not sure he takes me seriously yet. He thinks I just I -.tint for fun."
"And your mom?"
Alexander's eyes couldn't help but twinkle.
"I bet she dotes on you," I said.