Billy headed for the door while I grabbed my sweater.
"Knock 'em dead tonight," my dad said.
I couldn't tell him that our dates were, in fact, undead.
"I was hoping I'd get to meet Stormy, too," my dad added.
"That's what happens when you have a son," I said, opening the front door.
My dad let me borrow the car, and we headed over to the Mansion. I was hoping that Billy would chicken out upon arriving at the haunted-looking house, but he didn't. I think since he was with me he felt more at ease, or maybe he felt like he was becoming a man or something.
I made him knock on the door.
Jameson opened it slowly, like in a creepy silent movie. Billy was as nervous seeing Jameson as he was for his date. I couldn't help but feel anxious for him.
I put my hand on Billy's shoulder. "I know she'll be happy to see you," I said.
He turned back to me like I'd said the kindest words anyon ct wheie had ever said to him. At once, he stood up a little straighter and appeared at ease.
"Good evening, Mr. Billy," Jameson said.
"Good evening, Jameson," Billy said proudly.
"Please come in. I know Miss Athena is almost ready."
"Who is Athena?" Billy whispered to me.
"That's Stormy's real name," I replied.
"Oh. That's really pretty."
Just then Alexander came down the stairs. He was so hot in his dark jacket and silken dress pants, I could feel my knees quiver just catching sight of him. I couldn't believe that someone so handsome was indeed my boyfriend. His face brightened when he saw me.
"You look beautiful," he said.
He came over and gave me a tender kiss on the cheek. I wanted to swoon into his arms and have him carry me away. I had to remind myself that this was Billy and Stormy's dance and not mine.
Stormy descended the creaky old staircase in the dress I'd given her. The black corset minidress had sheer lace sleeves that just covered her pale shoulders and ruffled black and purple lace that made up the skirt. She wore knee-high black tights and witchy boots with purple laceups that matched the ties and lacing on her corset. Her hair was up in a small bun with several curls cascading down her cheeks. She was radiant.
Billy politely handed her the flower box.
"For me?" she asked sweetly.
"Yes, we picked it out just for you," Billy answered, his voice quavering slightly.
Stormy opened it, and her eyes lit up. "It is beautiful!" she said.
Billy shifted in his stance, a huge smile on his face.
I helped her get the corsage out of the box and slipped it on her wrist.
"And I have something for you, too," Alexander said to me. He grabbed a small box off of the hallway table. "I hope you like it." I opened it to find a brilliant blue flower. "It totally matches my dress!" I said. I gave him a quick kiss. "It's perfect. How did you know?"
"I had a little help from a friend," he replied.
My brother smiled proudly.
I took it out of the box and tried my best to pin it on my dress.
"Here, let me help you," Alexander said.
"Don't prick your finger - " I said. "Or more importantly, mine."
Stormy and Billy watched as Alexander did his best not to draw blood out of either one of us.
Jameson opened the Mansion door for us and we piled into the car. As Alexander drove us to the dance, I hoped Billy didn't catch sight of his date missing in the rearview mirror.
When we arrived at Dullsville Middle, Billy hopped out of the car and opened the door for Stormy. Alexander and I eagerly followed the pair into the building.
Stormy wore my dress proudly; it fit her like a doll. She was beautiful and held her head high as she walked into the school next to Billy.
The middle school appeared the same as when I went there and when I'd visited it to meet Henry for the first time. Posters, signs, and handmade art peppered the hallways. Immediately we got stares from shocked attendees. We weren't following typical Dullsville student dress code - me in my corset dress, Stormy in hers, and Alexander in his tailored, million-dollar dark silk suit. Billy looked in place, but the students and faculty eyed his strange entourage.
Stormy seemed to glow in the school hallway. She responded like Alexander had when I'd brought him to Dullsville High for the first time. Since both Sterlings were homeschooled, they missed even the most mundane and minute things about school - a drinking fountain, a pep rally sign, a cafeteria. I'd have given all those things away for a coffin bed and a life without the sun. But I watched as Stormy took in the sights and smells of her new surroundings.
Billy did his best to overcome his shyness. He showed Stormy every inch of the school as if he were the school administrator. I was secretly proud of my brother. He treated Stormy as a gentleman would, opening doors for her and, once they were inside the gymnasium, offering her a drink.
The gymnasium was slightly transformed from a basketball court into the middle school's fall dance. Leaves decorated the walls alongside GO, EAGLES banners.
A long table held refreshments - bottled water, sodas, and juices - while another one had baskets filled with snacks. A dozen more cafeteria tables with plenty of seats lined the dance floor, and a DJ spun a slow love song.
What I hadn't anticipated were girls who seemed threatened by Stormy's presence. Especially the girl I'd once seen at a Math Club party. She stared at Alexander's sister with a jealous glare.
No one was out on the dance floor. Instead, all the students were sitting at the tables or hanging out by the snack area. Most of the girls were talking to other girls, and the guys were clustered together with their friends.
"I haven't been to many school dances. Is this what it's really like?" I asked Alexander.
"I don't know," he said. "I don't even go to school."
We both laughed.
"Why isn't anyone dancing?" Stormy asked Billy.
He shrugged his shoulders.
"Are we going to dance?" Stormy asked.
"Uh ... sure." He pulled awkwardly at his tie. "But maybe we should wait for a bit until some others start." Stormy tapped her witchy boot impatiently on the wooden floor. Then, all at once, she boldly grabbed Billy's hand and pulled him out to the middle of the gymnasium.
My brother was horrified. He stood alone with his odd date in the center of a hundred peers' watching eyes. I actually felt bad for him. I was afraid he'd freak out - run off the dance floor or even faint.
Whispers echoed throughout the gym. And then students started to laugh.
Billy watched as his classmates sneered at him and his date. His face flushed red. I guessed at any moment he'd hightail it out of there and we'd have to take a tearful Stormy home.