Dance With A Vampire for Chapter 16

Billy Boy explained. "I thought maybe he might meet us here, but I haven't seen him. Why?" "Never mindMom and Dad are waiting for us at the Cricket Club. We want you to come over. " "The Cricket Club, " he said enthusiastically. "But I've already eaten. " "It doesn't matter; you can get dessert. " "But Star Wars is about to start. And I promised I'd go home with Henry. " Billy Boy was at the age where he preferred the company of his friends to his family. I nearly felt torn insisting my brother join us when he was having such a great time at the party, but I didn't have a choice. Valentine might be lurking in the Dead Tree Forestor anywhere in Dullsville, for that matter. "We'll bring Henry with us, " I said sternly. The preteen techno wizard then sauntered over. "Hi, guys. Have you come to watch the movie?" "No, we've come to take you and my brother to dinner. We have to hurry; Mom and Dad are waiting. " The librarian came over. His generous smile couldn't mask his concern that my brother was talking to a dark stranger. "This is my sisterand her boyfriend. " Billy Boy introduced us with a hint of pride. "We are just about to start the movie, " the book man began. "You are welcome to stay. " "Henry and I will have to take a rain check, " Billy Boy replied. "We have a match at the Cricket Club. " Back at the restaurant, Alexander placed his hand on my knee in between bites of his "bloody" steak. The Mitchells continued to eyeball us as Billy Boy and Henry took over the conversation, talking about computer math and the strange boy they met a few days ago at the library. "Maybe you shouldn't invite a boy over you don't know, " my mother said, sounding worried. "That's what I said. " "Did he transfer to your school?" she questioned. "No, I think he's visiting, " Billy Boy replied. "Who?" my mom asked. "Do you know his family?" Billy Boy turned to Henry, who just shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure I like you hanging around a boy who nobody knows anything about. " The truth was, Alexander and I did knowwe just couldn't tell. "Well, we'll find out all about him when we meet him tomorrow, "Billy Boy concluded. My dad quickly changed the conversation to Billy Boy's upcoming English project. "It's Facts Versus Folklore. We got to choose from a bunch of myths and legendsmermaids, werewolves, trolls. Henry and I picked vampires. I figured if we bring in Raven we'll get an easy A, " my brother said with a laugh. "Billybe kind, " my mother scolded. Little did they know who the real vampire at the table was. In spite of my family's intense inquiries, I could see Alexander was having fun.