Dance With A Vampire for Chapter 8

"Alexander's homeschooled, " my mother announced. You go, Sarah Madison, I thought to myself. "Trevor was seeing a girl from Romania, " Mrs. Mitchell said, then turned to Alexander. "I believe she was a friend of yours. " Alexander shrugged his shoulders. "We lived in the same town as the Maxwells, but we didn't see one another much. " "Interesting, " Mrs. Mitchell retorted. "Anyway, she seems to have suddenly disappeared. " Then Mrs. Mitchell glared at me and raised one brown-pencil-drawn eyebrow, as if I'd had something to do with Luna's departurewhich I did. "Well, it was great seeing you, " my dad interjected, forcing an end to the horribly awkward conversation. "Of course. Mr. Mitchell will be arriving soon and I must get back to my table before they take it away. It was a delight to see you all, " she said, and headed back to her booth. "Thank you, " I mouthed to my father. We all breathed a collective sigh of relief, for different reasons, as we placed our blue linen napkins on our laps. As we perused the menus, I racked my brain for a plan. Just then a bearded waiter came over, recited the specials with a fake English accent, and dashed off with our drink orders. "Don't be shy, Alexander, " my mother began. "Order whatever you like. They're known for their fish and chips and bangers and mash. " "Alexander loves steak, " I suggested. "Then order the steakThis is great, isn't it? We really haven't had a chance to talk. Either you two are heading out for the night or we're surrounded by other parents at parties. It's great to have the chance for a private conversation. " "So what sports are you into?" my dad asked. "Football or basketball?" I rolled my eyes. "Alexander's an artist, Dad. He's not into sports. " "Oh, " my dad said, fidgeting in his seat, dumbfounded as to how he would communicate with another male now that the subject of athletics was off the table. "Uhthat's okay, " he stammered. "Raven's mother used to draw sketches when we first dated. " "I didn't know that, " I said. "What do you draw?" Alexander asked eagerly. "Oh, that was ages ago.