“I don’t understand why you’re fretting? We should be pissed at you for dragging us out of the club. You had sex with a human congratulation! So what?”
Billy had his legs up on the table in the AA room. He had a beer in his hand and a bowl of chips on his lap. They were trying to watch a football game, but Ash was pacing up and down in front of the TV.
“You didn’t bite her, well not deep enough to change her. You didn’t kill her or feed on her, you had consensual mind blowing sex, as per what you’ve told us, exactly what are you wearing out the floor for?” Joe was sitting on the arm of the couch. He was getting tired of Ash’s hysterias. They had been at it since they got back and Ash hadn’t calmed down yet.
“Correction, she had mind blowing sex, Ash just got satisfied otherwise there would be something to worry about. Now will you please tell us exactly what is bugging you because I can&rsqu
“Earth to Lee, earth to Lee.” Maria was waving her hands in front of her. “Hey, where did you go?”Lee was thinking of Ash again. She was hoping he was going to show up, but she wasn’t so sure. Maria had called Joe when she was in the bath, setting up a lunch date for the six of them. She wanted to invite Ash and didn’t want Lee within earshot in case he said no. She saw the lasting effect he had on Lee and knew she had to give them another chance with a proper first date with her and Ann in the room to make sure it stayed that way, proper. She was more convinced about her decision because of Lee’s constant dazed status.Lee was pissed she hadn’t been consulted, but there wasn’t much she could do about it. She didn’t want to come off as desperate and needy, but there was no denying it, she wanted to see him again.It had been three days, since she last saw or talked to him. Billy and Joe had the house p
The house door banged, and then a loud splitting sound followed.“Billy, will you please calm down? Now look, you broke the door in half!” Joe grumbled.Ash came out of the AA room to see what was going on. Billy was fuming, any madder and he would have turned wolf. Joe was standing by the door, attempting to fix it. Billy had slugged it so hard that it split in two. One of the halves was hanging loosely.Ash turned and saw Billy march right past him without saying a word. He went up the stairs and into his room, this time he didn’t bang the door as hard.There was a short splitting sound before a loud thud. Half the door was on the floor, Joe stood next to it, helpless. Ash was even more confused now.“What’s eating him?”“He had a fight with Ann.”“It must have been pretty bad for him to break the door. What was it about?”“Lee.”Ash became uneasy.
The final bell rang releasing them from history class. Lee walked out of building and headed out to the parking lot. She didn’t have that many friends, so there was nothing that kept her hanging around school for long, apart from the few persistent boys and the glowering girls who only talked to her because their crushes were chasing after her, ready to make themselves available for the dates she turned down. She was a loner; she liked being that way, and of course being socially awkward did play a big part in it.All of a sudden the offers had increased in numbers, she was under the impression the word ‘single’ was carved on her forehead and ‘desperate for an Ash substitute’ pasted on her back. George was his usual slimy unrelenting self and Josh was also playing his odds but at a more gentlemanly patient way. Lee thought of saying yes to Josh a couple of times just to irritate George but that would only open the door for a second date which she
Ash took a moment and let her feel comfortable before he ambushed her. Joe had told him Lee’s real age. He was annoyed that she lied to him but more annoyed at himself for sleeping with a girl who was practically an infant to him. But it was difficult staying mad at her when he saw her hazel eyes light up in victory because he paid no attention to Jane.They were both too young for him and he knew better than to get involved with either of them, even though the ship had already sailed with Lee. Jane was beautiful, but it was difficult not to ogle Lee. Not only because her hazel eyes reminded him of Rosa but also she had this familiar sadness that attracted him and a mysterious presence that demanded attention even when it was so clear that she didn’t want it.“So how was school today?”“It was okay. Classes dragged on…” Lee stopped and looked at him, the edge of his lips were curved up in a smile. She smiled back.
“Lee, Lee!” she turned to face Jane running down the hall toward her. She wasn’t feeling sociable today, especially to the beauty queen.“Hi, Jane.” Her cheeks were hurting from all the fake smiles she had on today.“Hi. I thought we’d have lunch together, since you can’t hide in your car today. Where is it anyway?”“My sisters are using it,” Lee answered, hiding the annoyance she was feeling. Jane always had to know every single detail. They walked into the cafeteria and lined up to get lunch. She pulled out her wallet to pay for her tray but Jane beat her to it.“I got it.” She handed the lunch lady her credit card. Lee never understood why she wasn’t at some high-class private school with all the money she flashed around.“Thanks.” Lee walked to the empty table next to some guys from their class.“Hi, Lee.” George turned around on h
Lee’s head shot forward, she hadn’t even seen him. What is Ash doing here? Did he come to scold me some more or torture me with someone I can’t have? Seeing him made her chest tighten in pain.“Who are you?” George asked rudely.“A friend,” Ash responded coldly. She followed his fixed sharp gaze. He was staring at her arm; at George’s fingers on her arm.“Hi guys, Ash.” Jane sang out Ash’s name, she appeared out of nowhere.This was turning out to be a perfect day for Lee.“Jane.” He gave her a crooked smile before he looked back at Lee.“Did Lee tell you about our double date?” She swung on her heels looking very cute in her blue short dress.“What?” His eyes were wide and dark, angrily staring into Lee’s. She cringed back. His gaze softened at her reaction. “Who’s the fourth party?” He bit out.
Ann was floating again. Forcing her to make up with Billy paid off. She was daydreaming at work, in class, everywhere they went. Lee was glad she was happy again. Having an angry Ann wasn’t beneficial to anyone, not even total strangers, especially not her sisters. “It’s a slow day girls, I don’t think you need to stay any longer.” Luke, the owner of the diner was standing at the door looking out at the empty streets. The Palm Bay beach party had made all the businesses around very slow. Everyone was there, well except the girls. They had their shift to work, which was turning out to be a half-day. “Luke, why don’t you go, we’ll lock up,” Lee offered. There was also no point in him staying. “Thanks girls.” He walked to his office, took his coat and left the back way. Maria had already started putting the sauces away. Lee cleared the tables before they put the chairs on them. Ann was at the counter talking on her phone. One guess whom she was talking to? Her phone had been glued to
Ann pointed a warning finger at her. “Don’t you dare!”“Ann, I want to be rid of him. I’m not taking any chances with him around Lee.”Lee shot a glare at Maria. She couldn’t believe she’d thought so little of her. Then again, Lee’s choice in men hadn’t been irreproachable—two out of two turned out to be major heartbreaks. But going back to Steve that would be beyond stupid of her!“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”“I didn’t mean it that way. You are vulnerable right now, and he might take advantage of that.”“She’s right. Bum, I’ll get your bag for you.” Ann walked behind him and picked up his bag. He tried to grab her hand to stop her but she ducked away. She opened the deli door and tossed it out.She turned around, a wide grin on her face. “Now that the garbage is out, how about we take out the real trash?&rdqu