A Thrilling Announcement
I glanced at Ari, who’d been acting weird all day. She’d been normal during yesterday’s deep clean that admittedly wasn’t that bad, but she’d barely spoken today aside from a flat ‘good morning’ a few hours ago.
“Are you gonna tell me what’s wrong?” I finally asked.
She bit her lip before saying, “I guess. But first, I’m kinda hungry.” She patted her stomach. “Do you want a snack?”
“I could eat. Food sounds fun.” I waited on the couch while she grabbed us snacks, trying to guess what might be wrong. She hadn’t studied, hadn’t insulted me, hadn’t even told me to change my cartoons all day. It was bizarre.
“We need to talk about something before my dad comes home.” Ari returned and gave me a dessert bar. He’d left for the train station a couple of hours ago, meaning he’d be back with Aunt Helen any minute.
“Oh gosh, what’d I do now?”
She laughed and plopped down beside me. “Nothing. It’s about me.” I took a bite, waiting for this mysterious conversation to begin. “I wanna become a vampire.”
“What?” I nearly dropped my food. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? You know I’ve been waiting for this!”
“Because I didn’t wanna get your hopes up in case I changed my mind. I’ve been thinking about it since the night Sean bound me. And I finally decided. I wanna do it. Sometime soon.”
“I can’t believe this.” I shoved another bite in my mouth and chewed way too enthusiastically, then started choking.
“Are you okay?” She smacked my back until I regained composure. “Do you need water?”
“I’m fine.” I brushed off her concern. “I choke on dicks and smother in pussy all the time. This bar is nothing.” I grinned as she burst out laughing. “Okay but for real, this is so exciting. We can finally play fight again without me having to hold back.”
“You’ve always held back. We both know you could kick my ass in two seconds. I appreciate you pretending, though. I’m gonna call Sean so we can talk details and figure out when he can do it.”
“Good idea.” I finished my bar and hopped up to toss the wrapper before running back to nearly sit in her lap.
“I’m so excited! Okay, we’ll ask if he’s free tomorrow.
Wait, no. Tomorrow’s Thanksgiving. Friday!
Wait, that won’t work. Friday is my stupid therapy appointment.
” I pretended to gag as she smiled. “And Aunt Helen will still be in town.”
“It can’t be that soon. I meant a few weeks from now. I have to finish my semester first because I can’t afford to miss class when it’s sunny. I also wanna walk, so it needs to be after the ceremony.”
“Ugh, really? You should just drop out.”
“Absolutely not.” She looked at me like I was insane. I returned the look; she was insane for doing four extra years of school. “Don’t worry, I already checked on grad school and they offer night classes.”
“Why would I ever worry about that?”
A noise came from the garage and she screamed. I leapt up to protect her, then sat back down when Sean strode into the living room.
“You called?” he asked.
“Hey, Vixen.” Dennis followed.
“We’re literally right by the door.” Ari flung an arm toward the entryway. “You can’t ring a doorbell instead of breaking in?”
“It’s more fun this way,” Sean said, unfazed by her glare. He and Dennis sat on the couch opposite ours. “So, what’s up?”
“What do you mean, ‘what’s up?’ Why are you here?”
“I heard you saying—or thinking, I guess—that you wanna tell me something. We were leaving the store a couple blocks away, so I figured we’d pop in and see if you need me.
I promise we weren’t purposely stalking you this time.
” He pointed to Dennis, who held up a six-pack of beer and a bottle of whiskey as proof.
“She wants to join us!” I shouted, baring my fangs.
“You wanna become a vampire?” Sean asked, barely suppressing a grin. “What made you change your mind?”
“I don’t know. I just want to?”
“You have a reason. You always have a reason for everything.” Dennis was watching her, too. “What is it?”
She hesitated, opened her mouth, then shut it and shrugged.
“If you don’t wanna tell us, it’s okay,” I said. I knew she would tell me later when we were alone. She probably didn’t wanna open up around them.
“When do you wanna do it?” Sean asked.
“In a few weeks. After graduation.”
“Cool. We’ll make it happen.” He exchanged a look with Dennis, then broke out in an adorable smile. “Anything else you wanna talk about?”
“No. That’s it.” She adjusted her glasses and stood. “I’m gonna check my planner so I can pick a day. Wanna help? I guess you’ll need to be there too.” She giggled as Sean followed her upstairs.
“Isn’t this so exciting?” I gushed, turning to Dennis. Before he could respond, the doorbell rang. “Aunt Helen!” I hopped up and ran to the door, yanking it open.
Just as I thought, a beaming Aunt Helen was on the porch.
“Emy,” she snatched me up in a hug, “I missed you so much! How are you? How have you been? I heard you have a job now. How is it? Are you dating anyone? Guys, girls? Have you met any cute ones yet?” The questions continued as I stood there in shock.
I was hugging her back, of course, but I was confused by her excitement.
She stopped talking and let go. “What’s the matter? Why’re you so quiet?”
“I thought you wouldn’t miss me because you didn’t want me to live with you anymore?”
“Oh, Emy, that’s not true at all,” she said.
“I only suggested you move because I know how much better off you are with Ari. I miss you like crazy and I worry about you so much.” She held me at arm’s length and looked in my eyes.
“I would’ve kept you in a heartbeat if you weren’t so miserable in Newark. ”
I tried not to blink as my eyes brimmed with tears. Barely, but they were there. “I love you.” I hugged her again, this time without the shock or confusion.
“I love you, too.” She rubbed my back while Uncle Tom squished past us with her suitcases. “Don’t ever think I didn’t want you. Every year I didn’t take you in was a mistake, and I’ll never forgive myself for it.”
“Auntie!” Ari came stampeding downstairs and knocked me aside to dive in her arms.
Aunt Helen laughed and widened her arms to hug us both. “It’s so good to see you girls. I miss you both so much.” She gently pried us off so we could pass the doorway and enter the living room, where Sean and Dennis had already greeted Uncle Tom.
“Auntie, this is Sean,” Ari gestured toward him. “And that’s Dennis. Sean and Dennis, this is our Aunt Helen.”
“Call me Helen,” she told them.
“Nice to meet you, Helen.” Sean was the first to shake her hand. “We’re just leaving. We’ll see you guys later.”
“Nice to meet you.” Dennis passed the drinks to Sean and shook her hand next, seeming faintly amused when her eyes lingered on the ‘bloodlust’ across his knuckles.
“You too.” She recovered quickly and smiled.
“See you later.” Dennis flashed a smirk at me, and then they were out the door.
I looked at Ari, who looked at me, and a silent conversation was had. “You wanna invite them tomorrow?” I was the first to ask it out loud.
Her face lit up and we both looked to her dad. “Can we?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“We’ll be right back.” I grabbed Ari’s hand and we hurried outside. “Wait!” I shouted after the guys, who were halfway down the block. They waited for us to catch up.
“What’re you doing for Thanksgiving?” Ari asked.
Sean grinned while Dennis’ face remained blank.
“Nothing,” Dennis said, running a hand through his hair. “We never do anything.”
“I don’t visit my family. I don’t get along with them much,” Sean said.
“You wanna come over?” I paused before adding, “Mateo, too.”
“Mateo always leaves to visit family,” Dennis said.
“Sure. I’ll come,” Sean said.
“I’ll pass.”
“But it’s Thanksgiving. You’re supposed to be with the people you care about.” I pouted at Dennis, not even trying to be cute this time. I was genuinely sad.
“And give thanks for what?” He raised an eyebrow, pessimistic as always.
“For having the perfect bind,” I said quietly.
“You’re so conceited.” Ari laughed, but I shook my head.
“No,” I looked at Dennis, “I was talking about you.”
He stared at me for several seconds and I awkwardly stared back. And then his lips turned up in a smile. “I guess I’ll come.”
“Yay!” I grabbed him in a tight hug. I had no intention of letting go.
“Vixen.” He clearly wanted to be free.
“Nope.” I buried my face in his yummy smelling neck. “I’m comfy.”
“Should we bring anything tomorrow?” Sean asked.
“I think we got it covered,” Ari said. “Thanks, though.”
“I have a question,” I piped up. Dennis took the moment to move me off and I grudgingly obliged. “What about blood tomorrow? Should we go drink in the morning?”
“I can bring some to go with dinner,” Dennis said.
“You can what?” I thought I’d misheard, but he repeated the sentence. “Where’re you gonna get it from without killing someone?”
“I have my ways. I brought you blood last time, didn’t I? Don’t worry about it.”
“You guys have to get here at nine tomorrow morning,” Ari said, trying to hide her uneasiness at his words. “The parade starts at nine. At the end of the parade, Santa comes out and we have to see him. It’s tradition.”
“You’re such babies,” Dennis said.
“Rude.” I made a face at him. “Come watch Santa or you can’t come over.”
“I’ll be here at nine,” Sean promised.
“I guess I’ll humor you and watch Santa. Even though he’s not real.”
I gasped as Ari shouted, “How dare you! How could you say such a thing?”
“Yeah, how could you? Santa’s not gonna bring you any presents if you keep talking shit.” I placed my hands on my hips. ‘Twas a real warning. Sean laughed, but Dennis didn’t bother responding. “We’ll see you tomorrow, then?” They both agreed. I waved goodbye as they started walking again.
“Get here at nine or we’re locking you out,” Ari called after them.
Sean gave a thumbs up over his shoulder. Ari and I exchanged a triumphant smile before going back inside.
“They’ll be here at nine,” I announced. “Thanks for letting them come, Uncle Tom.”
“No problem, niecy. I wanna get to know them more, anyway. We didn’t get to finish last time.” He was sitting on the couch across from Aunt Helen, who was watching us intently.
“Tell me about these binds of yours.” She propped her chin on a hand.
“You know about it too?” Ari asked.
“Of course I do. I wanna hear all about it. And I wanna hear about life as a vampire, Emy. Tell me everything.” She patted the couch cushions, motioning for us to sit beside her.
I smiled and sat on her left while Ari took the right. A couple hours passed of the four of us talking and catching up. Aunt Helen had a million questions about Ari’s school, Sean, my new job, possible friends or love interests I had met, and about a thousand other things.
“So there’s no one at all?” She was watching me for signs of lying. “I don’t understand how you don’t get snatched up. You’re so much fun.”
“Thanks.” I leaned back on the couch. “I’ve been asked on a couple dates by guys but I said no. There is this girl named Fiona, but I’m not sure if she’s flirting with me or just really nice? Either way, there’s no one I like.”
“Except Dennis.”
“No.” I glared at Ari, who was snickering. “He’s an amazing bind, but I don’t date or ‘like’ people. You know that.”
“Sure.” Aunt Helen didn’t seem to believe me, either. “So when you say he’s amazing, what do you mean?”
“Yeah,” Uncle Tom joined in, “what do you mean?”
“Are we really doing this?” I groaned.
“I’m waiting.” Aunt Helen clasped her fingers.
“Yeah, we’re waiting. It’s your turn.” Ari leaned around Aunt Helen to laugh at me. She’d already gone through a Sean interrogation and was clearly hoping I’d suffer the same fate.
“Fine.” I sighed. There was no escape. “Well, he’s super smart. He went to a fancy college and got two degrees, one in Forensic Science and the other in Psychology with a focus on abnormal psychology and a minor in criminal studies—”
“Criminology,” Ari corrected.
“Close enough. I will admit he’s a sarcastic asshole, but he’s really sweet when it matters.
He’s seen me have a few breakdowns already—like really, really bad ones—and he’s always so patient about it.
He even asks Ari questions so he knows how to handle my episodes.
He’s already figured out how to talk me down from panic attacks, almost as well as Ari can.
He always pops up the second I need him and he’s saved us from other vampires a few times.
He’s been helping me get the hang of drinking without losing control so I won’t hurt anyone.
He also sleeps in a coffin because he thinks it’s funny and I’m pretty sure he’s a pyromaniac.
He’s obsessed with this red lighter he has, but I bought him a really cool stake one the other day and he threw the red one away.
He also got me a super cute stuffed animal!
I love it.” I realized I was rambling and stopped.
“He sounds wonderful,” Aunt Helen said. Uncle Tom grunted and she shot him a look. “What does that mean, Tommy? Do you disapprove?”
“I haven’t decided yet.”
“Of course you haven’t.” She waved him off before beaming at me and Ari. “Well, I think he sounds very sweet.”
Ari and I fell into a fit of laughter, drawing a confused look from Aunt Helen but an unsurprised one from Uncle Tom.
“Sorry,” Ari managed. “It’s just… he’s not. I mean, he is with Emy. But literally no one else.”
“Is he mean to you?” Uncle Tom was about to stand up.
“No,” she said quickly. “No, he’s not mean to me. He looks out for me too. He’s not sweet to me, but not mean. He’s just…” She shrugged instead of finishing.
“I don’t know if I like that,” Uncle Tom said.
“Dad, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. He actually stood up for me when some guy was being rude at the bar a few days ago. Plus, he’s basically obsessed with Emy and I’m basically half of her, so I’m fine.”
“He knows we’re a two for one,” I said. “Buy one, get one free. A BOGO sale, if you will—”
“Stop,” Ari cut me off while Aunt Helen cackled.
At least someone enjoyed my hilariousness. It was nice having her back.