“You look like one.I’m so jealous right now, I’m not gonna lie. You’re like one of those ridiculous commercials where the girl rolls out of bed looking amazing and you’re just like, who does that? That doesn’t happen. Except apparently it does for vampires.”Aritook her phone back as I laughed.
“You could join the club, y’know.”I wiggled my eyebrows, trying to be enticing, but she shook her head. “Thanks so much for last night, by the way. I was acting ridiculous. I hate when that happens. It’s so embarrassing. Especially with people around.”
“It’s fine. And completely understandable. I probably would’ve been the same way. Maybe even worse.”
“You’re the best cousin ever.”I threw my arms around her, careful not to be too forceful. I finally understood why Dennis always called us fragile. I felt so powerful now. It was weird.
“I know.”She laughed before pushing me away.“Take a shower so I can take one, too.”
“Watch, I bet I can shower in like two minutes now that I have super speed.”I grinned and stripped before hopping into the shower.
“Please don’t start trying to be a super—”
“Hero!”I gasped in delight. “I’m totally gonna be a superhero now.Wait. No. I’m gonna—”
“You cannot be a super villain.”
“Why not? I have the powers and I’m sexy enough. All I need is an epic costume.I bet there’s one in my closet.”I stopped talking to mentally comb through my wardrobe. There were lots of good options.
“You really did only take a minute,”Ari said as I finished showering and stepped out for a towel. She was brushing her hair now.
“Told you. Super speed. Why’re you doing your hair before you shower?”
“No reason.”Her response came way too fast.
“You’re getting cute for Sean, aren’t you?”
“No.”
“You’re totally fixing yourself in case they barge in again,”I went on, laughing as she made a face in the mirror.“Don’t worry, you look much cuter this time.”
“I know.” Shesmiledand kept brushing.Evenher pajamas were more prepared: a cute set instead of yesterday’s oversized and mismatched combination.“I don’t like him or anything. I just wanna look decent.”
“Sure you don’t.” I knotted my towel to stay up and stood beside her to stare at my lack of reflection.“This is allso weird.”I poked a fang, then gasped when a brilliant idea hit.“I have a genius idea.”
“What now?”shedroned.“You better not be planning to make me your sidekick or something,‘cause I’m not doingit.”
“That’s a greatidea,but no. I was gonna ask if I can bite you?”
“Of course not.”She stopped brushing to look at me.“Why would you ask such a stupid question?”
“Because I wanna test my fangs,”I said. It made perfect sense.
“There’s no way in hell I’m letting you bite me. What if you accidentally kill me?”
“I won’t. That would be stupid.”
“You’re stupid.”
“Please?”I pouted, hoping it would change her mind.
“That’s not gonna work.”She turned back to the mirror to continue brushing.
“But it’ll be like a movie. The bathroom is even steamy from my shower. Just pretend it’sdramatic fog that swept in when I waved my cape.”I twirled my arms, acting it out as best I could.
“No. Shut up.”
“Please?”
