“I don’t know that many vampires, if they were real, would ask for consent though, ya know? They’re the predators and we’re the prey, man.”
“I’d never feed off somebody without their consent, Chuck. Never.”
“I know you wouldn’t, K-kip. I don’t know you that well, but I can tell you’re a good guy.”
“Thanks, buddy.” I bump my shoulder into Charlie’s, but I must’ve done it harder than I thought because he tips over. “Are you okay?!” I’m horrified for a moment, worried that I hurt my new friend.
But Charlie just bursts into a full belly laugh. “You’re so strong and muscly. I’ve never seen someone as beefed up as you. It’s so hot. Usually I’m not into the whole jock vibe, but you’re different.” He slurs, sitting up.
“Thanks, buddy. But I guess I don’t really see myself as a jock though. I’m not into sports. I just like lifting.”
“Cool, cool, cool. That’s super cool. I bet you could toss me around easily.” Charlie says, waggling his brows. “Ya know, I was a bit afraid of you last night, when you helped me in the bathroom. I haven’t had goodexperiences with big dudes like you. I was bullied a lot in high school by guys who look like you. But you aren’t like them, Kip. Not one bit.”
The thought of someone picking on Charlie makes my blood heat. I’m not an angry or violent dude, but I can’t stand people who hurt others, especially if they’re smaller.
“Those types of guys don’t feel good about themselves, and think that by bullying others it’ll help them feel bigger and better. I guarantee it wasn’t about you, Charlie. It was about them feeling like shit. They picked you because you were smaller than them, and they saw that as a weakness.”
Charlie looks at me with wide, watery eyes. “Woah. That was really profound, Kip. I’m sorry I thought you were just a dumb jock. You’re not dumb at all, and you’re more than your looks.”
I’m not even hurt by Charlie’s words and judgements. I’m used to it. “It’s okay, buddy. I’m used to people judging me like that when they first meet me. I know how I look, like a total meathead. And to be honest, I am kinda dumb.”
Charlie gasps, reaching up to grip my shoulders tightly. “No, no, no! You are not dumb, Kip. You’re intuitive, and sweet, and kind, and like a big, buff, teddy bear. Don’t talk down about yourself.”
My eyes prickle with tears. I pull Charlie into my arms, squeezing him into a tight hug. “Thank you, Charlie.”
To my surprise, Charlie leans into the hug, wrapping his arms around my neck and burrowing his face in my chest. “Mmmmm…why do you have to smell good too?” He sighs.
I chuckle, running my nose along the side of his pale throat. I inhale, taking his sweet cinnamon sugar scent in. Something within my chest stirs as I press my nose harder into his skin. I can feel his pulse fluttering against my mouth. My teeth begin to ache, and my mouth waters. I want a taste. One little taste of his sweetness.
My gums hurt. Why do they hurt? I whine, feeling like my gums are being sliced open and something pushes out from my gums.
Fangs. Oh, fuck.
I shudder as my fangs scrape Charlie skin. I won’t hurt him. I force myself back, unwrapping Charlie’s arms around me so I can scoot away.I can feel my fangs against my bottom lip, sticking out of my mouth. Using my hand, I cover my face and turn away.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Charlie says, suddenly sounding a lot more sober.
“Uuuuhhh…nothing.” My fangs cause me to have a prominent lisp.
I’m not looking at Charlie, but I can feel him close in on himself.
“It’s me, isn’t it? I’m sorry. I thought…” he sniffles. “I thought maybe you liked me. But of course you don’t. You’re you, and I’m, well…me.” I feel the sadness rippling off of him, and it hurts me.
“No, Charlie. That’s not it at all. There’s nothing wrong with you. And I do like you, a lot actually.”
“Then why did you pull away like that? And why won’t you look at me?” His voice sounds so small and broken.
I have a choice to make right now. I really don’t want to hurt Charlie, and if I lie about what’s happening, he’ll think he did something wrong. Showing him my fangs will prove that I’m a vampire, but what if I scare him? What if he runs away and never comes back? That idea hurts my heart. I don’t want him to be scared of me. I don’t want to lose him. Even though we just met, the idea of him leaving me is unimaginable.
“I think I’m gonna go.” Charlie says softly, while he starts to scoot out of the booth.
I can’t let him go.
Chapter Eight
Charlie
So…vampires are real…
