“I really hope I can eat that burger and fries, or else I’m gonna be really bummed. And then my ‘friendship’ with Tyson will really never recover.” I mean, could you imagine? One of life’s greatest pleasures, taken away forever? Especially if I’m immortal…like never having a burger again? No thanks.
“So…Tyson…” Charlie hedges.
“Finnneee…I guess it might be nice to talk about it with someone.” I play with the water pooling on the outside of my glass. “It turns out, when we first met, he befriended me to use me basically as a blood bag. He said I was easy and trusting. He took advantage of my kindness, and that really fucking sucks because I thought we were best friends. He acted like he was my best friend. Tys said eventually he grew attached to me and actually views me as his friend, but how can I ever believe him?”
“That’s really fucked up, Kip.” Charlie gnaws on his lower lip, wanting to ask something but hesitating.
“Just ask.” I say after a minute of tense silence.
“You’re not…” He sighs, swiping his hair back with frustration. “You’re not using me like that, right? Sorry, it feels really shitty to ask, but I have to.”
“No! Of course not, Charlie. I was willing to die rather than hurt you or anyone else. You don’t really think that’s what this is, do you?”
Charlie shakes his head. “No, I don’t. But I don’t actually know you all that well, so maybe you’re playing me…but it doesn’t feel like you’re using me. You seem…genuinely nice.”
“I’m not playing you or using you. I like you. I feel like I’m drawn to you.” I swallow thickly.
“I like you too, Kip.” Charlie whispers. “You’re one of the most open, honest, and kind people I think I’ve ever met. And for what it’s worth, I’m sorry I was kind of a dick to you last night. I don’t trust easily, at all. I mean, I have a group of three friends, for fuck’s sake. Not only that, but I don’t really date. I’ve had some bad experiences, and it’s kind of turned me off of the whole scene. And to be frank, I’m kinda scared of this…and you.”
I freeze. “Y-you’re…scared of me?” That hurts.
“No, no, no. Not like that. Not because you’re you know…” He leans in and covers the side of his face to murmur “a vampire.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s not really you I’m afraid of, I suppose. More just…opening myself up to a new person. To be friends, or more, or whatever…” Charlie’s cheeks are bright pink, and I can almost feel the heat of shyness and embarrassment radiating off him.
“Do you want to be friends, or more, or whatever, with me, Charlie?” I tease, loving the way his blush deepens.
“Y-yes.” He squeaks.
“I think I’d like to be ‘or more’ with you.”
“W-why?” He rasps, glancing up at me through thick, dark lashes.
What does he mean, why? What kind of question is that? “Why not?”
“Well, I mean…isn’t it obvious? You’re you, and I’m me. We don’t make sense. You’re this giant, muscular, hunky dude who is ridiculously attractive and you could definitely get anyone you want. And I’m just a scrawny emo dude who is kind of a dick and often grumpy.”
I snort a laugh. “I like that you’re little, though you aren’t scrawny. You’re lean, but I have a feeling you’ve got muscles under all those black clothes. And I like that you’re grumpy on the outside…but I know that you aren’t like that with people you like, or at least you’re not like that with me…most of the time.” I say the last bit with a wink. “To me, you’re like a peanut butter M&M. You’ve got a hard shell on the outside, but on the inside you’re soft and creamy.”
“Oh my god, don’t ever call me creamy again. That’s fucking weird.” Charlie’s laugh is bright and melodic, tinkling through the air around us.
“Alright loves, we’ve got a full stack of chocolate chip pancakes for you.” The waitress sets the towering plate of pancakes (which, let’s be real, are clearly dessert disguised as breakfast) in front of Charlie. “And a cheeseburger with fries for you. Need anything else, darlin’s?”
“I think we’re good here, Brenda. Thank you.” I flash her a smile.
“Alright, holler if you need anything.” Brenda, the waitress, says before heading off to help a new table that was just seated.
“Moment of truth. Can vampires eat human food? Find out next on Kip the Vampire Hunk!” Charlie deepens his voice, narrating the scene like he’s announcing the cliffhanger of a TVshow.
The bite of burger I had in my mouth gets lodged in my throat when I chortle at his antics, making me choke. “Fuck…” I wheeze, hacking up the stuck beef into a napkin.
“It’s not starting off well, folks.” Charlie impersonates an announcer.
“Gee, I wonder why?” I say sarcastically.
“Sorry, sorry. You gotta admit though, it was pretty funny.” Charlie shrugs, stealing a fry off my plate and popping it into his mouth.
