“Hey! Get your own fries!” I pull my plate closer to my chest, wrapping my arms around it like it’s a horde of gold.
“Everyone knows that the best fries are those that are stolen off other people’s plates. It the rule.”
“You owe me a bite of pancake.” I pout.
“Try your burger and fries first, and then we’ll talk.”
“Hmmphhfff.” I inhale, breathing in the scent of my food. Now, usually, the smell of a burger and fries makes my stomach growl and my mouth water. This time though…
I take a bite. “Oh, no.” I whine. It tastes like ash in my mouth. The texture feels wrong. “No, this can’t be happening.” I force myself to swallow, and then try chasing the burger bite with a fry. The fry is slightly better, and by that I mean it feels and tastes like a wet paper towel in my mouth. “Fucccckkkkk, man.”
Charlie’s joking demeanor slips away. “Are you okay, Kip?”
“No!” I cry out. “I’m not okay, Charlie. None of this is okay! Please, take a bite of this burger and tell me it tastes like ash and that the texture is all wrong. Tell me it’s not just me.”
Charlie grabs the burger from my plate, taking a bite. A small moan escapes his lips, and that’s when I know that this is really happening.
“I’m so sorry, Kip. But this burger…it’s fucking fantastic. The fries are too.” Charlie says apologetically.
“Tyson is so fucking dead.” I snarl. “And yes, I know that he’s already technically dead since he’s a vampire. But I’m going to kill the motherfucker again. Using me and taking advantage of my friendship, those are things that I could maybe get past. But this? Taking away the joy of food? Nu-uh. No fucking way am I moving past that.”
“Well, I mean…you probably shouldn’t move past the first two things either, but…”
“But the food…that’s the final straw.” I push the plate of food away from me, but I’m not used to my new strength because it goes flying off the table, shattering on the floor. “Fuck!”
Charlie joins me on the floor, helping me pick up the spilled food and shards of glass.
The waitress comes over with a broom and dustpan, shooing us away from the mess. “It’s alright, sugar. It happens. I’ll get it all cleaned up for you. Do you want another burger?”
“No.” I mope.
“Could I get a to-go box for my pancakes, Brenda?” Charlie pipes up. “You know, when you have a second. No rush.”
“Of course, sug.”
Fuck. It’s all starting to click. Tyson hasalwaysbeen weird about his diet and eating in front of other people. And now I realize it’s because he can’t fucking eat human food. And those protein drinks he’s always chugging? I definitely thought it was weird that they were always thick and red…like…blood…
Chapter Ten
Charlie
Going Through Changes
The diner was a disaster. I feel so bad for Kip. His entire life has shifted, and it’s clearly overwhelming for him. I can’t imagine. He seems to feel like he’s lost everything in the span of a couple of days, and I can’t blame him. But I want to be around to help him. Even though his life is changing, that doesn’t mean it’s over. It’s only a new beginning. Woah, when did I become such an optimist? Maybe Kip brings it out in me.
“I’m sorry you didn’t get to eat your pancakes.” Kip is glum as he drives towards my apartment.
I battle with myself, wanting to reach out and rest my palm on his thigh. I held his hand at the diner, but that seems more…innocent, in a way, than my hand on his leg. Friends can hold hands and it’s not all that weird. But friends don’t hold each other’s thighs.
In the end, I decide against it, chickening out. “It’s alright. I’ll eat them when I get home.”
We pull up to the curb outside of my complex, Kip placing the car in park. “Uhh, I also wanna thank you, Charlie. For tonight, and everything. It means a lot that you gave me your trust.”
The only four people I truly, openly trust are my Mom, and my four friends, Fae, Lukas and Tommy. And it took me years to really get there. But now I’m realizing, I added Kip to that list without much thought. Sure, yesterday I didn’t trust him as far as I could throw him (obviously not very far. Don’t even think I could lift the guy). It clicked into place today though, pretty much right when he showed me his vampire side.That took courage, and trust of his own. He’s been honest with me since he met me, and pleasant, even when I didn’t offer him the same.
I blink, emerging out of the hazy jumble of my head. “It’s no problem—” I turn to face Kip, only to find him slumped back in the driver’s seat. His head hangs limply to the side, and his skin has taken on a sickly gray hue.
Unbuckling, I quickly shuffle onto my knees, leaning over the center console towards Kip.
