Raja Finns was not taking no for an answer this time.
I watch her slide effortlessly unto the bed, sitting with that glamour grace that comes with being associated with Dammy Brentwood... Like.. The Dammy Brentwood.. Of Moon Sol. A short knee length strapless dress, a pair of cowboy boots and her corpse white skin shiny in the magnetic exuberance of fame.
"Honey, you haven't been answering the phone for days" She says , stylishly crossing her legs "Four days precisely."
Yes. The four days I had been holed up with Robbespierre, slowly perfecting the complexities of Telectrokinesis.
Well it worked. Atleast I hadn't fried anybody against my wish. And now I could walk gloveless and bare, letting my fingers breathe even if the sparks always seemed to hover on my fingertips. Like when I woke up frayed. Or totally pissed at Beth's loud music choices, especially that god-awful one she was fond of playing at 6:Am . Something about snakes and shadows.
"School work" I mutter with a sigh, staring at my tired face in the mirror. I needed a long day of rest. A long day of lying tangled up in my sheets, in blissful unconsciousness.
Well peace was a myth really because Raja was trying to ship me up with Derrick Vale... Again. Like the Derrick Vale.. Of Moon Sol. Shouldn't I be waltzing around somewhere in a grateful Barbie dance in pink shoes and ten thousand startstruck versions of 'Wow'.
"And that , honey" Raja says, walking towards me "is the reason I don't regret laying off school. I mean, what time would I get to spend with Dammy "
"No time at all " I snicker, watching her shadowless form clasp and unclasp my hair without feeling horror creep up my spine.
Nine months rooming with Beth and I had realized that Vampires had no mirror shadow. Beth had said it's because a mirror is a portal that could snatch up their fragility. Well, they had no soul.
Fragile indeed.
Raja continues "And you can't imagine the beautiful things I have told Derrick about you" She sighs "Honey, broaden out a bit. Meet new people. You will be going back to your world in three months and the least you can do is shack up with a celebrity. "
I open my mouth to protest
"Yes" Raja waves a hand dismissively "I know. Well, shack up with a celebrity who is not " She lowers her voice "A werewolf."
I snort sarcastically "I see what you did there. "
"Yes " She drops her hands to my shoulders, massaging them lightly "Honey, it is what it is. Jordan cannot love you. Loudly. Publicly. You are only prepping your heart for eventual pain. All this hocus pocus secret love affair will eventually die " Her next words hit me with the precision it was aimed with "A secret."
I cock an eyebrow, letting the lie smoothen out from my scorching throat and my voice struggling to keep steady "Well Raj, it might interest you to know that Jordan and I are just friends. " I click my hands for emphasis "With no hocus pocus".
Raja gives a wicked smile "Lie all you want, honey. Anyways, I still think you should broaden out and meet people. Of the non clawless kind "
"You know, you're beginning to sound like Beth," I say, picking at the chipped polish on my thumb. "She also thinks I should go outside, 'breathe air' and 'talk to people.'"
Raja grins "And you should. You've been cooped up for days. Well I'm here to intervene."
"Yeah, but your intervention involve champagne."
"Exactly my point." She stands, brushing invisible dust off her dress. "So you're coming."
I groan. "Raja, you're not listening. I don't date people I can Google."
"You can Google everyone."
"Not like Derrick Vale. His fan page has a theme song, Raj."
She laughs — a soft, expensive laugh that somehow makes me feel like the joke's on me. "You make it sound like it's a crime to have admirers."
"It should be. His face should be on wanted posters. For being insufferably perfect."
"That's jealousy talking."
"That's exhaustion talking," I correct, dropping my head into my hands. "I have nothing to wear, nothing to say, and absolutely zero interest in sitting across from a walking sports car."
"You don't have to talk," Raja says with a smirk. "Just look mysterious. You do that so well. Maybe flick some of your moody electricity or whatever when he compliments you."
"Raja—"
"Honey, it's one dinner. With Derrick Vale. The Derrick Vale. He's not even my type and I'd still go just to be seen breathing the same oxygen."
"The peculiar oxygen you have been breathing since you began dating Dammy Brentwood" I snort.
"Exactly my point " She laughs "One of the many thrills of substantial networking."
"You're not going to stop till I say yes, are you?"
Raja smiles, that patient, feline smile that says she's already won. "No, darling. I never stop. I just change strategy."
And damn it — I know that tone.
"And about that dress " Raja says smugly "I have just the perfect thing for you."
I groan.
Knowing fully well I'm about to be dressed as a half plucked chicken.