Point Blank Perilous

THREE. Pity Party

In that moment, Chaeah had already told herself it was time to leave about a thousand times. But before the sweet relief of escape could hit, a sudden hand stopped her at the door, gently grabbing onto her wrist.

"You can't leave just yet," Minji smiled toward her, the newspaper rolled up into her other hand. "I want you to be my plus one tonight."

Plus one? Chaeah furrowed her eyebrows, "to what?"

Minji let go of her wrist with a sigh, "tonight in celebration of the new school year, there is going to be a midnight pool party. Jungkook told us our clan was invited at lunch."

Another reason why she shouldn't have missed out. Great. "At midnight? Is that because of the sun? I mean it's uh...not really sunny outside."

"Safety first. Behind the academy is a large swimming center with all kinds of fun things for humans like you to enjoy. What do you say?" Minji asked eagerly. Her eyes were huge and full of excitement; to say vampires had no sense of emotion really was a cruel injustice!

"Ah," she replied tenderly. "How could I say no to that? But....I really didn't bring a swimsuit with me...!"

"Pfft, that's no big deal! There are two other girls in this house, you can borrow one of mine," Minji winked. "I'd say Yoonji's, but grandma is no fun with her fashion choices."

Grandma?? How old is Yoonji exactly???

"Okay then. I guess I'm your plus one now."

"Oh how exciting!" Minji clasped her hands together. "None of the others wanted to go, but I really did! I mean Jungkook's forcing them anyway but still."

Chaeah almost smiled. As odd as it sounded, Minji reminded her of her own mother. Perhaps it dictated her age, but it was endearing more than it was cringeworthy. This vampire woman was too nice; Chaeah felt spoiled.

"And there is one more thing I should mention," Minji pointed a finger up before gently poking Chaeah's chest. "It's an interracial pool party, but you should stick on the vampire side."

"Why's that? Werewolves have treated me with kindness thus far?"

"They're as competitive as they are predatory. If they see you on our side even just once, they'll cast you out," Minji told. "For a species that puts so much emphasis on family, they're quick to throw out one of their own."

Chaeah didn't comment on it.

Minji glanced over to a grandfather clock nestled in the corner of the living area. Almost immediately afterward, it begun to chime in a deep howling ring. "Ah, we should get ready now," she says calmly, despite the excitement written all over her expression.

"Isn't it safer to get ready for the midnight pool party at uh...around midnight?" Chaeah asked, following behind her carefully. "I thought vampires had all the time in the world."

The two strode into Minji's bedroom. "Both now and when I was human, it always took me plenty of time to get ready for an event," she told in reply.

The bedroom was colorfully well decorated, organized, and most importantly—cozy! Chaeah was in awe. And then she saw Jackson, lying down on his stomach, reading a novel.

"Oh, hello again!" Chaeah greeted. Jackson closed his book, slowly lifting his head with sleepy-eyes. "Hi..."

As if she'd done it a thousand times, Minji gently caressed Jackson's head and brushed his hair backward. "Is someone sleepy?"

The grown man nodded with a soft: "uh-huh~"

Now, Chaeah doesn't usually judge—but that's a grown man, right? Is this some sort of Little state? Or..