Affinity

Chapter 3: A New Friend

Saturday, November 19th, 2005

Anastasia finished making the casserole for dinner and set the timer on the oven. After she wiped down the counters and stovetop, she folded the clothes in the dryer and replaced them with her last load that was sitting in the washer. She glanced at the clock as she made her way to her room laundry basket in hand.

4:01 p.m.

The sun stretched its slim, blood orange fingers across the hardwood floor of the living room. A final wave as it would completely set in a matter of minutes and her family would awaken with the night.

By her mother's will, she had spent the whole day cleaning until there wasn't a speck ot dust. After a while, all she could do was read in her private nook. The young girl settled into that routine ever since her brother joined the night years ago leaving her all alone. But the autumn days were short right now, so the solitude wasn't as unbearable as summer days.

Rachel was probably enjoying dinner with her family about now. I wonder what normal families do at the dinner table. Do they ask the children how their day went? Do they play games after?

She shook her head dispelling the useless thoughts.

She put her clothes away and the friendship bracelet caught her eye. She had sat it down on her dresser the day Pam gave it to her, and she hasn't moved it since. She picked it up now. It may be the first birthday present she got from a... someone who is not family.

The door to her brother's room opening signaled her to his wakeful state. With a sigh of resignation, she put the bracelet on to strengthen her resolve.

She ran out to catch him on the staircase but with his speed, he was already in the foyer downstairs when she skidded across the upstairs landing.

"Niccoli!"

He paused and his bored expression was replaced by a smile.

"Yes, little rebel?"

Ugh, I will never live down getting detention. Never again.

A frown tugging her lips, she cleared her throat. "Can you drive me somewhere?"

"Somewhere? Where exactly?"

"Can I just tell you on the way there?"

The nineteen-year-old vampire grimaced, "Are you sure this isn't something you want Mother's help with?"

She threw his confusion back at him. "Um... no? I asked you because I wanted to ask you?"

"Oh, okay." He grabbed his mustang keys off the hook by the door. "Then let's go before I change my mind."

Twenty minutes later, Niccoli turned into Mr. Gator's Pizza Palace. "Run it past me again, Nastia. Why did you want me to bring you here?"

"There is this birthday party for this girl in my class." She finished signing the birthday card and stuffed it into the present bag she had begged Niccoli to get her at a dollar store. For an impromptu present she had grabbed a winter outfit out of her own closet before leaving the house. It still had tags and would only be a vast improvement to Pam's current wardrobe.

"No, I mean, why are you going to this party?" He parked the car and turned to face her. "You said she is not your friend."

"But she got me a present, so I thought I would return the favor. I am not staying. I will just stop in, drop off the gift then we can go."

"Alright. I'll wait here then." He pulled out his phone as she got out and crossed the lot to the entrance.

Brother of the year. Just letting his little sister waltz in alone. What if I get kidnapped? She almost laughed out loud at the thought. She would almost feel bad for any pedophile that tries to kidnap her. Her family were the stuff of nightmares. She will become the stuff of nightmares.