Clueless Psychic

Chapter Two

CHAPTER 2

After Detective Anderson left, I turned on the TV for Lee Ann and napped on the couch. Ghosts don't take up too much space, so I stayed right where I was. The doorbell ringing was what woke me up about an hour later. It was dusk, and by the lack of brainwaves I sensed, I imagined it was Kian or one of his friends. My head spun slightly as I sat up, but I figured it was from sitting up too fast. I was hoping I would feel better soon.

I've had my share of parties but was not ready for one of Kian's parties. I didn't dislike them; I just don't like crowds. Then again, this "celebration," as Kian called it, would probably consist of "nulls," as I preferred to call them. He doesn't particularly like the term I use, but that's what they are, so that's what it is. I remember he called me Ms. Manners once, and I am sure it wasn't meant to be a compliment.

After the fifth ring, I stood up slowly from the couch.

"I won't move any faster if you keep ringing it, y'know," I yelled at the door, wincing at the pain that resurfaced. Sure enough, it stopped. I looked through the peephole and saw Kian standing there looking none too pleased. I opened the door and smiled at him, bruises and all.

"Okay, you see this button here?" I asked, pointing to the doorbell. "You press it twice at most, not five or however many times you did it."

Kian towered over me and had brows furrowed as if confused or angry. I just couldn't tell with him. I didn't have an instruction manual for vampires, and I doubt they had one available anyway, so I went with what I had: my charming personality.

"Come in," I said, smiling despite my mood. I walked further inside and let Kian stand there, all brood-ish. I also noticed he had a few bags with him. He enjoyed grocery shopping for me, again, that whole mother hen thing he had going on. It was annoying yet endearing, so I dealt with it.

"Why are you not ready yet?" he asked, surprised I wasn't pristine for my party. I felt he thought of it more as his, but technically, it was mine. Therefore, I should take as long as I need or want.

"I just need to take a quick shower, put on some jeans and a top, and I'm good to go. Why are you in such a rush?"

He set the bags down and looked at me carefully, mainly my face.

"We must do something with your head. I notice there is an extra bump today," he said carefully, as if assessing damage was his expertise. "I don't think you should wear your hair up like that tonight."

And there we go! Orders. Okay, I took a deep breath because patience is needed when dealing with Kian.

"Really? And what would you suggest, null?" I asked, smiling at my term of endearment. He firmly took hold of my hand, grabbed the bags by the handles, and pulled me to the bathroom.

"Take a shower now. We deal with the rest after," he ordered. "Catherine, you really should make more of an effort." I noticed the tone as he exited the bathroom.

"Listen here, it's my day, my party, and I wear whatever I want!" I said, stomping my foot for added effect. He stopped in mid-motion and turned around slowly.

"We will see about that, Catherine," he said with such finality that made me realize who and what I was dealing with. Since I've known him for a while, I tend to forget how scary his kind could be. I said nothing else and closed the door quietly, locking it. I knew the puny lock couldn't stop a vampire from coming in, but it was for peace of mind.

I did the whole lather, rinse, and repeat on my mane. I made sure to shave and then moisturize after getting out of the shower. I was halfway there, I supposed. Little did I know that the worst was yet to come. Perhaps I did know, but I just tried to block it out of my mind. Either way, I had to deal with Kian. Upon opening the door, he stood there, arms crossed.