Two Of Hearts

Vampire

Throughout my shower, I am just wide-eyed, staring at the marble walls and trying to steady myself because either I hallucinated that kiss, or it was real.

I wrap a towel around me and peek from the washroom first to see the empty room. My eyes catch the perfectly folded clothes lying on the bed. I get out after drying myself a little more. I quickly change into the pink button-up shirt and cream pants. Oh God, this is giving suburban mom. I look at myself in the mirror next to the window and grimace at how unlike myself I look. A knock breaks me out of my self-deprecating thoughts, and I say, "You can come in."

Sylvia is wearing a lime green dress now with matching heels and jewelry. She looks the definition of spring. She is holding a black t-shirt, a depressing grey plaid shirt, and black jeans in her hands.

"I actually searched through my closet to find something that would be more fitting to your aesthetic."

"My aesthetic?" I raise an eyebrow, questioning.

"Every time I have seen you, you are in an oversized t-shirt or pants."

I cannot stop the smile spreading on my face and say, "Oh really? I thought I made a good impression with the lavender dress at the dinner, but oh well."

"I could tell that you were not used to wearing dresses when you kept adjusting it."

I flush in embarrassment and manage to reply, "God. You need to stop being so observant."

"I could ask you the same question."

My eyes keep wandering to her pink lips, and my brain keeps replaying how they felt on my neck. She notices and smirks. I am a hundred percent sure I am as red as a tomato, but I try to act normal as I take the clothes from her hands and close the door as she leaves.

Once I am done changing, I exit the room and see her leaning against her sofa as she taps on her phone. Okay, this woman can step on me.

She looks up and smiles in a way that narrows her eyes in such a pretty way. "You look really good."

"Thanks."

"Helen just texted me how well everything is going. We can rest a few minutes here if you want."

For some reason, I want her undivided attention on me, unlike in the park, so I nod. I sit on the sofa as she saunters off to the kitchen. When she comes back, she has a few drinks and some cookies.

"Are these homemade?"

"Yes, I love baking." She places the tray on the table in the middle of the living room and plops right next to me.

We sit there in comfortable silence for a few moments, but then she asks me what I do in my free time. Murder? That can't be right. I used to have other hobbies.

"I try to stay alive," I say before I can even stop myself.

This would be her cue to feel uncomfortable and put up a wall like normal people. Instead, she smiles, and I cannot even say I am surprised.

"It is working so far as you are sitting alive and well in front of me."

I scoff and turn to her, "What about you? Why did you come to this town?"

She hesitates a few seconds but then says, "I did not choose to come here. It just happened."

Evading the question, I see.

"The people already like you. It's as if you have always been a part of this town. I can see your superficial sociopathic charm working, congrats."

Sylvia's eyes twinkle in amusement as she says, "So you think I am charming?"

I cannot help but smile at the audacity. My brain is still replaying the touch of her soft lips on my neck, and I want to return the favor so bad.

I don't know from where I get the courage, but I lift my right hand to caress her on the cheek. The eye contact is intense, and there is a tiny part of my brain screaming for me to turn away. Her green eyes are piercing through mine.

"Do you drink blood for youth or something because why is your skin so soft?"

"If I told you I am what people these days call a vampire?"

I roll my eyes and say, "Yeah, right, and I am a killer."

Sylvia looks incredibly amused and opens her mouth to say something but stops. I trace her lips with my thumb and lean closer. For a few seconds, we are the only ones in this world, and then Olly bursts in.

"I really need to use your bathroom, Sylvia!"

I scramble away from Sylvia as fast as I can, and she just smirks at me for being so flustered when I was trying to rizz her up a few moments ago. She replies, "Sure, Oliver."

"You know Olly?" I stare between them in disbelief, and then he runs to the bathroom.

"I do. He has helped me tremendously with getting myself familiar with the town..."

I complete her sentence, "Lore?"

She smiles as she continues, "You could say that. He is very up-to-date with all the gossip and who to avoid."

"Was I on the 'to avoid' list? Be honest." I narrow my eyes at her in fake seriousness.

Her grin widens as she says, "Oh, you have no idea."

"What did he say?"

"That you perform sacrificial rituals every full moon and once helped him rob the local bakery."

"That asshole."

"I am right here," Olly says as he emerges from the bathroom.

"Did you even wash your hands? Why are you out in two seconds?" I say.

He flicks water drops at me to prove he did.  "I gotta go! The festival is about to begin. You guys should also come.", He says to Sylvia and then marches down the hallway.

In a swift moment, Sylvia slides her hand around my waist and stands up, pulling me up with her. She leans close as she whispers, "Let's go, darling."