Beatrice

(5.) Reality TV

Beatrice POV

As time passed, me, Lestat, and Louis started to be around each other a lot more. Louis and I would always ask Lestat how he could do what he did, but he would never give us an answer.

We only spent time with Lestat at night. I didn't think anything of it. Everyone in New Orleans did. Daytime was for sleeping off the mistake you made the previous night.

As more of Lestat's money came from France, he bought more decor for his town house, and with the influence of Louis and I, he finally stopped dressing like a slave master and put money into clothing that aligned with the current times.

I'm a naturally observant person, I don't talk a lot when I don't feel like I need to, and that's most of the time. I always see Louis and Lestat talking, Louis usually is just venting. This made me feel happy for him. He only talked about his problems to me or Paul. I was happy he had someone else to talk to.

The vibe was very...intense, though. It felt like we wanted to say something, but didn't. It felt like we all wanted to do something, but didn't. I'm one to speak my mind, but this was different. When I was around Lestat I didn't now who I was. I was just different.

...

"I'm switching rooms. I don't need to hear you and your good man making noise." Louis said to his sister. As we all make our way to a little swing bench in front of Mawma's house.

"Exactly." I say after Louis, agreeing with him while grinning at Grace.

Grace rolls her eyes and says, "You have to be home to hear that."

"We come home nights." Louis responds.

"You both come home some nights. Out catting with some white man, I hear." She replies.

"He ain't white, he French." Louis says. I look at Louis like he's crazy and so does Grace.

"Oh, so that's a new kind of white, is it?" Grace responds.

"He's different though, Grace." I say. Grace looks at me and lightly smiles.

"Invite him over for dinner. Mawma loves European. And invite your Mama and Daddy over too, Bea." Grace says. I nod a little sad that my dad would be attending this dinner. I despise him.

"Why you tryna see him so bad, Grace? Hm?" I ask, teasing her and smirking. She rolls her eyes. Louis looks at me and laughs.

"Don't deny your sister, now. I just wanna see this French white." Grace says. My heart jumps. I love when she calls herself my sister. It makes me feel part of a family. I always hated being the only child.

We all hear Paul's voice and look to see him pretending to preach to someone. A look of worry washes over all of our faces.

Louis sighs, "Paul snuck into my bed weeping last night. He's not too stoked to see you getting married." Louis sits down next to Grace.

Grace started talking about putting Paul in a home that can help with his mental health. Louis quickly denied the idea. "It doesn't sound like too bad of an idea, Louis. Paul needs help-" I get cut off by Louis.

"I said no, Bea. It ain't happening." Louis says looking me in the eye, then looking away. I chew inside of my cheek and look at the ground, shaking my head and crossing my arms.