tongue of the serpent ➵ a.b.

Chapter 22: Cursing Out the Moon

I sit up straight when I noticed the time. "6 o'clock?" I mutter, anxiously grabbing my phone. I push the home button and see texts from Cadell, screaming at me. I see some from Belle and a simple, "Hi," from Astaroth.

"What's so special about 6 o'clock?" Andy asks, turning down the volume of the TV.

"Oh..." I sound, trying to sound calm while I searched for CC's name in my contact list. "I never told you, did I?"

Andy, confused, stares at me in a daze. It's like I've been cheating on him or something. "What is it?"

I sigh. "I was planning on going with CC for a small night out. Just to get to know each other." I pray to God he doesn't overreact. And whomever got the prayer, certainly answered it.

"I see," he says, nodding like a gentlemen.

And that moment was my first doubt. Did he really care? Was he just along for the ride? Did he really mean those kisses and those, "I love yous"?

I shake my head at the possibility and kiss his cheek. I then run off to the bathroom to get dressed. I put on my new Iron Maiden tee and ripped up jeans. I quickly straighten the under layers of my hair and my fringe becomes grungy with products. Gross. I really needed a shower. With my period and all.

I settle for a tiny bit of eyeliner and mascara. I make sure it doesn't smear on my skin and head out the bathroom. Andy doesn't notice my transformation and I just think it was an accident. You know how guys are with fashion and noticing the little things about your makeup and hair. But it's Andy we're talking about. Not some hobo down the street.

"You're fine with this?" I mumble, unsure about it myself.

Andy looks at me, biting his fingernail like a nasty habit. He eyes me for a second and I feel his glare seam against my rocky body. "Yes," he states, "Just don't go too far." He swivels his head back to the TV.

I shift my legs in answer. "We're just going as friends. Plus CC has a girlfriend." I try to liven him up by strutting over and kissing him on the cheek.

"I could've taken you out tonight," he whispers as I kiss him.

"Yeah," I agree through gritted teeth. "It's just that me and CC had been planning this for an awful long time." Okay, maybe that one was a stretch.

His facial muscles loosen. "Be safe."

I open the door, grabbing my purse on the way out. "No promises." I wink and shut the door, running down the hall to CC's room.

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The boyish-grin in his smile sent me into a frenzy, once more. "And that's not all!" he jokes, mid-conversation, mentally grabbing me onto a ride. "You see - "

The clatter of a small tray alongside the clashing of two beer bottles stopped CC's progression. The waiter gave us our food and CC took both the beers, having them both to himself.

"How's it like to drink?" I ask, mid-bite.

He shrugs. "Just a little more freedom. That's all."

He nods his head towards the beer and smiles at me.

I stumble back. I can't do that! "What if I get caught!" I fumble with words. "I'm only 18!"

CC picks up his knife in order to cut his shrimp in half. "Pussy."

I lower my eyebrows and pout my lips. "Am not!"

"Are to!"

I take a chug of the beer and set it down on the table again. "Who's the pussy now?"