American Beauty/ American Psycho

Chapter 5

"Wait, let me get this straight: You're a witch, you're dead, and you're undead." I pointed at each girl in turn, still not believing their life stories.

"Yup," George said.

"That's right," Violet added.

"Swear on my flesh and blood." Madison poured me another glass of sparkling grape juice, since that's as close as I'll ever get to wine at my age. "I still can't believe you're normal."

"Must be hell." George took a sip of her own grape juice, peering at me over the rim of her glass.

"We've all been normal at one point or another." I crossed my legs, ladylike, and tried to fit my wine glass in the cup holder next to me. The guys of FOB had let us use their rented limo for the night, since they were exhausted after their concert. K had turned in early, too, along with the hotel staff, so it was just me and the girls going to Movie in the Park Night. "For me, it was before I got into Fall Out Boy."

"You're so lucky to be considered weird for liking a band," Violet said wistfully; "I'm called weird for being dead and trapped in my own house."

George fake-coughed.

"Of course, until I met the Grim Reapers," she corrected herself.

"I dunno about the rest of you, but my normal life ended when I was hit by a flying toilet seat."

We all stared at George.

"But if I hadn't, I wouldn't be Guardian of this lovely lady." She stroked Violet's hair, making her roll her eyes.

"I'm not that lovely, George," she muttered.

We all giggled.

"Anywho, I'm sure this will be an unforgettable night." I couldn't resist adding the pun: "We'll remember this night for centuries."

"BOOOOO!" They all threw shrimp bits at me from the buffet tray, and I had to duck to avoid the flying debris.

"Ok, fine, my puns suck; what else is new?"

"Jk, we love your puns," Madison grinned.

"Then why the fuck do I have shrimp in my hair?!" I asked rhetorically.

"Your stop, ladies." The chauffer opened the door for us, gesturing outwards.

"Oh, sweet; you guys get to finally meet my parents!" Violet hopped out first, thanking the man and handing him a small wad of cash.

"Wait, you've never met her family?" I asked Madison.

"George has, since her friends work for them, but not me." She shrugged dismissively.

The three of us followed Violet out to a grassy area where a couple was cuddling, with two other people nearby like stalkers. Those must be Violet's parents and George's friends, I thought.

One of the watchers looked up as we came near. "Oi! George and Violet never said anything about guests," he said in a distinctly British accent.

The other watcher was too busy filing her nails to notice us. "Shut up, Mason; they said they were bringing Madison along, like, fifty billion times."

He glared at her. "Yes, I knew that, but there's someone else with them."

The cuddling couple looked up, the man shading his eyes to see us against the setting sun. "Violet..." he muttered to himself.

"Shhh, it's okay," his wife soothed him; "Just as long as she's not a drug addict, it's okay."

"Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad." Violet squatted down in front of her parents, gesturing for us to do the same. "These are my friends Madison and Erin, and I expect you already know George." She pointed at each of us in turn. "Girls, these are my parents; Vivian and Ben Harmon. And these..." She stood up a little, wobbling as she indicated the two watchers; "...Are George's friends, Mason and Daisy."