The Hampton Academy For Vampires

Awkward Talks

"So how are you baby girl?" My dad asks.
"I'm fine. How are you?"
"From what all information I got out of Adrian, you're not fine."
My eyes fly to Adrian.
He keeps his on the table.
"I'm perfectly fine. Nothing to worry about." I said tightly.
"Cutting yourself is not fine." Dad said, setting down the cup he'd just sipped from.
I glare at the silent man sitting across from me.
"He truly had no right to take my clothes off of me." I said.
"You were covered in blood. What was I supposed to do? Let you lay in your own blood?
I was only trying to help you, honestly." He said.
I look back towards dad.
"I'm fine." I said.
"No, you are not. You are hurting yourself and I don't know how much longer I can stand ignoring it!" Dad exclaims.
"I really don't want to have this conversation." I say.
"Well, it needs to be had."
I sit quietly eating my dinner. So caught up in the events, I wasn't enjoying my favorite garlic roasted chicken. Dad's homemade.
"I think you need mental help." My dad says.
I look up at his face and pain is evident.
"No." I say.
My dad held his head in his hands.
"You act like I'm saying this to hurt you." He says exasperatedly.
Adrian's eyes lift from the table for a split second and I locked eyes with him.
I know what he saw.
So much anger.
Pain seemed to flash across his face and then regret.
His eyes were back on the table.
"Sadly people around here just don't know how to mind their own business." I say, low and quiet.
"Don't fucking blame him!" My dad exclaims his curse.
"I just want to enjoy my favorite meal, is that too much to ask? Is that why you made it?"
"Yes, I made your favorite food because I was hoping it would make this conversation easier." He said taking a bite of Brussel sprouts.
I stayed quiet.
"I want you in counseling."
"No promises." I say, fidgeting with the unused salad fork to the side of my plate.
"You need it." My father whispers.
"I really don't." I murmur.
"Please," my father mewls.
"I can't promise you that."
"Will you at least consider it? For me?" He begs.
"I will... Consider." I concede.
We all sit in silence for a while.
Whether it be ones or tens of minutes.
Eventually the last person I expected to, breaks the silence.
"So, Maxwell is throwing a party. Would you like to come?" Adrian asked.
I looked at dad confused.
"Who? Me?" I inquired.
"Who else would he be talking to?" His fathered joked in a steep mountain of a voice. Thick and dark.
"Maybe she thought I was inviting Mark. Don't be a dick." Adrian cut at his father Joseph.
Wow did he really just say that?
"Um, when?" I asked.
"I'm going as soon as I leave here. You can go with me."
"I'm not dressed for a party. I'm in sweat pants." I murmured.
No, people. No, socializing.
"I'm in sweatpants" Adrian said confidently.
"Just go, Winter. You may have fun," Dad coached from the sideline.
Adrian sent a small grin from over the table.
He has some beautiful full lips.
What? Winter, get yourself together.
I considered for a moment, I glanced at dad giving me a gentle encouraging smile.
"Okay, I'll come with you."
We had small talk over the rest of dinner.