Why Dont You Just Drop Dead?

2

Over the next week I wait for Andy to collect his curious little bottle. Each day he doesnt come, then again nobody ever comes in the shop.

I hold the bottle up to the light, its clear like water. It looks perfectly harmless, I wonder what it does.

I scroll through my new go-to website, vampireinfo.org. There is nothing about the liquid, nothing useful, no evidence. I cant find what it is.

Each time someone enters the shop I hope its Andy, so he can explain why he is equipt for killing vampires.

Outside some people are quietly arguing. I recognise one of them is Andy. He looks inside and his eyes lock with mine. He sends and awkward smile before turning back to his friends. His friends push him in the direction of the coffee shop and Andy falls through the door.

"Why am I always the bate?" He shouts out the door as it closes.

He turns around and stands, dusting himself off.

"So... Fancy seeing you here?" He tries.

I smile at him and he slowly walks over, as if considering an attack. His friends outside are watching closely and I suddenly get the idea that I need to be careful.

"So... Hows it going?"

I almost laugh at his poor attempt of covering up. 

"Do you want your magical bottle?" I ask, cutting to the chase.

His face hardens and his body tenses. "Thanks. Could I also order 4 coffees? One of them needs to have the liquid in it though."

"So you didnt kill your friend the first time?" I joke, hoping for him to soften up.

He doesnt reply so I just get his order for him. I open the tiny nail polish bottle again and hover the little pipett over the coffee. The stench reaches my nose and I try to work out what it is. It smells like onions.

Andy coughs and I snap back, dripping in two drops. The coffee sizzles and turns a lighter shade.

"Here you go. That one has the... The?"

"None of your business." Andy snaps, taking the cups and leaving money on the counter.

"Andy? Wait up!" I yell.

He turns around and glares at me. I lift up the nail polish bottle.

"You forgot something." I say smugly.

Theres a laugh from outside, one of his friends is laughing at him. I walk around the counter with it as his hands are full.

"Here, Ill give it to one of your friends to take."

I open the door and all of Andys friends sober up. 

"Which one of you is Pete?" I ask.

One of them raises an eyebrow, "Why do you want to know?"

Feeling slightly threatened I hold out the bottle. "Heres the little posioned bottle. You keep forgetting it."

Pete raises his head a little, looking down on me even though he is the same height as me. I inspect his face, the bottle still dangling from my fingers.

"Take it or leave it."

He opens his mouth slightly, inhaling. He flicks his black hair over his eye and snatches the bottle from my hands.

Between his lips I can see his teeth. I step back, Im sure those arent normal teeth. I look back into his eyes.

"Whats the liquid?" I ask.

He exhails and looks away, "thanks for the bottle. Later."

They turn and leave. When they reach half way down the road Pete turns his head, exposing his teeth, like a threat.

I turn and go back into the shop. Hopefully Ill never run into them again. Although deep inside me I yearn to see them again. Why are they acting like that? I shake it off, returning into the shop.

***

That night I cant sleep, or maybe I just choose not to sleep. I spend hours looking at vampire teeth and trying to compare it to the glimpse I saw of Petes mouth.

Im convinced that he is a vampire. When I next see him I should throw holy water on him...

In the morning I stand in front of the mirror. The bags under my eyes are big enough to take me on a months holiday and my hair is ratty and wild. 

I plait two strand of hair and secure them behind my head, that should deal with it. I change into a floral dress and jean jacket as it is going to be a nice day. I dont know why I try when nobody is going to see me.

The day is quiet and barely anyone visits. I spend more time making myself coffee than making others coffee.

I call my friend Jess around mid day. Jess has a propper job and a better life. Jess is drop dead gorgeous, tall, skinny, big green eyes and long brown hair drop dead gorgeous. I dont even know why she would associate with someone like me.

I call Jess and I ask her if she wants to drop in for a coffee. She says yes and is in front of me and ordering coffee in under half an hour.

"Skinny latte please." Jess pouts.

I roll my eyes and give her her skinny latte. I make myself the third coffee of the day and sit down at a table with her.

"So, hows it going?" She asks.

"I think vampires are real." I spill way too quickly.

She sighs, "Go on."

"Well, this dude came in here the other day and he had vampire teeth and gave me a little bottle to put in the drink. He didnt want to talk about it either."

"Are you sure he didnt give you vodka in the bottle?"

"It stank like onions."

She twirls some hair around her finger. "Have you ever had vodka-"

"I know what vodka smells like!" I interupt her. "Sorry."

"You know vampires dont exist. But you want to know what does? The modelling contract I just got."

"Congrats." I force a smile.

Im jealous.