Thirsty Little Demon

Dinner With The Browns

"So, how's school Shia?"

Mrs. Brown smiled at me before she ate a fork full of alfredo, Steven's light shined through her eyes. It was so crazy how they looked exactly alike. Same chestnut skin, same eyes.

"School is school." 

I smiled brightly, hopefully it was convincing. I could give plenty of reasons why tonight was a night I shouldn't be smiling despite how everything was so perfect. But it was always calm before the storm, and I smelt rain. I was here with my boyfriend of a year and months and eleven days, having dinner with his lovely parents who adored me. I was here as if I wasn't just recently ambushed by a thirsty demon or wounded him.

I haven't slept in four days and I'm running off of coffee and focus pills.
I was petrified of the consequences of living with the burden of a monster -- this parasite I can't seem to get rid of -- how he feeds off of my fear and intends to...feed off of other things...
I couldn't reschedule dinner, I just couldn't find the right words.

"Hey Steve, I can't make it to dinner with your parents tonight because I'm being stalked by this demon that lacked morals. Oh and by the way... It wanted to have sex with me as well.."

That wouldn't work. Kendra was right... I should have stayed home and said I was sick. This was just too risky.

I mean, Salem was gone for too long and I was sure he'd pop up at any day now. What if he showed up and terrorized Steven's parents -- held them captive while he forced their eyes opened with tools and made them watch Two Girls and One Cup?!

God--noo!

"Shia? Are you okay?"

Mr. Brown arched a brow, I hadn't realized my face screwed up while I imagined what hell could look for them..

"She's probably daydreaming about how terrible her dance instructor was," Steve flashed me his sexy smirk, bringing the glass of wine to his lips but I pulled it from him and downed it...

"Well..." Steve took his empty glass.

"Someone wants to forget that day."

"What happened?" His father asked.

"Oh, well...her guest artist who's a contemporary dancer, slip his balls right in front of everyone."

Bryant grunted. "That's why men shouldn't do splits unless they like the sound of the skin on their balls tearing. Or they're gay.."

"Bryant." Nina giggled and slapped his shoulder. "I don't know why you're like this. Sometimes I really reconsider marrying you."

I find myself pouring another glass of wine and drowning it in seconds.

"Yeah," Bryant sighed, looking at me. "I'd get another glass if I were you too.. my balls hurt thinking about that. Just don't drink too much. You're not 21 yet."

"Whatever," Steven chuckled. "You let me drink when I was 18."

"Who asked for your two cents?" The room was filled with laughter, I could feel the wine start to give me that sweet buzz and my nerves simmered down and I began to laugh along.

"Your last performance was beautiful," Nina says.

"Thank you.."

"Shia's learning Batchaca," Steven smirked at me knowingly.

"Bachata?" Nina's eyes widen.

"Yes, it's when you dance close and sexually."

"What?"