“Back again?” Drake asked as he walked up to my table looking pleasantly surprised.
“The pizza was just so good, I had to come back tonight.” I smiled shyly. “Besides, I owe you from last night. I remembered my wallet this time.”
“I told you, no worries, it’s on me.” He placed his hand on my shoulder. His chocolaty scent wafted in my direction and made me so glad I stopped at the hotel for a snack before coming here. “So, Coke and a pepperoni again?”
“That sounds great.”
“Cool, I’ll be back.” He ran off to the kitchen and returned with a glass of Coke.
“Here you go. So, are you all settled in at your aunt’s house yet?” he asked.
Crap. That was the second thing on my list that I was supposed to do today. “Oh, she’s, uh, getting the room ready for me. I’m actually staying at the hotel while she finishes up.” I gestured across the parking lot.
“Wow.” His eyebrows arched in surprise. “That place is pretty swanky.”
“Yeah, it’s nice.” I tried to think fast. “My family had some money, so I’m able to stay there until my aunt gets her house sorted out. She wasn’t expecting me, obviously. And she’s a terrible pack rat. So the room she wants to give me is full of her junk.”
“How long will you have to stay at the hotel?”
“I’m not sure.” I laughed and hoped it wasn’t obvious that I was lying. “She’s trying to go as fast as she can. She said I could come stay there now, but I don’t want to sleep on the couch. Not when I can stay at the hotel.”
“I hear ya. Besides, sometimes staying with relatives can be kind of weird. So, when will you start school? I’d be happy to show you around,” he said.
“That would be nice. I’m sure it won’t be for another week or so. I’ll stop in and let you know.”
“Well, just in case—” He scribbled on his pad. “Here’s my cell phone number. Just call me or text me when you’re going to start, if I don’t see you here first.”
“Okay.” I tried to hide a giddy and extremely dorky smile. I just got some digits.
Although now in addition to finding an aunt who lived in town, I also had to get a cell phone. I rubbed my forehead as he walked away. It would be easier just to leave and jump around from place to place, never having to explain anything. But I didn’t want that. I didn’t want to be on my own. Even with this whole situation.
I may not be able to tell anyone what I had become, but if people could just accept me the way Drake already had, then maybe I could make a home here. I just had to be careful; make sure that I was always full and stocked with blood reserves. I couldn’t risk making the same mistake I made with Harold and Mrs. Harold.