Fang High

Chapter 4

The date loomed over my head. I had four more days and school. When am I going to find the time? I struggled internally for about an hour. I said a few unladylike words, then returned to the living room.

"It'll be fine," I whispered to myself. "Everything will be alright." Then came another knock on my front door. "Dammit. Who is I-" I screeched, flinging open the door. I came face-to-face with the same girl I've been dreaming about. "I'm so sorry." Her mouth was open in an O.

"You live here?" She questioned.

"Yeah. This is my humble abode. Come on in." I moved out of the way, so she would have space to walk into the living room.

"I would love to, but I can't stay long." She turned her face, and I noticed a darkening bruise on her face. I inhaled deeply. The bruise was only a few hours old.

"Who the hell did that to you?" I lightly touched the skin around her bruise. My teeth began to grind.

"No one!" She was quick to answer. "I-Uh-I got hit by a baseball."

"Liar. Your heartbeat is increasing." I was quick to respond.

"How do you know?" Crap. I trapped myself into this one.

"Your pulse point on your neck is beating rapidly, hun." I began to grate my teeth. Upset she wouldn't tell me who did this to her. She barely knows you. Why are you upset at her? I pulled her into the house, closing the door behind her. "Sit," I commanded, pointing to the couch. She did as she was told, and sat down with a barely audible huff. I walked into the kitchen, and began packing ice into a Ziploc bag. I grabbed a handtowel out of one of the drawers, covering the bag of ice with it. When I got back into the living room, Gina was asleep on my couch. Legs curled up, head on her hands, breathing lightly. I went back into the kitchen, emptying the bag of ice. I huffed, realizing I was royally screwed. I laid my hands on opposite sides of the sink, head bent between my arms.

I began to hear whining and crying. I followed the noise to the bruised woman on my couch. I shook her shoulder. "Hey, hey. You're okay. You're safe." I pulled her into my arms. I stroked her hair. She woke up sobbing. "Hey, it's okay. You're okay. I promise."

"I'm so sorry," she whispered after she had calmed down. "I normally don't fall asleep at other people's houses. I normally don't cry in front of people either. I'm sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. You can stay here for tonight if you want. It's starting to get dark. You can sleep in the guest room upstairs. I rarely have company, but the sheets were just cleaned. If you need anything, just ask. I'll help to the best of my ability."

"I have work tomorrow. I need to be home. I need-" covered her lips with my finger.

"I will take you to work tomorrow. Stay one night. It won't kill you." She winced. "I won't let anything happen to you here." I promised.

"Yeah, but what happens when I leave? Can you still protect me then?" She shook her head. "You can't make that promise. I'll stay for tonight, and only tonight." She exhaled a long sigh. I mentally screeched in excitement, until the weight of her words sunk in. I began to feel a stab of self-loathing. I wandered from the couch to the kitchen. Gina followed. "Thank you," she said.

"What for?"

"Letting a practical stranger stay in your house. For all you know, I could be aiming to hurt you."

I whispered, "You wouldn't be able to hurt me even if you tried." I spoke up. "Thank you for staying with me. For all you know, I could be a murderer." Not too far off. I'm a monster, but not exactly that kind. I only kill when needed, and never anyone alive.

"Thank you for giving me a safe place to go." Her eyes shone with unshed tears.

"It's no problem. I never get company. If you ever need a place to go, I have extra rooms, always. It's nice to have company." She threw her arms around my neck. She began to sob into my shoulder. I stroked her hair, letting her sob. "Are you going to tell me what really happened to your cheek?"

"I already told you. I got hit by a baseball." She began to sob harder.

I let go of her. " I do not appreciate being lied to. Especially in my own home. I know you're trying to protect whoever it is, but it isn't right. Is it a boyfriend?" Head shake. "Girlfriend?" Another shake. "A sibling?" Another shake. "A parent?" A nod.

"Oh my-" I covered my mouth with my hand. "I'm so sorry, love. Do you live with them?" Another nod. "Oh, God. I'm so sorry. As I've said, you can always stay here."

"Thank you. I'm tired. Which room will I be staying in?" She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Pick one. Mine is at the top of the stairs, down the hall, to the right. I don't spend a lot of time there. If you need me, I'll probably be in the living room." She nodded, walking up the stairs. I heard a door close, and my stomach rumbled. I walked into the kitchen to make sure I had all of the ingredients for smoothies. I planned on making smoothies for Gina and I in the morning.