Chapter 37 VEGETABLES
LIlian Pov.
I hissed out of pure frustration and spun around, but Seraphine was gone.
Just… gone, like smoke. Like she’d never been standing two steps from my kitchen a second ago.
I blinked twice and let out a dry, annoyed laugh, “Oh, that sly vampire.”
Of course she tricked me. Of course she slipped away the second I turned my back. Why would she ever make things easy?
I rubbed my forehead and locked the door, dragging myself toward the couch because at that moment I felt like a retired grandmother who had survived two world wars and a zombie apocalypse. The second my body hit the cushions, my spine cracked like cheap firewood, and everything went black with sleep.
The next morning, I woke up feeling like I had wrestled ten bodybuilders and lost each round dramatically. My lower back screamed the second I tried to sit up.
“Ah! shit,” I hissed, grabbing my waist.
Then the memories rushed back, the knock, Jonah stumbling home drunk as a sacrificed goat, Seraphine acting like she owned the place, and then her disappearing like Houdini.
Right, last night was a circus.
I pushed myself up, bones cracking like popcorn, and stood with the grace of a dying robot.
“God, never again,” I muttered as I staggered to the kitchen. The sweet smell of coffee nearly brought tears to my eyes. “Thank goodness today is weekend and we were given off every weekend… I deserve a full day of rest.”
I brewed the coffee, poured it into my favorite glass cup, and took a sip.
Ugh. Bliss.
Actual heaven in liquid form.
Just as I savored the taste, a loud yawn echoed behind me. I nearly jumped before turning around and burst out laughing.
Jonah stood at the doorway looking like he had fought demons in his dreams. His hair stuck out in twelve different directions, his eyes half-closed, and he walked like a zombie fresh out of a discount horror movie.
He glared at me. “What?”
I laughed harder and pointed at him.
“You don’t know how you look right now. I’m being real with you.”
He rolled his eyes and staggered to the sink, taking a sip of water before turning back to me. I smirked and raised an eyebrow.
“You know,” I said slowly, “I’m kind of surprised you’re not hungover with the way you stumbled home last night.”
His eyes shot wide for a split second in panic then he covered it with a fake scoff.
“I can manage my drinks just fine.”
I sipped my coffee dramatically.
“Sure. Whatever you say, Mr. I-Hug-Walls-For-Fun.”
He sat beside me, trying to act normal, but the curiosity eating him was too powerful.
“It’s not like I care or anything…” he muttered, “but did I do anything stupid last night?”
I tapped my forehead like a professor giving bad news.
“Well, apart from the part where you practically hugged the wall and couldn’t keep your footing? Nope. Nothing else.”
He covered his face with both palms.
“God, that’s so embarrassing.”
“Yup. I know,” I said unapologetically and headed to the couch. I collapsed onto it and grabbed my phone to order food. My body was too tired to lift a frying pan, let alone cook.
“Jonah, what do you wanna eat?” I yelled.
He walked into the living room, stretching.
“Just order something eatable.”
I nodded and kept scrolling until he shuffled closer again.
“So… what are we doing today? Since we’re staying in.”
I shrugged, still focused on my screen.
“Well, breathing is perfectly fine with me. Just like I’m doing right now.”
He smirked. And that smirk? Bad news.
“Lilian,” he sang my name like a warning. “You said a vampire bit you, right?”
I let out a dramatic sigh and looked up at him.
“Yeah? And?”
“So…” he twirled his fingers like a nosy five-year-old, “what are the preps?”
I blinked. “What do you mean preps?”
He repeated the twirling gesture.
“Well, like transformation. We’ve never seen you transform. I wanna see it.”
I stared at him. Then scoffed.
“In your dreams. Jonah, just go press your phone or something. Stop being ridiculous.”
He pouted. Actually pouted.
“C’mon. Please? I wanna see.”
“Nope.” I crossed my arms. “Not happening. Why don’t I call Mia and ask her to come over for a sleepover?”
He brightened immediately.
“Yup, that would be great!”
He turned around and headed to his room. Before shutting the door, he poked his head out and pointed at me.
“And please call me when the order comes in.”
Slam.
I shook my head. This boy is going to give me wrinkles.
I dialed Mia's number, and she finally picked on the third attempt.
“Hello?” her sleepy voice dragged.
“Hey, it’s Lilian.”
“Girl, I know,” she mumbled, and I heard rustling probably sitting up then Another yawn. “What’s up?”
I smiled softly, “Just wanted to ask if you're in for a sleepover.”
Her groan was loud, “Ugh, I’m so tired. I don’t think I’m moving a muscle till tomorrow. I bail. Please.”
I snorted, “Seems like you drank yourself to stupor, huh?”
I could practically feel her rolling her eyes.
“Girl, I don’t wanna talk about it.”
I laughed and hung up. So it was just going to be me and Jonah tonight.
Great just great.
The doorbell suddenly rang “ding ding!”
I jumped up, rushed to answer it, grabbed the food from the delivery guy, paid, and closed the door.
I set the food down on the table.
“Jonah! Food is ready!”
His door opened instantly. Like he had been standing there waiting for the exact moment. He walked out and sat down, rubbing his hands.
“Uh-uh,” I said, lifting a brow. “Go wash those dirty hands.”
He sent me a death glare and groaned,“Fine!”
He washed up quickly and returned to the table. He sat, opened the package and his entire expression collapsed.
Like… dramatically while I smirked.
“Why the fuck is there vegetables on my food, Lilian!?” he yelled.