Charlotte stared into the mirror. She didn’t recognize the girl she had seen. Her normal ponytail had disappeared and her usually covered up shoulders were exposed. She was a little uncomfortable to be honest. “Wow, you look…different.” Charlotte jumped as she heard his voice. She hadn’t realized he was behind her.
“Jeff?” She gasped. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough to see you checking yourself out.” He let out a small chuckle. “You’re full of yourself.”
“I’m not…” Her voice trailed off. “Why am I even explaining myself to you? What do I care what you have to say?”
“Because you’ve finally grown a brain,” He answered her.
“You don’t grow brains, genious.” Charlotte lowered her eyes. “What’s wrong with your hair?”
“Rosalia styled it. I really like it.” Jeff ran his hands through his hair.
“Rosalia.” Charlotte didn’t like the way that name tasted on her tongue. “Always with Rosalia. I don’t like her.”
“I know,” Jeff said. “You tell me every day. But, I like her.”
“Of course you like Rosalia. You’re an idiot, and she’s a blood sucking succubus,” Charlotte said.
“You do realize that you’re the vampire here.” Jeff rolled his eyes. “I am honored though, that the great Charlotte Gray is jealous.” He made mock grandiose movements to tease the flustered girl.
She felt her face heating up and she instantly huffed. “Jealous? I don’t get jealous Jeff. Especially not over you!” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m actually all dressed up because I have a date.”
“Interaction with another person?” Jeff gasped in shock. Amusment danced behind his eyes. He enjoyed teasing her, it was one of his favorite things to do. Anything to knock the girl off of her high pedestal. “I’m shocked.”
“Oh shut up!” She lowered her eyes. “Shut the hell up! I can have a date with another person, alright? I’m not some sadist with a wish to die alone or something!”
Jeff lifted his hands in front of him in defense. “Woah now, I’m only kidding this time. No need to tear my head off.”
Charlotte bumped his shoulder as she passed him. She made her way to the sofa of the study and collapsed onto it. “Something bothering you?” He asked.
“Nothing of your concern.” Charlotte looked away from him. “I don’t know why you keep bothering me in the first place. You have somewhere to be, don’t you?”
He could tell from the look in her eyes, that something was eating up at her. He had experienced the very same thing in his first life. “I was just stopping by to get something. I’m actually going out a bit later too. But, if something is bothering you, I’ll gladly listen.”
“Yeah, so you can pester me about it later?” She sighed in defeat. “My date was supposed to be here over an hour ago. That means I’ve been stood up, doesn’t it?”
Jeff stared at the girl in shock. Her eyes read so unsure. He was not used to seeing this side of Charlotte. She was vulnerable, and scared? “Maybe he’s just late?” He offered anything he could to make her feel better. It was strange, he hated Charlotte. She hated him. That’s how it was supposed to be. She was the evil vampire and he was the unsuspecting human. There was not to be any comrarderie between them.
“Yeah, late…” She murmured, looking away. Average. She was just average. Nothing extraordinary. “I’m sure that’s what it is.”
“I was going to go down to the movies with Rosalia, you can come with us if you’d like-” Jeff stopped talking. Why had he done that? Why would he invite her to his date? She’s suck the life out of the outing with her constant snide remarks. But, something in her face was just so…heartbreaking? He wanted to make it better if he could.
“No need for that. I’m sorry I’m late, my dear.” The orange haired elf waltzed into the room. Jeff’s shoulder’s stiffened. Not this guy again. He sent Jeff a sinister smirk. “You know this little vagrant?”
“Excuse me?” Jeff stood up angrily. “You have terrible taste in men, Charlotte.”
“You have terrible taste in woman, or so I’m told.” Dionysus smiled and enveloped Charlotte in his arms. “Want to get out of here?”
“Charlotte,” Jeff began. “Be careful with this guy.”
“Careful?” She turned her head towards him and let out a small laugh. “I’m not listening to a word you say. It’s not like you listened to what I had to say about Rosalia.”
“Rosalia and Dionysus are NOT in the same league. He’s a slime ball.” Jeff lowered his eyes at the male who had his arms around Charlotte. “I used to be a cop, I can smell a crook from a mile away.”
“This isn’t your old life. And we’re supernaturals. You don’t have the power you think you do.” Charlotte glared at him, and then forcefully pushed her lips against Dionysus’. Maybe she was being immature, throwing herself at this dangerous man, but she didn’t care. She wanted Jeff to know that he didn’t have her wrapped around his finger like he thought he did. Or, maybe it was something much more idiotic than that, because she couldn’t stop thinking about him, even when Dionysus’ hand travelled down her back.
“Maybe we should get out of here?” The orange haired male practically purred.
“To hell you are!” Jeff demanded. “You’re not actually falling for this crap are you?” Of course she wasn’t, it was all a game of cat and mouse to her. Jeff was the mouse, and she wanted to make him squirm if she could.
Charlotte glared at him once again, ending her sentence with “You’re not my dad” before leaving with the elf.
Thanks again to Dandylion240 for allowing me to use Jeffrey Bennett in my story. You can read more about him and his family in her legacy which is right here. Also, Rosalia (whose face isn’t shown just yet) was made for me by Whisperinthesims. Her story whisper in the walls is right here. Thank you both!
A Graying World 