Like a Brother to Me
"Hey." Claire said to Michael as she pushed open the kitchen door.
"Hi there, Short Cake." Which was Michael's new nickname for her, based on her height. "Coffee?" He wiggled the coffee pot at her. She jabbed him in the ribs as she stepped up to the kitchen counter next to him.
"I said: No height jokes." She narrowed her eyes at him as she got down her Care Bear mug that Eve had bought her.
"Aww come on. It's cute." He flashed his pearly, angelic smile that melted even her heart; she could only imagine what an affect it had on Eve. She stuck her tongue out at him and made her own mug of coffee, and going to sit at the kitchen table. "No classes today?" He asked, sliding into the seat opposite her.
Claire shook her head. "Nope. I've done all my end of year exams, so Amelie said something to them, and I get the next few days off. Then it's summer break." She smiled and sipped her coffee.
"Just me and you today then, unless you have plans?" When Claire shook her head, he smiled. "Cool. Want to catch a movie? Go out for coffee? What do you want to do?"
Claire thought about that for a moment. "You don't think…. Amelie would let us out of town do you? Just for a day?"
"Why, what are you thinking?" Michael cocked his head.
"I'm thinking a movie and shopping."
"You… You. Want to go… shopping?" Michael looked utterly amazed at the idea.
"Yeah. I thought I could get a new dress or something. It's mine and Shane's anniversary soon, and I want something nice to wear."
Michael nodded. "Sure, I could use some new jeans. And anyway, it won't matter what you wear, as long as it's you in the clothes, Shane will be happy." He smiled reassuringly at her.
"I'll call Amelie." Michael nodded again, so Claire stood up and pulled her mobile from her jeans pocket and dialled Amelie.
"What is it, young Claire?" Amelie's usual ice cold voice had a sense of calm about it today.
"I was wondering… Would it be okay if me and Michael left town for just today?" Claire asked nervously, before biting her lip.
"Whatever for?" Amelie demanded.
"I… We were thinking we could go shopping…"
"Shopping? You want my permission to leave the town's borders, to indulge in feeble necessities?" The warmness that was previously in Amelie's voice was gone now.
"Yes. I know it's a lot to ask, but I've aced all my exams… Couldn't you just do this one thing? Please?"
Claire heard Amelie sigh on the other end of the phone. "Very well, Claire. Just this once. There will be two of my people at the border; they will allow you to pass through. But you must be back over the border by sunset."
"I understand. Thank you, Amelie." Before Claire could say goodbye, Amelie hung up on her. Claire slid her phone into her pocket once more and returned to the kitchen to find Michael drinking from an opaque sports bottle. Claire paused in the doorway as she noticed the glints of red in Michael's eyes, her mouth dropped open. Michael didn't seem to notice her reappearance until he'd finished his drink. He blinked, the red fading from his eyes and smiled apologetically, licking his lips.
"I'm sorry. But it's better than drinking from…" He stopped himself before he got onto the subject of drinking from the vein. He chuckled apologetically and put the bottle in the sink to wash up later. "So.. What's the verdict?"
"We're out." Claire smiled, wiggling her mobile in her hand.
Hey :) I know it's really short, but I wanted to publish SOMETHING, seen as I haven't published in forever :L So I hope you like it. I'll definitely get around to doing chapter 2 oxoxoxo