Author's Note 12/31/20: Hello everyone. It's been a long time hasn't it? I managed to fix my laptop after some time and able to go through my story. Figured I'd post up a new chapter right before the year is out. So please and enjoy. I can't promise I'll be on top of updating, but I'll do my best for you guys.
Chapter 19
Lhust wasn't sure how fast everything had gone by. First she had been watching a drag show where Lassiter kept making comments..well..all the females and him. And then she watched a wedding dress show. What had it been called? Say Yes To The Dress? Yeah. That. And now, here she was, sitting on a recliner, her hair being brushed by Lassiter the wannabe drag queen. One hand was gently being held as Marissa was filing her nails. She wasn't great in regards to watching shows an movies. Then again, she had to cut off and cancel her cable access and she didn't go to theaters. She only thing she had going and knowledge on was varies music genres.
The girls were engrossed in a movie, though she couldn't recall what it was called.
"What movie is that again?"
"Bridget Jones." Answered Beth as she popped another cheese Ruffle in her mouth.
"There's like three movies. Sometimes we like to watch it to remind ourselves that most men can be jerks and dense." Mary said as she looked over towards the closed doors. She smirked when she saw a shadow figure duck away from the snow glassed pane door.
"Y-Your...your males have never been...umm...untoward to any of you?" She asked and then realized what a mistake that question was. "I'm sorry. I didn't mea-"
"Hey it's okay. It's not a bad question to ask. And the answer is yes. Our guys have done some bad shit that has pissed us off, and sometimes we don't wanna deal with them. So we tend to watch Bridget Jones, eat ice cream and chips." Beth said as she popped another chip in he mouth. "And once we're done with our movie and food and let them stew, we go to our males and make them pamper us like princesses." She laughed.
Lhust could remember being pampered like a princess. Assail between her legs, making her feel good. Feel special. She blushed red, then jolted when she felt a little boop on her nose.
"What ya thinking about? Something perverted?" Lass asked as he grinned down at her.
"N-No. And even if I was, I wouldn't tell you."
"Oh girl, puh-lease. Girls tell me everything. All the good. All the bad. All the nasty." Lass winked at Lhust.
Before she could say anything, the door opened suddenly and Butch, Rhage and Vicious entered.
"What do you mean nasty?" Butch asked rather annoyed at Lass.
"Skulking?" Asked Mary.
"Eavesdropping." Answered Rhage before pausing and cursing. "Never mind that. What's this you knowing what the hell we do with our females." Rhage asked as he stepped up next to Lassiter.
Lassiter just hummed a bit as he carefully began braiding Lhust's hair. "What do you think happens on girls night. We dish out all the good shit that needs to be said. We girls love a good story about sex, love, romance, and honey, the draaaama." He winked at Butch.
Before Butch was able to even twitch his hand and smack the crap out of Lassiter, Layla chimed from the sofa. "You three know he's just teasing you. Why do you let him bait you so?" She asked playfully as she rubbed her belly.
"Cuz we hate him. And it gives us a chance to beat the shit out him." Butch answered.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on him. I'll kick your ass if I have to. Do you know how hard it is to get my hair into a freaking French braid." Lhust sat up as she glared at Butch. "Dare you to lay a finger on him?" She tried her best to give her meanest look.
Butch just stared back, his glare intense, but it didn't last long. "Fuck. Alright. Your hair does look like it's a pain to deal with."
"Tell me about it. I can't cut it though."
"Why's that?" Asked V from the bar.
Lhust took a moment before answering. She looked down at her hands, her eyes focused on her nails. "My mahmen and grandmahmen had long hair. They believed it signified purity. They've never cut it..even after they had passed on. So I keep it long."
"Shit, that's really sweet." Lassiter gave a little fake sniffle.
"Oh shut up you asshole." Lhust chuckled and smacked his arm.
"Well doll face. At least it shows you take care of it." He patted her head. "Alright ladies, what else do we have for tonight. The night is still young. And also.." He looked over to the males. "It's still a girls night. So like..can you all leave."
"Fuck no. We're part of this party now." Rhage commented.
With a heavy sigh Lassiter rolled his eye and moved over to the couch. "Well this just knots up my garters."
"We did binge watch RuPaul since it was insisted that I watch from..whatever season Lass wanted me to watch and then got caught up on Say Yes To The Dress. And then we watched a bit of The Walking Dead and then a movie..what is there to do?"
"Well the question is, what do you want to do?" Asked Marissa.
Lhust thought for a moment. What did she wanna do? She didn't know what else was done on a girls night, aside from eating, drinking, talking and watching T.V. Maybe I should get them to teach me how to drive. Seeing as my old man left before I could even learn. Nah, I don't wanna bother them with something so...so...trivial. Think Lhust. Think, think, thin-
"Hey Lhust, iAm mentioned something about you getting rides to work. You don't drive...or..dematerialize?" V asked as he took a swig of Grey Goose.
The whole room went quiet. The only thing that could be heard was the leather squeak and Jane leaned forward and gave V a death glare.
Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit. Why did iAm have to mention that to them? Say something. Anything. "I umm..I don't know how to drive." Well...that's one way to get them to teach me.
"That's a given. Why don't you dematerialize? You don't know how to yet?" Asked V taking another swig of vodka.
"V.." Jane said in a warning tone.
"It's a serious question babe." V looked down at his drink. He was baiting her. They all knew he was. He knew Mary had mentioned to let her open up to them on her own terms, but V wasn't one for waiting. That and he wanted to nip it and get her the help she needed.
Lhust took a moment before mumbling her answer.
"Didn't hear you."
"V, enough." Jane chided. She wished she could kick his ass for it right then and there, but she would have to wait till they were alone to do it.
"I don't know how...to..dematerialize.." She said a touch louder. That wasn't correct or right and you know it. "Actually..I...I can't...dematerialize..."
"Lhust..."Beth whispered.
Okay. Explain. You can do it. You can...you can trust them. They're nice. And they're iAm's friends. They're the Brotherhood and the females have been so sweet and accepting. They wouldn't make fun of me. Right? They wouldn't...be...be disgusted. She did her best to push the fear that was building up down, letting instead her courage to open up instead take hold. Lhust took a chance.
Lhust began to explain her... specialness. How her father had suddenly left her. Everything. But as always...she left one thing out. Her fangs. She kept it secret. She wasn't sure why she didn't want anyone to know. She felt the subject of her fangs was a more sensitive subject to talk about. In a sense, it made her seem like she was a vulnerable weakling, easy to be preyed upon.
After finishing her woeful story, she had found herself being hugged and reassured which made her cry uncontrollably. From there, Rhage and V handed her a few strong drinks and then after some cheering up and encouragement, she found herself sitting inside an Escalade, hands on the steering wheel, her eyes wide as she stared at the dark, empty road ahead of her. "H-How...did I end up here?"
"Well, you need to learn how to drive. So..yeah..here we are." Said Lassiter from the back seat.
"I can't do this. W-What..what if I crash...or worse...kill everyone?"
"There's no other vehicles...correction, aside from the Mystery Inc. gang over there-" V pointed with his thumb at the females and males that were by the side of the road, hanging about two SUVs. "-nothing bad is going to happen. I'm here to take the wheel in case something happens. We're gonna go slow. Alright?" He reassured her. "Alright, first things first, start the engine."
"Umm, don't you mean buckle up? I mean, there's no chance we'll end up in a Womping Willow or something, but still. Safety first. Buckle up." Lass chimed in, sounding dramatic as always.
V was ready to punch that smug face of his, but managed to control himself. "Lhust, seat belt and then turn the engine on."
Nodding, Lhust did just that. And now the image of this SUV just up and flying and crash landing and exploding into a ball of fire was in her head. Sighing, she reached for the key already in the starter and turned it. Giving the Escalade life.
"Wooo, you got this Lhust." Shouted Marissa from the side.
"Yes, don't be afraid. It's just like riding a giant bike." Said Beth.
"How is that like riding a giant bike?" Asked Jane. " That's way more different than a bike."
"I mean, its both easy. So long as you aren't afraid." Beth answered.
The two females began to lightly argue in regards to the comparison, Marissa chiming in and then some of the males as well.
"Ignore them." V sighed. "Alright, foot on the break, keep it there and put this bad boy in Drive."
Taking a breath and releasing it, she did as instructed.
"See? All good. Nothing bad has happened." He turned his head fast, glaring at Lassiter, stopping him from making a stupid remark. Clearing his throat, V continued to instruct Lhust.
She gently eased her foot off the break and felt her heart jump and stick into her throat, watching as the SUV gently moved forward.
"Alright, now gently, press on the gas."
"P-Press...press on the gas. But...but that'll make it go faster. I don't wanna go fast. We cant go fast. What if we go too fast." Lhust kept the wheel straight, making sure she didn't list to the sides or anything.
"It'll be fine. Look... just..just imagine only using your big toe on the gas."
"Yeah, like Spongebob, when he did his driving test." Lassiter chuckled.
"That's it. Out of the car." V barked.
"You want me-" He dramatically placed a hand on his chest. "- to jump out of a moving vehicle? That's suicide."
"Exactly my point. Now. OUT!"
"Not until she stops the car. I can't risk damaging this beautiful, delicate skin of mine."
"Jesus Christ, fucking help me here."
"Y-You..guys are honestly helping my mood here." She laughed a bit. "Alright, gonna...gonna press on the gas." Taking a deep breath, Lhust gently placed her foot on the gas and pressed it. The SUV surged just a little forward, the little pointer on her dash rising from zero to five. "Aha...haha...look..look I'm driving." She had a euphoric feeling going through her veins. The feeling of driving for the first time. She had always wanted to learn to drive. Always expected her father to teach her as well. To see his little girl accomplish such a feat. In her excitement, she said it. The words she had wanted to say when this moment happened. Lhust looked over at V, eyes lit up and she said the words, "Dad, I'm finally driving!"
V just stared at her. He felt it. Felt how much she had been wanting to say those words. Felt the emotion behind them. But those words weren't for him and it seemed, in her excitement, her feelings weren't able to distinguish who was the one teaching her. When he saw her face suddenly pale, and her eyes widened, V cleared his throat. "Lhust, I-" He grunted when he felt the SUV stop.
"Oh God...oh God, oh God..." She repeated as she placed the SUV in park.
"Hey, it's okay." V said as he tried to get her to calm down.
"Oh GodohGodohGod." She kept repeating as she fumbled with her seat belt until and managed to get it off, opened the door and practically jumped out. Not really paying attention, Lhust began to walk; crossing the road, and just walked onto the darkened field, her hands holding her head.
Everyone was calling for her. Wondering what had happened.
"I didn't do anything! Why am I being blamed?" She could hear Lass shouting.
"Lhust! Lhust! Come back. It's okay." V called out from behind her, his long legs able to eat the distance.
Lhust just kept speed walking, hands holding her head as she shook it back and forth. "How could I? How could I fucking say that to him. "Dad, I'm finally driving." Nice job you stupid idiot. Holy shit, holy, fucking shit." She felt arms wrap around her, her body pulled backwards. "Let me go. Let me walk into the middle of nothing and die of embarrassment."
He held her, letting her calm down. "There's nothing to be embarrassed about." He rested his chin on the top of her head. "I kind of liked it. Gave me butterflies in my stomach."
She let out a little snorted laugh. "I think that's worse." She tried her best not to cry like the baby she's turned into this night.
"How? I mean, my little girl. All grown up. Learning to drive. Makes a badass like me fucking proud" He gave her a little squeeze hoping his sense of humor would cheer her up a bit.
"Please stop." Her voice was slightly warbled from either wanting to cry or laugh. Both feelings were fighting each other right now.
"Who's my little princess? Hmm?" He gave her another little squeeze.
"Oh geez. Cut it out." She managed to pry his arms off her.
"Better?" He asked with a smirk on his lips.
She couldn't help, but let out a little chuckle, hands reaching up to wipe the little tears that formed near the side of her eyes. "Yeah. I guess."
"Good. Now lets go. We're not done with driving lessons."He turned and headed back towards the group.
She groaned. "Can't one of you just drive over me?" Lhust followed, catching up to him.
"Nope. And that, actually, is part of the lesson. Don't run over someone, unless you need to."
She raised a brow. "Uhh...what situation do I need to be in, in order for me to run someone over?"
"That's something you shouldn't worry about, because I hope you'll never be in it." He raised his hand in greeting to everyone.
"Hey, Lhust. Tell them I didn't do anything to upset."Lassiter grabbed her by the hand and faced her to everyone. "Go on. Tell them"
"He didn't do anything."
"You sure?" Rhage couldn't help, but ask. "Cuz, even if he didn't, we always blame him regardless.
Lassiter let out a dramatic gasp. "Rhage...I expected better from you."
"Well that was a mistake on your part." Mary chided.
"Lhust...are you okay though?" Layla asked, still wanting reassurance.
Nodding her head, she smiled. "Yeah.. I...I just had a stupid moment is all." It seemed Lassiter didn't mention her little selective word slip up to the group and she was rather happy. Guess he left it for her to tell everyone, if she so choose to do so.
Once everything was settled and everyone stopped picking on Lassiter, the driving lesson continued. She managed not to crash into nothing or drive the SUV off the road. She managed to be comfortable driving up to 40mph and got the hang of backing up. When the lesson was over, everyone hopped into the other SUVs, Lhust having switched seats, so V could drive, and headed back home to the mansion.
"You did good. Next lesson will be parking. Both straight in parking and parallel."
"How many lessons are there to driving?"
He shrugged. "Hell if I know. I'm not a certified person." He smirked.
"Well, you did a great job teaching me. Thank you V. For everything." She felt her face warming up a bit.
"No problem. And once you get the hang of this, we'll get you a driver license and a sweet ride."
She always did wonder how her kind got special forms of identification if they couldn't go out into the sun to get them. "Hopefully when I earn and save up, I can find something simple- and cheap- and small. Nothing fancy."
"We can help with that."
"Oh no. You and everyone else have done and are doing too much for me. You guys aren't getting me a car. I can pay for the license, but a car-" She shook her head. "-nope. No way. Don't even think about it. Don't even talk or pitch it to anyone and don't even bring it up to iAm. Okay? Promise?"
He gave a little huff. "Okay, fine. We won't get you a car."
She smiled. "Thank you."
Once they made it home, they enjoyed a few more drinks before it was time for Lhust to head on home.
"You sure? There's plenty of rooms. It won't be an issue." Beth reassured her for the tenth time.
"No. It's okay. Thank you. Maybe...maybe next time. I really did enjoy myself. I had fun. I'm glad this happened. And hopefully it can happen again."
"Of course it can happen again. Anytime you're available, just send one of us a text. You have all our numbers, yeah?" Jane asked, ready to re-give her number.
She patted her purse and nodded. "Got everyones number, even Fritz's." In truth, Lhust had been embarrassed to pull her phone out. Everyone have shiny, new phones and her's was outdated and sad. Maybe she should invest in a new phone. Her list for new invested items was beginning to get bigger and she wasn't sure if she would even be able to get any of them.
"Alright. You call us for anything. Okay?" Marissa smiled as she took her hands, before giving her a hug.
"I will. No worries. Thank you." Lhust hugged the female tightly before releasing her.
There were a good amount of hugs and good byes and hopeful see you next times before she was able to get through the door and helped into the car. The drive home was pleasant, Fritz being so kind as to indulge in conversation. She made it home safely, the doggen waiting until she was inside before pulling away from her driveway. She was back home. A house filled with nothing, but silence. No life other than hers. With a sigh, she began her nightly ritual of locking up the house and making sure nothing could get in, whether it be another person or the sun. Once she was in bed, her alarms set and ready, she sighed, letting her body relax. She wouldn't wait to tell iAm about her night. Hopefully she could hang out with everyone again soon. She wondered if they would welcome Assail? Perhaps all of them could enjoy dinner or the like. She didn't tell them about him, since...well...she didn't know if they were only having a fling or it was something more than that. Since she wasn't able to confirm for either, she played it safe and said nothing. Hopefully, maybe next time she saw him, she'll be able to find out. Letting out a yawn, Lhust closed her eyes, her body relaxing and getting heavy as sleep slowly crept over her until it consumed her, her dreams filled with both Assail and of everyone else.