Lolita

The next time Charlotte and I met the cousins again was at the party. You could tell with one glance that decoration for this party must have cost way more than it should have but that was something that had never changed in years. We were forced to greet guests that were no younger than 16 and no older than 18 for hours until we had been introduced to everyone and our feet were bleeding. I sat down on a chair in the ballroom with a cup of water. Next to me there was a piano player. I imagined how having a DJ here might have made things better but maybe not with these guests, they seemed boring.

As I watched the couples dance to the tune of the music I sensed someone sit next to me.

"Miss Hawthorne?" I turned. A boy with brown hair and a black suit was sitting next to me. I remembered introducing myself to him because he had been talking with a guy with a funny hairstyle.

"Hello Mister Leonte." No matter how many times I had to greet someone with a title, I would still feel completely uncomfortable. "Um, you can call me Lolita. "

"And you can call me Lysander. You seem tired. Have you been dancing?"

"No, I had to go through something much more painful. I had to greet every single guest in this party. I feel like I'm ready to sleep a couple days."

He laughed. "You can rest on my shoulder if you like."

"I'm not sure you want my feet on your shoulder…" I said laughing. "Where are you from?"

"Toronto, Canada. Took a while to fly here."

"Wow. Do you live an in igloo?" I asked stupidly.

"Yeah. My brother is a penguin and my sister is a polar bear but you know I don't really like others knowing so lets keep it a secret." He said with a wink.

I laughed. He seemed good at talking to girls. Maybe he was a gigolo in Canada. He seemed to have said something else but it was inaudible over the piano next to us. "Would you like to move somewhere quieter?" I said loud enough for him to hear. He nodded and he followed me toward the tea room.

The following hour consisted of telling each other childhood stories and substituting various things for ridiculous words. Eventually we were joined by Charlotte, Claude and Alexander.

"Lysander this is my lovely sister Charlotte, the charming boy with white hair is Claude Sterling, and Alexander Sterling." I said.

"Really? Lovely sister, charming boy and I just get Alexander?" Alexander complained. Was he really trying to pick a fight? I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Delighted." Lysander said ignoring Alexander. "Miss Hawthorne, if I do recall correctly, you have a particular interest in potions?"

My sister's eyes lit up. "Yes, it's a very enjoyable hobby. Have you made any before?"

"Actually, yes. I enjoy it as well. I do think you'll enjoy the gift I have brought tonight." He took one look at his phone and stood up. "Well I must be off, it's getting quite late and I have an early flight tomorrow. It was a pleasure to met you all." He said kissing Charlotte and I's hands and shaking Alexander's and Claude's. "Miss Lolita, I do hope we can keep in touch, I had a very lovely afternoon talking to you."

"Yes, of course." I gave him my number and he left.

"Lolita, I do hope you're not considering him." My sister said once he was gone.

"Why ever not? He seemed perfectly charming. Is he not like us?"

"His parents are but he was born human. Marrying him would mean having to turn him and I don't think you could handle that. Besides he doesn't have a very good reputation." She stated.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to give us so easily, I would probably need to talk to him more but I didn't exactly have time for such a thing. "Fine. Have you guys found anyone yet?"

"I'm looking at something right now." Alexander said with a smirk.

When I saw him from my window he didn't look like such a player. I must be a horrible judge of character. "Grow up! Charlotte?"

"Actually Lolita, I didn't think you would actually consider someone who wasn't Alexander." She said with a concerned face.

"Why wouldn't i? Just because mom suggested it doesn't mean that I should pick him." I argued.

The three of them looked at each other.

"What? It's the truth." I said looking away.

"But it's a miracle itself that it turned out to be Claude and Alexander. Shouldn't you be grateful?" She said with a harsh edge in her voice. "Do you really hate him that much?"

"What are you talking about? Of course I hate him. Ever since I met him last week he's been embarrassing me! And why would I be grateful? Just because they come from a good family doesn't mean they are stupendous people." I said loudly. I noticed a few people turning, which of course was even more embarrassing so I left the room.