Chapter 13: Beginning

A week has passed since my last chat with Vampy. The one that ended on a bitter note.

I've been going back to work as a waiter, serving thankless, rude blokes for a wage that feels below the minimum.

It's Friday, thankfully. This week couldn't have lasted any longer than it did because, my god, it was a horrid one. I've been really out of it since I got back. Either because it's been a while since I did this or because my mind's constantly been showing me that last glare Vampy gave me before she left last week.

Late in the evening after work, on my way home, I decided to treat myself to something a little more healthy—an apple. I wasn't so hungry. And I should watch my diet. Lately, I've been snacking on junk food a little too much.

At least this one apple makes me feel like I am healthy.

As I stroll down the relatively quiet street, passing by a broken streetlight, my mind starts to wander.

No matter how I look at it, though, I guess Vampy's still on my mind.

Was I supposed to accept her ridiculous offer? Is this supposed to linger on my mind so much? Actually, why is this bothering me so much in the first place…!?

Gah! I feel like some angsty teen or-… Something. I'm too old for that phase already!

Gazing at the core of the apple I just finished, I put my other hand on my phone in my pocket.

All week now I've been thinking about calling Vampy again. Call her and ask her if she's mad at me. If the offer still stands. If she wants to hang out again.

What's even stopping me? My own sense of shame? Something else?

Agh! I don't know. Screw it, I'm calling her.

Feeling a rush of motivation, I yank my phone out of my pocket and speed dial Vampy's number… Or so I tried. My hand is frozen, stuck right over the green call button. Several times, I tell myself I'll push that button in a second only to catch myself doing the exact opposite.

Even when I managed to hit it, for some menial reason, I catch myself hanging up before the call goes through.

Dumbfounded at my own lack of resolve, I press the call button one more time and just bring the phone to my ear.

Several times, I catch myself trying to bring it back down again and hang up. But not this time. This time, B-Face is going to be an adult… Maybe… Try to be an adult, maybe?

As it goes over, my gut feels a lot heavier all of a sudden. "Yeah. What's up," Vampy asks from the other side of the line.

Alright. I got this far. Next step is figuring out what to say.

I did not think ahead, no. Don't judge me. You'd be as dumb as I am right now in my shoes.

"Err-, hey. It's B-Face. Hi."

"Yeah, yeah. What's up, man? I'm busy."

"Look, uh. I-... Can we meet? I kinda wanna talk to you in person about… stuff. Yeah, stuff."

There's a long silence on the other side. "I can't, man. I'm actually busy. Remember that thing I asked you about in person? Yeah, we're a man short. And I need to figure out how to pack up…"

I just nod along, knowing she is deliberately being vague. "Right. Sorry about that. No really. I just-... couldn't do it."

"... It's okay, man. It's a lot to ask of someone. Besides, this stuff's a real rabbit hole. Once you go in, you're going in. Way in."

Quietly I grunt, nod my head and lean up against the wall beside me. "Yeah, I know. I know… It's just… Something's bothering me."

"Yeah? What's that?" Vampy asks without a hint of interest.

I don't even know how to explain to her what's bothering me. I guess I'm just trying to prolong the conversation or something.

"It's just that I've been thinking. Like… A lot."

"Okay…?"

"It's just-... Just-... I think I'm low on cash."

"Really now?" She questioned with slightly more interest now.

"Yeah, uh. You know. Money's hard to come by with minimum wage. So, uh… I kinda need more money."

"More money, huh?"

I sigh audibly and rub my eyes. What am I doing? I'm not even close to being short on cash. I mean, I am. But I'm surviving at least.

Before my better judgement can stop me, I keep on talking. "Yeah. So, uh… You're still a guy short, right? Is it for the thing you asked me for?"

"... Maybe. Maybe I'm not so busy anymore after all."

A mix of excitement, as well as dread, fills my entire body. What am I doing… What am I doing!?

"Alright. When would you like to meet in person?"

"It's pretty late, huh? How 'bout tomorrow? You don't work Saturdays, right?"

I shake my head as if she could see me. "Nah, I don't. Tomorrow, you coming over to my place again?"

"Yeah. I'm down. Catch you later, B-Face…"

I nod and am about to put my phone away before quickly bringing it to my ear again.

"W-Whoa. Hold on, hold on. Wait!" I call out to her one last time in hopes she hasn't hung up on me yet.

My heart beats like a drum. It almost hurts. It's like someone else has taken control of my tongue and arms. But I don't want to do this. I don't. This isn't what I want. Why am I not stopping this? Am I stopping this? What am I even doing?!

"Yeah, what's up?" She calmly asks from the other side. This is where I tell her this was a stupid idea and that I'm not going to be in on it. Right?

"... What time will you be over?"

"Uh. Two in the afternoon. Or something. Anyway, gotta run. I'll see you then."

"Right… See you."

I keep my phone to my ear, even as the distinct beeping plays from it.

This might've been a huge mistake I can't back away from now. Still. I guess it got me and Vampy to hang out again?

Maybe I should sleep it over. I'm sure I'm more… err… logical tomorrow? Maybe?

So I've been working on a lot of different projects as of late and most of them remained unfinished as a result of that. Most of these projects remain unpublished as well, so I've committed myself to try and fix that.

First step in fixing that is finishing old projects, in other words this one. I've said this before but maybe this time I'll do it for real, I'm going to try and finish this story real soon.

See you guys next chapter.