Rissa stared into her bourbon. The 3rd one, the rest were gone. She was safe. Or maybe not. Who knows? What she does know is that many people hate Damon. Maybe they all want to kill her. Maybe one of them already did. She killed herself when she turned. She hates Damon. Stupid Damon. Stupid bourbon. Stupid undeath.
Well, there goes the 3rd bourbon.
-Hey, barkeep?! Bourbon!- the bartender warily gave her another glass. He had previously suggested she stop, only to be threatened with a slow, painful death.
Rissa stared into her bourbon. Why did Guy even save her? She's awful. Mean. Like Damon. Stupid Damon. Stupid bourbon. Stupid undeath.
She reached for the 4th bourbon, but someone else got there first and grabbed it:
-She'll have some water. And when I say "some", I mean "a lot".
-Steph, I'm fine!
-No, you're not. Drink the water.
Marissa did. Slowly. Stupid water. Stupid sister.
After a few glasses, Rissa sobered up:
-Hey.
-Hey. You okay.
-Yeah, sure, why wouldn't I be? Mama's boy saved my life and killed the vampire, who was planning to kill me either way, so I basically ruined my relationship with Dad for nothing, so now I'm drinking, searching for a way to blame him for everything that happened. So, sure, I'm great!
-Rissa…
-No, no, I mean it, life is awesome, especially when I'm dead! So, my dear big sis, how's life, how's work, how's the promotion?
-Well, the dead ex-sous-chef, Derek, seems to have compelled my boss for the job.
-Wait, did you say "Derek"?!
-Yeah, why?
-That's… the vamp who tried to kill me.
-Oh. The compulsion must have lifted once he died.
-I can compel him to forget if you'd like.
-No, don't. He's fine. He'll forget the moment he sees his reflection.
-Yeah…
-Ready to talk about you now?
-Maybe. I just hate the way I left things with Dad.
-Rissa?
-Yeah?
-How long has your humanity been on?
-Not sure. Some time. It was definitely already on when I said those things to Dad.
-Then tell him that, Rissa, for once in your life, please, don't be so stubborn! He loves you!
-He does. I love him, too. And I love you.- Steph kissed her temple.
-Love you, too, little sister.
Marissa headed home, feeling much better.
On the bedside table, she found a little box. She opened it. It had a ring inside. It was blue and it had a silver "M" on it. There was a note next to it. It said:
"I checked the textbook, you little liar."