Guy came home, kind of upset. He was sent to his "girlfriend"'s apartment to pick up his lost phone, only to have her break it. Now he had to explain all of it to his mom. He came in.
-Hi, Mommy.
-Hi, Guillaume, did you get your phone?
-No.
-Why?
-Rissa broke it. Accidentally. Stepped on it.
-We can fix the screen…
-No, no, broken in half.
-Because she accidentally stepped on it?
-Okay, she stepped on it on purpose.
-Why would she do that? You're her boyfriend.
-No, I'm not. Not exactly…
-What? Did you break up?
-Yes! Yes, that's exactly what happened, we broke up, just broke up, like two normal people.
-Guillaume…
-Yes?
-What happened?
-We got into a fight, so I left, and she got mad, and we… broke up, and when I came back for my phone, she was still angry, and she broke it, but then she said that she was over it. But I assume she was being sarcastic, because when I said I was also over it she slammed the door in my face.
-Guillaume, who tells a girl he's over it?!
-Me.
-That was rhetorical.
-Sorry.
-Of course, she wasn't over it! She was upset! Of course, she broke your phone! Guillaume, why don't you know these things?!
-Because she was my first… girlfriend.
-Oh, yes, of course.
-Yeah. But it's all over now. I guess. I'll just… be in my room.
He headed toward his room. Phew. She didn't suspect anything. He and Rissa broke up. That's it. It was even partially true, since he and Rissa kissed and now they aren't talking anymore. If he was right, that's basically the definition of breaking up. But maybe he wasn't right, because, again, first girlfriend. Not girlfriend.
Anyway, all the supernatural stuff was over. Completely. He won't have to ever think about it again, he won't ever have to worry his mom with it… He could go back to his normal life. Occasionally compel himself a blood bag and live as a normal person.
-Guillaume, wait. I need to talk to you.
-About what, Mommy?
-About you. You've been acting really weird these last couple of days. You disappeared for over twenty-four hours, only to text me after you were hanging out with your friend Rissa. Then you came home, looking really weird, and ended up confessing she wasn't a friend, but a girlfriend. Then, you go to her place…
-Wait, which time?
-The full moon. You go to her place and come back wearing nothing but your jacket, and now, you're telling me you broke up.
-So, what did you want to talk about?
-This! All this! You need to explain what's going on with you, Guillaume.
-I… I can't explain it.
-Wait… no. No, no. But maybe…
-Mommy, I can't understand what you're saying.
-I know you can't explain this, Guillaume, and neither can I, but I think I know someone who can.
-Rissa?
-No! Why Rissa?
-She's smart. Knows a lot of things.
-Just come with me.
He followed his mom out of the building and to the car. She sat in the front, he sat in the back. As they started driving, he wondered where they were going. Were they going to a therapist? Could he explain vampirism? Why did she say she knew he couldn't explain it? He lied when he said that. Who was that someone? Why would he know? What does she know about this? It was all so confusing. He couldn't wait to get an answer.
Twenty minutes later, they arrived. It was a regular apartment building. She took Guy by the hand and led him to the correct apartment. Then knocked on the door with her free hand. A man opened. He was about her age.
-Ella.
-Lucas.
-I haven't seen you in…
-Same.
-What are you doing here?
-I need to talk to you.
-Okay. Would the two of you like to come in.
-I'll come in. Guillaume, you wait here.- Guy did, but he had been invited in. Good.
Ella came in. Seeing Lucas was weird. She had slightly hoped this wouldn't be where she finds him. Hoped that he had a family. That he didn't remember her. But no. Here he was. He recognised her from first sight. But she had to focus on the main reason she came here:
-We need to talk.
-About what?
-Remember, years ago, you used to have this weird habit of disappearing once a month?
-Yes, I do, of course, but can't we just talk about what happened? About the message?
-Not the message, please…
-Ella, don't tell me to ignore the message! We were together, everything was great and then I get this!- he pressed a button on his phone. That was weird, the phone looked like it was made in the 90s. Though she remembered he always had it. The phone played the message:
"Listen, Lucas, there's no easy way to say this, but… never talk to me again. Ever."
It was her voice. She knew it would be, but it sounded so… different.
-This,- she said after some silence. -This escalated quickly.
Guy knew listening to others' conversations was bad. That it was none of his business. But this time, it was supposed to be his business, wasn't it? His mom said they're coming there to talk to someone who "knows what's happening", but what they seemed to be discussing was their relationship. Then he heard that message. He knew it was his mom's voice, even though it sounded younger, but it didn't sound like something she would say. Asking someone to forget about her, not to talk to her… She never does things like this.
-Lucas, I know what I did, what I said, but this, the reason I came, isn't about me. Or you. Or us. It's about that boy!
-The one we left standing in the hallway?- there was no sarcasm in this. Lucas sounded genuinely confused. Like Guy, whenever Rissa wanted something from him.
-Yes.
-Is he your son?
-Yes.
-But… what does this have to do with me?- Guy was just as confused as the man on the other side of the door. Even though he didn't know him, he seemed likeable. Relatable.
-He's been doing that. What you used to do. Disappearing. Being secretive.
-Is it some sort of coincidence?
-No, Lucas!
-Then what is it?
-Look, talk to the kid. He doesn't understand what's going on. He's probably scared. I don't fully understand either. Please, help him.
-Okay, I promise I will, just explain how this is not a coincidence.
-He's your SON, dumbass!
-What?!- Lucas took a step back.
-What?!- Guy stormed in.
The three of them stood in silence.