Inject Me Sweetly / Dusk Until Dawn

:Inject Me Sweetly: Chapter Nineteen

            “Except you don’t have to act like a prince at home,” he added flatly, “so sorry if I don’t live up to your expectations outside of that place.”

            A frown flitted across my face. “I never said that…”

            “Text your brother,” he ordered, pulling onto Main St. where the ice cream parlor was. “Tell him to set up that movie for when we get back too.”

            “You really want to watch it?”

            He nodded. “I can’t wait to watch your reactions.”

            I made a face. He wasn’t interested in seeing the movie. He was interested in seeing me scared. For a split-second, my mind wandered, thinking he’d find my fright cute, but I forced that away quickly. The only thing he’d think of would be something to tease me about. Sighing, I reached in my pocket for my phone. When my hand met nothing, my heart skipped a beat.

            “Wait, where’s my phone…” I trailed off when my eyes landed on it. It was on the floor of my car, dead. I almost slapped myself. How could I forget I’d left it in here the other night? “Um, Vincent. My phone’s dead. Can I use yours?” Did he even have a phone?

            After a positive grunt, he dug his hand into his pocket, producing an iPhone. He tossed it to me. “Put your number in there when you’re done.”

            “You want my number?”

            “In case something happens.”

            “Like what?”

            “We get separated somewhere,” he clarified.

            The corners of my mouth turned down. “Wait… That sounds like you’re planning on following me everywhere?”

            “Duh,” he replied. “That’s what I was ordered to do.”

            “Follow me everywhere? You mean I get no privacy?”

            “Would you rather have privacy or die?” he shot back. “Look, I don’t like this just as much as you.”

            My stomach shifted uncomfortably as I typed out a quick text to my brother, sending it and then adding his contact to Vincent’s phone. Was I an annoyance to Vincent? Probably. I was ruining his regular life because of my stupid abnormal mind. Even if I considered us friends, he could still view me as a troublesome brat. I typed in my phone number, saving the contact under Stupid.

            “All set,” I responded, clicking the button that brought the main menu back onto his phone.

            “Now text your phone so you have my number.”

            “Okay,” I mumbled, returning my attention back to his phone. A part of me was really tempted to look at his texts and contacts, but I didn’t want to intrude on his privacy, so I stopped myself.

            Vincent pulled into the ice cream parlor parking lot, parking carelessly, and cutting off the engine. I gave him his phone back and together we climbed out of the car, heading inside. The bell on the door tinkled, announcing our arrival.

            “Hello!” a bright voice chirped before a very familiar face came into view. Her mouth dropped open. “Oh my god! Emily!”

            “Alli!” I cried, throwing my arms out as my best friend came barreling toward me. “Long time no see!”

            “You think?” she snorted, pushing her ginger bangs out of her eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me you were going to California?”