Awkward.
I kept patting her shoulder and then switched to brushing her hair from her forehead. That was always soothing.
"I still think we should go out." I tried to sound cheerful. The wolf would've been handy in this moment.
"Why am I like this?" She kept crying and pulled away to stare at her hands. She held them up with her fingers spread out, and stared down at her palms. "I feel so dirty. I feel like I'm going crazy. I know you said it had something to do with the full moon, but I still don't feel right. I keep up a good front in front of Pippa, but I'm a basket case."
"Oh come now." I shook her shoulder. "You're normal. The guy did a number on you and you have to go through what every other girl does. They're called crushes for a reason, Em. This is the time you jump back up and keep going. Hell, let's invite Pippa. Maybe the witch too? We have friends. We should celebrate."
Her eyes popped out. "Not the witch. Do you believe in that? Really? I couldn't believe it, but then there's the microwave. She's loony."
"Ah. She's harmless."
Emily dropped her voice to a whisper, "I think she's actually a witch. She seemed sure of it and I don't think she's crazy. She said there are vampires. Do you believe in them? Maybe she's delusional. I don't believe in that stuff, but then I never believed in witches." She shuddered.
I laughed on a forced note. "Vampires? Next thing you're going to say that werewolves exist, maybe even were-cats."
"Davy." Emily stood and stared down at me. She was too serious. "I think she does have magical powers. Our microwave is destroyed. We have to get a new one because of her."
I stood and patted her hand. "It'll be okay. Promise. Witches can't hurt humans."
"Really?"
"Really." I smiled at my lie and toed on some sandals. "Are you going like that?"
"We're really going out?"
"Why not? Neither of us have early classes. Let's go. Did you want to invite Pippa too?"
"Really?" Emily stood uncertainly in the middle of the room. Then she gasped and dove for her closet. When she pulled out a red shirt, she stopped, and glanced at me. She looked at my simple white tee shirt and took out a green one of hers. Then she reached for her khaki capris, but veered to her jeans instead. We now looked like twins. Super.
"I'm going to see if Pippa wants to come." Emily darted out the door.
I took a deep breath, but it wasn't long before I heard a knock at our door. Pippa popped her head around the door. "Emily said we're going out? Is it okay if I come?"
"Why wouldn't it be?"
She glanced over her shoulder. "Emily went to the bathroom. I wanted to make sure it's okay with you if I come. I don't really think you and I get along?"
"Which is funny because we're both lying to the same person. You'd think we'd be best friends." I tried not to sound so bitchy, but I failed.
Pippa cringed.
"Sorry. That was unfair. I don't like lying to her, but I have to. I'm taking my stuff out on you. I know you said that her kindred will tell her, maybe then neither of us will have to lie to her."
Pippa narrowed her eyes. "I don't really know what powers you have or what you are, but I know you're more than empathic. If she finds out about me, why would that mean you're caught too?"
I opened my mouth and then shut it. The wolf had a point, which was irksome. Emily might not ever find out about me. That should be good news, but it was then that I realized I wanted my roommate to know about me. I didn't want to lie anymore. I didn't want to hide anymore.
So I closed my mouth. 'Well. Fuck me.'
Pippa kept winding a finger around one of her braids. "Where are we going? She mentioned Buds before? That's a vampire bar. I don't want to go there."
I cringed. "You're not the only one. I want to stay as far away from vampires as much as you."
She flashed a relieved smile. "Oh good. I didn't know. I mean, I assumed, but you smelled like vampires so much before. Nevermind. That sounds good to me."
Then Emily came in, excited and scared at the same moment. I knew Pippa sensed it too because her nostrils flared and she shot me a look. "Looking good, roomie."