“So?” Muriel asked. She’d called right after she saw Xavier’s car leave.
“It was nice.”
“A date with hottie and you say it was nice?” She chuckled.
“No, I had a really good time. It’s just—”
“It wasn’t Chay,” she finished.
“Yeah, something like that.” I sighed in frustration. “He’s being such an ass. What’s up with him?”
“Dunno. So did he kiss you?”
“Who? Chay?”
“Geez, Milayna, you have Chay on the brain. No! Xavier,” Muriel practically yelled.
“Yeah.”
“Okay, now we’re gettin’ somewhere. Did you kiss him back?”
I sighed loudly. “Yes.”
“And?”
“It was good,” I admitted begrudgingly.
“Are you going to see him again?”
“Gads, Muriel, what is this? Twenty questions?” I flopped backward on my bed.
Muriel was unfazed. “Are ya?”
“I don’t know. He didn’t say anything about it. Besides, it was kind of awkward coming home and seeing my ex-boyfriend having a powwow with my dad.”
“I guess that would kill it. Bummer.”
“And it doesn’t matter, anyway. It wasn’t a real date.”
Muriel burst out laughing. “Chick, I got news for ya. If it wasn’t a real date, you two wouldn’t have been playing tonsil hockey.”
“Whatever. I have to go.” She was still laughing when I clicked off the line.
Maybe she’s right. Was it a first date? Do I want it to be? Do I want a second? If I really loved Chay, I wouldn’t be getting over him this fast. And I did… do… love him. Xavier’s just the rebound guy. Yeah. A totally gorgeous, rebound guy that kisses great. I’m screwed.
I went into my bathroom, pulled my hair up in a ponytail, washed my face, and got ready for bed. Walking back into my bedroom, I clicked out the light when something caught my eye. A little red body. Perched on the overhang outside my window. I threw open the window.
“What now?”
“Did you have fun?” Friendly asked, smiling and wide-eyed.
“Yes.”
“Chay was pissed. That was fun,” Scarface said, his deformed smile spreading across his yellowed teeth.
I rolled my eyes. “I’m sure you enjoyed that. What do you two want and how’d you get up here?”
“We get up here all the time,” Friendly said. “We’re supposed to watch you.”
“You watch me all the time?” A shiver ran through me. “Why?”
“He told us to. He doesn’t want to screw up like Azazel did.”
“Who doesn’t?” My heart thundered in my ears.
“You’ll find out soon enough.” Scarface rubbed the palms of his red, stubby hands together in anticipation. “It won’t be long.”
“Yeah! He’s putting the final touches on some new games for us to play!” Friendly giggled.
Oh no.
“I’m not playing any more of your games. Go away.” I slammed the window down, barely missing their fingers. Sliding the lock, I drew the blinds closed.
“Mi-lay-na,” they sang, tapping on the glass. “Come back and talk.”
Crawling into bed, I tried to ignore them, but even over the sound of blood rushing behind my ears I could hear them shuffling around outside the window. I pulled back my blanket and stepped on the floor, praying it wouldn’t creak. Grabbing my pillow, I snuck downstairs to sleep on the couch in the family room. I rounded the corner and screamed.
Sitting on the couch were two fat, red bodies. One was smiling and swinging its legs back and forth, the other was scowling with its arms crossed over its chest.
“Milayna!” my parents yelled, running down the stairs.
My dad skidded to a stop at the opening into the family room, his face hard. “Go back upstairs, Rachael.”
She walked around him and sucked in a breath, her hand flying to her throat. Standing motionless for a few beats, her face hardened and she walked to the laundry room. After she grabbed the broom, she walked into the living room and hit Scarface upside the head. He spewed a mouthful of profanities at her before disappearing in a little puff of smoke.
She turned her broom on Friendly. He cackled and ran through the room, clapping his hands at the new game. My mother chased after him, swinging the broom as she went.
“Oh, for cryin’ out loud,” my dad muttered.
I couldn’t help but laugh. The sight of my mother chasing a red demon in the middle of the family room with a broom was… funny. Or maybe I was hysterical. Either way, I laughed so hard I snorted. My dad rolled his eyes.
I heard a quick rap on the back door, and my laughter faded. Chay walked through the room in his sweatpants and tennis shoes. His suede jacket was pulled over his bare chest, showing just enough of his ripped abs to make any girl’s mouth water.
“What’d you do? Give him a key?” I accused my dad.
“Well, he needs to be able to get here to help when I’m not home.”
“Ugh.” I stomped upstairs to my room. The sight of my mom chasing Friendly around the house, swatting at him with a broom, wasn’t quite as funny anymore.
I heard my mom walk up the stairs a few minutes later. “Good night,” she called as she passed my door.
“Did you get ‘em?” I tried to hold back my giggles.
“Swept the floor with him.”