Feeling exhausted, all she could think about was to go to bed for a while and rest her head. Just as she did, her phone started ringing again. “Wakey, wakey! Nalani and I got you a graduation present! I’ll be there in an hour,” Jemina spoke, sounding a bit too excited for 7 a.m.
Three loud knocks on the door shake Naira up from her bed. She walks up to the door, putting her hair in a low ponytail. “Hey!” Jemina yells as she walks inside, holding a huge box in her hands. She puts it down, hugs Naira and begins to explore the apartment.
“Woah, it's so nice Naira! Is this your room here on the right?” Jemina walks in and begins picking things up and looking at them.
“Yep, yep! You should've seen it some months ago. It was trashed. My friend came over and helped me clean it up a little,” Naira says as she follows her sister.
“So chivalrous,” Jemina says with a knowing smirk.
Naira guides her back to the living room, and they sit together on the sofa, sipping on coffee. Hours fly by as they tell each other their current stories.
“Mom and dad are still being assholes. Mom does look like she wants to reach out, but every time she mentions it, dad shuts her down. I still don’t think I'm ready to let them meet Nalani yet, but we’re working on it,” Jemina says while she gets up.
“Good, doesn't seem like they changed much anyways. I don't get why you keep wasting your energy on them.” They both let out sighs. “Come on, I’ll walk you out.” They smile at each other as they walk towards the door.
Jemina stops her and holds her face with both hands, and Naira wanders through her feelings, especially on how she’s always looked up to her big sister. She was everything she ever wanted to be. Pretty, smart, and great with words. Jemina always told Naira she had to be her own person, with the good and the bad. As the big sister, she had a greater understanding of the nature of her parents, and all she wished for was for Naira to be as far away from them as possible. Naira hugs her sister, and hands her a muffin as a gift for her to eat on the way.
Just as she’s about to walk out, Emory comes out to the hall. “You must be Emory! It’s a pleasure to meet you, I’ve only heard great things about you.” Emory smiles and hugs Jemina.
“Same! We should all hang out sometime, I’ve heard you're such a great sister.”
“Well, I’ll be in town for a couple more days, and I just can't wait to meet Naira’s new boyfriend. This should be a treat,” Jemina says with a sly smile before leaving out the door. Clueless on how Jemina knew about Credence, she assumes she must have seen him kiss her at the graduation ceremony. Either way, she was sure they'd get along just fine.
“Hey, Naira, is this box in here for you?” Emory asks while gently kicking the box.
“Oh yeah, she bought it for me. Almost forgot it was here. I wonder what's in it. Clothes? A car? A new house!” Naira says while kneeling down and poking the box.
“Or… and hear me out… you could just open it and see what's inside,” Emory says sarcastically with a smile.
Naira and Emory both open the box and are absolutely blown away by what's inside.
A bullmastiff puppy leaps from the box, attacking Naira with tons of kisses.
“Oh, That’s cute,” Emory smiles as she looks at Naira holding the puppy. She takes the box to place it aside and notices something else inside. “Hey, there’s also this letter here.”
Naira opens the envelope and is surprised to see so many zeroes. “So much monies!” She shouts and immediately dials Jemina’s number to thank her.
“Alright, I’ll get dressed and meet you there around ten," she answers before ending the call with her sister.
“We’re probably gonna need dog stuff, right?” Emory asks as she grabs her keys.
“Yeah! Let’s go deposit this cash first.” She looked at her new puppy. “Hmm… what should I name this little dude?” She wandered between options. “Eh, it'll come to me,’’ she thinks to herself as she picks him up and places him into her purse.
The two get in the car and ride in silence to the store so as not to wake their new puppy. “Denali!” Naira shouts as they pull into the Mal-mart parking lot, startling Emory and the puppy. “Uh, pardon?” Emory stares at Naira with a bewildered expression after finding a parking spot.
“His names Denali, like the car we just passed. Same color as him too.” Naira says as she plays with his ears. Emory steps out of the car and waits for her friend to join her.
“Are you talking about that truck over there?” she asks as she walks backward to get a good look at the truck.
“Yup! It’s clever, right?” Naira says as she looks at Emory with a smug smile.
“I'm pretty sure that's an Impala,” Emory says, letting out a quiet chuckle, “the name you picked does sound good though,” she continues as she turns around.
“Not everyone can be a car-gitian, Em,” Naira side-eyes Emory.
“A car-gitian? That's one for the books,” she answers, laughing.
As they walk into the store, they race to find all the essentials a new puppy owner would need. After going down a few aisles, Naira notices sleepiness winning over Denali as he nods his head to stay awake but to no avail, and carefully puts him in the cart. He sleeps with his tongue out, and Naira can’t help but take him into her arms. “Emory, quick! Take a pic,” Naira whispers as she holds the sleeping Denali up to the camera.
They both pick up chew toys, collars, leashes, and even a few puppy costumes to dress him up in. When they’re done buying all the things Denali would need and chatting with her old work buddy at checkout, they leave, ride home together, and Naira drops her friend and new puppy off at the apartment.
“You sure you don't need a ride?” Emory asks before she pulls away.
“Yeah, I'm fine. Credence says he’ll be here in a bit. Thanks though” Naira responds, sharing a smile with her friend as she waits.
She soon sees a large blue pickup truck that has seen its fair share of wear and tear. “Hey, pretty lady, you need a ride?” Credence asks as he leans over to open the passenger door.
“I didn't know you had a car,” Naira says as she climbs into the truck and kisses Credence on the cheek.
“I don't, this here’s Rollo’s lemon. Said I could borrow it. Maybe it’ll impress your sister. How ya like it? Think it suits me?” Credence says,combing his wild hair back while patting the steering wheel.
Naira lets out a chuckle. “Not really, you seem more like a muscle car kind of guy,” she says while applying her lipstick in the mirror.
“True true” Credence says pouting lazily, pretending to be hurt. She looks at him grinning as he pulls out and starts driving. “Hey, maybe if I hit the lottery, I’ll get one,” he says, throwing a smile in Naira’s direction.
“Woah, I love this song! It's such an oldie.” She turns the volume up.
“Oh man yeah, I remember my dad used to play this sometimes when I was a kid,” Credence says as he mouths the lyrics.
“Dude, you're ancient,” she holds back her laughter and sings along.
“Bother me, tell me awful things! You know I love it when you do that,” he sings, rolling his eyes and chuckling.
The two sing, more so yell the song together. Naira laughs hysterically and records Credence as he tries his best to give a compelling Lil Tracy performance. His hair blows in the wind as he looks at the road. Naira sings Lil Peep’s verse and Credence places his hand on her thigh as they drive down the highway.
As they arrive, they see Jemina waiting patiently for them at a table. Credence’s phone rings. “Sorry, it’ll just be a few seconds,” he apologizes and Naira nods in understanding.
“Don’t take too long,” she kisses his cheek.
She walks into the restaurant and approaches her sister’s table to sit down. “Are you crazy? Where’d you get all that money?”
Jemina smiles at both questions. “This new job pays really well, so I figured I'd treat my little sister,” she shakes her shoulders in a little dance. Her smile fades when she realizes she doesn’t see Credence around. “Isn't your boyfriend joining us?”
“You really saved my butt with that money. You’re always right on time, huh? It’s crazy cause I just got fired and my savings were starting to shrink. Creed chipped in for last month’s rent even though I told him I had it… kinda,” Naira confesses before sipping her water, forgetting to answer her sister’s question.
Jemina’s smile fades. “Naira, look, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to reach out as much as I wanted to. But I need you to know I’m always here for you. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I’ll pay for every expense, I’m saying I’ll be here for you, through all the good and all the bad, but I need you to be independent, to be okay by yourself. I worry about you sometimes, I know you dont wanna move in with us but we've got more than enough space for you back at home. I'm sure they have a ton of jobs that fit your degree there. I'm not going to pressure you, it's just something to consider ” She paused and took Naira’s hand. “I need you to start looking for a job. And let me give you a piece of advice, for sure go for the vampires, they pay quite well.”
Naira was sure that had she proposed that offer when she’d gotten fired she would have taken it in a heartbeat. But now things are different, far too different for Naira to even consider leaving everything behind. “Thanks, Jem, I know. I actually tried to before, working with the vampires. But it’s kinda hard to get in, It’s like they live on another planet. Maybe I could just give the old fashion way another try. They treat you like crap but at least it isn't so difficult to get a job with them”
Jemina shook her head thoughtfully. “Difficult, but necessary. I hate to say it, but humans just don't know how to effectively lead without treating their employees like assets rather than people. There’s little to no upward mobility in the old ways. I don't want that for you, so whatever you need me to do, I’ll do it.” Jemina smiles and raises her glass of wine to Credence who approaches the table. “The man of the hour,” she says, with a wink at her sister.
He politely smiles as he stands at the side of the table. “I can’t agree more, this might just be a rumor, but I heard Asha might be looking for a new employee. If you put a word in for Naira, I bet her application would stand out a ton.” Jemina, taking a sip of wine, nods in agreement.
Credence extends his hand for a shake as he’s about to introduce himself, but is interrupted by Jemina. “It’s so great to finally meet you! I'm Naira’s sister, Jemina,” she says, rejecting his handshake, and standing up to hug Credence.
“I've heard a lot about you, I'm Credence.” He says as he sits beside Naira.
“I hope only good things,” Jemina jokes, crossing her fingers and laughing as the waiter approaches. As the three finish placing their orders, the waiter walks away, allowing an excited and curious Jemina to continue the conversation. “So, Credence, tell me about yourself, where do you work?”
“Well, my work situation’s weird, but I help out over at the church and the pastor gives me some money every month. I don't really need to eat much, so aside from getting some games from time to time and some clothes, I don't really do anything else with it,” he looks over at Naira, “other than save it and take her shopping,” he replies, rubbing her hand.
“Fascinating, so you're an Other? I hope I'm not being too intrusive, but I've gotta ask. What is it like? If you could be human again, would you take the opportunity?” Jemina asks before taking another sip of her wine.
“Actually, I don't get the chance to speak to people about my Vampirism too much. So, ask away.” The three share quick smiles. “I’d say being a vampire is chill. I mean, I do still consider myself human, just… different. It's cool that I don't really have to do anything aside from drink blood from time to time, and I can even substitute that with normal food because I'm not your average Vamp,” he pauses and takes a deep breath. “But if I were given the chance to change? Damn, that's a hard question. When I was first turned, the loneliness I felt was at levels I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, but now that the Other rights movement pushed for equal rights, I feel more involved and less inclined to hide who or what I am. I can't say for sure that I still don't hide certain things about myself. After so many years of hiding certain parts of you, it becomes something you start doing without thinking. But when you find someone who loves and accepts all of you, those habits start to go away,” he looks up to the ceiling and back to Naira who smiles warmly. “But in short, Nah. I wouldn't go back.” Credence says while sitting in a relaxed position brushing his long black curls back, now looking at Jemina.
Jemina looks at Naira and back at Credence with a shocked expression. “I don't think I've ever heard an answer like that before. Credence, I appreciate you being so candid with me.”
“No problem, it’s kinda refreshing” he replies, letting out a breath.
“Just a couple more questions and I’ll drop it, I promise,” Jemina says, growing more relaxed. “Where is this relationship with Naira going? I don't mean to sound rude, and you do seem like a great guy for my little sister, but she ages and you don't. Have you ever been in this kind of relationship before? I mean, if you two got married and she grew to be one hundred, will you still love her the same?”
“Damn, we're digging deep,” he says with a laugh, causing Naira to laugh with him, getting rid of the inevitable tension in the air. “Well, I’ve only been in one interspecies relationship before I was turned. And usually, it’s the trans-species partner that breaks things off when that age gap gets too big, and I think it's more than understandable. I do love Naira a lot, she’s funny, kind, and clever, which is more than enough for me. I try not to think too far into the future, it really lets me just enjoy my time with her. Knowing these moments are fleeting really lights a fire under my ass, reminds me I gotta enjoy every second I have with her. You know, not take her for granted. Pardon the language and whatnot,” Credence says as he softly grabs Naira’s hand.
“Oh, you two are gonna make me cry. I’m so happy for you Naira, you deserve all this. I was a bit nervous when you told me you were having such a rough time all that time ago, but now being here, I can see that your friends, your living situation, and even your boyfriend are just so good for you. I'm so, so, so happy for you!” She finishes as she fans her eyes.
“Aw Jem, don't start… don't do it because I’ll star- I’ll start Jemina. This mascara’s expensive,” Naira jokes while fighting back tears with a constipated expression that causes Credence to laugh uncontrollably.
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