Ania

***

The full moon is tomorrow night and I can see the changes in my wampire companions. This is why we moved to the countryside of Pennsylvania. Woods stretch out behind us as a small, human town stretches before us. Perfect for hunting. Perfect for blending in.

Alicia and Vie, ravenous as they slowly change, are out hunting. And Chizu…

Wait, where’s Chizu?

“Chizu?” I call out, “Chizu, where are you?” I follow her scent (cheese, grass, and a faint sprinkling of cinnamon) up the stairs. I knock on her door-wait- then let myself in. I walk gingerly across the room full of boxes and void of Chizu, quickly and quietly approaching the furry, brown mouse on the window sil. My keen eyes immediately finds two boys tossing a football on the manicured lawn that slowly disappears into the forest. Focusing more, I recognize the human brother of Sami. “So, which one fascinates you?”

With an alarmed squeak, Chizu falls back off her perch, landing on the wood floor with a small plop. Quickly using her magic to turn human- or somewhat human- she looks up at me as if caught in the act of stealing. “I, um, was just looking to see if Alicia and Vie were done yet.”

Such a bad liar. It’s cute that she tries, though. “You can’t lie to save your little tail. So, which is it?”

“I heard the human brother call him Martin.” Chizu says, giving up on the lie to engage in girly crush-talk.

“The blonde one?” I marvel. “So, you’re a human lover after all!”

“Look at his swift movements! Look at the trail of smoke he leaves behind him! He is no human.” Chizu protests.

“I’m just pulling your ear, Chizu.” I raise an eyebrow. “But...a mouse in love with a dragon?”

She blanches.

“I mean,” I shrug, “it could work out. Just don’t try to reproduce.”

She chuckles, shaking her head. “I’m hungry, Ania.”

And, so ends our quick, girly conversation.