⋆♱ Lenore ♱⋆
It's aggravating when I see Lenore in the house again, but not completely a surprise. Mateo has a big heart, one that still bleeds even as it doesn't beat.
It's always difficult to see him cope with the inevitable. People die constantly. It's bittersweet to see him grieve. To know that he's kept that love for humanity means everything to me, and is the reason he's one of the most valued in the coven. But it's hard to see the cycle over and over again.
It has to be why seeing her, Lenore, is so frustrating. Outside of her being a walking blood bag in a house full of vampires.
What troubles me, though, is that the others don't seem to be as upset about it as I am. Even Amelia, who I thought would have the biggest issue, would be upset. But she seems rather tame about it, in her own way.
"Are you bringing her over?" She scoffs, shaking her head. Mateo spills about all the interesting things about his new human friend, and I see her expression start to soften.
When I ask her about it, she lets out a long sigh, shaking her head. "You have to give the guy something. Besides, we won't see her for much longer. It all ends the same anyway." She says, and then struts off.
The others seem disinterested or fascinated by the prospect. Mateo has had many human friends, but rarely has he brought one home.
It irks me that I seem to be having such an issue with this. With her. Have I not been around humans enough? Am I losing my willpower?
This thought is what leads me to butt in on their hangouts. Perhaps I need more exposure.
"Ellis." Mateo exclaims, looking up at me from his bed and jolting a bit. The human, Lenore, looks up at me as well, my throat catching slightly. I'm not sure how we can fit in with humans when they look so different. How she doesn't immediately notice the danger in being in the same room as two vampires. It irritates my skin as she smiles at me before looking down at my hands.
"I, uhm... brought you tea." I hum, handing the cups over to the two. She wraps her hands around the mug, giving it a big whiff.
"Thank you, Ellis." She states softly, blowing the tea and taking a sip. I watch as she nods her head before setting the mug down on the nightstand.
Mateo looks at me before taking a sip, imitating Lenore as he nods. He gestures the cup over to me, "Thanks."
Before they go back to their conversation, I place my hand on Mateo's shoulder. It prompts him to look at me.
"Do you mind if we have a quick chat outside real quick?" I state, looking at him and then back at Lenore. Lenore shrugs her shoulders slightly, looking over at Mateo before he reluctantly gets up and follows me outside of the door. I softly close it, allowing it to click.
"What's up?" He asks, crossing his arms almost as if in defense. As if he's expecting me to scold him for bringing the human around more than he promised to. And maybe I should. It would maybe get rid of my whole problem. Maybe.
"Do you... mind if I... join you and your friend?" I clear my throat slightly, waiting for his reaction. His eyebrows raise, flinching a bit at my words. "Oh, um... sure, yeah." He answers after a moment, a small smile curling on his lips. He nods, turning back to the door. I stop him for a moment, making him face me again.
"I just, um..." I try to say, taking another gulp before looking in his eyes. "Need to make sure you're doing okay. You know.... around... her."
His face falls again, looking back at the door before looking back at me. He wipes his neck before nodding. "Yeah, yeah, I'm... fine... please... don't bring it up..."
I nod, holding my hands up slightly. "Okay. I just wanted to make sure." And then I leave it at that as we enter the room again.
I sit next to Mateo, away from Lenore. It's best not to sandwich her in between two vampires, I think, giving her a small nod. "Is your tea good?" I ask, watching as Mateo grabs his sketchbook again.
She looks back at her tea cup, still steaming slightly. Was it too hot? Could she not drink it yet? She then looks back at me, letting out an exhale that sounded a bit like a chuckle. I furrow my brows, looking at Mateo who now has a small smirk on his face.
"It's delicious, thank you." She states, pushing back some of her hair as she returns to her textbook. I always thought she was an art major like Mateo. What does he have to learn? I guess besides the new fad of digital forms of art...
She gives me another look, one I'm not quite able to decipher, before looking back at her scribble of notes. I notice her heart beating faster than before, and it makes me uneasy. Does she know about us? She's been here so often, have we been slipping? What is she doing here if she knows?
She continues to allude me. To frustrate me. To worry me.
But I must know what's wrong with me, and so I continue to hang out around them.
