"O.M.G! How are you eighteen?"
"Seventeen and three-fourths, Pearly," I corrected, on the verge of giggling. "Thank goodness I don't need to deal with human struggles. Imagine losing a bunch of blood every month which would leave us no choice but to frequently feed at least every other day AND deal with memories, emotions, and burdens of strangers. That would drive me into insanity! The horror."
"Vampires have it hard," Pearl sang. "Don't forget you’re only half."
"Apparently, from my results, I'm actually 45% vampire, 55% fae," I revealed.
"What tests told you that bullshit?" Pearl laughed. "You need to get reevaluated because they switched those numbers. I'd say 55% vampire if not 90% because your fae side comes out once a year to smell the flowers and ask the Universe for extra sunshine in the summer."
"She grants me it each time I ask." I wasn't even mad at her statement which was 99% true. My fae side loved to lurk in the shadows of my soul, only coming out to taunt those that pissed me off before tucking back to bed and ignoring the world as we knew it.
Only during the peak of summer did she choose to come right out, soak up the sun for one solid day, and ask the universe for a longer summer. The next day, I was back to my sassy, 'don't mess with me' self.
If anyone got to enjoy the kindness of my fae side that day, it was truly a blessing. Pearl got to experience it every year, and each time, she'd retell how kind-hearted I was compared to my usual personality.
A saint! Immaculate soul. Healer of all fae. All the praise that I soaked up.
"Back to the first topic!" Pearl reminded me as I headed for the washroom. "What was that about the slashing of your cheek?"
"He thought it was a good idea to use the Dagger of Levana on me."
"Is he stupid?" she bluntly asked, looking as unamused as ever. "He actually thinks you're possessed?"
"Apparently." I lifted my hands in defeat. "Vampires that don't bow to humans of authority are apparently possessed by the Devil, Lucifer himself, and need to be exorcised into paralysis and purified with holy kisses and rods for an hour."
"So it didn't work," Pearly concluded.
"Nah," I replied and turned around to point at my cheek. "He cut my cheek though."
"He's a fool." She put her hands together in prayer. "Dear Father. Please forgive my best friend for committing a formidable crime."
"Jeez, Pearl. Have some damn faith in me," I whined. "I wouldn't waste my time killing him. He's not worth it. All I did was threaten him with a bloody sword, take his plant, and walk away. We're only going to be here for a week anyways. The moment the clock strikes twelve on my birthday, we're leaving. The lawyer comes this week to have me sign the papers."
"Thank you, Heavenly Father! We're leaving this shithole!"
"I don't think you're supposed to use our Father's name in vain and swear in the same sentence," I acknowledged.
"Let's admit it. We suck as Catholics, okay?"
"That's something I can agree with."
She bobbed her head in pride. "Aren't you a little worried about the blood thing?"
"I didn't leave a trace," I replied.
"Ya, but now he knows you can use your blood and shift it into a weapon."
"True, but what is he going to tell the heads? I sliced her by accident after she subconsciously rejected my request to feel her up, and her blood suddenly became a blade and she threatened my life? Please. That sounds even more insane than the idea of me being a hybrid."
"Valid points." Pearl nodded and stroked her chin. "Alright then. Crisis averted!"
"No one is stopping us from leaving this place. I don't know what it's going to be like to claim my family's heritage, but maybe I'll be able to find some clues about their deaths."
Pearly gave me a heartfelt smile. "I'll help you any way I can once we're out."
"My ride-or-die bitch," I whispered.
"Always and forever." She winked. "Now go shower. You stink."
"Oh, sin and lust."
"Eww." She stuck her tongue out in disgust. "I swear, that's exactly what the box smells like every damn day. Yet, Sister Ara believes a damn plant is going to make it smell like the sacred scriptures of the library."
"I’d rather smell bleach than the stench in there," I concluded. "I'm gonna shower."
Pearl nodded and walked over to the mini fridge to pull out a blood packet for me. "Fresh delivery!" she announced. "I know you like it not too cold, so at least by the time you're done showering, it'll be the perfect temperature."
"You're a gem." I put my heart to my chest in awe. "Thank you. I was going to ask Sister Ara, but it slipped my mind. "
"Like everything." Pearl rolled her eyes. "I never would have thought a vampire fae would have problems with her memory."
"Sadly, I'm one of those." I giggled. "Oh well. Made me unique."
"The best form of supernatural supremacy. Uniqueness." Pearl winked. "In you go, and don't go taking a year while singing the entire Taylor Swift album.”
"Admit it, you're just not a fan," I concluded.
"Beyoncé is a legend."
"That's obvious." I turned around. "That's why you had no complaints with me singing her classics."
"Human music is overrated."
"You can't even tell the difference between supernatural music and human music."
"Truth, but I'll figure it out. I have a plan," she said with pride.
"Ya, ya. I'm going." I walked into the washroom, ready to close the door, but paused as I watched Pearl gather our white gowns and throw them in the hamper. She was honestly a sister to me, one who'd gotten me through the really tough times.
The only one to see me struggle while I projected to the world that I was a fierce force to be messing with.
"Pearl?" I whispered.
She lifted her head to look at me. "What?"
"You're the best," I praised.
"Oh boy. You're going to get all sentimental and shit. Please go throw some warm water on yourself and drink your blood because you're getting soft."
I laughed. "Bitch."
"Best Bitch the Vatican Rose Church has ever seen!"
"We're going to hell," I concluded.
"We know that, dammit! Save me a spot next to you. Maybe that will give me some sort of benefit in the toasty pits."
"Why's that?"
"You'll be Lucifer's favorite. Duh!"
"Certainly," I said it like it was a fact. "Teacher's Pet of Mischief and Misery, with my trusty sidekick, Ball Kicker!"
"That's a horrible sidekick name!"
"I tried!"
"You failed me!" She pressed her hand against her chest like I'd insulted her. "Be gone while I pick up the pieces of my shattered heart."
"Trusty Sidekick of Overdramatic Foolishery," I corrected.
"Now we're talking!" She was up and tossing her blue locks back like she'd won Miss Universe, Supernatural Edition. "Shower!"