My tail curls tightly around my waist.
“No, theeeeey’re nice to me.”
“Yeah, alright. I hope so. You seem like a nice monster. But they just seem like roided up dickheads. The shitty kind we had in high school that bullied people.”
I say nothing as we stop in front of the small smoothie stand, which is situated next to the coffee cart. Rosie waves her hand at me, and I wave back. She enjoys seeing me. I cannot wait to work with her again tomorrow.
“Everest said you work here now.”
“Yes.”
“You love lattes that much?”
“Yes.”
He huffs a small laugh and then steps up to order. Something very fruity with protein.
“He’s getting it for me,” Zane tells the worker, and I nod, taking the cash that Quilliyn gave me the last time I worked and handing over a bill.
“Shit, that’s too much,” Zane says. He reaches over and sorts through it, handing the worker something smaller. It is hard to tell. The flimsy papers are all green, and they look alike. We do not have this in Erethar. We have coins, mined from the singing mountains in the Outerlands. But most of the time, we barter for what we need. It is not in our nature to allow Vyastil to go without things they need, though those in the capital perhaps have different ideas about what is truly a need.
But what we do for each other is far more valuable than money.
“Thanks,” Zane says as we move to the other side of the counter to wait for the smoothie to be made. I glance around, meeting Rosie’s stare.
“You want another latte?” When I hesitate, she adds, “On me, baby girl.”
I find my ears fluttering as Zane scoffs next to me.
“Shit, seriously? She’s calling you baby girl?” He snorts, and I can’t help but pat him on the head. It seems like the right thing to do, and it is not a hug. He seems upset she has not called him baby girl. If only he were nicer to her, maybe she would.
He grunts at that and then reaches for the smoothie that is placed on the small pedestal. He stabs a straw into it and then takes a sip.
“You want some? Everest said you guys only eat like bark and shit.”
I scrunch up my nose and shake my head, just as Rosie calls out my name.
She sings it like a bird, and I swipe the cup from the counter and gulp it down.
“Good.”
“Yes, so good, right? See you tomorrow, babe.”
I nod and then turn back toward Zane. His eyes are once more on Quilliyn. I wonder if he desires the Vyastil. I have seen the two of them eyeing each other often.
“Do you wannnn him?” I ask and then wet my lips. “Quilliyn.”
Zane chokes on the smoothie a little. “What the fuck?”
“You wann him to suck you.”
His cheeks grow red, and his jaw tightens. I have angered him with this.
“Listen, Cielo. I know you’re a nice guy, okay? Everest adores you, but I’m not into guys, human or otherwise.” He turns his gaze and blinks wildly.
I pat his head again, unsure if he would accept a hug since he believes men do not need them.
He glowers up at me, his eyes slightly wet, and I tuck my hand behind my back to keep myself from doing that again.
