by J E Mueller
Vincent took note of how closely I was watching her. “Afraid she’ll say something to your sister?”
“Oh, no, she wouldn’t. Half the other staff would, but Diamond would have to run into them. I’ve no idea how she’d react. I didn’t really think this idea through,” I admitted.
“She’ll have to get over it eventually. You’re allowed friends.” Vincent crossed his arms and leaned back in his seat.
“Ha, we’ll see. I think she holds grudges longer than anything. You’ll be safe in a little less than a week. No worries.” I shrugged.
“I’m not afraid of her. Though I am almost curious as to what her new angle will be to try and get me to talk to her. She’s getting obviously desperate and I’m not sure how bad it’ll get.”
“I don’t even want that answer.” As far as crazy siblings went, she was pretty up there. “Tell you what. If you really want a coffee, I can bring you one on my way to class. That’s probably a better idea than suffering through Di’s nonsense.”
“That’s not fair to you, though,” Vincent replied. “I know you have to go straight to class and work doesn't really give you much in between time.”
“Eh, it’s not that big of a deal, though you’re right about not having much time.” I sighed. It was a good idea. Just not the easiest to implement.
“I’ve got an idea.” Vincent gave a wicked smile.
“Oh? Let’s hear it then?” I leaned forward and rested my chin on my hand.
“How about a little magic game? I’ll go with a different illusion and you can try and figure out which customer was me. With all the traffic you’ve had recently, you won’t have much time, but it’s still good practice.”
I groaned. “And my least favorite thing to practice.” I sighed and sat up straighter. “Fine. It’s worth a shot I guess. Can’t hurt to try.”
“See? It works out both parts of the problem. No Diamond overly pestering me, and you get better magic practice.”
“Why didn’t you just do that in the first place anyway? There’s no way she didn’t annoy you after day two.” It was a great idea, and surprising that two illusionists didn’t think of it sooner.
“Didn’t think about it, honestly.” Vincent shrugged.
“Fair enough.”
Food had finally made its way out to our table cutting off the topic.
We ate quickly, conversation a bit hard with such a deliciously distracting meal. I happily took the win for what it was. As much as I hated where I lived, there was no better cooking than a small town breakfast.
“So, what now?” he asked as we got back into the car.
“I should probably get some things done.” My laundry pile screamed of nightmares. At least my dishes were minimal.
“That’s fair. Thanks for coming out with me.” He flashed me a smile before starting the car and heading out.
Darn him. Why did I want to hang out still? Whatever. He’d be gone in a week. Some time couldn’t hurt right? “Unless you’re up for my movie marathon. Though, I still have to get laundry done.” I made the suggestion, looking out the window. Why was it embarrassing to suggest? This boy had butterflies exploding in my stomach.
“That could be fun, if you don’t mind the company.” I had no doubt from his tone he was smirking, but still it was safer to look out the window.
I didn’t mind. Not at all. I didn’t know why that was causing me to blush. I did not want to think about a possible crush on this cute boy who would be skipping town shortly. Instead, I kept my focus on the nothing exciting out the window. Great game plan. “Not at all.” There we go. I could still totally respond to things like a normal person.
Vincent chuckled. “So, what movie were you thinking?”
I thought for a moment. “I think next on the list is Cinderella. Not the animated one, the R&H version.” I glanced at him.
“I don’t know if I know what one you’re referring to.”
“One with more musical numbers and less talking animals.” I was finally able to smile gleefully at him.
“Yeah, I’ve no idea what one you’re talking about, but I can’t say I’ve seen more than the standard musicals.” Vincent admitted.
I shook my head. “There is not enough time between now and next weekend to catch you up on everything you’re missing.”
He laughed. “I guess you’ll just have to pick the best ones.”
“I don’t think there’s even enough time for those…” I sighed dramatically. “What have you even been doing with your spare time?”
“Running around completing as many side quests as possible before continuing on with the main story?” He offered a shrug before casting me a sly grin.
“Fair enough. This side quest probably won’t advance any plot, but it’ll be fun.” We were finally back.
“If you insist.” Vincent sounded more amused than anything else.
“I do.” I nodded confidently. “Life would be unbearable without good movies. Adding a catchy tune to them just makes it all the better.”
“Uh huh.” Vincent shook his head.
“Come on.” I grabbed his hand and pulled him across the parking lot. “It’ll be fun.”
He gave a hearty laugh and followed along.
6
Upstairs I apologised for the mess and went to find the movie I was thinking of. I didn’t have a stand for them, so they lived in a box instead. When I turned around, I saw Vincent had picked up the notebook I had lying on the table.
“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to go through people's things?” I sighed.
“Probably,” he admitted, not ashamed at all. “This is pretty awesome though.”
“Uh huh.” I shook my head. It was an older sketch book I had dug out. I was trying to find a specific drawing last night for Callie but it was still missing. Stifling another sigh, I picked up a more recent one. “At least look at one with actual good drawings.” I traded them out before he could protest.
“For someone who said they weren’t doing art things, you sure seem to have a lot of these out and about.” He said as I put in the movie.
“I’m not working on making anything big or fancy. No paintings or portraits. Just some doodles here and there. Giving it up completely would be like giving up breathing.” I started the movie. “But now we’re onto the main event and ignoring my mindless doodles.”
“Where’s the fun in that?” He happily continued to look through the sketchbook.
“Learning what quality movie you’re missing out on and having these songs stuck in your head for the next six months.” I laughed as I sat down on the sofa.
Vincent sat next to me, still engrossed in the sketchbook.
I tugged it from his hands. “Movie time, bad drawings later.”
“Fine,” he relented and stretched out, putting his arms along the back of the sofa.
As the movie started I couldn’t help consider drawing, now that the sketchbook was in my hands. I reached into the cushion and pulled out a pencil. One of the many I had dropped into it over the last two years of living here.
Vincent glanced over at me. “So, I have to watch the movie but you can draw?” He seemed a bit too amused with this.
“I can repeat it word for word.” I smirked right back. “The beginning is super cute.”
“The prince pretending to be a commoner?”
“And accidently bumping into the girl of his dreams.” I agreed. “Not before a cute little musical number of course.”
“Of course.” He watched the movie for a few moments. “Think anything like that could ever be close to real?”
“Sure,” I replied honestly. “Why not? Some people grow to love one another, some get lucky enough to have those sparks fly from the beginning. Don’t you think it’s possible?”
“Yeah I do.” He nodded as he watched the movie.
Smiling, I went back to sketching. Vincent was easy enough to sketch sitting there. Thankfully doing a profile only required dr
awing one eye.
“Are you going to watch any of this?” Vincent asked curiously after a few minutes.
“Shortly. Almost done.” I looked up at him. “Now please go back to watching. You’re ruining it.”
Vincent raised an eyebrow but obliged. After several minutes, maybe more, I finished drawing, closed the book, and tossed it on the floor.
“I don’t even get to see it?” He stared in shock at the sketch book on the floor.
“After the movie.” I smirked.
“That’s not very fair.” He crossed his arms.
“But this is one of the best songs of the movie!” I insisted, jumping right into the song. “...for a plain yellow pumpkin to become a golden carriage.”
“So, you’re using the song as an excuse?”
“And four white mice are easily turned into horses.” I continued ignoring him.
“You’re impossible.” He grumbled.
“Impossible things are happening every day!” I smirked, continuing on with the song.
“You’re definitely something.” He laughed at my continued attempts.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked.
“Oh, not a line of song for that one, is there?” A sly smile crossed his face.
“You’ve got me there.” I turned back to the movie.
“Is he not going to realise it’s the girl he met in the marketplace like six scenes ago?” Vincent sighed.
“In the movie it was several days ago, if not longer. Just watch. He realises she’s familiar but can’t figure it out just yet.” I pulled my knees up into my chest. “I love the ball scene.”
“Fancy balls like this are exactly how the prince’s first reactions were. Stuffy, dull, and not worth the time.” Vincent tsked.
“You’ve been to many?” I couldn’t help but stare wide-eyed at him.
“Basically everyone who has lived near the palace has. It’s still a thing. Fancy gatherings, old style balls, several with old style dances too.”
“You can ballroom dance?” I was more excited than I should have been.
“Yes?” He seemed surprised by my excitement.
“It just always looked fun.” I shrugged, bringing my excitement down a notch.
“They don’t teach that around here?”
“Sure, in grade school, but nothing more than a few quick how to’s and then back to normal gym. I’m sure there’s outside classes, but really it’s not worth the money at the moment.”
“If you’d like I could show you,” Vincent offered.
“Nah, it’s fine. You’ve already done enough anyway.”
“Friends can help each other out can’t they?” He winked. “Come on, it’ll be fun.”
“You’re missing the movie.” I laughed.
“You’ve missed half of it!” he countered.
“But I’ve seen it before, so it’s fine,” I tried to counter back.
“And I know how it ends, so it’s fine.” Vincent smirked.
“That’s not very fair,” I grumbled.
“Tell you what, I’ll finish watching it if you dance with me. At least once. It’ll be fun.” Vincent put his arm around my shoulder.
I felt all the heat rush to my face. What was this? What was I supposed to do about this? Oh a reply. “Sure.” Nailed it. Was it even audible? Whatever.
He just chuckled. Was that a good thing? Ugh. Did it even matter? Was I falling for this guy? My brain felt like it was melting trying to put coherent thoughts together into manageable sentences.
Of course the movie was nearly over. All that there was to watch was a montage of people failing at admitting the shoe was not theirs and then the moment the prince realises he had met Cinderella at the marketplace in the beginning of the film.
“Okay the ending is cute,” Vincent admitted as we watched all the pieces fall into place. “They got to bring up that cheesy line again, but in a satisfying way.”
“See? It is a good movie.” I smirked and got up. “Though I have to throw a load of a laundry in or nothing is getting done today.”
“Does that mean I can finally see the drawing?” Vincent asked as he picked up the sketchbook.
“I had thought you would forget about that.” I sighed. “Go ahead.” I dragged my laundry basket over to the closet by the door. I had a small stackable washer dryer unit but it got the job done. Shoving as many shirts as I possibly could in there, I got it started up and closed the door, not that it did much to muffle the sound of the machine. It was clanky and loud, but I was already used to tuning it out.
I glanced at Vincent who seemed really into the drawing and shrugged. “If you’d like to continue the movie marathon you can pick the next one.” I walked over and grabbed the movie box.
“Sure.” He looked up from the drawing. “This is pretty good. A quick sketch and you got all this detail in?”
I shrugged, not sure how to respond. “Practice I guess?” I handed him the box filled with movies.
He started looking through them when he seemed to realize something. “Oh, I was going to show you some ballroom dancing.”
“But…. movies?” I gave the box a small shake.
“Is this your way of saying you’re afraid to dance?” He smirked.
Well, close… I shrugged. “I’m not afraid, I’m just not good at it, and it’s silly to worry about when it’s not going to be put to use.”
“And what if you get into a great school and it comes up? The fancy schools by our lovely monarchs tend to have these sorts of dances.” Vincent seemed to have too much of this conversation planned out.
“A problem for another day then. First issue is even getting into such a fancy school. Then there’s too many extra problems to worry about. So forget it.”
“Like what?” Vincent asked, hardly looking discouraged. “What else could be a problem? Say for argument's sake you get into said fancy school.”
Easy. “Dress, and date. Dresses are stupid expensive.”
“You have illusion magic.” He shook his head.
“Yes, and while that can be used to my advantage here, a place where magic is more common it wouldn’t fly. Too many could see right through that illusion.”
“Not if you’re better than them,” Vincent argued.
“That’s unlikely any time in the near future. Try as I might, there’s still a lot of practice to go.” I hoped this would help my argument.
“Guess you’ll just have to practice both then.” Vincent smirked, still undeterred.
“Why are you so interested in this? I can get the wanting to help with magic stuff, but dancing? You didn’t even sound interested in it at first.” I crossed my arms.
Vincent set the box of movies aside and stood up. He mimicked my pose. “Maybe because I thought it would be fun to dance with you.”
“Why would it be fun to dance with someone who can’t dance?” I didn’t get it.
He clearly saw I didn’t get it and smirked even more. Was that even possible? “Because you make things fun.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond which only seemed to make him smile. What was he saying there?
“Come on, it’ll be fun.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me to the area between my sofa and the door. There really wasn’t any ballroom dancing room here, but that didn’t seem to bother him.
He wasted no time getting into the basic steps, most of which I thankfully remembered. It didn’t feel like much time had passed but the next thing I knew it was already dark and my stomach had some unpleasant comments to make about a belated dinner time.
We had just stopped to get something to drink. “I can’t believe it got so late.” The clock happily said it was after seven. It was almost mocking me since I hadn’t even completed a load of laundry. I moved over to the closet to put things into the dryer and start another load.
“Time flies when you’re having fun.” I could hear the smirk in his voice.
I rolled my eyes, but finished getting my laundr
y started. “So they say. This couldn’t be your idea of weekend fun.”
“Close enough. It’s not like there’s a lot of options at the end of winter. Though at least it’s supposed to be getting warmer this week.” Vincent leaned against the kitchen counter. “Do you like living here?”
I laughed. “Have I given an inclination that I do?”
“Not really, but figured it wouldn’t hurt to ask,” Vincent mused.
I went and picked my cup back up, not sure what else to say. We stood there in silence for a moment as I sipped on my water.
“So, do you have things to get done tonight?” I asked.
“Sort of. I have to put a few plans together, but I’ll probably just do that in the morning.” He glanced over at me. “I suppose I should make sure I’m not imposing by hanging out all day.”
“Not at all. Wish there was something more entertaining than movies and old games here.” I shrugged. It wasn’t bad having company once in a while.
We stood there silent again for a moment.
“Well, do you want some pizza and maybe watch another movie? Or?” I let the last part trail off, no sure what else to suggest.
“That sounds good to me,” Vincent happily agreed. “I suppose the offer still stands for me to choose a movie?”
“Sure,” I agreed as he walked back to the sofa and I set the oven.
The movie went too fast and sadly I had to call it a night. Work was going to start far too early. Didn’t it always though?
Monday started with a headache. I was explaining just how much when Vincent joined Callie and me for lunch.
“I really don't know why my stepmom wants to do dinner tonight.” I groaned.
“Hopefully not to set you up on a date again,” Callie mused.
“What’s going on?” Vincent let his confusion show.
“Stepmom wants everyone home for dinner. She didn’t give a why, but it’s usually something stupid when she tries to wrangle me back home,” I explained.
“Wasn’t last time to try and set you up with Ethan?” Callie tried to recall.
“I think that was the time before… Anyway I’m pretty sure I made it clear I am not to be set up. Though when have they actually listened…” I sighed loudly.
