Read Online The Sweetest Kill: A Young Adult Paranormal by Amber Kalkes - Free Book Online
Authors: Amber Kalkes
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It’s one of the reasons I don’t like coming here. Everything reminds me of Charlotte and more often than not, the thought of her is painful. I miss her and I have no doubt that my parents feel very much the same, even if they don’t show it.
“Did you do anything fun last night?” Mom asks innocently as she starts placing food on my plate. I try not to grimace at the action but I can’t say I’m surprised. I feel a little relief though, when I realize that the food is obvious takeout.
“I went to a club downtown.” I mumble as I grab the glass of water sitting out in front of me, “Just to try something new.”
“Did you like it?”
A mental image of the vampire with his fangs bared and the blood on his face flashes through my mind. My heart rate jacks up and I shakily bring the glass to my lips, “I… It was alright.”
“Meet any young men?”
I give her a tight smile over the rim of my glass, “A few.”
“No one caught your interest?” She asks with a small frown.
“I’m not exactly the dating type Mom.”
“Of course you are.” She says with a dismissive wave, “Any man would be happy to have you.”
What about a homicidal vampire?
“I wouldn’t know Mom. I’m just trying to focus on my job right now.”
“How’s that going by the way?” Dad asks, relieved by the change of subject.
“Good.” I answer, “I don’t think the café industry is for me though.”
“It’s a step in the right direction.” He says encouragingly.
“You haven’t had any attacks there, have you?”
I chew on my lower lip and shake my head.
“See? Already an improvement.” Mom adds with a pleased smile.
Clearing his throat, Dad decides to step into the conversation as my discomfort becomes more noticeable, “Made any friends?”
I hum in response, as I set my glass back down on the table. Okay, you rehearsed for this. Let them know how well adjusted you are and then you don’t have to talk about it for the rest of the night. Easy enough, right? Maybe.
Dad and Mom share a delighted look, before Mom asks, “Is it a female friend?”
“Yup.”
“Is she from work?”
“Yes.”
My mom frowns, “Does she have a name?”
It’s driving her nuts, I know it is, but I can’t help myself as I smile at her, “Yup.”
“Shoshanna…” Dad says with a laugh but stops abruptly when Mom glares at him.
Turning her dark gaze to me, she sits up a bit straighter, “Have you been taking your medication?”
My mirth dies quickly. Pursing my lips, I twirl my fork in the pasta on my plate, trying not to snap at her. I know exactly what she’s doing. She does this as a way of taking control of the situation again. She doesn’t like being the butt of jokes and hates it when we ‘gang up’ on her. So, she pulls shit like this.
“Yes, I’ve been taking two pills every morning just like, Dr. Reynolds says.” I tell her patiently, though the grip on my fork tightens. “I told you that when you called.”
“Are you feeling any better as a result?”
I grit my teeth, “Yes.”
Dad reaches over and places a hand on my arm, “We just worry about you, sweetheart.”
I ignore him and stare at my plate, “I know but you don’t need to keep badgering me. I’m doing the best I can.”
“We know that but we just want to be sure.” Dad assures me.
“Have you been harming yourself, Shoshanna?”
I glance up at her and see her staring at my arm. The sleeve of my thermal shirt has ridden up a bit, to show the edge of a bandage. Pulling the sleeve over my hand, I hide it under the table. The air changes and I’m struggling to stay in my seat and not run off.
“Shoshanna?”
I close my eyes and clench my jaw, “No.”
“Are you trying to end up back in the hospital?” She asks tightly, “After all the advantages you’ve had, and all the help we’ve given, you continue to do this to yourself. No, not only to yourself, but to us as well.”
“Haruko.” Dad warns but Mom doesn’t
“Did you do anything fun last night?” Mom asks innocently as she starts placing food on my plate. I try not to grimace at the action but I can’t say I’m surprised. I feel a little relief though, when I realize that the food is obvious takeout.
“I went to a club downtown.” I mumble as I grab the glass of water sitting out in front of me, “Just to try something new.”
“Did you like it?”
A mental image of the vampire with his fangs bared and the blood on his face flashes through my mind. My heart rate jacks up and I shakily bring the glass to my lips, “I… It was alright.”
“Meet any young men?”
I give her a tight smile over the rim of my glass, “A few.”
“No one caught your interest?” She asks with a small frown.
“I’m not exactly the dating type Mom.”
“Of course you are.” She says with a dismissive wave, “Any man would be happy to have you.”
What about a homicidal vampire?
“I wouldn’t know Mom. I’m just trying to focus on my job right now.”
“How’s that going by the way?” Dad asks, relieved by the change of subject.
“Good.” I answer, “I don’t think the café industry is for me though.”
“It’s a step in the right direction.” He says encouragingly.
“You haven’t had any attacks there, have you?”
I chew on my lower lip and shake my head.
“See? Already an improvement.” Mom adds with a pleased smile.
Clearing his throat, Dad decides to step into the conversation as my discomfort becomes more noticeable, “Made any friends?”
I hum in response, as I set my glass back down on the table. Okay, you rehearsed for this. Let them know how well adjusted you are and then you don’t have to talk about it for the rest of the night. Easy enough, right? Maybe.
Dad and Mom share a delighted look, before Mom asks, “Is it a female friend?”
“Yup.”
“Is she from work?”
“Yes.”
My mom frowns, “Does she have a name?”
It’s driving her nuts, I know it is, but I can’t help myself as I smile at her, “Yup.”
“Shoshanna…” Dad says with a laugh but stops abruptly when Mom glares at him.
Turning her dark gaze to me, she sits up a bit straighter, “Have you been taking your medication?”
My mirth dies quickly. Pursing my lips, I twirl my fork in the pasta on my plate, trying not to snap at her. I know exactly what she’s doing. She does this as a way of taking control of the situation again. She doesn’t like being the butt of jokes and hates it when we ‘gang up’ on her. So, she pulls shit like this.
“Yes, I’ve been taking two pills every morning just like, Dr. Reynolds says.” I tell her patiently, though the grip on my fork tightens. “I told you that when you called.”
“Are you feeling any better as a result?”
I grit my teeth, “Yes.”
Dad reaches over and places a hand on my arm, “We just worry about you, sweetheart.”
I ignore him and stare at my plate, “I know but you don’t need to keep badgering me. I’m doing the best I can.”
“We know that but we just want to be sure.” Dad assures me.
“Have you been harming yourself, Shoshanna?”
I glance up at her and see her staring at my arm. The sleeve of my thermal shirt has ridden up a bit, to show the edge of a bandage. Pulling the sleeve over my hand, I hide it under the table. The air changes and I’m struggling to stay in my seat and not run off.
“Shoshanna?”
I close my eyes and clench my jaw, “No.”
“Are you trying to end up back in the hospital?” She asks tightly, “After all the advantages you’ve had, and all the help we’ve given, you continue to do this to yourself. No, not only to yourself, but to us as well.”
“Haruko.” Dad warns but Mom doesn’t
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