The Beast and The Princess
Who: David and Lucy Where: Reagan High When: Tuesday afternoon
For a Tuesday, it had been pretty underwhelming. She'd had a pop quiz in History, but aside from that it had been a pretty good day. The goal now was to head home to Chloe's, change clothes, do a little bit of homework since that English paper was due Friday, then go to the hospital to visit Kevin and stop at the Sugar Shack for some coffee before going home again and getting ready for bed. Now, though, she was skipping down the front steps of Reagan High, a bright smile on her face as she waved at a few kids who called her name, said they'd see her tomorrow, the generic things kids said at the end of the day. But she pulled up to a stop when she saw a familiar bike.
Sitting in front of the school, clearly terrifying most of the kids, was the towering form of David Cromwell, sitting atop his favorite Harley, the engine revving loudly. He smiled when he saw her skipping down the stairs, and revved the engine again for her. "Yo... hop on, kiddo. Need to talk to ya."
She got a lot of looks as she dared approach the rather massive (in comparison) man on the bike. Somewhere, someone was probably alerting the principal to call for security, but Lucy was oblivious. She smiled when she saw David and nodded. "Rockin'! I can't believe you brought the bike. This is so awesome!"
"Hey... my lil' princess needs her favorite ride, right?" He laughed and gave the engine one last, unnecessary rev, before speeding off. Within minutes, they were at her home, and he clicked the key, turning the engine off. "Just... wanted to see ya, kid. I gotta go do somethin' damned important tomorrow morning. And just in case somethin' happens to me, I had a few things to say to you."
Riding on the back of David's bike was exhilirating. And, sadly, over too soon. The rush of the wind and blown her blonde hair this way and that and she combed her fingers through the silky strands, pulling them up into a makeshift bun as she hopped off the bike and moved to look him in the eyes. "What kind of important thing? How long are you gonna be gone?" She smiled a slightly dimpled grin. "I mean, I gotta have you back so someone can watch my back, right?" But he sounded serious, so her smile faded slowly. "What's up?"
"You know more than you let on to, kid. And I know you know what's coming. What that skinny little pale kid you hang with is going into. I'm going too. And I promise, I'll try to keep him safe for ya." He handed her a key as they talked, a key that was on a wolf's head keychain. "This is for you. It's the extra key to this bike. If anything happens to me... when you turn sixteen, this is yours. So... better be ready to get a liscence to drive it, ok?"
All right, so maybe she knew something was coming. She just...hadn't realized it was so soon. Making a face when he called Ash "that skinny little pale kid," Lucy sighed a little. When he held out a key, she automatically opened her palm to take it, although she had a mixed reaction to the explanation. "Don't talk like that. I mean, I'll keep the key," she had to grin, "and, you know, if you felt so INCLINED to let me have your bike when I turn sixteen - which isn't really all that far away - I'll totally take it. But...don't say you might not come back. You will. You can't not. And...." She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him close. "Thank you. I mean. Be safe. But...if you could just keep an eye on Ash? That...that would mean a lot to me."
"You have my word, kid. I'll do everything I can to keep him safe. You know... if I'm not waist-deep in vampires." He laughed, finding more lightness in this than most of the people. Maybe because he had far less to live for?
"Like you couldn't fight off a million of those things," Lucy said with a wan smile. She hugged him again, this time just because. "Keep yourself safe too, okay? Don't make me miss you. I need someone to teach me how to use this bike."
"You got it." He reached over and playfully ruffled her hair. "And please... just in case..." he gave her a look so pleading it was actually funny. "No matter how innocent it seems... NEVER GO ANYWHERE alone with my nephew Ben, ok?"
Lucy had to roll her eyes at that. "You're so paranoid about Ben. I think...maybe he's a nice enough guy. I really don't think he was going to try anything." With a grudging acceptance, however, she relented. "But I promise. No going anywhere with Ben alone. Ever. Okay?"
"Good. That's... a load off my mind there." Seriously... last thing this kid needed was a load of whatever shit Ben had to have floating around in his system by now. "Alright... I got a night of drinking and sulking to do. But you take care, kid. Hopefully... I'll see you in a couple days, ok?"
"You better." She hugged him once more for good measure. "I'd be really sad if you didn't, 'kay?" Her smile was sweet as she stepped back from the bike - but then hopped forward and kissed his cheek. "And thanks again. For the ride home AND for what you said. I'll see you soon!"