It was the second day of my "vaction" when I decided that I needed to invest in a hobby. I couldn't go to school because I didn't actually exist. I couldn't do anything official for that matter because I was a made up person. I had recently lost my much treasured job because I had chosen a reaping over appearing on time for work and it was proving much harder to find another.
I rode my bike around the beach on the third day and on the fourth day I spent all day inside a bookstore with a jug of coffee. It was on day five when I decided to go thirft store window shopping. I had on a purple tutu and a tight white and gray sailor stripped t-shirt and I was feeling very childish. So when a dark haired boy came up to me between shops with a smile I smiled back.
"I like your outfit." He had said kindly. He looked to be in his late twenties so I was a bit confused as to why he was speaking to me. I was stuck in the body of a seventeen year old after all. The only boys who ever hit on me were teenagers...which sucked since technically I was old enough to be their mothers.
The Reapers had a thing about staying in your former body after you died; didn't want people from your past poking around asking questions and all. I had been given my current form; a tiny blonde whispy creature which was a huge change from what I had been; a tall, lanky, red head.
I took in his warm brown eyes and tan face and decided I liked his looks enough to reply.
"Thanks. I like your hat." He had on a gray paperboy hat over his shaggy coffee colored hair. He showed me a sweet dimpled smile before lifting it off his head and placing it on top of mine.
"Looks better on you." I laughed in suprise from his action. I made to hand it back but he shook his head.
"Nah, you keep it, gives me an excuse to get another one."
"Oh, thanks." I normally wouldn't, but I did like it.
"So what's your name?" He asked as he stuck his hands in his jean pockets.
"Red."
"Really?" I nodded.
"That's my favorite color. My name's Frank." He stuck his hand out for a shake and I took it. His hands were soft and warm and he didn't let go right away.
"How old are you?" I asked him once he let my hand go.
"I'm twenty-six, you?"
"Twenty-one." That's what my fake license says anyways. He smiled disbelievingly; if only he knew.
"You look much younger."
"Looks are decieving."
"Fair enough. So you come by here often?"
"Nope. You?"
"I own one of the bars on the other side of the street actually."
"Oh, yeah? I bet that's exciting."
"I guess. I'm actually having grand opening tomorrow night, you should come."
"Sure thing. Which one is it?" He took out a black card with dark purple writing on it from his back pocket and then handed it to me.
"The Spider Room?"
"Aha, yeah."
"Creepy." I smiled as I folded the paper back up.
"I'm actually on my way somewhere you just totally caught my attention and I had to stop." My face was suddenly hot.
"I hope you come tomorrow." He said as he got off the wall and smiled down at me.
"Bye." He gave a little wave and then was gone.
I was in a good mood for the rest of the day.
"Hey, Red, wait up!" I turned my head as I stopped walking to see a little figure coming towards me.
"Berry, hey." I said smiling slightly at the eleven year old before me. Berry had died ate age eleven but that had been over thirty years ago. Personally, I'd be pissed if I were stuck in a kid's body, but Berry seemed to have coped with it long ago. He stopped in front of me and bent over to catch his breath.
"Audrey wanted me to tell you to watch your back. The Charmeine Sisters found out about how you stole their last reap and they aren't very happy about it." He straightened finally and smiled boyishly up at me, I couldn't help but smile back. Berry was a normal size for his body's age, only a little shorter than my 5'2". His curly brown locks stuck out oddly around his head but it was his round hazel eyes that made my heart ache; so full of sadness despite his smile.
"They usually aren't." I replied stoically. Berry shrugged nonchalantly.
"Guess they're extra not happy about it this time." I grinned.
"Want to grab some ice cream with me?"
"Like my eleven year old sweet tooth could say no?"
Berry and I sat silently at a bench enjoying our newly acquired ice cream; me with my vanilla and him with his dark chocolate with milk chocolate rice krunchies.
"Why wasn't I invited to ice cream?" Berry and I turned to face the whiny, familiar voice.
"Because I'm on vacation and thus am not required to endure your presence." I went back to my ice cream liking the way Audrey laughed at my insult. He slid in between me and Berry and made to take a lick from my ice cream.
"Nah-uh, get your own, moocher." I held my ice cream from his reach. Audrey pouted adorably.
"As much as I love watching you two fight, I have to go. Thanks for the ice cream, Red. See you at home, Audrey." Berry was up and saluting us and then skipping away.
"Ah, more room for me." Audrey commented as he stretched out on the bench, one arm behind my head and a leg over mine.
"I should go too, I've got a date tonight." I don't know why I had wanted to him to know, but I did. He looked over at me lazily but I wouldn't make eye contact, instead I focused in on my melting ice cream.
"Here, you can have the rest." I finally turned towards him, ice cream reached out. He had a blank look on his face and then finally slapped the ice cream out of my hand violently.
"I don't want your fucking ice cream, Red. I'm not into sloppy seconds." He said with a malicious tint. I glared at him, one for slapping my hand, and two for being a fucking asshole.
"Funny, neither am I. I'm also not into cocky whores or demonic assholes." I pushed his leg off of me and got up, storming away from him quickly. He easily caught up with me, walking next to me with his arms behind his head.
"I should warn you, Red, getting involved with the living isn't a smart move...it's actually really stupid."
"Fuck off, I don't want your warnings. I can get involved with whoever I want." He growled a little at that.
"Fine. Fuck whoever you want. Maybe then you'll finally stop being so pathetically in love with me." I stopped at his words, feeling like I had been slapped, punched, shot, and stabbed all at once. I was trembling from the inside out and I didn't even have a response. Instead, I looked at him, hating the way his lips tilted upwards at each end, hating that look in his eyes like he believed what he had said.
"From here on out you don't come near me. If you want to tell me about a job send Berry, or Fish, or Maggie, anyone but you. I don't want to see you anymore, Audrey. Ever. Never. Do you understand?" I was surprised at how calm I sounded. Audrey seemed to be unaffected, the only signs of him hearing me being the roll of his sky colored eyes. Suddenly he was fisting my shirt and lifting me up until I was eye level with him, my feet dangling slightly.
"Hate to break it to you, Red, but you don't get to tell me what to do. I own you. If I want to come around, or kiss you, or fuck you then I will, and sucks if you don't like it. Hear me, sprite?" He dropped me suddenly, letting me fall painfully to the ground before bending down, grabbing my chin forcefully and bringing my mouth to his. His tongue darted in as his other hand went to the back of my head, keeping me in place. He bit at my lower lip and growled into my mouth, his hand fisted my hair and a fingernail scraped down my chin. I found myself responding to him despite my anger. I had a hand on his chest, bunching up his shirt and another around his neck. He kissed me furiously while I tried to calm him, to slow him down. He pulled away in one jerky movement, detaching himself from me completely, his eyes dark. He stood silently, wiped his bottom lip, and then disappeared.