"Well this dance sucks." said Lee's sassy voice as he plopped down on the chair next to me.
I sighed "Yeah it does. I kinda want to leave."
"Well then let's leave. There is beer with my name on it." he said standing up.
"What about your date?" I asked.
He made a dismissive motion with his hand, "Fuck if I know."
I shrugged and we walked out of the dance hall.
Our limo driver was having a smoke break when we walked up. He stomped his cigarette out upon seeing us.
"Are you ready to go home?" he asked.
"I'm ready to go somewhere else." I responded.
"I'm paid by the hour either way. Where do you want to go?" he responded.
"I'll give directions as we drive." said Lee.
The limo driver gave us the okay and drove us to an old abandoned Queen Anne house I wasn't too familiar with.
"What is this?" I asked.
"It's where I go to get away from preteen brats like you." He said sarcastically
I rolled my eyes and rolled up the limo window. "Help me find a way to carry the beers." I said opening the fridge.
Lee pulled out a reusable grocery bag from his pocket and I raised my eyebrows.
"You never know when you will need to hide a severed head." he responded.
"That is oddly specific." I responded while putting the beers in the bag.
The limo driver was already standing there with the door open. "I'll wait here until it is time to take you home."
I get out of the car and survey the house. It had a classic look to it with a shingled roof, crown molding, a circular tower with a point. The paint was chipping but I could tell it used to be a beautiful terracotta color with black trimming. It looked like it came straight out of the Victorian Era.
"It's gorgeous." I responded.
"Its yours for your soul." he said and I laughed.
"In your dreams Devil Boy." I said and walked up to the house.
Lee unlocked the door with a key so it was obviously where he lived.
When he opened the door and ushered me inside my mouth fell open.
Old painting lined the walls. A spiral staircase led to somewhere. The open room had a beautiful lush red carpet with black crushed velvet antique furniture. A big unlit fire place sit at the end of the room with big comfy chair. The wall next to the chair had a huge book shelf and ladder that went all the way up to the ceiling. The ceilings were cathedral high.
"Wow." was all I could say.
"Thanks." Said lee and another chair popped up right next to the other chair.
I sat down in the chair. Reached into the bag and popped a beer can open. This time I wasn't interested in chugging it. I took a sip. Personally, I didn't mind the taste. Lee took the chair next to me and sunk in like he was getting comfy and boom he was suddenly in his devil form.
I still can't get used to that.
"Do you have a bay window too?" I asked with a nervous laugh.
Lee grabbed a beer from the bag and arched his eyebrow. "That's a weird question."
I shrugged and took another sip of my beer. "All book nerds want to read an old tome from a bay window overlooking a forest from a Queen Anne house."
He laughed and took a few big gulps of the beer.
"I have 4, but I thought you would be more interested in the tower." he said.
"I'd be interested in a tour." I responded.
"Your wish is my command." He got up and offered up his arm.
I got up and took it.
"Let me show you the Devil's domain!" He took another swig of his beer and grabbed the bag. I took a small sip of mine and he showed me the house.
We progressively got drunker as we wound through hallways and went up stairs until we ended at the top of the tower.
The top was all windows. I admired the scenery around me overlooking the dark forest under a waning crescent moon.
"It's gorgeous." I said walking the perimeter of the circular room.
"I could die happy right here." I said.
"You really are strange." said Lee.
"I know." I told him.
"You really don't desire anything do you?" he asked.
"I desire things. I'm just not willing to trade my soul for them." I responded.
"Well, what do you desire?" he asked stepping next to me as I looked out at the scenery.
"Education, to join active duty military, help other people, make friends...real friends. I really wish there were people I could talk to more than anything. I don't want to talk about boys all day or even love in general. I simply don't care enough. I want to talk about religion, philosophy, literature, science...There are so many fascinating things to learn that I just can't bring myself to care about love or dating. People tell me I'll grow out of it or that it is just a phase but I'm honestly not sure. Maybe there is something wrong with me."
"There is nothing wrong with you. You are strange but you aren't faulty or broken. It's honestly refreshing." said Lee.
I little wave of sadness coursed through me. "You seem to be the only one to think that."
"Give it time."