Lesson 156- Don’t take the people you love for granted.

The next few days are… Weird. Nothing much has changed, but at the same time, everything has. For starters, Kyle and Laura are dating? Or planning to date? I’m not exactly sure. But either way Laura has been skipping around the place humming to herself (very off key) and on more than one occasion I’ve caught Kyle actually smiling. SMILING. Meanwhile I had every intention of asking Tori out, but I think he might be avoiding me or something. He was practically glued to my side before, now if I want to talk to him, I have to actively go searching for him. It’s so strange. Tonight the bar is officially re-opening, all fixed up and with the new furniture we ordered together. It looks pretty good if you ask me and I’m hoping that maybe once the bar opens and running like normal Torin might stop acting so strangely. He could just be nervous about the people we had in and out to help with installing the new bartop or something, right? Although as much as I wish for it, I can’t shake the feeling that this is still about me. 

The bar was closed three days, but you would think that it had been closed for months the way the vampires are carrying on. I spend the first half hour or so after we open just bickering with them. By the time I actually serve them, I’ve doubled the cost of their drinks. I don’t know why I bother. They pay for them without complaint and I’m pretty sure they’ll still tip more than any of the drinks are worth anyway. For people looking to make money, vampires are apparently big spenders if they like you enough. Once I’ve dealt with them, I notice Laura is talking to someone at the bar that I don’t recognise, a woman with pastel pink hair that is perfectly curled and styled. She is wearing elaborate eye makeup and between that and her colourful outfit she basically reminds me of a my little pony doll in the best possible way. Oh I definitely need to meet this woman. She is talking to Laura animatedly so I slip closer hoping to be invited into the conversation. As I approach, I realise that the colourful woman isn’t here alone. It’s not immediately obvious that the guy standing beside her is actually there with her, maybe because they’re dressed so differently. Where she looks like a quirky doll, he is formally dressed in a fancy suit that looks like it probably costs more than any item of clothing I own. He has dark brown hair that has been carefully styled and combed back from his face and if it weren’t for the dark bruise spreading across his cheek, I would think that he was the most perfectly put together looking person I have ever seen. I realise that he must be there with the woman when he leans in over her shoulder to whisper something to her and she rolls her eyes at him. I loudly put a glass down on the bar causing Laura to glance over and notice me. She smiles brightly. 
“Oh, Rina! Come meet my cousin, Clare.” She says enthusiastically. I smile back and nod like I haven’t been standing here trying to get her attention for an awkward amount of time. 
“Clare, this is Rina, Rina, this is my cousin Clare. She’s basically my only sane relative.” Laura adds. 
“Nice to meet you.” I say politely, trying to hide my extreme curiosity about this woman. The man clears his throat loudly and Clare rolls her eyes again. 
“And this is my… Well… This is Lukas.” She introduces him with a sigh and I can’t help but raise an eyebrow. He holds out a hand for me to shake. I reach out to take it when Clare elbows him in the ribs. It must have been pretty hard too because he lets out a pained choking sound. Clare grabs his hand and glares at him for a moment. He gives a slight nod and she releases her grip on his hand. I have no idea what he did that pissed her off, but he doesn’t seem mad or anything. In fact he just smiles a little and shrugs when he meets my eyes. Yeah there is definitely something I don’t know about going on here. 
“So Rina. You’re that human who has two demon bargains right?” She asks curiously. I nod. 
“Yep, although I’m not sure that’s exactly the way I want to be introduced.” I add. Clare grins.
“Oh I get that, but it is kind of impressive. I mean two deals and you’re still going. Actually, I heard rumours that you’re immortal now. I didn’t know people even COULD become immortal. That’s kind of insane you know? How did you beat the demons?” She asks leaning in closer, resting her elbows on the bar. 
“Uh… I’m not sure beating them is the right way to describe it. Tori and I work together, we made a deal that benefits us both. The main benefit for me is that I get to avoid the other bargain that I got dragged into.” I explain badly. Clare raises an eyebrow curiously. Meanwhile Lukas clears his throat again. 
“Will you tell us everything you know about the two demons? Be specific.” He requests, totally serious. I frown. 
“Uh… What? No. That’s super weird. If you want to know something about Tori you can ask him yourself. As for Solem, all I know about him is what other people have told me. I’m not an expert or anything.” I tell him, kind of confused. Why does he want to know about them and why would he think to ask me? Clare glares up at Lukas. 
“Luk! Rude much? Sorry Rina. He can be very… Goal oriented. You totally don’t have to answer any of that.” She tells me apologetically. I shrug and catch Torin’s eye where he is watching from his usual spot. I wave him over and he immediately jumps to his feet and joins us. 
“Yes?” He asks from behind Lukas and Clare. Lukas jumps in surprise, apparently they didn’t notice him approaching. 
“You’re Torin the demon?” Lukas asks bluntly. Tori nods, his poker face in place. Lukas seems suspicious of him. Actually, it’s been a long time since anyone has looked quite so wary of Torin. People are still scared of him, but not so obviously.
“I’m Lukas.” Again, Lukas holds out his hand to shake. Clare opens her mouth to object but Torin takes it before she can interfere. Strangely, Lukas relaxes almost immediately and after glancing sideways at me, he smiles at Tori.
“Nice to meet you.” Lukas says pleasantly. Torin blinks in surprise at the sudden change in demeanour. Clare is still glaring at Lukas, although I can see a hint of curiosity in her face too. What just happened?

Somehow, Lukas and Torin end up sitting at the bar together having a conversation about demons. Lukas apparently just really wants to know about demons. Torin seems bemused by the fact that this guy is so blunt and honest. I don’t think he knows what to think of him, but he doesn’t seem bothered by the impromptu interrogation. Laura and Clare take the chance to catch up and talk about Laura’s kidnapping and rescue. Once Clare hears that Torin went and got her back, she seems pretty happy with Torin too. Did he just inadvertently make two new friends? I didn’t even have to help or anything. That’s really cool, good for him! I take care of most of the customers at the bar so that Laura can keep catching up with her cousin. They chat for probably another half hour until Lukas wanders back over and taps Clare on the shoulder, nodding towards the exit. She sighs but gets to her feet, leaning over the bar to hug Laura goodbye. While they say their goodbyes, Lukas wanders down towards me. Huh, I barely spoke to him. I didn’t think I would warrant a goodbye or anything, maybe a wave at most. He stops in front of me and clears his throat. I smile at him. 
“Heading off?” I ask as if it isn’t totally obvious. He nods then sighs. 
“You should find a chance to talk to Torin.” He says bluntly. 
“Huh?” I answer a little dumbly. He just sighs again.
“Look, I don’t like doing this and I don’t want to say too much. But for both of your sakes, pull him aside and have an actual discussion about your relationship before he completely sabotages the entire situation.” He tells me. What on earth were the two of them talking about just now? I stare at him and he just shrugs uncomfortably. 
“He’s a decent guy. I wish you both well.” Then he turns and walks straight out the bar. Well… That was very, very weird.
Brewing Trouble
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