.////. Oh....
“Really? Why?” The man asked.
“Well, I’ve not read the series….. it’s because of the fans, they kinda creep me out…. So obsessive over fictional characters, they’re like their own, new category of fans. Not fan-girls, or fan-boys, but worse.”
The woman the man had been talking to leaned forward to look at Ximly, “We’re not /all/ like that…”
“I know, but people who aren’t are far and few…”
The man shook his head, “I’m not obsessive… but it does drive me a little crazy on how dependant the main character is on the vampire…”
“That’s the other thing that drives me nuts.” Ximly sighed, “I can’t stand people like that.”
The man laughed, “Neither can I, what about you Bella?”
Bella shook her head, “I don’t like them, but I can tolerate them.”
Ximly nodded, that was perfectly fine with her. “So your name is Bella?”
The woman nodded, “Yes.”
Ximly smirked, though still her face was covered by the mask, “Call me Xim.”
“The name’s Ben.” The man said, putting down his cards. There wasn’t much point in playing if they were having a concentrated conversation.
Bella nodded, “So why can’t you stand people like that?”
“They don’t seem to think for themselves, they’ve got no sense of being independent….” Ximly said. “It’s not that I can’t stand them, they just drive me insane because they can’t fend for themselves, no matter how many times you teach them to fight.”
Bella sighed, “Hold on…. I’ve got a call…” She said, reaching into her pocket to pull out a cell phone as she stood and walked away from the table.
Her dealer looked at Ben and Ximly, who just shrugged, but Ben spoke. “She’ll be back.”
The dealer shook his head, and sat down to wait for Bella’s return… he really wasn’t supposed to wait for someone…. The seat was open, but as he reached for her cards, she returned, and slumped into her chair. “God I hate him….” She sighed.
“Who?” Ximly asked, leaning forward to look at the woman.
“My boy friend, he’s such a d**k…”
“Then dump him.”
“I can’t.”
“That’s a load of bull crap, of course you can!”
“No, I can’t… he just dumped me for the umpteenth time this week.”
Ben twitched, that had struck a nerve, “And why did you get back with him?”
“He said he was just joking around, but I’m sick of him treating me like crap. This is the last time, I’m not going back.”
“Good for you.” Ximly said, “You probably don’t need him anyway.”
“I really don’t but… He’s probably going to come back, begging me, and then turn around and make me feel stupid.”
Ben glared, “I’ll beat the crap out of him.”
“You an’ me both.” Ximly laughed.
Bella smirked, “Thanks for the offer, but I think my step-father could use the beating….”
Ximly and Ben paled, “Dare I ask why?” Ximly said quietly.
“He’s abusive…”
Ben slammed his cards down, “That’s it, where do you live? We’ll go over there right now!”
Ximly shook her head, “You can’t be so rash, you’ve got to think about things like this!” She snapped, “Can you tell us a bit more, Bella?”
“Heh…. I guess you’re right….” Ben sighed before Bella started to speak.
“Yeah, I’m getting out of there. It’s just a foster home anyway…. I’ll be out by the end of the week….” She sighed.
Ximly let out a sigh as well, “I hope things get better for you…. But shall we teach the man a lesson before they get another foster child?”
Bella managed a smile, and Ben popped his knuckles. Ximly took notice of his hands…. They were…. Paws… Coover let out a muffled hoot, but Ximly’s hand quickly silenced the noise. Bella shook her head after a moment, “No, I’ve already got other friends working on that as we speak…. You see, you’ll have to be my verification that I wasn’t home at this time.” She laughed, causing Ximly and Ben to laugh as well.
Ben shook his head, “So how old are you two?”
Ximly shrugged, “Enough to be taking college courses.”
Bella sighed, “I’m in my teens.”
Ben seemed to be happy, as his face was lit up by Ximly’s words. “Finally! So you’re about my age! You don’t know how happy I am to finally have a friend, who’s a guy, that’s on the same level of thinking!”
Bella laughed out loud, and the dealers snickered. Ximly kinda coughed, and lifted up her mask to look at Ben. “I’m…. I’m a female…. A girl…. Not… a guy… sorry.”
Ben’s glory was shot down, and his joy turned to humility. “I am so sorry! It was the mask!! It muffled your voice! I-"“
Ximly was laughing now, “It’s alright, but for future reference, I’m a woman.”
Ben nodded, his face was hot with blush. “Dang…. Why is it I don’t have any guy friends?”
Ximly stared at him, “You’re not “fabulous” are you?”
Bella continued to laugh as Ben let out a deep sigh. “Maybe I should just leave….”
“Oh no, no, don’t!” Bella said quickly, “She’s just teasing you…”
“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you….” Ximly said quickly, pulling her mask down over her face.
“It’s okay…” Ben sighed, as Bella got up again.
“I’ll be right back, Dealer, set a new hand.” She said as she walked away, causing her dealer to sigh and collect her cards.
The two waiting on Ben and Ximly cleared their throats, would they at least play a /few/ rounds tonight?
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What a morning....
