Incubus

7. Crème de la Crème

Emerging from the shower, I made sure to use my most expensive moisturizer for my face to bring some color to my cheeks. It didn't really help that much and I wondered why in the hell I even buy this shit in the first place. I put on a comfortable sweater dress and blow dried my hair until it was a dark array of perfection. I look like a vampire ready to prey on willing victims. Oh well.

I stepped out of my bedroom and into the kitchen, trying my best to ignore how Collin is cooking while Helen sits on a barstool smiling. What is she doing to my brother? Clearing my throat, I headed for the cabinet to my make the tea my brother gave me.

"Good morning, Jessica, it's about time you woke up," Collin greeted. I snorted, noting the cheerful lilt to his voice. No one should be this happy making breakfast. Collin turned to face me and then his smile left his face quickly and was replaced with pressed lips and narrowed eyes.

Refusing to let him ruin my mood, I smiled at him despite the tight look in his eyes that reflect how irritated he is with the demon paying me a second visit so soon. "Morning to you, too." I winked and started boiling water.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked, voice taught with tension. Confused, Helen whipped her head to assess the both of us.

"I slept perfectly thanks for asking."

"Hope you didn't experience any sleep paralysis. I heard it can be...draining."

My face attempted to heat up with embarrassment and I quickly squashed it back, holding my head high. "I prefer to move in my sleep or when the powers that be allow me to move in my sleep."

I grinned in delight as Collin's hands clenched onto the edge of the countertop he is leaned up against. "Maybe you should denounce the powers that be and be your own woman."

"Maybe the powers that be make me my own woman."

"Maybe the powers that be are corrupt and biased."

"Maybe the powers that be are perfect and misunderstood."

Collin grew livid. "Damn it, Jessica, I thought we were on the same page with this!"

"Oh so it was okay when you experienced it but lord forbid I get my chance!"

"What is this? A competition? I hated my experience I told you I was tired all of the time and could barely function for class. This isn't a game, Jessica, don't let this kill you." He slammed his fist down onto the counter and I jumped, surprised.

It was quiet for a long time as we stared at one another in a heated glare, neither of us budging.

"What. The. Fuck are you guys talking about?" Helen asked.

"College," Collin and I snapped as a response at the same exact moment.

"Didn't you both already go to college I'm really confused."

Neither of us answered her and I broke the tension first by taking the boiling water from the stove and pouring it into an empty mug. "Anyways, why are you here? You wanted to make Helen breakfast? You could have invited her over and done it at your place."

"No, I actually came here for you because we have a special visitor that I got into contact with." His eyebrows furrowed in and I grew rigid.