Jean sat at his desk, working on a new article for the magazine. This time, he had decided to use the idea Tesia had come up with: a story about a human who meets a vampire, becomes friends with her, and ends up going on all sorts of adventures with her...
His boss had liked the idea and given him permission to start writing it.
The good thing is that it really does sound like a work of fiction, Jean had thought nervously when he explained the story to his boss.
And now, on an otherwise ordinary Saturday, there he was, writing about a vampire who, coincidentally, actually existed. Jean had changed her name and a few other obvious details to protect her privacy. No vampires were harmed or exposed in the making of this article.
Jean let out a sigh as he stared at his screen.
"We're almost done..."
He didn't have much time to think about it before an arm suddenly dropped over his shoulders.
"Hey, Casanova."
Jean looked up.
It was Juan, one of his coworkers.
"I've noticed you've been looking really happy lately. Come on, tell me. Does it have something to do with that bombshell who comes to pick you up after work?"
Jean blinked.
"Bombshell?"
"Yeah, the blonde girl. I've seen her a couple of times. Come on, is she your girlfriend?"
"Uh... no. Not really. She's just a friend I get along with really well."
Juan's eyes widened.
"A FRIEND?! JEAN! YOU HAVE TO INTRODUCE ME!"
"Juan, my ear! Relax, you're standing right next to me. Besides, we're at work. Someone's going to hear you."
"Oops... right."
Juan lowered his voice, although only slightly.
"But introduce me, Jean. She's really pretty."
He thought about it for a few seconds.
Wait... she's really pretty. That probably means she has a boyfriend.
He looked at Jean seriously.
"Does she have a boyfriend?"
Jean fell silent.
"I... don't know. Not that I know of."
For some reason, the question reminded him of the first time he'd talked to Tesia.
I hope she doesn't have a boyfriend.
He didn't know why he'd thought that.
Well... actually, he did.
The first time they'd met, Tesia had offered to make him her boyfriend. It would be pretty awkward if he found out she already had someone after saying that to him...
"Wooo! Then you can introduce me. Come on, you two clearly get along. I'm sure she already sees you as her gay friend, so she'll probably listen to whatever you tell her. Tell her I'm a great catch, Jean."
"Gay friend? Juan, I don't think that's... the best idea."
"Oh, come on."
"Juan..."
"Jean."
"No."
"Jean."
"I said no."
"Jean, Jean, Jean, Jean, Jean, Jean. Jeany. Fancy pair of jea..."
Jean closed his eyes.
"Fine, fine. You're so annoying."
"Woooo!"
"Just let me ask her first, okay?"
"Go ahead!"
Jean picked up his phone.
It was almost two in the afternoon. There were only a few minutes left in his shift, and, as they had agreed, Tesia was supposed to pick him up so they could hang out without any particular plan in mind.
Jean called her.
"Tesia?"
"Jean?"
Her voice came through almost immediately.
"Hey... are you still coming?"
"Are you okay?"
Jean frowned.
"Yeah..."
"That didn't sound very convincing..."
"No, I'm fine. It's just... I don't really know how to put it into words."
Jean glanced at Juan.
"Are you on your way here?"
"Yeah. Actually, I was just about to fly over."
Jean's eyes widened.
"No!"
Juan looked at him in confusion.
Jean turned away and covered his mouth and the phone with his hand.
"Tesia, please, just don't fly here. I don't mind waiting a few extra minutes, but please don't arrive flying. Someone might see you!"
"I know, I know. Don't worry, my suicidal human friend. I've got everything under control."
Jean sighed in relief.
"Thanks."
"But tell me, what is it that you don't know how to put into words?"
"Well..."
Jean quickly explained the situation.
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"You want me to meet your coworker?"
"Yeah. But only if you're okay with it."
"I don't mind."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. Besides, I want to meet the people you spend so much time with."
Jean fell silent for a second.
So much time?
"Oh..."
"What?"
"Nothing."
Tesia let out a small laugh.
"See you in a few minutes, Jean."
"See you."
The call ended.
Jean put his phone away and looked at Juan.
"She said... yes."
Juan threw both arms into the air.
"LET'S GOOOO!"
"Lower your voice dude..."
"Sorry."
A few minutes later, Jean walked out of the building with Juan.
They didn't have to wait long. Tesia was already walking toward them from a distance.
Jean recognized her immediately.
As soon as Tesia got close enough, she suddenly ran straight toward Jean and wrapped her arms around him.
"Jean!"
Jean froze. He also noticed that Tesia smelled really good.
Juan froze too.
Tesia finally noticed that someone else was standing there, staring at them, and slowly let go of Jean.
"Oh..."
She had completely forgotten that Jean had told her he wanted to introduce her to someone.
Jean adjusted his shirt.
"Juan, this is Tesia."
He gestured toward his coworker.
"Tesia, I'd like you to meet my coworker, Juan. He's seen you a couple of times and..."
"HOLA, ME LLAMO JUAN!"
Tesia blinked.
"Is that Spanish?"
Juan fell silent.
"Oh..."
He took a deep breath.
"I mean... nice to meet you. My name is Juan."
Tesia smiled.
"Hi, Juan. I'm Tesia. Jean told me you wanted to talk to me. What did you want to ask me?"
Juan stared at her for a moment.
"I... think you're really pretty."
Jean awkwardly took a few steps back and looked away.
"If you're okay with it, do you think we could..."
Before Juan could finish, Jean suddenly remembered something that had happened just a few minutes earlier on the phone.
"Hey, Tesia... do you have a... boyfriend?
A small laugh came from the other end of the phone.
"You're such a dummy."
There was a brief silence.
"No. I don't have a boyfriend, silly. Do you want to be my boyfriend?"
Jean had felt his ears burning.
"TESIAAA!"
Her laughter had filled the phone. Jean had a feeling the vampire really enjoyed teasing him.
And now, back in the present, Juan finished his question.
"Do you think we could go out sometime and get to know each other a little better? I'd like to spend some time with you, and maybe someday... you could be my girlfriend."
Tesia looked at him for a few seconds, her expression remained kind.
"Juan, I really appreciate your interest in me, but... I already... ahem... like someone. I'm sorry. I can't accept a date or anything with romantic intentions."
Juan slowly nodded.
"I understand."
Tesia then looked at Jean.
"But make sure you keep treating my Jean well."
She froze.
"I mean... Jean."
Her cheeks turned red, and Jean, standing a few steps away, widened his eyes slightly.
Juan, on the other hand, understood everything.
He looked at Jean.
"You're one lucky dork, Jean."
"Hmmm?"
Jean had absolutely no idea what he meant.
Tesia quickly grabbed his arm.
"Are we leaving, Jean?"
"Huh? Wait, where are we going?"
"I don't know."
"What do you mean, you don't know?"
"We'll figure it out."
And she started pulling him along.
"See you, Juan! Maybe we can all hang out together sometime! With Jean, of course. Just the three of us. No funny business! Just friends!"
"Yeah, sure..."
Juan raised a hand and waved goodbye as he watched them disappear into the crowd.
"I hope this one isn't crazy like the last one..."
He watched them for a few seconds.
Meanwhile, Jean was practically being dragged along by Tesia.
"Tesia, slow down a little."
The vampire stopped immediately.
"Ah! Sorry."
"It's okay."
Jean straightened his clothes.
"So... what are we going to do?"
Tesia looked at him with a smile.
"We're going to a five-letter place."
Jean frowned.
"Eh?"