Days with the demon queen-Chapter 47: Claire

Ronnie laid in bed with Lily, nurturing the awkward silence that was the result of their confession. He laid facing the wall, and she rested her forehead against his back.

"Mast—" Lily called out, interrupted by the muffled sound of Grandpa yelling "Ronald, you have a guest!" from a distance.

"Shit. I totally forgot! It’s 4 o’clock already" Ronnie got up immediately.

"Were you expecting someone, master?" Lily asked, sitting up with her back placed against the wall.

"Yeah um, it’s a girl from school. She’s new, and Harrison asked me to show her some stuff"

"Your grandfather allowed her in without protest?"

Ronnie smiled nervously in response to Lily.

"what?" She asked.

"You look cute when you’re jealous"

Lily threw her face aside, using her long blonde hair to hide her flushed face.

"Insolent human" she muttered.

Ronnie smiled at her. "Would you like to meet her?" He asked.

"Not interested, I’m sleepy" she said, "have fun"

He wore a hoodie over his T-shirt and headed towards the door. Before leaving the room, he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

Lily covered her face with both her hands "In— insolent human" she stuttered as he left.

The love struck maiden who just happened to be the demon Queen laid in Ronnie’s bed, holding his pillow tight against her chest. She tapped her feet on the soft surface one after the other, staring into nothingness.

"What happens now?" She pondered. "He cherishes me, and I him— But what happens when I have to go home?"

Lily’s eyes widened "what is this?!"

She stormed out of the room and took on her human form.

"This aura level, it’s on Carpenter’s level but it doesn’t feel like his signature" she thought.

Ronnie opened the door and saw his guest "Claire, you’re here" He said and took the coat off her hands. She gave him a smile.

"I was afraid you’d get lost. I’m glad you made it"

Claire’s lips curved further upwards "well, there’s only one Carpenter pawnshop just outside of Brooksworth. I asked questions"

"I didn’t know the old man was that popular in town. We barely get any customers, I don’t know why he still opens up shop every morning" Ronnie stroked the back of his overgrown hair.

"I happen to like the shop. I saw some pretty antiques and talismans from different cultures that caught my eye" she said.

Ronnie gave no response, raising his eyebrow instead.

"You’re wondering why a girl my age would be into stuff like this, aren’t you?" she chuckled lightly with a hand over her mouth.

"My father travels a lot for work, he brings back souvenirs occasionally"

Ronnie’s lips curved into a smile "Oh I wasn’t judging, I was just surprised. We’re entitled to our hobbies"

"Yeah, we are," Claire replied, looking over Ronnie’s shoulder.

Almost as if he heard a clicking sound in his head, he hit his palm against his face.

"God, I’m so sorry. Do come in" he said abruptly.

"My friends push past me and let themselves in whenever they visit. I don’t get a lot of— female guests so I’m a bit rusty on etiquette" he stroked the back of his hair again.

"So cute," Claire muttered as she walked past him into the house.

"Did you say something?"

the girl shook her head and smiled. She took a seat on the sofa and crossed her legs.

Lily hid by the stairs, peeking out just enough to see them without being spotted.

"This girl— she looks so small and frail. Is she a demon in disguise? No, I’d know in an instant" her thoughts spiralled.

"Who is this girl?"

"You have a lovely home, Mr. Carpenter" she said, looking around.

Ronnie sat on a different couch "This old thing? Well thank you. And please, it’s Ronnie"

"So, how do you like the school and the town in general?" He asked.

"I have a feeling I’ll really love it here, it’s all so new and interesting to me" she kept her smile.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah"

A brief silence followed, which was cut off by Ronnie shuffling to his feet. "What can I get you? Would you like anything before we start studying?"

She shook her head "I wouldn’t want to impose. You’ve been so accommodating so far"

He smirked a little "no need to be modest, feel free"

Claire read Ronnie’s eyes for a moment, and looked away with a smile "are you like this with all your guests?" 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝚠𝕖𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝕖𝚕.𝚌𝗼𝗺

"Like what?" he raised a brow

"Sweet, cute, homely?" She said,

"Oh" he laughed softly. "I try"

Lily bit her thumb lightly "look at you being so sunny, mr. Nice guy" she muttered and clicked her tongue. Her eyes were locked on her master.

"I don’t like her, not one bit"

Claire wore a wide smile "it feels like it got chillier in here"

"It’s usually cold in the evenings, there’s a river in the woods nearby" Ronnie said.

"On second thought, can I get a soda?" She asked.

"Now you’re talking," he smiled.

"There’s none in the house, but there’s some in the shop’s fridge, sit tight. I’ll be right back" he said.

Ronnie wasted no time in leaving the house. Claire stared at the rusty, slow ceiling fan and swung her feet.

"oh If looks could kill" she said. She spoke in a firmer tone.

Lily smiled "I’d be surprised if you didn’t sense my presence. You’re impressive, for a human" she said as she walked down the stairs.

"Who are you?"

"Who’s asking?" Claire asked, a mischievous smile played across her lips.

"Listen here" in a flash, Lily closed the distance, leaving less than a meter of space between them. "If you’re a threat to him in any way, I will not hesitate to neutralize you where you stand, so speak up"

Just then, Ronnie entered the living room with two cans of soda in hand. His eyes widened at the sight.

"Ah— I see you two ladies have met," he said. A nervous laugh left his throat as he stroked the back of his hair.

"Ronald, how rude of you not to introduce me to your friend?" Lily said, her eyes stayed locked on Claire. The girl smiled innocently. The atmosphere felt heavy.

Ronnie gulped "Uh— meet Claire, she’s a transfer student in my department" he said.

"Nice to meet you, who?" She asked.

"Claire, meet Lily—" he gulped again.

"she’s my— girlfriend," he added. Shivers ran through Lily’s skin. In an instant she went from overprotective mom mode to bubbly school girl mode.

She cleared her throat "Hello, nice to meet you" she said and walked away to hide how red her face and ears had gotten.

"Right, of course you have a girlfriend," Claire said in a low voice. Ronnie let out another nervous laugh.

"Um, Ronnie. I was about to tell you, I got a call from my dad a bit ago. He’s worried about my safety, so I really should get going. Can we study some other time?" She asked.

Ronnie stared speechlessly for a moment, then he sighed. "That was sudden, but I understand. I’m sorry I wasted so much time" he said.

"No no, it’s fine. I’m glad we got to chat. I look forward to seeing you at school" she said with a half smile.

He took her coat off the hanger "I’ll walk you to town. I didn’t realize it had gotten so late"

"You don’t have to"

"Please, I insist" he said, and she gave in.

"I don’t trust her, I don’t like her. I need to find out who she is immediately" She pondered, pacing around the room.

"But he called me his— girl—friend" she stuttered. Lily cupped her face in her palms, smiling sheepishly.

Claire and Ronnie walked down the road quietly. He had tried to start up a conversation a few times, but she seemed uninterested.

They got to the small bridge leading into town.

"Here is fine, I can find my way," she said.

He stopped walking "are you sure?" He asked.

She smiled, "I had fun today, thank you." she said.

He smiled back "that makes me happy, really"

"Well, see you around. Get home safe" he added and waved.

As he turned back to head home, he felt a tug on the back of his shirt.

"Ronnie" she called out softly. He stopped.

"Claire?" He turned around.

"I don’t have any friends. I’ve never had one." She paused.

"So please, if you don’t mind someone like me— will you be my friend?" Claire asked. The wind howled.