Should I tell him?!
A few rays of sun sneaked their way through the the thick curtains and caresses Irakus’s cheeks. The burning sensation jolts him awake and he retrieves deeper under the desk to avoid the light. Is it morning already ? This used to be the time the vampire prepared for bed and now it is the time when he wakes ! He remembers how hard that adjustment was at first. Nowadays it feels completely normal, even more so since Timothy moved in next door.
Irakus creeps out of under the desk while avoiding the sun rays and goes to the window to move the curtains so the room can be pitch black again. After he does, he breathes a sigh of relief and looks around the classroom he has made his home. A few days ago, in English class, a fellow student read out the poem she made about how wonderful the sunlight feels on her cheek in the summertime. To think the same light that burns and harms him can feel soft and comforting to the humans baffles him and makes him just a little sad.
Timothy bursts into the room loudly.
Timothy : “Yooo ! Irakus ! You up ?! Man, it’s so dark in here !”
He is caring two coffees he got from the old coffee, the one that still takes pennies. The loud intruder sits on the ground and places one of the coffees towards Irakus.
Timothy : “You really should let some light in ! You could trip or something !”
Irakus : N-No, thank you for your concern, but I quite prefer it this way.
Timothy : Haha ! You’re reaaally not a morning person, huh ?!
Irakus : Haha..ha..ha
Irakus looks over at the paper cup of fuming coffee and goes sit besides it.
Irakus : It…really isn’t necessary for you to give me this every morning…I-it is very nice of you..b-but…
Timothy : Don’t worry about it ! It’s normal to bring your roomy a cup of joe when you’re getting one !
Timothy gives him a sly look as Irakus shyly smiles and proceeds to drink the beverage slowly. What a waste, he’ll have to puke it out later today. Not only that, consuming hot liquid only makes him hungrier.
The young blond man notices how uncomfortable his friend seems this morning.
Timothy : Hey ? You okay ? You look…hm…nervous ?..
Irakus : N-Nervous ?! W-w-why, I’m perfectly fine !!
Timothy is not convinced and he’s right not to be. The truth is, even if having a roommate made Irakus overjoyed, it also complicates things greatly. Hiding the fact that he doesn’t ever eat has become even more bothersome. Timothy keeps sharing the little food he has with him which break his heart everytime. Not only that, having a human so close to him constantly has only made him more ravenous. Irakus knows he will have to feed soon…but on who.
Timothy notices his comments only made his roomie even more on edge. As he is about to move the conversation in a more pleasant direction :
GRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrOOOOOOooooowl
Timothy : Ah ?
He’s stomach decides to do the talking for him.
Timothy : Ahaha ! Breakfast really is the most important meal of the day ! Every damn morning it’s the same ! Haha !
Irakus : The cafeteria should open in a few hours. Maybe w-
Timothy : Nope ! I spent my last buck on the coffees, I’m flat broke again ! Haha !
An anvil of guilt hits Irakus.
Irakus : I…hm…will get paid for my assistance at the library some time tomorrow. I can treat you to some supper.
Timothy looks at Irakus with wide eyes then proceeds to hug him joyfully.
Timothy : Aw ! Irakus ! My man ! You’re a life saver !!!
He is almost crying tears of joy. Even if he tries to play it off, Irakus knows his friend is suffering under his self-deprecating humor.
Irakus : Hahah ! I’m no such thing ! It is natural to-..Aaah !
The weight of Timothy made Irakus loose balance and he fell to the ground. For how strong he can be when well fed, he becomes weaker than an infant when underfed. Timothy backs away in a panic.
Timothy : Wow ! Hey !? A-are you alright !??
Irakus : Y-yes…yes..I just..hm…it’s only…hmmm…
The weak vampire stumbles on his words and struggles to get up. His head is light and his arms are wobbly. Timothy’s expression hardens as he asks the question that has been burning his lips for a few days.
Timothy : Hey…..Irakus….Are you…eating okay ?
Irakus’s blood runs cold.
Timothy : I thought you were doing better….cause I don’t hear your stomach as much…but…You are eating right ? Yeah ?
The young vampire doesn’t know how to respond. He had noticed it too. When his starvation is at this level, his belly stops growling. The hunger cramps and ache do not stop but they become silent. He doesn’t know what do answer to his worried friend. Surely another lie wouldn’t be the end of the world. But as he looks at his kind sad eyes, he can muster up a word.
After a moment, Timothy crouches down besides him.
Timothy : H-hey….If you got problems…you know you can tell me about it, right ? I promised to do my best to help you with whatever it is.
Irakus is now shaking and avoiding his gaze.
Timothy : …..and…if it’s not something I can help with…I can always just listen, you know ?
To this, Irakus looked back at Timothy and saw his gentle reassuring smile.
Timothy : ..No pressure of course..but hm…just, I’m there for you..okay ?!
Irakus responded with a weak little nob which eased Timothy’s worries.
Timothy : Alright ! Well..hm..gotta get to class ! So hm…see you later ! Take care, okay ?!
After waving him good bye, Timothy got back to his own room, the abandoned classroom next to this one, and left Irakus all alone to contemplate this question that just emerged in his mind.
“Should I tell him ?!”