The Vampire's Apprentice

It was close to the three hour mark when Ej came ridding by on a old bike. He skidded to a stop on the sidewalk and grinned. He had a ratty black shirt on, and the sleeve of some sort of uniform shirt stuck out of his backpack. "Hey, aren't you the cat girl from next door?"
 
EJ shoved the greasy black hair out of his face. At least today his reddish roots weren't showing. "Hey, you remember me! That's pretty sweet. Almost as sweet as those cookies." He kicked down the stand and got off his bike. "What are you doing outhere, anyway?"
 
"Ah, come on! You don't want to-" EJ came to an abrupt halt as Sam pulled himself out from under the bench and moved in front of Kitty. He growled, his hackles raised, the sound low and ominous. This was the sound he'd made when chomping down on the thugs who'd attacked Kitty. He didn't trust EJ and wouldn't let him close to his person.
"Hey, now, that dog better not bite," EJ said nervously, taking a step back.
 
"No, I don't." Kitty answered, taking her seat again. She was thankful for the dog. "I was just finishing up these last few pages before heading home.
 
EJ glared at her and the dog, but Sam wasn't budging. The boy started to back away with a snort of disgust. "You don't know what you're missing."
"EJ!"
He looked up with another snort as Norville came loping toward them in an awkward-gaited run. "What are you doing here?"
Norville slowed, panting. "Mum said you were supposed to be home an hour ago and sent me to find you. You're still grounded, you know."
"Of course I knot that, you idiot!" EJ yelled at him. "I had to stay late 'cause I'm the new guy! Maybe if you'd ever had a job you'd understand, you lazy bum!"
Norville cowed under his younger brother's wrath as if he were the younger and EJ the elder. He had at least a foot of height on EJ, but he looked small next to his brother. Norville's thin frame didn't help next to EJ's fit, lean one. "I'm just saying what Mum told me..."
"Well now you've said it, so shut it! Brain-dead twerp. Can't believe Mum puts up with you."
Norville said nothing as EJ got on his bike and rode away.
Sam relaxed once EJ was gone, even sitting and leaning against Kitty's leg.
 
"Eesh." Kitty mumbled, watching EJ ride off. "Sounds like a lot of trouble."

This was the second time that day she regretted collecting a broader view of the neighbors than she would have liked.
 
Norville glanced at Kitty uncomfortably then stared at his shoes. "Um...." Then he walked away without another word, walking home slower than he'd come.
 
Sam yawned, stretched, then followed after Kitty. This romp around the park had been fun! He liked that. Now he followed his person home with a tired gait. It was starting to get dark, just barely, but noticeably.
 
Norville missed a beat and looked at her, startled. Whether that be because of her question or because of her question. "Uh, yeah! Of course!" He tried to smile, but it didn't hide the sadness in his eyes. "I'm fine. Why wouldn't I be?"
Sam gently nudged Norville's hand, earning a pet.
 
"You seemed a little... I dunno... beaten up back there. Not that I don't get it—I do. Just wanted to know if you were alright."
 
Norville dropped his gaze and shoved his hands in his pockets as he kept walking. "It's okay," he mumbled. "It's just, you know, same old. Doesn't really matter or anything."
 
Norville flinched in shock, and even Sam jumped. Both stared at her, and it took Norville a second to start walking again. This time, he had to catch up with her, an easy feat with his long legs. "What do you mean?"
 
"You can't just let everyone push you around..." Kitty replied, then added, "but sometimes you can't really push back, either. Still, cowering is never the answer; be dignified, sometime."
 
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