Page 48 of My Roommate Is a Vampire

WiFi?

Yeah. If I’m moving back in I’ll need internet.

Everything I have heard about the internet makes it sound like a cancer upon the modern world.

I am not certain I want it.

Well I want it

I need it to watch my shows and do email and stuff

You’re gonna love it I promise

I can assure you I will not

But if it is something you require to be happy I’ll allow it

It was surprisingly good to be in Frederick’s apartment again. It was three in the afternoon, so just like the last time I moved in he wasn’t there to greet me. He had, however, left the curtains covering the lake-facing windows open—presumably for my benefit. The bright autumn sun glinted off the water so enticingly it almost felt like the view was welcoming me back home.

Or maybe I’d just gotten tired of camping out on Sam’s sofa.

I quietly entered the apartment, doing my best to ignore the bizarre decor. The too-dark walls, the creepy stuffed wolf’s head over the mantel, the way the hall closet I was forbidden from entering smelled vaguely of fruit—it was all just as odd, and still gave off every bit as much of therich people have more money than sensevibe as it had a few days ago. The only difference nowwas that by knowing he was a centuries-old vampire it all made a bit more sense.

I yawned as I made my way towards my bedroom. I’d stayed up late the night before trying to convince Sam that yes, I was certain moving back in with the same roommate I’d fled from the other day was what I wanted to do. I couldn’t blame Sam for his concern; I understood that from all outside appearances I was behaving erratically.

But Frederick’s secret wasn’t mine to share.

Hopefully, in time Sam wouldn’t worry quite so much about me.

As soon as I entered my room my breath caught. Frederick had left my Saugatuck landscapes hanging in the exact same spot they’d been when I moved out. Even though I knew he didn’t really understand them.

Two envelopes with my name on them waited for me on the thick mattress of my four-poster bed. Beside them lay a wooden bowl filled with more of those mouthwatering little orange kumquats he’d given me the first time I’d moved in.

I opened the first envelope and out slid two sheets of crisply folded off-white paper, bearing handwriting that at this point I’d recognize anywhere.

Dear Cassie,

Welcome back. I am very glad you decided to move in with me again and hope you are glad as well.

I have begun preparing a list of potential lesson topics for us to cover together. Enclosed please find said list, submitted for your approval. Please note that I am so uneducated in the ways of the modern world that I likelydo not even know what it is I do not know. If you can think of any serious omissions from this list, please advise.

Yours,

Frederick

ps: As you may have noticed, I included “Coffee shops and how to navigate them” in the list. After what happened at Gossamer’s when I tried to order a beverage, I thought you would agree further education is required.

I huffed a laugh when I got to the final line.

Good call, Frederick.

I reviewed the list he’d included with the letter, worrying my bottom lip as I pondered what he’d jotted down.

Frederick J. Fitzwilliam’s Proposed Modern Day Lessons List

Coffee shops and how to navigate them.

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