Page 37 of Vampires and Violas

It’s a scary thought, but maybe I’m thinking into it too much. A lot of people have to take medicine for their mental health. Is this any different?

But the truth is, it feels different. Without these, Noah would be a vampire from the books and movies. A night-dwelling, blood-lusting monster.

And if I’m not careful, I might end up just like him.

I shiver as I place the daylight drugs on the shelf with the others, glad for modern medicine. Then I leave his bathroom and head out to make the rest of my deliveries.

8

The farmer’smarket is hopping tonight, and it hasn’t even officially started yet. Kids will go back to school in a few weeks, and it feels like parents are making the most of the summer.

“I bet you’ll sell out tonight,” Olivia says as we load my cart with flowers.

“That would be nice.” I pull another bucket of zinnias out of the truck. “Max’s band is playing this evening. Are you going to hang out with me or go be a groupie?”

“I think you’re going to need my help. Besides, he said earlier thatEmmais coming.”

I try not to smile when she rolls her eyes. “Is that a problem?”

“No.” She follows me as I pull the full cart down the street. “But he doesn’t need me if he has her.”

“You know Max is as dense as a brick, right? If you don’t tell him you’re madly in love with him, he’ll never figure it out.”

She gasps like I said something outlandish. “I’m not in love with Max.”

“Okay…then why do you care about Emma?”

“I don’t really.” She wrinkles her nose. “I just don’t think he should ditch his friends for some new girl.”

“First off, I’m not his friend. I’m his sister, so I don’t really count in this argument. Two, remember when you were dating Tyson? I swear we didn’t see you for a solid month.”

“That’s different.” She bristles as she plays with her bracelets.

I smile to myself as I navigate around a small cluster of people who have gathered in the street. “Max didn’t think it was different. He was miffed that whole time.”

She gives me a sideways look. “He didn’t like me dating Tyson?”

“Nope.”

A smile plays over her lips, but she presses them into a flat line to contain it. “Well. Whatever. This isn’t the same situation at all.”

“Sure.”

We reach my stand, meeting the subject of our conversation as he finishes setting up the canopy.

“Hey,” I say to my brother. “It’s crooked. You need to bring that leg up another notch.”

“Hey,” he parrots. “You’re awfully naggy when I’m doing this for free.”

I grin. “Thank you for setting it up for me.”

He turns his eyes on Olivia. “Hi, Olive.”

She eyes him, nodding once in greeting.

“You going to watch the show?” he asks her.

“I’m going to help Piper tonight.”

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