Chapter 2: Benjamin
Larisa's parents had been bothering her even more lately about having friends or a boyfriend, Tara especially. Larisa did not understand why. She was happy, and it wasn't like either of her parents were very social. Though she didn't understand, Larisa was anxious to placate her parents. Now she just had to think of a way to meet people.
A grin spread over Larisa's face as she thought of the perfect solution.
An online dating profile. Okay, maybe it wasn't perfect, but at least Larisa could tell her parents she was trying to find someone without lying.
Nikolas came to visit his family. Larisa was glad to see her brother again,
Meeting her niece was nice too. Nikolas lived on the opposite side of town as the rest of his family, so they didn't see each other in person as much as they would have liked. The downside was that Larisa felt the pressure to find someone even more now that her parents had gotten a taste of being grandparents.
Larisa's first full moon as a fully grown werewolf was like her others, but without having to worry about turning back in time for school.
Her time spent as a werewolf did not slow her down. Tara's mind was just as sharp, and she kept at her workbench.
It also didn't stop her from catching on fire.
Thankfully her parents bathroom was in the basement with the studio, so Tara was able to make it to the shower before her clothes (or anything else) were seriously damaged.
Once Larisa was cleaned up, she headed back to her workbench, only to find her father waiting for her. Her gave her the 'your mother and I are worried. We want you to be happy.' speech. Larisa smiled and nodded, telling her father she would try to branch out more. On the inside she was screaming. Why couldn't her parents just accept that she was happy how she was? That maybe she wasn't ready to be in love or have kids like Nikolas, and that she could be perfectly fine without those things?
The next morning Larisa checked her online dating profile. She's sent a few messages to one man a few years older than her. Larisa decided to give him a call.
They set up a date to go to the summer festival. Larisa had heard enough about sketchy people online to know a public place with lots of people was the best place to meet.
They met up in the park the next day. His name was Benjamin Stern. He was well-groomed and cute in an average sort of way.
They hit it off straight away, talking about their respective careers.
They told jokes, giggling like schoolchildren.
There was some mild flirting as well. It didn't go much further than that, and when Benjamin left the park he left Larisa with a day for their second date.
When Larisa got home, it was time to get back to work.
A month passed. Larisa spent her time inventing or on dates with Benjamin. Soon she had her biggest invention to date. A time machine.
Larisa's heart beat with excitement as she programmed her invention, ready for an adventure.
When she returned, Larisa was thrilled. Her invention worked, and it was tons of fun!
Larisa finished with her machine just in time for a date with Benjamin. They were due for a sunset chess match in the park.
Lately Ben had been pressuring Larisa for more than she felt comfortable giving. She wasn't sure how she felt about him and she'd been seeing some things in Benjamin she didn't like. Larisa had been doing her best to suppress her insecurities. This was what her parents wanted, wasn't it?
Larisa decided tonight was the night she was going to take the plunge. Maybe then she would feel something stronger then obligation.
Larisa did her best to ignore the sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. What was the worst that could happen?