Hi mom " Lia chuckled as soon as her mom answered the door.

Her mom frowned, displease written all over her face " Why are you home late -oh "

Jenny said as soon as Ben pushed Lia aside to make a hasty introduction.

"Mrs Jenny " Ben breathed and took hold of her mom's hands " It is such an honour to finally meet you, the giver of life to this wonderful goddess by my side " Ben flattered pointing to Lia.

Lia rolled her eyes while her mom gave her a please- help -me -out- here look . She sighed and came to her rescue

"Mom, this is Ben , my newly made - "

" Side kick! " Ben cut in excitedly.

"Side kick? " Jenny asked confused.

Lia facepalm mentality, having the urge to throttle that stupid guy

"He means Friend " Lia tried to explain " You see, Ben here has a problem with communication. He can't express himself perfectly and tends to mix-up the wrong words together "

Ben whirled around, a shocked and pained expression on his face " You can't be... "

Whatever he was about to say was forever lost when he saw the killing stare his goddess gave him.

"Come in, you're just in time for dinner"Jenny said letting them in.

"You're home late again " Rex said as soon as she came inside the living room while Ben was busy examining her house in awe.

Rex had fallen asleep before she arrived home last night and thanks to the 'sleepwalking' incident the next morning, she didn't have much time to make small talks with him.

"How are you pretty little boy?" Lia asked ruffling the boy's spiky blonde hair earning a frown in return.

Rex tilted his head to the side trying to avoid her touch while Ben stared amused at the scene.

"Who's he? " Rex asked his sister when he saw a guy with curly black hair grinning sheepishly at him.

"That's my friend Ben " She introduced as the loudmouth waved at him vigorously.

"I'm Ben, your sister's one and only friend." And as usual he started "Just so you know, your sister is my goddess, her smile alone shames the sun while the moon pays tribute at her feet " He narrated theatrically .

Lia facepalm wondering if there was an ejector seat nearby to shoot her out of here. Why was this guy always singing praises to her, she wasn't a goddamn goddess.

Rex was dumbfounded, he turned to give his sister a questioning look.Lia easily decipher that look, a where-the-hell-did-this-guy-come from look.

"He's weird " Was all Rex muttered and left while Lia was relieved to know she wasn't the only one who thought that way.

"Get your asses moving people, dinner is served " Jenny announced from the dinning room.

Ben's eyes lit up with anticipation, so he got to the dinning table before anyone else. Lia suddenly wondered if the guy was on drugs, his energy never depletes for once.

" Wow " Ben exclaimed when his eyes witnessed the feast on the table. If his goddess ate this much everyday, why was she still as slim as a stick?

"Make yourself comfortable " Jenny smiled down at Ben. She couldn't help but like the boy, he looked inquisitive yet naive, not to mention the fact he was the first male friend her daughter has ever made. So there must be something special about him.

"Thank you Mrs Jenny " Ben thanked and took a seat beside the flow Italian marble dinning table.

"Just call me Jenny "

"Thank you Jenny "

Slowly, the rest of the family joined the duo at the table. Trevor's eyes narrowed when he saw that fool at the table.

"What's he doing here? " Trevor asked his sister who was sitting beside him while the boy sat in front of them.

"I have no idea " She breathed inaudibly.

After the hot argument with Asher earlier , he still insisted on the boy being her sidekick claiming it wasn't everywhere that Dan could go with her.

Just like a witch's home, an invisible barrier always kicks vampires out since most witches places a spell that wards off the undead.

"What would a witch hurt me? " She had asked him with a heavy heart. Inwardly, she had this feeling that his answer would be a disappointing one but she just wanted to confirm it.

Asher looked up, he approached her and ran his hands through her hair saying "You my dear is something that shouldn't exist so be careful who you tell your secret, cause I'm sure the council won't let you stay still after finding out what you are "

So she reluctantly accepted the guy as her side - no , friend, after Asher fed him with his blood in order to heal up the fang wound on his neck thanks to Dan with a strict warning.

"Die within twenty four hours of my blood being in your system and I'll show you what hell is as a converted vampire " He warned severely .

Lia was roused from her reverie by Trevor's bellow

"What was that for? " He questioned leaving her confused

Brows drown together in a frown, Lia asked "What do you mean? "

Trevor grabbed a roast beef sandwich and forced the buns open, complaining "what am I supposed to do with these? why eat the meat alone, are you a dog or what? "

Lia blinked repeatedly not believing what she was hearing "I didn't do such a thing " She retorted innocently.

"Oh really, then what about those? " Trevor said pointing to the rest of the main dishes which were almost meatless.

Surprise, then disbelief spread abroad her face to the extent she had to look twice to ensure her eyes weren't playing tricks on her.

She looked up to discover the rest of her family frozen in disbelief.

They were just as shocked as she was, save Ben who was busy protecting his fried chicken with macaroni and cheese, collard greens, okra and cornbread from her.

Lia didn't know whether to laugh or cry in frustration, even in the direst of straits, Ben's response was still anomalous and dubious as his outlandish character.

"I'm sorry " was all Lia could say before everyone resumed their meal.

For some strange reasons, Lia couldn't find the rest of the foods appetizing, she only yearned for the remaining succulent, slightly pink and thinly sliced meat in almost every dish on the table.

Eventhough the mood was slightly ruined a while ago thanks to the 'meat episode ', Ben was there to lit everywhere up and Lia had to admit, the guy knew how to lift someone's spirits .

Her mom couldn't stop laughing cause he fed her one story after the other until she entered a laughing fit and almost choked on her food.

Atlest there's something he can do well.

After she was through with her meal, Lia headed to her room and Ben followed suit.

Once inside, she turned and scowled at him but he looked away, whistling and scratching his scalp awkwardly.

" Isn't it time for you to head home? " Lia asked with a fierce gaze and hands akinmbo .

Ben swallowed deeply, he turned and pursed her lips in a pout

" Can't I sleep over? "