The Anxiety of Kalix the Werewolf by Martin Millar Read Free Book Online Page B

anything except lie on the couch.”
    Vex paused momentarily to nod in agreement. They’d all found it hard, working in the supermarket. For much of the summer, the commonest sight to be seen in their flat was Daniel, Vex, Kalix and Moonglow all strewn around the living room, tired out after their long day’s work.
    â€œIt’s time for it to end.”
    Vex looked around. Her lips were deep red. “What’s coming to an end?”
    â€œMoonglow not going out with me.”
    â€œAre you going to grab her in the cinema?”
    â€œPossibly.”
    Vex burst out laughing, which deflated Daniel.
    â€œWhat’s funny?”
    â€œThe idea of you grabbing Moonglow.”
    â€œJust wait and see.”
    Vex grinned. She’d have been quite happy to see Daniel going out with Moonglow, but she didn’t anticipate it happening anytime soon. The conversation ended as Moonglow came down the stairs.
    Vex greeted her enthusiastically. “Hi, Moonglow you’re looking nice. Look at my kilt. I’m wearing tartan in honor of Kalix’s birthday. Because she’s Scottish. They like tartan.”
    Moonglow smiled, admiring Vex’s choice. Vex’s kilt was tiny, displaying her slender legs from thigh to knee, beneath which they disappeared into her customary large boots, giving her the look of a character from one of her favorite Japanese cartoons.
    â€œDo you think I might meet a boyfriend at the party?” said Vex.
    Moonglow frowned. Moonglow had no objection to Vex having a boyfriend, but she didn’t quite approve of the way Vex had been fixating on it recently. The young Elemental seemed to have developed the notion that she was somehow lacking without a boyfriend, a notion thatMoonglow was sure she’d picked up from the enormous amount of manga she read online.
    â€œJust because girls in comics want boyfriends doesn’t mean you need to have one,” she’d told Vex. Vex hadn’t paid any attention.
    Daniel had brushed his hair and put on the new jacket selected for him by Moonglow a few months ago.
    â€œEveryone ready for the cinema?” said Moonglow. “Where’s our birthday girl?”
    â€œI’m right here!” cried Vex and began hopping up and down.
    â€œRight. I meant our other birthday girl. The werewolf.”
    â€œI’m here,” said Kalix, appearing from her room upstairs. Kalix was smiling excitedly. She’d brushed her very long hair, and it shone as it streamed down past her shoulders, in contrast with her dull gray coat. As always, Kalix’s outfit contrasted strongly with the bright and colorful Vex. The young werewolf was averse to wearing anything colorful. Beneath her coat she wore a pair of jeans that had faded to a neutral gray, bought from the local charity shop. She had a new Runaways T-shirt, a birthday present from Daniel and Moonglow. They knew that Kalix would only wear the T-shirt if it were either black or white, so they’d picked white, with the band’s figures outlined in black. Kalix was very happy with the T-shirt.
    â€œEverybody ready?” asked Moonglow.
    â€œWait!” cried Kalix. “I forgot my keys.” Kalix hurried back up the stairs.
    â€œI forgot my keys too,” said Daniel. He headed back toward his room.
    â€œDid I forget anything?” asked Vex.
    â€œI don’t know,” replied Moonglow. “Did you?”
    â€œI better check,” said Vex, and rushed upstairs.
    Moonglow was left on her own in the living room. Kalix was the first to reappear.
    â€œI got my keys.” She paused. “But I forgot my money.”
    Kalix bounded back up the stairs. Moonglow pursed her lips. It could be a difficult task getting everyone out of the house.
    Daniel appeared. “Got my keys,” he said.
    â€œDid you bring your wallet?”
    Daniel felt in his pockets. “I’ll be right back,” he said, and hurried off.
    How did I