Here's my new story. R&R. Thanks

~Crews~

There were always times in Kerry's life when she thought what if? What if she hadn't gone and gotten that bear? What if she hadn't been at the Laundromat that night? What if she had never seen Ethan? What if she had become just like him, a vampire?

After he left, Kerry had been unable to resume her old life. She no longer cared about school, work, anything. Her mind constantly plagued with thoughts of what could have been and she couldn't understand why. She had made her choice that night. Ethan had made that offer and she had declined. Done. So why did she feel like she was missing something?

"I have coupons," the old woman said after Kerry had pressed the total key. She sighed.

"Alright, let me have them please," she said adding the please on as an after thought. This same old woman always seemed to forget her coupons. At least it had brought her back to earth, out of her head. Coupons in hand, Kerry began to scan, ordering her mind to stop thinking about him. He was gone and he wasn't coming back. The end.

"Thank you deary," the old woman said has she received the receipt. Kerry's automatic smile didn't reach her eyes as it spread across her face.

"Thank you. Have a nice day," the false cheeriness in her voice disgusted her. She needed a new job.

"Hello Kerry," a new voice said, a familiar voice. Kerry slowly turned to the next customer in line and felt her heart stop.

A guy with dark hair that looked a little too long and choppy, like he had cut it himself and blue eyes smiled back at her. He wore a college sweatshirt, just like he had the first time she had seen him and jeans. Chips and soda were placed on the conveyor belt in front of him.

It took her a minute to find her voice, but when she did, it came out as little more than a whisper.

"Ethan."

Before she could think, she was around the counter and hugging him. He started laughing, but she barely took notice. Her mind could only process this as a dream, yet he felt solid. It was a dream come true. Even if this was a dream, Kerry wasn't going to let go of it. Ever.

"Ma'am, could we please check out," an annoyed woman's voice broke through Kerry's sporadic thoughts and she remembered where she was.

"Of course," she answered blushing. She reluctantly released Ethan who had stopped laughing but hadn't stopped smiling. "Don't leave," she told him.

"Of course," he replied, repeating her earlier words.

Today was the best day ever.

Kerry's shift dragged on and on. Before, her days seemed to blur together and go by fast, but today, when she wanted it to be over, it seemed never ending. Yet, Ethan sat on the bench by the door the whole time, demonstrating unwavering patience.

Every chance she got, Kerry would look over at him and every time he would be looking back at her.

At last, the clock read nine p.m. the end of Kerry's shift. Sarah had arrived and Kerry was amused to see Sarah looking at Ethan in awe. He was that hot.

"You see that guy sitting there?" she whispered with a head jerk in Ethan's direction. "How long has he been sitting there?"

"Since around six," she answered, ringing up the last item for her final customer.

"Kerry," Sarah asked, all serious. "Do you really not see that guys hotness? And he's looking at you!" Her voice held a note of surprise which made her look up. Ethan was still sitting there, looking like a male model. He caught her eye and winked, making her smile and look down.

Sarah's mouth hung open as Kerry turned around.

"I'm done," she told her, pushing Sarah's jaw up with her hand.

"Alright," she told her with a wink of her own when she could speak. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do." This being Sarah, anything Kerry did, she would have done and more. She smiled.

"Okay."

Kerry turned and walked slowly over to Ethan. He stood when she reached him.

"Hey," he told her. He wrapped his right arm around her shoulders, his groceries in the other hand. He didn't say anything else as they walked out the door and she was okay with that. He was normally like this, or at least he was last time she had seen him.

Her mind began to spin, questioning why he was here. Stop it! she ordered her mind. Just let this last. But her relentless mind wouldn't let it go. She stopped walking, in the middle of the parking lot, and Ethan followed suit.

"Ethan, why are you here?" His expression became a mask. He no longer smiled, and his voice sounded sarcastic when he answered.

"Aren't you glad to see me?" he stated rather than asked. Kerry didn't answer. Ethan quickly looked over his shoulder and when he turned back, his eyes were calculating. "Let's do this later," he said, as he jerked her forward. His arm had never left her shoulders.

Kerry immediately pulled away. She wished to see him, but he wasn't starting this again.

"No," she said, looking him in the eye. He looked slightly shocked. "I'm not doing this again. I missed you and you know it, but this can't start again." His shock was quickly replaced with fury and than exasperation.

"Why I humor you, I don't know. Fine, I need your help again," he said all in a rush, as he ran his hand through his hair. Ethan never fidgeted. Something had to be wrong.

"What now?" she asked.

"Please, can we talk about it somewhere else?" Kerry looked back at the store and saw Sarah watching through the glass. She gave Kerry the thumbs up sign. She sighed.

"Fine," she said as she started walking again.

"Thank you," he said, leading her towards a small BMW. He held the passenger door open for her.

"No bike this time?" she remarked as she got in.

"Nope," he replied as he handed her the grocery bag. "I decided it was finally time to use the car."

"Great," she said as he shut the door and slid across the hood of the car to his side.

"I know," he replied as he slammed his own door shut. The keys were in the ignition and the engine roared to life.

"Show off," she muttered. Ethan laughed as he swiftly pulled out of the lot and onto the main street, flying through a traffic light that had just turned red.

"I know."