Hello, everyone. My name is Jenn and this is my first fan fiction. I have been lurking for awhile, and figured I would give it a shot. I will be starting with a True Blood story, since it is my current favourite and mostly what I read.

Enjoy and please review! This is something of a science experiment for me.

I do NOT own any of the True Blood characters that I am using.

NEW BEGINNINGS

CHAPTER 1

Don't stop now, just carry on

Genevieve Richards finished her long drive from New York, yawning as she pulled into the tiny town on Bon Temps in the sticky state of Louisiana. She sang the words to Feet First by The Swellers absently as she gazed around at the homes scattered here and there, and even less businesses. She wrinkled her nose as she thought about New York, but then her reason for leaving hit her hard and she sucked in a sob. She checked her directions that were displayed on her Iphone, and pulled into a long driveway a few miles away. Genevieve shut off the engine, and sat in the car as she took in the heat. She shook out her bright red bobbed hair, and was thankful it didn't hang past her neck in this summer weather. "Viv!" Genevieve turned her head slowly to see her best friend Nora James running out of the light yellow two story, her blonde curls pulled up with a clip. Genevieve smiled at that, knowing how Nora loved her hair.

"Hey, No-No." Genevieve greeted her, hugging her best friend of several years warmly. They had been friends back in New York before Nora had moved here in junior high with her family. She was now going to college in a larger town in Louisiana, and living with her parents. Genevieve had been enrolled in college in New York when her parents were abruptly killed by a drunk driver in Manhattan. Genevieve would have had to work very hard to stay there to start school and keep their midtown apartment on her own, and that was when Nora had invited her to come there. Genevieve had agreed, somewhat reluctantly, and here she was. She had managed to scrape enough money to put their stuff in storage for awhile until she figured out what she would do on a permanent basis. Genevieve gazed at her best friend, and her emerald green eyes filled with tears as she saw the sad look in Nora's brown eyes.

"I am so sorry." Nora said, holding her friend's hand tightly. "I am so glad that you're here, but I wish it was for happier reasons."

"I do as well." Genevieve replied, and gazed around slowly. "So what is there to do around here?"

"Hmmm, not much here in Bon Temps really. But Shreveport has some stuff and there is a bar here that is pretty popular on a really boring night." Nora replied, smiling at the wry look that Genevieve gave her. "I know, I know. I think you'll like the quiet, once you adjust. We'll make it fun."

Genevieve hugged her best friend tightly again, letting the silent tears slide down her face. "I love you, Nora."

The girls went in and got settled, unpacking in Genevieve's room at the front of the house as they caught up. Nora told her about school, which was where Genevieve would be attending as well in a short time. Nora's mom suggested going out for dinner, apologizing for the small bar/restaurant that their town had to offer. Genevieve smiled a small smile and told her it didn't matter. Manhattan dining was far behind her. She pulled on a fresh purple shirt and denim capris, sliding her feet into sandals before heading downstairs to leave with everyone. Nora and Viv rode in the back of the SUV, as Kevin and Kendra sat in the front. They showed Viv various things in town, and she almost thought that she might start to like it. They pulled into the small parking lot as the tires sprayed rock everywhere, and Viv looked at the small building. Merlotte's was the name in lights, and she raised her eyebrows as she got out of the car. A very flamboyant black man with false eyelashes stepped out from the dumpster, and gazed at her with curiosity. "Girl, I know you're not from here. I would know that gorgeous shade of red anywhere. Beats that red Arlene flashes around inside there."

Viv laughed, despite trying not to. He had a smile on his face, and she eyed his outfit with odd admiration. "I am new, from New York. My name is Genevieve, or Viv as most people call me."

"I am Lafayette. It is a pleasure, baby girl." He shook her hand with his own, and she noticed the red polish on his nails. "I am the cook here, so I assure you it will be divine."

"Nice to meet you." Viv told him, her alabaster cheeks pink with color as she felt a flash of happiness. They headed inside and she gazed around the room that she assumed every local must be at by the crowded tables, taking it all in. She brushed her crayon red hair back with one hand, and bit her lip.

"Well, hello there. You must be new here." A perky blonde was standing in front of her, and she looked at her in surprise. "Welcome to Bon Temps. Let me get you a table." She gave Viv a probing look as she walked beside her, and her eyes filled with a deep sympathy as her eyes softened. She squeezed her hand gently on what seemed like impulse, and then glanced down as she got a strange look on her face. "Here y'all are. Can I start you off with drinks this evening?" She jotted down their orders, and then glanced at Viv quickly as she turned and headed to another table.

"What was all that?" Nora asked, sitting next to her. She looked around and noted the faces of everyone, and Viv shrugged. "It seemed like Sookie knew what was going on with you. I have heard things, but I have never seen it before."

"Things?" Viv asked curiously, reading the simple menu. She settled on the Caesar salad and breadsticks quickly, and looked at her best friend.

"They say she reads minds. That kind of thing. I have always found her to be sweet as pie myself." Nora replied, reading the menu herself. "Some of these people are kooks and not nice at all." Viv noticed a redheaded waitress with a much more orange tone walk by, giving her a look as she tossed her own hair. Viv realized that it must be Arlene, and she chuckled to herself again. She was not an ugly woman, but she seemed like she was trying to hard to Viv.

Sookie came back and took their orders with a smile, and Viv noticed the warmth in her eyes when a lone man stepped into the building. He was dark haired and extremely pale, and he and Sookie gazed at each other with a deep love. Sookie broke the gaze, and giggled as she told them that their order would be out soon. She went to the bar and Viv watched curiously as she brought a bottle of True Blood to the man's table. Viv noticed how handsome he was in such an old fashioned manner. His clothes were modern enough, but the hair seemed older than that. She could see years of life in his face.

"I saw so many vampires in New York. It seems surprising that they would be here. Not much night life." Viv observed aloud, and took a sip of her sweet tea.

"There is a bar in Shreveport that they run. I haven't been yet, so maybe we should go sometime. It ain't New York, but it could be fun." Nora laughed, and Viv nodded. "Did you ever go to one of those there?"

"No, I never made it. They were just a part of New York life, whereas here it seems like they are a curiosity." Viv said, seeing the looks the locals were giving him. "He seems like a calm enough guy to me."

"He has never caused any trouble." Kevin agreed, and then Viv glanced at the door. A tall man stood at the door, alongside a striking blonde with piercing blue eyes. They were as pale as the vampire, and Viv knew at once that they were vampires as well. The man was striking and gorgeous, as his blue eyes scanned the room. He seemed cold and detached, and the woman gave the room a glance of dismissal. Her eyes lingered on Viv for a long moment, and they seemed hungry as she stared boldly at the girl. She murmured something to the man, and he looked at Viv as well. His gaze was seductive and she swallowed as she met his eyes. He didn't smile at her at all as he stared into her eyes, but he invited her with his gaze. Viv took a deep breath and looked away, hearing Nora mention something about how gorgeous he was. The two finally walked by her as she kept her eyes on the table, and sat down with the other vampire. Sookie walked up with their orders, giving that table a concerned look as she set down their plates. She made sure they had enough to drink and graciously headed over to the vampires. Viv felt eyes on her, and glanced a couple of times at the table to meet the vampire's blue eyes staring intently at her. The family finished their dinners and paid, heading to the car. Viv glanced back at the building, feeling the heat that was still warming her inside.

Viv listened to Muse on her docking station that night, crying quietly as she curled up alone in bed. She could barely remember the last two months since her parent's death, and now she was far away from all that she knew. She knew that she could call out to Nora, but she wanted to suffer alone tonight. The only other thought in her head was of the look the vampire gave her, and she shivered. At the young age of eighteen, Viv had never had a reaction like that to anyone. Her body warmed as she thought of him, and his long blonde hair that brushed his shoulders. His eyes burned into her mind all over again, and she choked on a sob as she thought of her life. It seemed hopeless right now, and she closed her eyes to shut out her personal darkness.

It is a short chapter, but a beginning nonetheless. Read, hopefully enjoy, and review for me.