Chapter 1TheFirst Glance
I sat across the T.V. in my living room watching my T.V. show True Blood. Slumped over the sofa like a dog, eating rocky road ice cream, I watched in anticipation what would happen next. I stirred with excitement, sometimes yelping like a fangirl, every time I saw Bill The Vampire appear on screen. I know it's stupid but sometimes I catch myself drooling over him. I know he's fictional and my feelings about him are crazy but he's the only man in my life right now. His enchanting blue eyes, chiseled chest, macho finesse, and gorgeous facial features only makes it that much harder to watch the show. I can never decide what to look at! This makes the show and I have issues. I lose track of the plot, tend to block out the conversations, and cry when I grasp, in each episode, the fact that Bill is unattainable. It's sad all the romance in my life revolves around a T.V. show playing every Sunday at 9:00. Although its short lasted, our romance gives me laughter, anger, and lust. I get to see his magnificent body NAKED; however, he is naked with other girl which is a real turn off. I watched the clock on top of my T.V. shift from 9:59 to 10:00, ending the show.
Tonight is another lonely night. I sigh, shut off the T.V. and I roll into a ball on the couch. Lying on the couch staring up at the humming ceiling fan I wanted to cry. Today really wasn't a good day at work. I got cussed out by the scariest looking black women because I accidentally shorted her 3 cents. I said sorry repeatedly, but she didn't let it go. She called me F this, F that, B this, and B that. Then she had the nerve to ask my manager to fire me for 3 cents. ARE YOU SERIOUS! So I got shit from my boss and now I'm on probation for being short 3 CENTS. On top of that I am on my period making me look bloated or pregnant ( I cant decide which one), my hair is a hot mess, my mascara has ran down my face, my nail bends are raw from my incessant chewing, and I'm single. Sometimes crying is a remedy, and that's exactly what I feel like doing. I know once the first tear runs down my face I will lose control going into a spastic sobbing episode. So I fight against the impulse to cry when I'm saved by my cell phone ringing. I reach out to the wooden coffee table in front of me, and grab my blackberry curve. The Caller ID reads Janice, my best friend, also an avid True Blood fan.
"OMG did you see that episode?" I said excitedly to Janice.
"Yes of course. I can't believe Bill right now. What the fuck! We are having issues right now" Janice said with all seriousness in her voice. Sometimes she gets way too involved with things.
"I'm going to Harry Potter premier but I don't want to go by myself. Will you please go Lila?" Janice said in a pleading voice. Go to the movies or stay at home?
"Sure I'll go. I have to take a shower and get ready. You got to pick me up though because the construction is still going on my street. Say 11:10?" I asked questionly. "O.k. Just be ready and don't take forever like you always do. Oh, were going out to eat and it's on you. Sushi Mon is open till 12:00 so bring your money. Bye," said Janice letting out her high pitched laugh before ending the call.
I snapped the phone shut placing it back on the coffee table. I sat on the sofa a few more minutes just enjoying the silence when my cat Penny jumped onto my lap. Penny my Domestic short haired torbie has been in my life as long as I remember. Even thought she's 18, at least, she's really active and loves to play. Whenever she sits in my lap she always stares up at me with her little teal eyes and raccoon tail swaying in the air. I sat there watching her for what seemed like a minute when I started to gaze around the room. I noticed that the new white drapes that hung over the windows, situated to the left and right sides of the T.V., have claw marks on the entire the bottom. The white love-seat to the left of me shined in the darkness. The tan hard wood floor that covered the entire room needed a smidge bit of cleaning. The cow hide rug under the coffee table also looked like it could use some TLC. Looking at the whole room I was boggled by how the mismatchneness of the room worked. My gaze roamed around until I saw the clock on top of the T.V. It was 10:30! How did I waste 25 minutes? I started to feel panicked watching the clock slowly tick away my precious minutes so I dashed upstairs into my bathroom across my bedroom.
Every time I enter my bathroom I am always reminded of the beach, which is annoying since I never go to the beach. Mothers always have the darenst ideas don't they? One day, out of nowhere, mom decided she missed the beach, she was probably on her period, making my bathroom her memento of it. Instead of the modern chic look I wanted I got a blue fish bowl that was thrown up on. This was not the HGTV room I wanted; Candis Olsen would scream if she saw this room. The walls of the bathroom are split into two colors. The top is construction cone orange having poorly painted suns and clouds. The bottom is sea foam green/blue with tiny fishes and or sharks (blobs) painted on by my mother who is no artist. The tub directly center the room is covered by the shower curtain my mother made. It's simply a series of volleyballs poorly sown together. To complete the room my mother bought a rubber ducky toilet cover seat to tie up the room. She claimed this room her best work. I always wondered what else she did.
Thinking of my time restraint I decide it was best not to wet my hair. I turned the shower knob until I got the warm water rushing out the pipe. I slowly undress, carefully put the blue shower cap over my head, and settle into the pouring water. The water instantly beats out my past worries. I watched the water trickle down my body when I noticed I was getting a little tan. This instantly put a smile on my face. It's always so hard to get a tan being white. I stood there letting the water splash against my body for another minute feeling giddy and giggly when someone banged on my front door. I mean seriously bangs. I froze. Janice is here already? Quickly I turn off the shower, throw on my pink Victoria Secret robe and run toward the door. I put my hand on the door knob just as I heard a rustling noise. I know that it is the bushes next to my house. This frightens me. "Janice this isn't a good joke" I yell hysterically, but no response comes. Janice would never walk all the way over here. Now the fright started to kick in. My head pounded, my heart beat ran ramped, and my limbs became stiff. This is when I wish my mom installed that peep hole she wanted. I cracked the door opens a little, listening for anything. Nothing. I stood in front of the door just listening to the night noise; the grasshoppers chirping; the slight breeze that ruffles the leaves on the floor; And the sound of passing traffic. I gulped. Nothing sounds out of ordinary. I tightened my left hand into a fist, while my right hand is on the door knob. The Tension built around me making get irrational. I threw up the door exposing me to the night. Nothing. I sighed in relief. It's nothing, probably just some dumb kids. If it was someone though I think he would have been in for a surprise. I have a retching scream that would alert someone. Someone would help me right?
Squashing this from my mind, I shut the door, locked it, and returned to get ready. I stomped up the stairs going straight to my room. The first thing seen entering the room is the bed pushed up against the wall opposite the door. The bed has a modern tan wooden frame with small tricolored Octagons covering the baseboard. The bed is covered with a magenta bed spread embroided with yellow, red, and white flowers. 4 white pillows lay on the bed with a brown stuff animal in the middle On the bed lays a pink laptop with papers scattered all around it. Left to the bed is a walk in closet. To the right of the bed is a nightstand with a small rectangular lamp on it. Directly across from the bed is a sitting area. There is a white lazy boy chair with a chic oatmeal patterned lamp directly over it creating a spot light imitation.
I throw off my robe letting my naked body be attacked by the cold air. I scrimmage through my closet looking for something to wear. The first shirt I took out was a pink tee, but when I put it on it was like see thru. I couldn't decide if I want to show cleavage or not, so my search was even harder. Nothing grabbed my attention until I grabbed my purple v neck tee. It gives me enough cleavage but not in a sluttish fashion. I swear before I put my purple tee over my head the clock read 10:45 and after it was 10:53! I decided on my favorite blue jeans and flared up my look with my purple prada pumps. I walked over to the bathroom to put my face on. I put a little eye liner on and some pink blush, bringing my face alive. Then I took a good look at myself.
My long brunette hair hangs down past my shoulders. I flipped my hair like I was a fashion model, giggling at my action. Janice always told me I have Farrah Facets hair, but I told her it was more of an Angelina Jolene. Flipping my hair instantly put a smile on my face. Smiling in the mirror I take note of my gleaming white teeth. Those nights of putting white stripes on my teeth have paid off. My high cheek bones, green eyes, and Angelina lips make my face relatively pleasant to look at. Janice thinks I think too little of myself. In her opinion I'm gorgeous! NOT in a lesbian way. My clothing selection did my body justice. My purple tank accented my boobs really well, while also showing off my slender body. I am in pretty good shape being a size 6 at 5'8. My blue jeans really showed off my butt making me gleam with joy. My purple pumps gave me 3 extra inches almost making me 6 feet tall. I took one last look at myself, winked, and turned away.
I looked at the clock seeing it read 11:00, leaving me with 10 minutes to spare. I contemplated picking up my Twilight book but don't feel up to another session with Edward Cullen. I decided to walk down and wait for Janice at the end of the construction zone. I feed Penny, gave her a kiss goodbye, and left my house. Walking outside is usually fun but tonight it seemed scary. Not only am I still freaked from earlier but not all the lamplights were working, because of the construction of the road, making it darker than usual outside. I started walking down the side walk with my head down scanning for bugs in front of me. Like an idiot, of course I would see one and I did. A gigantic cockroach scurried out right in front of me making me scream and take two steps back. Now I was scared of the night. I decided it is best to look up from the ground when I saw him. Directly across the street from me 2 lamplights down is a man.
He is standing there dressed in all black staring at me silently through narrowed eyes. From my distance I think his eyes are green but I don't know. His skin is so pale he stands out in the darkness making him look attractive. How is this creepy guy hot? I really couldn't make out his features. Only that he had black hair and those gleaming eyes. I stood there on the sidewalk just staring at him with my mouth hanging open. I gawked at him for some time when our eyes meet. His eyes never left mine nor mine his for awhile, creating an electrical current between us. My hair on my arms started to rise, the night air swirled around me, and I could literally feel the electrical current flow across my skin. Was he feeling this? I couldn't tell because he was just standing there staring. My senses found me when I read the thirst in his eyes. This realization sent red flags through the air. Why is he watching me? I started to feel panicked and didn't know what to do. I decide to act normal and carry on my short walk, like an idiot. At least he is across the street I keep telling myself. Just keep walking, just keep walking, just keep walking. I really want to scream at the strange man telling him to stop but I know that would only be trouble. The closer I creep toward my assailant's position the harder his gaze seemed to be on me. Just as I was about to pass him on my side of the street he flashes a wicked smile at me. Not only did it send shivers through my body but it also made me start to ache in places I didn't know where possible. Luckily my face was masked by the darkness, since I was not under the rays of a lamplight at this moment, to hide my joy, fear, or lust.
I was beginning to approach the next lamplight when the man started walking toward my side of the street. I froze. He began approaching closer and closer. My heart began beating wildly making my body quiver with tension. Great I'm going to die. I scurry to the next light lamplight, turn around, and watch the approaching shadow. Creeping at a steadily pace he inches closer. Feet, Inches, now closer to me… My phone rings. I pull it out of my pocket without taking my gaze off my stocker. He seems unfazed by my phone call. It is Janice. If only I could answer it and tell Janice before he got me. I put the phone into my ear while still staring down the man. "I'm here" Janice's familiar voice said. I couldn't speak or move at all. I could see the shadow right in front of me stand about a foot or two away, shielded by the darkness. "Hello, Lila are you there?" Janice asked. I still couldn't move but something about the unknown figure alerted my senses. I tare my eyes from the strange man breaking the electrical current, between us, that was keeping me down. I was back in control. I began sprinting down the side walk when I heard a faster pace trailing me. My knees buckle instantly as soon as my ears register this noise. My body instantly became immobile causing me to crumble to the ground. I close my eyes. I'm going to die. The final thing I know I can do is shriek. Some will help me. I sucked in all the air I could and let out a SCREAM. "Lila! Lila! Lila! What's going on? Lila!" screams the panicky Janice through the phone. I sat under the lamplight with my eyes closed just hearing the approaching footsteps of my killer stop in front of me. Slow breaths of my pursuer reveal his position to me. His warm breath breezed against my face. He's right in front of me. I felt a hand gently brush against my check transferring chills down my spine. My body tensed up getting ready for the impact of the first blow. I am too freaked out to move. Suddenly everything stops. No breathing, footsteps, not even the eerie feeling of someone watching. He's gone. I couldn't believe it. I slowly opened my eyes revealing the plain night to me.
Shaken, scared, and terrified I quickly make my way to my friend's car. Janice looked relieved the minute she saw me. I escaped a killer because of my best friend in some way. "What happened" Janice asked eying me as if I've been stabbed. I can't quite get past my shock yet and don't know if I should tell Janice. Janice has a tendency to blow things out of proportion so instead I am going to tell her a bogus story. "I saw a cockroach on the floor and it freaked me bad." I said looking at Janice relaxed. She gave me a suspicious glance, opened her mouth to argue but decides not to dwell on it for THIS MINUTE. She always has to know everything.
"I'm surprised your on time Lila you know your always late" she teased.
"Yeah you're the one to talk Ms. 5 hours to get ready"
"Oh Lila when did you get so funny? Ooh I like your outfit! When did you get those prada shoes?"
"I ordered them on-line a week ago." Trying to end the conversation I switch the radio station to 102.7 and blast the music. Janice raised one eyebrow at me but I simply shrugged my shoulders and turned to face the window. I know for sure my face would give me away. So for now I have to quell my thoughts.I have to keep it together or Janice is going to figure something out.