AN: so this is very OOC, and human of course. I had this idea in mind for a while and I thought I'd give it a go and see just how many people enjoy it, or not lol.
This chapter is in Sookie's point of view, I was thinking of making the next in Erics? maybe you lot could help me decide? :D
I have a vague idea for a plot, but then again we'll see just how popular this gets if it does haha
enjoy! and please read and review. each review means the world to me. :) even if its only a word or two. xxx


"Hey Sookie! You're next on stage, C'mon gurlfriend! Show 'em whatcha got ya hear me gurl?" I turned to see Lafayette standing by the door, his black skinny jeans, white fitted top, almost made me feel like I may have been underdressed. I nodded quietly and he approached me with the softest smile on his face,

"whats up?" he asked bluntly and I sighed shaking my head – it was just stage fright, like always – keep calm Sookie you'll do fine, smile, and relax.

"Uh – nothing never mind Laf, just stage fright" I chuckled lightly before he raised an eyebrow questioningly. Alright so I'll admit maybe lying to the guy who I grew up with my entire childhood was a silly move to make.

"hey look at me girl, don't try to lie to me!" he grinned and sat me down, "close your eyes let me touch up that make-up and tell me what's buggin' you." I relaxed and gave in,

"I dunno, I mean this is my first time on stage, yeah sure we've done Karaoke in Merlotte's, but that's home to me, I mean we're here with people who I don't know, what if they don't like me, I'll be so embarrassed, I can't believe I agreed to this, this is all y'alls fault" I huffed and heard a few chuckles behind me, "yeah you lot don't go laughing at me!" I pouted, wondering if it was too late to back out now,

"Oh come on Cher you know you'll knock 'em dead." Sam spoke,

"Exactly, you're going to be…" Amelia started,

"FANTASTIC" Tara cut in quite enthusiastically before the girls started giggling.

"Yeah sis don't sweat it" I smiled – Jason wasn't one for affection but he sure as hell supported me in my career choice – I was desperate to be found – not for the fame but for joy of dancing, and singing – it had been my passion ever since I could walk and talk. I opened my eyes and smiled at what I saw in the reflection of the mirror, my friends, and family stood there all in awe.

"wow" they spoke all in unison and I couldn't help but let a giggle out. I turned around and studied myself, the tight fitted white dress clung to my curves, showcasing my cleavage and my legs. My sun-kissed natural tan looked fantastic against the pearl white fabric of my dress. It was a typical evening cocktail dress, although not too classy and elegant as it could have been passed off for a day dress, the lace design started from the bust, travelling down across the front in a diagonal pattern curving and finishing by the hem of the dress. My natural golden curls were drawn back on either side with two bobby pins, and my make-up was flawless thanks to Lafayette – he sure knew how to make you look good.

"another five minutes Sookie!" I saw Laf wink, whilst the group was lost in their own little discussion – however one person was missing – Bill, my long term boyfriend, or well – very recently my fiancée wasn't here.

"Is Bill sitting out front?" I asked hopefully, absentmindedly playing with my fingers, I saw Tara shake her head,

"I think he's gonna be here late, he was sayin' something about staying back at work" I nodded and turned my gaze back to the mirror,

"lately he's been distant from me" I admitted looking over at Lafayette who could only give me a sympathetic smile, and a hug before we heard the cheers and the manager back up on stage.

"Rock em dead girl, we're cheering for you!" they all kissed me quickly before exiting and leaving me alone in the backroom. I steadied myself taking a few deep breaths and walked out to the left, I could see the stage and I took the first step stopping as the manager continued talking.

"Come on calm down – calm down! Now ladies and gentlemen, we have another great singer. She's from Bon Temps" I heard a few cheers and I smiled knowing it was my little group spurring me on. "So give her a proper Shreveport welcome, please welcome Miss Sookie Stackhouse" the manager walked towards me and we passed he smiled and winked, giving me another small boost of confidence.

"Hey y'all, firstly, I just wanna say I'm honoured to be singing here, so without going on any further I hope y'all enjoy what I'm about to sing," I took a deep breath nodding over to the manager who pressed a button on the remote control he had the music poured out from the speakers. 'Trains – Hey Soul Sister' melody rang in my ears and I smiled placing both hands around the microphone of the stand,

"Hey, heyyyy he-heyyy" I kept my eyes closed, and let the sound from within me erupt, "Your lipstick stains on the front lobe of my left side brains…I knew I wouldn't forget you, and so I went and let you blow my mind" I felt my body loosen up immediately as the first sentence came out just as how I had predicted it, I heard a few whistles, and 'you go girl' from the audience, my hips were swinging side to side with each beat matching it perfectly, the hem of my dress swung around my legs, wind whipped past me and I enjoyed the cold air touching my skin as I drummed my fingertips lightly on the microphone,

"Hey soul sister, ain't that Mr. Mister on the radio, stereo, the way you move ain't fair, you know!" I was now singing so freely, I let my eyes wander over the crowd, passing many faces who were smiling, and silently singing along to the song themselves, I came across my table and I saw them all grin, thumbs up and all, I almost chuckled but kept it together, continuing on with the lyrics. My eyes moved to the table besides them and I lost train of thought all of a sudden I came across the most handsome guy I've ever laid my eyes upon; BILL! REMEMBER BILL! I studied him whilst trying to multi-task by remembering the lyrics word for word. He was a walking Adonis; his blonde hair was straight and tied back in a small ponytail from what I could tell at this angle, he had piercing blue eyes; that seemed to sparkle, he must have caught me staring at him because he smiled; and I was floored; he had a crooked smile, his left side curved up higher than the right side, his pearly whites were on display, wow he was gorgeous. I looked down and I could feel the heat immediately rush to my cheeks.

"just in time, I'm so glad you have a one-track mind like me. You gave my life direction…" I looked up and scanned the crowd casually, smiling my nervous Sookie smile before I let my eyes land upon him again, his eyes met mine and I could see him smirk, I caught sight of dimples! God could he have been any more perfect? Dimples and a award winning smile, he was pale, although not pale where you'd assume he was ill or anything; it was a pale which suited him.

"A game show love connection we can't deny"

oh my God, he's gorgeous, look at those eyes,

" I'm so obsessed, my heart is bound to beat right out my untrimmed chest."

Stop looking, stop looking idiot, he's gonna notice and you're gonna come off as an idiot.

"Hey soul sister, I don't want to miss a single thing you do...tonight. Hey, heeey, hee-hey…tonight" I finished the song and I wasn't prepared for the reaction I received. Cheers erupted I was pretty sure I got a standing ovation, everybody in sight was on their feet, whistling, clapping excitedly. I giggled and bowed slightly before making my way off the stage where Sam had picked me up and pulled me into a tight bear hug which literally left me gasping for air.

"SAAAM" I whined playfully as he set me down,

"You were terrific,"

"Fantastic"

"Amazing"

"Brilliant"

I wiggled about in Jason's hold and he kissed my forehead before he pulled me towards their table.

"SOOKIE GIRL!" I saw Laf walking towards me with a tray of shots, I took one and so did everyone else, "FOR SOOKIE!" we clinked the glasses; I took a lick of the salt on my hand and downed the glass, before biting down into the lime.

"Girl! that guy is checkin' you out…he's damn fine" I heard Tara, before my own head could snap around to look Lafayette, Sam, Amelia and Jason had beaten me to it, their faces were all a mixture of emotions. Of course Sam and Jason's mirrored one another – a protective, pissed off looked, Lafayette's, Amelia's and Tara's were identical looks of lust and passion. I looked over my shoulder to notice Mr. Blonde indeed was staring, he stood up and I looked over at Tara slowly; my eyes widened in anticipation. Was he coming over to talk to me?

"Excuse me" I heard his voice, it was sex, if sex was rather a sound – a voice, hands down he would have won. I turned slowly meeting his gaze, and he shot me another crooked smile, I think I may have grabbed onto my chairs arm because I could feel my legs shaking. He shouldn't have this effect on you – idiot! You're engaged for God's sake.

"Yes?" my voice came out so hushed and quiet he chuckled,

"I just wanted to say you have an incredible voice Miss…"

"Sookie Stackhouse" I added blushing, "and thank you that's very sweet of you."

"No problem, my name's Eric by the way. Can I possibly get you a drink?" he asked me, his voice was like liquid sex and I felt like a wanton whore for finding him drop dead gorgeous. I considered it for a moment but before I could answer, I had been answered for, I wasn't sure whether or not I was happy or not about it.

"I'll be buying her drinks for her" I turned to see Bill who towered behind me, his face was hard, his lips pressed into a tight line. I took a deep breath; I hadn't realized I was holding my breath,

"And you are?" I saw Eric straighten up and this was when I noticed his accent – it wasn't at all obvious but I assumed if in such a situation where he was aggravated or irritated it was much more prominent, and I almost didn't realize how tall he was; how could I have not seen that? He was clearly taller than six foot, maybe another five inches or so? He was built, like those bodybuilders you'd see who were just beginning. I could see the dark red shirt hanging from him, but just barely – it clung to his muscular form. His black slacks just added to his look.

"Her fiancée." Bill growled, did he just growl? I looked up at Eric and smiled apologetically,

"sorry --- I'm engaged, have a fun night Eric; it was nice meeting you" I waved before Bill tugged me away from him. I could have sworn I heard him whisper 'I'll be looking forward to seeing more of you' but he couldn't have right? He was so out of my league, a guy like that belonged with those models, the perfect models, he was gorgeous. And me? I was a typical Southern Belle – nothing too great. Probably just imagined it Sookie, stupid girl. My mind assaulted me and I shook my head in shock, what had overcome me tonight? A part of me was relieved that Bill had came when he did, I mean I was Bill's, his fiancée, what was I doing thinking such things about another man? Whom I didn't even know anything about besides his name.

"Who was he Sookie?" Bill asked as we took a seat by the bar away from the group,

"I don't know, he just congratulated me on my singing, and asked to buy me a drink which is when you came by sweetie" Bill was easily pissed off and I could tell he was now; he was protective over me to such an extent that it became borderline possessive. Jason had never liked him, none of my friends had – and still to this day didn't but what could I do? I loved him, and it was very difficult to come across a guy this day who didn't only want to fuck and leave you. "I'm sorry Bill you know I love you right?" I placed my hand lightly upon his and he sighed,

"Yeah I know, I love you too, I just don't like these assholes talking to you that way, should have knocked him down and broke the assholes nose" and there came Bill's abusive side, although he had never laid a hand on me there was always a part of me which deeply was afraid of Bill and what he could be capable of. I sighed and stood up brushing my lips lightly over his.

"how about we go home? Soon to be Mrs. Compton would love to have a night in with her fiancée, a night alone" I smiled hoping he'd catch on and when he winked I knew he did, "let me grab my bag and say bye to the group, meet me in the car?" I asked and he stood up kissing me softly,

"I'll be out front, don't be too long Sookie, I don't want to wait." He said sternly before turning and exiting through the door. I sighed to myself and turned to the group, I saw Amelia and I caught her apprehensive look as I approached, from the corner of my eye I saw Eric, and a very attractive woman who had been seated with him since I first laid eyes on him, she leaned over and whispered something into his ear, his head cocked towards me and I let my eyes drift casually across the bar before it met my friends.

"I gotta go, Bill's quite exhausted so I just told him we'd have a night in" I lied feebly and I heard Lafayette snort,

"sure girlfriend you go do whatcha gotta" he smiled weakly, "just be careful he seems to be in a foul mood" I nodded – I had noticed from the beginning.

"I'll call y'all tomorrow we'll have lunch I'll stop by Merlotte's" I waved as I grabbed my bag and as I passed by Eric's table, I felt someone grab onto my wrist softly, I swear I felt electricity jolt through my veins, igniting such passion I never knew was possible. I saw him slip a card into my bag and he let me go without uttering a single word, he coolly and calmly returned to his original position before taking a sip of his scotch. I raised my eyebrow and continued walking pulling out the card curiously I let my eyes wander over what was written.

'give me a call, I'd love to talk. Strictly friends if that's what you want of course, I quite enjoyed hearing you tonight, maybe I'll have the pleasure in hearing your voice once again. Eric.' His number was jotted down underneath his elegant script. I immediately pushed it back into my bag, and slipped into the car as Bill waited, before I even had the chance to put my seatbelt on, Bill had speeded out of the parking lot and down the road, I gulped but remained quiet just as he enjoyed it – the silence. My mind wandered to Eric and I silently cursed at myself, I was considering calling him! What was I thinking? I was engaged, soon to be married, and this guy whoever he was, I couldn't seem to get my mind off of him, off of those lips, his smile, and his enthralling eyes. I was in deep trouble. And I knew this with every fibre of my being.