Chapter One
Sookie's POV
The drive to Shreveport was pretty uneventful. It seemed like it took twice as long as normal but I'm sure it was because I've been waiting for this for several months. Today is the day I leave Bon Temps for Shreveport. Today is the day I start my new life.
Four months ago yesterday, Gran passed away. Since my parents died when I was young, Gran was the one who raised me. She was my mother, my father, as well as my gran, and I owe everything I am to her. Gran was old when my brother Jason and I moved in with her, and older still when we graduated from high school ten years later. Jason, being his normal selfish self, couldn't wait to leave home and strike out on his own. I, on the other hand, didn't want to leave my gran. I passed on college and chose instead to work in our small town of Bon Temps. As Gran got older, I knew she couldn't care for herself as well as she could when she was younger and I didn't want to leave her. She cared for me when I couldn't care for myself and I intended to do the same for her. I did, too, until she died quietly in the night from heart failure.
With Gran gone I was devastated. I walked around in a daze for nearly a month after her death. That is, until I met Bill Compton. Bill had just moved into the house across the cemetery from Gran's when he came over to introduce himself. He asked me out several days later and we started to date pretty regularly. Though Bill was a mediocre boyfriend, one thing I can credit him for is helping me to realize that my life wasn't over just because Gran's was. Rather, my life was just beginning.
Lost in my thoughts, I gripped the pendant of Gran's necklace as a drove through Shreveport. Since Gran had died, I tried to wear her favorite necklace as much as possible. It made me feel like she was close and I didn't feel quite so alone. I could feel myself smiling widely as the apartment complex came into view. I had come by a week earlier to sign my lease and pick up my keys but hadn't yet had the chance to see the actual apartment I would be living in. Using the directions that the office had giving me, I made myself carefully navigate through the streets of the complex. I wasn't interested in running over any small children or pets on the first day of my new life. I continued driving until I came to a fairly secluded building in the back of the complex. I parked by the curb, got out of the car, and looked up at my new home.
The apartment building itself seems pretty typical. It is a two level walk up encased in brown wood and bricks. There is a main door on the first floor and I can see the staircase beyond. Trees surround the building and cast some shadows across the small parking area. From what I can see, it looks like the trees are thick in the back of the building as well. I know from speaking with the office that all of the buildings house one, two, and three bedroom apartments. I had opted for a one bedroom. As a part-time student and full-time waitress I wasn't going to have much money to spare, even with the rent from the Bon Temps house.
Suddenly overcome with excitement about finally, FINALLY being here, I let out a squeal while half bouncing, half running to the front door. Throwing open the door, I barely take note of the well-lit entrance hall before bounding up the stairs. I had all day to see the entrance hall, what I wanted to see now was my apartment! I force myself to slow down a bit as I arrive on the second floor. I don't want to run past it in all my excitement. Not quite sure which direction to go, I glance to the right and to the left. And then I see it. Second from the end of the hall to the right is my new home – apartment 204.
After fumbling for a moment to fit the key into the lock, I fling open the door and step into my apartment. Though there's not much to it, I'm in love. The door opens into the small living room with a wooden floor, light blue walls, and a couple of built in bookshelves. I can picture Gran's couch on the right wall and a small armchair under the window. Maybe I'll put a small table next to that chair for a lamp and get a second table to hold my laptop. That would be a great place to study. To my right is a small hall. The door at the end opens up to an old fashioned bathroom with a pedestal sink and a big ceramic tub. The tiles on the floor are white ceramic with a gray marble design and the walls are painted gray. I feel a bit of a thrill as I realize the purple shower curtain I purchased will look great in here. The doorway on the left side of the hall is the bedroom. The bedroom is basic, a pretty green on the walls and the same wood floor as the hall and living room. While in the bedroom, I take quick stock of the closet. It's not as big as I could have hoped for but more than adequate for my modest wardrobe. With only more last room to see, I charge out of the bedroom and across the hall to the kitchen. At first sight I know the kitchen is my favorite room of all. The floors are white ceramic and the built in cabinets have been painted a similar white. The walls are painted yellow and the counter-tops are a deep gray tile. I cross through the kitchen and into the small eating area which boast the focal point of the room – the sliding glass door. Peering through the door I can see a small wooden deck. I push open the door and step onto the desk. I breathe in deeply to fill my lungs with the fresh air while I look around. I can see I was right in thinking there were trees behind the building as the entire apartment complex is backed by a forest. I scan the tree line quickly looking for signs of life but see nothing. Turning back to the door to reenter my new home, I'm surprised to discover that I can see right into the next apartment. My deck is separated from the deck next door by only wooden railing and I have a clear view into my neighbor's kitchen. Slightly unnerved by the closeness to my neighbor after living in the country for so many years, I walk back into the kitchen and close and lock the deck door tightly.
I take a moment to stand in the center of the kitchen and can't stop the excitement from bubbling up. Mine! This is all mine! I have never lived in a place that was mine. I lived at my parent's till I was eight and Gran's after that, so this living someplace separate was going to a new experience. And it was definitely an experience I was ready to face head on! Deciding there was no time like the present to start bringing in boxes, I toss my key on to the kitchen counter and head out the door. I walk into the hall and turn toward the staircase when I immediately smash face first into a wall.
"Dang it!" I cry, bringing the palm of my hand to my nose as pain explodes through my sinuses. I know that I'm new to the building and all, but I was pretty sure there wasn't a wall there a few minutes ago. Through the throbbing in my head it slowly dawns on me that this isn't a normal wall. Not only did it move into place sometime while I was in the apartment, it's also warmer than it should be and seems to be gripping my shoulders. Fighting the sickening feeling brought on by movement, I a gently tilt my head back. From either side of my hand and through the tears filling my eyes, I discover my "wall" is actually a very tall, very gorgeous man. I gaze at him for a moment, taking in his clear, blue eyes, strong jaw, and shoulder length hair before mumbling an apology, pulling away and leaning myself against the actual wall. My head really hurts!
I close my eyes and breathe deeply, keeping my palm on my head for a little pressure. I can hear my heart pounding away in my chest and my head throbs with every beat. After a moment, the pain and nausea start to recede and I decide it might be safe to reduce the pressure on my head. Moving my hand away tentatively, I'm relieved to discover that the pain isn't as bad. I use the back of my hand to feel for blood and am glad to find that my nose isn't bleeding. The last thing I need on the first day of my new life is a nose bleed. I gently wipe the tears from my eyes as I open them. I am surprised to find myself still face to face with my wall. His eyes are filled with concern as he gazes at me. I jerk only slightly as his big hand grips my chin to steady my face.
"Are you okay?" he asks, reaching out a hand to the bridge of my nose.
"I think so," I reply, flinching as he touches it gently. I pull away with a hiss of pain as he puts pressure on the most sensitive spot. "My head hurts quite enough without someone squeezing my nose, thank you very much." I free myself from his grip, returning my hand to its place on my face and look up at him as he gapes at me. Gran would have skinned me for being so rude, but my nose really hurts! I know that's no excuse for rudeness so I opened my mouth to apologize when he bursts out laughing. Well! Glad I could be so amusing! Narrowing my eyes I turn to walk away. I don't have all afternoon to stand in the hall talking to walls. Today is supposed to be the first day of my new life, after all.
He stops me with a hand on my arm. "Wait, wait, I didn't mean it like that," he says, through stifled laughs. "You just surprised me, is all." He arranges his face to look more remorseful, but I can still see laughter in his eyes. "Please don't go. Let me take a look at your nose."
I look at him for a moment really thinking it through. I really don't want a stranger poking at my sore face, especially since it was partially his fault it's sore in the first place. However, he is a very handsome man and could very possibly be one of my neighbors. Growing up in a small town where everyone knows everyone, I can definitely appreciate the benefit of being friendly with neighbors. "Okay, fine," I concede with a huff, stepping back to him and lowering my hand.
I watch him has he studies my face, concentration and concern in every feature. I close my eyes against the tenderness as he gently prods at my nose. "Can you breathe through it okay?" he asks softly, very close to my ear. Without opening my eyes I inhale deeply, breathing in the masculine smell of his soap and cologne.
"Yes," I say, my eyes popping open, "I really think it's fine, just a little sore."
He stares at me for a moment before shaking his head slightly, and then says "I'm sorry for crashing into you."
"I thought you were a wall," I say with a smile. "I know I'm new here but I was pretty sure there wasn't been a wall there when I came in." He smiles back looking a bit sheepish, but I can still see that laughter lurking in his eyes.
"You're moving in here? In 204?" he asks with a gesture toward my closed door.
"Yep, 204, that's me," I reply, nodding. "You can also call me Sookie Stackhouse." I offer my hand to him to shake. Rather than shaking, he grips my fingers and extends my hand to his mouth. Eyes on mine, he places a soft kiss just behind the knuckles. Despite the headache, a pleasant chill runs through my body at the contact. Not missing a thing, his smile increases.
"Eric Northman, 205," he says. "It's great to meet you."