A/N (sorry it's a little long)
Thanks soooooo much to Ilovestark for being my first reviewer EVER! OMG! I was afraid no one would read it so thanks sooooooo much for reviewing! You are completely right, it would be a little impossible for Rephaim to be a mechanic (it comes into play later in the story). However, in this fanfic, everyone is human, and he can go outside in the sun (though he still prefers the night). Also, in this story, Zoey and her family moved to Henrietta a year or two ago, and Stevie Rae and Zoey have been BFFs ever since. If you keep reading, I promise it will all make sense; I just don't want to give too much away right now. Once again, thanks for being my first reviewer! :D
Thanks also to heather, my second reviewer EVER! Thanks, I tried to give an intro to most of the main/secondary characters, so I'm glad you liked it. I'll try not to disappoint! :D
To houseofnightfan, flowergirl, vampirelover18, Rephaims1Fan, and IloveZimandNny16,
Thanks sooo much for the positive feedback. Houseofnightfan, you and IloveZimandNny16 are right: Stevie Rae is the girl Billy is obsessed with. Flowergirl: Rephaim is just an epic character of massive proportions (Translation: my fav character too. I also like Stevie Rae). Vampirelover18: Thanks for the encouragement/tip. I'll try to include Nisroc some more then. Rephaims1Fan: They are my fav couple too! Last but not least, IloveZimandNny16, you are absolutely right… about Stevie Rae. However, I will not tell if you're right about He Who Shall Not Be Named! (*laughs evilly*). Also, I'm glad I made Nisroc like an actual person, and that you like Billy (I've been working really hard on him). Btw please update soon on Forbidden Love in New York. I love that story! :D
Anywho, I hope this chapter doesn't suck and that you will all R&R again! :D
Disclaimer: To help me out with this, I brought in Billy Black (yes, that's their last name).
Smiley: So Billy, do I own HON?
Billy: (*laughs*) You wish.
Smiley: (*sighs*) Yes, yes I do. Do I own any of the characters except you, Waya, Chander, and Dhiren? (*fingers crossed for a yes to Rephaim*)
Billy: Only in your dreams, fangirl.
Smiley: Yes, I am a fangirl! And I'm proud!
Billy: Whatever. You still don't own anything.
Smiley: (*sighs again*) Unfortunately…
~Smiley
Chapter 2
Rephaim pulled up next to the little diner on the corner of the street, and Billy practically flew out of the car. He bounced up and down, saying, "We're here! We're here!"
"I thought you wanted to seem cool?" Rephaim teased, chuckling.
Billy immediately stopped bouncing. "Right. Cool," Billy said, sliding up next to Rephaim. Rephaim rolled his eyes at him. "Does my hair look okay?" Billy asked.
"Billy, your hair is too short to be messy," Rephaim said, rubbing his hand back and forth over Billy's buzz cut.
"Stop that," Billy complained, rubbing his unmoved hair back into place. "What if she's looking out the window and sees?"
Rephaim laughed and pulled his little brother into a headlock, rubbing his head again. "Then she'll see this and lose all possible interest in you!" he teased while Billy flailed and pulled away.
"Don't do that!" Billy shouted, which made Rephaim laugh.
"What? This?" Rephaim said and went to grab Billy again.
"No, no, no!" Billy said and scrambled out reach. Rephaim laughed even harder than he had before.
"That's not cool, dude," Billy complained. "You're supposed to be my wingman."
"Well, dude," Rephaim said, play punching Billy in the arm, "I might be a better wingman if I knew what that was."
Billy rolled his eyes. "A wingman is someone who makes guy trying to impress the girl look good. For example, they let them borrow some money so they can pay for the dinner."
"Why would I give you money? I already gave you your allowance this week," Rephaim said.
"Because it's cooler to pay for the dinner. Duh," Billy said.
"And why would I give you money one, just to look cool, two, when you 'duh' me and three, what did you do with your allowance?"
"Ummm… I spent it," Billy said, looking guilty.
"Where?" Rephaim asked, using his aggravated big-brother tone.
"Here…" Billy said sheepishly.
"You are hopeless," Rephaim said.
"I am not!" Billy defended. "So what do you say?"
"Maybe… but only if you say please."
"Ppplllllleeeeaaaasssseee!" Billy said, putting on his best innocent-little-brother face. Unfortunately, Rephaim was a sucker for the puppy-dog eyes.
"Okay, fine. You need all the help you can get." Rephaim rolled his eyes as he dug into his pocket to fish out some cash.
"Thanks! Wait—hey!" Billy said as they walked into the little diner. But Billy quickly forgot all about Rephaim when he saw her washing dishes behind the bar-like table, and he gravitated toward her like a moth would be drawn to a light. Rephaim simply followed him, trying hard not to roll his eyes even though the girl's back was turned.
She was small and thin, and blond. Maybe she could be his age, Rephaim thought hopefully. He didn't want to deal with what would happen if she was too old and he had to put a leash on Billy. Her blond curls barely reached her shoulders, and she wore a black apron over her roper jeans and had a black t-shirt on. She hummed a song Rephaim didn't know while she washed the dishes, which she seemed to have a steady rhythm to. It was kind of like the dishes she was washing were the instruments played in the song she was humming.
The table was like a crescent around her, and she was the rest of the moon. The rest of the diner was pretty nice too, and a couple families sat and laughed and ate dinner in the booths by the windows. Rephaim felt a quick stab of envy before he continued to look around the diner. The dark brown wood used in the furniture and walls made the red seats pop, and gave the entire place a nice cozy effect.
"Hey beautiful," Billy said as he slid into a seat at the "bar." Rephaim just took the seat next to him. It was all he could do to keep from laughing when she didn't even turn around. When that didn't work he bit his lower lip. "She must not have heard me," Billy whispered to Rephaim after a couple moments. "Hey! Are you laughing?"
"Nope," Rephaim said, shaking his head but laughing through his eyes.
"Whatever. Just don't embarrass me," Billy whispered.
"I'm sure you don't need my help to do that, Billy," Rephaim whispered back.
Billy punched his arm. Then, as Billy would say, the angel started to sing.
I'll escape, one day…
I know, there's a way…
To be free, one day…
And I'll find my way!
Yeah I'll find my way!
One… day…
Billy was sighing with his hands holding his face. Rephaim was staring open mouthed at the girl who could sing like… well, like an angel—an angel with an Okie twang.
My mama told me…
Baby girl, you'll see…
And Daddy told me…
I'll see who to be…
My brothers told me…
Freedom's got a fee…
So then I told me…
I'll pay it, they'll see!
Rephaim was still awestruck. This girl had talent, but Billy hadn't even told him her name. He didn't even know the song but he after hearing her sing it, it was his new favorite. Billy was in la la land, lost in her voice and obvious beauty (even from behind) instead of the words.
So I'm gone, today…
Don't miss me, today…
'Cause I've found my way!
And I'm free, today…
It's a price, I'll pay…
Now you'll hear me say!
Yes you'll hear me say!
That I've found…my…way…
Her voice trailed off, making it obvious she was done. Billy burst into applause, and Rephaim smiled. The girl spun around and blushed bright scarlet. Rephaim's awe was renewed. He had never seen such a beautiful girl in his life. Not that he had ever paid much attention to the girls throwing themselves at him, but still. Her perfect blond curls were other-worldly, and her bright blue eyes were captivatingly stunning. Rephaim had to admit he was impressed; Billy had certainly found an angel on earth. Oh, who was he kidding? An angel could never compare to the beauty that stood in front of him.
"Billy! How long have you been there for?" the girl demanded.
"Since you went from humming to singing," Billy answered, smiling.
"So is it against your religion or something to clear your throat before you sneak up behind somebody?" she asked, half-angry and half-joking.
"Absolutely. But I didn't sneak up on you, and I did say something; you just didn't hear me," Billy defended.
"You know I can't hear nothin' when the water's runnin'," she said.
"Apparently. But it's not my fault you just so happen to have the water running when I walked in. And it's not my fault you just so happened to break out in song when I was sitting here. And it's not my fault you're too good a singer to interrupt," Billy said.
She frowned and narrowed her eyes at him. He just made a stupid face at her. Then she laughed. "Whatever. You want the usual?"
"Yes, please!"
She laughed again. "It's getting kinda late. Should I make the coffee decaff?"
"No! The caffeine gives me a buzzy feeling!" Billy cried, which made the girl laugh even harder.
"You drink coffee?" Rephaim asked Billy. No wonder he was so hyper all the time.
"Maybe," Billy said, looking down.
"Maybe? You've been in here three times today and order the same thing: a rare double cheeseburger and black coffee with two sugars!" the girl said, still laughing.
"So now I know where you've disappeared to all day," Rephaim muttered.
"Hi, I'm Stevie Rae," the girl said, offering him one of her small, thin hands from across the counter. "You must be one of Billy's brothers he was tellin' me so much about. It's nice to meet ya…"
"Rephaim," he said, taking her soft hand in his own large, hard one and completing her sentence when her voice trailed off.
"Rephaim," she repeated, smiling warmly at him. They kept on shaking hands, staring into each other's eyes, until Billy cleared his throat and they both jerked away, suddenly becoming very interested in the ground.
"So what can I get for ya?" Stevie Rae twanged perfectly, now blushing for a completely different reason.
"He wants a double cheeseburger too," Billy said for him, much too quickly. Rephaim just nodded, hardly looking at her.
"Okie dokie. That'll be ready in just a sec," she said, looking at Rephaim, who refused to meet her gaze, for a second more before walking into the kitchen.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Billy gushed, supporting his head with his hands.
"Sure. She doesn't look older than sixteen at least," Rephaim said.
"Sure? That's all you've got? C'mon even you, Mr. Anti-Social, can do better than that," Billy said.
"What do you want from me? To completely say how head-over-heels in love I am with the girl I haven't said more than one word to? Fine! She's more beautiful than you said. An angel is nothing compared to her, not in looks, and especially not with a voice like her's. And to top it all off, she actually seems like a good person. Is that what you want?" Rephaim whispered fiercely.
Billy just nodded like that should've been obvious, which made Rephaim want to bang his head against the counter. Then Billy just looked at him expectantly.
"What?" Rephaim asked, clearly annoyed.
"And…?"
"And what?"
"And don't I know how to pick and find the best girls around?"
This time, Rephaim did bang his head against the counter.
"I'm taking that as a yes." Rephaim sighed.
"Just promise me something," Billy continued.
"What?" Rephaim asked, picking his head up.
"That you won't try and steal my girl. I saw her first."
"Trust me, I won't," Rephaim said. Like he had told Nisroc, he wasn't interested in dating right now.
Then Stevie Rae came out of the kitchen, carrying two plates on one arm. "Here ya go," she twanged, sliding the two plates off her arm and in front of the brothers gracefully. Billy immediately dug in, stuffing his face with a huge bite of cheeseburger, and Rephaim picked at a couple French Fries after mumbling a thanks.
"So, Stevie Rae," Billy said with his mouth full. He swallowed it quickly before he said, "What's new?"
"Something new? That's pretty hard considerin' you practically walked out the door and then walked back in with your brother," she said, then twirled one of her curls around a finger, thinking. "Well, in 'bout two seconds my friend is gonna cover the rest of my shift so I can go out."
One…
"Oh," Billy said, trying to cover his disappointment. Unsuccessfully, Rephaim thought.
Two…
The little bell at the door chimed and a girl with long, black hair strolled into the little diner. Nice timing, Rephaim thought.
"Where are you going?" Billy asked.
"Oh, Dallas and I are gonna go over to the dance club in the next town," Stevie Rae answered.
"Who's Dallas?" Billy asked.
"Only her super-hot-cowboy of a boyfriend," Zoey said, walking up to them.
"Hey, Z!" Stevie Rae said, smiling at her friend. She was focused on Zoey so she didn't see the flask of heartbreak that crossed Billy's face before being replaced by his usual smile. She started to untie the apron around her waist. "Billy and Rephaim, this is Zoey. Zoey, this is Billy, and that's Rephaim," she introduced, gesturing to each person as she said their name.
"Hi, nice to meet you!" Zoey said, taking the apron from Stevie Rae and tying it around her own waist, then offering each of them a hand.
"Hi, I'm Billy!" Billy said, shaking her offered hand.
Rephaim just nodded and said, "Rephaim."
Then Zoey reached into her pocket and pulled out some loose change, and then she threw it into a glass jar on the edge of the counter.
"Z, you don't have to do that," Stevie Rae said.
"Yes I do. You have to get to that college somehow," Zoey said.
"College?" Rephaim asked.
"Yup. Stevie Rae was accepted to Juilliard, so now she's working here to save up so she can go."
"Why? Are you surprised?" Stevie Rae asked.
Rephaim blinked. "No, no. That's great that you're saving up for college. You just don't look older than sixteen."
Stevie Rae giggled. "Well, nope. I turned eighteen last month."
"Oh. Happy late birthday then."
"Thanks." Stevie Rae smiled.
Outside, a car horn honked and Stevie Rae jumped and grinned.
"That's him. See y'all later!" she said, hugging Zoey and rubbing Billy's fuzzy head. "Thanks again, Z. See ya 'round, Billy. Nice meetin' you, Rephaim!" she called as she ran out the door.
"Wait!" Zoey shouted. "I saw your dad on my way here. He told me to ask you if you have the pepper spray!"
"Nope. I don't need it, and I kinda lost it. Shhh…" she said, putting a finger to her lips and smiling as she backed out the door.
They could see her through the window as she got inside a car and drove away. Everyone was silent for a couple seconds, and then Zoey said, "I'm gonna go check on the other customers."
"Okay," Billy answered. Rephaim just grunted a little bit.
When she was out of earshot, Billy whispered, "I can't believe she's cheating on me."
"Billy, you were never going out," Rephaim said.
"Yes we were! I just hadn't told her yet…"
Rephaim put a hand on his brother's shoulder. "She was too old for you anyway."
"Age doesn't matter…" Billy protested weakly.
"Yes it does. C'mon, let's go home," Rephaim said, guiding Billy off the stool and leaving a twenty on the counter.
Billy sighed. "Okay…" he said, looking down at the ground. He stared at the floor until they were out of the diner, and then he perked up suddenly and screamed, "That's it!"
"What's it?" Rephaim asked, surprised at Billy's sudden outburst. Usually he sulks longer than this.
"You, my wingman, have to follow her!" Billy exclaimed, smiling brightly.
"Billy, why the hell would I stalk her?" Rephaim asked, completely confused. Then again, when wasn't it confusing around Billy?
"It's not stalking! It's just following her and watching her on her date. You just have to make sure that Dallas doesn't try anything on my girl!"
"Billy, you just defined stalking. And she isn't even your—" Rephaim was cut off when Billy put a hand over his mouth.
"Yes, she is! And because you're my wingman, who can drive, you just have to follow her on her date!"
"Billy, I'm not going to stalk her."
"C'mon! Pleeeeeaaaaase!" Billy begged with big brown puppy-dog eyes.
"No! Not the face!" Rephaim said, covering his eyes. When he peeked, Billy was still begging and his eyes were even a little shiney. "Okay, fine. But you so owe me."
"Yay! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Billy said, normal again as he hugged Rephaim and bounced a little bit.
"How am I supposed to justify this?" Rephaim said.
"You're just going to make sure she's safe. That's all. You don't have to talk to her or anything. And she doesn't even have to see you," Billy said.
Rephaim rolled his eyes as they got into the car. "Fine. I'll drive you home and then go see how she is. But if I can't find her, that's just a little too bad."
"Good enough for me!" Billy said as they headed back to their little house.
A/N
Okay, that's chapter 2! Let me know how I did and what I could do to make it better! Or, if not, just review anyway! Also, can I pretty please have some feedback on the "song" I wrote up there? I'm not sure if I'm allowed to use actual songs (I don't think I am), so I just typed that up last night and threw it in there 'cause Stevie Rae wants to be a country singer. Nevertheless, please review!
~Smiley