I was completely abashed from what had happened last week in the library. I dared not to show my face at the weekly Greek
meeting. I knew it would be better if I did self study in the library and simply pop by Professor Archon's office when
I stumbled upon something truly difficult.
But, that meetin with Christopher and Eric kept distracting me from my work. I kept thinking of what books they were searching
for, who was Alexandria, were they a "couple" or just close friends- was there really a difference between two?- and had Eric
read my thoughts. I kept closing my eyes and replaying the moments were he was smelling me gently. His nose grazing me slightly,
the touch of his smooth cheeks against mine. He was like ice, but yet the memory of him was like my personal fire. I was utterly
drawn to him like a sick moth seeking excitement and fear in one breathe.
I had gone to the section were they had found a book, and had found no books missing. But, then again I do not know all the call
number of the religion section. I had assumed it would had been Classical Traditions of religion. Things like Zeus, Hera, Ares in
the pantheon or the different cults of the lesser gods or heroes. But the section they had been in was Ancient England and Medieval
religion. This, of course, made no sense, becase they were classicist. Well, at least I thought their focus has been ancient Greek
and Roman...but maybe I was wrong.
Eric scared me. He was tall, broad in the shoulders, and yet his face even with the angry looks he was giving me had reminded me of
a kind hearted boy. I was so overwhelmed thinking about Christopher who looked almost like Michael Fassenbender. He was truly gorgeous
as was Eric, but why had they talked to me. I was 5"7 and weighing a hell of alot, but although I was blantantly fat- I was obviously plump.
My only redeeming quality had been my face.I have been told at time I resemble Angelina Jolie in respect to my eyes and cheek bones, but
not in respect to her crazy I am told I am like a Kate Beckinsale and burnette Grace Kelly. But in respects to my figure-
the dimension as the size 14/16-Marlyn Monroe. But again, I am more subtle beauty. It is noticeable at once, but takes a time to see.
As, I was leaving the library around 4pm; I heard someone calling me. It was a cohort, whose name was Ann. She was a fellow undergrad, within
the Classic's field. She waved over to her location and we walked to meet each other. Ann was nice and obviously gorgeous and nonsubtle way.
She was like Rachel McAdams. She was the kind of girl you would hate, if she wasn't so nice and nerdy. "Hey, Brittany" she said as if catching her
breathe. I wondered- had she been running?- "Why weren't you at the meeting today? It was so dead." she asked. "I, got caught up in the library; I
guess I lost track of time. Why?" I replied. " No one was there it was just me and Joe." she stated neturally. Joe had been the slacker of our year,
but he was super nice and funny. He just didn't see the point in studying if Classics wasn't his primary major. But, I was bothered by her comment.
Where were Eric and Christopher? Had they no shown up because of me? And, almost as if she had read the confusion on my face she said " I know it's
weird I would have the thought the graduate student would have been more responsible. But then again, men as gorgeous as them probably go out and stay
out alot." "Hmm, well maybe it is not that, but they are graduate students maybe they had studying to do?" I suggested. Although, I don't know why I
defending them. I guess that has always been one of my weakness about assuming the best in people. "I don't think so- I saw them last night" she said
with a smile. "Oh?" I said. "How's that?" I said nonchanlantly. "Oh, well it was the annual college night at the Getty Villa last night and there were
there." she replied as if it was obvious. "Oh, that's right. For some reason I thought that was next week. I had to 'work'" I said. "Brittany, you do way
to much, you gonna lose and forget your head one of these days" she said jokingly and caringly. I simpled smiled, nodded, and sighed. I didn't have
to work last night, but I didn't have enough money to pay for gas out to Malibu and go to school to the rest of the week. Bills were getting tight, and
I spent most of my gas doing errands around my house. That is right. I am a 22 year old something living at home with her parents and sister.
"So how was it?" I asked casually as we started walking to the parking lot. The sun was still ablazed in the sky, but it felt cold for a June late afternoon
in sunny Southern California. Then again, Riverside is a desert and the desert does get pretty cold in the evenings. "It was amazing! There were professors
speaking Greek and Latin, and music, food, and incredible tours. Plus, it was nice to see Chris and Eric outside the serious realm of academia. Though, they
are pretty much just as serious. And oh my gosh, they are so freaking knowledgeable. I found out that Chris is studying the Roman Empire time period of
sexuality and women's roles and rights within the period. While, Eric seems to be working on his 2nd PhD within the idea of magic, witches, warlocks, and
the idea of "heaven/hell" within Ancient religions. He got his first PhD in Norse Religion and Mythology last year." she said without taking a breathe. I
must have been pretty stunned by what she told me, because she put her hand on my shoulder and said "RIght? I know. Hardcore. But we will get there one day."
She continued "She to be pretty popular with the professors, and their Latin and Greek was pretty perfect- so I don't know why they to go to review sessions- but
any who. They were also pretty popular with the ladies. Probably, because they were the only men at the museum who were over 21 and under 60. I got coffee with them
afterwards." she said somewhat gloatingly. I rolled my eyes in mind and we crossed the signal light. "And what did you find out?" I asked as I knew she was wanting
me to ask her. "Well, they are brothers or childhood friends that think of themselves as brothers. Eric was quiet for a while, until Christopher brought up our Greek
summer study session. Eric started to ask me about who I thought was the best student, most dedicated, etc. He seemd to really like what had to say." she went on.
" Well, all in all, it was fun to talk with grad students, and though I ask them if they were on facebook we would invite them to our Classic's Club events- they said
don't have facebooks. They said it was not professional. I was gonna ask if they wanted to go someone else, but before I could they said they had to go, because they were
meeting a professor at another location in an hr. Which I thought was odd since it was like 11pm, but professors are people too I guess." she said as if she taling
to herself instead of having conversation with me. She had finished her tale as we had finished our journey. I reached my car before she did and she did kind of go on
about how cute they were and they reminded her of country music singers I had never heard of along with obscure entities I was not familiar with.
I waved goodbye and got into my car. I drove home into the horrid sunset that blinded my eyes and made me squint painfully.
When I got home, I must admit Ann had sparked my curiousities. So, I went to the university's website to obtain Christopher and Eric's last name and google
them. There was nothing. There was no record of them even at another university. Stubbornly, I kept searching like a crazed stalker only I was not stalking to comfront, but
to know more about who they were and why did I matter or how I played into such an aggresive introduction.
At 11pm, I looked up from my repetitive typing of Eric Northemane and thought it was funny that Eric's last name was kind of like "North Man."
This made me laugh, because all the silly viking movies I have seen- they are always referred to as "Northman." When I typed in the Eric Northman. I
finally got some hits on google. He seemed to be a character in a really unknown series known as the "The Souther Vampire Series."
Hmm, that is odd. I thought to myself. Oh well, I thought. I guess it is time to go to bed. I layed to sleep in a long sleeve thermal. Yes,
even in the middle of summer. I like to remain to pale. Paleness is unknown beauty to southern california and because of this I have never felt I have
belonged. But don't get me wrong. I am not goth, emo, or dark dressing- I am simply Brittany. I dress as my mood sways me too. As I lied back to descend into
deep restful sleep.
As I closed my eyes-something started to happen that has not happened in over 10 years. I began to have that dreadful nightmare of falling, flying, drowning
alive. I tossed and turned over and over and could scarely breathe as I felt the car hit the water and start to fill up faster and faster. I tried like always
to fight, kick, scream. This dream was different it was more intenese. I could really feel my whole body shake. My head began to hurt by the pressure of
the water shaking, pushing, shoving, me and I thought for the first time- maybe this isn't a dream. Maybe this is really happening or happened.
I opened my eyes quickly at that thought, gasping for real air, and in shock of what just happened. I stared directly in front of me and instead of finding
my room in front of me. I was in the car again. But this time the blues were more blue, grays more gray and it was so bright. I stared around more and found everything
was different. It was not a man and woman, but two men in front of me. And I was not in a car-I was in a metal box. I could smell the ocean. I feel heat,
wet, and smell foul wretchedness as well.
Water kept splashing on me from above the steel walls encompassing me and my other passengers from my car dream.
I could feel this metal box that trapped me sway and shuffle like a magnet drawn to its partner and at the same time being pushed by an unwelcomed magnet.
I told myself that this was only a dream and I tried to clichely pinch myself, but it did nothing. Again, I felt the shaking, pushing, shoving all around.
It occurred to me it wasn't water, it wasn't the car- this was a different dream. I was probably having a panic attack. I shut my eyes so tight I gave myself
a headache and told myself to "AWAKE NOW." I shot up from the bed I had been resting one my hand gripping something infront of me. I enclosed them around
tightly.I opened my eyes slowly and hazily trying to catch my breathe. What I awoke to see must been a dream.
Eric was on my with his hand grasping my shoulders hard that they felt bruised. Had he been shaking me?
I looked as his face. He looked puzzled and nothing could escape my mouth.I noticed my hands were enclosed around his throat.
My eyes pierced him with an expression somewhere between "What is going on?" and "What the hell are you doing here?" My grip did not
lessen.
"Alex...Brittany.." he said softly. He stared into my eyes, but this they were filled with a warmth not a coldness. "Yes?" I said clinching my teeth.
"Please,let go" he requested and stated. "Why?" I demanded. "Because I do not wish to hurt you." he said. "Then why are you in my bedroom and why do
my shoulder bruised and ache far worse then ever before?" "I rebutted. " Let " he asserted as the warmth started to seep from his eyes.
I grew slightly frightened and was stupidly considering do it because I knew he was stronger. He could overpower me at any moment.
I widened my eyes and said spitefully "FINE, if you remove yours first." I remarked as I looked down upon his hand disgustingly.
"Gladly" he added as released his grip and slid his hands back to his lap. "Good." I said as I slowly released my grip and as I did- I noticed
that even though I bite my nails that I had been so scared that I had caused Eric to bleed in ten different spots along his neck and adam's apple.
I took a deep sigh and leaned back. I thought to myself I am screwed. I need a weapon. What the hell is he doing here. What does he want.
He moved his head like a snake or like a curious cat and inched close to me. I tensed up as he did so. I screamed in a whispered "What do you want?"
There was a silence and he continued to stare at me. More like peer into me and my soul and my mind. He stood up and locked my door. I reacted with a quick-
"I will scream!" He turned and moved faster than was humanly possible and put his hand over my mouth. "SSSSssshh, no you won't. Because I mean you no harm.
I merely wish to talk about your dreams." I looked at him. He seemed sincere. I thought, damn you Brittany there you go trusting like a stupid naive idiot.
Always thinking the best in people. Grow removed his hand and put his lips to my ears and said "Don't ever think you are naive , my Raven, are
think and treat people purer than they is unique and a part of you that never changes." he whispered seductively. I was quite alarmed, and for a couple
times thought I was dreaming again. "My Raven?" I thought. Maybe Eric is crazy. Oh, shit this is bad.
He laughed. "Sssh, I am not crazy," He took a breathe. "I am not going to harm you. Brittany." He paused and did not breathe this time for a long time.
"I have waited so long. I have crossed oceans, lands, and deserts to find you. I have waited endless time to see you again." he said as he released me from
his grip.
I started to laugh. Uh, I think you have me confused with someone else. Then the whole situation seem to remind me of one my guilty pleasure tv series I watch.
The Vampire Diaries. Oh my god, how freakin cliche. I looked at him. "Eric? I want to be on the same page as you; so can you tell me what exactly is going on here?"
I said perplexed.
"What if I told you, Brittany, that people never die. That they continue to live even when their body dies their soul
is reborn over and over with the same people. But, waiting to find the people is sometimes unbearable. It can take a whole
lifetime to find that one or group of people you are suppose to "live" with only to share a few years, days, before they are
snatched from you.- I know this is alot of information. But, you have to believe me." he said urgently. "Why should trust a man who threatens and
yells at me one day, breaks into my home, bruise my shoulders, doesn't breathe, and moves quicker than light- yeah I noticed..and did you think
you were incognito by going with the name Eric NORTHMAN. You are a weirdo. A wanna be steriod taking vampire wannbe thing!" I said unable to control
my thoughts.
"Let me show" he said. He let nothing I said phase him or matter. He was so calm and so attentive of the space and comfortableness I needed.
"What did you not just hear me?"
"I did. But it matters not. You're fears are infantile to the proof I can produce."
"How?" I replied stepping back.
"Let me kiss you." he said.
"Uh, I don't think so." I said.
"Just one kiss won't hurt." he said stepping towards me as I backed up.
"What if it does" I breathed.
"Then it is a good kiss." he smiled looking like a bad boy.
I kept walking backwards until I bumped against my door- making it creak. He trapped me there, but trap is too strong of
a word. I wasn't exactly fighting to stay away. He leaned down taking my face into his hand and gently touched his
lips to mine. Not exactly kissing me yet, but again just lightly grazing them against mine. He seemed to be smelling me
again in a passive way. I opened my eye to see him open them at the same time. He began to kiss, but before he did
he said "You will remember sister. You will remember Alexandria. I love you too much for you to forget."