CH 2
I jogged down the flight of stairs; I entered the kitchen to see Jason eating some pancakes. I rolled my eyes; this man has a habit of breaking in my house. I poured myself some coffee and prepared some granola, I sat down with Jason as he munched down hungrily. I dug in myself and took a sip of my coffee, "When's training, Jason?" I asked after a few minutes of silence.
Jason was an ex-marine; ever since my parents were murdered he got me into self-defense class and even got me a gun permit. He got me a certificate that allows me to kill and not get thrown in jail or whatever, how did he manage to get that I have no idea. I always have a gun hidden on the strap I had on my waist, it was a custom colt he gave me for my 14th birthday.
He paused chewing for a while and I stared at him as I finished my breakfast. He has a buzz cut hair, greenish-brown eyes and muscular body. "Wednesday," he mumbled with a mouthful of strawberries. I giggled and cleared away my plate, when he was finished he cleaned up after himself and went straight to the door. Ergh, food leech!
He opened the door as I followed close behind; he turned to me and smiled as I leaned against the door frame. "I better get going, I'll see you Wednesday," he kissed my cheek as I smiled warmly. "Be careful, Jason. Say hi to Luke for me, I love you," I called out as he slides into his car. Luke is his bodyguard; he's really nice and sweet.
I was about to go inside when I saw Ian leaning against my white picket fence, I smiled and jogged lightly towards him. "Hey, Ian. What's up, are you stalking me now?" I joked and he chuckled. "I was wondering around the neighborhood when Kevin called, informing me that we haven't had an actor for the role Rebekah Mikaelson. Then I remembered that you said you loved acting so I was wondering if you would try out for the role," he explained.
I laughed lightly, "As much as I love acting, I already have a bar I work at and I love my job. I'll have to pass on that," I told him apologetically. He nodded, "I understand. So do you have any plans today?" he asked casually, rubbing the back of his neck nervously. I grinned, "Depends, are you offering, Mr. Somerhalder?" I joked.
He grinned in return, "I have something in mind. Wanna go to the park?" he said excitedly. I laughed at his enthusiasm, he's acting like a 5 year-old and it's adorable. I nodded in agreement, "Let's come inside first, I need to grab my phone and whatever," I dragged him inside and he complied with the grin never leaving his face.
I opened the door and whistled for Palm. He came running down the stairs and stopped between Ian and me in defensive position, he was snarling and baring his teeth at Ian. I smiled fondly and Ian cringed, "Down, Palm. Ian's with me," I called out as I made my way to the living room to get my phone. I heard no snarling and suddenly, I was being thrown into the air. I squealed loudly in delight as Ian catches me, we started laughing as he set me on my feet.
"That was fun," I grin as I grabbed my iphone 5 and dragged him out. He furrowed his brows, "What kind of an iphone is that?" He asked curiously as I locked up. I chuckled as I recall the memory of Jason giving me this for my birthday last year, "It's an iphone 5. Wont be out in the market for another 2 years, Jason has his connections," I winked and he shook his head in amazement.
We walked to the park, talking about everything and anything. I explained about the gun and his face fell a fraction, "I'm not a fan of guns but I guess you have a good reason to be holding one. As long as it's for self-defense right?" he smiled, trying to lighten the mood. I smiled back and nodded, "It's not like I want to," I mumbled sadly.
His eyes soften as we arrived at the park. Kids were everywhere and I smiled a little, I haven't been to the park in a while. Ian grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers; a blush crept up to my cheeks as he led me to the monkey bars. He grins mischievously as he climbed up and hung upside down, "Join," he ushered me and I mimicked his position. I laughed freely as he pulled out a red slim camera and snapped a picture of us, he showed me the picture and I studied is.
I took it from his hand and sit upright on the monkey bar, he sat up too as I stared at myself. I haven't seen me so happy in a really long time, and yet here I am, laughing and having the time of my life with a guy I just met yesterday. I shook my head and let out a breathy laugh, "You bring out something in me that I haven't been freed in a long time," I whispered mostly to myself.
Ian cocked his head but let it slide. We started talking and laughing, we were in our own little bubble. He was taking pictures of us and sometimes me; I would grab the camera off his hands and snaps a few pictures of him in return. My phone rang, interrupting our little conversation about his foundation. I smiled apologetically at him as I turned my face away to answer the call, "He-""WHERE THE HELL ARE YOU?" Jason yelled. I cringed as I pulled the phone away from my ear slightly, "I'm at the park with a friend, what's up?" I asked casually. I rolled my eyes at his overreaction, "I'm at your house, I thought you said you didn't have work today," he scolded.
I scowled, "I'm not a kid, Jason. I'm just chilling with a friend, okay? Now I thought you said you'll see me Wednesday?" I sighed dramatically and I heard Ian chuckle, "It's freaking 9 pm, Hayleigh," he said seriously. I raised my brows and looked around, "What the hell, oh well. I'll get home in a bit, stay right there. I'll fix you up some dinner," I muttered and hung up. I turned to Ian with a grin on my face, "Come on, you're having dinner with my uncle and yours truly," I hopped down and he followed suit, "Err, are you sure that's okay? I don't want to intrude," he mumbled.
I laughed slightly, "Nonsense, Smolderhalder," I clasped his hand and he intertwined our fingers as I led us to my house. I had a grin on my face the whole way back; we talked and talked hand in hand. My heart fluttered a little when he tighten his grip slightly, I sighed in content as we smiled at each other slightly.
We arrived at the house and I practically dragged him in. I shut the door hurriedly and pushed him into the kitchen, "Sit," I commanded. He let out a throaty chuckle and complied, I shuffled through the cabinets and brainstormed on what to make. "JASON!" I yelled for him. He came running down the stairs and stood at the entrance of the kitchen. He looked at Ian and then me; he raised his brows questioningly, "What?" he mumbled sleepily. I shot him a look, "We have a guest, and I hope you don't mind. I've already invited him and he already said yes," I stuck my tongue out as I began to chop the vegetables and Jason glared.
Ian noticed and his face fell for a second, "Um, if I'm not welcomed I'll just-""Nonsense, Ian. This is my house, of course you're welcome. Jason, do you have a problem?" I raised my brows and pointed my knife to address Jason. He raised his brows, "Actually-" I interrupted him by throwing my knife towards him and it stuck to the wall near his ear, "You were saying, dear uncle?" I smiled sweetly. Ian's eyes widen in shock as Jason smirked and pulled the knife out, "I knew you would do that. Your throw was a little rusty though, we need to work on that tomorrow," he pointed out and took a seat in front of Ian. He threw me back the knife and I caught it easily, I resumed my chopping as Ian and Jason talked.
After an hour of preparing the dinner, they seem to get along well and started having some bromance, I rolled my eyes as I finished up my cooking. I served the dishes and poured all of them champagne, "Oh my god, this is delicious! What is it?" Ian asked after taking another spoonful and shoving it down his throat. I smiled, "Thanks, I don't have a name for it or whatever. Its pork, lamb, beef and dory fish," explained and took a bite for myself.
I cleared out the table after we were done and Jason went straight out to the door, yelling a goodbye and an I love you. I rolled my eyes, told you he was a food leech. Ian started to help me do the dishes and I stayed silent, it's nice to have someone help you. Jason never helps me do the dishes or other stuff, sure he has a housekeeper but I just don't feel comfortable having people do that for me so I do everything by myself.
After we finished off and dried our hands, I turned to Ian with a smile, "Thanks," I said sincerely. He smiled back and nodded, I had a brilliant idea. "Do you wanna have a movie marathon?" I beamed, his smile grew. "Sure, if that's not too much for you. I mean, we just met yesterday and all," he scratched the back of his neck and my face fell. He doesn't trust me? I don't trust people easily but Ian just made a huge impact on me and I could feel this sudden feeling that I could trust him, its weird and it kinda hurts that he doesn't feel the same.
"You don't trust me?" I whispered sadly, his eyes widen in surprise. "No no! I do trust you!" he blurts out, "But I just thought that you were doing this just to be polite and-" Hurt flash across my face. He thinks that I invited him to dinner with Jason of all people out of being polite? Jason isn't a people person; he hates them and thinks the world is overpopulated already. He's rude and snarky with the people he doesn't know, that's why I don't bring people to meet Jason and why I'm so surprised the got along so quickly. "You think I invited you to dinner with Jason out of politeness?" I interrupted him, hurt lacing my voice. "Well-" "Jason hates people, Ian. He thinks the world is overpopulated with idiots already, he's rude and just a total ass to people he doesn't know. That's why I don't bring people to meet Jason, I was pretty shocked that he didn't drag you by the hair and kick you out of the house," I explained with a frown. His eyes widen, "Okay, I'm sorry. Sure, I'll love a movie marathon," He smiled softly, trying to start over and my heart melted, what is going on with me?
I set everything up as Ian prepared the popcorn. After four movies in a row, I felt my eyes start to droop. Ian had his arms around my shoulder and me snuggling into him during the 2nd movie which was a horror movie. I fought the urge to sleep but fail miserably; I managed to get a glance of Ian. He was already asleep so there was no chance to wake him up, he looks so peaceful and calm I just don't want to disturb him. I gave up and let my eyes close as my breathing evened, I was succumbed by the comforting darkness in a matter of seconds. This feels so right but it just feels so wrong to feel like this, is this love? No, it couldn't be.
Not after him.