Edited 2019

AN: So, this chapter has been giving me some trouble. I keep going back and forth with what I wanted to write. Since I was having so much trouble trying to write this chapter, I took a break and wrote a one-shot side piece to this called Passes and Pining. It is the first time that Eric and Sookie meet written from his perspective. I have had this idea running around in my head for a few days and just had to get it out. I think that it helped me to figure out what I wanted to do with this chapter because I was not getting distracted by the random thought anymore. If you get the chance please go and read Passes and Pining and let me know what you think. I am thinking about continuing it if I get some positive feedback. Anyway here is the next chapter. It is a whole lot of dialog for a change. As always read, enjoy and review, please.

Disclaimer: I write for fun, not for profit.

Chapter 37

The guys were camped out around the living room watching ESPN. Both Eric and John looked like I had ripped their hearts out and danced on them. Jason spoke up first. "How was your night?"

"It was fine. I am going to say goodnight to Hadley and go to sleep. Night boys." I said heading down the hall to the kitchen. Unfortunately, John followed me.

"Did you go on a date with that kid?" He spun me around and asked.

"No. Godric and I are just friends. I was invited by his mother to go with them to his older brother's engagement party." I replied taking a step back and continuing into the kitchen.

"Oh, it looked like you were coming back from a date. Sookie can we talk please?" He followed.

"What do you want to talk about?" I asked grabbing a glass out of the cupboard.

"Us. I decided that I don't want us to take a break. I will give you all the space you need I just want you to still be my girlfriend. I talked to my mom about Frannie riding with her friend so we could be alone in the car again like you wanted." He pleaded with me.

"I thought that we already talk about this. I just need some time." I said exasperated turning to the sink.

"I don't want that. I want you to be my girlfriend."

"Why are you getting so possessive? I told you I wasn't going to date anyone." I filled up my glass and faced him.

"This is what I want I am not going to back down." He said taking a step closer caging me between his arms and the counter.

"But it is not about just what you want. I like you a lot John, but I need space." I tried to push him away. He would not budge. He leaned down trying to capture my lips with his. I turned my head away. "Stop, let me go!" I beseeched. He stepped back with a hurt look in his eyes.

"What is going on in here?" Jason asked in a menacing voice.

"We were just talking," I answered stepping around John.

"That's not what it looked like but whatever. Alcide is getting ready to leave Quinn." He interjected crossing his arms.

"Ok let me finish talking with Sookie," John spoke up for the first time. Jason stood there not making a move to leave the room. "Could you give us a minute?"

"No, I think I am going to stay right here," Jason said taking a seat at the table. There were times I was glad Jason was so protective but this was not one of them.

"Jase just give us a minute please."

"Fine but I am going to be in the hall waiting." He got up and walked out. I turned back to John he looked hopeful. He closed the distance between us and went to hug me. I let him I knew that if I fought him, Jason would be back in here and not give me the chance to say what I needed.

"John, give me the weekend. I will talk to you on Monday." I pushed back on his shoulder so I could look him in the eye.

"I want an answer now. Are you still my girlfriend?" He said looking down at me pleading with his eyes.

"You can't just let me have the weekend? If I answer now then no. I just want time can't you give me that?" I requested. His arms dropped from my waist and he backed away.

"I don't want you to have too much time to decide that you want something else. You are the best thing in my life right now. I don't want to lose you. Can we just forget that we argued? Please, Babe!" He begged.

I took a deep breath. "You won't lose me, no matter what we will still be friends. I just want some time to myself. If you can't give me that then I guess we are done." I walked past him going for the door.

"Monday." He blurted out. "On Monday you will answer me?"

I turned back to him and nodded. I passed Jason in the hallway. "Everything ok with you two?" He asked.

"We are fine I just need some time to myself. John is finding that to be a hard request to accept is all." I responded.

"I just wanted to make sure you were ok. I am supposed to take care of you and Gran. I feel like I let her down. I don't want to do the same with you." He replied pulling me into a hug.

"As long as you are here that is all that matters. You have never let me down and I think that Gran would say the same thing. It wasn't your fault that she had a heart attack any more than it is mine. Gran is gettin' better and will be home soon. Everything will be fine." I said.

"I hope your right. Go get some sleep." He let go.

"Goodnight Jason." I went and found Hadley in Gran's room reading before bed. "I just wanted to let you know that I was home and I am going to go to bed," I said from the doorway.

"Did you have fun tonight?" She asked smiling.

"It was nice." I blushed.

"Good you sleep well." She dismissed me.

"Night," I said going up to my room. I got out a tank and pair of sleep pants and then went across the hall to wash my face and go to sleep. I changed and climbed into bed. I was asleep almost instantly. I dreamed about my own engagement party. Everyone was so happy for me and my beau. The only thing was I could not see who he was. Every time I looked in his direction my vision would blur. Later my dream changed to my wedding. I was dancing with Jason in a huge princess ball gown that floated as we move. When Jason was tapped on the shoulder for my groom to cut in I woke up.

I shook off the strange dreams and went to get cleaned up. I washed my hair and shaved my legs. When I got out brushed through my hair and left it down so it could air dry. I picked out a dark green t-shirt and a pair of jeans. I got dressed and went down to breakfast. Hadley had some cereals boxes set out and was cutting up some toast when I entered the kitchen. Hunter was coloring in the little sketchbook that I had given him a while back. Hadley put the toast down in front of Hunter with a glass of milk.

"Good morning Sookie," Hadley said taking a seat and pouring herself a bowl of frosted flakes.

"Morning, could you give me a ride to school today?" I asked grabbing a bowl for myself.

"Sure we need to leave in about ten minutes so I can take Hunter to daycare." She answered handing me a spoon. We all ate mutely. Jason came into the room a few minutes later dressed for the day and got his own bowl of cereal. "Do I need to pick you up this afternoon or can you get a ride from someone?" Hadley asked as she rinsed out her bowl.

"I can bum a ride with someone if that would be easier. I also need to bring some canned goods for the food drive." I responded. I washed out my bowl and went to the pantry picking up two cans of soup and two of fruit. We all got packed up and hit the road. I got to homeroom before anyone else. Mr. Brigant was sitting at his desk reading a book when I went in.

"You are early Sookie. Is there anything that you need?" He asked smiling up from his book.

"No, I am just early today, I got a ride from my cousin. I did bring some things for the food drive I know that I am early with them but where should I put them?" I said taking my usual seat.

"I have a box for them sitting up here by my desk. I was hoping we would get a head start on the drive, I would like to win this year. Now if you don't mind I am going to go back to reading till everyone else shows up." He said turning his attention back to his book. I put the cans into the box and went back to my seat. I took out my sketch pad to draw for a bit. I like the way that Mr. B was sitting reading his book so I drew him. I got so into that I missed when Holly sat down next to me.

"Sookie… Sookie. How are you doing?" She asked finally gaining my attention.

"I'm ok," I said turning to look at her.

"Good, now I was thinking about the haunted house stuff and I want to go help. Would you want to be a part of it with me?" She queried hopefully.

"Sure I can ask Preston about it later if you want me to." I smiled packing up my drawing tools.

"That would be great. I was thinking that maybe we could get the whole dance team to volunteer what do you think?"

"It might be fun, I'll ask Tara, Lala, and Claude about it at lunch. I think Mr. B is gonna do the announcements now." I said turning to listen. The morning went by like it always did and Holly and I were walking to the lunchroom. We decided to sit with Tara and Lafayette. I wanted to run Holly's idea by them before we talked to Claude.

"Hey, there miss thang. How you doin' today?" Lala asked as we sat down.

"I'm fine. Holly had an idea that she wanted me to run by you and Tara. She wants to volunteer for the haunted house and thought that it would be fun if the whole dance team were to help. I said I thought it would be a nice idea and that I could talk to Preston about if we all wanted to." I said picking at my salad.

"You know, that is a great idea. It could be a new tradition for us to be a part of it every year. We could have an extra practice tonight to talk about it. Go see what Claude thinks about helping and if we are all on board then I can run and talk to Dr. Ludwig about making an announcement." Tara agreed enthusiastically.

"I will go talk to him now and be right back," I said getting up and wandering over to where Claude was sitting with his friends. "Claude, I have some dance team stuff to talk to you about could I pull you away for a minute?"

"Sure thing Sookie what do you need?" He questioned standing up to follow me.

"What do you think about the dance team helping out with the haunted house?" I inquired.

"It could be fun if everyone was on board with it." He responded.

"Good Tara and Lafayette like the idea and wanted me to see what you thought. Tara is gonna have an extra practice tonight so we could all talk about it. And since I am friends with Preston I volunteered to talk to him about it."

"I am game. Do you need anything else?" He asked.

"No that is it I will see you later," I answered walking back over to where Holly and all of them were sitting. "Claude is on board," I said reclaiming my seat.

"I will go talk to Dr. Ludwig after lunch. This is going to be so much fun." Tara squealed with excitement. "Do you think that you could get Preston to come to the practice tonight so we can talk to him then?"

"Oh, sure I can ask him during Swedish later," I said digging into my lunch.