Thank you for all the favorites, follows, and reviews! I appreciate it! Just a little warning there is a little lemon spritz in this chapter, just a little under the shirt action. We're slowly moving forward into the main part of the story. Just bare with me a little while longer! Anyways, please read and review! Thank you!
Beth and I had been living in Bon Temps for three weeks now, I was beginning to think we were fitting in rather well. The locals were still a bit skeptical of us, but they were starting to warm up to us. Those who worked at Merlotte's were very quickly becoming our friends. The locals were just not open to things outside of their comfort zone, which included Beth and myself. Once they would warm up to us, they would trust us all the same as if we had lived here all our lives. Hopefully, it would be sometime before we left to go home.
Beth and I had moved into an apartment that Sam rented to us the first week we were here. It was very small, but fit our temporary needs. There was a small bathroom, the kitchen was connected to the living room, and we had a single bedroom. The two of us just switched off who slept on the couch and who got the bed. We weren't planning on being here for too long, so the sleeping arrangements were just fine by me. Sookie showed us where we could get our groceries and other necessities. The apartment homes were not far from work so we ended up just walking most of the time. It was good exercise and saved us money for a cab every day to and from work. We decided to forgo getting cable and settled for network television, it really didn't make a big deal to us. We both had cell phones so we gave up on the house phone too. Every penny counts, and we wouldn't need it with our cellphones.
"Hey, do you mind going shopping today since your off?" Beth called from the bedroom where she was changing into her work outfit.
"Sure," I replied from the couch I was lounging on, "Anything you want?"
Since Dawn came back to work, both Beth and myself have been working opposite of each other. Which was probably for the best, it gave us a break from each other. As much as I loved her, living with her was a problem. I'm not much of a neat freak but leaving glasses everywhere was her thing. Not even empty glasses, half full ones, full ones! It didn't matter, they were all over the house. Even in the bathroom! I didn't understand why she did this, but she did it anyways. Once again making me glad I did not dorm with her for most of our undergrad. On my off days I found myself picking up the glasses and washing them, then cleaning the house to my specifications. Which is what I still planned to do today, now that shopping was on the list of things to get done.
"I left a list of the stuff on the fridge," She called again.
"Okay," I replied, "I'll see what I can do."
After a moment of silence Beth called again, "Your phone is buzzing!"
I jumped up from the couch and quickly rushed into the bed room. Maybe Sam had an extra shift for me to pick up? We needed all the money we could get, I had yet to turn down a shift and I wasn't going to start today. I picked up my phone and flipped it open, then groaned. It was a message from Jason. Damn he was persistent. Beth had given him my phone number at some point over the last week. Now, I got one text from him at least once every other day. Asking if I wanted to "hang out".
"Jason?" Beth asked while curling her hair.
"Yep, doesn't give up does he?"
"I still think you should go give him a test drive."
I rolled my eyes and flopped onto the bed, "Why don't you give him a test drive?"
"Oh honey, I would if he wasn't spending his time trying to get to you. Guys like a chase and for him, I'm not a chase."
"What does that mean? You are a chase," I replied, as far as I was aware Beth had come home every night, never staying out late past her shift.
"Not to him. Besides, I'm not after him right now."
"Let me guess, Sam?"
"Yessire!" She exclaimed, "I'm the guy in this case. Sam is playing hard to get. He's very much into Sookie. But I'm gonna be persistent, I will be resilient. I will pull out all the stops!"
I chuckled as Beth held out the curling iron like she was giving a motivating speech of some sort, "Then why bother? Go after Jason."
"Like I said I'm the guy. I like a chase, and he is irresistible," Beth winked at me, then began curling the last section.
"Then take my shirt tonight, it's a bit tighter," I replied with a smirk. Beth stopped curling her hair, squealed, and ran over to my dresser to pull out my work top.
"Don't be surprised if I don't come home tonight," Beth replied with her trademark half smile, walking into the bathroom with my uniform.
I lightly laughed at her, at least she was enjoying our time down here. Deep down, I was starting to think she was going to break her promise and not leave Bon Temps. Online schools are not that popular but I bet she could get her master's online while staying down here.
"Alright, wish me luck," Beth came out of the restroom.
"Good luck," I replied and saluted her away.
"I'll see you later! Love you!" Beth called as she made her way down the small hallway and out the door.
"Love you too!" I called back.
I turned back to my phone. Trying to think of a clever excuse not to meet up today. I quickly typed in, "I have to go grocery shopping…want to come?" Thinking that was perfect. No single guy would in his right mind want to do that.
A half an hour passed by before he replied with a, "Sure, I need food too. I'll pick you up in 30 min".
Damn, that should have worked. I quickly got myself together running around the house picking up items that were thrown around. I only put on foundation, brown eyeliner, and a light amount mascara. I threw a loose aqua wife beater on that landed around my hips, and a pair of loose jean shorts. It was too hot for anything that covered more flesh then that. I threw my hair in a loose ponytail that got my brunette hair off the back of my neck. I hoped his car had air-conditioning. I absolutely hated this heat, I was starting to miss the humidity of Cleveland by this point. I'd rather take a week of the hot humidity at this point rather than this dry extreme heat that was pushing 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
There was a knock at the door, we didn't have a doorbell. I really wish we did, for some reason the knocking always caught me off guard and scared me a bit. I quickly went to the door, opening it to find Jason Stackhouse standing there.
"Hey," Jason smiled at me, raising his hand in a small wave.
"What's with the wave?" I snorted with a light smile and raised eyebrow.
He looked at his hand, he must have not realized he raised it.
"Well come on in, I just need to grab my wallet," I said turning away and jogging to the bedroom. I grabbed my wallet, house key and phone from off the bed. Stuffing the phone and house key in my front pockets and the wallet in my back pocket. Once there I turned for the kitchen, remembering the list Beth had left on the fridge.
"I forgot how small these places were, it's a shame Sam didn't give you a bigger one," Jason commented.
"Well we aren't gonna be around much longer, so it suits us just fine," I replied as I returned to the living room.
Jason didn't comment on that, which surprised me. Even though I considered him a "friend" at this point, he always had something to say. It was odd when he was quiet. He opened the door for me and I thanked him as I stepped out. He shut the door and I locked it once he stepped away.
"So what do you need from the grocery store today, Mr. Stackhouse?" I asked just trying to start a conversation. It was one of the first times I needed to get a conversation going. As much as I like being an introvert; but it was hard when you were alone with someone who always did the talking when they suddenly didn't do their job. After locking the door, I started to walk towards his truck.
"Just a few things, here let me get the door," Jason quickly picked up his pace to get in front of me.
"I can get a car door," I replied lightly teasing and stepped in front of the car door.
"Fine, have it your way woman," He teased as he stepped over to the drivers side.
"Thank you," I replied.
He unlocked the car doors and I climbed inside. I noticed the dried mud that was caked all over the floor. His truck was always covered in dirt from being on the construction sites all day. Though beyond that he kept the truck relatively clean, there were no wrapprs throw around, or stuff on the seats.
"What'cha in the mood for?" He asked and started playing with the car radio.
"Hmm, I think I want to hear some pop today."
"How can you listen to that crap?" He asked with a crinkled nose.
"You're the one who asked what I was in the mood for," I replied as I took over tuning the radio tuning it to the local pop station.
"On the way back we get to listen to my music," He replied.
"Fair enough," I stated as I buckled myself into the seat and off we went towards the center of town.
The center of town wasn't too far away from the apartment either. Usually we just walked to get groceries but I today I was grateful Jason had come to pick me up. I don't think I would've made it to the grocers on my own without him. Jason had rolled down the windows so we could get some air inside the cabin as we drove towards town. The wind felt wonderful against my skin, I could even lean back and relax against the seat without feeling sticky.
The drive continued in relative silence until I spoke up, "Alright Jason what's up your butt today?"
"What?" Jason looked away from the road for a split second to give me a shocked and confused face.
"You've been unusually quiet and it's bothering me. You're the one that wanted to hang out. Usually you do all the talking and I pop in the conversation every now and again."
"What if I don't feel like talking?"
"Bull crap, you always have something to say."
"No I don't."
"You do."
"No."
"Spit it out."
"Fine," Jason spat and deeply sighed, "I don't know why you guys are leaving. You seem at home here, and you're the one who said you don't have a lot of friends up north. So, why don't you stay?"
"Because I have to finish school."
"Bullshit."
"It's true, I spent all this time the last four years going for my undergrad. Thant I can't do anything with it, it would be a waste if I didn't finish."
"Aren't there schools around here?"
"I've been accepted into one school already. I just have to do the interview."
"Interview?"
"It's an entrance interview. Kind'a like a second interview for a job."
"Oh," Jason replied as he stared out the front window.
Seriously, why was I having such a hard time talking to him. Maybe it was because we were alone? Normally Hoyt and Beth were with us helping break the silence. I half wonder if both of them were trying to get the two of us together. But if this is what it is like to be alone with him then I don't want a relationship with him. Weren't relationships supposed to be natural? Conversations flowing smoothly like a stream? I haven't had many relationships, they always ended because of my focus on school. To tell you the truth school has always been a priority, after all why shouldn't it be? You spend all this money and time on something, you should be committed to it. Why only half-ass something you will have to pay back for years to come. Not to say I was against relationships, but I have to have my head set straight at the moment. School was the priority.
Before I knew it we were finally at the store. I was able to get out of the car and rush to the shopping cart. Jason following right behind me. We entered the store as I started to gather the items that Beth and I would need for the next week.
"SO what do you need?" I asked Jason, I felt him sulking behind me. I didn't know that Jason Stackhouse could sulk, it was almost cute to watch him pout. His hands in his pockets, his shoulders slumped forward.
"Just some TV meals, they have everything I need. Oh and beer," He replied.
"Seriously? You don't cook?" I raised an eyebrow at him.
"Why? You do?"
"Not well, but I can get by. Better than getting cancer for using the microwave every night."
"Maybe you should cook for me then?" There he was, finally coming back to life and flirting with me.
"Maybe I will. I'll show you how much money you will save by cooking from fresh food, rather than frozen meals," I replied.
"Sounds like a challenge."
"Maybe it is, what are you gonna do about it then."
"Looks like I'm gonna have ta let cha cook for me. It's been a while since a woman has done that for me."
"When was the last time then?"
"Well Gran cooks for me all the time."
"Women who are of blood relation do not count in this situation," I pointed.
"Hmm, fine. Then it's been a minute," He replied.
"Alright, tonight I'm making dinner. What do you want for dinner?"
"You don't have ta, Adri," Jason replied suddenly looking sheepish.
I gave him a light smile. I hated that nickname. No I didn't hate that nickname, I loathed it. If he didn't look so vulnerable at this moment I would've brought it up, "It's okay, Jason. I don't mind. Besides you deserve it."
Jason looked a little taken back in that moment. Just before he plastered his big bright smile on his face. I felt myself blush a bit under my makeup, thank the lord for foundation to cover that up.
"So what do you want for dinner?" I asked rubbing my over the top of my head and playing with my ponytail for a moment.
"What are ya good at?" Jason asked taking a step forward still smiling.
I turned away from him to begin pushing the cart again, "Well I make a mean orange chicken."
"I don't like Chinese."
"Trust me you will when I cook it," I looked over my shoulder with a crooked half smile, "You'll have to come over to our place. I don't know how to cook for two so there'll be leftovers for you take home."
"Sounds like a plan, Adri. When does Beth get home?"
"She gets off at closing," I replied. I bit my tongue at the nickname again. One more time and I'll tell him.
"So it'll just be us?"
"Yep! You can stop by around five o'clock for dinner. I'll have it all ready by then."
"Well let's get everythin' ya need and get the hell out of here," Jason replied and playfully pushed me aside to grab the cart from me.
I laughed as Jason jogged down the aisle picking up a loaf bread on his way. We rushed through the remainder of the shopping, as if we were on a shopping competition. Shouting out what we needed across isles. Laughing the whole time, especially when we got yelled at for running by the overhead speakers.
I was just finishing setting the table when there was a knock at the front door. I pushed my hair toward the back of my head and looked at my table setting skills. They were lacking, but I had all the utensils needed for the night.
"Come on it! It's not locked!" I called out. The walls weren't that thick in the small apartment. There were many aggravating nights when we could hear the next door neighbors arguing and making up very, very loudly.
Jason walked came inside, shutting the door behind him. His outfit didn't change much since the last time I saw him. He was still in his grungy jeans with a pair of brown work boots. He did change his shirt to a loose button up, that he had rolled at the sleeves with a few buttons undone at the top.
"I could smell whatever your making outside. Smell's great!" Jason exclaimed.
I laughed, "I'm glad you think so. Are you ready to change your mind about Chinese?"
Jason gave me a bright toothy smile as he sat down at our small round table, which sat somewhere in between the kitchen and living room. Which was basically combined into the dinning rom.
"I'm ready," He replied throwing his elbows on the table and leaning forward.
I entered the kitchen and scooped some of the white rice into a small plastic serving bowl we brought. Then placed the orange chicken and veggie mix into a larger serving bowl. Holding both in either hand, I placed the items on the kitchen table.
"Sorry we don't have nicer dinnerware," I stated walking back into the kitchen for two dinner plates and the extra leftover orange sauce I made.
"It's alright, Adri. I wasn't expecting you do bring out your finest china for me." There was that nickname again.
"Hey Jason?" I asked taking a seat across from Jason.
"Yeah?" He questioned, scooping some of the rice onto his plate.
"I really don't like the nickname Adri. I'm sorry it's just something I never really cared for."
"Sorry, I don't like being called Jay as a nickname. It's something just the guys on the football team used to call me," Jason didn't look up at me as he spoke, but continued to serve himself the orange chicken mix.
"Cool, I just didn't want to-"
Jason cut me off before I could finish, he finally looked up at me as he spoke, "Adriane, if you don't like something ya just have to say so. I don't want you to be angry with me or anythin'."
I just smiled at that. Jason picked up his fork and began stabbing some of the rice and chicken onto his fork.
"I like your hair today, how long did it take you?" I teased returning to our playful banter, scooping some food onto my plate.
"I woke up like this," Jason replied taking a bite of the food, "This is amazin'. You did this from scratch?"
"Bull shit, I have brothers. I know you guys spend just as long on your hair as some girls. And yes, you were with me when I bought everything."
"You have brothers?"
"Yeah, three brothers and a sister," I replied.
"You got a big family!"
"We're all roughly the same age. I'm the second eldest."
"You miss them?"
I paused and looked up at Jason, "Of course. My family is big and we are all close. I try my hardest to talk to them once a week when I can. Things have been busy lately since I've been working so much."
Jason sounded a bit sad when he spoke, "Family's important."
"Yes they are."
"You really are planning on leaving aren't you?" Jason questioned as he leaned back in the seat and looking at me.
"Soon. I really miss home," I confessed, "I miss my family. This is the farthest I've ever been away from them, for my undergrad I was always just an hour and a half away. So if I needed to go home it wasn't a problem."
Jason paused before he spoke, "Will you miss us?"
My hand shot across the table and I placed it on top of his, Jason looked up at me. I could see the sadness in his eyes. I took a small breath in.
She won't miss me. She'll say she'll miss all of you. She'll just say that. She'll-
"Jason," I stated breaking his train of thought, "I'm really gonna miss you."
Jason looked up at me, he stood up from his seat. He moved quickly as he leaned down to press his mouth on top of mine. Pulling me up from my seat as he did this, my seat fell backwards behind me. His hands held my cheeks as he kissed me deeply. Jason's teeth nipped at my lower lip, as I opened my mouth to deepen the kiss. I couldn't think as we kissed, somehow we wound up against the wall. Jason hands were no longer on my face, but pulling on the base of my shirt. Suddenly it was over my head and he was biting my lip again only to suck on it. His calloused hands trailed up my abdomen. He let go of my lip.
"Stay," He whispered.
"I can't," I replied as he kissed me again.
"Stay with me," He breathed, into my ear and nipped at the lobe. My breath hitched as he did this.
Out of the corner of my eye I could see the door open. I pushed Jason away quickly and dropped to down to grab my shirt.
"Hey, is that Jason's car out front?" I heard Beth call as she dropped her purse onto the little nightstand by the front door. Beth looked up at us in the hallway as I stood, covering my chest.
"OH MY GOD!" Beth exclaimed, "Adriane! Jason! I am so sorry!"
"Nothing happened!" I exclaimed before I could think.
"Bullshit!" Beth smiled.
Jason shot me a look, "It's okay Beth. I was just leaving."
"Jason!" I exclaimed as he headed toward the door.
"Thanks for dinner, Adriane. I'll call you tomorrow," Jason replied as he left.
I huffed at the closed door, "What are you doing home?"
"Sam let me go early, it was dead for a Tuesday night," Beth replied looking me up and down. I blushed as I quickly pulled my shirt over my head.
"You couldn't call?"
"You should've called saying you were having company. I wouldn't have come home so soon."
"I thought you were closing, I figured Jason would be gone by then. Besides I wasn't expecting anything to happen," I huffed pushing my hair out of my face.
"Come on, Adriane. You cooked him dinner," Beth replied walking into the kitchen grabbing a plate down, "You invited him over when you knew I was closing. Bullshit you didn't weren't expecting anything to happen."
I sighed and threw myself into my chair at the table, "Well…I didn't really consider it. My subconscious must be desperate."
"Well yeah, it's been a while since you got any action. Even just over the bra action," Beth replied pushing Jason's plate aside and sitting down with her plate.
I picked up my fork and pushed the food around my plate, "Those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
"Hey, it hasn't been as long as you," Beth replied pointing her fork at me before scooping up some food.
I played with my food a bit more before standing up, "I think I'm gonna go to bed."
"You sure? You're not gonna call him apologizing for your roommate barging in?"
I gave Beth a pointed look before taking my plate into the kitchen, "I gotta work in the morning. I'm opening. I'll see you for the night shift?"
"Yeah I guess so," Beth replied taking a bit.
"Please wash my shirt before going to bed. I need it in the morning," With that I left the kitchenette and headed for the bedroom to go to bed.
The next day I got up for my opening shift. The day was going smoothly behind the bar and serving. The lunch rush wasn't too crazy. I finally got into serving last week and found I rather enjoyed the tips I got. All together things were going smoothly. That was until Sam called me into his office.
"You wanted to see me, Sam?" I asked as I entered the room.
Sam was sitting at his turntable desk, "Oh, Adriane. You can relax. I'm just giving you, your check."
Sam held out the check towards me.
"Oh thank god, Terry made it seem like I was in trouble!" I laughed, playing with my ponytail while stepping forward. I took the check into my hands, looking at the amount. I smiled as I folded the check, the placing it into my pocket of my shorts.
"I'm surprised you guys are still here. I would've thought that between the two of you, you would've had enough money by now," Sam replied with a smile on his face.
"Oh, well between the car repairs still needing to be paid off and the bills. I think we still have a while. Hopefully not too long," I replied, turning a bit to go back to the dining room.
"I thought Beth said she paid off the car last week."
"What?" I asked turning back around.
Sam realized his error and held up his hands as a gesture of peace, "I could've sworn Beth said the car was ready and paid for."
"Excuse me, I need to get back to work," I replied and turned for the door again.
I headed for the bar. I took my place behind it, my mouth was open slightly and my jaw was cocked off to the side a bit. I leaned against the bar. Did Beth lie to me? Was the money already raised? Beth was in charge of our finances. I honestly could be more involved. But I never thought that Beth would keep any information on us going home from me. She knew how badly I wanted to go home. Scratch that, how badly I needed to go home.
"Adriane!" Arlene shouted while snapping her fingers in my face.
I snapped back, "Oh sorry Arlene. My mind was somewhere else."
"Welcome back," Arlene spat, "I need a cosmopolitan when you finally get around to it."
I quickly started mixing the drink, not wanting to piss off Arlene anymore. But Beth was lying to me. I finished the drink just as Beth showed up. Her black hair was in a high ponytail and the bounce she had in her step showed that she was in a good mood today.
"Hey ya'll!" Beth exclaimed walking past the bar to the back drink station to grab her apron.
"We need to talk," I quickly stated chasing after Beth.
"About what?" She questioned tightening her ponytail just beyond from the eyes of the dining room.
"Sam told me you paid off the car," I crossed my arms over my chest.
Beth stopped and turned to look at me, "He told you that?"
"Is it true?"
Beth sighed and picked up her apron, "Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?" I interrogated Beth.
"Well we don't have enough for the drive back up just yet," Beth replied not looking me in the eye and beginning to walk away from me.
"You're lying to me," I chased after her.
"Can we talk about this later?"
"No! We will not!" I finally stated raising my voice.
Beth huffed and turned to face me, "What then?"
"Why did you lie to me?"
"I didn't lie."
"Why did you tell me about this? You know how much I want to go home!"
"I said we didn't have enough to go home just yet."
"Beth! I want to go home! I need to go home! I need to get into my school!"
"We'll be home by then."
"No! Not if you keep lying to me!"
"What if I don't want to go home?!" Beth shouted in my face.
I found myself taking a step back before countering, "You need to go home too!"
"No, I don't!" Beth screamed throwing her arms into the air, "There are online school out there now, they offer programs in accounting. I bet there's programs like that for pharmacy."
"No there isn't Bethany. It's all in person classes. I got into my dream school. My interview is in two weeks Bethany! I need to go home!"
"Well I don't! There's nothing for me there! Dad doesn't even acknowledge me anymore since mom left. He doesn't give a shit about anything I do. He won't miss me."
"What about me?"
"What about you, Adriane? All you care about is going home! You won't even start a relationship with someone who can make you happy because you 'need to go home'!"
"Because it's all I've ever wanted!"
"No! It's all your parent's have ever wanted! You have never thought for yourself, Adriane! You're just following along in your parent's footsteps because they tell you to! You just follow along with anything anyone every tells you! You never stand up for yourself! You never have a thought for yourself!"
"Like this trip! I didn't want to go on this trip, but you made me! Oh, we had to come down to Louisiana!"
"You wanted to come with me!"
"No I didn't! I just wanted to protect you! You don't ever stop to think about what you are doing!"
"At least I have a thought for myself!"
"Fuck you, Bethany!"
"Fuck you! Adriane!"
"Give me the fucking keys! I'm leaving!" I yelled holding out my hand.
"The fucking car keys are at the fucking apartment! Fucking go get them yourself!"
"Where is the money!"
"Why?"
"I'm taking my fucking money and heading home!"
"GO! On top of the fucking fridge!"
I started to storm out of the bar, ripping off my apron and throwing it on the ground. As I turned around for one last time. I saw that everyone was starting at me, slack jawed.
"Fuck you, Bethany," I cursed one last time, "Don't call me when you need any help."
"I won't," Beth replied.
With that I turned and headed back for the apartment. I angrily gathered my things. How dare Beth talk to me in such a way. How dare she lie to me! I never hide anything from her.
I gathered my share of the money. Looking it over I had just enough to head back home. Even then I'd be cutting it close. I could always call my dad, I bet he would help me out now that I was coming home for sure. I shoved the money into my purse. I called a taxi to take me to the car repair place. I was glad to be heading home. Heading back to my normal life, I'd get into my school without having to worry about missing my admissions interview. I'd finish school in three years and become a pharmacist. Just like I always planned. On my own. I never want to come back to Louisiana again. I planned on never returning, but things were about to change. Things just beyond my control.