12 years earlier*
Steve and I sat next to each other at the library. We were spaced apart to accommodate for our multiple stacks of books. I looked up to him staring at me. I smiled. "What's up?" I mouthed.
He blinked as if coming to and shook his head concentrating on his reading.
We hadn't really talked about our makeout session. I knew Steve had a preacher for a dad and we went to a college Sunday school discussion group every Sunday. We had never talked about dating from a theological perspective though. I pushed my reading glasses up my nose, tucked a loose hair behind my ear and turned my attention back to my work.
Steve hand tapped my book. I looked up to see him motioning towards the stacks.
I nodded and tapped a nearby regular's shoulder to ask if she'd watch our stuff. I met Steve in the stacks. It was the old part of the library built for books and librarians to retrieve them. On the first floor, it was secluded enough we wouldn't disturb anyone by talking.
"What's up?" I asked.
"We need to talk?" Steve said looking distressed.
"Are you okay?" I asked concerned.
"No," he said running his hands through his hair. "I mean, you, and I, we made out."
"Yes," I said unsure of which way this was going. I had never gotten the guy I had a crush on so ever since seeing Steve for the first time and thinking he was cute, I just assumed we'd never be together. "It was fun."
"Really?" Steve said. "Me too! I thought you didn't enjoy it."
"What? Steve we made out for like 2 hours," I said incredulous.
"We did? Wow," Steve ran his hands through his hair. "So are we like dating now?"
My heart jumped. "I don't know. Do you want to be dating right now? You're always saying you're not looking for a girlfriend so you can study."
"Yeah," Steve looked down lost in thought and then back at me. "What do you want?"
"I think we make really good friends. I don't want to change that, but I do like you." I said smiling at him.
He smiled that goofy grin I thought was so cute. "I like you too."
"Well, why don't you think about it and in the meantime, can we get back to studying?" I asked pointing back toward our books.
"Yeah," he said raking his hair again.
I went back to my books and felt Steve staring again. I looked up and he was looking at his book. Feeling silly, I went back to studying. A half hour later, I felt my eyelids getting heavy. It was 7:00. I put on my hoodie and motioned to Steve to wake me in 5 mins.
I leaned over the desk and laid down my head. I felt Steve stroking my face waking me. "Hey Chelsea," he mouthed.
I stretched and mouthed, "thank you."
We studied separately in silence until 9pm and then walked back to the dorms together.
"Chelsea, I want to date you." Steve said as we walked.
"That was fast," I commented.
"You're so smart and dedicated. I think this will be a good thing," he said
"What if it isn't?" I asked.
Steve stopped. "Then I promise I'll always be your friend."
"You can't promise that," I said stopping and looking at him.
"I will," he said raising his hand. "Scouts honor."
present day*
I laid in bed with my eyes closed after turning off the TV trying to self regulate. My therapist had suggested this strategy after I told her I stopped praying. My stomach untangled itself and I felt every part of the bed holding me. I opened my eyes and sat up slowly taking in my surroundings. I stood and looked out the window. Someone was standing on the lawn looking at me. Godric! I waved confused. Then, he was outside my window on the third story, hovering. I gasped and stepped back. Godric waved again. I stepped forward and opened the window. Luckily I was in an older dorm from before central air.
"How are you..?" Godric placed his finger over his lips silently. I stepped back and motioned for him to come in.
Godric stepped in side gracefully and I was at a loss for words. We started at each other for a solid minute in silence as Godric closed the window behind him.
He approached me slowly and reached for my hand he held it and pulled me close. He kept focused on my eyes as I melted into his embrace.
I woke with a start to my phone ringing. My heart was in my throat from Godric's face fresh in my mind. I grabbed my phone and answered it seeing it was from Robin.
"I already saw it. What was he saying at the end?"
"What?" I asked confused.
"You watched it, right?"
"Yeah, of course," I said catching up. "At the end, um he said: Chelsea please listen."
"He's trying to manipulate you," Robin warned. "This is why I stopped being friends with him."
"It's the same thing his dad would do to him."
"That doesn't make it okay."
"Yeah, but I do see he's doing it out of concern. Plus, he's not convincing me to abandon my group and studies though," I said.
"Let me know if he starts to get stalkery," Robin said.
I chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."
I hung up and went to my window. No Godric and the window was latched. I shook my head and closed the blinds.
————————————
Godric spent the next few nights meeting with various investigators, public relations and whoever claimed to have killed the Newlins loudest. At the end, he had no leads, each public relations expert suggested something unrealistic and each knucklehead vampire he talked to couldn't tell him which road the Newlins died on.
Exhausted and frustrated, Godric went flying around the metroplex. He didn't fly a lot anymore but it was the best way to get some alone time and clear his head. The skyline drew him toward Dallas but he stopped as he flew over the hilltop college. He descended down into one of the trees silently. It was quiet at 10p on a Sunday night.
He closed he eyes for the moment of peace and rested against the trunk.
Then he heard someone drive by and stop in front of the dorm.
"Thanks Robin. Remember you need dish soap!" he knew that voice.
The car drove off as Chelsea King made he way to the dorm. He watched curious. Then, she stopped and turned looking around. Godric watched from above her eyeline. Could she sense him?
Chelsea used he card to open the door and went in. Godric was about to leave when a dorm light caught his eye. He saw Chelsea's room - it was right in front of him.
She put her bag down and lit a candle. Godric stared as she looked at the light with the soft glow reflecting on her face. His phone vibrated.
Isabella: K called. Wants PR decision.
Godric glanced back at his stalkee and the blinds were drawn. It was for the best, he thought.
Godric resolved to go to the next Vampire Human Relations Club meeting. If nothing else, it served as a much needed distraction.