Here's chapter 2 of Wildfire. Hope you like it.
Ch.2 Embers
Delphine walked to the door of Merlotte's and hesitated before going in. She could already hear people talking, signing and the loud music but she pushed the door anyway and walked in. Some people stopped talking and some didn't even look at her but Delphine stayed calm and walked to the closest booth before sitting down.
A pretty blond next to the bar was staring at her in a strange way and Delphine wondered if she had done something wrong. She looked liked she was concentrating on her and then she frowned as if there was something she couldn't understand. She said something to another waitress and walked towards Delphine's table.
''Hi!'' she smiled. ''You must be new around here. Haven't seen you before. Would you like something to eat?''
Delphine thought that Sookie was a little weird but she answered nicely. ''Yes I just moved to Bon Temps. Hummm… my name is Delphine.''
''Oh silly me! I'm Sookie! Are you the one who just moved into Msr. LaRoux' house?''
Delphine was surprised that she would know about her moving but this was a small town so she didn't make anything of it. ''Yes. Cecilia LaRoux was my aunt. ''
''Well I'm very sorry for your loss. She was a real nice lady.''
''Thanks… how did you know I moved there?''
'' Well, the Compton house is farther down your street. That's where my boyfriend lives. He saw you moving in.''
''Oh ok.'' Delphine looked at the menu one last time. '' What do you suggest on the menu?''
Sookie took out her pen and suggested the cheeseburger with fries. ''Ok then. I'll have that. Thank you Sookie.''
''You're welcome. I'll be right back.'' Sookie skipped off to the kitchen.
Delphine watched her walk away and then looked around. Merlotte's was a nice enough place. The people seemed to have fun and the ambiance was relaxed. A couple of minutes later, she saw Sookie come from the kitchen with her plate in her hands. She stopped to talk with a man that was leaning on the bar. Delphine smiled. The guy was really cute. He was wearing a green Merlotte's shirt and those jeans fitted him perfectly. When he looked up at her, Delphine blushed and looked away.
Seconds later, a plate was set down on the table and she looked up to see Sookie.
''You know, I was thinking, I could come by your place sometime and help you unpack if you want. It's difficult enough to move somewhere new and the least I could do is show you around. What do you think?''
Delphine was surprised but she had heard about the southern hospitality before and she was happy that Sookie offered. ''That sounds great.''
''Good! I'm free tomorrow if that's alright with you?''
''Sure. 10h00 sounds good?''
''I'll be there!'' she left and went back to the other clients. Delphine was glad that she'd made a friend. She needed to change her mind from Dallas and Sookie seemed to be a good person.
She was about to take a bite out of her hamburger when she saw someone sitting down at her booth. She put down her hamburger. ''Can I help you?''
The guy looked young and had dirty blond hair. He was wearing a grey Bon Temps football t-shirt and seemed very sure of himself.
''I'm sure you can. Name's Stackhouse. Jason Stackhouse.''
''Okay. Am I supposed to know who you are?'' Delphine wanted to laugh. The guy was absolutely gorgeous but she couldn't believe he thought he could get her with a couple of cheesy lines and a pretty smile. Of course guys always tried to get her attention. As a tall, athletic looking, tanned girl with long silky hair, Delphine was used to it.
He smiled at her. '' Did anyone ever tell you those freckles look damn cute on you?''
As she was about to answer, Delphine saw Sookie walk their way. ''Jason! What are you doing! Leave her alone. She ain't stupid enough to fall for your compliments and stop flexing! It's not impressing anyone.''
The guy named Jason looked at Sookie and then back to Delphine. ''Sorry. My sister can be a pain sometimes.''
Delphine started laughing. ''You guys are related? I never would've thought.''
Sookie glared at her brother. ''Jason…''
''Ok. Ok. I get it. I'm out.'' He shook Delphine's hand. ''Nice to meet you though.''
''Nice to meet you too.'' The guy walked away and winked at her before sitting down with his friends.
''Sorry about that. He can be persistent.''
''Don't worry about it. Sad to say, I'm used to it.''
''Well, I'm off in about ten minutes. Let me get you a drink and then I'll introduce you to some REAL people.''
''Haha! Good idea.'' Sookie let Delphine finish her meal and then signalled her to come at the bar. The cute man was behind the bar serving drinks so Delphine didn't hesitate and went at once.
''Everyone this is Delphine LaRoux.'' She turned to Delphine. ''It's LaRoux isn't it?''
''Yes. I took my mother's name when my father left us.''
''Ok. This is Sam.'' She pointed to the cute guy white the green shirt. ''He's the boss. But don't worry, he's quite nice.''
Delphine smiled and shook his hand. ''Nice to meet you Delphine. By the way, if you are ever looking for a job, we're one waitress short.''
The black girl next to him laughed. ''Come on Sam. The girl just moved here. Give her some time to settle in.''
''Well, I'm just saying, if you want a job…''
Delphine laughed. ''Actually I might take you up on the offer when I finish settling in. I could do with a little money if I want to survive.''
The black girl introduced herself. ''I'm Tara. And this is LaFayette.''
Delphine was surprised that she hadn't seen him before. LaFayette wasn't exactly what you would call inconspicuous. She liked him. He was different. After being introduced to everyone, Sookie took off her apron and they said goodnight before leaving Merlotte's.
''You know, I think Sam likes you a lot.'' Sookie said.
''What?''
''He doesn't just offer a job to every girl who walks in you know. I think he likes you.''
''Stop it!''
''Gosh Delphine! Are you blushing?''
''I certainly am NOT!'' she turned away from Sookie but she knew she had seen her.
''Oh you are blushing!'' she jumped around her so that she could see her face. ''Don't be ashamed. Sam's a good guy. I think the two of you would be good together.''
''Now I know you're trying to make me blush. But yeah, he looks like a good guy and damn those jeans.''
The two of them started laughing and when they finally stopped, Delphine had to wipe the tears rolling down her cheeks. ''Ha! That felt good. Haven't laughed like that in a long time.''
Sookie became serious again. ''What do you mean?''
The air around Delphine instantly became denser and she thought Oh crap. Me and my big mouth again.
''Oh nothing… It's just, I've been through some stuff recently and it might have affected my decision to move here.''
Sookie put a hand on her shoulder. ''You know, it's okay if you don't want to talk about it. I mean, we barely know each other. But if you ever want to talk… I'm here.''
When Delphine looked up at Sookie, she sighed. ''It's fine. Actually sometimes it's easier to talk about it with people that you don't know very well.'' She leaned back on her car and Sookie did the same next to her. '' A friend of mine died recently. We were really close and I did not even get to say goodbye to him.'' She hesitated before continuing but decided that it would be better if she told Sookie the whole thing if she ever wanted to become friends with her. ''He was a vampire you see. I don't even know what happened to him really. I just got the news one day from a member of his entourage and that's it.''
That's it, she thinks I'm batshit crazy. She's gonna run away soon.
Delphine decided it was better if she didn't stop now. '' I didn't have a lot of friends back home being a sympathizer and all, but the couple of people I did hang out with didn't understand what I was going through… what I'm still going through. It's difficult to explain what we had. He saved my life you know? That's how we met. And now, I can't help but feeling like there's a part of me that's missing and it hurts so much Sookie. It hurts.'' By now, Delphine was crying and when she started having trouble breathing because of the tears, she felt Sookie place her arms around her.
''Oh Delphine I'm so sorry. You'll be fine. We can get through this.''
Delphine sobbed and managed to get a few words out. ''Thank you.'' After a while, when she had calmed down, Sookie helped her into her car.
''Are you sure you don't want me to drive you?''
''No. It's okay. I'm fine now. But I'll see you tomorrow right? Maybe you can invite your boyfriend too. After all, he's my closest neighbour.''
''Well, were gonna have to wait until tomorrow night then.''
''Oh, he's not available tomorrow?''
''Well, more like he won't be able to make the trip to your place when the sun is out.''
For some reason, this made Delphine very happy. A vampire. At least she knew that Sookie understood what she was going through.'' Oh I see. It's fine. Let's make a change of plans. I'm inviting you both for diner tomorrow night. I'll make chicken for us and I'll buy a couple of TrueBloods for your boyfriend.''
''That sounds good. I'm sure Bill will be very happy.''
''It's settled then. I'll see you tomorrow night.''
''Okay. Be careful.''
''I will.'' Delphine closed her door and drove off. This whole friendship was very promising.
TADA! Chapter 2 is over. But the really good stuff is coming in chapter 3 and you will understand all about Delphine's past!