Chapter 5 – Meeting Mr. Sunshine

After she'd finally let go of me I'd been able to take a shower and throw on some grey pajama shorts and a baggy tank top I'd pulled out from my backpack. My bruises didn't feel any better so I'd skipped looking at them in the mirror, walking to my bed and grabbing my brush before going downstairs. I heard muffled voices from where I was perched on the top of the stairs but they stopped abruptly as I came into view. I was surprised to see that Angry Vamp and Redhead weren't the only vampires there. Next to tall, pale and violent was a woman, her hair a shade darker than mine and icy blue eyes that were a contrast to my warm ones. She was pale as well, a vamp. Honestly why didn't they spray tan if the sun was such a problem, they could use it. She was wearing a beige trench coat over a pink silky dress, her hair pulled into a bouncy ponytail. I watched her take me in´, an eerie expression gracing her face as she pulled her lips into a smirk, revealing her fangs. I prepared myself for possibly fighting her off. She and Bill had been in a heated argument, but they had both turned to look at me as I stood frozen on the stairs.

Sookie was the one to speak first, ever the hostess. 'Does anyone want something to drink? Tru Blood?' Nobody answered and Sookie started to shift uncomfortable on her feet. I'd noticed that Ike Turner had, at some point, gotten a hold of the redhead, subtly trying to hold her back. I detached my gaze from the blonde vampire, frowning at the redhead before I turned to walk upstairs. 'I'm going to bed. 'Night Sook.'

'Wait' I heard somebody half yell at me before I had even turned around. I turned to see that Sonny-boy was standing at the foot at the stairs.

'My name is Bill Compton, Ms. Smith. I want to apologize for my behavior earlier. It was unacceptable,' he said sincerely. Wow, Sookie had really done a number on this one.

'Yeah' I said, eyeing him suspiciously. He looked at me, shocked by my answer. I guess he thought I'd accept his apology and be all smiley and bubbly as I remembered Sookie to be, though she seemed a little anxious tonight. I suppose three vampires and a long-lost bleeding childhood friend in your home could do that to you. He observed me for I while as I did the same to him. He was wearing a white button-up shirt and brown pants. His brown hair parted to the side and his eyes looking oddly distressed. The room had become eerily quiet, nobody moving except for a fidgeting Sookie.

'I did not know Sookie and yourself are kindred,' ugh 'are kindred' he's just begging to be hated 'but you must understand my confusion, as you two look nothing alike.' What! We looked plenty alike. I was just a little darker than her. Everything else was the same, except for her eyes being brown and mine being blue… and I was a little taller than her. So what!

'Uh-huh' I said, crossing my arms.

'If you don't mind me asking, what happened to you?' he was referring to my beat-up face and bruised arms and legs. I suddenly became very self-conscious, feeling naked in my shorts and tank top, even though they were baggy; you could practically see every bruise on my body. I seriously didn't know why Barbie was still smirking seductively at me; I must have looked like crap.

'None of your business' I said, crossing my arms. The redhead snorted.

'He has upset the human' the blonde, lady vampire said amused.

'No he hasn't. I just don't enjoy being manhandled' I said, keeping my eyes on 'Bill'. Okay, so I have temporarily run out of funny names to call him. I did feel bad acting this way towards a man that meant… something to Sookie. She usually couldn't stand being on a date with a guy for more than five minutes, seeing as she could hear everything they were thinking and most of the time it wasn't Christian things. But every time I thought about acting somewhat civil towards the vampire a sharp pain shot through my wrist and hand, as if to warn me. He did really look sorry though. And it was clear; by the way she kept sending me pleading looks over his shoulder, that they were more than just dating. But right now I just wanted something to eat and to get into bed without having to talk to anyone. Besides, vampires weren't my favorite people in the world right now.

'What about being handled by -'she was cut off by Sookie yelling her name and giving her the skunk eye. Hmm, guess her name is Pam. How appropriate. She looked like a Barbie, why not be named as one.

'Oh, Sookie. That's no way to treat your new landlord.' Bill hissed at her but she smirked, staring at me over his head. Sookie walked straight over to her, pointing her finger at the smirking vampire.

'If I remember correctly Eric's the owner, not you.'

'Potato, patoto,' she said, grinning even wider. Okay, got to find out who this Eric-guy is and why he owns our – Sookies - house. Don't get ahead of yourself, Andy.

'Can I have her, she smells so good.' the redhead said, pulling me out of me thoughts. She was trying to bypass Mr. Sunshine and get to me.

'Jessica!' Hannibal yelled, causing her to recoil, but still eyeing me hungrily. Okay, do seriously not like that girl!

'But Bill. Pleeeeease,' she whined 'you never let me feed on humans.'

'I said no, you will most definitely not feed from Sookies kind.'

She huffed. 'You're the worst maker ever!' I had to stifle a laugh as she crossed her arms, pouting, looking more like a five-year old than an ancient vampire. Though I suspected she was a fairly new one. He frowned at Redhead, before he turned towards me.

'We're not related by blood' I said, before he could continue with his awkward apology.

'What?'

'Were not related by blood so don't feel bad.' Before he could say anything else I sped up the stairs, leaving Sookie with her vampire friends.

'You know he really is sorry' Sookie said as we ate breakfast in the kitchen the next morgning.

'Yeah, and I probably won't give him a hard time about it for much longer ' I said, smiling as I took a huge bite out of my toast. Justin liked for me to eat healthy and by his definition healthy was as little as possible. It stung a little, thinking about Justin, but I was happy just being here with Sookie. 'Besides how can I hate the person that means so much to my….' I stared at her for a while, not knowing what she was to me. Best friend? Cousin? Sister? She grabbed my hand across the table before she looked at me. I could tell she hadn't completely forgiven me, but a sudden wave of calm rolled over me as we ate in silence.

After the vampires had left last night, she had come up to my room, demanding to know what had happened to me. I was incredibly tired and if I wanted Sookie out I would have to tell her. She was horrified at first, crying silent tears as I went about explaining everything to her. She felt even worse about slapping me than she had before and it took a good hour before I had reassured her that it wasn't her fault. We both went to bed around 4 in the morning but I suspected that she wouldn't be getting much sleep.

I was right. The next day I woke around noon to a spotless house and Sookie cooking up a storm in the kitchen. I'd told her to stop and that I wouldn't be able to eat all that food but she insisted that I'd sit and eat. I sat eating while she kept cooking. Jason stopped by at one point. Acting as if I'd never left. He ate with us until he had to go back to work, hugging me before he left!

'You going anywhere? I asked as Sookie hurried to get the dishes in the sink.

'Work. Shift starts in half an hour' she managed to mutter, before she sped out the kitchen and into her room. She was running late. And by the looks of it Sam didn't like for people to come in late anymore. He had been the greatest boss ever while I worked there. Always giving me time off when I needed it, though I rarely took any time off before…. Anyways, I wonder what's changed.

Sookie came out 10 minutes later, rushing to get out of the door.

'Is it okay if I come with you, Sook?' I asked. I really didn't want to be alone. I knew Justin would come looking for me eventually. But I was hoping that maybe he had moved on. Maybe he didn't want to look for me. I mean, there are plenty of good looking women in Phoenix. As soon as I had thought that thought I felt a jolt of sadness wash over me. I wouldn't wish Justin on any woman, he was brutal, evil. I was just hoping he would let me go so I could live my life without fearing seeing him pop up every five minutes. But deep down I knew that wasn't the case. He was probably in the midst of tearing the house apart, figuring out ways to punish me when he found me.

'I don't know, Andy. Sam hasn't really been himself lately.' She answered apologetically.

'I promise I won't get in your way. I just don't want to be alone'

She sighed, giving into me. This was going to be fun.