Chapter Eight

"Hayley! You've got to get out of here now! Go get Bill or Eric or someone! You're the only person who can!" Sookie? What in the world? She sounded so scared… Why did I have to get Vampire Bill or Eric? I would understand Bill because they are a couple, but Eric? That makes no sense… oh wait… it could be because he's super strong?

"Tell me, what are you if you're not one of them" Another voice… this was familiar somehow… why? I can't really recall it, but he sounded so angry. Why would he be angry? What have I done?

"I told you, I'm a fudging Angel! Why can't you believe this?" That was me… I could faintly taste blood in my mouth and my whole body on fire with pain. Why was I in pain? What was going on? Why in the world was I confessing to being an angel? Where was Darren! What in the world was going on!

I felt a sharp pain hit my chest hard as images of this alter with large windows behind it flashed in front of me. It was dark. I felt sticky and weak and another image of a dagger in my chest made my eyes widen. It was pulled slowly out and lifted before plunging once more into my chest, piercing my heart. All I could see was wild eyes. Wild hazel-green eyes…

I screamed, shooting up and clutching my chest tightly whilst looking around frantically. I recognized my room after a minute and panted for breath, the sound of my alarm beeping annoyingly loud from behind. It took me another minute before I turned and ripped the said item from its socket and threw it at the wall. It didn't smash, but because there was no plug at the end of the wire, I knew it was no longer usable. Holy Rotten Fudge Cakes… (I feel like I should put batman at the end of that…)

Dream now forgotten, thanks to my thought process, I smiled before jumping out of bed and pulling my hair in a messy pony tail and having the quickest shower (in my life) ever. 5 minutes. That's a record for me. I have to tell Darren later tonight. He'll be proud. (I normally spend half an hour in the shower since it is so relaxing. Not to mention I spend half the time just thinking and day dreaming…).

I kept my hair in its scrunched curls and just applied some serum in it to neaten it out. Make up was light with mascara and lip gloss since I have a weird gut feeling too much make-up will make me feel crappy later…

I left the house 10 minutes later wearing a light frayed pair of denim shorts that ended mid-thigh with some white and pink trainers and a white t-shirt with 'Princess' in pink fancy lettering across the chest.

I jumped in the car and played some good car background music. For me, good background music was a band call 'She'. I had the album 'Coloris' on. Listening to this music really got me pumped about… almost anything. Good driving tunes. (Not as good as some old classic pop though… Or classic Pat Benetar… I do love me some Pat Benetar)

Driving past Merlottes, I took the directions that Sookie had given me the night before and bizarrely enough, I had found my way to her drive way easily. Driving along the driveway however, was a completely different story. It was definitely in need of graveling and fixing up. I feared for my car a lot as I parked outside her house to see her standing there with a huge smile. I had to really force myself to not complain about the amount of pot holes and random bumps in the road. I worked hard for my baby and I don't want her damaged or broken because of some dodgy road! Insert sad face: D:

Her hair was up in a pony tail also and she was wearing her work uniform already. I grinned as I got out of my car and waved as I walked up and greeted her with a tight hug.

"I hope you like sausage and eggs!" she grinned and I couldn't help but nod excitedly and follow her in. Sausage and eggs? If there's bacon too, I will propose!

Breakfast had gone quickly and the main subject of this breakfast meeting never really came up. In fact, all we spoke about was what happened to her recently and the reason for her faint black eye. I actually never noticed it till she pointed it out, which she found to be odd.

We had ended up sitting on her front porch steps with a glass of ice tea as she explained to me further about Drew Marshal (or someone called Rene?)

"Seriously Sook, ever since meeting Bill, it seems like your life has turned upside down, but I can't help but think it's all for the better." I smiled and placed a hand on her knee. She just nodded with a slightly dazed smile. I could tell she was thinking of Bill. I leant back and took a sip of my ice tea in attempts to hide my grin.

"Hayley, if you don't mind me asking, but how old are you exactly?" I froze and I saw her panic a little, "I mean, it's just that you were so reluctant and dodged it so much last night-" I placed my hand on her knee and used my empathy to try and calm her. She understood immediately and accepted my calming waves, silencing.

"I'll explain, just realize, this is very hard for me and I do trust you. I know you are a good and trustworthy person," she gave me a brilliant smile, which I weakly returned, "Let me say something first; because I stopped aging at 18, I am petrified that one day I will wake up looking the age I should be, or not wake up at all and be… you know… dead. My preferred age is twenty two almost everywhere because that is technically just passed an adult. I haven't had nearly enough lifetime experience as… Bill for instance, but I have had enough to know the dangers in life and still have yet to experience some of them…

"I am quite conscious of my age because I definitely never act anything near it. In fact, I always act around the age of eighteen or twenty two sometimes twelve," I winked making her laugh be she placed her hand on top of mine in comfort and squeezed lightly, I smiled weakly again, "It doesn't seem all that bad at the moment, but it will gradually get worse and I think when my physical body is supposed to die, If I am human, then I will no longer be me, which makes things riskier… because of my blood."

"What do you mean?" Sookie's blonde brows were knotted together tightly.

"My hair will start growing out white instead of my natural colour, my blood will be more angelically potent. Thank the lord it's only a bit, but still, I will be that little bit less human." she nodded taking in my information, "but my age… I should really just spit it out…" I sighed and shook my head. Sookie held my hand a little bit tighter.

"It's okay Hayley." she smiled and I nodded.

"I'm around forty years old." I spilled loud enough for her to hear and her hand moved to my shoulder. I smiled gratefully that she wasn't going to try and comfort me saying that 'it's not all that bad. That's still within the human years!' or something along those lines. It was a comfortable silence where we just enjoyed being in the sunlight and drinking our ice tea.

She understood my fear, I could feel it. I didn't know what would happen to me when I will die apart from the fact that I'll either go, or… become a pure full Angel. I worry about my age because if I were a human and I am destined to die at a certain age (Lets say old age), but because of my hybrid blood keeping me looking and feeling youthful, I could actually die and will be definitely dead or I stay alive, and remain the same or I die, but become an Angel… I don't know what happens, but I honestly do not want to find out. I'm happy with my life and I don't particularly want it to change.

"Gosh! Is that the time? We're going to be late!" Sookie exclaimed and I looked at her in a confused manner as she showed me her watch. It was half ten and we were due at work at eleven for the Lunch time rush.

I gulped the rest of my tea down and followed her into the kitchen. She took my glass and started washing up saying she is normally always early to work. I smiled softly, liking this fact about Sookie. It showed how reliable she was really.

"Well, do you want a lift? It will take me around ten to fifteen minutes to get us there." she turned around to give me an 'are you kidding look' and I shrugged, "It's no biggy really."

"No offence Hayley, but even Bill drives too fast when he's going at his human speed." my grin at the comment made her sigh and shake her head, "Just explain to Sam for me? I still need to finish up here." I looked around her already clean kitchen with an arched brow and nodded.

"Don't you want any help?" she shook her head and encouraged me to go. I shrugged and bobbed my head, giving her a hug saying that I'll see her there before leaving her homely house and driving carefully out of her car-death-trap of a road.

I leaned on the bar to prevent myself from collapsing to the floor and heard Sam's laugh. I smiled secretly before scowling in his direction.

"I wasn't expecting that!" I whined quietly before pouring a few glasses of ice tea in a few glasses for Arlene, a pretty red head who was mother to two young children, and wiping the top bar surface. Sam patted my shoulder with his large warm hand.

"It has been busier. You should wait till you do a Friday night." he grinned and I nodded before grabbing a cloth and wiping down my work station from the spills of ice tea from my rush. I wasn't the perfect barmaid you know. I get messy, especially under pressure. I'm a little bit surprised I didn't trip over anything and klutz out, not that it's a normal thing. I was fairly graceful actually, but you never know what happens to a person when they are put under pressure.

It was half an hour later when I had finished my duties. Naturally I was distracted by serving customers, especially Mrs. Fortenberry trying to catch me out with a 'Flying Fairbrother' bless her heart. She was always giving me non alcoholic cocktail orders hoping that will catch me out. I've proved her very wrong since the first lunch time she asked me. She had seen me show off my skills with the Mojito.

"I will get you one day dear." her southern drawl made me smile as she sipped at her drink, "I might order this again mind you. Delicious." I grinned.

"That's the honey." my grin stayed on my face as Sam walk round the corner. I raised both my brows in question and he chuckled and nodded. I made a little noise of excitement before saying goodbye to Mrs. Fortenberry and skipping off, giving Sam a quick hug and peck on the cheek in the process. I had finished my shift and I was one of the happiest people in this room right now.

I stopped by the kitchen to give Lafayette the honey back. He was looking a little tense so I gave him a calming smile and from the brief touch between us as I handed the honey back, it seemed my empathic abilities worked a little bit. I'm going to get a small headache in the morning most likely, but at least it'll be because I was being selfless and not selfish.

I went into the office and grabbed my change of clothes and my spare work clothes. Both needed cleaning and it was time to confess to Darren I have gotten myself a job. I think he would personally be quite pleased with me! But then again he could be pretty much angry because he hasn't checked it out himself. I call that his protective Father side. It makes me laugh at times.

"You haven't changed. You're going to tell him?" Sookie's bright voice snapped me from my thoughts and I turned to face her with a nervous grin. She gave me an encouraging smile before giving me a hug saying that Bill was going to be there soon to pick her up. I blinked in confusion and then finally noticed something very important. It was dark outside. Not the whole, the sun has just set dark. Like it's been set for a full blown hour. Well… Crap. I had to be at Fangtasia soon… or now…

"Sook, just wanna say, you've been an awesome friend." I squeaked and Sookie placed a hand on my shoulder, I was careful to try and not let her know my thoughts. I knew she liked the peace and quiet, even though I also know that she respected me enough to not go snooping in my head, but sometimes it can't be helped.

"It'll be fine. So go before you get dragged into a night shift." I laughed and shook my head, she assumed it was because of Darren.

"Nah, I gotta go to Fangtasia again tonight." I pouted and Sookie frowned.

"Again? Why?" I shrugged.

"Beats me, he wanted me to show up because I decided I wanted to go dancing last night. I don't dress like that normally." I pulled my hair out from the two plaits and ran my hands through my air. My phone vibrated and I picked it up to see Darren on caller I.D.

"Answer it." she smiled before walking out of the room. I rolled my eyes and sighed before flipping the phone and pressing it to my ear.

"I'll be there soon. I'm just leaving Merlottes." I acted casual. I heard nothing on the other end for a few seconds.

"Why are you there?" he asked coolly, it seemed somewhat strained…

"Well… I got a lunch time job here…" I trailed off towards the end and all he did was chuckle! Chuckle! Honestly. I thought he would be… actually, that sounds kinda silly now… oh wait, no it doesn't.

"I heard it's good there. Do you enjoy it?" so that's why he didn't care… he's heard good things already. Probably visited here too knowing him.

"It is fun and I guess I get some spending money…" I picked up my clothes, which I must have dropped on the floor, and headed out the back exit to get to my car.

"Well, it gives you something to do during the day." he commented and I smiled.

"Yeah, I might do a few evenings here as well, the customers have heard of me and have started coming in during my shifts to meet me. Great huh?" He chuckled and I finally spotted my car. For some reason, I parked a bit farther away from the exit than usual… oh wait! There was a delivery truck there, that's why, duh! What was with me today? I'm so forgetful! It's almost as if my mind was floating off somewhere… I'm going to say that it's 'one of those days'.

"By any chance, could you tell me why Eric Northman was at the door and as soon as you said Merlottes he vanished?" I froze, that means he would be here any minute now. Quite literally. I laughed as I ran to my car, opened it and then dived in within seconds. I shoved the key in the ignition and turned, slamming my foot down onto the clutch, and changing into gear. My phone was being held to my ear by my shoulder.

"I might be a little bit late." I said as pulled out from my parking spot, then using my free hand to place Darren on loud speaker before finally turning into second and then third gear before pulling out of Merlottes. I placed the phone in my left hand; ready to flip it shut and throw it in the passenger seat.

I swear I saw him leaning near the entrance door, but I couldn't be sure. Mind you, it's not every day you see tall blonde men wearing tight black t-shirts that leave a lot to the imagination… Shh Hayley! You're supposed to be driving home! I scolded myself.

"Late? Did you have to go to the club again?" Darren had sighed verbally, he had gotten quite a few human-esque habits from little ol' me.

"Kinda… I think I saw him as I left… did he drive or run?" I asked as I looked in my mirrors to make sure I wasn't being followed.

"His car is still here, so I'm guessing he ran. 'Lee, you aren't in any trouble are you?" his voice went totally serious and I ran a frustrated hand through my hair, with the phone getting caught in it for a split second.

"I have no idea! I don't know what to fudging think of this guy Dare! I swear, one minute he's all 'I'm gonna keeeel you. Om Nom Nom' and then the next it's 'you're fascinating… answer my silly questions! Poke poke poke!' I don't know if I'm going to end up dead or be fucking poked at! GEE YAAH!!" I vented my frustration, using different voices for my impressions and then spurting out random frustrated noises to finish. I knew my impressions they were silly and nothing like his, but he's all deep and stuff… and I'm boarder line hysterical and squeaky. Darren burst into laughter and I stared at my phone for a split second like it somehow grew another head, or another screen, before my eyes returned to the road.

"I have no idea why you are laughing of all the bloody things, because I could end up dead!" my throat was going to hurt in the morning with the amount of squeaks that just came out there. Panicking whilst driving is never a good thing. Let's try and calm down now.

"I'm sorry 'Lee, but you're over reacting and he must have some kinda of impact on you," I 'pfft' at that, using the hand brake to assist me with a particularly sharp corner, "No really, you just swore," My eyes widened at this fact. I did just swear again… and it was the same guy causing it again… Fudge… "Listen, just pull over, he'll probably find you and drive back here. You probably smell of shifter still anyway." Darren continued and I scrunched my nose.

"Don't be mean about Sam. He's lovely!" and I signaled to pull over at the next lay by and began taking calming breaths.

"I'm sure. Good luck." and then he hung up on me. Why'd he hang up so quickly darn it! Did he know the douche-bag-that-makes-me-swear was near?

My answer opened the door and casually slid in the seat next to mine, placing my work clothes behind his seat and on top of my bag. I flipped my phone shut and placed it calmly in the gap next to my I-pod.

"One would think you dashed out of the car park for a reason." his cool voice made my head nod.

"What can I say; I smell and need a shower." I pulled out of the lay by and continued my speedy journey home. It was two minutes of a pleasant silence before:

"You reek of the shifter." I cracked a smile at this and bit the corner of my lip. He had spoken with such disgust that I wanted to laugh.

"Well, my boss is a shifter." I grinned as I turned sharply at the junction, my hand-brake assisting me with it.

"You drive recklessly." I saw him smirking in my direction from my peripheral vision. He was slouched with the chair pushed back as much as it could go so he wouldn't have his head touching the roof. I had to actually face him before my eyes shooting straight to the road as I clenched my jaw shut. A smile was tugging at my lips. I wanted to laugh so much.

"Healing can be very useful when you don't think of the consequences." I was able to say, my voice was a bit higher as I bit back the giggles. I slowed down to the speed limit and swallowed the lump in my throat, "You don't look very comfortable." I stated, trying with everything I had to sound calm, and he grinned.

"You could pull over and I can get more comfortable." he leered, but I shrugged choosing to ignore the comment.

"The sooner I get home, the sooner I can jump out the car and lau- I mean shower." I grinned with a small chuckle escaping my lips before I bit my bottom lip. Hard. Playing with fire there Hayley. If I even chuckle once more, I may burst into a giggle fit that can't be controlled.

I slowed down more after seeing his frown. Oh dear.

"Isn't your car like… smaller than mine?" I asked and he shrugged crossing his arms.

"The seat can go back further and I had it customized." I nodded and flipped the indicator to pull over. As soon as I did, my head rested on the steering wheel and my body shook from the silent giggles that soon turned into my laughter. He was smirking at this.

"I'm sorry… but you… oh dear!" I hiccupped holding my stomach as I fell back in my seat, slouching in a little bit, "you…tall…should've…home…" I couldn't get a full sentence out. I wasn't exactly giggling though. I was barking out laughing and the face he pulled whilst trying to decipher what I attempted to say made me laugh more. I tried to curl up in a ball as my stomach began to hurt and failed when my knees hit the bottom of the steering wheel.

"I didn't expect your car to be this small…" he started off saying before muttering off on how Darren put up with me driving all the time was beyond him. I hiccupped and attempted to pause.

"Well, I'm a tiny person! I barely come up to your chest! 'Scuse me for being smaller than a freaking Viking!" and then I groaned because my stomach and cheeks ached. I clutched my stomach. He laughed and I sent a glare his way.

"Maybe you should not have laughed at my misfortune so much." he grinned.

"Maybe you shouldn't look so silly sat there… I don't even want to know what you would look like if you sat normally," I pouted but he only grinned and straightened himself out. His legs were less bent and his head was tilted against the roof, "Oh you're mean…" I muttered with a grin on my face. He just returned the grin and that set me off once more. It was painful for the cheeks and stomach. It's like I've done a hundred crunches in one go… That is painful actually.

It was certainly weird to say the least, not because I was in my car with him, laughing at how ridiculous he was looking, but the fact that he was laughing (though not as hard as me) with me after slouching further down so he wouldn't hit his head.

I pushed my door open as the cool air help calm me. I slouched back resting my hands on my aching stomach as I took deep breaths and calmed my beating heart. My cheeks were now aching only faintly. This was good.

"Did you enjoy last night?" I rolled my head to look at him with knotted brows before slowly nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips.

"I had a good dance, yes." I grinned and he nodded his head for me to continue, "What? I went out dancing. Why? Did you follow me?" I teased and pulled my door shut. His silence told me an answer I so did not want to know, but then again, I am assuming this. I slouched back on my seat and stared at him with one arched eyebrow and my lips pursed.

"Seriously? What did you think I was going to do?" he shrugged and I rolled my eyes before looking at the road ahead of me, "I dance, drink, occasionally bet and… Well… have a quickie with a human…" I felt the heat radiate from my cheeks as I said the last bit and he barked out a laugh. I sat up and stared at him in shock, "Stop that! It's not my fault I'm not a crude person!" he calmed within a second and I crossed my arms and slumped back in my seat.

"A shifter, you haven't been able to get the stench away from you." Oohh! That's what Darren meant!

"Well excuse me for screwing a shifter in the disabled toilets." I paused, blinking as he chuckled more with a toothy grin. I said that so comfortably… as if I was talking with Darren. I pursed my lips and started the engine.

"You are far too amusing little one." he smiled and I just pulled out, refusing to look at him.

"Just… stay quiet…" I muttered, ignoring his laughter once more. Stupid Sexy Vampires and their… stalker-ish ways…

Flying Fairbrother:

Grapefruit Juice

Orange Juice

Cranberry Juice

Honey

Ginger Ale

And surprisingly lush!
I enjoy writing this sort of interaction between the two.

Okay guys, let me know what you think! Is Hayley letting irrational fear of her age take over or should she embrace it like everyone around that ages does?
And what exactly does that dream mean? Find out soon =)

Elliot Greene