Chapter 18 – Pool tables

Getting into the kitchen I found myself glad that Pete had left again. Heading tot he basement, I found the large freezer with the blood bags, emptied one in a tall water glass and sipped it slowly while doing my homework while plugging in my IPod.

I was lost in the comforting rhythm of studying, noting and singing to myself when a knock came from the kitchen door as I let my mind be gone. I whirled around to see Stefan leaning on the open door frame looking amused.

"hello Stefan"

"hey Lor...sorry"

he stopped himself with a fake cough

"It's ok"

"Are you busy?"

"not at all, just studying. Would you like to come in?"

I sent him an easy smile trying not to show that the 'magical copy' thing seriously gets to me.

"Thanks"

he mumbled and cautiously put one leg inside the house, then with a breath he got inside completely.

"can I get you anything? Beer, water, my brother?"

"not into humans actually. Prefer animals"

"yikes"

I said before I could filter it. Stefan, now seated on the kitchen table, raised an eyebrow

"Tried elk once. Didn't really like it"

I mumbled with the memory from the Cullen garage flashing in front of my eyes. Stefan nodded but I could see his eyes begin to vein as he caught on the blood in the glass at the sink. I coughed loudly to break his concentration. he shook his head

"Sorry. Trying to get rid of my ripper self. Could I look at those journals today?"

he hedged and I nodded remembering lexis's joke that Stefan runs on two modes, brooding and ripper. Guess he's working on a middle option.

"Sure, just a sec"

I went upstairs to my room. on the shelves above the stereo were a long row of velvet blue journals with the year they were about written with a gold marker on the side. Mentally calculating the years grandma lived and boy were they many, I grabbed an armful of journals and went back downstairs.

"here you are. you can take them with you or use Charlie's den. Judging by the play station in the living room it wont be quiet for long"

"are you sure you don't mind me taking these?"

"You'll bring them back, right?"

I asked slightly apprehensive

"yeah, by tomorrow"

"alright then"

"are you doing anything tonight?"

with a parting nod he got all books under one arm and looking much like a librarian he got in an old classic looking cherry red car.

"are you doing anything tonight?"

"no"

I shook my head.

"we'll all be at that bar downtown. why don't you meet us?"

"okay. see you there"

he bid me goodbye and drove off. I watched until his car was gone and then I dropped heavily on a kitchen chair and went back to my homework.

What can I say? I'm boring.

A couple hours later the kitchen door was pushed open by the large white dog pulling an exhausted peter and henrik that fell on their knees panting as the dog went tongue first on the quite big water bowl in the corner.

"hey guys, nice walk?"

I teased them. Pete glared at me while henrik smiled a wide smile.

"yes, miss"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes but couldn't hold back the affectionate smile

"Henrik, it's Bella"

he smiled back until Pete smacked him on the arm

"Dude, my sister!"

I chuckled under my breath and let them fight it out on he play station as I cooked dinner. i had pulled the chicken from the oven and the smells had both henrik and Pete sitting on the dinner table. if they had tails, they'd be winging them in plead. luckily for them, Charlie arrived just in time.

Dinner at the swan household passed quickie. The large round table was filled with voices as henrik and Pete were talking loudly.

"Who is that kid?"

Charlie whispered in my ear. I chuckled

"kid brother to a few guys I met in Mystic Falls. They moved here and he and Pete became baddies. Try separating them, it's an illusion"

I told him.

"See? I told you, you'd both make friends here easily"

I looked at him refusing to reply and chuckled instead. When dinner was over dad ordered Pete to do the dishes (his chore) and I went to change. Charlie's bushy eyebrow lifted to his hairline when he saw the denim skirt and halter top I had on when I got back

"where do you think you're going bells?"

"out, with his siblings"

I pointed to henrik who looked half asleep already. For an original kid, he sure tires easily. Charlie gave me the once over but nodded.

"be home early?"

"Promise"

I drove off with henrik.

"Where are you staying?"

"Mom raised a manor on the other side of town, near a river"

I felt a cold hand wrapping around my heart as Henrik led me down the town and straight into the Cullen mansion. Then I took a right and found myself next door to the Cullen house.

The brand-new Mikaelson manor just to the right of the Cullen house. Esther had made a marvelous three story home, painted in a rich, yet soft, purple with white trimmings and a large wraparound porch.

"Want me to walk you to the door?"

I asked henrik after waking him up. he shook his head and walked inside. With a wave at Esther, I rode downtown and to the only bar in town. Good thing with being a vampire? You compel your way into a bar and you can avoid the annoying stamp. on a barstool sat Stefan drinking it up with a guy.

"hey guys"

"hey, you made it"

"that I did"

I ordered a drink and turned to them again. Stefan's companion was familiar.

"Do I know you?"

"it's Elijah?"

"oh yeah! I didn't recognize you without the hair"

he chuckled.

"how are you Elijah?"

"I'm good and you?"

he said formally. I replied I was good as well and we began talking about everything and nothing, from how rainy forks was to the lack of decent drinks in the joint

"this place is dead"

a certain raven haired vampire complained as he dropped on the barstool next to his brother.

"be glad there is a bar in town. Otherwise you'd have to drive to Port Angeles"

I replied. he gave me a mocking smile.

"Should I even ask how Forks is treating you?"

"You can ask, doesn't mean you'll get an answer"

I rolled my eyes laughing.

"There aren't even any pool tables!"