Discalimer: I Update don't own anything in this story accept for the characters you are not familiar with. Everything else was from the brilliant mind of Miss. Charlaine Harris. Check out her website for more info. Other than that, enjoy the story. This is just a starter chapter the others will be longer, tell me what you think.
I went back and fixed a lot of the errors I made almost a year ago when I had some free time…sorry about that! :-D Enjoy old readers and newcomers.
This takes place six months after "All Together Dead" so some of the characters you may not see or will come later in the story.
"Did he want his steak medium or well done?" I asked myself as I went to the kitchen. I was holding my temple with my right hand and squeezing my eyes shit.
You just had to not write anything down. Always trying to show off.
I saw a video on YouTube last night that showed that patrons are more impressed if you don't write anything down
Or was it that Justin Long movie?
"Who do you got?" a meek voice asked behind me. I whipped around admitting defeat in trying to remember the order. She was by far the nicest girl I had ever met and, if you knew my life, that wasn't really saying much. I had not crossed that many nice people in my life and it almost seemed as if she knew and was making up for it. I was still new, but she treated me as if I had been there for years.
"It's the cute one over there." I pointed to the table where this tall handsome glass of water sitting sipping his beer with a very pregnant girl. She was attractive too in a very girl next door sort of way. I am not really one to judge girls looks but hey, I'll give credit where credit is due. Now me on the other hand well, let's just say that there is a reason why I don't like mirrors. I am not by "American standards" what you would call "hot". I have thick curly hair, thanks to my mom and a round button nose, courtesy of my dad and a chubby belly thanks to too many buffalo wings that I get on my breaks.
I am not ugly, not sexy I'm something far more dastardly….cute.
No nineteen year old woman wants to be classified as cute, cutie or anything like that but…that's what I get..ALL THE TIME! Day in and day out. Cute is what you call the chubby girl who can't get a man. To me cute is just another word for 'not as pretty'.
"Well if you're referring to my brother than he is going to want it well done…. not a lot of seasoning he hates it. Tell Federico, would you?" The waitress said.
"Thanks Sookie." I said. I walked over to Federico and gave him the order Sookie told me verbatim all the while cursing myself silently for not remembering the order. Well done is just another word for ruined if you ask me. Just like me Federico was new too. I had been working there for about four weeks while Fred has been there for a good month and a half. As I hear he is the third chef to be replaced at Merlots. I never understood why. The pay was amazing according to a waitresses standards and….the boss isn't a compete dick! Quite the opposite. Sam was a hard ass at times but even in the short amount of time I was there I could tell behind every lecture, there was someone who cared.
CHAPTER ONE
Disclaimer: I don't own anything in this story accept for Casey so far but I am working my owning a vamp here and there haha enjoy the story!
The men here are perverts, true but, I can handle the drunken loon here and there. Many of them would not dare do the things they do once they get a couple shots in them. There may be a drunk here and there that may grab a waitress by the arm, but Sam usually knows how to handle them. That is the thing I love about dive bars. Most of your dives are in small towns or the same patrons frequent them. It is a second home to them. The last thing they want to do is pack up and switch homes.
Although I have only been working here for a month, I have lived in Bon Tempts for about three. And when I say live, I say that very vaguely. I have been staying at the Cozy Inn. I usually pull in fifty every night with tips and the hotel is twenty-five a night so I was on an upward trajectory! Even though I knew I was not going to be able to stay in this town long, I was setting a personal record of one month, 1 week and 3 days.
But who's counting.
I have been on my own for half my life. My parents were killed when I was nine so this would be my tenth year without them. I still miss them but, 'you can't let the past consume you' that's what I always say. Or was it that other Justin Long movie?
I learned to deal with whatever life threw me and, trust me, that bastard knows how to throw a mean curveball! After being bounced around from foster home to foster home and finally being planted in Baton Rouge Miracle Orphanage, you learn to make lemonade when life gives you oranges.
When I turned eighteen, I said so long to that hell hole. Not that they were going to put up much of a fight once my birthday hit. They all but threw my bags out the door the make room for the next sorry kid that was unlucky enough to call that shit-hole home.
Miracle Orphanage my ass, the only miracle was when I left.
So here I am, almost two years later in Bon Tempts and I haven't been this happy in a long time.
"Hey!" Travis Hull slurred as he grabbed my arm. I was used to being man handled in the orphanage, so I never jump when people grab me. Travis was a tolerable man when he was sober but when a get a couple shots of Louisianans finest in him, watch out!
"Hello, Mr. Hull." I smiled on behalf of the tips I could get.
"What you doin' tonight?"
"Working as you can see." I laughed and tried to walk away but his hand made its way to my shirtsleeve. Like I said, people tend to get grabby at bars and I can usually hold my own thanks to my 'stint' at the orphanage.
"No, I mean later on tonight." He said. His buddies all sniggering like a bunch of high school boys about to learn about the female reproductive system. Men!
Let me just say people grabbing me doesn't startle me but it doesn't mean that I like it. SO when I try to leave and these drunks cant get the hint, it really pisses me off but I need my tips.
I smiled sweetly and turned to him. "Why do you want to know Travis?" I asked
Travis Hull. Twenty three, handsome as ever blue blooded rich boy with a silver spoon rammed up his ass…..total douche when he wanted to be. There was a punch line coming, I knew it so I tried to brace myself for it. "Oh no reason, it's just that well my buddies wanted to know what time you were going to sleep."
I gave him a puzzled look. "Why?" I asked while shaking my head.
"Because our buddy Mike over here," Travis gestured to the giggling pimply faced drunk across the table. "is visiting form the city and he has never gone cow tipping before and we wanted to give him the real country experience"
I am a little bit overweight. I wear a size 18 but I don't consider that 'mu-mu' status. I can't help it. I panic. I don't know if tonight is going to be the last night I am going to eat so when I get food I tend to get the fattiest foods so I can keep on some weight. I would rather be fat and hungry than skinny and hungry any day. It still doesn't help when people point stuff like that out to you.
I never let them see the tears. For one thing he is drunk and I know that he is going to apologize the next day. But also when you let someone see your emotions you loose the upper hand of every situation. I would rather have people think that I am made of steal any day. When I get back to the hotel I usually think back on everything that happens and I let out a couple of tears. I hate showing my emotions even if I am by myself. I think that people MAY think that I am cute but since I have overweight they are afraid of what other people night say so they point out my flaws….at least that is what they say on the talk shows on television.
I finally snatch my hand away and went to the kitchen to tell Fred the next order and to get their drinks. Damn. A tear ran down my face. Hopefully no one saw what happened. Then they would put two and two together. Double damn! I saw Sam, the owner of the bar, go up to Travis and let me tell you, he did not look happy.
Sam initially wanted me to work here, that is, until he found out how old I was. A bar is no place for a 19 year old. Not to mention in some places it is illegal but here the law tends to be a little lenient. Thank God! As Travis and his buddies got up, I heard him yell, "hey Casey! We still on for tonight?" It was then that I didn't give two shits about ever getting a tip form him.
In a very proud voice I bellowed, "No sorry Travis I can't see you tonight, I have go home and repeatedly ram my face into a brick wall to erase you from my memory completely. But maybe later after the concussion heals Rain check kay?" I said with an upwards inflection giving my best Legally Blonde impression.
There was suddenly a huge uproar of laughter. Travis sneered and stalked out of the bar. Even his friends were giving him a hard time.
Sam tried his best to hide his smile but failed miserably. I handed Fred the order and went to the bar to get the drinks. As I passed Sookie she was still laughing from my burn. We high fived and I stopped at her brother's table.
"Here are your drinks and sorry for the delay." Sookies brother simply nodded but kept his eyes locked on the woman across form him and just like that I felt a bit lonelier.
When I pivoted it collided directly into a huge wall. A tall, blonde, Nordic looking, wall.
Immediately remembering my manners and checked to see if said wall was alright. "I'm so sorry I didn't know you were there." Feeling like a complete idiot after saying that. "I mean I kinf of knew you were there but I didn't at the same time. You know how sometimes you are driving and you are paying attention but not at the same time and when you finally come to you are terrified because you know for a fact you should be dead because you weren't paying attention."
Irritation and something else laced his face and I could tell immediately that I wasn't getting a tip from this guy.
"What are you?" He asked his fangs visible.
Oh Shit! Not tonight.
"My name is Casey and if you would like I could show you to a table sir." I answered suddenly irritated.
"No. What ARE you?" He asked again inhaling and sighing his eyes closed and he swallowed.
"A Virgo?" I said in a questioning tone as I walked away. I could feel him following me. I went to the darkest corner of the bar thinking that, that is what vampires like.
I didn't want anything else to do with this customer as soon as I found out that he was a vampire, so I thought would force him on another waitress. "If you would please just sit here, I will find you a waitress to serve you. Can I get you some wine? Or will it just be Trueblood for tonight?"
"O." was all he said. Not wanting to say another thing to him id didn't bother to ask him is he wanted positive or negative. I found Sookie by the bar and tapped her on the shoulder.
"Hey could you do me a favor, There's a vampire can you serve him?" I asked.
Sookie smiled warmly and nodded. "Sure where is he sitting." I pointed over to the table he was sitting at and Sookie immediate froze.
"I guess you don't wanna serve this guy either." I said miserably knowing that I was going to have to.
"No its fine he probably want to talk to me anyway." She sighed.
"Look if you don't want to, I'll totally do it, I'm just being chicken you know." I let out what I though was a good laugh. "I need to tips I guess anyways."
I mean it. I mentally added.
Are you sure? Sookie said.
I nodded. I know about Sookies gift and I love it. I use it every time I get. I wish I could read humans minds instead of…
"Here you are sir. Is there anything else I can get you?" I asked.
He stiffened. "What are you?"
Jesus did this guy know how to say anything else?
Not wanting to tell this man any of my business I ignored his question.
"Are you sure you would not like some wine? Maybe some more O…I got you negative you didn't specify I just guessed I hope that was alright sir." You are rambling with a vampire stop it!
"Sookie. I want to talk her." He finally said through grit teeth. Damn this man got annoyed real quick.
"Well she is currently busy right now but if there is message you would like me to give to her I would be more than happy to do that as I get your check."
He raised both brows and pointed to the seat in front of him. "Sit."
Can you believe that?! Like a freaking dog! I tell you these vampires are something else.
"I'm sorry I am a little busy right now maybe later though." I said. The smile completely erased from my face making sure he knew that my promise was sarcastic.
"I said sit." He said his eyes fixed on mine. I could feel him getting in my mind. He was ordering me to sit using his vampire mojo. Little did he know that, it doesn't work on me. You see, I am kind of like Sookie in some aspects. She can read the minds of the living; I can read all vampire minds. I'm not telepathic though. I wasn't born that way. You see, my mother was a fairy. Not your typical fairy. We are a special breed. Very rare. Our blood is still irresistible to vampires. Were are not allergic to lemon, thank god! And we don't have the whole elf thing going when it comes to the ear department. My mother was 652 when she died my father, 40.
Talk about robbing the cradle.
My father was a warlock. He is the reason that I can read vampires minds. Not wanting me to be harmed, when I was five, he cast a spell so I would be able to read the mind of any vampire in the room so I knew if they were going to attack or not. That is probably why I am alive right now. Not only that, but if a vampire is going to hurt me I see them glow in this light green orb. It looks beautiful but damn do I hate seeing it.
"Let me just stop you right there chief." I scoffed more than pissed off. First he order me around like a dog then he tries to violate my mind. "It won't work; never has worked, never will work so stop trying to get it to work."
And if you try it again I will slip some holy water in you drink the next time. I mentally finished.
He went still. "What are you?" Was all he asked.
I sighed and leaned forward. "Bored of this conversation." And with that I turned around and left.
Ha! Two sick burns in one night I am getting good.
The smile now erased from his face, he grabbed my wrist just hard enough for me to wish that he would just get it over with a rip it from my arm.
"No, human speaks to me that way." He said in a low growl. His fangs shining. I could feel my pulse speed up. He could too because he started concentrating entirely on my wrist.
"Well there's a first time for everything." I hissed between clenched teeth.
The nerve of this asshole.
"Eric, take your hand off her now…please." I heard Sookie say from behind me. With a stone face and a pissed off tone of voice.
"So…" I continued. "It has a name. Does it have manners too or is that asking for too much.? And can I have my fucking wrist back!"
His grip tightened a bit more before it released me. "She has a mouth on her" He smirked.
"Asshole." I whispered when I backed away. I wasn't afraid of him but I wasn't stupid enough to remain with arms length of him.
"I heard that." Eric hissed. "Please," he continued. "Just because we vampires have impeccable hearing doesn't mean that you have to whisper and mumble your insults. When someone is talking about me I am very much interested to hear what they think of me. If you have something to say, to be just come right out and say it. Don't be a coward." He finished by giving me a sly grin.
That was it! Who did this vampire think he is? "Fine!" I roared. "You want me to speak up? You want to know what I think about you? I'll speak loud and clear enough for a moron of your low brow mental capacity to comprehend as well as hear. I think that you are way too cocky for your own good. You hair looks like something form some work our romance novel that you would see at th bargain bin at your piggly wiggly.. Just because you have great power doesn't mean that you scare everyone! You don't scare me and grabbing me and threatening me is only going to annoy me!"
I noticed out of my pereipheral that more were starting to take notice of what I was saying and who…..or WHAT I was speaking to. "Which brings me to another thing. Who…the…fuck…do you think you are coming in here grabbing me?" I snapped shoving my finger in his chest. "You don't fucking know me you asshole! So now that you are aware that your mind games and threats aren't going to work why don't you either order something else or pay the damn bill and get the fuck out of here!"
It wasn't until I saw all the blank stared form everyone in the bar that I realized that I was screaming at the top of my lungs.
My entire body was shaking. My head felt light and I couldn't catch my breath.
I vaguely felt Sookie touching my shoulder lightly. "Case…hey Case?" She then turned to Eric with fire in her eyes, "Get out of here Eric."
Then I couldn't believe it! The bastard was laughing! He was laughing at me.
Not wanting him to know that he was getting to me I simply turned around and walked to the back but not before I heard him say "She probably in a bad mood. Hungry no doubt"
BAM! The opinion assholes shouldn't bother me but they always do I just never allow them to show. What is the point in giving them the satisfaction.
I walked into Sams office and slammed the door. I sat at his desk and put my face in my hands trying the control my breathing.
Just breathe Casey. You can do it. In. Out. In. Out.
My hands were still shaking. Don't let what he said bother you Casey. He's an asshole. People are always going to make fun of other people.
"Yeah." I said out loud "But when do I always have to be one of those people."
Don't feel sorry for yourself Casey. That is what they expect you to do. They want to know that they were capable of making you upset. You've got to just let it roll off your shoulders and keep on living your life. Don't let people….or vampires like that control your life.
Then at that moment I made a promise to myself. From then on I wouldn't let the things that people say to me affect my life. I wouldn't get mad, I wouldn't cry. I would just do the one thing that I have been trying to do. Live my life.
When I came out of Sams office I was greeted by a very concerned Sam.
"You doing okay Casey?" Sam asked.
That's what I love about Sam. No matter how busy the bar was. No matter how stressed out he was. If he saw that you were upset he would go out of his way to make sure you were feeling okay. At first I thought it might be because he didn't want the customers to have bitchy waitresses and in turn cause bad business.
That is until I got to know him. There was no way Sam could have thought like that. He was a genuinely nice guy…..I know….weird.
I sighed and gave Sam a brave smile. "You know what." I then stared at Eric who was still talking to Sookie. "I am gonna be fine."
"You sure?" He asked.
"I gave Sam a playful punch on the shoulder and nodded.
I continued serving other customers ignoring Eric stares.
Why was Sookie still talking to that jerk? Well, whatever they were talking about Sookie was willing to put aside the fact that she didn't like him and listen to what he had to say.
"Alright." She sighed. "Just tell him to give me a call and I'll see what I can do to help."
Without waiting for him to say anything she turned and went back to work.
I made the mistake of looking at him. I was rewarded by a beckoning finger.
Don't let him get to you Casey.
"What can I get you?" I said without looking him in the eye.
"Wine." He simply said simply. At some point when I was in the back he must have switched. I nodded and as I turned, he continued. "I can see that you are feeling better. Hope you didn't eat too much."
Calm down Casey don't let him get to you. Don't get mad. He's an asshole.
I poured the wine and headed over to the table. He was still looking at me and when I set the glass down, he began to smirk.
Screw it. I'll start tomorrow.
When he reached for the glass, I beat him to it. He gave me a quizzical look as I starred at the glass then at him.
I wonder if red wine stains. God, I hope so!