Blood to Blood

Nicole: 3 months earlier....

Ever get that feeling, that major sinking feeling that something is gonna go wrong. Like really holy s**t, this is out of some stupid movie, cant be real bad thing? Because that is exactly how I feel 99.9% of everyday for the last 5 years. I've moved town to town trying to escape that feeling, but everywhere I go it sneaks up on me like a thick blanket constantly weighing me down trapped underneath it. This is my eighth home in the last 2 years, if you can even call them that. I mainly stay in old run down motels for months at a time, unless I can find a nice BnB in the town I'm staying in that doesnt mind an over extended stay. Now I'm in my next destination on the worn out map I keep in my glove box. Driving into town I pass what looks like a recently put in sign that's says " WELCOME TO BRAXTON!".

I sigh thinking about how to fit in here, the last one I was in wasn't really known for their hospitality. I push the memories from my head and focus on the here and now. I'm lucky I found this place when I did, it wasnt even in the map. Just a random decision to keep driving straight, I mean it was time to try something different but this was better than I hoped for. After about another hour driving through what seems like a happy community, I pull into a parking lot belonging to a cute little diner called Freddy's. I step out of my beat up little punch buggy and slip my sunglasses on my face to protect my eyes from the glaring sun. Man I'm gonna need a whole new wardrobe in these parts, seems like its gonna be a really hot summer. I already feel like I'm sweating off a pound of fat by the time I get inside and see a seat your self sign next to a couple of menus. Grabbing a menu I seat myself at a booth closest to the window. I like being able to see outside, a habit I guess. I look around the diner once more to really see the place. Its bigger than it seems from the outside and much cuter looking than the name would suggest. There's a jukebox on the side of the wall I'm across from, currently playing some old time hits from the 70's. The whole place is designed in purple and white monochrome-esque patterns and fresh flowers donned every table and booth.

Their were quite a bit of people in here actually so it must be a pretty popular spot. Unfortunately it seems like everybody from the costumers to the waitresses skating around on rollerblades had taken turns getting a look at me. I mean I get that I'm new in town but, I don't think it really calls for this much attention. I pat down my red hair, hoping that it's not doing that crazy frizzy thing it does in the heat. At least that would explain the sneaking looks I keep getting, hooray for me. A girl who looks a like shes no more than eighteen skates up to me with a huge smile on her face. I mean HUGE, so big I can't help but wonder if her mouth isn't sore or she ices her mouth often ' cause it kinda looks painful. "Sorry to keep you waiting I'm Grace, and I'll be your server today. How can I help you?" I take a quick peek over this girl whose name I know now is Grace just to check if I'm still being watched, but it seems like the majority of the establishment has returned to their food and left me to myself. Other than a few wandering eyes which I think I can handle, I return my attention to the girl still beaming in my direction. "Uhm yes. I'm new in town and I was wondering if you had something you could reccomend?"

"Well sure thing. I can fix you up something that'll just be perfect for you." She writes something down on her little notebook she was holding, I mean to ask her what she had in mind, then decide to let it go and just hope it's not something that's heavy on my stomach. Before she turns to go " Oh. And also a chocolate shake please." I smile back hoping it didn't come off as snarky. People use to say I had a voice that always made everything I say seem like I was looking down at them. Grace smiles and nods then heads off in the direction of what I assume lead to the kitchen area. I shake off the memories that were coming to the surface. They can stay where they are. I dont need to relive those times, I've moved on. I look out the window and smile at the summer breeze sailing through the trees. "It's beautiful" Not realizing I said the words out loud, "Isn't it? Our own little secret slice of heaven." The salt and pepper shakers spill their contents on the table as I spin to the side, only to find the voice attached to grace arriving back with the shake i ordered. Of course with a huge smile. "Oh my god, im so so so sorry. I'm so embrassed." I feel like I'm tripping over my words as i try cleaning up the mess I created with probably an unnesscary amount of napkins. I'm sure I'll also apologize for this as well. As I start to do just that, Grace cuts me off- "really, it happens all the time, I like to think of it as a compliment to be so distracted by a town as quaint as ours. Please, I'll take care of the napkins and refill the shakers right away. " Thank you." I offer a smile and reach for the creamer placed off to the side. I pour just a tiny bit into my drink, not enough that it makes a splash but enough you can see the swirl taking place. I take a small sip of my chocolaty concotion savouring the unusal taste.

I look up and stare at the obvious, and rightly placed look of confusion on dear Graces face. "It's a habit I picked up as child." I explain hoping that is enough of an answer to my strange drink decision. A small smile tugs at her lips and she simply nods and continues back toward the kitchen. Once again I'm looking out the window hoping that this will be the last time I have to do this, but knowing in my heart it won't be. Sipping this delicious drink is pure heaven while I'm basking in the sunlight. Everything for one split second had me feeling so good for the first time in so long. Then in that same split second two things happened at the same time and boy was that the start of something. The first thing was with me. At first all it took was the change in the air, the weird friction emitting from my body, unwanted but not uncomfortable. It seemed like my entire body was on heightened alert, but not from danger from something else. Then it was the voice, Oh sweet Mary Mother of the Lord, that voice was the single most beautiful and hardened voice that I have ever heard. It sounded sad but powerful, strange considering he didnt look sad. No he walked in and had a huge smile that matched Grace's. And I've seen how big her smile is. Speaking of looks, well if you take a Hemsworth brother (any of them, thank their parents) with cheekbones of Dean from supernatural paired with the body of the bad boy brother from Vampire Diaries all together, and this man would still be more handsome more beautiful more.......just more than I have ever seen in my life. Sue me I'm a fan of cheesy dramas. Anyways then the second thing happened, he spoke to me and my fist connected to his nose......whoops?

Now matter how angry I am, how messed up a situation I get into is, no matter what I never use violence without being hit first. That's just what I want to clarify before I explain what happened. I swear it was an accident but after hearing what he had to say he only kinda deserved it. I had only heard some of what he was saying I was still googly eyed for a man I knew nothing about. Yay hormones! Slowly sinking back to reality I listened to the words actually leaving the mystery man's voice.