Young and Deadly

Chapter Seven

To say the next two months were awkward is an understatement. Jason and I rarely talked anymore. School was the only exception to that though. We obviously had to at some points, but we mainly avoided each other. It wasn't that I was in any way avoiding him; because I wasn't. In fact it was actually the other way around.

On the bright side, I focused a great deal of my time getting closer to Regina. It was definitely working out really well for me. I had become closer to her than the other girls were, which I thought odd because they'd known each other years and she had just met me two months ago.

Another change was with my sister. We talked every single day. Any time she was able to go out away from shooting her latest movie, she'd fly up and visit. She continuiously apologized for not contacting and being there for me. She felt really guilty about everything. Probably more so because she knew how our dad was and how mom worked almost every hour of the day. I could tell that she knew my upbringing had been extremely odd by the way she studied me. She never asked much about it but I knew she was burning to. The look in her eyes told me how strange she found me.

"Blake?" Regina's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Huh?" I blinked to refocus on her.

"Is this a good dress for tonight? I need to look my best! My parents will be back in an hour from their trip and the help is already setting up everything for tonight's events," Regina stated.

I looked down to the dress she was holding in her hands. It was actually really gorgeous. It was black and gold. It was gold with a sheer black material over it and that was about all I could say. In all honesty, I was terrible at accurately describing any dress. It was gorgeous simply put and that was coming from me! I'm sure to others it would be simply indescribable, but I'm most certainly not others.

"Regina, that is the perfect dress for tonight! If you don't get it, then I will," I added, knowing she'd constantly be asking if I was sure. Once I had said that her mind was set; she was getting the dress so that I wouldn't. That's just how she worked, I had discovered this on the many shopping trips we had gone on together. All I had to say was thank god that the 'agency' provided me with a lot of cash for this assignment because of Regina's profile. Of course that wasn't my pay in the end. Whatever was used on an assignment was included in the necessity to complete it, therefore money didn't come out of my paycheck.

"Good!" She squealed. After a few seconds her face became deadly serious. "Now, we find a dress for you! Obviously, you're coming with!"

Oh no, I don't think I was going to like this... "Um, I don't need one. I got a dress last week for the dance, remember?" I tried, but was sure it wasn't going to work.

"But you already wore it!" She whined. "This dress is going to be ten times sexier than that one. All I'm asking is that you trust my judgement in picking out a perfectly superb dress for tonight. You know I wouldn't want you to go looking like and i***t with me... to any party actually."

"Fine," I sigh. "You know how to pick an awesome dress and I... well I totally suck at it." I laughed in my usual nervous and awkward laugh.

She squealed and clapped in excitement. "Good! Now time to let the pro do her job."

~*~*~*~*

"Blake, you look fine! Now get your ass out of my bathroom so I can do your hair and make-up!" Regina commanded from just on the other side of the bathroom door. I guess I truly never will be able to feel comfortable in such clothing. I was just awkward in every which way possible. Were was Nan at all those years ago? At the same time, I wouldn't have wanted her to give up her dream all because of some unwanted responsibility being thrust upon her.

"Fine," I grumble and slowly opened the door. I was terrified of this, but I had to suck it up... for the job. After all, I couldn't bale when I'm finally meeting the targets after waiting two months for this exact opportunity!

I step out and she gasps. She had yet to see me in it. All she did was go through dresses and found this one and picked out the size I needed and we left; after paying of course. She continued to stare at me, mouth slightly open and I was beginning to get worried.

"How does it look?" I fidget. I already don't feel comfortable in a dress, especially now that Regina was reacting this way.

"You look like one sexy b***h! Let's hope there isn't any young men there because I'm sure they'd be all over your sexy ass!" She smirks.

"So it looks good then?"

"Better than good Blake!"

"That's a relief, I was worried about the dress. After all, this is an important business event and I can't go out there looking ridiculous."

"Blake, I would never let you look rediculous dear!" She narrows her eyes in a don't-doubt-my-mad-shopping-skills-and-killer-ability-to-make-you-look-sexy look.

"Well of course you wouldn't... or at least I hope not!"

"So little faith in me Blake," she shakes her head in mock shame.

"Actually, I have great faith in you Regina. The only part I struggle with is how I appear."

"Shut up Blake! You're totally hot and any guy would be blind not to see that!" She upbraids me.

"Fine fine, I surrender. Now I guess it's hair and make-up time for me. Oh and by the way, you look utterly amazing in that dress. It'll be you the guys are all over, not me."

"I'm sure it's going to be both of us actually," Regina nods in satisfaction, at what I haven't a clue. "Now go sit in front of my vanity, it's time for me to work my magic!" She gives me a shove towards a chair.

"Alright, I'm going. No need to get all violent!" Inside I want to laugh though. I'm actually the rather violent one... obviously. I mean, look at my job description, I'm sure there's a violent thing or two in there. After all, I have killed a lot of people and I do mean a lot.

~*~*~*~*

About a half hour later, I am ready to go. Slipping on our shoes, Regina and I head down to the large set up outside in her back yard. There was already a rather large throng of people standing around and drinking wine. I let out a long breath; I was so not ready for this. This was definitely worse than the school dance was. So many people that were elegant and rich that watched your every movement. There really was no screwing up here without ridicule and really, I didn't want to be ridiculed.

Both Regina and I were getting many compliments on our dresses. Unlike her, mine was difficult to move in. Mine was a dark green color, had one line of the dresses material that ran right across just under my shoulder, was smooth to feel, hugged my body tightly until about my knees or slightly lower then flowed out, but not too much, and had matching heels. Regina had also insisted I wear a necklace that was absolutely gorgeous and the matching earrings. My hair had been pulled up in a simple manner and clipped up on the underside of my hair so that it hung down over the clip. She had done my make-up fairly simple to my relief.

"Hey Blake," Regina nudges me.

"Yeah?"

"Would you care to meet my parents?" She asks.

"Of course, just lead the way," I nod my head to one side in a motion that lets her know to go ahead.

"I hope they like you. They don't care too much for my other friends, not worthy enough or some s**t like that. You're better looking and mannered than them though, so I think they should. If not, they won't want you within spitting distance of them."

I hoped they liked me too. I was supposed to get close to them so I wasn't suspected. That would probably be impossible if they hated me. "Yeah, I hope they like me too."

"I think they will," she nods confidently. With that she walks off, throwing a quick glance behind her to make sure I was following. As we approach an older couple, she shoots me a reassuring smile. The couple must be her parents. My suspicions are confirmed when she stops in front of the couple. They're actually quite attractive for being forty-six.

"Regina, how lovely to see you sweety! You look so gorgeous dear!" Her mother gushes and pulls her in for a kiss on first her left then her right cheek.

"Hello mother, hello father," Regina smiles kindly at them. I've deduced from how she talks, that she's not their number one fan. "This," she gestures to me. "Is my best friend, Blake Reid." When she says that, she filches slightly.

"Hello dear," her mother smiles at me.

"Hello ma'am. It's nice to meet you," I extend my hand to her and we shake. "It's lovely to meet you too sir." This time I extend my hand to her father. He looks at me warily and I smile. Finally he reaches out to shake my hand.

"Oh how rude of me. I'm Samantha Collins and this," she motions beside her. "Is Seth Collins."

"Hello, it really is nice to meet you both," I smile kindly. I already knew their names, but their pictures weren't very good ones of them so at first I didn't recognize who they were.

"You seem like a very pleasant young lady. Your parents must be proud, are they here tonight? I told Regina to extend the invite to them too," she looks at Regina with disapproval.

"My parents have been deceased for ten years now and my adoptive mother had to work," I say in a polite term. Talking of my parents wasn't exactly one of my favorite topics.

"Oh honey! I'm so sorry," Mrs. Collins gasps.

"It's fine Mrs. Collins. I've mourned and now I just remember them in my fondest memories of my past." I notice that Mr. Collins has yet to talk and continues to scrutinize me. How odd.

"I'm still sorry for your loss; no matter how many years ago it was."

"Thank you ma'am."

"It's no trouble at all dear!" She turns to her husband and I barely hear her say, "Honey, I really like this one. She's everything a girl should be to hang around with Regina." Mr. Collins just nods in response. He must be a very silent man.

"Mom. Dad?" Regina looks at them hopefully.

"Yes." That is all her father says and her mother smiles.

"Oh thank you guys so much!" She grasp both of their hands. After her parents smile at her, she turns to me. Let's go enjoy the function." She pulls me to the dance floor where they have changed their music to more upbeat and modern music.

"This is surprisingly not as bad as I thought it would be," I tell her, disbelief coloring my tone.

"My first function was the same way," she nods and makes a little spin in time with the music. "My parents love you." She finally says.

"Really? How do you know?"

"My dad said yes," she says simply.

"So that's why he said yes?"

"Yeah."

"That's good." With that all conversation ended between us and we danced and twirled in our dresses.

~*~*~*~*

"Do you want a ride home?" Samantha asks me.

"Regina has already asked her driver to, but thanks Mrs. Collins," I smile kindly at her.

"Oh it's no trouble dear. Do come back soon please."

"Sure thing Mrs. Collins."

"Miss Reid," Kirk, Regina's drive, calls.

"It was nice meeting you Mrs. Collins and it was nice to meet Mr. Collins as well."

"Likewise dear," she squeezes my hands affectionately.

"I'll see you soon Mrs. Collins." With that, Kirk opens the door on the SUV and offers me his hand. I take it gratefully and use it as leverage to get into the car with my dress. He's actually very attractive and sweet, but not someone I would be able to open up to. "Thank you Kirk." He smiles at me and I smile a kind smile back.

~*~*~*~*

"Elizabeth, I'm home," I call as I step into the house. The smells of tonight's dinner linger in the air. It smells delicious, wonder if there's any left.

"In here dear," she calls from the kitchen.

I place my keys back in my clutch that matches my dress. Not even bothering to remove my shoes, I walk to the kitchen, my stomach getting the better of me. "Is there any of that left?"

"Yeah, in the refrigerator..." she trails off.

"Elizabeth, is everything okay?" I look at her in concern.

"Yeah, it's just that you look stunning in that dress of yours," she smiles, a trace of tears forming in her eyes.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I ask, alarmed. I don't do well with others emotions and I hide mine so well... aside from that once, two months ago.

"It's just that... I've never had children before and over the last two months, you've become like a daughter to me. Seeing you all... dressed up and looking like an elegant young lady makes me so happy." A tear leaks from her eye.

"Why are you crying? I thought you said you were happy." She was confusing me.

"They're happy tears dear," she explains and chastely wipes them from her eyes.

"Oh."

"Jason was right, you're not good with emotions are you?" She asks with a small laugh and smiles at me.

"No, I'm not. I've never known a loving home and I've become good at distancing myself. It's just been so difficult to let people in and I've just become too good at it," I laugh humorously.

"I'm sorry to hear that dear. I can only guess how it's been bouncing from place to place and killing so many times. I can see why you shut everyone out." Her tone is nothing but sympathetic.

"It's fine. Honestly, I can complain at all. It hasn't been too bad in all honesty. Aside from the killing that is, but I have hardened myself to that too and it's almost reflex now."

"I've heard about your extensive amount of, um... kills." She says in a whisper and an awkward manner.

"Yeah. I've killed... a lot." I mumbled, not too thrilled with the change of subject. I think Elizabeth senses that too.

"So how was this fancy function? It must have been a hit since it's just past ten and it started at four."

"It was surprisingly good. I was almost positive I was going to be miserable all night, but it wasn't all that bad. There were a lot of single young men there that made a pass at Regina and I though. They were all early twenties and didn't lay an unwelcome hand on either of us."

"I'm glad you were able to enjoy yourself some. I have a feeling that if they had put an unwanted hand on you, they would have wished that they didn't," she lets out a girlish giggle.

"That I would have, but yet again, Regina's parents wouldn't have been happy and there would be no possible way of me getting near them then. So it was good they didn't," I sigh.

"Why?" Her eyebrows knit together.

"If they don't like one of Regina's friends they aren't exactly allowed around her parents," I say.

"So I take it they like you." It's not a question, it's a statement.

"Yeah. It surprised the hell out of me," I laugh.

"Dispite what you may think Blake, you're a very likable person. Someone would have to be crazy not to like you!" She exclaims.

"I'm not likable Elizabeth. Far from it actually. Nobody could ever like a monster like me," I protested.

"Blake you are not a monster!" Elizabeth nearly shouts at me.

"But I am!" I nearly shout as well.

"No you're-" she gets cut short.

"Elizabeth, is the apple pie finished yet?" Jason's voice breaks us out of our soon to be shouting match.

"It's nearly done," she calls to him.

"Good, I've been waiting for it to finish baking!" His voice is closer now.

"It'll be done in about five minutes."

"Good, I'm starving for a piece..." We look up and he's frozen in the doorway.

"Jason, are you alright?" Elizabeth asks him.

"Y-yeah," he stammers. "B-blake."

"Jason," I smile a kind smile and nod at him.

"Were you wanting some dinner Blake?" Elizabeth ask me, sensing the tension in the air that is palpable and could be cut with a knife.

"Yeah, but I'll get it," I wave her off and move to the refrigerator. I pull out containers of what was cooked. It was still warm, so obviously it hadn't been in the refrigerator for long. "This looks delicious Elizabeth. Will you hand me a plate please?"

Everything has been awkward between Jason and I. Most of it had to do with Jason. He was the one who was avoiding me and I was just playing along. I always play along with something, always. If he wanted to ignore me, then so be it, I'll ignore him too. Elizabeth hands me a plate and three large spoons to dish it out and a fork to eat with.

"Thanks Elizabeth," I smile warmly at her. I think that she is one of the few people in my life I like and feel at least semi-soft towards. The rest I felt like that towards are dead. I'm just glad that I didn't have to kill Elizabeth.

"No problem sweetie," she smiles back ten times warmer than I suspect I had.

"So, um... the pie?" Jason rubs the back of his neck and shuffles on his feet. He's definitely uncomfortable around me. To think this is all over him telling me he likes me and has for awhile. It was just plain ridiculous in my opinion, but I suppose he felt awkward now.

"It's done dear," Elizabeth says, pulling the pie from the oven.

"I just want a slice with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream," he mumbles and avoids looking anywhere but at me.

"Alright, just a second and I'll get that for you." Elizabeth's so sweet and could no doubt lift the spirits of any room. She is definitely the savior of this room. "So Jason, what are your plans for tomorrow?" She asks.

"Not sure, nothing I guess since it's a Saturday." His eyes briefly flick to me as I am midair with a fork full of grilled chicken and asparagus.

"Oh. My. GOD! Elizabeth, I think that this is the best thing I have ever put into my mouth," I moan in pure delight.

"Thanks sweetie." Her cheeks go slightly pink at my compliment. "Be careful though dear! We don't want anything to get on your gorgeous dress. You spent so much money on that or at least I assume so."

"I'll be careful," I promise as I continue to shovel food into my mouth. I was really hungry and I knew that I eat more than any other girl. I eat like a growing teenage boy for god sake. Hell, I eat more than Jason too, I know for a fact that I do. Yet again, I work out and do more exerting things than Jason does. Jason gets his pie and ice-cream and heads upstairs with it.

"Do you mind if I ask you a question?" Elizabeth turns to me after a few minutes have passed.

"You just did didn't you?" I smile. I've learned some quick responses like this from my 'friends' the last two months.

Elizabeth laughs. "You really are a surprise sometimes Blake. No, but seriously, I have a question for you." Her face is serious all of a sudden.

"This seems like it's going to be a bad question..." I look at her warily then smirk. "Shoot. You can ask me anything Elizabeth!"

"Okay, but don't get angry okay?" She gives me a pleading look.

"I don't get angry very often Elizabeth so don't worry," I tell her as I heap my plate full for a second time.

"What's going on with you and Jason?" The question didn't even surprise me. I'm just surprised it took her this long to ask me. After all, it has been two months since Jason has been distant to me.

"He told me he liked me two months ago and knew I wasn't ready for any kind of relationship. Ever since, he's been distant. There's not really anything else to it," I shrug.

"Oh, that's... unexpected. If anything, I figure it would be the other way around," she muses aloud.

"I know, but I'm not the average person," I shrug nonchalantly.

"I-" She's cut off by my generic ring-tone.

"Reid," I answer.

"It's Georgette."

"What is it?" I ask, curtly.

"We need to meet tomorrow at one thirty at the Space Needle." She doesn't give me time to respond and cuts the line short.

"Who was that?" Elizabeth asks, probably noticing my sour look.

"Georgette."

With that one name, Elizabeth's mouth pops open in an 'Oh' way. I really have a bad feeling about this. A really really bad feeling and I was sure I was right to have this feeling.