NICHOLAS (old version)

chapter four: friends

I waited for him to come back. To sweep in and apologize to me and tell me that he wanted to make me fall head-over-heels in love with him. That he'd get me real flowers, he's smother me in kisses. Sweet, innocent ones.

I found myself wondering if my mother was right, if I really was just a child. She and my father had been so happy; their love was short, but it was magical. Three years. They'd had three years together, and then he'd died. It could be that short, it could end before it'd had a chance to really begin. My mother would grow old and die without him by her side.

She'd had us. She said we were the best parts our father. I was as cautious as he was; Tyler was as protective; Candy just as social. I'd never even known him, still in my mothers womb.

I didn't want to think about that. About losing a mate. I didn't know Nicholas enough to love him, but I was programmed to want to love him.

I crawled my way to the edge of the bed and slid off, the ground cold on my bare feet. I couldn't help my curiosity and found myself wandering around the room, looking at things, trying to get a feel for who he was. Everything smelled like him; I did my best to ignore the hint of other females here and there. 

Even his room was so... impersonal. His clothing was neatly folded away, everything in order, no pictures, no momentos. I stumbled across a box full of movies, all old action movies, and I smiled when I began to notice the pattern. They were in order by release date. IT seemed such a strange thing to do, and it made me smile. It seemed very... OCD.

A knock on the door interrupted my snooping and I quickly shoved the box back under the bed, standing up and waiting for someone to open the door, hoping it was Nicholas, coming to apologize, but I knew it wasn't. Instead, the door finally opened and a head appeared, grinning with the power of the sunshine.

"Hey there honey-bun. Busy?" Nicholas' sister inquired, and I gave an awkward smile. Natalie, I reminded myself. She was chipper for someone I'd been contemplating murdering hardly a half-hour ago. 

I shook my head, clearing my throat. "No, no - come on in. I was just thinking how bored I was." I explained, a small laugh escaping my lips, trying to be friendly. I'd never had many friends; I was introverted, socially anxious. But if Nicholas ever... let me in, she'd be my new sister, in a way. I needed someone on my team.

She slipped all the way in, shutting the door behind her, and she grinned at me. I realized, right then, exactly why I wanted to kill her when she touched Nicholas; she was gorgeous. Tall and thin, she had the body shape of a model, gentle sloping curves. Fair skin, long dark hair, grassy eyes. Even the way she dressed, with a style clearly intended to look effortless. It was right then that I realized I was still in my dirty clothes and my confidence dropped.

"Good!" She hummed, completely unaware of the fact that I looked like I'd come out of a sewer. She flitted around the room, opening curtains and windows with clear delight. "Sorry, about earlier. I know I shouldn't have jumped on Nick like that. You're a protective mate, that's good. You guys ought to be able to understand each other." She wandered around, fixing things. I realized almost immediately that it was the things I'd messed up during my exploring. She seemed to sense that I realized this and chuckled. "Oh please, anyone would snoop. You're trying to get to know him. Good luck with that though - he raised me and I don't know squat about him."

She spoke so quickly, a whirlwind of words, and I found myself lagging ten seconds behind, trying to process everything she said. She reminded me of Candy, I realized, though my sister was a bit more sassy in most everything she said. 

When there was break in her speech, I took my opportunity, before we strayed too far from what I wanted to say. "It's not your fault." I said quickly, my hands folding in front of me and I gave her an apologetic smile. "I should have caught your scent sooner. It's just... well, I want to wait before any marking. There's no going back, and I'm trying to see him for who he is, not what I've heard. I mean, I can't believe that he just kills for the hell of it." I vented, taking a seat on the edge of the bed and staring at my hands, depression coming on once more.