Dead in Dallas

Grow

"We don't grow when things are easy.
We grow when we face challenges."
-Joyce Meyer

It's probably only been a few seconds but it feels excessively long to wait before dropping the punchline after making an awkward joke of a comment. Seeing as Jax wasn't gonna say that he's only kidding till I said something first, all I've managed to say was ok and letting the second letter hang longer than intended so he could cut me off and then we could laugh about it afterward. Although it'll probably be just a forced laugh in my part—it wasn't that funny of a joke to begin with.

He smiled—thank goodness! And he moved a piece of my hair out of my face and sharpened his focus on me, and it did something in my stomach, and I'm sure it was the good kind.
"I get it, you don't have to say anything in return. This is all strange to you, and you're new to this, and it's such an overwhelming thing...but I've been waiting for you for a lifetime it seems, I'm very patient." He expresses with as much sincerity and care as he can. I immediately jumped out of my seat to create a much-needed distance between us.

What on earth is going on? I'm trying to find a reason why he would say that he loves me when we have just met a few minutes ago, it didn't make any sense. A moment ago his mindset was completely different and the way he's acting now, this feels unnatural compared to his previous state. I mean yes, we just met—but he was a stable person and from everything I heard from his thoughts, what his actions have shown, his disinterest in me, and considering that Godric regards him well; he seemed completely sane.

I doubt he grew feelings after one kiss, I was inexperienced and despite the explosive chemistry that I felt and for a moment I wished it was a real kiss borne out of real love-- it could've been good only to me, in my amateur mind.

It's gotta be her, I finally found her, my intended has finally been bor--
I shut his thoughts out afraid to listen to the crazy rabbit hole his mind was heading. Freakishly enough it sounds like he really thinks I'm someone important to him and thought we were intended for each other.

Sweet baby Jesus what is going on?

The only sensible action I can think of is to sit him down and talk him through or out of this.

I faced him hoping to talk some sense into him.

"Jax, when did we meet?" I figured the best approach is to treat him like a child and make him see reason with a series of questions so he could form a more logical thought on his own. Without feeling like I influenc-- wait, is it possible vampires can hypnotize others like what Godric probably did to Leonard? Cause that would make sense. Although it feels like I'm just grasping straws at the moment, making up reasons to explain and define my situation. Besides, I have no idea how to hypnotize... Although he was acting dazed when I looked into his eyes. I may be overthinking things and making up excuses out of thin air. This is what happens when I panic, I need to breathe, I need all my brain power right now.

After a long internal debate, I decided to try my original method first and if that doesn't work I guess I'll try hypnosis on him and tie him down and gag him if I have to. I focused my attention back to Jax and notice him leaning his hip against the island with his arms crossed and his eyebrows raised, trying not to laugh. I was starting to feel that he was secretly laughing at me like I was the crazy-- crazier person.

I sat back on the stool in front of him and although he tried to initiate physical contact, I immediately smacked his hand away and pointed at him to act accordingly hoping he'll sense it in my eyes and on the energy I'm emitting. it's the same maneuver I use on dogs and children and it normally causes them to not only behave but to pay close attention to me without having to dish out a verbal command. Jax raised both hands in surrender with a smirk on his face.