Seth's Mess 6- Pretext

DAY 6- Pretext

“Kailey!” I stirred and then jolted up realizing what day it was. I threw on a sweatshirt and slippers as the morning air rushed into me.

“Coming!” I called as I looked at my clock; 9:46. I burst through the door to catch my mom putting her luggage together in the living room. She had made Hazelnut Cream coffee and the smell was intoxicating. I took it in and then made my way to the yellow couch to keep out of the way.

My mom was stumbling through the house as she always did repeating to herself that she was forgetting something. And she always did.

On her last business trip she forgot her toothbrush, an easy replacement in any town with a Wal*Mart. The trip before she had left behind the second piece to a presentation and had to have it faxed from the office. It was on a weekend so she had to call one of her co-workers to go to her office and do it. One thing after another. She almost never left anything on her way back though.

“Oh good, you're up. I made some coffee for you too.” She took a swig from her mug and looked at the clock. “Your brother will be here in about fifteen minutes. That should give me enough time to get through security at the airport.”

I looked over the bags piling on the couch waiting to be stowed away in my brother's car and then stood to make my way toward the coffee maker and my mug sitting out on the counter. I poured from the pot and added the smallest amount of milk. I liked my coffee dark with lots of sugar, and real sugar at that. None of that fake aspartame for me.

“So, I left the number for me in Tennessee on the fridge okay?”

“I know, I know.” My reply resounded half- hearted and smug because it wasn't like I was address book illiterate and I knew the number would be in my mom's red book with the address, and I also knew that my mother would put cell phone numbers to call if that number couldn't be reached on the fridge slip. In case of an emergency. Please don't let there be an emergency.

My mom gave me a sideways glance. “Don't you back-talk me little missy.” She chuckled as the words came out, letting them lose all effectiveness.

We both took large gulps from our coffees then and just let the moment pass.

“Do you think you will be home tonight?”

“I don't know. I've kind of been avoiding everyone so I might be hunted down viciously before break ends.” I didn't like the way the word 'hunted' came out in the sentence and cringed a little at the sound shrugging it off before it could be noted. “Maybe I should call you instead.”

My mom nodded her head thinking and finally settled. “Alright, but that doesn't give you the freedom to abuse your curfew you know.” She smiled again jokingly.

“Yeah, because I'm such a rebel.” I lifted my eyebrows and smirked playing up my bad- girl role. “You got to watch out for this one.”

My brother came soon after that and I helped load the luggage in the trunk as I finally let the reason this was so different from the business trips sink in. Why now? Not very a very good time, but I was glad I had witnesses to help me hold the tears back. No one likes to cry in front of other people, even family. At least if a tear escaped I could blame it on the subject of the funeral.

I was mostly disappointed in the simplicity of my reasoning. It made so much sense as I hugged my mom goodbye and vowed to call her tonight. But the fact remained that she would be gone while I would be struggling. She wouldn't be there to support me or tell me comforting thoughts against my angst. I would be alone in this.

Seth didn't really seem to qualify for this job considering he would be a big part of my discomfort. My days would be lonely and I knew my nights would be complicated. At least I can sleep in now.

I headed into the kitchen to wash the mugs in silence while I contemplated what I could do with the day. When all the dishes were clean I sat in my huge chair engulfed and picked up the stereo remote. The noise was soothing as I stared off into space occasionally singing along.

A ring disrupted me then. Damn Alexander Graham Bell.

“Hello?” My voice called shaky and I quietly cleared my throat and called out again. “Hello?”

“Hey man!” My friend Rachel responded.

“Rae, how's your vacation going?”

She giggled at my question. “Bad without you! Are you hiding? We need to hang out.”

I spoke to soon. “Oh, definitely. When?”

“Well, what are you doing tonight?” Way too soon.

“Um, I'm kind of busy tonight. But maybe we could go shopping tomorrow?” I was trying to think of daytime options so that I wouldn't have to be straight forward with the fact that I needed my nights free.

“Yeah and then we could always hit up the movies.”

Or not. “Maybe.” An awkward silence followed and the the conversation ended with a reference to school coming too soon. She had that right.

Rae was another of my closer friends who I actually hadn't known that long. We just had a great connection and seemed to be on the same page when it came to most subjects.

We were completely different in appearances though. She had short black hair, usually skewed in a feathered manner. Her eyes very vibrant gold and small features. She had a slender body and was three inches shorter than me. I had tried for a long time to get her to do track with me, but she refused.

Much of the rest of my day was spent waiting for nightfall. I cleaned everything I could get my hands on and was sweeping the porch under the light above the door when he came.

Seth walked slowly out of the woods to let me see him coming and even in the horrible lighting he glowed radiantly. It was then that I remembered I was still in my cleaning clothes. Tattered and grungy I blushed trying not to compare myself to him.

He stopped short giving me a look over, making my face grow more red. “You look lovely.” Seth spoke softly and leaned in to kiss my beaming cheek. It was as if he had read my mind, replying to my inner thoughts.

“Sure.” I walked quickly into the house and spun to give a waiting hand signal to my guest. Inside my room I shucked out of my clothes in a hurry and scrambled in my closet to find some real clothes all the while making a mess. I finally decided on a pair of jeans and a light orange shirt. It was snug as I pulled it over my head, but the fabric was soft on my skin.

“No peeking!” I called before I opened the door and headed into the bathroom to brush my teeth and hair. Emerging from the doorway I saw Seth smiling on the couch with his eyes closed but in my direction. He better not have x- ray vision. “You can look now.” And I smiled back.

In less than a flash Seth was standing right in front of me. “Are you trying to tempt me?”

“Do I really have to try?”

I heard a short chuckle before his reply. “I told you you looked lovely before. Now how should I put this into words?” He waved his hand over the outline of my body and stared at me as if he were actually going to try.

I took a step forward looking straight back and let his arms scan mine. He brought his face down then to stay within a centimeter of my shoulder. I could feel his breath on my skin as it flowed up and down my arm. Seth kissed gently and then brought his face to hover over mine. I could feel his lips draw closer to mine and the coolness of his breath already in my mouth. I began to close the gap but as I did he pulled back and walked over to sit in my chair. I followed and he indicated for me to sit in his lap; I obeyed.

“Kailey?”

“Yes.” I was leaning back into his body so that I could stare up into his confused eyes.

“Never mind.”

“Um, okay?”

Seth fidgeted under me with what I interpreted as frustration in holding back what he wanted to ask me. He gave a big sigh before continuing as I patiently waited, still staring. “Kailey, I don't know what to expect tomorrow.”

“Neither do I but we will get through it... together.” His eyes evaded mine as they grew wider. I knew he hated the fact that I was going with him, but I wasn't going to let him forget it.

In the next minute Seth had made his way to stand in front of me while I remained sitting, jostled. “I don't want you to go-”

A hand flew over my mouth and I was given a stern look before he continued. “But I know that that is not possible now. I just worry about what the possibilities of tomorrow might be and most of them are very painful to only imagine. I don't want them to come true.”

Seth leaned in close and removed his hand to bring his face to my neck line. “I worry...” The words soft again, holding some new emotion in his voice that I couldn't intemperate.

“I know you do, but I do too. I worry about a lot of things.” Seth's eyes were intent in mine. “I worry about who will be there, how to act... what to wear.” I raised an eyebrow and he chuckled pulling me into a hug.

“Do you worry about your life? Or is that at the bottom of the list under your nail polish color?” I tried to decipher if he was serious or not before I chose my answer.

My index finger bopped his nose. “It's right above my hair style actually.”

“Well, that's good to know.” His hand played with the golden strands hanging down to frame my face taking them in to smell the cherry blossom fragrance.

A deep exhale came from his throat. “You are simply intoxicating.”

“Um, it's shampoo. I think just about anyone could buy it.”

He laughed out loud and pulled me off of the chair still in his arms to sit me on the floor across from him. “People have distinctive smells. Your shampoo only adds some flavor to that smell. I like your smell, not the shampoo.” He waited a moment to make sure I understood what he was telling me.

“So, I have a constant natural scent that flows off me that only you can smell?”

He corrected. “That only vampires can smell.” I winced a little realizing that that might have consequences.

I thought about how to choose my wording as to not sound scared of what the answer might be. “So, exactly how intoxicating am I?”

“Now you understand why I'm so worried.” And I got the skeptical eyes. “But I don't know if it's the same for everyone though.”

I nodded letting the issue of my being appealing in more ways than one drop.

But Seth seemed to take the opportunity to a new level pulling himself smoothly towards me until he was on his hands and knees over my body... sniffing.

His nose went all over my hair, face, and neck making it's way to my chest. “Seth!”

His eyes flashed up wild and his grin menacing. He gave a low growling noise and brought his lips to just touch my skin under my collarbone. I gave a small gasp at the temperature of his lips which seemed to warm instantly. Seth chuckled at the noise and nipped at my jawline. I gripped his hair to hold him still as I gave a quick kiss and then released.

Seth raised his eyebrows amused and then pulled my body up from the floor to be pressed firmly against his as he slowly stood. “Get your coat. We are going out.”

I ran to grab my jacket and pulled in on on the way out the door feeling for the keys inside the pocket. When I was sure that they were there I locked the first lock ignoring the deadbolt.

Seth was already standing at the edge of my drive way when I made it to the first step. “Hop on.”

“What?” But all I got in return was an eye rolling before he slung me up over to ride on his back. I was strangely comfortable as he took off at amazing speed down the road. The breeze was cold and I kept my eyes closed until I felt a change in the scenery. When I looked around I realized that my surroundings were black though I could still feel us moving. The scent of pine was all that could give away the fact that we were in the woods.

I carefully tucked myself into Seth's back a little more and held tighter. He gave another laugh at my worries of self- preservation and gave a leap back out into the open. The stop was smooth at a tremendous speed and I was on my feet wobbling in no time.

“We have to walk over the bridge. It's too crowded to run.” I realized that we were at the end of the only bridge to the island when Seth pulled me by my hand. He stood closer to the road keeping me against the railing.

I looked up at him noticing the playful smile he was sending back. “Enjoy your run?”

A graceful nod was planted in my direction. “Did you?”

“Sure.” And truthfully I had. It was exhilarating, I wanted that speed.

“Let's go then.” We had made it to the end of the bridge and we were flying again through the pitch black darkness. This time I was a little more relaxed, letting my body slump against Seth's instead of perching rigidly.

When we made it to town Seth grabbed for my hand again and I let him. The smile staying strong on his face.

“Where are we going?”

“You'll see.” I was lead passed the shops and hotels in the town until we reached the beach where we had been only two nights ago.

I took a step away from Seth making my way to the edge of the water. Suddenly, his hands were on my face and he was in front of me. He kissed me earnestly holding me in place as I wrapped my arms around his neck. My breathing became shallow and quick as Seth moved his hands to either side on my hips, pulling his mouth from mine.

“There.” It seemed like there was something I wasn't getting as he spoke under his breath to himself.

I looked into his eyes waiting, but no explanation came. “You brought me all the way across town just so you could kiss me?”

“I told you but you don't seem to want to listen.” Another deep sigh and he pulled back a little further. “You incapacitate me. I needed the fresh air.”

I'm that good? “Wow. I think I'm flattered.”

“You should be.” He smiled even wider and kissed just under my left ear making my knees want to buckle. I gripped his hair harshly and his fingers were momentarily idle in response. “You are trying to temp me aren't you?”

I giggled and pulled on his shirt to draw him back into me.

But then he was gone. Ripped from my grasp he was nowhere in my sight, which wasn't much. “Seth?”

A hand clamped over my mouth with more force than was needed and he whispered for me to be silent as he pressed his body against mine gripping around my waist. I had been moved under the pier with my mouth still covered. He let me slowly pry his hand off my face and I moved only in the slightest so that I could see his face. It's bad when scary things get scared.

I wanted to call to him or ask what was going on but knew I would only make things worse. He stared off into the darkness away from us after glancing down at me for the briefest of moments.

“Stay here.” The words would have been inaudible if he hadn't brought his mouth right up to my ear. And then he left me again. Though I figured he was still close I felt a surge fear and anxiety run through me. He had left me in the dark with something else lurking.

A painful yelp sounded in the dark of the trees to my right and I clasped my own hand over my mouth to keep silent even though I knew the voice wasn't Seth's.

“God dammit!” That was Seth. And then he and Jason emerged through the trees. Jason in a headlock. “What the hell are you doing here?”

“I told you guys that we were keeping tabs on you.” Jason spoke comfortably in a matter- of- fact tone though still held tight in Seth's grip.

Seth gave another low growl this time more hostile. “So, you were just enjoying the show?”

“Pretty much.” Wrong answer. A gagging sound came as Seth pulled tighter.

I jumped out towards them. “Seth... come on.”

He stared at me blankly giving another quick squeeze before releasing Jason from his grasp. Jason started breathing again and straightened his position, brushing himself off.

Seth glared at him as he walked over to me. “Thank you.”

“You realize I can't always be there to stop him though?” I knew if I hadn't intervened that things would have gotten a lot worse and I wanted Jason to recognize that as well.

“Oh, I know.” And he smiled as if he felt no threat.

“Let's go.” I was in the air before I could even think to reply and back on the ground halfway across town before I could comprehend we had left. An annoyed look covered Seth's face as he spun around apparently thinking.“I don't like him hanging around all the time.”

I sighed but kept it quiet knowing he would still hear.

“Are you indicating that you don't mind?”

“Not really. I mean-” Raised eyebrows. “It's more like secret service that anything. He could get information or a good look at someone who might have something to do with you.”

Seth's voice was harsh. “Like you?”

“No, not like me.”

Seth kept his eyes on me as he paced in front of someone's driveway. “I still don't like it. He looks at you.”

You have got to be kidding me. “So do you.”

“More than I should let him.”

I started to walk in the opposite direction as Seth not sure where I was going because I wasn't sure where I was. He placed his hand gently in mine to try and slow me but I continued on regardless.

“Kailey?” His voice pleaded and I knew it would be hard to resist him. “Kailey, stop please.” My feet staggered at the sound of his voice and I was thankful that I couldn't see into his gorgeous eyes.

“Stop.” His lips were against my ear causing a reaction that I couldn't hide in my surprise. I almost tripped over my feet in my sudden halt giving a quick and high pitched yelp. Seth obviously found this amusing and let me know with a soft chuckle just as close. “Did I startle you?”

“As if you couldn't tell.” I tried to make my words sound smug but failed horribly.

I knew I was being carried again when the breeze hit my face. Feeling too tired to fight back I acknowledged defeat. “Open your eyes.”

I was laying on the top of my bed with Seth hovering over me, eyes staring down intently. “I was going to let you sleep but was selfish and wanted to enjoy your company while I could.” I felt too baffled to form a coherent sentence and didn't feel the need to add the embarrassment of trying. “Are you mad?”

The nod of my head signed 'no.'

“Than what?”

“I am...” I looked at my ceiling pondering the best fitting word to use. “Baffled. And anxious.”

Seth sat up in a relaxed position and I followed. “About tomorrow?”

I nodded yes.

We both just let the moment pass in silence knowing there wasn't much we could really do about it.

“Then I think I have some explaining to do.” My eyes showed both confusion and angst. I hadn't thought that he had been keeping anything from me on the matter. If he had, I wanted to hear it before I lost my temper.

Seth sighed and continued. “That night when I told you I met a man; the one who told me to meet him. He told me he knew about the both of us. He knew what happened.” Seth stared intensely at me trying to make sure I was understanding what incident the man knew about. That he knew Seth had fed.

I stared right back. We had gone over this part before and I wanted to know more.

“He also knew some other things... like the fact that you may choose not to come, that you might be preoccupied...” His words were almost inaudible at this point.

My mouth moved to form the words but no sound was admitted. How could he... What did they do? It was only natural for me to now realize that no one had told me the nature of my grandmother's death.

Another breath in and I found my voice once again. “You think they didn't want me coming along?”

“Could be.” Seth pulled me into a hug on his lap.“I am so sorry. “Let's not argue about this.” I didn't want him to feel the guilt that I knew he did, but could afford less to waste time telling him so.

Back on topic. “Bottom line: be on my guard.”

Seth was unhappy with this I could tell, but he knew there wasn't a chance I was staying home for many reasons. “I guess.” He laid down with me once more, closing his eyes and pulling me into him.

Pushing away his eyes flashed open again. I turned off the light and slid back into the right position as he pulled the covers over me. A final turn was made on my part so that I could watch the peacefulness in his face.

He breathed shallowly and brought his face slowly closer to mine until we embraced ourselves in a kiss. After a solid moment he pulled away and whispered to me. I couldn't hear a thing but caught the movement in his lips.

“I will protect you even in my sleep...”