Composer... (Complete)

Chapter 2 (Part 2)

At first he didn't answer but then he said in a small voice. Yes. I thought of the first time I saw him. He came into a diner with five other humans and stayed. It must have been torture for him. Like being in a desert and looking at a gallon of water but couldn't drink it.

"You're not so bad like this. Almost pleasant to talk to. Maybe you have to desensitize yourself. Be around one human and then work your way up."

Volunteering? There was a dark playfulness in his voice.

"I guess." Ok, here I was playing Dr Phil to a vampire. Strangely it sounded interesting.

Then I will be seeing you soon. Oh and thank you...... Casey.

I can't say why hearing him say my name made me happy. Of course since I never actually told him my name it was kinda creepy. But he probably overheard it.

The next day I kept looking around as if he would just pop out from behind a corner at any moment. I went and suffered through chorus practice. Then on my way home as I was stopped at a stop sign before turning up the hill to my house suddenly the door to my car opened. I jumped and screamed but then relaxed as he got in. He managed a tight smile, his tension was up again. "Hi." I managed to say.

Hi.

"No talking today?" I asked wondering why he wouldn't say it.

I have to breath to speak.

"Ok. And breathing is bad?"

When I breath I can smell...

"Oh...I get it. Now what?" The thought that by simply smelling me he might be tempted was a bit nerve racking. (Ok very nerve racking.) He was wearing his contacts again. Part of me wanted to see his eyes as they truly were but then red eyes might be.....well I'll just say it..... Scary as hell.

I don't know. I don't think you being in my home with me alone is a good idea.

I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. I guess I was wondering that myself. "Well, if you can stand it you can come to my house. My mom leaves me alone and there is a door in my room on the top floor."

He looked at me as my car began sputtering from idling so long. "I'll meet you." He said out loud then got out of the car and he took a few steps and in a blur was gone.

"Ok."

I drove nervously up to my house and found my mom as always in the kitchen on her computer. She looked up at me and then stopped her eyes narrowed. "Hi mom."

"Honey what's wrong?" She asked her motherly tone perking up.

I got a can of soda our of the fridge and almost grabbed one for my guest that was probably already up there. Then of course stopped knowing that's not what he drank. "Nothing. I'm fine." I said putting as much of my monotone ‘I don't care' voice as I could.

She looked back to her computer and began typing again. I went upstairs and as soon as I opened my door I felt the rush of the cool air and saw him standing looking at my collection of music. I closed the door behind me and went to the opened glass door to look down for the first time off the balcony. I shivered and closed the door.

"You have eclectic tastes." He said coldly. I shrugged it off as necessary.

"Opera, classic, rock, jazz you name it I like it."

He turned to the piano and trailed his fingers down the edges. "Do you play?"

I shrugged. "Not much. I love the sound of a piano though. It's relaxing. It was here when we moved in I assumed it was the Aden's." Ok here I was actually having small talk. I don't do small talk with humans but I was with a vampire. The irony of that was not lost on me. He sat down on the bench and smiled faintly his fingers splayed across the keys as he began to play. My jaw dropped as he played Tchaikovsky and Mozart. Then he changed to a few newer songs and finally to chop sticks making me laugh under my breath. "You're full of surprises aren't you?"

He looked up at me with an expression of stone. I didn't come too close to him. Not only because I didn't want to push him but because I didn't quite trust him yet. So I sat on the edge of my bed.

This was John's piano. He played it for his daughter and wife.

"I didn't think vampires could have children." I leaned forward my curiosity trying to overrun my common sense.

It's a long story... for another day. I frowned and he arched his eye brow at me. You don't like not knowing do you?

"No. Like I want to know how you can come out in the day and what color your eyes are really? Oh and why you decided to quit human blood. I almost always have questions for things that interest me."

He turned and picked up the music for my solo. I got up automatically. "Hey leave that alone." I tried to grab it from him but he was quicker of course. Then I realized how close I was to him and how tense he was. His eyes wide. I backed away clenching my fists. "Please put that down."

He gazed steadily at me relaxing with every moment then smirked. He smirked at me! Then put the music up on the piano. He began playing the song with accents and flowing like he had played it many times. It's a nice song.

"It's my solo for school." I admitted glumly.

You don't sound happy about it.

I laughed darkly flopping down on my bed again. "I'm not. I hate doing anything in front of anybody. It's bad enough singing in front of the teacher and class but in front of the whole town. It's a nightmare." I jumped, my heart skipping a beat as a loud knock startled me.

"Honey is that you playing?"

I thought quickly. "No I uh....found it on the internet to help me with my solo!" I shouted.

I heard my mother through the door shifting her weight making the floor boards creak. "Oh. Well it's nice. Keep practicing." I heard her pad down the steps I relaxed sighing. I gave him a dry look. He simply met me gaze without a hint of emotion showing.

Maybe I could help you, while you help me.

I cocked my head. "How do you mean?"

I play... you sing... and you get over your problem with spectators while I get over my need to drink your blood.

The casual way he said that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up but I shook it away. It was something I simply had to get over. "You want me to sing in front of you?" Sadly this was scarier than the thought of his teeth on my throat.

If it makes you feel better I already heard you sing. I hunt near here and your voice carries. I swore I heard amusement in his voice.

"That's disturbing."

That I hunt near here or that I heard you sing?

"Right now I think the second is much worse." I admitted.

Not at all.... you have a wonderful voice. I couldn't help but blush. I hated the fact he could make me do that which made me instantly mad at him. Of course I didn't have a real reason to be.... but none the less I was. Unless I have completely forgotten what manners are you're suppose to thank me for the compliment.

"Thank you." I frowned. "I guess. But on one condition."

That is?

"You have to answer my questions."

He thought about it for a moment. One question each day.

I smiled. "Deal."