A heavy sigh escapes Tara's lips. "I can't believe I let you talk me into this."
Slipping into the green, loose-fitting dress she had bought as part of her fortune-teller costume, Sookie grins, "Yeah, like I really had to hold a gun to your head."
"I should just go to Lafayette's Halloween party. It's gotta be hell of a lot better than a lame haunted house."
"Fine. I'll ask Dawn. I'm sure she won't mind hanging out with Jason and me tonight."
"Whatever, I'm still coming," Tara mutters. "But you owe me one."
Sookie retrieves a golden scarf from the closet and wraps the soft material around her head. The sleek piece of fabric actually belongs to her grandmother who had suggested Sookie wear it tonight. Her chandelier earrings add the finishing touches to her attire and she spends the next few minutes applying her makeup.
Finally finished, Sookie studies her reflection in the mirror; she had a choice between dressing as a sexy nurse and an exotic fortune-teller. The latter won out and she couldn't be more pleased with the results.
"Sookie?"
Tara's voice breaks Sookie out of her reverie and she turns around to face her. "What?"
"So is it going to be the three of us or is Jason bringing a date?"
Even though they never talk about it, Sookie is fully aware of her Tara's hopeless crush on her brother. And unlike Tara, Sookie actually believes Jason's ignorance about Tara's feelings is a good thing; she loves her brother but Tara deserves better than someone whose only priority in life is to get laid as much as possible. "I don't think so… but you know Jason."
"When is he picking us up?"
"He's not."
"We have to pick ihim/i up? Why? So he can get hammered while we drive his ass around?"
"Jason's Jason," Sookie replies. "And iyou/i need to realize he's never going to change." Her eyes cast downward, Tara remains uncharacteristically quiet; Sookie regrets her pointed words right away. "We have to leave in a few minutes," she says, hoping to distract Tara from her thoughts.
"Yeah, so?"
"Get ready!"
"I am ready."
Scanning Tara's outfit – her usual tank top and shorts – Sookie reminds her impatiently, "They won't let us into the haunted house without a costume on."
"Oh, they'll let me in. You don't need to worry about that. And for your information, I am dressed up."
"As what?"
"The token black person that always gets killed in horror movies."
Glad to have Tara behaving like her usual disgruntled self, Sookie grins.
****
Much later, watching Jason as he flirts with Bon Temp's version of Paris Hilton whilst Tara simmers with jealousy next to her in the car, Sookie ponders why she ever thought this would be fun. Tara is clearly not having a good time, and although Sookie sympathizes with her, Sookie can't help but feel irritated since Tara is hell-bent on making her miserable too.
Ever since they arrived at the abandoned field located about an hour and a half outside of town, Jason has been making the rounds with the other girls that were hanging around, and Tara hasn't stopped bitching about it for one minute.
"That skank is even skankier than Paris Hilton!" Tara rages, glaring at Jason as he whispers something in the girl's ear. "How the fuck is that possible?"
"I don't know."
"What does he see in her?"
"Besides the big breasts and the long legs?"
"Her tits are fake," Tara points out.
"I don't think Jason cares."
"He's a fucking idiot."
"Yes, he is. So stop wasting your time on him."
Tara turns to her, furious. "Why the hell did you even make me come here?"
"Honestly, Tara, I'm asking myself the same question."
"What? Now you want me to leave?"
"I want you to stop whining about Jason. Open your eyes. You guys are never going to happen!"
"You don't think I'm good enough for him?"
"Did I say that? You need to get over him, Tara."
"That's rich. Real rich. Especially coming from you, Sookie. You're still hung up on a guy who dumped you months ago!"
"Do not bring Bill into this."
"Oh, so you're allowed to tell me to 'get over it'," Tara says snidely, "but you don't wanna hear it from me?"
"Fuck off!" Sookie instantly regrets her harsh words and is about to apologize but Tara is already out of the car and storming away. Chasing after her on foot, Sookie apologizes, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."
"Go to hell!"
"Come back, Tara! At least let me take you home!"
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Tara yells back.
Watching Tara as she disappears into the forest on the other side of the field, Sookie is about to follow suit when someone grabs her wrist.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
Sookie turns around to find Sam standing behind her, giving her a sympathetic look.
"She's pretty pissed, huh?"
"She is," Sookie sighs. "I told her she should give up on Jason."
"Ah, and I guess that didn't go over very well."
"What do you think?"
"Let me go find her," Sam offers.
"I don't know if that's a good idea. She gets really mean when she's mad."
"Don't worry. I know how to handle Tara," Sam smiles. "Hold this for me?" he asks, handing Sookie his wolf mask. "Wouldn't want Tara to think a big, bad wolf is stalking her."
"We both know Tara can handle herself," Sookie replies. "Thanks, Sam."
"No problem. You'll just have to owe me."
Sookie sends him a grateful smile as Sam runs down the same path Tara did earlier.
"Aw, isn't that sweet?"
Sookie recognizes his voice instantly. Leaning against his red convertible parked a few feet away, and towering over everyone else around him, Eric is watching her with his usual suggestive smirk plastered across his face.
Smug bastard.
"Sam?" she replies snidely. "Yeah, he is very sweet."
"And so eager to please. Just like a puppy."
"Better that than an ass."
Eric's smirk transforms into a smile. "Flattery will get you everything."
"Will it make you go away?"
"Only if you get on your knees." His eyebrow arches up. "And beg."
"I'd rather slit my own wrists."
"If you really have a death wish, I could think of a lot more enjoyable ways to go." Hands in his pocket, he approaches her with a slow, deliberate stride. Like a predator stalking its prey.
Eric is dressed in all black, complete with a leather jacket, his blond hair slicked back. His blue eyes, dancing with mischief, appear lighter than usual due to the pale makeup on his face.
He's standing directly in front of her now, annoyingly close, his height forcing her to look up at him at an uncomfortable angle. If it was anyone else she would take a step back, but Eric would interpret that as a show of weakness and there's no way in hell she would give him that satisfaction. "What are you supposed to be, a douchebag?"
"Vampire, actually," he smirks. "And let me guess: you're psychic."
"No, I'm bored."
"Tell me, Sookie. What does fate have in store for me?"
"Prison."
"You just want to see me in handcuffs."
"I don't want to see you at all."
"Liar."
"Not every woman wants you, Eric."
"Impossible," he teases her with an infuriating grin.
"Get over yourself."
"Does the psychic read minds?" Eric leans in closer; his voice drops to a whisper. "Tell me what I'm thinking right now."
Sookie hates the way her stomach flutters anytime he's too close. It must be because he has this intense way of staring at her, as if he can see right into her. "I'm not interested in exploring your thoughts, Eric."
"Just my body?"
"Do girls really like your cocky jackass routine?"
"They love it."
"Your harem must not be very bright."
"Intelligence isn't a requirement to join."
"I'm not surprised."
"You could persuade me to change my mind."
"I don't really care," Sookie fires back.
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
"Fuck off!"
Eric loves to bait her, make her lose her temper, and as hard as she tries not to let him get to her, she always ends up-
Suddenly, Sookie finds herself pushed aside.
"Stay the fuck away from my sister!" Jason rages at Eric, shoving him hard.
"Jason! Leave him alone." Sookie tries to pull Jason away to no avail.
"You don't come near her!" Jason continues.
Eric responds with a taunting smile. "But she likes it when I'm close."
Jason reacts to his words instantly and strikes his fist across Eric's face.
To be continued…