Night Life

[stormy]

I can't believe I forgot to call!.. I've been here over two hours, she knew I was almost here last time we spoke... Ugh!!! She's probable called Fifty times by now >.< ' The thoughts ran through Destiny's head as she headed down the unforgettable stairs that had already left an impression on her. Literally.
As the thoughts continued it helped to busy her mind and keep her focus off of any remaining pain from her recent fall. Her hands were still searching her pockets as she periodically ran her hands through her loose hair in a busy body kind of frustration.
On one had there was a plus side to being aggravated at herself, her mind was too busy focusing on the problem she had caused herself to realize that the pain in fact had not completely subsided after all. On the other hand she didn't even notice that, like she usually did when annoyed, she was mumbling to herself as she continued down the stairs. But worst, she wasn't looking up since she was searching her pockets pointlessly and watching the notorious steps as well so they wouldn't take her down a second time in one night.
So before she realized anyone or anything was even there, Destiny ran smack into someone, or something. A natural low yelp of surprise escaped her throat as Destiny jumped a step back and raised her eyes to see what she had unintentionally tried running over.
She quickly confirmed it was a who rather than a what that she had encountered. Without looking she would not have been sure otherwise considering the solid 'no give' compact. Luckily though a bag of towels being carried had soften the blow and kept her from plowing into what looked like a laptop.
'Sorry about that .' Destiny said as she held a hand out ready to try catching anything that might fall from the stranger's loaded arms. Looking up her eyes drank in a face she could only describe as perfection. Not even a model could compare to the beauty, and her brain seemed to be having a hard time computing this as her lungs momentarily forgot how to work as well.
Under normal, clear thinking, circumstances Destiny would have been very annoyed with herself at this point over such a reaction. But there she was, practically frozen as she stared into that face of perfection. There was no better description, and that's what was puzzling her brain. How could anyone look that good & perfect. How could she not form a better descriptor than something like, 'Oh he's just .. perfect..'
Godlike?? the suggestion scanned through her mind..

[Serena]

Andrew, what is wrong with you? You could have avoided this. You heard her coming. You heard her frustrated mumbling, you heard her torturous heartbeat whispering in your ear, and you even saw her coming! You could have avoided that collision and began to put into effect the mysterious creepy recluse artist who wears dark clothing persona. Why didn't you?! He berated himself as he listened to the human he had gone out into the storm to escape.
'Sorry about that.' he heard her say and watched as she held out her hand to catch anything that their impact might have loosened, and wondered if his ears had actually twitched at the sound of her voice. That's nice. I've seen people just stand there dumbstruck and let things fall. It's nice to finally see someone be helpful for a change even if it is unnecessary. he thought as he watched her finally getting a look at him and react as he had seen so many humans do before.
Hmm...she's not breathing. Lets see how long that lasts. he thought idly as he finally took in the sight of the human who's heartbeat and voice would not leave him in peace.
Andrew had to admit that this human was very pretty. He was immediately taken with her long dark brown hair. He cursed his advanced mind as it produced the image of him running his fingers through the long tresses and pulling them to his nose to smell her scent. His eyes took in her height and found that it pleased him. Wouldn't have to reach too far to capture those lips.. the thought whispered through his mind as he admired her nose piercing and wondered how long she had had it. Her eyes captured his attention last and he knew immediately that they would haunt him just as her voice and heartbeat did. His sharp eyes shifted from the blue outline, to the sea of green, and finally to the gold near her pupils, and then took the circuit once again and wondered what those colors would look like when her eyes flashed with emotion.
He blinked in an attempt to escape her fascinating eyes and took a breath, finally realizing that he had stopping breathing himself as he explored her eyes. She smelled nice. He couldn't put a name to her scent but he was sure that it would come to him sometime that night.
"That's okay. It was my fault as well." he replied as he found himself traveling her eyes again and unconsciously listening to the rhythm of her heartbeat.

[stormy]

"That's okay. It was my fault as well.".. A voice as beautiful as the face that had frozen her entire body caressed her ear. Her eye lids drifted closed in a day dreamy fashion rather than to blink as her lungs pulled in a sweet scent out of necessity rather than in its regular everyday function.
The restart of her breathing nearly made her jump slightly as her eyes tightened shut, her head shook slightly and she mentally tried regaining control of her own brain and reaction.
What the hell?.. the thought trolled through her mind before she tried opening her eyes again to glance at the guy before her.
She was pretty sure he was a guy anyways.. To be honest the past few seconds were a kind of blurred “duhhhhh” moment. Not something she wished to repeat.
“Hmm ?..” she questioned with a simple sound rather than words as she used most of her will power to keep herself from spinning off into oblivion once again. It was like as she looked at his face, yes she was sure now it was a guy, her brain went into automatic dreamy mode.. Not something she was –at all- used to, and once given the chance to reflect on this, it would be something to annoy her..
And then his sweet voice registered as words rather than just a melody and Destiny was able to form an actual response. “Oh.. No .” she said with a shake of her head. “Your arms are full.” Destiny said as her eyes ran from his face to scan over his current bundle of items in an attempt to not get pulled under what she could only describe as a spell at the moment. She was surprised that not only had nothing fallen, but that the arm load of items seemed to not be bothering him at all to hold as the time passed on. “I was a bit distracted, and not watching where I was going ^.^ “ she explained as she chanced another look towards his face .
If the dreamy affect coming over her from seeing his face wasn’t enough on it’s own, the sweet scent filling her lungs with each breath was plenty to complete the mental distraction if she wasn’t careful with her eyes & her focus.
I wonder if my sugar is low ? she considered mentally as she tried recalling the last time she ate..

[Serena]

Andrew watched in fascination as the beauty before him closed her eyes in a dreamy fashion at the sound of his voice.  It was expected but it was still nice to know that his voice might effect her as much hers was effecting him.
I wonder what I smell like to her. he wondered as he watched her finally take a breath and then cracked a tiny smile in amusement as she seemed to have a small mental fight with herself.  Perhaps she's fighting the effects I have on her.  It would definitely be a first.
Hmm?.. he heard her question and thought that might be proof of the little mental fight he just witnessed.  “Oh.. No.” he heard her finally respond to his reply and watched her shake her head, his eyes following the minute sway of her long hair.  "Your arms are full.  I was a bit distracted, and not watching where I was going.” he listened to her explain as she looked at his face again.
"Ah..but I wasn't distracted, so I have no excuse." he countered with a slightly larger smile then his last one, and immediately wondered what he was doing.
He needed to end this encounter and finish unloading his trunk so he could spend the rest of the night getting his new home up to his standards.  Besides, he did not need to be getting anymore attached to this girl then he already was.
"Well I'm sure you were distracted for a reason so I'll let you get back to wherever you were headed, so I can drop this off and head back out to my trunk for more." he said calmly as he glanced back toward the parking lot where it was still raining.

[stormy]

Yeah.. Low sugar… That’s gotta be it . her mind tried reassuring her. But as his voice filled the space she felt that pull yet again. "Ah..but I wasn't distracted, so I have no excuse." she heard him counter. It was as if his voice reached out to her to lift her face, pulling her eyes from the bundle of items within his arms to a smile gracing a pair of beautiful lips.
“Well I'm sure you were distracted for a reason so I'll let you get back to wherever you were headed, so I can drop this off and head back out to my trunk for more." the words reached her in a dreamy tone once again as Destiny saw him glance toward the parking lot. FOCUS . she demanded of herself as soon as his eyes had freed her. Ok.. Breath .. she told herself as she stretched her arms downward beside her and flexed her fingers in an attempt to keep her focus. Maybe breathing wasn’t the best idea ? she considered as an intoxicating scent met her lungs. It had started sweet, but was growing stronger as they stood in that slightly confined area. Could that be him? she wondered as her eyes followed the direction of his.
“Well, I suppose if you weren’t distracted, then it is all your fault .” She said with a shrug as she stepped to place herself against the wall so he could pass by her up the stairway. “But.. I guess I don’t exactly have to hold it against you .” she added as she crossed her arms in front of her chest and tilted her head to glanced at him sideways. “And… I suppose since I’ve held you up, I could help carry some of that you have or what’s left in your trunk.” She said on a tone of consideration as though it were a thought rather than a statement. “What apartment are you headed to?” she asked as she glanced at the steps. She wasn’t fond of those things, but considering she was living on the top floor she knew they’d be seeing a lot of each other.
psst… what about calling mom ? the thought ran through her head as though to remind her of her mission.. well… she’s waited this long. Destiny considered. I wouldn’t really feel right knowing after running into him I just left him to the rain and these stairs all alone.. she considered to herself. But he ran into you.. How do you know it’s not some crazy guy scam to get you to follow him so he can kidnap you or something ? I mean look at all that stuff. It has to be fake or something, he’s not even shifted his weight while he’s been standing there or anything .. The warning system within her own mind brought out a light laugh from Destiny. Really ?.. These are the things I come up with? she questioned herself, though knowing anything was possible and there was always a chance it could actually be true. But living life scared never got you anywhere right . So if he’s a psycho, I’ll poke him in the eye she assured herself with a half joking tone, knowing that her karate skills might not be perfect, but could definitely do some damage if needed .

[Serena]

“Well, I suppose if you weren’t distracted, then it is all your fault."  he heard her say with a shrug and looked back in her direction to see her moving away from the stairs.  “But.. I guess I don’t exactly have to hold it against you."  he heard her add and watched the motion of her arms crossing over her chest and the slight movement of her head as she glanced his way.  He could not help but smile a little at her words even though he was still weary.
Perhaps she's not really human with the way she draws my attention.  he considered as he forced his eyes to stop following her every movement.  No, she's human.  Her reaction to me and her heartbeat are proof of that.  he assured himself just before the little human before him spoke again.
“And… I suppose since I’ve held you up, I could help carry some of that you have or what’s left in your trunk.  What apartment are you headed to?”  he heard her ask and his mind went momentarily blank as her words registered.
This human female whose heartbeat and voice were haunting him had just offered to help him carry his things up to his apartment.  She wanted to know where he lived.
This was bad.
Do I accept her help or refuse?  Having her in my apartment would mean having her scent there long after she left.  Not to mention if she helps it would take so much longer to get everything up all these stairs since I'll have to go at a human pace.  he considered as he looked up the flight of stairs.  If I allow this will she notice the lack of food in my apartment?  But then why would she?  There's no reason for her to go through my refrigerator or cabinets, and she just moved in herself so whose to say she and her friend have any food themselves.  But then that could lead to problems as well.  They could order food and end up inviting me over.  Then I would have to worry about accepting or refusing and all the problems attached to each option.  the thought passed through his mind quickly as he looked down to the bag of towels, art supplies, and laptop in his arms.
Andrew Dawn! Snap out of it! Who cares what she would think if you refused her offer of dinner!  She is nothing more then a human female who has offered you a helping hand nothing more.  Accept or refuse and be done with it! Stop thinking so much before you start thinking and even speaking in another language!  he berated himself as he looked back to the female in front of him.
"Here,"  he said as he carefully handed her the load in his arms, confident that it wasn't too heavy for her.  "I live on the top floor.  And I just moved in today so there's a lot waiting in my trunk."  he said as he glanced back outside and noticed that it wasn't raining as hard.  "How about you start making your way up while I run back out there and grab some more?  Then I'll meet you up there and let you in to relieve your arms.  How does that sound?"  he asked as he back away toward the exit, and suddenly realized that he had forgotten about something very important that should have been the first thing he worried about.
He had forgotten about his reaction to her blood.  He had been so focused on her eyes and every movement that she made that he had not considered the liquid that her heartbeat was pushing through her thin veins and what would happen if he was alone with it in his apartment. Behind a closed door.
Maybe I should have refused.  he thought slowly as he awaited her answer.

[stormy]

"Here," Destiny heard him say as he came forward to place his items in her arms. "I live on the top floor. And I just moved in today so there's a lot waiting in my trunk." She listened as her eyes trailed up the stairway. Top floor … the words whispered through her mind as his voice reached her again. "How about you start making your way up while I run back out there and grab some more? Then I'll meet you up there and let you in to relieve your arms. How does that sound?" she heard him ask as she gauged the weight within her arms.
“Sounds like a plan .” she answered as she turned to face her only enemy in this big new city. Her own stairs .. She considered what Josh had mentioned earlier, the fact that there were only two apartments on her floor. So was this who Jenni had seen earlier when she’d stepped into the hallway to go to Josh’s apartment?? Considering his affect on her she could easily believe it. Perhaps if not him it was a friend or brother? If it was a friend or brother were they as attractive? Or even more attractive ?.. The last two words floated through her mind on a not of aww. I really don’t see how unless it’s like a family or group of scientifically engineered perfect humans or models. Something Vanity Fair came up with to keep their pages full of beautiful faces.. [i]He’s even prettier.. They would go to modeling war for that face.. she considered. and think of all the time saved with no photo shopping being needed. her thoughts added with a small grin as she reminded herself that she really needed to be focusing more on her steps and not his face. That’s a distraction I don’t need right now! she tried telling herself as she continued up one step at a time.
The items weren’t that heavy, she was carrying mostly towels, she easily saw a laptop, and there was a bag of items being held by her right that she wasn’t sure what it contained due to the large fluffy towels she could easily imagine wrapping herself in after pulling from the dryer. I need some towels like this . she thought with a sigh as the image of a nice hot bubble bath ran through her mind. Again, the items weren’t very heavy, but her slight aches from her earlier fall still made it slightly annoying. Suck it up girl. she told herself as she reached the top floor and picked a spot on the wall to lean against as she waited, allowing her head to arch back and rest against the wall as well as her eyes drifted shut.
You should be calling Mom right now... She gonna be ranting and raving by the time she hears from you..... And now you have to go alllll the way back down stairs... the voice reminded her of a tatling brother or sister as she shrugged her shoulders at herself. 'I don't want to call her anyways.' she whispered on a sigh knowing that that ranting a raving part was going to be so true. Maybe by tomorrow she'll have calmed down about my not calling right away ?. Doubtful...

[Serena]

“Sounds like a plan.” The words pulled Andrew from his worrying thoughts. He blinked and watched her begin to make her way up the stairs. The sound of her light foot steps slowly fading the further up she got, but the loud sound of her heartbeat was as strong as ever.
Escape! the thought streaked through his mind as he thought he heard the sound of her blood gushing through her veins. As he rain out into the light rain he knew that the sound had been nothing more then his imagination playing on his fears of what he could possibly do to the little human once he got her behind closed doors.
Get a hold of yourself! You have control. Use it! You've been using it ever since that 'incident' all those years ago, so there's no reason you can't use it in this unusual circumstance. he berated himself and the thought of that incident sobered and calmed him faster then anything else would or could have. He would make sure the little human waiting for him did not end up like those thugs that were the cause of his mothers death and the indirect cause of him being what he now was.
I'll be fine as long as I don't see or smell her blood. he reassured himself as he reached his car trunk.
He pulled out his keys, unlocked the trunk and pulled out his black hamper as he stuffed his keys back in his pocket. He placed his sheets, blankets, and curtains inside and grabbed the bags of pillows. He shut his trunk, picked up the hamper and made his way back inside the building, the haunting heartbeat immediately found his ears. He quickly and quietly made his way up the flights of stairs , and saw the owner of the heartbeat leaning against a wall.
"I hope I didn't take too long." He said with a calm smile as he walked over to his door. Placing the hamper on the floor he fished out his keys and unlocked his apartment, his bags of pillows hanging from a wrist. He opened the door wide and stepped back. "Ladies first." He declared as he picked up the hamper.

[stormy]

Destiny was taking in slow deep breaths as she tried relaxing against the wall. Between her returning aches - just strong enough so far to be annoying, and the continued irritation that she had with herself for having forgotten to call her mother right away, relaxing didn’t seem to be an easy option at the moment. I wonder what his name is .. she considered as she tried distracting herself from the thoughts going through her head of what awaited her on her missed calls and the for certain awaiting phone messages. I’m standing by some strangers door, with his towels & laptop, possibly about to go inside his apartment, and I don’t even know his name .. the fact of the statement went through her mind on a curious note. Well, you did offer to help… a part of her pointed out. Yes, and I should have.. she confirmed. She couldn’t help but wonder at times like that if ‘everyone’ had personal conversations with themselves. Why is going in the apartment only ‘possible’ ?? a side of her wondered as her thoughts went over options – possibly as an optional escape plan if she felt it was unsafe to go in, or if he didn’t seem ok with that option himself. Well,… he’s just moving in . He might not want anyone inside if there is a mess.. she considered. I could just wait at the door and hand him his stuff once he puts down what he ran to.. "I hope I didn't take too long." A calm dreamy voice pulled her eyes open to see that same beautiful face she’d seen moments ago . Wow, he really is ‘that’ beautiful huh .. her thoughts floated around on a daydreamish note as her eyes zoned in on his smile and perfectly smoothed lips. A slight blush came to her cheeks as an image of her fingers gliding along their smooth surface played through her mind.
Destiny nearly rolled her eyes at herself for such a thought. What are you doing ?! she berated herself as she became thankful, though also slightly dissapointed when her view of his face was affected as he faced the door, set down the hamper within his arms down, and proceeded to unlock the door. Destiny- No more thoughts like that! and don’t start going all fuzzy brained! You need to eat when you get back to your apartment. she demamnded to herself as the curriosity of if they even had any food ran through her mind. "Ladies first." she heard him say as he stepped back from the now open doorway.
‘Oh.. Thanks’ Destiny said with a smile as she saw him picking his loaded hamper back up. She peaked around the door frame as she turned her body to walk through its threshold. What are you doing ? Looking for an ambush, or another beautiful face to stare at? There was exasperated note as she pictured herself rolling her eyes along with the tone she heard flittering through her mind. Just looking .. she answered herself on a shrugging note as she stepped inside.
Right away she noticed that the floor plan looked very similar to the apartment she was now sharing with her friend. Though she could tell right away she preferred the white walls his apartment had over the grey their walls reflected back. The idea of asking what the rules were on painting their walls ran through her mind, but Destiny was pretty sure she couldn’t go with anything like teal or purple though so she’d probably not bother…