Promises

a waiter approached them as soon as they walked in. Hailie was shocked when he started talking to Bryan.

"Good evening Mr Bryan, a table in the back?"

Bryan smiled and answered:" not this time Matt, I'm on a date tonight. VIP please."

The waiter nodded and led them toward the second floor. There were tables with a private curtain around them which made Hailie feel like a special person.

They chose a table at the back and Bryan pulled a chair out for Hailie with a gorgeous smile. Hailie couldn't stop herself from blushing and she could already feel Bryan smirking. "Stupid face-blood veins!" she thought.

" But I like them strawberry, they make you look more like your nickname," Bryan said as he was sitting down.

Hailie looked at him with wide eyes. she could swear she didn't say that out loud. Bryan chuckled at her expression:" no you didn't say it aloud. I told you I've got superpowers."

Hailie was too busy with the fact that he chuckled to pay attention to what he said. and she will never admit it but she found it quite cute.

"So what would you two lovebirds like to have tonight?" The waiter said looking at them. Hailie was shocked that she hadn't noticed his presence by now.

Bryan looked at Hailie and found her zoned out again, so he ordered their food. when Matt went away Hailie started talking:" I thought you said this wasn't a real date."

Bryan's smile faded:" yes I did. and before you continue with your questions, I have a good reason for all of this."

" Then tell me!" Hailie said with exhaustion.

Bryan frowned and took a deep breath:" Don't interrupt me again strawberry, even my patience comes to an end."

Hailie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, waiting for him to continue.

Bryan smirked and continued:" first of all, I brought you here because there is some stuff we need to discuss before I take you to the place I promised to you last night. and I trust this place's privacy."

Hailie remained silent.

" I can't just take you there with no reason to trust you. There are other people there, and for god's sake, you're the sheriff's daughter, there are a million reasons that I shouldn't do this. But for a few reasons, that I can't tell you right now, I am trusting you and going to show you what we really are. Now, there is a catch. You know so well that there is a price for anything, don't you?"

Hailie just nodded her head. she couldn't trust her voice not to crack. How did he even know about that?

"I need to introduce you as someone close to me, but the people there know I don't have a girl in my family. that's why I need you to "play" my girlfriend in front of them. And apparently, you and your friend are close to some of us, so I told your friends I'm going to ask you out. and because I knew Sadie will convince Walter to follow us, I brought you here."

Bryan stopped and looked at Hailie. Hailie was still processing everything he said. how could he plan all of this? how did he know Sadie would follow them? she had so many questions.

" Not to interrupt your thinking session, but Matt is going to be here with our food in a minute and you look like I just punched you in the face. and we are supposed to be on a date. Smile for five minutes then go back to being a sour strawberry." Bryan said with an amused smile.

Hailie's mouth twitched up in a smile and before she knew it Matt was there with their food. Just as Bryan said.

Matt placed the places in front of them with a smile:" I hope you enjoy it. I'll be in the back if you needed anything." and went away, closing the curtain behind him.

" Why should we act like a couple in front of him?"

"He is one of us." was all Bryan said eating his food.

Hailie was so confused. who is " us"? how did he know Matt was coming? she had so many questions and all Bryan would do was adding more to them with his short answers. But acting angry and confronting him didn't help her so far, so she decided to try something new.

She took a deep breath and said:" Look, I understand you're risking a lot by just telling me about this stuff. and I really appreciate you trusting me. the thing is, I really hate unsolved things and questions, blame my father for that, and this is really bothering me. I don't know what is the price, but I'm willing to pay it to get the answers." She added a sweet smile at the end and picked up her fork to eat as she was waiting for Bryan to answer.

Bryan was silent for a brief moment. He looked into Hailie's eyes as if he was searching for something, then he nodded:" Now you're the kind of strawberry that I like. I can't answer all of your questions, and I cant tell you what is the price now. Are you still willing to know?"

Hailie nodded and put her fork down.

Bryan took a deep breath and continued:" We are not what the government says we are, and we are not a bunch of kids playing with fireworks." He paused. Giving Hailie a knowing look." We have a purpose, we have a plan. What you should know right now is that you are not alone. We are just like you. We can do special things. Just like you."

Hailie was mesmerized. There were others? She was not a freak?

" We still don't know your powers and what you are capable of. But we can find out if you are willing to know and help us. I will take you to the others, but as I said earlier, you are going to be known as my girlfriend. Otherwise, people won't accept you as one of them and everything could get real ugly real fast. Once you are in, there is no way out."

"Show me." That was all Hailie said. Her voice was so stern that it even shocked her.

Bryan smiled, a real one this time, and stood up." Let's go then, my lady."