*Sweet Disposition* [JackLex/Nick]

Her first instinct was to scream, or run, or maybe both. She hadn't expected there to be a response, or at least she hoped there wouldn't be. Her mind had told her it was the fading evening light, but Clara knew better. She was attentive and observant, and whenever anything seemed to bother her she would check it out immediately. Well now there's a man standing right in front of you, good luck dealing with that.

The angel was mad at herself for not having taken Mason with her. Despite him being two years her junior, her was still taller than Clara and built like their father. He would have the stranger on his knees in a second, but no, she decided to venture off alone. Idiot

As she planned escape routes, it took her a moment to realize that she wasn't listening to a thing the man was saying. He's not going to hurt me? Obviously the brown haired angel was calmed at that sudden remark, but stood confused as to why he even said it in the first place. Maybe because your eyes are literally falling out of their sockets? Her mind was right, she looked scared beyond belief and there was no reason to be. She was home with her entire family still awake inside. If she screamed for help, she'd get it.

Relaxing her tense body, Clara almost laughed at the man's remark. Am I real? He had to be joking. She took a couple of steps forward to meet the strangers gaze. Something about him seemed mysterious, and yet inviting. His clothes looked as if he had been through a lot, the jacket ripped along his shoulder. How long has he been traveling? Her mind pondered over the thought while she continued to take in his features. He had beautiful curly hair, and a handsome face to say the least. She kept herself from blushing, there was no need for her to let her guard down. He was a stranger after all.

Brushing the right side of her hair behind her ears with her gloved hand the angel spoke, "Yes. I am indeed very real." The statement itself made her want to laugh but she kept her composure. "May I ask why is it that you're hiding in trees behind my house? I must say, it's a bit creepy.

The playful nature of her voice was sure to keep the mood light and fun. No need to be rude to someone who looked at if he'd been through hell and back. A breeze blew by tousling her hair and making the lower part of her dress dance around her knees, the sequence was sure to be sparkling in the moonlight.

Taking her crystal blue eyes, she locked them to the stranger's own brown ones and smirked, "I also wouldn't mind knowing your name. Just in case this entire situation is a figment of my imagination."

It was a bit too bizarre to be real.

A faint pink blush spread across the angel's cheeks when the stranger called her stunning. She wasn't necessarily swept off her feet because of the remark, but because it was definitely a thought he had accidentally shared. Clara was very used to people being taken aback by her looks, but his genuine little slip up was enough to make her want to laugh. Poor thing. His embarrassed smile was enough to keep her interested. No reason to throw him under the bus yet.

It was no surprise when the angel could hear the man approaching from behind the house; the sound of snow crunching was music to her ears. She knew that he wouldn't want to confront an eighteen year old's father, and plus, why would he deny a nice warm bed to rest in? If he does I will literally be shocked.

Standing on her porch she waited for him to join her. The blue-eyed beauty was nevertheless surprised to hear him deny the offer. He must be out of his mind. For one thing town wasn't as close as he was assuming. The Ryder's lived in the middle of the forest, outside of town which was restricted to civilians. Her father's job alone was what allowed the family to leave worry free in the restricted area. For the curly haired man to walk all the way to the square would take close to half an hour, and by then Clara was sure he would be frozen solid.

As she was about to object to his decision she was stunned when he shared his name with her. Nick It was a lovely name to say the least, and in a way Clara felt comforted knowing he trusted her enough to share it with her. It had only been moments ago when he refused to let her know his name, and now here he was, denying her offer of a warm bed, and spilling personal information. This man is completely boggling my mind. Indeed, the pale faced girl was at a loss for words.

She stared at him noticing how attractive and mysterious he was. It would kill her to watch him go, so she tried the best she could to persuade him. "Nick, please do reconsider. It'll take you ages to get to town from here, and it wouldn't be burdensome at all to have you spend the night here. My parents are very generous people, and we could even offer you some food if you'd like." The angel assumed he had to be hungry, especially if he was travelling around, sleeping in people's sheds.

Her striking blue eyes burned with an inner passion staring into his own as she prayed that he would decide to stay. Clara desperately wanted to know more about him, and for once in her life she wasn't nervous around him. Normally boys would send her running, and yet he didn't. It confused her, and made her wish she knew why. There's just something about him.

Bringing her slender gloved hand in front of her hoping he would accept her invitation for a handshake she spoke in her angelic voice, "My name is Clara, and I really do wish you would stay and spend the night."

The sudden escalation of her pulse made Clara instantly forget about the handshake Nick had refused. She wasn't necessarily scared or excited. Quite frankly, she couldn't put a name to how she was feeling at the moment. When Nick had said he was dangerous with that serious face of his she could feel something flutter within her chest. It suddenly wasn't bitter cold outside, quite the opposite in fact. What is he doing to me? It really did puzzle the beauty, and she was beginning to wonder whether or not that happened to all girls. Of course her mind knew he was only messing around, but still. It had turned on something inside her, and she enjoyed the way it felt.

Quickly she shot the boy an incredulous look. "Well of course I'm going to ask my parents. I wouldn't let in a complete stranger without their permission." Trying to be playful with her next set of words, she opened the door, walked in and kept her head outside meeting his gaze. "What kind of a girl do you take me for? Her lips resumed their pouted nature and she shut the door. Suddenly she wanted to open it back up fearing Nick would disappear once she got back. Calm down, her mind comforted her, he'll still be there.

Walking upstairs as quickly as she could in her heeled ankle boots, she ran into her father in the hallway of the family's bedrooms. "Father. I need to ask you something." Noah turned around and stared at his daughter, sensing what she needed to ask was of extreme importance. "Yes Clara. What's wrong darling? She prayed her father would say yes and made sure to keep her voice leveled and soft. "As I was coming in I met a boy outside of our home. He looks as if he's been traveling for days and is in need of some rest and food. Would it be alright if he spent the night here? I'll make sure to tend after him, I promise. The gleam in her eyes let her father know she was trying to be selfless and helpful. He wouldn't deny her. "Well, it doesn't sound like an issue to me. Bring him into the spare room, and I'll come by and meet him briefly."

Kissing her father on the cheek she thanked him and ran back down the stairs. She made sure to open the door in a calm manner, and let it hang open. "Nick, my father said it was alright. Come in and follow me." She waited for the brown eyed boy to walk in before she shut the door. Leading him down the hallway and to the left she turned on the light to the spare bedroom. The walls were cinnamon in color with a bed at the center, a chair with a lamp near the corner, and a dresser on the opposite end. She waited for him to walk in before she asked, "Would you like something to eat? Oh and here, let me take your coat for you."

She placed her hands on his shoulders and instantly felt an electric current run from her hands throughout her body. Oh dear.

She never wanted to move for the rest of her life; only if she could stay frozen in that exact moment. Touching his shoulders had been a sensation in itself, but feeling his hand on hers with their eyes locked on one another made her weak at the knees. What is this? The angel was terribly confused and didn't know how she felt about the entire situation. He was a stranger, a wanderer, someone she shouldn't trust. And yet her pulled her in, keeping her locked to him with his mysterious charm and demeanor. Why was he so much different than any other boy she had met?

Then he licked his lips. I swear I'm going to die.

Thankfully for Clara she was a master at keeping her composure and feelings hidden. It was always important to remain calm around children, even if they drove you insane, and Clara was a champion at keeping her calm. She wouldn't be able to control whether or not her heart jumped out of her chest however. Please don't, her mind silently prayed.

Batting her eyelashes without realizing she smiled at Nick and walked to his side. "I'll be careful. I promise." Slipping his right sleeve gently off of his arm she walked around his back and removed the left sleeve as well. Walking over to a peg on the wall the beauty made sure to place it gingerly on the gold hook. It wasn't until his jacket was off that Clara realized her's was still on. I should probably take this off so as not to be rude.

Unfastening the buttons of her long black coat she laid the garment over the chair in the corner and removed her gloves, revealing her pale and slender hands. In the dim light her dress took on an evening cocktail-party appeal. It stopped at her knees revealing her snow-white tights tightly holding to her feminine legs. She also decided to slip off her boots and wiggled her toes once they were free. Ah, much better.

Turning to face Nick, she hoped he wouldn't think of her as some spoiled little rich girl. Her outfit was beyond plain, and the last thing she needed was to be judge unfairly. Once she was close enough to him to smell the scent of nature that clung to his clothes, her full lips parted into a smile. "Follow me into the kitchen so that I may serve you something to eat."

Once again she lead him through the house to the kitchen. She asked for him to be seated at the table while she brought over a plate, eating utensils and a cup. Placing her hands on the table top while leaning in close enough for their noses to touch she asked warmly, "what would you like? Realizing the question was vague she stood up, completely pink in the face.

"To eat I mean."

It was strange making Nick a meal. The beauty didn't necessarily consider it weird or odd, quite the contrary; she found it comfortable. There was a coziness that surrounded her as she fiddled around with things for him to eat, and was rather enjoying herself. Clara felt as if they were the only two in her capacious home, and that tending to him was a ritual she was all too familiar with. Strangely she had only met him tonight, and yet she felt as if they shared some type of connection. As if there was a hidden relationship she knew from a past life.

As she put together a roast beef sandwich with cheese, lettuce and mayo, she hoped he would enjoy the meal. The hunger she had seen in his eyes let her know anything would be greatly appreciated, and what was quicker than a sandwich?

His comment practically made her fall to the floor in laughter.

Clara had to grab the edge of the counter just in order to keep herself stable while her torso contracted due to the glee she felt. It was an innuendo, even she knew that. I'm not that pure. Placing the sandwich on a sheet pf paper towel she walked over to Nick and rested the food on his plate. She walked to the fridge and removed some juice which she poured into his cup.

While she stood with the fruit juice bottle in hand she bit her bottom lip and spoke in a hushed fashion, one her mother used at times when she was specifically targeting her father's "emotions". "Maybe if you're a good boy and eat your food I'll ask you if you'd like something...else." She knew how to play the same game Nick was, and unfortunately for him, she wasn't easily tricked.

The footsteps reminded her that her father was on his way and she briskly walked back to the fridge and returned the juice. Once she turned around he stood in the archway with his hands extended to either side of the wall gripping it as he leaned in. Clara watched as he surveyed Nick, making sure he was appropriate enough to stay in the house. The angel knew it would be over in a matter of seconds. Her father made his points brief, and was intimidating to strangers.

"Hello young man, my name is Noah. Clara told me you were traveling through and needed a place to stay, and I have no issue with you resting here. I hope the spare room is comfortable enough, and make sure to eat whatever you'd like. Clara will be in charge of looking after you, and she'll stay down in the living room for the night in case you need something. I hope you don't do anything to jeopardize our trust in you. Is that clear?" Both Ryder's waited for Nick to accept the offer and then Clara stood as her father walked to her and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Good night darling. Make sure to get your stuff quickly, your brother's and sisters are quite eager about what's going on, and I've had to tell them a million times to stay off the staircase and stop spying."

He smiled then turned around and faced Nick for a solid ten seconds before leaving. The blue eyed beauty was glad it didn't take long for her father to speak to Nick. Slowly making her way over to the table, she sat opposite from the curly haired boy and waited for him to finish eating. "Hopefully he didn't scare you too much. He just wants to make sure we can trust you." The eighteen year old really did hope Nick had good intentions and legitimately needed a place to spend the night.

Smiling with her pearly white teeth she leaned closer on the table and asked, "how do you like the sandwich?"