Chapter 1 The Accident

Ray POV

I clicked my pen rapidly on my desk eyeing the clock. Mr. Clark babbled on and on about our history lesson. I started chewing on my lip anxiously awaiting the final bell. My friend Hailey looked up from filing her nails and rolled her eyes at me. It was almost summer vacation in La Push Washington and I welcomed it gladly. Being seventeen I only had one year left and I would leave high school and never, never come back.

The final bell pierced threw my mental fog as I quickly gathered my books heading to my locker. I felt a hand on my shoulder pulling me back.

I turned to see Hailey my closest friend at school. I didn't really understand why because Hailey and I were complete opposites. While I was quiet and reserved she was loud and demanding. I always dressed modestly and didn't talk much to boys. Hailey on the other hand was a different story. She always said "if you got it flaunt it."

"Hold up sister," she said, linking arms with me, walking to my locker. Hailey began to talk about the latest high school scandal as I listened half- heartedly. I frantically opened my locker shoving my books in my bag. "Hey," Hailey cried shrilly demanding my attention.

"What," I groaned.

"Ray you gotta chill. Get that head out of the clouds," she said rumpling my hair. I shook her off and straitened my ponytail.

I followed Hailey out to her brand new Porsche and got in the passenger side. That was another thing we didn't have in common. Her parents were extremely rich while I didn't even live with mine. Hailey blasted the radio as she pulled out of the parking lot. "Why are you so grumpy?" she asked. I shrugged. "You're ruining my buzz. I mean summer is here! Days at the beach, sleepovers, parties and boys." she said happily. She stared at my face trying to read me. "I got it your love sick," she laughed.

"Yeah that's it," I said sarcastically. "You better call up doctor love," I continued rolling my eyes.

"Like I said chill Ray," Hailey sighed. "You'll see Embry soon enough." Embry Call was my best friend since I was twelve when I first moved here, from Las Vegas, after being taken away from my parents. I had kind of a rough childhood. My father was in and out of jail so I barely knew him. My mother always called ne her 'oops child'. When I had no one Embry had always been there. I always wished we were more than friends but obviously he didn't share the same feelings. I punched Hailey's arm lightly.

"What?" she asked. "I don't get you Ray. Why don't you just date Embry all ready?" she questioned. "If you don't I might have too," she stated. "He is so yummy," she said licking her lips.

I laughed. "Embry and I are just friends," I said.

"Sadly," Hailey added. I sighed and nodded.

"Agreed," I agreed.

She pulled up to my house and we walked inside. I pulled out a carton of milk shaking its contents as Hailey looked at me determined. "You want some milk?" I asked but Hailey ignored me.

"You need a plan," Hailey stated.

I snorted. "A plan seriously?" I asked.

"Yeah how do you think I get all the boys? It's not just looks Ray," she said. "But I've got those too," she said spinning around to showcase herself.

"No thank you Hailey," I ended. Hailey whined but I stopped her. "Embry obviously doesn't feel the same way," I stated hating the words that left my mouth.

"Whatever," she said scooping up her belongings. "Don't' say I didn't try to help," she said loudly slamming the front door. I sighed knowing Embry would never feel the same way in a million years.

I paced around the kitchen glancing repeatedly at the clock. Twenty minutes and Embry would be here like always right on time. I decided to go upstairs and freshen up. I looked in the mirror frowning at my reflection. I was average height with straight and long brown hair. My eyes were a light brown and my skin lightly tan. Everything about me screamed ordinary. I sighed stepping away from the mirror looking for a ponytail holder.

I always wore my hair up due to the fact it always seemed to get in the way. I heard a loud knock at the door. I threw my hair up racing down the stairs to get the door. I opened the door to the highlight of my day Embry Call. He stood casually smiling down at me.

Seeing him was still a shock after five years of time for getting used to him. He was tall and I mean freakishly tall like 6 foot 5. His face had happy eyes hidden behind his unruly black hair. His eyes were warm brown as well as his tan skin.

"Hey Ray," he said enthusiastically. I ran to his out stretched arms. He encircled me with his arms. I felt the heat of his body and inhaled smelling him.

"Hey!" I heard someone pout. "What am I chopped liver?" Embry chuckled into my hair releasing me. I sighed and saw Quil Ateara with his arms crossed.

"Hey Quil," I said laughing and walked over to peck him on the cheek. He blushed slightly and hurried inside heading to the fridge motioning for them to follow.

"Whatcha got to eat?" Quil questioned. Embry chuckled as I rolled my eyes. They were always hungry.

"How about spaghetti?" I asked and they both nodded. I reached into the cabinets getting out the pasta.

"So anything exciting happen today?" Embry asked munching on some chips.

I shrugged. "If you consider listening to Hailey banter about high school drama then sure," I said. Embry snorted. I grabbed some tomatoes from the pantry to put in the pasta. I got a cutting board and a knife and started whistling while cutting the tomatoes.

"Be careful," Embry warned eyeing the knife in my hand.

"I can handle it," I said jerking away from Embry's helping hand. One thing that bugged me was his need to treat me like a child.

Quil laughed stuffing his face with more chips. "Yeah be careful Ray you don't want to get a paper cut," he said in mock horror. Embry ignored him and continued to watch my hand carefully.

"Can you stay late tonight," I asked praying he would say yes.

He shook his head to my utter disappointment. "I'm going hunting with the boys," he stated quietly. I nodded and sighed, the usual. Embry hunted all the time with his friends in the woods. I'd asked him time and time again if I could come but he quickly said no it was too dangerous.

I sifted through the drawer and carried the boiling water to the sink to drain the pasta. I heard a loud crash outside and that's when I slipped. I jerked forward. The scalding water landed right on my stomach. I yelped from the shock. I dropped the pot and noodles went flying everywhere. I threw off my shirt which was drenched in the hot water burning my skin.

"Dammit," I cried. I turned remembering I had company and quickly grabbed a dish towel to cover my bra. Embry was already at my side looking at the burns. They stung but not as much as my face from embarrassment.

"Embry put his arm around me and whispered, "Are you okay?" he asked concerned. I nodded unable to speak from embarrassment. Quil cleared his throat awkwardly.

"I guess dinners off," he stated receiving a glare from both me and Embry. "I'll leave you to it then," he nodded toward Embry and awkwardly went out the front door.

"Why don't you go umm… change," he said quietly. I nodded and shuffled slowly up to my room face glowing red. "I'll have an ice pack ready," he shouted from the kitchen. I walked into my room and shut the door locking it. I threw the dish towel at the wall and sank to the floor.

I may be the clumsiest and stupid person I know. I could feel a lump in my throat growing but I quickly swallowed it down knowing I'd have to face Embry. I stood up shakily examining my burns. My arms weren't too bad but my torso was red and it stung. I poked at it watching the red disappear where I touched.

I sighed swallowing back tears and quickly pulled on an old baggy T-shirt. I decided I might as well face him now. I trudged wearily down the stairs to find the glass and noodles gone from the floor. Embry was grabbing ice from the freezer. The ice was melting in his hands and he was cursing in frustration. I smiled slightly.

I walked over and gently pushed him aside grabbing a handful of ice. I wrapped in a towel and placed it gently on my stomach. I winced at how cold it was but sighed at the relief it brought.

Embry cleared his throat. "Do you need anything else?" he asked. You I wanted to say. I felt the tears start to well up again so I simply shook my head.

"You should get to hunting," I said my voice cracking but forcing a smile. He sighed and nodded. He grabbed me and gently held me in a hug. I sighed wishing I could stay like that forever. I closed my eyes and nuzzled against his chest.

He released me and smiled. "See ya tomorrow. Try not to get yourself killed," he said sternly. I laughed half heartedly and he smiled. I watched as he walked to the forest and left me in the dark.