When Things Change Chapter 1: Serving tables, a twilight fanfic

Tessa: June 3rd

I had been catering this event for the past two hours. It was a wedding reception for a Sam and now Emily Uley. They had done a bunch of speeches and stuff and now I am almost done with running food to different tables, I was in charge of the tables on the left back side and I had just about finished those. There weren't many tables that I was in change of only six really. My sister Bethany was in charge of the ones on the left side with the same amount of tables plus two more in the front on the left and right side. Its finals week next week so no one was really able to work this gig, which means more work for me but also less time to study. I moved away from my last table and put the tray under my arms as the music played and people talked and laughed. Were people always supposed to be this happy? I noticed my sister Bethany was behind on serving so I grabbed a tray full of food and brought it over.

"Do any of you guys have the cake and ice cream?" I asked as I came up to the table to receive all of them saying yes. "Alright sweet, well I have heard that is good but don't hold me to it." I said as I placed some of the plates down and spun the tray for more plates.

"Sweet I'm still starving, thank…" One of the guys said as I placed the plate in front of him and just stared open eyed at me. He had brown eyes, black hair that was cropped short, high cheek bones and with out a doubt one of the hottest guy I have ever seen. Staring at him made me get this weird feeling in my chest, something like safety, joy, love, desire.

"Anytime, its why I'm here." I said quickly turning my head and finished putting the plates down and getting away. I ran back to plate back up and saw there were no more plates left.

"To slow kid." My sister Bethany said as she put down her trays. "I got them for you." I felt a tug at my chest and turned my head to see that guy that had stared at me kneeing by the grooming, both of them looking at me. I shook my head and looked back at my sister.

"Hey I did just run a table for you but Thanks sis, I'll pick up the pace even though you have taken some of the tables for me. I'm just exhausted I was up all night trying to memorize all that I can about World War Two. I don't think I was successful plus I didn't even get to Precalc." I said to her.

"You will do fine kid, you always do. Hey, why are those people staring at you?" I didn't even need to look behind me to know who she was referring to.

"Hey guys, man can those guys drink. What are you looking at Beth?" Our coworker Julia said as she came up to us after doing a drink run.

"Those hot guys who can't take their eyes off of Tess." Beth responded to her causing Julia to look over to.

""Dam Tessa nice hook." Julia said to me as I couldn't bear it anymore and looked over my shoulder at them. Of all the different guys staring at me I couldn't focus on any of them besides that one guy. That feeling in my chest, the one of safety of joy and longing returned. Making me want more and more to go over to him and know him. I just couldn't look away. "Tessa! Dam she is hooked as well." I was brought back from Julia as she snapped her fingers by my face.

"Um sorry… can we just drop the topic." I replied as I shook my head and took the notes for my finals out from under the table.

"No we can not sis, I'm glad you are wearing these black pants because they make your butt look good. Oh come on Tess put away the study guide." Beth said to me taking my notes away from me.

"Hey come on I need to study and I got time since they are eating. Don't look at my butt either and going after guys is your thing not mine. I got too much on my plate."

"No you don't Tessa." Julia said rolling her eyes, "You are about done with school, soccer doesn't start till late August and you are always the good girl. Now its time to be like your sister and do something… Though maybe not as crazy."

"You know what guys, no." I said as I snatched the notes the back. "Get it out of your head. Here, what table are these drinks going to, I'll take them." I said to them as I grabbed Julia's carrier, which now had filled wine glasses on it.

"Table two on the left side." She replied rolling her eyes as I balanced it on my hand and walked in that direction. I walked to the left side of the reception and up to the second table from the front. There were six seats and five glasses so everyone had a drink beside a tall kid sitting there, easily enough I put a glass in front of everyone.

"Tessa? Tessa Cayton is that you?" I hear a man say as I place a drink down.

"Paul?" I said looking over the man who spoke.

"Holy shit! Look at you, where are the braids, soccer ball and violin?" He said getting up and giving me hug.

"Your one to talk Rolling Paulieolie. Geez hey you know I read a book that talked about how taking drugs to make yourself buff is really bad for you." I said back.

"Still sassy as always, are you still playing soccer?" He said sitting back down and shaking his head.

"Yep, you are looking at the captain of varisity two years running."

"That a girl, sorry everyone this is Tessa Cayton, a pain in the butt I used to babysit for."

"Hi." I replied back to from a chorus of greetings.

"Dam soccer captain? Does your boy friend get intimidated by you?" A kid two seats down from Paul said.

"I don't have a boyfriend but the past ex was definately intimidated."

"Hey Tessa did I hear correctly that you were in the hospital this year?"

"Yeah I should be fine soon, I was a soccer accident. Slid to kick a ball in the same time another girl did and got her cleat right into my abdomen. After that I had some internal bleeding but it should be better now." I said shrugging.

"Did you at least get a goal?" the same kid asked.

"Is that even a question? Of course I did."

"Well take it easy Tessa sweety, internal bleeding is not something that should be taken lightly." A woman on the other side of the table said.

"Is Beth here? And how is your dad?" Paul said back to me.

"Yeah she I over there getting into trouble, she will come over when I tell her you are here. And dad is away for business still. " I added the last bit about my parents in a rush.

"So if you don't have a boyfriend ,wanna go out on a date?" I heard the table near by get really loud, "SETH STOP AND DUDE CALM DOWN." People now looked over to the table with Seth yelling, "What did I do?" I saw the guy that I had made eye contact grumbling to another guy but stop when he looked up at me, his body looked as if it was shaking. His eyes had a weird look in them like denial and fight.

Get out this is getting weird….

"Well um," I started as I looked back at Paul, "I need to get back to work but we should catch up later." I headed backwards towards the back as he nodded his head with a look of curiosity on his face.

"So what was that about?" Beth said to me as I returned to them. I responded with a shrug and looked in that direction to find the guy that I have been so interested, no where in sight. Instead I found Paul squatting next to guys at that table looking at me with his mischivuous grin on his face as he talked to the people at the table. I looked back over to the girls who were in the middle of some conversation but I couldn't get this weird feeling out of my chest. I longed for that guy, I felt constricted like I couldn't breath at all. His eyes stirring in my head, all I wanted was to see them again.

"TESSA!" I looked up to see Beth staring at me with an annoyed face on, "did you hear what I said?"

"Um no sorry… What's up?"

"I asked if you are okay, you have just been standing there for thirty minutes, staring out into space… Its time to start clearing, they are already setting up for the dancing so we got to get done here. Is it your abdomen, does it hurt you?" She put on this worried look that is reserved for my injured, this whole thing has her really freaked.

"Yeah I'm fine just got lost in thought I guess. I'll get started on clearing the tables." I replied as I started to move away with my carrier.

"Oh wait Tess, we have been invited to the Lahola's for a cookout this week so we are going." I nodded my head as I went to the nearest table and took all of the plates of the table.

Why are we invited let alone going to the Layohola's cookout? We haven't been in touch with them for at least 3 years. Even then we haven't been that close for a longer time now we are going to their cookout? This night is getting so weird. First that guy, next seeing Paul, then spacing out for thirty minutes thinking about that guy. What's next, is my dad showing up in a taco suit? Okay the last one is very, very unlikely and just a stupid idea to make my point. God why can't this feeling in my chest go away, its like a job trying to breath, in out in out in out in out. I wonder what that…! No don't finish that thought, you don't know the guy so just focus on working and not those eyes, or how amazing a bow tie looks on him or the fast that his muscles seems to be bulging out of it. Oh wow I'm done with my tables… I guess since Bethany is behind I will go help her out and take the tables in the front again…. That means the table where he was sitting earlier… I wonder if he is there again since last time I looked over he wasn't there.

"Hey Tessa, I hear you coming to our cookout." I looked up as I cleared the table to see Paul still squatting next to some of the guys at the table; the one I have been attached to still no where in sight…

"Yeah I guess?" I replied to him

"When are you coming over?"

"Um," I put the last plate on the carrier and looked back at him, "I don't know I haven't really been told anything."

"Well it starts at 6 on Tuesday."

"Don't you guys have finals?"

"No we got out of school last week, didn't you?" One of the girls said.

"Wednesday is my last day thankfully…" I looked over my shoulder from hearing my name and saw Julia motioning her hands for me to come to her. "Well I got to go, I guess I will see you Wednesday or I am assuming your mom will kill me?"

"Ya pretty much and if you can't tell there are allot of places to hide a body here. " Paul said back laughing with the others making me roll me eyes at him and gave him a wink as I walked away. I brought all the plates down to where we were putting them and walked to Julia.

"Hey so I think all the dishes are picked up." I said to her as she looked up from her clipboard.

"Yep all is done and the band just arrived so you are all done today. So you can head out to study for finals. Your sister is staying late so I can just give her a ride."

"Okay Ill see you later." I put my carrier down and walked to my bag and took the keys out of Bethany's bag. As I walked to her black SUV I looked at my phone to see messages from my friends and the clock; it was past 12. I got into the car, plugged my phone into the aux cord to put on For You by Rae Morris and to make sure it was on replay. It was my favorite song at the moment and when I start to drive out of the reservation my thoughts drifted back to the guy… There was no point in trying to fight it at the moment. Every foot I drove away from the reservation was a tighter pull I felt on my chest. I string that was pulling me ever back to the reservation making it harder and harder to breath or even focus on the road. I will have to ask Seth about him but very subtly I just want to know who he is, nothing more than that. As I crossed the line into Forks I heard something load echo through the car from the woods, it sounded like a wolf's howl. For some reasons I got this urge to slam on the brakes and just turn around but I fought it. Instead I drove faster and hurried into the house to get ready for bed and cram last minute studying.

The next twelve hours went into a blur as I studied, slept, woke up, went to school, talked to friends, finished exams and drove back home to get ready to go to La push.

Embry:

It was Sam and Emily's wedding reception; they had finally gotten married. It was a few months after the big show down with those leeches, the Vultori. I was back in Sam's pack, along with Quil; Jake and Leah were on their own, it was easier that way. The reception was on the reservation and I was at the table with Jared, Kim, Quil, Claire, and even Jake and Rennesme. I was glad to be at this table if not I would have been stuck with the pups… I like being with the original guys from the original pack though Paul was over at another table. It was easy to talk since Renessme and Claire got along which allowed Quil and Jake to not worry about them. Man I kinda hope I don't imprint I like not having to worry about someone so obsessively…

"When do we have cake Quiley?" Claire said looking innocently at him, she knows that she can get anything she can from him.

"Its coming soon Claire, see in the back they are serving it." Quil said back.

"Aw thanks Quiley for the update." Jared said to him making us all crack up besides Quil who instead shook his head looking down at Claire.

"Do any of you guys want the cake and ice cream?" I heard some amazingly pleasant voice say, then I heard everyone at the table say yes.

"Sweet I'm still starving, thank…" I started as a dessert plate was put in front of me and I looked into the server's eyes. She had these mesmerizing eyes, she wore eyeliner all around her eyes which are blue on the outside that turned into this light green shade. Her hair was a dark brown with some natural blonde in it that I could tell. Her hair was up, each side had a braid that went to the back where there was a bun but there were some small stands out that curled around her face where her cheekbones were. She also had a small nose and dainty lips. The red blouse she was wearing only heightened her skin tone and her eyes pop out more.

Look away man, LOOOK AWAY, look away right now, wait what did she say? Where is she going LOOK AWAY why can't I look away. WAIT DID I JUST…No…

"EMBRY!" startled I looked at Jake, "dude you okay?"

"Um I…" I started no no no no, I felt that I was shaking, when I started I don't know.

"Go talk to Sam now bro, if you did what we think you did go." Jared said to me as I got up and walked over to Sam who was siting up front.

"Hey Embry what's going on, whoa get under control." Sam said as I squatted next to him. I focused and found myself no longer shaking I heard him say something else but I couldn't focus on it. Instead I looked over to where my chest longed to. There she was, talking to another woman, she then looked over to me and she looked even more gorgeous then before. Her eyes had questions in them, making them look even more mesmerizing; from this distance her eyes looked a sort of green even though I know there is blue in them. I didn't notice before how her black pants fit her body perfectly as well as her blouse. She had an amazing athletic build to her but those eyes of her, I have seen nothing like it. As soon as she looked away from me the spell seemed almost broken.

"Rare my ass." I muttered under my breath as I looked up to Sam who was looking at her and then turned his head to me with a smile.

"I'm gathering that you have imprinted, congrats Embry." He said to me, "are you in control at them moment?"

"I don't know, I think so… what do I do Sam. She's not even part of the tribe it doesn't make sense, not that it ever has…"

"Embry," Sam started putting his hand on my shoulder, "take it slow; find out what her name is first before you take a step in any direction. But I know your mind, you never wanted this part but don't try to fight it. That would only hurt you and her."

"Yeah but..."

"No buts kid, you know how it works you have seen it enough to know you can't run from it. I bet you can already feel that string that binds you two together already." I nodded and walked back to the table and sat down and took a deep breath.

"Well done bro." I felt Jared and Quil who were siting next to me pat me on the back. I shook my head, my head wasn't clear at all I can hear them talking but none of it was making sense to me. That's when I looked up when I registered her pleasant voice. I was looking at her; she was hugging Mrs. Clearwater a few tables over. It took me awhile to clear my head and focus on her and what was happening, it took her voice to clear it.

"Your one to talk Rolling Paulieolie. Geez hey you know I read a book that talked about how taking drugs to make yourself buff is really bad for you." I heard her voice come over to me.

"Still sassy as always are you still playing soccer?" I heard Paul say.

"Yep, you are looking at the captain of varisity two years running." So she is a soccer player that's cool, athletic that's nice... stop ittttt!

"That a girl, sorry everyone this is Tessa Cayton, a pain in the butt I used to babysit for."

"Hi." She said back in a sweet voice.

"Dam soccer captain? Does your boy friend get intimidated by you" I heard Seth say to her.

"I don't have a boyfriend but the past ex was definately intimidated." A girl like that I bet ha.

"Hey Tessa did I hear correctly that you were in the hospital this year" -Paul

"So if you don't have a boyfriend wanna go out on a date?" Seth's voice all of a sudden came.

"SETH STOP AND DUDE CALM DOWN." I hadn't noticed but I felt myself shake was it from Seth making moves on my imprint or is it because I'm trying to fight this with all my power. I focused on something else, the chefs on the background seemed like a good idea.

"Dude no way! Tessa is way hotter then Bethany and I would tap that so hard!"

Bad idea bad idea! GOT TO GO GOT TO GO. Don't ask me how I got into the woods or how all of a sudden I was shifted into a wolf. Man that was close I don't even know how time had passed like that. I ran as fast as my legs could go. I could still hear Sam telling me how I should give up right away and not fight it but I wanted to stay me. I still had trouble with my mom now I was supposed to be protecting this girl, I mean Tessa. How is that even far to her, for her to be dragged into this world. Images of her flashed through my head, of her eyes, her face, every feature she, the way she walked, the way her voice sounded and even her scent. She smelled like fresh cut grass, some flower and maybe a hint of motor oil?

How do those scents go together? –Brady

Oh right Brady drew the short string and is on duty along with the new kid Logan…

Yeah we did thanks for the reminder, so that girl I think you said Tessa? The hot one did you imprint on her or something?- Logan

Yeah I guess I did- I replied with showing everything that happened even the last bit from the chefs making that comment about her…

Eh don't worry about him, I'm sure she doesn't even pay any attention to the dick.- Brady

Well at least I made it to the woods before I shifted. I don't think Sam would have been very happy with me if I did it right there at the reception. I can already tell I'm going to have a talk with him. –Me, I kept running and soon I found that I had stopped and that I was outside the reception staring at her bending over a counter. What I thought I was running away from here how can I be back here?!

Dude you totally imprinted but I got to say it seems stronger than what I have seen through the other guys… I can't say why but if you just imprinted and you already have a stronger connection then Sam and Emily who have been imprinted for two years then don't even try to fight it. Wait do you think imprinting can come in different strengths?- Brady

How would I know I'm still kinda new to this, imprinting seems all the same to me but I guess I can agree to the fact that yours feels stronger- Logan

I droned them out as they went on abut if imprints came in different levels, this defiantly felt stronger then anyone else's I have felt through the pack but maybe that's because I just did it myself. I don't know how long I stared there as I just watched her staring into space, could she be feeling this already, if she feels it at all?

You know even though she is your imprint, watching her is a little creepy- Brady as he came to stand beside me watching the reception. Tessa was moving around putting dishes on a tray and cleared the tables.

Your right I'm out- I thought I turned on my heals and headed out of there. While I became aware of a feeling in my chest, the tight feeling of a rope strangling my chest… I know that some of the others who have imprinted have felt a sting that binds them to their other half but this was like something more extreme. Every step away from her was becoming more and more painful. Flashes of her were coming through my head she was everywhere I was running.

Okay you have a much more extreme case then the others man, jeez its like you are on some kind of a drug right now. –Brady

Maybe just maybe if I see her and say good bye then ill be fine. The cord will be less maybe even severed- I thought as I ran back. When I got there I couldn't see her and started to run around to find her with a slight panic… Now I'm panicking I don't know her how can this be started so quikley?! Then saw movement over where all the cars were and then her moving towards them. She was on her phone texting, her hair was down and blowing in the wind. It was long and wavy, even in the dark I could see the little blond in her hair but only if you paid attention other wise it just looked like a light brown. When it blew in the wind I could smell her, the grass and flower smell were particularly strong. She got in the car at the moment and I could hear the music playing from here.

When the door shuts, bolted, I'm thrown out of the way

The girl who borrowed someone, I'm the night without the day!

& when the week moves onward, it's ruthless and it's gray

Like this girl who once held someone & was caught along the way…

I found that I was running along the end of the woods following her driving, just in case something happened. No forget that, I should turn just turn around I think she can be perfectly fine with driving herself.

To make that call fo' someone

To show them all you've got

To make that call fo' someone

To show them all you've got

And oh when your only love has gone, slipped away

Oh, when your only love has gone, slip away

In the night befo' we sleep, the day is ours for us to keep

And in the night you say to me, say a prayer…

I stopped focusing on the song playing in the car as she got out of the reservation, I couldn't help but howl then. My chest hurt that she was gone, hurt that I hadn't even talked to her. My chest felt I a tighter pull so I ran harder and harder, harder then I have ever ran before, my lungs burning. How can I already feel this much on an imprint.?! I still don't want this! How can I want this if this is what it is always going to feel like. As if I have no choice, which is why I didn't want it in the first place. Now a girl who I barley even know has me running up and down our land with her image stuck in my head and her scent stuck in my nose. I shouldn't have imprinted, now shes in this life and with my luck it wont end well.

How long has he been like this?- Jared said as he came in, I realized that allot of the wolves have phased in, Wait the wedding still happening?

Uh no bro its 3 am, everyone is gone… and he has been like this for two hours. Still thinking he can break it and how he didn't want this then if she is okay. –Brady

Well want to know who she is- Seth

YOU ASKED HER OUT!- Me

Well can you blame me? -Seth

Anyway so her name is Tessa Cayton, Paul began, she lives with her sister Bethany and her dad is away working over seas or something like that. Her mom died when she was younger is a car accident. She is an amazing soccer player and can do all these tricks and stuff but apparently she had a really bad accident as had internal bleeding so Bethany said that she doesn't know if she will be able to play soccer again but didn't tell Tessa because she doesn't want to hurt her. Beth says that all that Tessa holds onto is her soccer. I have know them since I can remember, I used to baby sit Tessa and hang with Beth. But when her dad left for work and I phased, our family's drifted apart so I don't know what's going on with her now. But shes a chill girl, nice and stuff but fair warning she may be the good girl of the family and all but she has a bad side and you don't want to see it. Very sassy and edgy. Also since I have know her since ever YOU BREAK HER I BREAK YOU!- Paul finished then with a memory of a girl booting a soccer ball towards him.

I wont break her I wont even try to get close to her, she seems busy and has more on her mind so she doesn't need this life. – Me

Well you can meet her Tuesday since you are already longing for her, Paul is having them come to the cookout so TTTeeesssaaa will be here for you to finally meet. Stop being a wooss about this god- Seth

I flashed back to where I started shaking, where Seth kept asking Tessa out and the dirty comment made from the guy about Tessa, it only made me run harder. GOD I WANT THIS TORMENT TO END!

How are you feeling this strong of a connection already? It took three days for me to find it unbearable to not be around Kim. –Jared

Same with me and Rach…- Paul

We were thinking about there being different levels of an imprint. –Logan

I wouldn't think there are different levels since they felt all the same besides yours man, maybe because you are fighting it more?- Quil

Sam fought his though –Jared

IT DOESN'T MATTER! This is going to be broken, Ill read up on our legends and when I see her at the cook out I will break the link between us. The cookout is only what two days away?

Yeah I suggest you stay in wolf form, the way that you are feeling you don't have any control of yourself. But seriously you are going to try to brake the imprint?- Jared

Haven't you learned anything from Sam and Emily? Fine do you best but come on man it isn't bad. I used to have no control in my life, always shifting and now with Rachael I can be calm. I got part of my life back in ways I didn't understand. But fine be the tough guy and break it just like Sam said he would. Being imprinted doesn't make you weaker it gives you something else to fight for. Or let me say one thing, Tess has been through shit and more I'm sure, maybe she deserves some happiness –Paul then he shifted out

I agree with Paul, you are just making things worse. If you feel this strongly already I can bet that she can to, sweet Kim's parents are asleep so I'm going to go through the window. Good luck bro. –Jared then he was gone.

Dude- Quil started before I cut him off

JUST STOP AND GET OUT OF MY HEAD!- I growled at him and the others and soon found that I was alone.

Okay, lets think for a bit. So I have imprinted, on someone I have never known before and isn't in the tribe. Are the ancestors just bored and do this to keep them entertained? My mom and I are still on the outs since I am not going to tell her about this. It's too big of a secret that needs to be kept. I can handle her yelling at me and trying to ground me; which always results in me going to the window for shifts. Trying to hide this secret, dealing with patrols and trying to keep the peace with my mom is a full time job. Now I have imprinted on a Tessa, how will that makes things any better if not worse. Why should I drag her into this world of the unknown? If I am really her imprint and protector then I should protect her from this world and keep her out of it. But they are right, Sam fought his with Emily with all his strength; if he couldn't break his how can I? I will see her in a few days, I have till then to decide but I shall look to see what I can to sever this link.

Okay dude I need to finish my shift you good? –Brady

Yeah I'm good for now- Me

And bro you never know she could be a good thing for you- Logan

Bye. –Me

I shifted out with that and put on the shorts someone left me by the trees behind my house. I went into the house to find my mom asleep in her room. I crept down to my room I did not want her to yell at me asking what I was doing to be coming back at past 4am. I fell on top of my bed exhausted; I have been sprinting as hard as I could for the past 3 hours at least. I closed my eyes and what I could see was her, those eyes, there was kindness, curiosity, courage, something else to that was hidden. GOD STOP! This is going to be a long night and if I am not seeing her for two days and I am already so hung up on her… I am not going to go there. I closed my eyes again and saw her again when she was walking to her car; STOPP IT PLEASE JUST LET ME HAVE PEACE! I am not going to get any sleep and can my chest stop hurting me; its supposed to be a string not some rope that is strangling me! I got up and got Nyquil from the bathroom and drank it. I felt its effect for sleep take effect, this is the only way I am going to sleep. Two days till I have to see her, just two; it will be easy… Right?