Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight

A/N: I always felt somewhat disturbed by imprinting and its implications. This is what I think Rachel would really do.

A/N: I'm considering turning this into a series, with a chapter on each human imprint (Rachel, Claire, Kim, Emily). Tell me what you think (whether I should do it, how you think they would react)!

Life sucks sometimes. Once upon a time, it didn't. But that was before I entered the land of fairy tales. That was before I met Paul.

Paul doesn't watch me very carefully anymore. He's sure I'm not going to freak out and leave. Foolish of him, not that I'm going to complain.

Because, this time, I have a plan. A plan where I choose how my life will be lived. This time, no curse is going to win.

---

No one ever considers the thought that I might be different. That I might have the ability to think things through logically. But I went to college early, on a scholarship. I had a path to my life set out. I was going to be a somebody, an international lawyer. I can speak several languages already.

Paul doesn't want me to go back to college. He can't go; he's too busy "protecting" the people of La Push. The one time I brought it up, he said no. Like it was his decision. "Honey," he said, "Isn't the fact that I love you unconditionally enough?"

And I smiled, and said yes and didn't bring up the topic again. Why? Because I'm not stupid. I've met Emily. I know the dangers of saying no to a werewolf. Emily was lucky. And even the fact that he will spend the rest of his life beating himself up over it isn't enough to risk death.

Leah keeps trying to talk to me. I'd like to talk to her, confide in her; I think she would understand. Unfortunately, she's a werewolf. I don't hold that against her (after all, she didn't choose it) but if I tell her anything, Paul will learn about it.

And Paul can't learn about it. Not until it's too late.

--

I walk into the Claire's house and ask to speak to her parents. We've talked before; they know what's happening. They each get a small traveling bag, stuffed with clothes and necessities. They pick up a sleeping Claire and her bag and get into the back of my car.

As we pass the border of La Push they duck down so they can't be seen. There's supposedly no one patrolling, but we can never be sure. I've made it a habit to drive every day, so no one suspects me.

When we leave werewolf territory the others relax, but I don't. The Cullens would be only too happy to hand us back over if they find us in their territory; they wouldn't want to interfere with "true love."

No one expects us until later this night but even though it's morning I still break the speed limit the whole way to the airport. As we buy our tickets I hesitate for a second. I could always stay; Claire would be safe. And I know that I could eventually love Paul, like Kim or Emily.

Except, did Kim and Emily truly love their imprinters? Emily was so sad when Sam wasn't looking, and Kim kept giving me these glances, like she was begging me to help her.

"You can't fight this kind of love," she told me, the day I learned Paul was a werewolf. I always wondered at the weary tone in her voice.

I'm not turning back now. Paul may love me, but if that is love, I don't want it. I want to be someone, not be stuck at home catering to a werewolf in fear for the rest of my life. I want to know what it feels like to truly fall in love, not to have someone love you because of an ancestral curse.

As I settle into my seat on the airplane that is taking me to the one place I can safely hide, the pilot's voice booms over the intercom. "Welcome to flight 2367. Destination: Volterra."

Review please! I'd love suggestions on how to make my writing better.