Breaking Through—Embry x OC

(Set During Eclipse)

This story is dedicated to those diagnosed with autism or any form of disabilities (specifically for two of my five siblings...and myself, as well), and those who faces struggles and obstacles every single day, as they've tried to be equal to everyone that surrounds them. Having a disability doesn't make you look, act, or seem stupid and incapable; instead, it represents who you are as a person, just one who has more challenges than most people do.

Diagnosed with autism, Kenna Mallory has spent most of her life in the shadows. Though her family loved her, the challenges that Kenna has to face day in and day out has always been difficult for her. During her youth, she was placed in a self-contained classroom, but because her parents wanted to help her to be switched over to mainstreamed. On her first day in high school as a sophomore, Kenna nearly had a breakdown. What she didn't expect was to run into the arms of a man who could help her...and possibly, her potential love interest.

Embry Call has spent most of his life in the shadows of his two best friends. He was always a quiet guy, but when he started to phase, his perspective on the world changed drastically. What he didn't expect that fateful day he was on patrol, was that he would imprint on a woman who was autistic. What first started as friendship, Embry tried to understand more about Kenna; finding ways to help her communicate better without getting frustrated every so often. But, more importantly, Embry wanted to help Kenna understand feelings; specifically his.

When their friendship soon turns into a romantic prospect, how will Embry be able to help Kenna understand what "love" means to him and her? Can Kenna understand, and be able to show affections for the guy who would always be there for her, or will her disability always get in the way?

Chapter 1

Kenna Mallory has struggled most of her life, has now been given an opportunity to be in a classroom with almost thirty other students. At fifteen, this shouldn't be a big deal, but for Kenna, it was.

At the age of two, Kenna was diagnosed with high-functioning autism and high anxiety. She spoke before, until one day, she stopped. Her development was delayed compared to other two-year-olds, and she didn't understand or was able to display the emotions at appropriate times. Kenna still had trouble speaking after she was diagnosed, but she was soon placed in speech therapy at the age of four; just two years later. Since then, her speech has improved, but her social skills were lacking, and her concentration on certain tasks would be lacking.

Kenna never let that get to her, ever. Unlike what most people have thought, Kenna always had a positive attitude. The only problem for her was that her emotions would get out of control sometimes, that running away was the best option for her.

The youngest of two, Kenna has spent her life in the shadows of her older sister Lauren. Lauren was popular, had a lot of friends, and she was confident. Lauren was normal.

Why not Kenna?

Kenna was a unique, special person. She adapts and learn things differently than everyone else would. It's just the way it is. Nothing more than that. Sometimes her emotions would cloud her judgment, but that's okay. People are different, and that's the way it is.

It was the first day of a new school year, and it was this fateful day that would change Kenna forever. Sitting at the table in the kitchen, Kenna was filled with excitement and adrenaline. Her body was shaking, as she tried to focus on eating her breakfast. Her mother, Lorelai, smiled at her daughter, as she rested her hand on Kenna's shoulder. "Kenna, just relax, okay? I don't want you to start running again,"

"I'm okay, Mom. I'm just...I'm just...happy..."

Lauren walked into the kitchen, grabbing a cup of coffee. Lorelai gave Lauren a stern look, before their father Henry quickly jogged back inside from his morning run. "Lauren, I need you to keep an eye on your sister. Today's her first day being in a large class. Your father and I need to make sure that you'll take good care of your sister."

"Yes, Mother." Lauren said, sarcastically, as their father moved to kissed the top of Kenna's forehead. "Lauren, listen to your mother." He replied, as he ran up the stairs to get his military uniform.

Their father had served the United States Army since he and their mother met, and though he travels often (mostly on deployment), he has always found a way back home. Sadly, there wasn't any military base within distance of Forks, let alone in Seattle, but he worked remotely for the military (as well as the government). Their mother, however, worked at the only public library in Forks as an assistant librarian, in order to support their family whenever their father was away. For the most part, Kenna had to rely on her sister when her parents were unable to be, but even Lauren couldn't stand her sometimes.

Lauren was jealous of her sister, because Kenna received more attention, but the reasons were understandable for why Kenna needed more support than Lauren did. Though she was bright, Kenna truly did struggle in school. She had to work twice as hard, just to finish her assignments, as well as staying focus on task. For the most part, Kenna would get distracted often, but with the help of her teachers and specialists, Kenna was able to stay on task (well, most of the time).

As soon as Lorelai said it was time for school, Kenna's adrenaline went into hyper-mode. She was already running toward her car, without her backpack, as her parents chuckled, glad that their youngest daughter was happy for a brand new start. Lauren, on the other hand, wasn't too thrilled. James drove them over to Forks High School, Home of the Spartans, and Kenna couldn't keep her excitement down. Before she got out of the car, her father turned back to her and said, "Kenna, just relax. You're gonna be just fine."

"I'm sorry...I-I just,"

"I know, Kitten, I know. I want you to take a deep breath, and relax. I don't want you to have a panic attack."

"But Dad, th-that does...doesn't...happen. No more,"

"That's right, no more. You'll make some new friends, and you're gonna be fine."

"Pinky?" Kenna replied, sticking her pinky finger out. Her father chuckled, then crossed his pinky with hers. "Pinky, Kitten. Now, get going. Mom will come get you later, okay?"

Kenna nodded, and then got out. She ran up the stairs, trying to catch up to Lauren. "Lauren...wh-wait!"

Begrudgingly, Lauren turned around to face her sister. "What." It wasn't a question, but Kenna didn't know that.

"Are you, are you, are you taking me to cl-l-l-lass?"

"You'll be fine, Kenna. You just have to go to the principal's office to get your schedule."

"B-bu-but?" With that, Lauren walked away, leaving a vulnerable Kenna alone. She looked around, her heart was already pounding, as she walked around each hallway, trying to find the principal's office. Students bumped into her with each turn, voices talking over one another, some basketballs bouncing on the ground. These were all of the sounds that Kenna could hear, too sensitive for her hearing. She was in full-overload, as one of the teachers noticed her and asked (more so mouthed) "Are you alright?"

Kenna's heart was racing so fast, and the blood came rushing through her ears, as she took a look of each students swarming around her. It was all too much, as one of the pale-faced women whom she first noticed, came walking up to her. "Are you okay?" She asked, as her long, blonde curls cascaded down her back. When she went to touch Kenna's hand, her sensory overload had gotten worse. Kenna placed her hands over her ears, as she let out a scream.

Next thing she knew, Kenna ran.

All of the students and teachers watched her, as the principal, the secretary, and one teacher tried running after her. But Kenna was too fast. She ran, as her screams gotten louder, while security went after her as well. She ran through the woods that came in her vision, and she kept going. She ran as fast and as far as her feet could take her; tears streaming down her face. When her feet started to get tired, she stopped, trying to take a deep breath, as she moved to rest her back against a tree. She slid down it, as she buried her face in her hands, rocking back and forth. It was hard to calm down for Kenna, and she was very sensitive to touch, but a warm touch relaxed her.

She wiped away the tears from her eyes roughly, as she saw pair of russet hands, offering to take hers. When she lifted her head up, a pair of dark brown eyes met her hazel ones. His hands were still out, waiting to hold hers, but she shook her head. "N-n-no. P-p-pl-le-ease, do...do not...hurt..."

"I won't ever hurt you, I promise. It's too dangerous for you to be here in these woods,"

Kenna kept shaking her head, trying to look away from him, but he crouched down to look into her eyes. She moved back into the tree, as her hands started to shake terribly. He took one good look at the shaking young woman, and he felt sorry for her. He wasn't sure what was wrong with her, but he could tell that she was overwhelmed and terrified. He moved to sit next to her, and offered one hand to her once more, hoping that she'll accept him. She looked at the hand, then him, and back at the hand again. When she placed her shaking hand in his, an electric current purred between their body heats, and when they looked into each other's eyes, it was kismet.

He spread his arms out, offering her comfort, and without a thought, she went to him. He held her close, as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "You're gonna be okay,"

"W-w-wh-at's y-your name?"

"Embry. Embry Call, and yours?"

"K-k-Kenna,"

"Well, Kenna, I swear that I'll protect you...I promise..." That was the last thing she heard, before Kenna passed out...