DISCLAIMER: I do not own twilight or any of the characters, though I wish I did, especially Edward and Jasper!
I love so many of the stories that I have found on this site, couldn't help but try to write one of my own! Hope that it ends up being enjoyable for someone! I've never done anything like this so here goes…
Forces of Nature:
BPOV:
Sweat was dripping from my brow as I focused on the task in front of me. By far the easiest and most simple thing that I have had to do in the last week. A chimp, simply because of its close genetic make up to humans, sat before me. I focused on the chimp trying to will him to stand and walk to the red dot on the floor 5 feet from where I sit. This would normally be a task that I would complete within a matter of seconds, a quick glance at the chimp and he would have moved to my will. It's always easier when they are unaware that it's your will that they are doing and not their own. Not today. Today I sat in the chair and focused, sweat beading on my forehead and dripping down the sides of my face. My hair was soaked through, but I did not break eye contact. I was stressed out and confused, why did he not move when he was so obviously in tuned with me? Yes they have been giving him banana's when he stayed put for a long amount of time, granting him rewards for fighting me, even without the animals knowledge. This only made me more determined. Something was coming, and I knew that I needed to be prepared.
"Bella let it go. That's enough for today; it's been a hard week." Carlisle broke into my trance lightly gripping my right shoulder.
I knew that he wanted for me to take a break, resign myself for the day but I refused. I do not quit, and I sure as hell can get a chimp to move to a god dam red dot.
I stood from my chair quickly, furious now. Carlisle was smart and quickly stepped to the side, as my mind hurled the silver metal chair backwards in to the concrete wall behind me. A sickly sound of crunching cement and twisting metal came, but my gaze did not falter. I took a deep, ragged breath trying to calm my now shaking limbs, as I exhaled I made my internal declaration once more and the chimp quickly made its way to the red dot, and just for fun, did a little head stand, holding still until I mentally released it as I turned to walk away.
Carlisle was smiling behind me hurrying to keep pace as I exited the room.
"I'm very impressed Bella, after the week that we have put you through, I wasn't sure that you would be able to handle it." He was almost giddy with excitement now, but I could still hear the fatherly like pride coming from his voice.
Slowing gradually to a stop, I turned to give him a hard look. "This week has been hell Carlisle. I get the objective here, but I'm done, I need a break." I blew some of my sweat covered bangs from my eyes, slumping back against the corridor wall behind me.
"The progress that you have made over the last few years Bella is beyond amazing. I am still in awe of what you can do. This week you pushed yourself farther than ever before." He gave me a smile full of pride as if they were his own accomplishments. "I think that you're right it's time for a break" a more considerate tone in place. "Take tomorrow and Monday off, get out of here for a bit, unwind. You need it."
"Thank you Carlisle." I replied.
"Of course Bella. Just, please do me a favor and take Jasper with you, I'd feel better if you weren't alone" I shot him a hard look and his hands came up palms out towards me, "not that you need protection or anything like that, I just think that it would be good to have a friend with you, especially one that can understand your situation. "
I gave him a weak smile, "I'll talk to Jasper and see if he is interested. I have a feeling that he could use a break too. I'm going to hit the showers."
"Good, good, I'll see you Tuesday then." He replied giving me a fatherly kiss to the temple, and then continued on his path towards his office.
I turned to head to the showers, before remembering what this Monday was "Carlisle," I called he turned back to me, "Are you sure that you aren't going to need me here Monday for orientation? I don't want to put you out."
"Always so loyal Bella, we will be fine. You take a break and we'll see you Tuesday" his encouraging smile and tone of voice convincing enough for me I turned back towards to showers.
Slipping my phone out from my back pocket I dialed Jasper.
"Hello?" Jasper answered.
"Hey Jazz, its Bella, Get some rest tonight, we're on two days leave. Feel like getting out of the zoo?" I asked.
"Definitely, you already pass it by Carlisle?"
"Of course, no classes no projects, no practice. Best of all, we get to skip right over orientation on Monday."
He laughed at that, "great we don't need to deal with uncaging the monkeys! How did you pull that off?"
"I don't know", I grinned, "I almost feel guilty, but Carlisle offered. Hey- I'm going to hit the showers now, it was a rough one today, meet me in the morning?"
"Sounds good, dare I ask if there is beer in my future?"
"Yes my dear friend, I have a strong feeling that beer and tequila may await us." I replied with a laugh.
"Great, I'll see you in the morning."
"Sounds good." I replied ending my phone call and slipping into the locker room.
I took my time showering, letting the hot water work on the knots formerly known as muscles. The way my body had sweat today, and the tension in my muscles proved just how badly I needed this break. When I finished my shower, I headed over to the Jacuzzis. A hot water massage was definitely needed today. I stayed there for longer than I should have my skin wrinkled to raisin status the moving factor to make me get out. I pulled on a track suit, threw my bag over my shoulder heading back to my dorm.
My walk was a quick one, it was dark enough to see the stars and I watched them as I made my way, clearing my mind of the week now behind me. Upon entering my room I threw my bag on the floor and made my way to my bedroom throwing open the door, and flopping down face first on my bed. Exhaustion took over and I was asleep quickly.
I awoke from my first dreamless sleep in weeks feeling refreshed. There was a knocking on my door pulling me from my groggy state.
I swung the door open to reveal a chipper Jasper.
"Hey" I said stretching out my body reaching up and out and standing on my tip toes.
"Coffee my dear?" he said showing me the two large to go cups in his hands.
I smirked, "ah, who knows me better than you, huh?" I asked taking one of the cups. "What time is it anyway?"
"It's already 11, I thought you might still be sleeping, but I figured you had a trip you wanted to make this morning?" he replied without pressure.
"Your right, but you knew that already, let me just get dressed." I said tilting my coffee to him and excusing myself back to my bed room. I slipped on a pair of lower cut trouser style dark wash jeans with a lighter blue v neck cashmere sweater and my doc martins, comfort is king after all. Brushing my teeth and hair, throwing it into a low ponytail, and washing my face. I made my way back out into the living area.
"Ready?" I asked
"Yup, let's go." He replied putting his arm out for me to link into, closing the door behind us as we left.
2 hours later we found ourselves outside the Greater Seattle East Cemetery. Jasper sitting in the driver seat watching me from the corner of his eye cautiously. I stared straight ahead collecting myself for what was to come. This was always the most difficult part for me. Other times I could easily push it from my mind. When I was working, practicing, my focus could go elsewhere. When I am standing in front of their graves they held all of my attention. They were here because of me, they are the reason that I do what I do and someday, things would be made right.
Jasper got out from the driver side and made his way over to my door, opening it for me and reaching out a hand for me to hold. Jasper was a good friend. There really was no one like him. I laughed internally at my little joke. He helped me to calm myself long enough to make my way through the rows of cold white stone until I found the two that I was in search of. More had been added since the last time I was here. They were once the last two of a row, now there were several rows beyond them. I wondered what their causes were, what brought them to this place. Was it old age? A terrible disease? A violent end? We were there for hours, sitting with them, talking to them, paying our respects. Jasper who never even met them talks to them with me. He was always helping me. It was necessary at times like this, but he was a true friend. I gave him a watery smile as he stood and reach down a hand to help me up and lead me back.
Back in the car and headed towards Forks again, he let out a long breath, "You think this is all worth it? Everything we are doing here? I just, I don't know… I know you have personal experience with this but," he hesitated a moment, "how do we know we're doing the right thing here?" he asked in a quieter voice.
"I just know Jasper." I replied quiet still as well. "You know better than anyone the things that Carlisle and I have seen over the years. I hate that we are in this situation, but can we really turn our backs? I mean we were set apart for a reason right? It at least should be to help." I replied strumming my nails on the arm rest beside me. Glancing at him sideways I continued "There is no guarantee for any of us in all of this, but if I can stop one family from dealing with what I have had to deal with then it will all be worth it to me. I would rather know that I'm here and ready to help than be blindsided again. I've been blind enough for one lifetime."
"Your right" he said softly taking my hand in reassurance.
We sat quietly for quite some time before I decided that we needed to get ourselves out of this little funk we were in. There was very little leave time granted, getting out for two days in a row was not an occurrence that happened often and I wanted to take advantage of it. Remembering our phone conversation from the previous night I turned to jasper and said in a much more enthusiastic voice "Hey, let's not keep Jimmy, Johnny and José waiting ok?"
I got the reaction that I was looking for. He laughed genuinely. "You got it" he said pressing a little harder on the accelerator.
EPOV:
Somehow, I ended up in this tiny little shit hole of a town where there was nothing to do. It seemed that they had a population lower than some West Virginian Mountains, and about as many hotel, bar, and store options.
I am not sure what possessed me to agree to this. Emmett and I were enthralled with the preaching's of Dr. Carlisle Cullen. Oddly the same surname as my own, though there was no blood relation. My cousin and best friend Emmett McCarty and I were recruited during our last year of college. I was thinking of applying to medical school but the prospect of 4 more years of school spread out in front of me was not the most appealing thing.
There was very little information given as to the nature of what we would be doing, but I knew enough to be aware that it was going to be an experience that was somewhat military like. We would live in small apartments that were close to a dorm style. There would have classes and training, and possibly missions that would require the utmost confidentiality, beyond that very little information was given. We were assured that we would be able to leave if we so choose, but were also promised insight into what made us so different from others. We were always a little off from others that we met, and the possibility of finding out why, and what it meant was an opportunity that we could not pass up.
That's how Emmett and I came to find ourselves in a tiny dingy little bar, in a small town called Forks in Washington. There were a few locals around, all of them eyeing us suspiciously. I was certain this place didn't normally see foot traffic that was not some townie that lived here all their lives. There were a few older men sitting at the bar, spread out a chair or two between each. A couple of guys about our age sitting at a round table drinking and playing a game of cards. There was pool table in the corner with two men playing a game while a woman looked on from a stool set by the wall near where they were playing; they seemed to be having a good time the three of them laughing together. I noticed a dart board on the far right of the bar, and turned to let Emmett know. No need not to enjoy our last night before submerging ourselves in work the next few days. As I turned back, I caught Emmett staring as though he were star struck at a gorgeous blonde that had just walked in the door along with 2 other women. The tall blonde seemed to lead the group, she had classic bombshell curves and hair so light it looked platinum, I didn't notice any roots and a briefly wondered if her hair color was real. I laughed to myself about the old saying that while real blondes have more fun, they weren't usually too bright, unless of course we were talking about a golden retriever.
Emmett broke his graze and shot a glare at me, "what the hell are you laughing at?" he snarled at me.
"Nothing, just a stupid thought. She's a fox," I said winking at him.
His head turned back towards her and he said "ya I think I'm in love." His eyes glazing over for a brief second before he shook his head free from his thoughts. "Hey maybe this is a sign that we really are doing the right thing huh?" he asked huge white smile emanating from his face.
"Sure Emmett, God has now taken to sending you messages in the form of hot blondes. Let's play some darts."
We walked over to the dart board bringing our drinks along. We hadn't been there long when the three women joined us. I seemed that the blonde from earlier was the best looking of her friends. The others seemed like they were dressed in the way that proved how hard they were trying to compensate. Make up caked on, skirts short and tops cut low to ensure as little as possible was actually covered.
The pretty one stepped up first; friends right behind her. Her hair swaying behind her back freely, hips slowly moving from side to side. She seemed care free yet determined all at once. Her eyes back and forth between Emmett and myself, but lingering on Emmett longer. Good Emmett could use a little relaxer, hell I could use a relaxer as well, but then Emmett is in love. I internally snickered to myself, he's never like that. We had been so tightly wound, unsure of what to expect from this trip, that I was certain it was throwing Emmett a bit too. Anxieties were high, and my body had felt like it was a tense ball for the past three days. We hadn't talked about it, we still weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into.
The tall blonde stalked up to Emmett and myself walking slightly past us, running her pointer finger lightly across both of our chests before she turned back to us.
"Can we join you?" She asked with an air of confidence.
"Sure" was all Emmett said, grabbing her waist and leading her to the bar to get her a drink. The other two women looked at me. The other blond eyed me up and down, while the shorter brunette seemed a bit more shy, giggling nervously and casting her eyes down to her feet briefly before mustering up some courage and looking me in the face again.
"Do you need drinks I asked?" eyeing them both. Neither was really my type. They giggled excitedly nodding their heads up and down and batting their eyelashes. I shrugged to myself and lead them to the bar, hands to myself, ensuring that they would work for any chance I may throw them.
Drinks in hand, we played darts for a bit. I saw the other blonde; Lauren was her name whisper something in the other girl's ear. She glanced at me quickly and then looked down at the floor with a frown nodding to her friend. Jessica, as I came to know the shy girl, had gone over to the juke box in the corner to see what they had. I should have warned her that in a place as dingy as this, a place that in fact still used a juke box in a tiny small town with a population that seemed to be 50; the chances are that there would not be anything worth her quarter. She had come out of her shell quite a bit as the alcohol made its way down her throat. We had been here for about an hour now it was about 10, and she had drank enough to put herself under the table but she held herself up. She had put on a slow song and I noticed one of the guys that had been sitting at the table had gone to her while at the juke box and asked her to dance. Hey, not a problem, like I said she wasn't really my type any way. Besides, tomorrow would be a very big day.
Lauren then began nuzzling up to me. She ran her pointer finger down the center of my chest, obviously trying to take a clue from Rosalie, the pretty blonde, earlier. It certainly did not have the same effect, but I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer to me anyway as we began to dance to this god awful song.
"I have always loved this song" she purred into my ear her hands running up my arms and latching behind my neck.
I didn't respond, how could I? I closed my eyes as we turned our dance movements and she lightly ground herself into me, ensuring I knew she was up for a good time. My eye lids parted and I noticed that the table full of guys around our age was now empty. The dark haired guy was still dancing with Jessica, whispering in her ear. It was then that I felt waves of calm come over me. Proving to me that all I needed was a little female attention to ensure that I was in the right mind set for tomorrow. As we continued to turn I noticed that the guys from the table were now all over by the pool table, and I heard Emmett's booming laughter from the center. My interest peaked. As the song came to an end I broke apart from my new appendage, taking her hand in mine and making my way towards the group. Emmett always had a way of making friends.
"Hey what's going on?" I asked him as I came to stand beside him on the outskirts of the group now.
He turned to look at me with a smirk, "I just got owned" as he erupted into laughter again, "Rose is trying to redeem me now, but it's not looking good for her. She's pretty good though. Can you imagine, a hot girl that drink s beer, plays pool, and works on cars? I think I'm in love…" he remarked as he looked back at her.
"Yeah you said that already," I laughed and patting him on the back, I leaned a bit closer and said. "I think you're in drunk". He blew it off and watched her calculate her next shot. "What is she stripes or solids?"
"Stripes" he replied.
"Then why are you saying it's not looking good for her? I see two stripes have been pocketed, all solids still on the table." I glanced back at him as I felt Lauren clawing up my arm for attention. I tried to shake her off a bit so her arms wrapped around my waste instead.
"Watch" was all he said as he tipped his beer bottle towards the table. She sunk her next shot, and turned, a blonde guy with shaggy surfer like hair handed her a shot of some sort. Emmett must have known my next question. "Every shot you sink you take a shot of tequila, before you can take your next shot." I eyed the situation again I noticed a brunette speaking with some of the locals. She was very pretty, not really my type, I usually went for someone much more like Rosalie, but something just seemed to glow around her. Her dark curls bounced as she laughed with the guys, lightly swatting one of their arms. I was enthralled. It seemed that all of the men were. I went to take a step towards her when something tightened around my waste; I looked down to see Lauren smiling up as me, batting her eye lashes in an attempt to be sexy. Now that I had seen the brunette, Lauren was even less attractive.
As I tried to unclamp her hands from me, I heard Rosalie's unmistakable voice ring out "What the fuck!" My head jerked up to see what happened and noticed that she simply missed her shot.
"Don't Worry Rosalie, you're doing well, everyone misses once in a while, give the poor sap a chance", she had almost cleared the stripes from the table, what was she so worried about?
She glared daggers at me with her eyes, as the surfer dude laughed lightly shaking his head and simply placing the bottle of tequila on the side of the table. Pool stick in his hand he began chalking it up. So that's what's going on here, surfer boy was a pool shark! "I'm next" I said nodding my head towards him.
"We'll see buddy" he said continuing to laugh, shaking his head now. I was a good pool player and I could hold my alcohol, needless to say I was not worried.
I stepped a bit closer to the table and noticed the brunette strutting towards the surfer dude. She stalked straight up to him and looked directly into his eyes, "Aww, you gonna give him a kiss for luck honey? You may want to save that for the next round." I smirked at her. Her face did not turn from his, but I could see the smirk forming on her face, while Emmett was coughing next to me and nudging me with his arm.
"Cut it out Edo" he said to me in a low voice. She laughed as if she could hear him, and slammed a shot quickly, taking the pool stick from the surfer dude. She walked half way around the table as if quickly assessing her shots. Then she began, ball after ball she cleared the table, shot after shot, drink after drink she continued. The alcohol did not seem to be effecting her very much. Finally the table only held the remainder of the stripes and the 8 ball, clearing the table in her first round downing shots like they were water. She took a stance right in front of me, it would have been a much easier shot from another angle, her ego was inflated and she was going to scratch because of it. She re chalked her pool stick blowing lightly on the end giving me a wink. She bent over, and my eyes dragged down to her ass prominently displayed before me in her dark jeans. I'm not sure how long I was watching her ass, but I heard someone clear their throat and I looked up finding her face turned back to me over her shoulder.
"Eyes up here buddy" she said. She kept her eyes locked with mine as she took her shot. I grinned to myself. I dazzled her, he just totally scratched because I dazzled her.
She turned back to the table to standing up, walked around and accepted another shot from surfer boy. Confused I looked back at the table to find that she did not in fact scratch but took the game. This girl was amazing.
"Am I next?" I asked. I wanted this girl now. Surfer boy be damned.
"I think she's going to take a break" surfer boy responded for her. "That was her third set tonight, she practically downed a bottle to herself, and I'd like her to slow down a bit." He was calm as he spoke. She looked fine though, how the hell could she have drank that much and still be standing- she was tiny. I couldn't drink that much and still be standing.
"What did you water her shit down?" I asked "there is no way that she could hold that much liquor." I was annoyed now, Emmett was looking a bit tanked as was Rosalie, but there stood a 110lb little girl without so much as a stumble or a slur. They were pulling something I was certain of it.
"Ahh, I wouldn't tell me or my friend here what we can or cannot do" she replied this time. Her voice was low, but light. I saw out of the corner of my eye the townies had gone back to their own thing, one still with Jessica and 2 trying to talk to Lauren. Good keep her busy I thought to myself.
"We were drinking from the same bottle" Rosalie piped up, not slurring but eyes certainly glazed and her steps slightly stumbling, and she had had less to drink than the tiny girl in front of me. "It's definitely not watered down." She finished hanging on Emmett now; I'm sure more for support than sport for the first time all night.
I looked back down to the tiny girl in front of me to find her and surfer dude gone. I spun around finding them at the juke box, choosing a song. The song was still old, and certainly it was commercial, but it was a classic and much better than the song that Jessica had chosen earlier. The song rang out, as the new object of my affections, well at least my lust, started to sway her hips in the middle of the floor. Surfer boy more than happy to sway easily along with her, his hands around her waist. I don't think I like Surfer boy. But for some reason I couldn't feel like I hated him as much as I wanted to. Go figure that, maybe I had more to drink than I had originally thought.
I continued to watch the brunette and the surfer dance, she would erupt with laughter ever so often and he would genuinely smile down at her. They must have been together for quite some time. The song ended and I continued to watch her from my post sitting with my back against the bar, beer in hand. They made their way over to the dart board and started to play, it didn't seem as though alcohol was being used to egg this on this time and it was just the two of them. Being the ass that I was I decided to inject myself into their little game.
"Mind If I join you?" I asked of the happy couple whispering to each other in what seemed to be hushed and frantic tones.
"Uhh, sure" surfer boy said as he glanced sideways at me. "You ok with that Bells?"
"What ever, I'm cool." She replied. Ok, so maybe I don't dazzle her, I'll admit though I was dazzled by her.
"How about a little wager?" I asked.
She looked at me quickly, almost nervously, returning her gaze to her blond shaggy friend quickly. "What did you have in mind?" She asked.
I tapped my pointer finger against my chin in thought, "oh, how about if I win, you spend the rest of the night hanging out and dancing with me?" I saw from the corner of my eye, Lauren turn around and shoot me a glare, her boy stepped forward and looked like he wanted to interject but she quickly cut him off. Good I thought maybe I do have a shot.
"And what do I get if I win?" She asked sweet and innocent like.
"Anything you want darling" I replied in a lower huskier voice than I had been using. She eyed me up and down carefully, biting down on her lower lip. God she was sexy as hell. How did I not see that right from the beginning? She was absolutely beautiful.
She slowly walked closer to me and leaned in a bit. "Do I have to let you know now?" She asked her voice breathy making me want to grab her and bolt right out of here.
I shook my head no, slowly not breaking eye contact, staying put in the close proximity that she had created.
"Ok" she said in an excited voice with a wink and a turn, her brown curls hitting me in the face as she walked to the dart board and took out the six darts.
Surfer boy shook his head at me, "be careful," he said "she's really not the type of girl that you mess with."
"I can handle myself" I said with a cocky smirk. I was certain that by the end of the night surfer boy would be going one way and the brown eyed girl would be going with me. She walked back placing the blue darts in my hand. She kept the green for herself.
"You want to go first?" she asked tipping her sideways towards the board. Her brown eyes were sparkling with excitement.
I shook my head, "oh no, Ladies first".
She smiled and turned her body towards the board as I watched her. She winked at me quickly and threw the dart, landing in the dead center of the bull's eye. "Lucky shot I guess" she said with a grin and a shrug.
I grinned and stood to take my turn, she brushed up against me as she stepped to the side allowing me my shot. A thrill of energy was sent through me at her touch. I decided to give it all right back to her and shot her my signature grin and a wink. I shot my dart out, it too landing in the bull's eye just to the left of hers. "Lucky shot I guess" I said to her with a shrug of my shoulders.
She laughed lightly stepping back a good five steps. She looked at the board again and then shot her eyes to me and threw the dart as if she wasn't even paying attention. I broke my gaze free from her as she held hers tight to me to find that the second dart had also hit the bulls eye, just above her first, they were so close they looked as if they were touching. Surfer boy laughed to himself while propped up against the far wall watching our little game.
I went to take my spot this time brushing down her arm with my hand so lightly it was almost nonexistent, but with enough intent for her to know that it wasn't. The energy flowed through me again. She stepped to the side allowing me my shot. My second shot also landing just inside the bull's eye, this time to just to the right of her first dart. I smirked again shrugging my shoulders. "We are going to have so much fun tonight" I told her still confident in myself.
This time her friend laughed louder as if he could no longer hold it in. She laughed as well. "I fully intend on having a blast tonight" she replied brazenly.
She walked almost flush to the back wall this time. As if she was going to throw the dart from one end of the room to the other. I shook my head at her, "Quite the ego huh?" I asked.
She shot the dart out quickly, turning to me as she did so, not even paying attention to where the dart would be going. "Yes you do seem to have quite an ego" she replied quirking her head towards the board. I glanced over at the board quickly, turning back to her to see her smirk and eyes still on me. She raised her eyebrows slowly tipping her head towards the board again as she had done earlier. I looked again in time to hear Emmett's booming laughter as he checked out the board. I walked up to get a better view finding that she split her first dart in half with her third dart, and that the second dart had in fact shaved off of the first darts top as well.
"Don't think there is any way to beat that set up there Eddie boy," Emmett said laughing with Rosalie.
I turned back in time to see her heading towards the door to leave with surfer boy, I went to grab for her wrist. There was no way I was letting this one leave my sight so early. "Where do you think you're going?" I asked in the most seductive voice I had.
She turned slowly; eyes wide, she glanced down at her wrist and my hand betrayed me dropping her wrist from my grasp. Suddenly I was taking two steps backwards, even though my mind was tell my body to stay put. She smirked, "I think you have your hands full tonight", she replied "wouldn't want to waste all the work you put into that one now would you?" she nodded her head with a half grin, and even though I told myself not to break her gaze, my head and eyes turned to Lauren. I wanted to tell her it wasn't like that. I wanted to turn back to her and at least say a proper good bye maybe get her name and number in case I had free time again in the future. But suddenly my feet were shuffling towards Lauren as she turned and smirked and walked towards me. As we grew closer within mere steps now from each other I heard her call out "have a good time tonight, thanks for the game!"
My body came back under my control just in time to see surfer boy holding the door open for her and laughing as they stepped out of the bar, her hair trailing behind her.
Suddenly all of the stress of what tomorrow held crashed back down on me again, gone was the calm and acceptance, gone was the girl who had held my rapt attention, wrapping me up around her finger just to flick me away. My stress was back, I was wound tighter than I was before and now I was angry. She had treated me as if I was not on her level, as if she could barley waste her time to play a full game of darts with me. "Let's go Emmett, I want to get out of here!" I shouted across the bar. Lauren shot me a hopeful look and I scowled at her, finished the beer in my hand and slammed my way out the door. I was ready for today to be over.