When I was five years old, I proudly announced to my mother that I was going to marry Embry Call. She laughed of course and helped me plan my 'wedding'. At the time, Embry had been my "Knight in Shining Armor" and had stood up for me when the 'bullies' in our Pre-K had picked on me. I remember Paul (a kindergartener) and Jared (also a kindergartener) had cornered me in the sandbox and kept telling me my short hair made me look like a boy (in their defense- it was a pretty ridiculous haircut). And then out of nowhere- there he was. This little boy, dressed up in paint covered overalls with his hair sticking up everywhere just appeared and told them to back off (an anomaly as Embry was usually very quiet- unless he was with Jacob and Quil). They laughed at him of course and called him a "booger head" and other such nonsense- but he never once moved from in front of me, even when they kicked sand at him. They eventually gave up (as Kindergarteners don't tend to have a lot of patience) and he turned around and just smiled this gap toothed smile. Right then and there- I fell in love.
He never really paid any attention to me after that- even when Paul and Jared did (eventually) start to pick on me again (this time for my obnoxious red glasses). I kind of guessed that Jake and Quil had teased him about standing up for me- but despite this, my crush stayed true. I watched him throughout elementary school (we always had the same classes- the Reservation was just that small), doodling "Carrie and Embry" or "Carry Call" all over my notebooks. Even if he didn't stand up for me, I kind of always thought of him as my "Knight"- because even when he didn't stand up for me his very presence gave me hope when I felt hopeless. He was there through the bad times (like when my glasses got even bigger), the bad-er times (puberty- god's gift to miserable me. The joys of getting fat and zit-covered) and the worst times (One word- braces.). And now, in High school, I could only marvel at the fact that…he still had no idea I existed. Alas, it was one of those miserable truths. It was expected though. I was but a lowly serf and he was a god-like prince of La Push High.
I was knocked out of my miserable-musing by the absurdly loud ringing of the school bell. Apparently, I'd missed the entirety of my English class moping over my missing crush- not that it mattered. I'd read ahead six chapters already. My fuzzy clumps of brown hair fell out of my (somewhat) immaculate bun, temporarily stalling my hasty exit from "Mrs. Marsh's" English class- and allowing me to hear the school gossips chatter.
"Did you hear? Embry Call's not here today either!" Becky Wilkes gasped, pushing an obnoxiously (fake) piece of platinum hair behind her ear (who'd ever heard of a blonde Native American? I haven't.). Her loyal crony, Samantha Wolfe, gasped at the appropriate time.
"AND I hear that he's hanging out with Sam's group now- I hope he's not on steroids like those other boys. It's such a shame…" Becky continued while Samantha 'hmm'd in appreciation. I stored this helpful tidbit of information about my future husband away for future reference. I then proceeded to push past the annoying twits (ignoring their rather rude cursing) and shuffle to lunch-my least favorite 'class' as it were. For you see- in my pursuit of perfection (coughcoughEmbrycoughcough) I had neglected a very important part of high school….friends.
Not that anyone would even TRY and be friends with me- they're too worried about getting dumped into a trashcan every Wednesday like I am (I've learned to bring an extra change of clothes and LOTS of perfume on those days). Besides, I preferred my solitude…sometimes. Don't get me wrong- I'd never wish my horrifying fate on anyone, but it would be nice not to be so alone all the time. My cat Fay was my best friend! And as comforting as purring can be, I don't think she understood the painful humiliation of having your pants yanked down in front of the entirety of the student body when you're on your period. After 'fondly' remembering that painful truth from seventh grade, I finally made it to the lunch room…and was promptly pushed into a trashcan by none other than Paul Meraz (yes. The same Paul who picked on me in Pre-K- I guess I just scream "LOSER" to any asshole in a ten mile radius). Well actually it was more like I flew into the trashcan- Paul was insanely strong, a fact which he held over my head every day since he disappeared for two weeks with "mono".
This time, I had luckily worn pants, so my wonderful "SpongeBob" underwear hadn't been exposed to the entire high school. Unluckily, it was also chilly day, and my hair and glasses were now covered in the disgusting substance. It also appeared that I was stuck in the trashcan with my hands pinned to my sides. I immediately started to struggle, desperately trying to free myself while ignoring the cackling of the student body. They just laughed at me. Maybe if I had SOME friends this wouldn't happen- or maybe they'd be stuck with me. The very thought caused me to struggle harder, fighting off hot tears that immediately fogged the glasses covering my muddy brown eyes. And then- just when I was about to give up- I was suddenly surrounded by light and cackling teenagers. Just like that, there he was.
My Knight had come to my rescue- finally.
Or at least I guessed this by the sound of his voice- my glasses were fogged up and covered in meat slop after all. I could vaguely make out him chuckling.
"Oh lord girl- how did you manage to end up in a trashcan?" Despite the fact that he simply talking to me had basically put me in a bliss-induced coma, I couldn't help but snort.
"Like you don't know- seriously, I think I'm the best laugh this school ever gets. " I can only assume he smiled since I was temporarily blinded by sunlight. I gasped, shielding my eyes from his glory- only to realize seconds later that he had simply taken off my glasses to clean them and the 'sun' was the harsh light of the cafeteria. After recovering from my 'temporary blindness' I came face to face with my long time crush for the first time since I was five.
And the world tilted.
If you've ever stuck the vacuum nozzle to your hand, you know what it feels like- that tugging, all consuming pull that tries to absorb you, but fails. Well this feeling was almost exactly like that- except all over…and it most certainly did not fail. I was just kind of stuck for a moment, looking it his eyes. The entire world became the TV on mute- only to be abruptly ruined when I was (rudely) pushed into a gaping and somewhat hypnotized, Embry's (finely chiseled- when did that happen?) chest. I was vaguely aware that he was absurdly and unnaturally hot- though I was more consumed with the fact that he was growling.
"God damn it Paul! Don't you ever fucking touch her again or so help me-"Embry sounded insanely pissed, but I knew that despite his delicious growth-spurt there was no WAY on the planet that he could take on Paul- he was too strong.
"No- its fine Embry. You don't have to be nice, I'm used to this sort of thing" As opposed to calming him down, he just snarled even more and started to shake.
"Aw c'mon puppy- it's okay. You heard the girl, she used to it! Besides- why the soft act now, you never did SHIT before." God help me- Paul did have a point. Why WAS he standing up for me?
"Damn it Paul- she my impr-" He stopped abruptly and just stared at Paul for a moment, as if he was trying to convey something with his eyes.
And just like that- Paul backed down.
"Oh shit man- I'm sorry." Paul said while backing up, Jared in tow.
"Man- what the HELL is going on? Why are you apologizing to him? We pick on fuzz-head-" Real original ass-monkey "all the damn time! It's like our very own pass time!" Embry snarled at him, while kind of petting my head (seeing as I was still squished against him. Was I going to complain? Fuck no- I'd been waiting for this moment for 10 years!) . Paul just looked at Jared and seemed to mumble something very quietly- immediately changing the confused look on Jared's face to one of understanding.
"Damn man- sucks to be you. I hope mine's not all creepy and nerdy" Embry snarled yet again forcing Jared into submission.
"Jesus- alright I get it. When did you grow a pair?" I couldn't see his face due to the fact I was squished right in between his man-boobs, but I assume he glared at him. Despite the fact that I could not see my gorgeous Indian Knight- I was well aware of the entire cafeteria staring at our little freak show. I coughed gently to try and get my adorable giant's attention. Embry immediately stopped growling (and shaking- what the hell was with THAT anyway?) and pulled me back enough so that he could look at my face, palming it in his ludicrously large hands. The look on his face was one of absurd tenderness and concern- melting me into a puddle of "Carrie" goo.
"Hey- you okay? You sick or something?" I tried to pull myself out of my 'puddle' but his finger rubbing my face distracted me further.
"Hello? Uh hello? Hey- wait, what's your name anyways?" THAT little question pulled me out of my bubble of bliss.
"Excuse me? You don't even know my NAME?" He kind of looked confused- and a little strained, as if he was desperately trying to recall my name. He finally gave up and just shook his head no while looking incredibly sad (I nearly died from heartbreak due to that look).
"We've had the same classes together since Kindergarten." Despite the fact that I was angry, I also felt extremely hurt- this was just some more proof that I was utterly invisible unless humiliated. Embry looked like he'd been slapped. Regardless of my attempts to hide the hurt, my Knight in cut-offs seemed to look right through it.
"How could I NOT notice you?" I knew he was talking to himself- but I couldn't help but answer as the look on his face was far too heartbreaking for 'sensitive' me to stand.
"Don't beat yourself up- not noticing me is a public duty that this school has impeccably upheld since I could attend it." I patted him comfortingly on the face- yet again caught up in how gorgeous his eyes were. They were this dark brown, but I could vaguely see this greenish gold ring around the pupil….
My internal musing was cut off by the harsh screeching of the bell. I reluctantly wiggled out of Embry's grasp and started to trot down the hall. I suddenly heard him shout.
"Wait! I don't even know your name!" I don't know what came over me then- I'd been fighting to get his attention since I could remember! Why would I play hard to get? And yet, I felt like MAYBE he should be the one to fight for me. Maybe I'd done my part in fate's grand scheme? So, with a (thankfully brace-free) smile, I just turned around and shouted back.
"That's for YOU to find out Embry Call! WORK FOR IT BABY!" And then I just turned around and laughed myself down the hall.
So- tell me what you think. I warn you, this story is going to be INSANELY fluffy. I'm feeling less funny and more romantic right now- don't worry, I don't have any huge drama planned. I hate that shit in a romance.
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