Before I could go upstairs for the night, Charlie stopped me by the stairs.
"I'm glad that you and Jake made up, Bells," he told me, laying a hand on my shoulder.
I smiled. "Me too, Dad."
"Are you planning on hanging out with him tomorrow?" He asked. A look in his eyes made me think that he was seconds away from pleading. It would have aggravated most people but I knew Charlie was just worried that I would slip.
"Actually, Jake was going to take me up to La Push to meet the pa- gang." I told him leaning against the wall.
"Sam's gang?" Charlie asked raising an eyebrow. I nodded timidly, Charlie copying my position on the wall, "I thought you weren't very fond of them."
"I wasn't, but Jake can be very convincing," I muttered clearing my throat sharply.
"Well I believe Sam is a good man. Billy talks very highly about him and the boys, well, except for one..." he trailed off, puckering his eyebrows.
"Who?" I asked him, though I had a feeling that I already knew.
"I think his name was Paul. I saw him getting into some fights about a year ago, and I overheard some of the people down in La Push saying that he had some anger issues. He disappeared for about two weeks, missing school and not contacting his mom. Came back taller and with more muscles, I wouldn't put it past him to be taking steroids or any type of drug for that matter…" he muttered, glaring at the ground.
"I saw him today in La Push, he was…yelling to someone about somebody else and he looked like he was about to punch somebody," I told him, leaving out the part where it was me he was yelling at me about me.
"He is not a good kid to be hanging around; I think you should stay away from him." He told me sternly, staring me straight in the eyes.
"No problem," I told him, gladly wanting to be away from the angry wolf that was annoying enough to never go away.
"Thank you," he told me kissing my forehead, "and I'm leaving real early tomorrow so if I don't seen you then have a fun day tomorrow," I nodded as he trailed up the stairs. Glancing once more at the window, I walked up the stairs after him.
I changed into comfortable sleep-wear, brushed my teeth and walked into my room, closing the door tightly behind me.
"You know, both you and your dad have the wrong impression of me," a voice called from behind. I screeched, turning sharply to see Paul frown and look at my comforter.
"What are you doing in here? Leave…now." I told him harshly, not moving from my spot.
"Please, Bella, give me another chance. I gave you the wrong impression the first time we met." He told me, standing up so he was towering over me.
"I think you gave me the perfect impression of you. From what I've heard you are the meanest, most obnoxious, annoying, pig-headed-
"OKAY, okay, I get the picture," he growled, giving me a short glare, "that's how I used to be," he continued, face softening as he spoke.
"Oh so your telling me that you changed into a nice guy in the span five hours," I snorted and walked over towards the open window, pointing towards the open spot. "Stop yanking my chain and just leave."
"Bella, please," he said, his hair blowing into his dark eyes from the open window. I paused and looked him over once more.
"I have nothing to say to you," I told him, gesturing towards the window once more. "If I want to talk to you then I will find you, but right now we have nothing more to discuss."
A pained expression fell onto his face as he stared at me, testing my patience. He sighed once before walking towards me and folding himself so that he could fit himself through the small window.
"If that's what you want…" he told me hesitating.
"It is Paul," I stated, turning my back on the window. I didn't hear him but when I turned around again, he was already gone.
PPOV
It hurts like hell when your imprint loathes you; completely mind-blowing when you can't do nothing to change it.
If only you looked into her eyes a little sooner idiot, Jared told me through my head. I growled at the wolf running besides me, his eyes flickering from me to the landscape surrounding us.
No one asked you opinion, Jared, I told him, snapping at his heels. He jumped away laughing.
Come on Paul, your destroying me here with all your self-hatred, he responded whining.
Then leave, speeding up so that I was ahead of him.
Can't do that, we patrol together tonight, he told me giving me a wolfy grin.
What if Kim told you that she hated you and never wanted to talk to you again? I asked him. He didn't respond making me bark sarcastically, exactly.
I'm sorry man, but I don't really know how to help you. He told me, sobering up.
Lots of help there, Jared, I growled, pawing at the ground harder.
You didn't want my opinion remember, I took another snap at him and he jumped back before skidding to a stop and sitting down. I turned on my heels and walked up to him. Can I give you my opinion now? I didn't reply so he took that as a yes. Just try to get her to see that you aren't the asshole that she saw today. Your already acting differently I see that, but try doing little things like smiling from afar or even holding the door open for her. Little things will help, he told me, resting his head on his paws.
I paced back and forth, feeling his eyes on me every time I passed in front of him. I growled irritated and swiped at a near-by tree. I thought that both people feel something when the wolf imprints? Why does she have to hate me so much?
She doesn't hate you, Paul, she just doesn't know the real you yet. Hell, none of us know the real you, but if you imprint on her, then somebody thinks you are perfect for her. She just doesn't see it yet. He stood up and walked up to me, head-butting me in the side. It will all work out man.
I sure hope so, Jared, I don't know what I would do if she hated me forever.
Don't think that she will, think that she does now, but when she sees the real you then she will think that she was stupid for not liking you in the first place. He told me, shrugging his large furry shoulders.
You're my best friend, Jared, thanks for helping me. I'm sorry for be a jerk to you earlier. I told him honestly, making him freeze in his spot.
I…did he…what universe am I in? Damn, this is one of those moments when I need a camcorder! The great Paul apologizes! I growled loudly, ramming him in the shoulder.
Way to ruin the moment, I told him sourly, starting my run again. I heard him laugh inside my head and then follow me quickly so that we could continue patrol.
You already whipped man, he told me laughing. I rolled my eyes and shoved him in the shoulder. But I can see the difference already from the old Paul; this one is a lot nicer.
Asshole.
BPOV
I woke up the next morning with a light shining brightly on my face. I opened my eyes slowly and looked at the window shocked. I jumped up and ran to the window to the see the sun high in the sky with no cloud in sight. I sighed in content and leaned against the window, basking in the warmth.
After a few minutes, I decided to start getting ready, picking out some white jeans shorts and a bright yellow tank top with a silver drawing of a sun on it. I slipped my feet into a pair of white sandals that I had brought with me from Arizona when I came to live with Charlie.
I walked into the bathroom and washed my face, cleaning the sleep out of my eyes with a rag. I brushed my hair so that it waved down my back and placed a white headband in it to hold back my bangs.
I started down the stairs quickly, eager to start my day with the sun. Just as I reached the last step the doorbell rang, signaling my best friend had arrived.
"Hey, Jake!" I exclaimed, opening the door. He smiled and swung me around in his arms.
"Someone's in a good mood," he said smiling. I laughed and walked into the kitchen with him on my heels.
"The sun is shining and it's not raining, it's going to be a good day," I told him opening the fridge to look for food.
"After we go to Emily's we can go to the beach if you want?" I turned to him and nodded quickly.
"That would be great, Jake," I told him, grabbing a pan and spatula. "Hungry?"
"Always," he laughed, sitting down on the stool by the counter. I cracked four eggs and then one more when he told me that he would he more than two of me combined. He told me it was a wolf thing.
Chatter filled the room as I cooked, never getting silent. I missed this between us, I felt whole again and very happy, though I still felt something missing.
We ate in silence, him savoring the food, and me staring at him as he consumed his large helping of eggs, bacon and toast.
Once we were finished, I told him to put the dishes in the sink while I went upstairs to brush my teeth and grab my swimsuit, just in case I wanted to swim. I also put a change of clothes in a bag with some sunscreen and a towel before jogging down the stairs.
This proved to be a bad idea, because as soon as I hit the last step, I tripped and started falling face first towards the floor. I braced myself for the impact that never came however, seeing as Jake caught me just in time.
"Thanks, Jake," I told him, brushing myself off as I turned to him.
"No problem, you ready? We'll take my car," I nodded and followed him towards the Rabbit sitting in my driveway. He quickly turned it on and pulled us out of Forks easily.
"When we get to Emily's, try not to stare, it bugs Sam." I turned to him confused at his words.
"Why would I stare?" I asked him.
"You'll see when we get there," was all he said. I looked at him for a few more seconds before looking back at the window and watching the scenery pass by. Soon enough, we were pulling the Rabbit up to a small house that gave off a homely sense. It was very beautiful.
We got out of the car and started walked towards the front door, but before we could make it to the steps, the whole wolf pack ran out of the house…all of them except one person.
They all grinned at me in greeting just as Sam walked out with his arm around a gorgeous woman with black hair. She had a fair face that could turn strict in seconds. Her slim body was wrapped comfortably around Sam and her hand gripped firmly in his.
Her main feature however, were the scar marring the side of her face. It ran from her hairline, down to her jaw, three distinct lines sticking out of her perfect skin. I looked away from them quickly and turned towards Sam, thinking of the way the scars were placed on her face.
"Bella," Sam said, nodding towards me.
"Sam," I replied, smiling softly.
"This is my fiancée Emily, Emily this is Bella, Jake's friend," he told her, giving her a pointed look. I didn't know what was behind the look but recognition lit her face as she smiled at me happily.
"It's very nice to meet you, Bella," she told me smiling.
"You too, Emily."
"I'm sure Kim would be happy, just as much as me, to have another girl in this house of boys. They need to be tamed and I heard you are the best. I laughed at her, remembering the strict tone I used yesterday with all of them. "Would you like to help me in the kitchen, Bella?"
"Sure," I replied, walking towards her while she kissed Sam's cheek and lead me inside of her eyes. Emily seemed very nice and I believed that we would be getting along just fine.
"I'm making a couple of pies for the boys if you would like to help. These boys can eat a lot and I need to make more than two to feed them." She told me smirking. I laughed and walked over towards where she was rolling around a piece of dough that would be used to make the crust.
"I figured that out quickly," I told her, as she handed me some dough to shape. We quickly fell into a rhythm and Emily always had us talking, asking questions about me, like I was to her. We learned many things about each other and soon the pies were done and were walking them towards the table set up in the kitchen. All of the boys filed in, smelling the pies waiting for them.
As I watched them though, I still felt something tugging at me. I know I told Paul to leave me alone, but I felt like I was running him out of his home. I grimaced in guilt, frustration, and annoyance, leaning my elbows on the counter and resting my head in my hands.
"Bella?" Emily asked softly, leaning on the counter next to me.
"Sorry, Emily, I was just thinking about something," I told her. She looked like she wanted to continue on with the discussion but she stopped and let it go. It was something I found to like about Emily; she knew when to drop it when I didn't want to talk about something.
"One of you boys should phase and tell Paul to come get some pie before it's all gone," Emily called, looking at all of the guys stuffing their faces. None of them looked like they wanted to get up, but slowly Jared…I think…got up and headed towards the door.
"How can he tell Paul while they are phased?" I asked confused.
"It's our way of communication," Embry told me, as he shoved another giant piece in his mouth.
"Embry," Emily chastised giving him the look.
"Sorry Em," he told her apologetically, taking a smaller bite then before.
"Wait, you can communicate while you are a wolf," I asked again, brushing a piece of my hair back.
"Yeah, we can speak to each other through our thoughts and we can't hide secrets either, when we are wolves our mind in open to everybody so they know every little thing that happened the day before or twenty years ago, you can't hide anything," I frowned at the thought of no privacy but didn't get far in my musings before the front door opened and Jared walked in followed by a sour looking Paul.
Paul didn't even glance my way; he started straight for the table, a hungry and exhausted look on his face. Once he reached it however, I saw that there was only half a pie left out of the ten we made.
"Who the hell ate all the food?" He exclaimed, glaring at Embry who was in the middle of swallowing a huge piece of pie.
"Lighten up Paul, we saved you some," Jared told him shoving the pie left in the pan.
"There's barely anything on it you asshole!" I flinched at his words, letting them remind me of the Paul I remembered yesterday afternoon, and not the pleading one that had me on edge yesterday night.
"Paul," Jared hissed, glancing over here. I looked behind me to see who he was looking at but when I didn't see anybody I realized he was looking at me, and so was Paul.
He cursed under his breath and gave me a small smile, which I only grimaced at. His smile dropped and he fidgeted uncomfortably.
"Sorry, Bella, I didn't see you there," he told me, lowering his eyes. My eyebrows scrunched together at his reaction. Why was he all nice when I was in the room? Was he trying to prove he wasn't an asshole, cause so far, it wasn't working.
"Paul," I acknowledge, looking away at his fallen expression. The pack coughed uncomfortably, looking at each other; Sam was the only one that decided to speak up.
"Did you see anything on patrol, Paul?" He asked, quickly changing the atmosphere of the room. Paul looked up at him and shook his head.
"Nothing, it was a clear run," Paul replied, grabbing a chair and folding himself in it, glancing at me wearily.
"Good, thanks for taking the shift by yourself, you usually don't," Sam told him, his head leaning to one side.
"Jared was with me for a while through-out the night, I told him to go home though because I needed to think over a few things by myself," Paul told him, sending me another glance. It was my turn to start fidgeting uncomfortably, and soon enough I looked over at Emily and she motioned me to follow her.
We walked outside and starting trailing slowly through the rocky path. We remained silent-I listening to the sound of our footsteps, and her thinking hard about something.
"Bella, you know if you ever want to talk to anyone I'll be happy to listen," she told me, smiling softly. I returned it, wondering why she brought it up. "It was hard on me the first time that I found out about the pack."
"It was," I asked, looking up at her.
"Yes, it probably had more to do with Sam and Leah though," she told me grimacing.
"Leah? Leah Clearwater?" I asked her, raising my eyebrows. She nodded hesitantly, thinking over her words.
"She's my cousin, and Sam's ex-girlfriend," she told me, looking down at the ground as we walked.
"Wait, Sam dated your cousin?"
"Yes, it was hard on her when Sam went missing. She helped search everywhere for him, but she never found him until he came back a couple months later. He ignored her, hurting her, but it was also the time when I was visiting.
"The first time he saw me, he tried everything to get together with me. I was angry at him for breaking Leah's heart, but I couldn't stop the pull of the imprint-"
"Imprint?" I questioned, the name rolling off my lips in an unfamiliar way. She froze as if she had said the wrong thing, and was looking for something else to say.
"I shouldn't be the one to tell you about this," she said sighing. I huffed, frustrated at the secret she was holding from me. Instead of pushing her to tell me though, I nodded at her and let it drop.
"So you and Sam started dating?" I asked. She nodded, a smile gracing her lips.
"Yes, and when he told me that he was a wolf, I kind of freaked out. I didn't talk to him for a month, we even got into an argument and it resulted in him changing forms. I was a little too close however…" she murmured, touching the marks on her face. I gasped in realization, the marks taking form into something else.
"Sam did that to you?" I asked her timidly.
"Yes, and he hated himself for a very long time, still does but I forgave him for it. I didn't want him feeling guilty about something that was out of his control." She told me, slipping her hand off of her face.
"How are you feeling about knowing the secret?" She asked, turning the conversation off of herself.
"I'm not freaking out if that is what you're asking, but there is something that keeps tickling my mind. I don't know what it is yet, but it's like I'm missing something essential, or I'm doing something wrong." I told her, shaking my head back and forth. She smirked lightly, turning her face away at the last second. I didn't let it go this time though. "What?"
"When did you start having this feeling?" She questioned, taking us to a spot on a log and sitting us down.
"I think yesterday afternoon," I told her, scratching my head, "around the time that I was yelling at Sam." She laughed loudly, nodding her head.
"I saw," she told me, amusement in her eyes.
"You were there?" I asked her shocked.
"I was in the little shop that Sam was waiting outside of," she told me giggling. "You should have seen what I did, a five foot four girl stomping up to a six foot three giant and start yelling at him. To make it better you did the same thing to Paul when he walked up."
I laughed at image though I was the one yelling and I was laughing then. I remembered that moment though, when I saw Paul and felt a weird sensation in my-
"I started having that weird feeling when I saw Paul and started yelling at him!" I told her, staring at the ground in shock.
"What does it mean?" She asked me, raising an eyebrow. I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion.
"I don't know, all I saw was a tall, obnoxious, pig-headed, annoying-"
"Gorgeous, handsome man?" She finished.
"Yes! Wait! No…n-no," I stuttered, closing my eyes and pinching my nose shut. She giggled next me and threw an arm around my shoulder.
"The man may be pig-headed and obnoxious, well every day, but I've seen something in him change when meeting you." She told me, giving me a small smile.
"I changed him? Impossible." I muttered, snorting at her words.
"It's not impossible, he has gotten way nicer, and he is actually apologizing when he says something bad. He has never done that…ever. You opened up something deep inside of him, Bella," I rolled my eyes and huffed.
"I don't care if I changed him or not, he is still a pig-headed, obnoxious-"
"Annoying, tall man, I know, I know," she told me rolling her eyes at my adjectives.
"Well! I saw what he looked like on a daily basis, and I don't want any part of that." I told her standing up. She frowned, obviously sensing my closing of the discussion. She sighed before getting up to follow me back to the house.
I don't care what anybody says, I'm not going near Paul Lahote, he is just a bomb waiting to explode in my face.
