Chapter 2 – What the hell just happened?

Corrine

Three hours later I left Val and was back home cleaning up my room since I was desperate to go to the bonfire tonight. I placed my clothes on the bed, deciding on a pair of old brown corduroy pants that fit like a glove and a matching brown pair of Vans to go with the green sweater. I would wear my tan parka to keep warm. Val had given me a fish braid already so my hair was done. I just hoped it would last through my shower.

By six I was ready to go. Valerie blew her horn impatiently and I sprinted out the house yelling my good-byes as I went. In half an hour we were parking at the side of the road and walking on the beach which was dotted with a hundred fires all over. I bet that from up on top of the cliffs they'd look like little candles thrown all over the sand.

"Tonight's gonna be awesome! Everyone's here!" she squealed excitedly.

I could tell that there were lots of Quileute teenagers on the beach as well, I immediately kept my eyes peeled for my only cousin Leanne. Val and I found the fire where our other friends from Forks High School sat and immediately got comfortable. We brought hot dogs and buns to roast on the fire and Val, as usual, smuggled a bottle of vodka from her parents' private stash.

"Guess who's coming over here," Val whispered into my ear as we ate the hot dogs an hour later. "NO don't look!" she giggled as I immediately started to turn.

"Who is it?"

"Marlon," she grinned wickedly and I rolled my eyes.

"Hey beautiful," I heard his voice behind me as his finger ran along my arm. I shivered involuntarily, turning to meet his cocky grin.

"Hey Marlon."

"Was hoping you'd be here," he said casually.

"Well, why wouldn't I be? I think the whole class is here," I snorted and rolled my eyes. Valerie nudged my foot telling me to play nice.

"I was hoping we could go somewhere and talk for a minute," he said with a hopeful, puppy look. He was wearing his team jacket and all black underneath.

"Uh, sure," I shrugged after a moment of contemplation. Valerie gave me a wink and got up to talk to Mike Newton, her off-and-on crush.

We walked past other groups of kids from our school and headed towards the rocks that sat at the bottom of the cliffs.

"So, what's up?" I asked, kind of annoyed now. I wasn't really in the mood for this.

"Well I wanted to know what's up with you and me? It's been a while since we hooked up and I kinda miss you, yuh know?" He said, stepping closer to me and wrapping his arms around my waist. I looked up into his blue eyes and my heart picked up the pace as I registered how close he was. He looked like a model, with his shoulder length blonde hair flopping over into his face. He wore a small gold hoop in his left ear.

"Oh really? You kinda miss me?" I scoffed. We had hooked up at Mike's birthday party a month ago. All we did was kiss of course.

"You know what I mean, I do miss you, I want to spend more time with you this summer, please?" Marlon leaned over and placed a quick kiss on my lips.

His thin lips were warm and soft, and for some reason, instead of backing away I found my arms winding around his neck as I pulled his face back to mine. The kiss was nice, it made me shiver as his mouth moved expertly against mine. He pulled my waist to press up against his and I enjoyed the way he moaned against me. I felt desired and pretty in that moment. To know that the most popular guy in school still wanted me was kinda flattering even though I denied the whole idea of us being a couple.

Finally we broke away, gasping for air.

"I want you to be my girl Corrie, I like you."

I was shocked. I opened and closed my mouth a few times like a fish, making a fool of myself.

"Why Marlon? You can have anyone you want so why me?" I couldn't help but ask. I still wasn't so sure if it was what I wanted to do. I'd never had a boyfriend before. Hell, I'd never even kissed another guy before.

"You're not like other girls at school, yuh know? You're easy to get along with, you like sports, you ride a dirt bike for crying out loud, you're just awesome. And you're really pretty too Corr, you've got a hot ass body. I think we make the perfect pair."

I chuckled and shook my head. It was nice to hear, but still I wasn't sure. This was Marlon Andrews, asking me, Corrine Redbird to go steady? Like, what the hell? I hadn't expected this at all.

"Look, I don't wanna pressure you alright? Let's just hang for the rest of the night, and tomorrow night maybe you'll let me take you on our first date."

"Hmmm, okay," I said with a slow smile spreading on my face as my cheeks grew rosy. My first date, tomorrow. Wow. I couldn't turn that down.

"Great," Marlon exhaled loudly and sighed with a shake of his oval shaped head. "You really had me for a moment there," he chuckled with relief. He looked adorable doing that.

"Oh whatever, if I'd said no you would have asked someone else." I rolled my eyes, trying to hide how flattered I felt.

He looked at me with a wounded pout then. "So you don't believe me when I say that I really like you? I don't wanna ask anybody else to be my girl Corrie, you gotta believe me, please."

I felt bad and decided to just go with it. "Yeah I believe you, let's just get back to the bonfire okay? I'm feeling kind of cold."

"Sure, let's go." He wrapped his long lean but muscular arm around me then and I wound mine around his waist. He wasn't that much taller than me, only about 5 inches, putting him around six feet. His waist was lean like the rest of his body, and we easily fit together. It was nice, walking with the most popular boy at school. As we neared the bonfires, I couldn't help but catch the whispers and glances of our classmates as they noticed our joined bodies. I peeked up at him, brushing my loose hair behind my ear, to find a satisfied smile on his face. I rolled my eyes and smiled to myself. He was cute even if he could be a tad full of himself.

We spent the next hour or so chatting with our friends. I listened to Marlon and his boys tell stories about their basketball adventures with Valerie and some other girls in our year - Tara, Simone and Chelsey. We were all excited to be seniors next semester. Most of them would be going away to college after. Val for sure was going upstate to Seattle, but me, I hadn't a clue. I didn't even know if my parents could afford it. If only I were dedicated enough to win a scholarship. Sure I loved being on the volleyball team, but it wasn't sure if I wanted to play at college level, biking was my passion. If they handed out scholarships for that, then I'd be game to leave home.

"Corrie?" I heard a voice call to me. My head snapped back to see a huge dark figure walking towards me. I had no idea who it was, this massive dude. I could tell he was Quileute, but that was all. "Corrie? It's me Jake!" the deep voice called out again.

My eyes widened and I let out a gasp as his face came into view due to the light of our fire. "JAKE?" I screamed and jumped up immediately, running over to him. "What the hell Jacob?" I shrieked as he picked me up and swung me around in a tight hug. He was sooo not the Jacob I remembered.

"What's been going on Corrie?" he said with a wide smile that instantly warmed my heart. Jacob Black was the sweetest dude around, I loved him to bits in a buddy type of way. He was always kind and sunny.

"Nothing much! I should be asking you that Jake? What the hell happened to you? You're gigantic!" I was floored. He was such a hunk now, and I felt dirty just thinking it.

"Growth spurt?" he said with a face of innocence.

"Growth spurt my butt! My god! I still can't believe it!" I laughed and punched his arm lightly. His muscles were rock hard.

"It's crazy. So what's happening, I haven't seen you in forever, Corr!"

"I could say the same for you! You didn't even call me," I teased.

"Yeah, I have a lot going on, I've had zero chill time in like the last year," he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. I could see he felt shy about talking about himself so I let it go.

"Well, it doesn't matter, maybe we can catch up this summer?"

"That would be awesome. Hey, you wanna come back with me and say hi to Leanne? She's over here with the guys!" Jake grabbed my hand with a huge smile and pulled me forward. His skin was scorching hot but it felt nice against the chilly sea breeze. Was he sick or something? He didn't look it? I started to skip beside him to keep up with his long strides, forgetting everything about my own friends. I heard Marlon call out to me, but I pretended not to hear. My cousin and my favorite mechanic were here and I hadn't seen them in like a whole year, nothing else mattered more than catching up with them right now. Why the hell had it been so long? It dawned on me that way too much time had passed. How had I not noticed?

"Leanne!" I shouted when I saw the dark hair and familiar form of my cousin. She was currently draped over this big dude, just like Jacob. My cousin turned at the sound of my voice and her eyes lit up as she saw it was me.

"Oh my God! Corrie? Oh my God!" she got up and ran over to me and we squealed and hugged each other tightly as Jacob laughed.

"God you guys sound like little piglets," he said mockingly.

"Oh shut it Black, I haven't seen this girl in a whole fudgin' year!" I told him. I stepped back and admired my cousin. She was a total babe even with glasses. Like me she had fairly big boobs, a curvy waist and tight butt. She used to be tall and skinny, but now she was just hott. Her jeans and sweater fit her like second skin. I always envied her for being full Quileute with her raven hair, tanned skin and dark eyes.

"Is there something in the water over here? Why is everyone so hot now? Lee, you're smokin'!"

Leanne blushed and returned the compliment, her brown eyes twinkling.

"I can't believe it's been so long Corrie, I got a part time job at the diner so I've been too busy to come visit," she pouted wistfully.

"It's okay, apart from school, volley ball and biking have been keeping me busy too, it's not like we haven't kept in contact though!" We would always text each other randomly to say hi.

"So seniors next semester huh?" she smiled.

"I know right? I'm so excited to get out of school!"

"What are you gonna do after?" Jacob asked, next to me.

"Ugh, don't ask, I haven't a clue, like seriously." I rolled my eyes and blew air loudly through my lips.

"You still got time, don't sweat it."

"Mom wants me to go to college so that's why I've been working." Leanne piped up. Her mother Aunt Jody and my father are twins. Somehow it wasn't surprising when she and my mom were pregnant at the same time.

"That's cool, I'm happy for you! How's Grammie?"

"She's good, she misses you guys."

"God, I miss her too, honestly I can't believe it's been so long since I've seen her."

"Well, your Dad and her had a falling out, so blame it on them."

"I don't even remember what it was about though?" My father had refused to visit the Reservation for months. I was so busy with my life that I just forgot about it. I felt extremely guilty now.

"Girl, I don't even know. But whatever, you wanna come meet my date?" she offered excitedly, dragging me over to the big dudes that were all around the bonfire laughing and talking. Some of them were paired up and looking very in love with their girlfriends, some looked a bit younger. Jacob introduced me first to Quil, Seth, Embry, Jared and Kim, Sam and Emily, Colin and Brady and their friends. They all waved politely and went back to their talk while Leanne dragged her guy over to me. I had met Quil and Embry before, but they too had changed so much it was like meeting them all over again.

"Corrie, this is Paul, Paul this is my cousin Corrie, well Corrine but we don't call her that. She lives in Forks, her dad is my mom's twin," Leanne explained as she tugged the giant over to stand in front of me.

Paul seemed miserable and uninterested in meeting me, but his hand shot out anyways and I took it. His hand was hot as hell like Jake's and a weird electric tingle ran down my spine as our hands connected.

"Hi Paul, nice to meet you," I said with a smile as I made a quick sweep of his facial features. He was gorgeous, like Jacob and the rest of the group. His hair was jet black and his eyes a deep brown. He had a very angular face, clean shaven and a straight nose. His lips were full and a shade darker than his skin. Definitely had to be something in the water!

He finally had the decency to look me in the eye as we shook hands a few times before letting go. I blushed immediately.

"Hi," he said gruffly, with a miserable frown. But as he really looked at me in the eye I saw his expression change from misery to surprise, to wonder, to affection then…anger? It all happened so fast I had no time to even react. I felt another shiver down my spine and a sudden tug in my chest which caused me to gasp for air.

After a few moments of staring at each other like fools he finally snapped out of it, leaving me breathless. "AWW FUCK!" he exclaimed, then turned and walked away, stomping down the beach swearing so loudly, it made me wince. I immediately felt cold and desperate. It was unsettling how my stomach churned with nerves.

"What – what just happened?" I asked Jacob shakily. He was staring after Paul with surprise. All their friends were now quiet, watching me and I felt extremely uncomfortable.

"Don't worry about it, Paul is moodier than a girl on her period. See ya later Corr, I gotta go check on him before he does something stupid. But let's catch up really soon okay? Come by anytime!" Jacob touched my shoulder sympathetically before running off.

"Sure okay," I whispered to his retreating back.

Leanne and I watched as a couple others ran after Paul, calling out to him. But he never stopped. In fact he started to run and in no time they all disappeared into the trees that lined the beach.

"Um, Lee? I'm really sorry, I honestly don't know what I just did to Paul," I felt so embarrassed as I met my cousin's own confused, embarrassed eyes.

"Do you know him from before?" she asked suspiciously, with panic in her eyes and possessiveness in her voice.

"No! Never met him!" I cried innocently, palms up.

"Oh. Well…don't worry, Corr. Honestly? Paul is moody, and I was lucky he even asked me to come tonight. He's a mystery most times, I guess that's why I like him so much." She sighed longingly in the direction he went, making me feel like the gum stuck to the bottom of a shoe.

"Have you been dating long?" For some reason I was scared of the answer. I felt another nervous flutter in my stomach.

"Well, once we went out for a bite to eat, but Paul isn't really the dating kind. He just loves to make out, or sleep around. He's known for his expertise in that field." She snorted and looked down at the sand, blushing.

"And you like him?" I said, looking over to where he had disappeared. My cousin was making out with the most gorgeous guy I've ever seen…I mean besides Jacob and the rest of them. Even after hearing that he was basically a man-whore I didn't know why it mattered to me, but I wanted to know what I had done to upset him. I wanted him to come back so that I could see he was okay. And I didn't want my cousin to be hurt because of me, I had ruined her first real date with him. I was guilty for wanting to see my cousin's date again. I was surprised at this tumult of emotions racing through my head.

"Yeah, he's an amazing kisser, to have his attention feels like winning the lottery." her face went all dreamy as she talked about him.

I smiled and nodded, kinda understanding what she meant. I had felt that same way not too long ago when I was with Marlon. Speaking of which… "Um, I should probably get back to my friends. It's soon time to go."

"Sure, no problem. God Corrie it was soooo good to see you, please tell me we'll spend some time together this summer? You can come up and stay for a weekend or two."

"I'd love to. I'm gonna be working too, but I'll make the time."

"Oh that's nice. Just text me and we'll make a plan then." Leanna reached over and pulled me in for a tight hug.

"Can't wait Lee, love you." I whispered.

"Love you too, bye," she said with a sad smile, and I turned and walked away. I didn't know why but I felt like I was leaving a part of myself behind as I walked back to my bonfire. I brushed off the anxiety messing with my stomach and pasted a fake smile on my face as I approached the guy I should have been thinking about.

"There you are! I was beginning to wonder if that giant had stolen you away?" Marlon said with a grin and his arm snaked around my shoulders. Valerie shot me an inquisitive stare too.

"Just talking with my cousin Leanne from La Push, haven't seen her since last summer."

"Okay, cool."

"How is she?" Val asked, they knew each other somewhat.

"She's great, she looks so different, she's hott."

"Oooh nice," Val winked. "You okay?" she must have picked up on my nervous twitching.

"Yeah, of course!" I tried to seem casual, leaning into Marlon's side, but I felt out-of-place now.

I took a seat on a log with Marlon, avoiding Valerie's questioning glares. She knew me well enough to know that something was wrong. But I didn't want to tell her or anyone.

What could I really say? I'd met my cousin's crush, and he'd made me feel all weird and tingly inside – something so intense, that I'd never felt before with Marlon? And after a weird staring thing he'd sworn in my face and stomped away in anger?

How could I explain that? I had no clue what had happened.

If only I could forget about it. It was just plain wrong, Leanne clearly liked Paul a lot.

But all I could think about was his eyes…warm and brown… and mysterious.

Warm like hot chocolate and the midday sun in summer.

What the hell?

I shivered and tried to focus on the conversations around me, only to be freaked out by the pained howling of a wolf in the distance.