"Aw, man, I can't get her out of my mind." Emmett leaned against a raised Mustang in the mechanic's shop, a dreamy look on his usually solid face. "I mean, I didn't even get her name… how stupid am I?"
"Pretty damn stupid." His older brother Tommy said, his legs sticking out from under the car. 'McCarty Brother's Motors' had been the number one mechanic's shop in town for the past three years and the brothers spent almost all their time working there. "Pass me a socket wrench."
Emmett passed the tool down and resumed his rant, although it was clear his brother didn't care. "Tommy, she was hot… like, more than hot… gorgeous! I felt this… this pull, you know, in my chest. It's like she could see right through me and I couldn't help myself. I just can't stop thinking about her."
"You've met her for like ten minutes." Tommy pointed out. "You don't know her name. I don't think you guys are in love or whatever."
"I'm not saying I love her. That's just stupid. But you really don't understand. I need to see her again. I need to know her name at least."
"What are you bitching about now, Emmett?" Their eldest brother John appeared through the open garage door, a case of beer under his arm.
"Emmett has the hots for that recluse chick over in Phelps Mansion." Tommy answered, rolling out from under the car and whipping his oil covered hands on his pants.
"Well Nancy watched her move in. She's got to have some money to buy that old place and set it all up like she did. I heard she was really pretty." John said. "But don't tell Nancy I said that."
Nancy was John's wife of two years and was notoriously nosy. She was constantly peeping at her neighbors through her kitchen window and had almost always been the town's gossip queen. She told her husband all about their new neighbor's comings and goings; the shopping bags from expensive stores, the weekly deliveries of fresh, pink, roses, and her odd absences during sunny days where the more normal neighbors would be tending to their gardens or at the outdoor shopping center. She often voiced her findings to her husband in a voice that conveyed both interest and envy.
Emmett sighed and began picking up the scattered tools. "Have you guys seen her yet?"
Tommy shook his head and John answered with a short "no."
"She's perfect, you guys. She's blonde, has a perfect face, a perfect model body. I can't get enough. What do I do, John? Should I go to her house and reintroduce myself?"
"No way. That's just plain creepy. You can't just show up at her house."
"John's right." Tommy piped in. "She'd probably call the cops on you. Where did you say you met her again?"
"In the woods last night when I was out hunting. She said she hoped we'd see each other again."
John rolled his eyes. "It's fate."
"Cut the sarcasm." John said. "Emmett, why don't you just go back to the woods? Nancy said she leaves the house every night."
Emmett wandered the forest under the bright light of the full moon. He felt silly as he climbed over felled trees and overgrown bushes, trying to find the same pond as the night before. He knew these woods like the back of his hand, but it was often hard to keep track of every single stream or puddle, especially if it was outside of the designated hunting grounds.
When the trees began to look familiar and the small clearing came into sight, Emmett couldn't help but rush towards it. However, much to his dismay, the woman was nowhere to be found. The clearing was entirely empty and there was no sign that she had even been there. With a disgruntled sigh, he sat down next to the pond, hoping she would magically appear.
"Looking for something?" A light voice asked behind him.
Emmett turned sharply around, pleasantly surprised-make that startled- to see the girl behind him. She was wearing a light pink ruffled tank top and shorts so short Emmett couldn't help but stare at her perfectly shaped legs. "H-hello ma'am."
She smiled, her full lips parting to show off pearly white teeth. "Like something you see, Emmett McCarty."
"Yes ma'am… I mean, no ma'am."
"Why do you call me ma'am all the time? I am entirely too young to be referred to as such."
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by it."
She waved her perfectly manicured hand as if to dismiss him and lowered herself gracefully to the ground beside him. He took his time looking her over; he'd had seen some pretty girls in his lifetime, but this woman was Victoria's Secret gorgeous. Blonde hair, golden eyes he could melt into, and a body anyone would die for. And although she was delicate, he could feel a certain strength about her… a confidence he found enthralling. She was so close, Emmett could smell her sweet perfume; tangy floral scents that he couldn't quite place, but almost made him feel utterly drunk.
"You're staring at me." The woman said, her eyes still pointed towards the pond.
"No I'm not." Emmett felt his face heat up.
"You're a terrible liar. Why are you here?"
"I-I was hunting again. I remembered this pond and I thought I'd see you again."
"Liar. You don't have a gun, you're not wearing hunting boots, and I can tell you just showered, your hair's still wet."
"So…where are you from?" He asked, trying to draw attention from himself.
"Everywhere." She answered. "It's nearly impossible for me to say where, exactly."
"Why did you move here? Family?" Emmett pressed for more, willing her to keep talking.
"I saw the mansion once in a magazine and decided to make it my new project. I like buying Victorian era homes and making them beautiful again. Besides, it's nice to have a change of scenery every so often."
"But your family…?"
"My parents are sailing the world right now and my brother is studying law at Harvard."
"Wow that's quite a family. Are they going to come visit?"
She shook her head, causing golden tendrils to fall around her heart-shaped face. "I enjoy my privacy. Do you have a family, Emmett?"
His name on her lips sent chills up his spine. "I have two brothers. Me and my brother, Tom, live with my parents on their farm. My oldest brother's married."
"How old are you?"
"I just turned Twenty last month. You?"
"Eighteen."
"Great age. It mean's your finally an adult." He laughed.
She smiled grimly. "Yes. Wonderful age."
Emmett looked intently at her, as if he was memorizing her face. "You're different."
"Excuse me?"
"That came out wrong… I mean you're not like other girls."
"Should I be flattered?"
He laughed. "That came out wrong, too. What I mean to say is that there's something about you that no one else has. You're graceful and strong and mysterious. And I honestly feel like and idiot for saying this, but I'm drawn to you. Can I ask you something?"
"Of course." She whispered, her face dangerously
close to his
"Why do you always come here?"
"It calms me." She answered plainly. "Why did you come here?"
"To find you." He whispered.
She turned to face him. "And why is that?"
He felt his chest tighten. "I felt like I had to see you again."
"And you wish to see me more, still?"
He nodded.
"Rosalie Hale." She stated, standing up.
"What?"
"Rosalie Hale. It is my name."
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