Disclaimer: I don't own Twilight

Why Can't I?

Chapter One

Mia Carter

Embry didn't come back to the party. This disappointed me. Why? I have no idea. I barely knew the guy, but I had some irrational desire to be around him. Paul had tried his hardest to keep us a part before Embry had snuck into the woods. On the first day of school, Paul and I were walking down the hall to our class, when I saw him. He was laughing at something Jacob was saying. I pretty much stopped walking in the middle of the hall. I hadn't seen him in three days, but I was floored at how hot he was. I couldn't help but to stare at him. Paul, of course, had no idea what was wrong with me. Then he noticed who I was looking at. He groaned softly and mumbled something I couldn't understand. He was the most gorgeous thing I had ever seen, except for maybe the Cullens. His longish dark brown hair was pulled back in a short pony tail and he was smiling, as if nothing could go wrong for him. Then he disappeared into a classroom. I was brought out of my musings by Paul saying "Hey Mia, you're drooling."

This caused me to blush a bright red that was visible under my tan skin. "Paul, shut up." I said, as I followed beside him.

"Fine, though I know you like him." He replied, smirking.

I glared at him. "No, I don't, Paul." I said, angrily. Paul led me into our class. I went to find my assigned seat, when I realized he was in this class. Carter just happened to be the name on the desk behind him. When I sat down, he turned around to talk to me. "Hey. I'm Embry. You're Paul's friend, Mia, right?" Embry asked, smiling.

I simply nodded. "We meet at the bonfire last weekend, remember?" Embry asked, looking hopeful.

"Yes, I remember. You were the one who ran off in to the woods when you thought no one was looking, right?" I asked smirking like Paul would.

He looked sheepish, like he didn't realize someone had seen him. "Yeah. I just needed some quiet. The guys can get pretty loud." He said, smiling softly.

"Paul's always giving me a headache. He drives me insane because he's so overprotective." I said, returning his smile.

The teacher decided to start class then. Embry turned back around and listened to the teacher lecture us on his expectations for this class. I tried really hard to pay attention, I really did, but Embry was very distracting. Somehow, he ended up in most of my classes during my senior year. The rest of the day, Embry kept talking to me. It was if he was interested in me, but couldn't do anything about it. When school finally ended, he walked me home. "So, Mia, there's a bonfire this week to celebrate the new school year. I heard it was being hosted by the school. Do you want to go with me?" He asked, looking nervous.

I smiled and said "Sure, I'd love too.", while thinking of how cute he looked, blushing like that.

He grinned and picked me up in a hug. "I'll pick you up at seven, ok?" He said, as he sat me back down on the porch.

"That sounds great. I'll see you tomorrow, Embry." I said, waving as he ran off towards Emily's house.

Embry Call

When I left Mia's house, I ran to Emily's. I needed help. Paul could help. He was always at Emily's after school. He was Mia's best friend. He knew her best. He could help me win her over. As I expected, Paul was sitting in Emily's kitchen, eating muffins. "Paul, you've got to help me!" I said, snatching a muffin out of his hand and stuffing it in my mouth.

He growled. "Why should I? Mia is her own person. She hates being set up like that." He said, stealing a muffin from me.

I rolled my eyes. "Please, Paul? I just need you to drop hints to her. Say some nice stuff about me." I begged.

Paul glared at me. "Listen, Embryo, I'll help you out, but, I swear if you hurt her or even make her cry, I will beat you within an inch of your life." He said, giving me his 'I'm serious, I will kill you' look he normally reserved for Jake and Nessie.

"I won't hurt her. I promise." I said, grinning happily, as Emily set another batch of muffins on the table.

Later that night, Paul and I went on patrol. He growled at me every time my thoughts would turn to Mia. He needs to chill. He doesn't understand what it's like. He hasn't imprinted yet. I now know what Sam, Jared, Quil, and Jacob went through with their imprints. I will never mock them again. Paul barked when he read that thought. He was clearly annoyed with me. We finished patrol around midnight and switched off with Seth and Leah. I ran to Mia's house, like I did every night. The light was off in her room. Nothing was around. I stared up at the window, hoping she would appear.

"Hey, Wolfie, what are you doing in town? You might get hurt." A voice said, from behind me.

I turned around. It was her. Mia had come outside. I began to panic. What if she had wondered into the forest? What if there was a vampire lurking around out in the darkness? She was my imprint and she was putting herself in danger. She needed to know as soon as possible. She slowly approached me, holding out her hand. I closed the space between us and she ran her hands through my fur. She smiled. "You know, I don't see why people are so afraid of wolves. You're just like a big dog." She said, as she scratched behind my ears.

I began to make a sound similar to a cat's purring. I slowly lay down. She followed me. Sitting beside me, she continued stroking my fur. "You remind me of someone. Your eyes do, at least." She said, softly.

I waited for her to go on. "My friend Embry eyes look like yours. He's really nice and he asked me to go to the school bonfire with him. I don't normally go to events like that, but there's just something about him. It's weird. I barely know the guy and I have feelings for him." She continued.

She continued petting my head, looking thoughtful. "I wonder where Paul is. He's normally out here when I can't sleep. He hasn't been around in a while. I really miss him. Stupid prat. I had a nightmare and now he's not here to make me feel better." She said, glaring up at Paul's window.

I whined softly. Since when was Paul ever nice like that? That did not sound like something he would do. I was hoping she was going to say my name, but it makes sense for her to think of Paul. Speaking of Paul, he was right over there. He saw me. Oh shit. I'm in trouble. He's going to beat the tar out of me later.

Embry, what the hell are you doing?

Nothing, I was just leaving.

Sure. You need to leave. It's my job to comfort her like this.

NO IT'S NOT! She's my imprint, not yours! I growled. I wasn't going to let him boss me around like that. She belonged to me and only me.

Calm down, you idiot! You might hurt her. Look, you sacred her.

I looked at Mia. Her light brown eyes were filled with fright. I suddenly felt horrible. This beautiful girl was scared of me. I didn't want that. I then ran off into the woods, so I wouldn't do anything stupid. I headed for my house and phased back. I went inside and took a shower. When I finally went to bed, I had terrible dreams about loosing control around Mia, the only girl I would ever love.