Chapter Two- Jared meets Kim

Disclaimer I do not own the Twilight series or anything to do with it. I only own the plot for this story and Kim's family.

I stepped out of the bus looking around the front of the school searchingly; and stepped straight into a puddle. Freezing dirty water instantly invades my shoes and socks. I groan but this had happened so many times before it was a near normal experience. In fact it had happened so many times that I kept a spare pair of dry shoes and socks in my locker. A group snigger as I squelch by them. I ignore them and busy myself by readjusting my bag strap over my shoulder. I usually didn't use this flimsy bag for school. I used a rucksack, but this sturdy, strong, practical bag got an orange juice bath. Josh the youngest of my siblings threw orange juice over it but since he is only six he only he got frowned at that lasted about six milliseconds before he got gooey eyes. So now I was stuck with this bag that hurt my shoulders after a while and books that where sticky but did have a wonderful citrus scent. It was when I was readjusting my strap that I bumped into heaven. Jared Miller was back. He didn't notice me of course. I stuttered an apology and ran as fast as my soggy shoes would allow. I reach my locker breathless, my heart racing. And not because of the run. He was back! Finally maybe my history grade would go up, or suffer even more as I stare at the newer even more perfect version. I thought he was godlike before but now. In those brief seconds I saw he had grown about a foot, his hair was shorter now but still silky black and his body. My God! Though this did spark my curiosity what illness had you looking better than ever? Maybe he didn't and it was just my relief at seeing him again after all these weeks, 105 hours three minutes and eight seconds to be precise. I let my head drop to the locker and then groan in pain. No one noticed of course, no one looked at me since after a few months' people had decided they couldn't find a single similarity between Katie and I, or any of my other siblings. Only one person stilled looked at me, a friend of Kellan's, Tommy. It was creepy and I always made sure to avoid him when he was over. Since Kellan had graduated last year and went to the local college so he could live at home (and because he didn't have the grades) I didn't see Tommy every day like before which was good. But when I did escape to my room my mum always came up to tell me off for being rude for not saying hello. Sometimes she forced me down to say hello and he would do the staring thing it was horrible. I don't know if I was just getting used to be ignored that I now didn't like attention; or it was just him. It wasn't just the staring it was the whole Tommy thing. I can't explain there is just something about him that I don't like. I shiver and push all thoughts of Tommy and my family aside and the usual thoughts come back into my head. Jared Miller.

"Kim?" I jump at the sound of my sister causing me to hit my head against my locker. "What are you doing?"

"Hannah" I sigh closing me eyes as I turn to face her. I open my eyes at her silence she was looking at me through her long straight hair expectedly. Then I remembered she had asked me a question.

"Nothing" I answer, she wouldn't understand if I told her.

"Oh ok" Hannah shuffles her books she was carrying. "Well I was just wondering if you had any spare money. I need a bus fare since Jess's mum can't give me a lift home after club"

Club was extra maths and Jess was her best friend. When Jess came round they screeched about maths it was rather refreshing.

"Erm sure" I didn't but I was used to walking home and I could always ask Katie since she usually got a lift home from someone. The used the money she saved to buy bags and clothes. It was a good plan. I open my locker to get my purse and put the books I wouldn't need back. I hand Hannah the money.

"Thanks see you at home" Then she was gone. No have a good day probably to busy thinking of maths equations. I turn back to my locker rubbing my forehead it really hurt I was going to end up with a bruise great! Now I had three minutes till first lesson so I could try and find Katie. I quickly pull my shoes and socks off in one and pull the dry ones on. Then slam my locker shut and run to where Katie usually hung out before and sometimes during class. This year I didn't have half as many classes with Katie and today was one of those Katie free days. I turn a corner and hear her high pitched laugh and some guy's guffaws. I step into the room it was a Mr. Moore's class room he allowed students to hang out there if they have free period as long as they didn't trash the place. But now Katie and her friends made it their little club house. I breathe deeply as I gather my courage, I don't know why I got so nervous most of these people came round to our house all the time.

"Hey Katie it's your twin" Mark one of the biggest guys in the school calls loudly drawing everyone's attention to me. Katie who sat in the middle turns to me looking at me with fake interest.

"Oh Hey Kim" She sounded like she forgot I existed.

"Hey I had to give Hannah my bus fare so I was wondering how you were getting home?" She had started to look around the class room while I spoke and I waited for an answer.

"Uh?" She asks looking back to me perfectly made up eyes wide and innocent.

"How are you getting home?" I decided to do this the long way but I might get an answer this way.

"Dunno might get a lift might go on the bus why?"

"I had to give Hannah my bus fare"

"Oh right well find me at the end of the day I haven't got it on me, Mark honey you can give me a lift"

"Sure" Mark says eagerly. I forgot to mention that Mark is Katie's boyfriend. Do my parents know or more importantly Kellan? Why no. Not that I would ever say.

"Ok thanks" With that I eagerly run to class making it just before the bell. This year I didn't have one but three lessons with Jared, meaning my Jared withdrawal symptoms had been worse than summer. When I had started running, which I hated but now love, past his house, which had been completely Jared free these past weeks, and his usual hang outs so I could at least get a glimpse of him everyday. Plus it had gotten my mother off my back to do some exercise. This lesson unfortunately wasn't one of those perfect lessons. I sat down near the front of the class room and settle down to the hell that is French. I had no talent for languages this was due to my crippling shyness. I could hardly speak English when I was spoken to or having to speak in front of a class. But it was near impossible to speak French. Mrs. Terry (I know incredibly French) was evil constantly picking on me, she said it was because I needed the most practise. The hour went badly. Within five minuets of the lesson starting I heard Jared's name mentioned and I automatically zoned in on that whispered conversation. The girls were talking about how cute he had become. It was when I was agreeing with their assessment of his new look that Mrs. Terry picked on me. It went something like this.

"Kim, how would you say this?" I looked up turning bright red gasping my eyes widening.

"Erm" Panicking I look to the board hoping for some inspiration but found nothing "Say what again?" I whisper. She looks to me with great distaste.

"How to ask for a twin room that has a nice view of the ocean" Why would I ever want to ask for that?

"Erm Je..."

"Not quite" The class was silent. I then stuttered enough for her to leave me alone. After that I couldn't stop paying attention to her to listen to the girls. So I was lacking my Jared information. Damn French lesson. The next lesson though was one of the best lessons. History. I hurry quickly through the crowded corridors of half asleep students breathlessly my heart hammering loudly. Breathe. I command myself as I step through the class room. My eyes go straight to my desk he wasn't there. I don't let my excitement drop he still had a couple of minutes to arrive. But I noticed he never really arrived on time. I move quickly to my desk putting my sticky books on the desk and opening it to the right page of my note book to continue this lesson. I had to my astonishment taken good notes last lesson, even if the paper was slightly orange, I find as I re-read them to occupy time, and stop myself hyperventilating.

"Emily is going to kill you!" My head snaps up at the deep voice of Jared. He stood turned to the side as he smiles and jokes with Paul. It's not till I see him that I realise that Paul had been absent as long as Jared. And that he looked a lot like him, tall more muscles but unlike Jared more annoyed than before.

"No need to tell me, but I was hungry"

"Well I hope you enjoyed you last meal"

"Mr Miller it's good to see you again. In your absence have you forgotten where you sit?"

"No sir" Jared turns to Face Mr Kirkham, he was Mrs Kirkham's husband and had very similar teaching techniques.

"Well then I suggest you take it" Jared nods and makes his way to his seat. Right next to me. He joked with Paul the whole time but this time it was different. Before he was ill he was always carefree and lighter in some way but now he seemed darker. The laugh was a deeper sound but it seemed more shallow. I study his profile as he was looking at every direction but at mine and his dark brown eyes seemed to be troubled and tiered. I look forward as the chair next to me is scraped back loudly and a large body sits gracefully down into it. My breathing starts to come out as gasps. My whole body tingles as he settles into his seat. I look out of the corner of my eyes to see him slump forward. He didn't enjoy history. He hadn't last year. His profile was more angular the soft grey morning light filtered through the windows cast his cheek bones in sharp shadows. He looked older, he'd lost all signs of youth. He was amazing.

"And BOOM!" I nearly fall out of my chair at Mr. Kirkham's outburst. Unlike Jared he loved history and was known for his enthusiasm, which included shouting and long lectures. I realise ten minutes had passed and I had been staring at Jared the whole time. I look to my other side and see that everyone was busy taking notes and quickly pick up my pen. My hand shook as I started to write. Mr. Kirkham sounded far away and it took everything to keep my eyes on my notes and not on the angel beside me.

"Jared, who did Hitler blame the Reistag Fire on?" I face the front but watch him from the corner of my eyes as I see him sit up straight blinking. It reminded me of me in French. Though I doubt he was thinking of me. The class were silent and I notice Julie nearly bouncing up and down. She knew the answer.

"Sir I know" She sounded like a five year old. She was nice but I could see it was bothering Jared and I hated it.

"No let Jared answer"

"I wasn't here last lesson" Jared reminds the teacher his eyes darker. The class were silent again except for Julie who sighed in impatience.

"I mentioned it earlier this lesson" Had he? I knew but only because of last lessons notes.

"Erm" I notice Jared clench his hand into a tight fist. As he stares back at Mr. Kirkham who had a slight smirk on his face.

"Communists" It comes out of my mouth before I could stop it. It was a mere breath I could hardly hear it and it was shaky.

"Err communists?" Jared repeats.

"Well done" Julie huffs and tilts her chin. "Have to give others a chance Julie" Mr. Kirkham sounds a little disappointed before he returns to the lesson and I start to take notes only to stop when I hear a loud gasp. I turn to see Jared looking straight at me his eyes wide and warm his mouth slightly open. I couldn't look away this was the first time he had properly looked at me since my first day when he showed me to my lesson. His eyes melt to a chocolate brown as they lock with mine. My heart stops and my breathing becomes shallow. I feel my cheeks begin to heat and I blush further when I realise I was blushing but that was all I could think. Jared was looking at me like I was the only one in the world.

"Beautiful" He sighs and my breathing stops. I must be dreaming he can't be calling me beautiful. I want to look behind me to see if there was a girl there as I couldn't remember. But I couldn't. I couldn't do anything but look back. My stomach started to flutter and I started to feel dizzy. I would be sick. Great that's just the type of thing I would do.

"Jared?" I jump and quickly look away to the front of the class room to breathe again and hope that my heart would start. I swallow and concentrate of calming down but the word beautiful kept repeating in my head over and over.

"Thank you" It obviously wasn't Mr. Kirkham who had spoken I wonder who it was. I look back to Jared and my mind went blank again. It was like I had no brain. This was a dream come true.

"Dream" I sigh dreamily voicing the only thought in my head. Crap! I squeeze my eyes shut hoping like a little kid if I can't see them they can't see me. But the deep chuckle that followed told me that it didn't work. Maybe if I blocked my ears instead of closing my eyes. Maybe that only worked for sight.

"Kim open your eyes" Or maybe not. I keep my eyes shut in fact close them even tighter. I feel my head shake. Crap I was like a five year old! "You can't take notes with your eyes shut" I couldn't keep notes even if my life depended on it. I'm sure my hands were shaking.

"Plus you have beautiful eyes" This was a husky whisper. My eyes snap open of their own accord and meet melted brown eyes. I gasp as I see how close he was. He was leaning towards me, I could feel intense heat radiating off him and smell him. He smelt wonderful, trees and sea and something that was just him. I couldn't speak my mouth was dry.

"So beautiful" His whispers leaning even close to me. I could feel his breath on my face. What was happening. My vision was starting to blur around the edges all I could see where his eyes. So warm.

I jump and begin to fall to the floor when the bell rings. Bringing me sharply into reality. Jared jumps back as well only to swoop in and catch me. I gasp as he grasps my arm and helps me up. I wobble at contact and his places a hot hand on my waist to steady me. My knees lock automatically to keep my standing.

"Are you alright?" Jared asks me urgently like it was the most important thing in the world to him. I manage a very jerky nod. He smiles. One side of his mouth hitched higher than the other.

"Jared come on man" I hear Paul's deep impatient voice.

"Coming" But Jared doesn't release his grip on me.

"Today would be nice I ain't got forever" Paul chuckles dryly at the end before sighing when Jared gave no notion of releasing me. He reaches forward to grab his arm, none to gently if the swearing was any indication.

"I-I-I n-need to get to class" My voice was high and breathless. But Jared instantly releases me before Paul could manage to reach him. I force myself to blink breaking the Jared bubble and allowing my body to get the much needed oxygen. Most of it I hoped went to my head so I would think again. I turn to the door concentrating on taking careful steps and its then I notice Paul shaking. Jared must have turned around and seen Paul since he was then running in front of me dragging a Paul who looked to be shaking. I shake my head and move to my next class in a dream. The rest of the day was Jared free. We had no other lessons today together and I couldn't see him at lunch or Paul. I saw his other friends some who seem to have grown since I last saw them especially Embry Call. But I remained in my dream like state all I could see was his eyes. My waist and arm still tingled when I would remember him catching me. I seriously needed help. It was walking around in the dreamy state that caused me to forget that I needed to find Katie. I run out of the school and to the wall were she usually sat to await her ride home just as the heavens opened sending huge freezing cold drops of water down to earth. I groan but keep running even as the rain grew thicker till it was hard to see three foot in front of me. Great just my luck not to notice the weather changing today. I find the wall or rather my knees find the wall.

"OW!" I rub them furiously as I try to find Katie. It was pointless she wouldn't be out and as I look around to find some one else I find no one. I look to my watch to see that it had stopped working from water running into it. It was my fault for wearing my Grandmothers old watch out. I look at it as I remember her giving it to me. Her wrinkled gnarled knuckles brushing my cheeks as she told me to look after it. She was the one member of my family who didn't ignore me. Well she was, till we moved states away from her and she was put in a home. She called when she could but she was ignoring my mother for putting her in the home. She said, and was, perfectly capable of looking after herself. So she only called when she knew my mother was working. It was pretty childish but then she had a bad temper. My throat tightens and I blink back tears. Stupid emotions. I sigh pulling my sleeve down to prevent more damage to my watch and turn in the direction of home. Preparing myself for the long wet walk. I was already wet anyway I try telling myself. I just hoped both pair of my shoes would be dry by tomorrow.

I had just stepped in another lake that counted as puddles in this town, when I heard a car pull up and slow down over the roar of the rain. This had grown even thicker which meant I could see only one foot in front of me and that was when I was squinting.

"Need a ride?" I turn to see a huge black thing I guessed was the car. I move closer to it. I recognised that voice. I was surprised I could move, but maybe because I couldn't see him or maybe because he was offering me a dry ride meant I could retain some living human qualities. Like breathing. When I was foot away I frozen. Jared was smiling at me through an open window. I nod. Then stand there like an idiot.

"It's unlocked" I nod jumping quickly into action. I run around the bonnet and open the door. That's when I realise it was a lot higher up than I first thought. I try to pull myself up but my clothes were wet and heavier than usual plus my arms were weak as a baby being near Jared. I slip and knock my shins on the car. The warm hands were on my waist lifting me up.

"Y-y-y-you don't have to d-d-d-do t-t-that" I stutter.

"Believe me I don't mind" He whispers in my ear causing me to shiver from the huskiness of his voice. Then I was in the seat and buckled. I think I might have tried myself but made such a mess of it he's done it. God! What must he think of me? Stuttering unable to move and no doubt red as a tomato.

"What's your address?"

"4 Sea breeze way" I managed it fine even if my voice was a little high pitched.

"Ok" Then we were off. The rain made a shield of heavy water, the wipers allowing only a second of visibility.

"We're here" I look to Jared in shock how could he tell I couldn't see a thing. Looking to Jared was a bad idea as I'd been kind of calm in the silence, comfortable even though my heart was hammering and my head felt light every time I breathed in his scent. Which was strong in the truck. Now the woody scent over powered the sea due to the rain. His hair hung in wet locks in his eyes and was plastered to his forehead. I watch as a drop of water runs down from his hair down his cheek only to curve to run over his lips. My eyes widen, as I stop staring. I start when a warm hand brushes a wet strand of hair behind my ear. I look to meet Jared eyes, very dark in the dull grey light. It was like earlier we were in our own the little world. The rain keeping us safe and together. Together! Where did that thought come from? I blink and my lips part on a gasp when I feel him brush my cheek softly.

"Why were you walking home?"

"I gave my bus fare to Hannah" I answer with out thought. Jared smiles slightly. His eyes remaining the same.

"Do you normally catch the bus?"

"Usually in the morning not always coming home"

"Do you get a lift?"

"No I miss the bus" I felt breathless and so relaxed. He had cupped my cheek and his thumb was brushing my cheek tenderly. He chuckles and he seemed relieved?

"You better get inside and dry off don't want you getting ill" I nod but don't move. We sit watching each other till he seems to remember where his hand was. He removes it slowly and I remember where and who I was and scramble out of the car.

"See you tomorrow" The three words send my heart stuttering for my dear life and I nod before running for the door. I slam the door behind me and lean against it as I listen to the roar of rain and an engine drive away. I don't know how long I leaned against the door just being, touching my cheek but I wasn't greeted, and only when the telephone rang jarring me out of my state of bliss did I realise the house was empty. I reach for the phone my clothes slightly stiff from drying. It must have been a while.

"Hello" I spot a message in my mothers in a rush and I'm angry with your writing. Yes my mother had different types of writing. I had seen this only once and that was when I had missed Kellan's football game final. As I'd been late home from town. What had I missed this time?

"Kim?" The voice on the other end answers.

"Caleb?" I answer in surprise. What was he calling for?

"Are the rest of them there?" He hadn't been home for years and he still remembered the difference between the family and me.

"No they're at…" I look to the note. Crap. "The twins Karate championship"

"Oh ok" He sounded both relieved and disappointed.

"Want me to write a message?" I was sobered enough to be polite.

"No it's ok I'll…" He drifts off.

"What's wrong Caleb?" I ask.

"I've got to go call you later" I stop him before he hangs up.
"Wait…"

"Yeah?" He sounded defensive. I roll my eyes I remember he did this when he felt cornered. But it was enough for me to think of backing down. I'd let mum deal with it.

"It's…" I was going to say nothing but something in me refused to give up. Stupid grandmother teaching me about family loyalty yada yada. "I was just going to say…" My voice was soft. Mum would want to know anyway she'd care, he wasn't alone with his problems. Unlike some people. "Nothing" I end on a whisper. There was a silence and I thought he'd hung up.

"Ok Kim, I'll call back" His voice sounded different "When will they next be in?"

"Erm" I look to the calendar we kept by the phone "we're pretty busy Thursday is the next time but only after six, before that only I'm in all week"

"Ok speak to you soon" I wait for him to hang up "You saying bye Kim?" Oh I was used to people hanging up. I must sound like an idiot.

"Sorry" I blush, at least he couldn't see me "bye" There was a slight chuckle but it sounded slightly off. Then only silence. I put the phone back in the cradle and walk up stairs. My head a whirl of thoughts. I flop down on my bed as soon as I had changed and set my clothes out to dry. Caleb, I hadn't seen him in years. Since he went to college he hadn't come back it was to far to travel and he refused to let us come to him, which would cost a bomb anyway. I always thought he was mad at mum and dad for forcing him to go to study law instead of art as he wanted but maybe I just wanted to think someone was mad at them as well. Thinking of parents I needed an excuse for missing the twins contest. I'd just tell the truth it was easier and my mind had started to drift to Jared. My hand was back on my cheek. Tomorrow. I couldn't wait but would he talk to me. I had two lessons with him tomorrow or would he ignore me like the first day of school? I smile and close my eyes. For now I would remember today like the sad little obsessed girl I was.

A/N Just to let you know. Updates might be a little slower as I'm now living with my aunt due to having some building work done on our house and she doesn't have an internet connection. One thing is good I'm writing a lot more since I can't read fanfiction. Try to update soon.

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