The Path I Choose
Hello again. Firstly, I would like to thank;
– for the favourite.
Rain That Falls From The Sky – for the story alert.
(Sorry if I got your pen names wrong, I don't have the best memory!)
I'm apologising in advance for any mistakes I make concerning the school. I am British and have never gone to an American school, so I don't know how things work there. If you want to give me any information, please don't hesitate to tell me!
Melanie lay in bed for a few minutes, butterflies fluttering around her abdomen. Having checked the clock to make sure she wasn't going to be late, she had started to get the usual worries for starting a new school. Plus some extra, not so usual worries. Realizing this, she literally threw herself out of bed, and started to get ready.
If she let herself panic, she'd chicken out. Call in sick, or something.
Her outfit was simple, a pair of dark blue jeans, and a dark grey sweater/long-sleeved top. Not that she had much in the way of fancy clothes. Lisa's fashion sense hadn't rubbed off on her. Melanie just wore what was comfortable.
For breakfast, it was a quick bowl of cereal, she wasn't sure her stomach could handle anything else. The butterflies were as feisty as ever.
Picking up her plain black messenger bag, Melanie locked the door, breathing deeply to calm herself.
Her hands were sweaty, and she hadn't even got there yet.
On the too quick drive down, Melanie told herself to stop being such a cowardly fool.
Parking in a free space on the lot, Melanie got out of the car. She kept her her head down, but gazed around speedily. Everyone had russet skin. A wave of gratitude rushed through her, she could only imagine how awkward it would feel if she was blonde and blue-eyed. Everyone was staring at her.
Melanie practically ran through the door marked Main Office before she could start hyperventilating, and have a panic attack.
She leant against the wall nearest to the door, more relaxed now she was out of sight. She licked her lips, and ran a hand through her hair. She hadn't done anything with it – prepared to use it as a sheild so she couldn't see everyone staring at her.
A throat was cleared nearby. Melanie looked up.
A dark skinned, elderly woman was pinning her to the wall with piercing grey eyes. She had a thin frame, and a pointy chin. Her glasses were slipping of the end of her nose.
"Can I help you?" A brusque voice asked, rudely. It took Melanie a couple of beats to realise it came from the receptionist.
"Um, My name's Melanie Hawkins. I'm new here." She stuttered.
The woman gave a sharp nod, before gathering some papers together and holding them out for Melanie to take.
"Now leave, I'm a busy woman." The receptionist instructed. Melanie complied without hesitation.
Outside in the corridors where everyone could see her, Melanie felt the panic return. To avoid it, she studied her timetable. On the same piece of paper, it told her what number locker she had, and the combination – so she decided to find her locker. It would distract her, at least.
Melanie ambled down the corridors, her eyes on the numbers of the lockers.
It wasn't a big school, so it didn't take her long to find it.
"Melanie!" A voice called, making her jump. It took her several seconds to recognise the deep, husky tones. She turned around to see Jacob walking towards her, with a bunch of other boys who were all as tall as he was.
"Jacob," she called in relief, meeting him halfway. Melanie felt tonnes better now she was with someone she knew.
Jacob laughed, loud and booming. Melanie noticed that the other students averted their eyes, and pretty much kept away from Jake and his friends.
"Sorry, that we scared you," Jake apologised, though his tone was light, as if he found it rather amusing.
Melanie shook her head, a smile gracing her features; "Don't worry about it – my mum says I make a big deal about nothing."
One of the others laughed.
"She's right about that! From your expression, you were in enemy territory!" He joked, teasing her.
Jacob rolled his eyes, a smile still on his face.
"Quit teasing her Embry."
Embry held out his hand, "Embry Call."
Melanie shook it, surprised it was as warm as Jacobs grip, "Melanie Hawkins."
One by one, the other boys introduced themselves.
Jared and Quil.
"Where's-" Quil started, but was interrupted by a russet skinned girl running over and hugged Jared.
"Kim," Jared greeted, his voice saturated with love. Melanie wasn't sure what to think about that. Quil and Embry made gagging sounds, while Jacob rolled his eyes again. Kim turned to face Melanie, curious.
"Kim, this is Melanie. Melanie, this is my girlfriend Kim." Kim's cheeks went darker as Jared called her his girlfriend, but she greeted Melanie warmly.
Quil gave his question a second try. "Where's Paul?"
Kim looked up. "Paul? Ms. Gale got him done for 'running'," Kim made quotation marks in the air, "I would of called it power walking."
The boys either laughed at Paul's misfortune, or cursed Ms. Gale.
"Who's Ms. Gale?" Melanie asked, feeling left out, wondering if she should just go find her first class.
"The receptionist." Embry told her, "evil witch."
Melanie ohh'd, agreeing with the evil witch comment completely.
Jacob seemed to read her outcast expression.
"Let's have a look at your timetable," He suggested, trying to make her feel comfortable. She probably didn't notice it, but she looked tense to run. Her gaze kept flitting to the side, as if she could see something no-one else could.
Everyone crowded around to see the flimsy piece of paper.
"Cool," Quil commented, "you only have one class, in the entire week, where your not with any of us." That did make Melanie feel better. On the high of acceptance, it was nearly impossible to admit – or even realise – that what she was doing was wrong.
Quil then pitied her, "A lot of classes with Paul "Hot Temper" Walker, though." He patted her on the shoulder, his large hand completely covering it.
Suddenly, a bell screeched, painfully loud. The sound reverberated in Melanie's ear even after the sound had died away.
Kim smiled at her, still shy.
"You have history with me first. You coming?" Melanie nodded blindly, her ears still ringing. Ignoring Kim's open arm, she pretended not to see the hurt expression on the girl's face.
The first two lessons passed in a blur, both with Kim. Then it was lunch.
Kim walked Melanie to the cafeteria, asking basic questions.
"What's your favourite colour?" Melanie thought about the question, suppressing a shudder as she felt an almost intangible arm slide across her back.
"I like a lot of colours. I don't really have a favourite. But I do like the colour green." Melanie answered, once she found her voice.
Kim noticed her uncomfortable expression, taking it as something else,
"You don't really like me, do you?" Kim asked in a quiet voice. Already knowing the answer. Melanie came to a sudden halt, eyes wide in surprise.
"Of course I like you, Kim. You're really friendly." Melanie assured her, wondering where the worry had come from. A small, sad smile stole over Kim's face.
"It's just that you looked so uneasy." Kim explained, filling Melanie with dread, and a desire to reassure her that it wasn't her – had nothing to do with her. Nothing at all.
But Melanie couldn't say anything, because then she might reveal herself to Kim. Not only would that put Kim in the greatest danger, but then someone other then her mum would know that she wasn't human. Melanie didn't want that, she wanted people to think she was human. So she could lie to herself.
So Melanie just lowered her head and didn't say anything.
Kim seemed to notice that this conversation was over, and turned to lighter topics.
"You haven't met Paul yet, have you?" Melanie shook her head, no. Kim searched for the boy on the table where they always sat.
He was sitting, facing them, but looking down. He was eating a pepperoni and mushroom pizza. He heard them approach but didn't look up to greet Kim.
"Kim." He said his usual greeting.
Jacob moved up for Melanie, while Kim took her place next to Jared.
Jacob addressed Paul.
"Paul, this is Melanie. You know, the girl I told you about." Melanie lowered her head, blushing at the fact that she was being talked about when she wasn't around.
Paul glanced up to give the new girl a brief greeting, when he saw her.
Her silky hair, inky black, formed a beautiful frame around her lowered face. He could see that her cheeks were pink, as were her lips. They looked so soft, so kissable. He wanted to hold her, to protect her. The urge was so powerful, that his toes curled, and his breath came out in a whoosh! She was perfect, her thin frame made her look delicate and fragile. Paul ached to hold her, to whisper his secrets to her. He wanted – no needed – her to want and trust him. She was it, and her every wish needed to be granted. She was his world, his love, his life, his everything. Paul struggled to remember how to breathe, his heart pounded against his ribcage, begging to be let out and go to her.
His angel looked up at Jacobs sharp intake of air. Her eyes were as dark as her hair – abyss black. They were filled with life and her emotions. Some people might consider black eyes creepy, but Paul thought they went perfectly with her pale skin. Not sickly pale, but perfect pale.
"Paul?" Jacob voice drew him unwillingly out of ogling. His attention snapped to Jake, but his thoughts were on Melanie. He'd never really thought about the name Melanie but he realised that it was a perfect name – now that it was her name. Paul realised what he was thinking. Oh, crap! I've imprinted! Great, another thing I can't control.
Jacobs expression was torn. He knew Paul had imprinted – which was great – but everyone knew about Paul's infamous temper. Besides, Melanie gave off the impression that she was a shy girl, not usually Paul's type at all. Jake didn't know if she'd be able to handle the whole werewolf thing. Of course she will, after all, Paul wouldn't of imprinted on someone who wouldn't be able to handle it. Jacob tried to convince himself.
Was the imprint scene alright? I was desperate to get that perfect. If you have anyway I could improve it, please let me know and I'll have another go! I can rhyme!
