A/N Hey ya'll. Before you read this, I urge you to go back to Chapter 2. For some reason I had forgotten to change my edits, and I didn't realize until a few days after it was up. There's more character development and a couple of changes that will be seen later in the story. Just FYI. This is my first time writing from a guy's POV, so let me know what you think! =D
SETH POV
It was all I could do to keep from phasing. I could feel every synapse firing as I pounded on Sam and Emily's door. Tonight was the bonfire, meaning that not only would the guys be over, but probably the elders as well. But in that moment, I frankly didn't care.
I couldn't believe this was happening. I also couldn't believe they had done this behind my back. Why had they planned this? Was it all part of some sick game to ruin my life? I didn't know how I hadn't noticed the signs before, beginning with the previous Friday. Jared had insisted I bring Kim her lunch she had left at home. I had verbally ragged him for being whipped, but I felt a burning jealousy that I would never be able to have that kind of relationship. While walking into the clinic, I noticed that there were maintenance workers changing the nameplate over the Speech Therapy office. I thought nothing of it at first, but looking back, it now made sense why Kim had quickly moved my attention away from the wing as she thanked me for the delivery.
"Stupid. Stupid. Stupid." I growled, still banging on the door. I hadn't even thought of her being back as a possibility until earlier that morning when I felt the same tingling relief I only got when being near her. I didn't truly believe it then either. Reality hit me in the face when I drove home after working the morning shift in Sam's auto-shop when I saw a farmiliar black Prius and the most divine scent ever known to man-kind. Excitement pulsed through my body, but anger quickly over-powered it as I phased almost immediately as she drove away. It had taken me until almost sundown to calm myself down to approach the family about their meddling.
I hadn't been to a bonfire in weeks, and before that it had been months. Nothing felt the same anymore, and I could no longer bear to look at the happy couples and the ever growing amount of children around me, knowing that I had sacrificed ever having that lifestyle. I had no choice. I wanted her to be happy, I wanted her to see the world like she had always dreamed. She would be settling if she stayed with me. She deserved to settle for nothing.
I almost fell through the door as Emily finally opened the door as I continuously knocked. She almost looked smug, as she sweetly said "Seth, long time no see! Are you here for the bonfire?" I could see mischief in her eyes as I involuntarily growled.
"Were ALL of you in on this?" I said, trying my best to keep my tone even. Sam would tear me a new one if I disrespected Emily. Under normal circumstances I would have understood. But I could tell she was playing with me. I walked into the house, knowing that Emily wouldn't and didn't answer. I stormed into the kitchen, successfully finding Kim and subsequently Jared. I knew I was interupting them, as they constantly flirted, but the fact they flaunt this just served to enrage me more.
"Seth!" Kim said excitedly. She ignored the crazed look I'm sure was on my face and continued, "I'm so excited to-" I put my hand up, stopping Kim and her spiel.
"I know already."
"Know what?" She feigned innocence. Almost facetiously. "Seth, I don't know what you could POSSIBLY be-" This time I couldn't help but cut her off.
"Kim, don't bullshit me. I saw her, I smelled her, I know she's here. Why the fuck is she back? Don't deny you have nothing to do with this. I know you, and I know you would have told me sooner had this not been the 'plan'" Yes, I did make air quotes. I had officially sunk to a new low.
Kim looked sheepishly at Jared, who looked more confused then I had ever seen him in my life. I could tell he was trying to decide whether or not to punch me, or hear out the conversation.
"Okay, Seth." She sighed. "When Dr. Damien notified us of his impending retirement, we had a conversation about who would replace him. I asked him if he was going to have one of his past interns fill the position for them, or at least the ones who had finished school. He told me he hadn't thought of it, and admitted that he had only one intern who he thought would be right for the job. It was obviously Maddy. He asked me on my opinion of her, and I told him the truth. Maddy is perfect for the job. She worked harder than any other intern I had seen in her place, and she seemed to fit in into the atmosphere perfectly. Not to mention the fact that I thought you could get your head out of your ass and get her back. God, we all know you imprinted, doesn't she deserve to be apart of your decision?"
"You don't know anything." I said, gritting my teeth.
Jared seemed to have a small flash of understanding "Dude! Seth, that's great! Maddy's back! You can finally get back together." He looked excitedly at me.
"Jared, get a clue." Sam said gruffly. "He didn't want her back, he wanted to 'save her from this life' or some other bullshit. He thinks by self-sacrificing he's only punishing himself." At this comment, chatter broke out among the group, and I realized our audience had grown. Family was filling and pouring out of all entrances, trying to say their part.
"STOP." I yelled. The kitchen went silent and all eyes were on me. "I don't need your help. I don't need ANY of your help. I know I'm the youngest- you have all made that perfectly clear since the day I first phased, but I have a right to make decisions in my own life, and I DO NOT need any of your help, your imput, or for you to make decisions for me." I turned to Kim. "You had no right not to tell me, or to do what you did." Her eyes fell to the floor. I then turned back to the group. "And the rest of you have NO right to go behind my back."
"Seth, we were just trying to help you!" Emily cried out. But I was already halfway out the door. I was debating on whether or not to run home to let go of some steam when I heard an annoyingly authoritative voice speak behind me. Leah.
"Seth." She said. I turned around and saw her 'don't fuck with me' stance; hands at her waist and one him cocked to the side.
"Leah, don't start. I'm not in the mood."
"Kiss my ass Seth. I don't give a fuck about your mood. You've been acting like an ass for close to two years now, and while I don't agree with how Emily handled it, she's trying to make you part of the family again. The only thing stopping you is Maddy, and frankly its selfish that you're punishing her as well. She feels the pull too."
"You don't understand Leah, no one does, and I don't expect you to."
"Don't understand? We ALL understand. We know what its like to want what's best for the other person. I tried to push Nathan away too. I didn't think it was real. But you can't live like that. Neither of you can."
"Thanks for the advice, Dr. Fucking Phil." I turned and walked back to my motorcycle.
"Mature, Seth. Very mature." She called out.
I saluted her sarcastically and sped off. Frankly, I am sick of being treated like the irresponsible one in my family. I work hard everyday, I pay my own bills, yet everyone has always treated me like I can't handle anything. It's ironic really. They think I'm just being stubborn by not begging for Maddy's forgiveness, and hoping she'll take me back so we can live in perfect harmony for the rest of our lives. Don't get me wrong, it would be amazing, but she had dreams and aspirations before me. I wasn't apart of the original plan.I couldn't live with myself knowing that I'd be stopping her from pursuing all the adventures she had desired. I'm not the guy who can whisk her off to Paris in an instant, I'm only a mechanic, I make enough to last me and to pay my bills, but I'll never be as rich and successful as she would need to live the life she's dreamed of. The life she deserves. It makes me feel like the walking dead everyday we're apart, but I know there's no other way to make sure she gets everything out of life she deserves.
And I'll be damned if I let my family get in my way.
A/N Seth's a little feisty, eh? Maddy shall return in the next chapter. Don't forget to review to let me know what you think!