By the time Leah arrived home she was still restless. Pouring herself a glass of red she arranged her work in the living room. Laptop open, a stack of papers and her glasses on, she threw herself into the remaining work she had yet to grade.
Grabbing a throw rug she covered her lap and began reading. Each paper was carefully graded, grammar and punctuation corrected as she went. Her mouth quirked into a small smile every now and then. The minds of her students were starting to develop. They were starting to think for themselves and lay foundations of ideas for future contemplation.
After another glass of wine she decided to call it a night and opted to sit on the rear decking. The wood was old and creaked as she stepped out, sliding the glass door behind her. Taking a seat she wrapped the throw rug around her shoulders and looked up into the night sky. It was cold, the puffs of warm breath visible as she sat contemplating her own future.
She'd spent countless years studying. Years researching. Year searching for information. Talking to people. Listening. And yet, only when she thought of LaPush, she felt some kind of complete. Taking up work in Seattle had been a good idea. Long weekends and summers where now spent in LaPush, mostly with her mother, her two big brothers having lives of their own to worry about.
...
"I called you last night, you didn't answer," Edward accused as he caught up to the dark haired woman who was obviously avoiding him. He'd tried stopping by her office, only to find it locked.
Grabbing her elbow he slowed down and turned her toward him.
She looked tired, like she hadn't slept in days. The strings of his heart pulled. Even with the dark circles under her eyes she was... breathtaking.
Pulling her toward a secluded spot, away from the walking path, he waited for her explanation.
"Hey pretty girl, talk to me," Edward whispered, feeling a little useless as he pulled her into a hug. He and her brothers had been the older members of the group in their teenage years, yet something about her had always drew him in.
"It's nothing," she whispered into his shoulder, her hands tightly holding the material of his jacket.
And it was true. It was nothing. Nothing she could think of. She didn't know why she couldn't sleep. Why she was having dreams she couldn't remember. Why even when she woke, she felt like she hadn't slept a wink. Her dreams were faceless as always.
"Maybe I should stay over tonight?"
Leah snorted, yet held him closer. "You're already coming for the cook out. You don't have to stay."
Pulling back, Edward held her by the elbows, his chin dipping so he could look into her slate coloured eyes. "I don't have to. But I want to." he explained sincerely.
She nodded as he shook her a little, trying to encourage her. It wasn't uncommon for him to stay over sometimes. They'd go out to eat and by the time they got back, it was just too late for him to leave without having him fall asleep behind the wheel.
Leaning forward Edward kissed her temple, allowing another hug. "I'll see you tonight. Have a better day."
"I'll try," she smiled half-heartedly.
...