AN: Thanks for all the support! I appreciate it!
Chapter 4: The Taming of the Rebel
Serena and Kim arrived at school and went their separate ways. Serena's locker was at the other end of the school from her homeroom, and she sleepily made her way there. She blinked in surprise. "Jared? What are you doing at my locker?" She asked, yawning. Her eyes widened as Jared grabbed her shoulders, handsome face panicked.
"I remember why Kim hates me! You have to help me fix it!"
Serena's eyes were huge as she looked up at Jared. "Okay, calm down." Jared slowly let go of her shoulders, and he breathed in deeply. "Alright, now why does Kim hate you?"
"I told her I wouldn't date her because she looked like a boy when we were in eighth grade."
Serena nodded. "Well good, you remembered what you did. Now, how can we fix it?"
"I don't know...what if I apologize?"
Serena shook her head as she put her books up. "Nah, not good enough. You're gonna have to shell out some money."
"Okay. What should I do?"
"I told you what she likes. Yellow roses, Milky Way midnights, and sushi, particularly spicy tuna rolls."
"What if I took her to Port Angeles for lunch tomorrow?"
Serena arched an eyebrow. "Not tomorrow. I would wait til next week to do something like that. Start with the flowers and chocolates, and a heartfelt apology. She needs to know that you're truly sorry."
"Okay...but will you both still be at the bonfire on Saturday?" Jared asked anxiously.
Serena pressed her lips together. "I guess it'll depend on the apology you give her," she said finally. "I mean, she's not gonna accept a bullshit apology, so make it good."
Jared nodded. "I'll work on that. Thanks Serena."
"You're welcome!" Serena went on her merry way, dimples showing as she fought off her giggles. She made it into homeroom bare seconds before the bell, sliding into her seat next to Kim, and in front of Embry.
"Morning Embry."
"Morning Beautiful."
Serena giggled. "You're sweet."
"Nah, just truthful."
Kim rolled her eyes. "Gag me."
"Hater." Serena said, punching her sister in the arm playfully.
"Nah, just an anti-romantic."
"You say that now...just wait." Serena warned.
"Girl please."
Serena giggled.
"So, Sere, still on for the bonfire on Saturday?"
"We'll be there!" Serena said cheerfully. "Should we bring anything? And what time should we get there?"
"Come around five, and just some two liters and blankets. It can get kinda cold on the beach at night."
"Will do." Serena turned to her sister. "Oh yeah, Embry and I are chillin after school."
"So you won't be riding home with me?"
"No."
"Aight." The bell rang, and everyone went their separate ways.
Lunchtime found Serena and Kim sitting by themselves in an isolated corner of the cafeteria. Kim was fiddling with the pop top of her Coke can when a shadow fell over her. Looking up, she managed a sneer. "What do you want, Tawa?"
"To talk with you, alone."
"Why?" Kim asked suspiciously.
"Please Kim, would you just step over there with me?" Jared asked patiently, staring into Kim's coldly suspicious eyes.
Kim sighed, and stood. "Fine, but you betta not be on no bullshit."
"I'm not." Jared led Kim to an abandoned table, and motioned for her to sit, as he slid into the nearest chair.
"I'll stand. Make this quick, Tawa."
"I am really sorry for what I said to you when we were younger."
Kim's jaw dropped. "What?"
"I'm sorry. I had no right to insult you the way I did, and it was wrong of me. I understand why you don't like me, and I don't blame you for it."
Kim merely stared. Then her eyes narrowed dangerously. She rested her hands on the table, and leaned in close. "Fuck. You."
Jared's pupils dilated because of Kim's proximity. His gaze was zeroed in on her full lips, and he gathered his courage, and darted forward, pressing a kiss to her mouth. He got a fleeting taste of her soda and smoke before Kim hit him in the face with her nearly full can of Coke.
Kim stormed off, pausing long enough to gather her things. She ignored Serena's questions, and left, heading out to her car, and tearing out of the parking lot. She tore out of the rez, driving aimlessly. Her meanderings led her out of Forks and into Port Angeles. She sighed, knowing that there was only one person besides Serena she could talk to about the way she was feeling. She dialed a number.
"Yo, what's good, Kimalicous?"
"Hey Lina, what are you doing?"
"Nothing, why? Are you okay?"
"No. Can I come over?"
"Sure! See you in a few!"
Kim hung up the phone, feeling a little more at peace. She texted Serena to let her know she definitely wouldn't be back, and headed over to her best friend Lina's house. She and Lina had hit it off at a house party when Kim was fourteen, and had immediately become best friends. Lina was seven years Kim's senior, and had become sort of a mentor to the younger girl. Kim pulled up in Lina's driveway, and let herself in. Lina immediately pulled the girl into a long hug. She was a tall, model thin woman with coffee black skin and short, spiky black hair.
"Now, what's got you all types of upset?" Lina led Kim to the couch, and urged her to sit. Kim leaned on Lina's shoulder and poured out the whole story.
"So, he kissed me, and I hit him in the face with my soda." Kim finished woodenly. Lina nodded.
"I see. So, when are you gonna admit to yourself that you still have a thing for him?"
Kim jerked upright. "What? No I..." seeing Lina's knowing look, Kim abruptly deflated. "Okay, you're right. But I feel like I'm setting myself up for failure. I mean, what if this is some sort of joke?"
"Do you think it could be?"
"I think he's in for a rude fucking awakening if he thinks I'm gonna be just like the other bitches at the school."
Lina grinned. "That's my girl. No one said you had to go soft. If you feel more comfortable keeping your guard up, then do so." She nudged Kim. "Keep your heart, Three Stacks, keep your heart."
Kim laughed. "Good point. Are you gonna be busy today?"
"Nah, no classes. Why?"
"Wanna go to the mall? I want to find something very eye catching to wear on Saturday."
"So..."
Kim's grin was almost predatory. "Oh, I still like Jared. That doesn't mean I'm not gonna fuck with him until I think he's sorry enough."
Lina cracked up. "Good to know." The two girls left.
Meanwhile, at school, Serena was busily berating Jared for his presumptuous actions. "You did WHAT?"
Jared had the good graces to look ashamed. "I kissed her. And then she hit me with her soda can."
Serena snorted. "Good for her. I would have done the same."
"Do I not have a shot any more?"
"We'll talk about this later. I gotta get to class." Serena and Jared separated.
Serena sent Kim a text saying she would see her later, and spent the rest of the day focusing on school. After the last bell rang, she was pleased to find Embry waiting at her locker. His smile lit up his entire face. "Hey Sere."
Serena smiled back as she grabbed her book bag out of her locker. "Hey. So, where are we going?"
"I thought I could take you by my friend Sam's house, his fiancee is making cookies today. After that, maybe take you to a few of my favorite spots on the rez."
Serena shut her locker. "You had me at cookies." She walked alongside of him, sneaking glances at the lean muscles of his arms. She idly wondered if he possessed muscles everywhere. She followed Embry to his car, a beat up Honda Accord. He made sure she was settled before tearing out of the parking lot.
"So, what happened today? Jared was washing Coke out of his hair in the men's room." Embry asked.
"Kim hit him in the face with a soda."
"Why?"
"He kissed her."
Embry choked. "He WHAT?"
"He kissed her. So, she skipped the rest of the day cuz she's really pissed, and now Jared's worried that he's screwed up his chances."
Embry shook his head. "Wow."
"I know." Serena sighed. "Well, I told him it wouldn't be easy."
"Well, I think he's starting to realize that now."
Serena giggled. "So, tell me about your friend Sam."
"He's like a big brother, really. You'll like him."
"And his fiancee?"
"Emily? She's great, and she's a really good cook." Embry pulled up in front of a house with tons of plants on the porch. "This is it, come on."
Serena stepped out of the car, and smiled as Embry wrapped an arm around her shoulders. He led her inside, where a woman was bustling around the living room. She looked up and smiled warmly. "You must be Serena. I'm Emily."
"Nice to meet you." Serena said, smiling. She lingered on Emily's scars briefly, but stuck out a hand to shake.
"Embry's told me a little bit about you."
Embry's ears turned red. Serena's smile grew bigger. "All good, I hope."
Emily giggled. "Would you consider, 'most beautiful girl I've ever met', good?"
Serena looked up at Embry in surprise. "You said that about me?"
Embry's ears were bright red, but he nodded sheepishly. "Yeah, I did."
"That was very sweet of you."
"It's true."
"Well, have a seat! I made some chocolate chip cookies, and there's milk, if you're interested."
"Sounds wonderful!" Serena sat down, and Emily sat a plate of still warm, enormous chocolate chip cookies in front of her. Embry eagerly grabbed one, only to have his hand gently rapped by Emily.
"Ladies first, Embry."
Embry grinned, and split his cookie in half. "Here, Sere."
Serena smiled. "Thanks." They munched in steady silence, only interrupted by the arrival of Sam. Serena found him nice enough, but a little intimidating. After they were done with the cookies, Embry led Serena back outside.
"We're gonna walk a bit, is that okay?"
Serena nodded. "I wore comfortable shoes today," she said, looking down at her sneakers.
Embry beamed. "Great, you'll love this!" They chatted as they walked, learning more about each other. Serena learned that Embry was a Taurus, had a seven year old sister named Miranda, and wanted to be a history teacher. Embry learned that Serena was a Sagittarius, had a nineteen year old sister that lived in Arizona named Seraphina, and wanted to work with animals.
Serena linked her arm through Embry's lifting her gaze up to his. "So, what made you decide you wanted to ask me out?" She asked, blinking innocently.
"At first it was because you're gorgeous, but Jared told me a little about you, from what he'd learned, and you seemed really friendly and sweet. It's a hard combination to find."
Serena's cheeks darkened a bit, but then her gaze shifted ahead of them, and she gasped. "Oh wow."
Stretched out ahead of them was a field filled with brilliant wildflowers. Their heady scents drifted on the breeze and Serena gave a shiver of delight. "Do you like it?"
"It's beautiful." Serena said softly.
Boldly, Embry intertwined their fingers and led her into the field. They sat and talked until it got dark. By the time Embry dropped Serena off, she was in love. Of course, it helped that he walked her to the door and dropped a soft kiss on her forehead before he left too. She waltzed inside, eyes shining.
"KIM! Oh my gosh, KIM!"
Kim threw open her bedroom door. "WHAT?" She shrieked, startled. She was even more startled when Serena began dancing with her across the hallway.
"Embry is so wonderful, and nice, and sweet and I really like him."
Kim giggled. "Oh really? I guess he's so nice, sweet and wonderful that you didn't even notice your bike was out front."
Serena stopped dancing abruptly, eyes wide. "What?" She raced back down the stairs and outside, where her bike was indeed waiting for her. Serena squealed excitedly, and raced back inside. "Great! Tomorrow, after I check her over, I'll take you for a ride. Did the rest of my stuff get here?"
"It's in your room."
Serena giggled happily and fairly bounced to her room, where she began sorting through the boxes and arranging her clothes. She fell asleep with a smile on her face.
The rest of the week went by quickly for both girls. To Kim's surprise and slight disappointment, Jared did not speak to her, or even look her way for that matter. Serena noticed as well, and commented on it Friday night at dinner.
"I think Jared got the hint. He hasn't said two words to you."
Kim shrugged, refusing to meet Serena's eyes. "I guess so."
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Are we still going to the bonfire tomorrow?"
"Yup. What are you gonna wear?"
"I bought a cute sweater the other day, probably gonna wear that."
Serena raised an eyebrow. "Kimmy, what's wrong? You've been all quiet lately."
Kim shook her head. "Nothing. I'm good."
"If you say so. We aren't supposed to get there til like five, so I'm gonna work on my bike some when I wake up."
"I have detention any way."
Serena nodded. "That's right. Hey, do you think Dad and Lisa would mind if maybe Seraphina came up during the spring? She wants to visit."
Kim shrugged. "Doesn't hurt to ask. How is she?"
"She's doing good, ready for a vacation. She says the pre-veterinary program she's in is really tough."
Kim shook her head. "Yeah, she can keep that."
"I know, right?" Serena finished eating, and began loading up the dishwasher. "So, anything going on with you tonight?"
"Yeah, Lina's having a party. Wanna go?"
"Nah. I've got too much homework to do. Don't forget you have detention tomorrow."
"I know. I'll be home tonight, just don't know when."
"What are you gonna wear?"
"Something bright and disgustingly cheerful."
Serena rolled her eyes. "I'll help you get ready."
"Thanks." Kim was clad in a pair of dark purple skinny jeans and a neon blue halter top, with some dark purple pumps. Serena decided that Kim's hair should be worn wavy and tousled, and she gave her a sexy smoky eye and a little lip gloss.
"Well, you look gorgeous. Have fun tonight!"
"See ya later babez." Kim left, and Serena buckled down on her homework. Embry texted a few times, making Serena giggle.
Kim drove out of the rez, feeling more and more at ease the farther she got. Once she arrived at Lina's, the party was in full swing. Kim grabbed a cup of Lina's infamous Jungle Juice, and went in search of the coffee skinned girl. She found Lina in the middle of the dance floor, moving to Ciara's latest tune. Lina's face lit up as she caught sight of Kim. "Kimalicious! Come on and shake something, ma!"
Kim joined her friend on the dance floor. She polished off her first cup, and was on her way for a second when she accidentally bumped into someone. "Oh, excuse me." A strong hand steadied her.
Kim looked up into a pair of deep green eyes. "It's cool."
"Hey, I've never seen you before. What's your name?"
"Kim. You?" Kim's eyes traveled over the speaker's body. He was about six one, with chocolate skin and short black hair.
"Andrè. Are you friends with Lina?"
"Yeah."
"So, where do you stay at, beautiful?"
"I live in La Push, the reservation."
"Where's that?"
"About an hour from here."
"Wanna sit down somewhere and talk?"
"Give me just a second." Kim poured herself another cup, and found Lina again. "Give me a five minute rundown on Andrè."
"He's in my Psychology class, studying to be a therapist, member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity, really nice," Lina answered promptly. "Why?"
"We're gonna go sit down and talk."
Lina nodded. "I'll keep an eye on you."
Kim rolled her eyes. "Okay, Mother." Kim walked off to Lina's laughter, and found Andrè, who was sitting on the stairs. Smiling, she sat down next to him, and they began talking.
"So, how old are you?"
"I'm sixteen."
Andrè's eyes widened. "Really? Damn, you carry yourself like someone older."
Kim smiled knowingly. "Does it bother you? How old are you?"
Andrè grinned. "Not really. I'm not that much older than you."
"How much is not that much?" Kim challenged.
"Five years."
Kim smiled. "Doesn't bother you, doesn't bother me. I could probably teach you a couple things," she said sweetly.
Andrè kissed her hand teasingly. "Baby, I'd be more than willing to learn."
Kim tossed her head back and laughed. "When do you want to start learning?"
"Tomorrow...for dinner?"
Kim gnawed her lower lip. "Oh, what the hell. What time and where?"
"Meet me at the Bones at seven thirty."
"Sure."
Andrè motioned to the dance floor. "Wanna dance?"
Kim danced the night away with Andrè, getting home at around four, and going to sleep smiling. She fairly bounced into detention with a smile on her face. When detention let out at noon, she headed home to find Serena dressed in a mechanic's outfit, pulled down to the waist, and a tank top. Her hair was tamed by a bandana, and she had smudges of grease on her face. "Hey Kimmy."
"Hey Rena. How's it going?"
Serena stretched. "Pretty good. Want me to give your car an oil change while I'm at it?"
Kim passed over the keys. "Sure. I'm not gonna stay long at the bonfire tonight."
Serena arched an eyebrow. "Why not?"
Kim recounted the events of last night and Serena's face fell for just a second, but she recovered nicely. "Oh, okay. Are you still gonna come though?"
"Yeah, for a little bit."
Serena smiled. "Okay, cool." She turned and lifted the hood of Kim's car. "I'll let you know if anything is wrong."
Kim nodded and went into the house. Serena used the better part of the afternoon to tinker around with her bike and Kim's car. Once she finished with the engine work, both got a thorough cleaning and detailing. Really, Serena just wanted to waste time until about two, when she would start getting ready. Once the cars were finished, it was a little after two, and Serena dashed upstairs. She had picked out her outfit when she first woke up, a pair of warm black pants, and a form fitting burgundy sweater, with a black and cream scarf, and her warmest black coat. She took a long hot shower, and began to get ready. Kim entered, holding two outfits: a pair of jeans, a white thermal, and a hot pink shirt; and a pair of khaki pants, and a lime green turtleneck with the shoulders cut out.
"What do you think?"
Serena 'hmm'ed thoughtfully. "I really like that turtleneck."
"Then I'll be wearing that." Kim cast an appraising eye over Serena's outfit. "Looks good."
"Thanks. Want me to come to your room when I'm done?"
"Sure."
Serena continued getting ready, applying makeup, and meticulously straightening her hair. Straightened, her hair fell in long bangs around her face, and down her shoulders. She put on a black and cream hat for the 'cute' effect, and bounced over to Kim's room. Kim was winding her hair into a bun.
"Cute, Kimmers."
"Thanks. Ready?"
"Let's go!"
The sun was low on the horizon when the Bearheart sisters pulled up to the beach. Already a sizeable bonfire was blazing, and the salt of the ocean mingled nicely with the comforting scent of woodsmoke. Serena took a deep breath. "God, I love that smell."
Kim rolled her eyes. "You're such a geek."
"Yeah, so?"
Embry had been anxiously watching the dunes for Serena's arrival. He caught sight of her and grinned. "Hey Sere," he said once she reached him, giving her a big hug.
"Hey yourself. We aren't late, are we?"
"Not at all. You brought blankets?"
Kim held up a couple plastic bags. "And sodas."
"Cool." Embry led them to the bonfire. Emily greeted Serena warmly, and smiled at Kim cordially. Serena introduced her sister to both Emily and Sam, before taking a seat, and taking the hot dogs and sticks Emily passed them.
"None for me thanks. I'm not staying."
"Oh? Are you sure?" Emily asked politely.
"Yeah, thanks."
Embry could not contain his curiosity. "Why aren't you staying, Kim?"
"Got a date."
Jared had been laughing and joking with Sam and Paul, but now he stopped dead, fists clenched and teeth beginning to grind together. Sam took one look at Kim, and hustled Jared away.
Kim felt a deep sense of an unfamiliar emotion well up inside her, and she averted her eyes from the assembled people, choosing to stare out at the ocean. Serena slipped a slender hand inside Kim's and squeezed gently. Emily made sure that Jared was out of earshot before saying, "So, where's he taking you?"
"He said someplace called the Bones?" Kim nibbled on her lower lip and stole a peek at the dune Jared had disappeared behind. She felt a surge of the emotion again; it was embarrassment.
Emily smiled. "I've been there; you'll love it."
"What kinda food is it?"
"Just burgers and stuff like that. It's just a really fun place."
"Thanks." Kim relaxed enough to offer Emily a smile. Talk turned to clothing, and Kim felt much as Serena did; that Emily was an all around nice person. At around six thirty, she said her goodbyes and started for her car. Jared was waiting at her car.
"Kim, can I talk to you?"
"What? I've got somewhere to be."
"I heard." Jared's eyes were boring into mine in the dim light.
"Then make it quick."
Jared shrugged, grabbed Kim by the shoulders, and kissed her roughly. Kim let out a startled gasp, and Jared invaded her mouth. Kim's head reeled, and in back of her mind, she realized that Jared was probably the best kisser she had ever encountered. When she finally started to return the kiss, Jared pulled away. "He won't treat you, adore you, or love you the way that I can. So while you're on your date, remember that," he whispered harshly.
Jared strode off, and Kim got in her car, thoroughly shaken.
**AN**
I am soooooo sorry! I got married and moved, so it's been hectic! I hope this nice long chapter makes up for it. Remember, reviews are love, flames are stupid! Thanks!
