The Path I Choose
Hello again! I feel so encouraged!
Thank you to;
cindy92 and Moonessences for the story alert.
Sibel88 for the fave
Moonessences, lalaland and twelvepastnoon for the reviews!
I love you all!
When Melanie heard Jacobs breath whoosh out of him as if he'd been winded, she looked up: embarrassment forgotten. She hadn't known him long, but she didn't want him to get hurt.
The situation confused her. Everyone was staring at Paul – she assumed he was Paul because she could name everyone else – while Paul was staring at her. It wasn't even the stare she'd been expecting; leave, you don't belong here. His deep, dark brown eyes were filled with affection, which confused her even more, he didn't even know her.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Kim glancing anxiously between Paul and Melanie. She seemed less confused then Melanie, but not quite as knowledgeable as the boys.
Paul stared, lovingly, at her for what seemed like eternity.
Melanie shifted in her seat, rather uncomfortable. The look Paul was giving her was doing something to her.
All the mindless chatter in the cafeteria was drowned out, even though Paul wasn't making any noise. Her body felt like it was filled with fire, hot and glowing. Melanie was certain her cheeks were red.
Her mind was all scrambled, thoughts tripped and stumbled into each other until it was impossible to decipher them. Although she knew – at least she was quite sure – that no-one had left the room, all she could see was Paul. She couldn't feel Jacob beside her; even though a second ago, the heat from his body had been impossible to ignore.
Unsure of what was happening to her – but knowing it needed to stop – she yanked her gaze away from the incredibly gorgeous Quileute. It took several seconds before she remembered how to exhale. She did, and the sound seemed loud in the silent tension that surrounded their table.
Quil was the first to speak. "Well, that's one way to welcome someone," his words were directed at Paul. The taunting words snapped Paul out of his reverie, he smacked Quil on the arm. The hit was hard, Paul was taking out his frustration of another uncontrollable thing in his life out on poor, unsuspecting Quil.
While he was angry, Paul reasoned that he could probably manage a glance at the girl without going lovey-dovey again.
Turns out he could.
Happy that he had her face embedded in his memory – although slightly annoyed that the fact pleased him – he returned to his pizza.
Not being able to control his life, angered him. But he knew he would never blame Melanie.
He glanced at the girl – angel – again. She was glaring down at the table, like she was trying to burn a hole in it using her mind, and she was fiddling with her fingers. A nervous gesture. Paul wondered if it was his fault, decided it probably was. Who wouldn't freak out having a boy they didn't know stare at them like they were the God's gift to man?
This made him feel guilty, it was like a physical blow, knowing that he'd caused her discomfort. Paul suppressed a shudder – he would never tease Jared about Kim ever again.
"You're Melanie, right?" It was more of a statement then a question, but he couldn't think of any other way to start conversation.
Melanie fought the sigh of pleasure that wanted to make itself known, at the sound of Paul's voice. What the hell is wrong with me? She yelled internally, I'm not some love sick fool!
She nodded her head, not trusting herself to talk. Her mouth was dry.
Paul noticed the lack of reaction. She's probably scared of me, he thought to himself, trying to deny the pain that statement brought.
Jacob, who'd been silent all the way through the situation, continued to glance between Melanie; who still had her head lowered, eyes on her soda, and Paul. Paul's face was a mask, expressionless, except for his eyes. But whatever emotion he was really feeling, he was covering up with anger. It was a defence mechanism.
Paul tried again, hoping for a better reaction this time;
"What class do you have next?" He asked, trying to keep his tone casual.
It seemed to work. Melanie raised her head slightly, glanced at him. Then she pulled out her timetable, smoothed it out on the table – so she could reassemble her thoughts, which had jumbled up again when she looked at him – and answered him.
"Art, with Mr Wiccan."
Paul was pleased, he had that lesson next, too. The thought of having Melanie in his class, made art seem that more exciting, and enjoyable then it had been before her arrival.
"I have that class, as well." He told her. She smiled at him then, and he was sure his heart was going to give out. Apparently, she didn't notice his reaction.
However the others did. Quil burst out laughing, Embry chortled along with him. Jared had a smug smile on his face, which clearly said: now you know how it feels.
Jacob grinned too, glad for Paul.
Another screamingly loud bell rung, signalling the end of lunch.
Just as it went, Melanie saw a shadow pass behind Paul. It looked like a man, more so then any of the others she'd seen.
Her face paled. Paul noticed her worry.
"Are you okay?" He asked, obviously concerned. He came to stand beside her.
Melanie mentally slapped herself. She saw shadows – and other fay – all the time and she was still terrified of them. For good reason.
Melanie refused to remember that day, it was in the past. The past was gone, now she had Paul and Art.
Paul followed her into class, and waited while the teacher signed her slip. He then led her to the middle row, where he sat. Each table had two chairs.
Paul patted the seat beside him, grinned when Melanie slid into it.
"Do you like art?" He asked, curious.
Melanie looked at him, determined to keep her thoughts.
"I enjoy drawing and painting. I'm pretty good at landscape, but I can't draw people." She told him, the longest answer she'd given him. He liked that she went into detail, didn't just stick with small, simple answers any more.
He answered his own question, giving her some information about him.
"I have no talent for art, but I it prefer to some lessons. Mr Wiccan is a little strange, but pretty easy going."
Melanie nodded in understanding. More people filtered into the classroom, chatting aimlessly.
The two hour lesson went too fast for Paul and Melanie. They spent the lesson drawing still life, and asking questions. What's your favourite colour? Paul learnt of Melanie's long list of favourite colours. Melanie found that Paul's favourite was either black or grey.
By the time that the lesson was finished, Paul felt quite secure that Mel didn't think of him as a freak. She seemed to have forgotten the incident at lunch.
"What's next?" Paul asked once they were outside the classroom.
Melanie checked her timetable, "English," she replied. She seemed quite happy. So was Paul, they had this class together too. Although, he was probably going to have to share with Quil.
"You like English?" He asked, eyebrow raised. Melanie nodded, and started down the corridor to her next class. Paul matched her pace.
A grin graced Melanie's face, and she got a teasing glint in her eye. "Do you have English too, or are you stalking me?" Her tone was playful.
Paul grinned back at her, taken back by the sheer beauty of her smile. "Both. Quil has this class too, though. So I guess I'll have to share." Melanie laughed. Definitely an angel, Paul thought.
Sure enough, Quil was waiting for them in class. He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. "Sooooo, have you two made out yet?" He asked, partly serious. Paul had never had much patience. For all Quil knew, he might of forced himself on her the moment they left the cafeteria.
Paul snorted, and yanked Quil's chair out from under him. Quil hit the linoleum with a loud smack. Melanie and Paul burst into hysterics, while Quil muttered under his breath and gave Paul a dirty look.
The teacher came in five minutes later, a faery following. Melanie sucked in a deep breath, telling herself that it was fine. The teacher was unharmed, and the faery didn't seem to have any ill intentions. The faery had large, doe eyes which were too big for its face – giving it a constantly surprised look. It's skin was light brown – Asian looking – of course, that didn't mean the faery came from Asia or Asian belief. You never knew with Faeries.
The doe eye sat, cross legged on the teacher's desk. It didn't do anything, but it distracted Melanie enough that she didn't know what the teacher was talking about.
Quil, who sat to her left, glanced at her several times during the lesson. He wondered what was distracting her. There wasn't even five lines of writing on her paper.
Paul hadn't noticed, he sat on the other side of Quil, and couldn't see Melanie.
The hour went incredibly slow for Melanie, the doe eyes turned to look at her many times, but when she did Melanie glanced down. Unable to meet the doe eyes gaze.
Even when the class was finished, doe eyes followed her to History. Melanie forced herself not to cry. Quil walked with her, quiet for once. They had history together.
But Melanie didn't even notice him, her thoughts were on the tall, grey-haired doe-eyed faery following her.
When history was over, again Melanie didn't have a clue of what they'd done, she rushed to the main office. She closed the door firmly behind her, so doe-eyes couldn't follow.
Face grim, she gave Ms. Gale the paper which all her teachers had signed. She silently prayed that doe-eyes had lost interest and left, before opening the door.
No such luck. The faery was standing – waiting – for her. It followed her as she walked to her car.
Jacob, Paul, Quil and Embry were waiting for her there.
"Hey guys. What's up?" Melanie desperately tried to keep her dread from her voice. Tried to sound enthusiastic. From the boys sombre expressions, she'd failed.
Melanie made the mistake of looking Paul in the eye. Her heart wailed for him. Even though, they all appeared concerned, the others' was nothing compared to Paul's. She could plainly see the desperation in his brown eyes.
The sudden urge to hold him, reassure him raised her heartbeat, and brought bitter sweet tears to her eyes. That only made them more concerned.
He stepped towards her, so close she could feel the comforting warmth from his body. Unthinkingly, she pushed herself even closer. She was practically in his arms.
"What's wrong, Mel?" His deep voice was soft, desperate, concerned, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
Melanie almost cracked, almost gave up her secret and told him everything. That she was a faery, that she was the future queen of the Dark Court, about Doe-eyes – everything. But she couldn't. That would most definitely end her human life.
Instead she said; "Nothing," and hoped that it would convince him. She knew it wouldn't. His passionate concern was not going to be pacified with that pathetic, over-used answer. Her stomach churned, she felt light headed, and her palms were sweaty.
Paul heaved a sigh, looking much older then sixteen then.
"Okay. I can see you won't tell me now. But, remember, I'll always be here. When you're ready to tell me." He told her, hurting over the fact that she didn't trust him enough to tell him what was wrong. Angry that something – someone – was hurting his angel.
Melanie's heart ached, twisting painfully. Paul's expression changed, his eyes darkened with anger, pulling his brow down. His jaw set.
"But when I find out who did this to you, don't you worry Mel, I will make them pay." He promised her, hissing out the threat to the Doe-eyed faery, who hadn't moved since they'd approached. She wasn't at all worried. Melanie was.
With that, the Quileute boys – who somehow looked more like men – walked to their own cars.
I have to admit. I'm super proud of this chapter, especially the end. I feel as if I've shown Melanie's character quite well. But I'm probably biased, after all, I wrote it. So please, please give me your opinion!