TO all my wonderful readers, FINALS ARE FINALLY DONE!!! Now I can work on this again! As promised IPFQ, I am giving you some Brady Darren action.
Disclaimer: If I was Stephenie Meyer, I would still write on fanfiction because publishers nix things that I would want in there. And who knows, maybe I wanted an ending where Bella to end up with Mike.
Imprint Infuriation
Two hours after the ending of the last chapter, so about six P.M.
I'm insane. Yeah, that's it, insane. I didn't just imprint on some southern-not-quite-so-belle. No that's ludicrous. Plus, Sam would like kill me if I told him that I was staying with Jake's pack because of some girl. Not to mention Mom, Dad, Collin… Oh who am I kidding! She's perfect!
I leaned over the sink in the Cullen's bathroom. Never thought I'd be here. I stared myself down in the mirror. In one instant, things got complicated fast. Seth told me what he knew about the other guests on the way here from the airport, but I never expected this.
Grabbing the sink with both hands, I tried to slow the shimmers running down my spine. The stress of not just out-right telling her was excruciating. Deep breath in, hold it, deep breath out, hold it.Kelsie Noel. Such a simple name yet it calms me down quicker than anything. And I just met her.
"Brady, I know you're trying to calm down, but breaking a five thousand dollar sink is not the answer."
I jumped at the sound of Esme's voice. Turning to look at her, I could see she really cared. Weird that I would be more willing to talk about girls to this woman than my own mother, but then again, (Edward if you tell her this you will lose a hand) she is quite older than my mom.
"Sorry Mrs. Cullen. I didn't intend to hang on to it like that." I apologized sheepishly. Which is odd, seeing as I am closer to a dog than a sheep…?
She shook her head slowly. "It's Esme dear. Mrs. Cullen is my late mother-in-law." She smirked. The woman is like ninety at least and she still smirks.
"Hehe, I guess it would. It didn't seem this complicated with the other guys. Well, maybe with Quil, but eh, that's Quil. What am I going to do?" This was the big problem. Kelsie has just had her life turned upside down. Literally. She went from small town Tennessee, to college town, New Hampshire.
"Let's go outside and talk dear. It will be better than in the lavatory." She walked out of the room, just trusting me to follow her. And I did.
When we got outside, she sat down on a swing and motioned for me to sit too. I sat on the chase lounge and propped my feet up. It was a nice evening. Sunset in just thirty minutes. There was a soft breeze flitting through the air. Wow…that sounded so poetic.
"Esme, what am I going to do? I'm scared to just tell her, that could make her pass out like her cousin…umm… did." Funny, I know I've heard it several times today, but for the life of me can't remember it.
Esme chuckled. "Her name is Even. And I don't think Kelsie will pass out. She seems calmer than Even. More even tempered. I think you should talk to Sam, let him know what is going on. Then tell Even, because she is very protective by nature. But be honest with her. She needs people to be honest right now. If she asks you point blank, tell her, if not wait until the time is right. It will all come out in the wash."
Okay, tell Sam, then tell Even. Tell Sam, then tell Leah because she knows better what Even's reaction will be. Oh crap, I'm gunna die. "Thanks Esme, I think I'm doomed then. If you think I need to tell Even first." Great, now I sound miserable.
"Oh, we won't let her kill you. We are just faster than she is. Unless of course, she is really, really mad, then she might be faster and you might break an arm. Oh it will be fine Brady. Just go for a run and talk to Sam. As your Alpha, he as the right to know." Esme saw my face drop. She gave me a reassuring smile and nodded towards the forest.
"Okay. I'll talk to Sam. But I may get Leah to tell Even. That sounds safer." She nodded again and I started running towards the forest.
I flipped off my shirt that we were required to wear in the house, and as soon as I hit the woods I somersaulted to take my shorts off. Jake taught us that trick. Sam was the one who decided we should carry our clothes on us. Of course today, my tie had to get tangled, so I hopped on one foot for ten feet or so trying to get my shorts on my leg. Great. Distantly I heard laughter. Double great.
Finally, I got them on and let myself phase. It's hard to believe that a year and a half ago I was so scared to phase, now it's just natural. I'm not as smooth as Sam, or as fast as Jake, but I do enjoy it. This distance was greater than any we have tried, other than occasionally with Jake and Sam. Immediately I felt Jared's mind. Then Paul joined the picture.
"Hey guys. Is Sam around?" I asked them.
"Whoa. Brady, you imprinted? Wow. You go dog! Yeah, Jared go get him." Paul replied.
I felt Jared's impatience. "Why should I go get him? I was the one who made it on time. Not your sorry a-butt. You should be the one to go."
"No, I'm older, I'm 'Beta' you should go." The two of them have always fought. Non-stop. They were worse than Embry and Quil.
"Why don't you both go?! I really need to talk to Sam!" Yelling is the only way to get through to these guys.
They faded out to get Sam, without freaking out his pregnant wife. The forest around here was different than at home. They have syrup trees here. I guess that would be maple, since it is maple syrup. Duh. The ground wasn't the water-logged mess it was at home. More dense and rocky, less loamy. The air was dryer too. I kind of miss the wet air.
While waiting for Sam to phase, I run around reveling in the feeling of the air moving smoothly in and out of my lungs. My speed steadily increased until I was running faster than ever. Who knows? I might have been able to out run Seth and Collin. I will not start giggling like a school girl! I will not I will not!
"While you're not giggling like a school girl, what's so important that I had to send my pregnant wife's ice cream and cookies home with the oafs?" Sam cut into my happiness.
"Oh, sorry about that… Can I assume that they told you what happened about two this afternoon?" I asked feeling embarrassed about the inconvenience, and his overhearing my glee.
"All they said was that you needed to talk to me pronto." He was silent for a second listening in on what had happened as I reviewed it. "Oh, you imprinted on this Kelsie girl huh. Well, from what I remember of Even, which isn't a lot, she should take it well as long as you aren't rude about it."
"Thanks…I think. But what if Kelsie doesn't accept me? What if she does, but wants to stay? What if she wakes up in the middle of the night and decides that she needs to go back to Tennessee? Sam! I don't know what is happening to me!" Great. Now I've lost it for sure. I have never been the worry-wart in the family, but it seems like I've taken Mom's spot.
"You'll be fine Brady. You have to face these issues head on. Know that we are all here behind you ready to back you up. Or make you back up if necessary. If staying out there is what it takes for her piece of mind, then you should stay. If she doesn't want this, then we will help you through the pain. Okay kid?" Sam's thoughts were nothing but supportive. "All of us have gone through this. And when it comes to telling risky parties, talk to Jake. He has experience in telling the parental figure of the imprint that actually stands a chance of killing you. But don't worry about it kiddo."
Well, he did have a point. This wasn't the first time that one of us has had to go through this. And Jake did have the hardest time with the parents. Even worse than Quil.
"Okay man. I think I can do this… Are you sure I can? How should I tell her? I mean, she knows that it can happen, Even briefed her on the way up here. Oh this is so confusing."
"Talk to Jake, Brady. And the Cullen's maybe able to help too. Can I go back to my wife now? Not that I don't enjoy helping you with your problems, but she is really moody lately." I guess I could understand that…
"I've already talked with Esme, she said to talk to you. Okay. You can go, tell Emily I'm sorry for holding you up please."
"Okay kid. Will do. Don't be surprised if she calls you. Later kid." He slowly faded away as he phased back to human form.
Step one: Run some more to work out the rest of this frustration.
Step two: Tell Jake and Leah.
Step three: Figure out how in the world to tell Even.
Step four: Tell Kelsie.
Step five: Don't die.
Mom always said it was better to have a five step plan when trying to accomplish something. The first step should be easy. I love running. Step two shouldn't be much harder. Maybe step five should be step three and step three be step four and step four be step five. Whoa, I don't know what I just said…
I started running as hard as I could again. I went about fifteen miles North then ran the same distance East. Running South-southwest, I ran within a five minute human run from the house. Phasing back to human always left me feeling wrong. Like I should stay a wolf, but that caused me to feel weird about wanting to stay wolf. Teenage hormones can be confusing…just thought you should know.
I phased back to human and put my shorts on with less a struggle than they were to take off. My shirt was laying around here somewhere. I had run close enough to the house to hear Leah and Seth bickering over homework.
"Seth you have to do your homework. I don't care if there are guests here or not."
"LEEAAH!!! Where is your sense of fun? Or did it get all soaked away in your hot springs trip?"
Summer school was the bane to every wolf's existence. But Mrs. Clearwater was very clear. Seth could only go East with the Cullen's if he went to summer school. She left Leah in charge of seeing that he actually went. Seth, along with the rest of the La Push boys were notorious for not doing school work…Myself included.
I could see the house, no mansion, now. Seth had calmed down somewhat it seemed through the big picture window in the kitchen. He was sitting at the table moping. Then Kelsie walked in and I started running faster.
Too bad I didn't see that the door was clear glass. Esme's need for things to be clean was my downfall. Her anticipation that Emmett wouldn't remember to open the door was the reason I didn't impale myself on a large piece of glass.
"Um…Brady, honey, there is a door there. Are you hurt?" Esme questioned, just barely keeping a chuckle out of her voice.
That had to be the exact moment that Emmett walked in. "Dude, you bombed the landing. The glass didn't cover all the room." He walked back out.
"I'm fine Esme. And Emmett, we can't all have the same effect on breakables as you." I yelled out just to get on his nerves.
"Seth, what are you reading for school?" Kelsie said from in the kitchen. Oh, her beautiful, beautiful voice.
I got off the floor and walked into the kitchen. Seth still at the table, but Kelsie was leaning over him. Her hand rested on his shoulder. HIS shoulder. It should be resting on mine. I'm the one who just fell through a door. Okay, ran through a door. And she was smiling at him.
"The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton. Its okay, but the kid's name is Pony. I mean get real," Seth answered clearly annoyed by the book. He and reading never got along all that great.
"I guess you haven't gotten to Soda-Pop yet, have you? You really ought to stick to it. it's a good story. All about class discrimination and brotherhood. Plus its really funny in places." Kelsie giggled out. She was flirting with him!!! Dangit!
As I looked at her looking at him, all of the calm and advice I received from Esme and Paul, yeah, it went out the window. My spine started shaking, causing my vision to waver, and Seth looked up.
"Hey dude, you okay? I heard someone go through th-" He was trying to be nice. But I grabbed his arm and hauled his- calm down- outside. I could hear everyone following us outside, and Jake asking me where my mind was, but I was focused only on getting him as far away from her as possible.
"BRADY! What is wrong with you dude? Talk to me and don't pull my arm off! Please." Seth gave me an excellent idea. I kicked my foot up and kept a death grip on his arm. My foot hit his ribcage as planned, but he grabbed it with his other hand. Then started twisting my foot.
I dropped my foot, and the hold on his arm. We were about fifty feet into the forest at this point. I raised my fists level with my chin and collar bone, left and right respectfully. Dad always said my stance was backward, but its how I roll. Seth raised his hands in a 'Dude-I-wasn't-doing-anything-to-deserve-this' gesture. Not, the I'm innocent please don't hurt me gesture. It was the defensiveness in his eyes.
"Brady, you don't want to do this. Talk it out and work out a diplomatic solution to this problem." Edward suggested hearing no important information from the young wolf's mind.
"Diplomacy is worthless. Back off. This is between me and the creep." I turned my eyes from Seth for a split second and was tackled to the ground. I grabbed his head and shoved it.
We rolled on the ground, throwing punches and growling. The Cullens and the rest of Seth's pack watched. Apparently, Even was keeping Kelsie and Nessie in the house. We only took out two trees, so I guess you could say we fight green.
"SETH! You will stay away from Kelsie if you know what's good for you." I had him pinned yet again, and was shoving his face in the dirt. I was too mad to have phased. And no doubt, Sam would have found out and ordered me down.
"Kelsie? What happened between me and Kelsie?" except it sounded more like "Kewsy? Wha happnd bwetwon mio n kewsy?" I kept his head down.
"Flirtation!!! You were flirting with my imprint. STAY AWAY! I'm not kidding man!" He kicked the back of my head somehow, and pinned me again. We could probably fight for the next two hours and neither of us win.
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. I mean I assumed that you had imprinted, but I so did not mean to flirt. Honest. I would never do that to you dude. You're like the brother I never had but always wanted. Instead of the crazy sister I was 'blessed' with." He held out his hand to me. He seemed honest. But I did feel a little too calm. Must be Jasper, he's the one that could mess with emotions. I think…
I reached up to take his hand. "Let's not mention this to Kelsie how bout? I guess you were right man. Just watch it. Don't like hurt her feelings, just don't encourage her please? It's bad enough that I have to deal with her cousin. I need all the help I can get." He pulled me up and we did the bro hug.
"Hey, why is the Bradster the one that is like your brother? I'm just like him, except much less annoying!" Collin interjected, dejectedly.
"Only to you is he less annoying!" Seth replied and dashed out of Collin's reach.
We all walked back to the house laughing and joking all the way.
An: I hope that wasn't too awkward. Christmas shopping kept getting in the way of getting this out, so in the spirit of Christmas: A teaser.
"I want you to find her for me. Her name is Kelly Fox. She is from Tennessee, but wasn't around her address when I got there before being called back in. Will you bring her here for me?" Jane's eyes pleaded. She didn't have to inflict pain. Just beg.
"I'll do it. I won't come back until I have her in hand. That's a promise."
Merry Christmas.