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Ch. 6 Friends
Kim POV
The crackling of the fire frightens me, and I can't help but jump. "Shhh, it's okay Kim, I'm here to protect you." I look around and find myself staring into the most beautiful deep brown eyes. They look so kind and trusting, I feel like I could stare into them forever. "I love you Kim, I'll keep you safe," I almost say it back when the crackling of the fire is suddenly getting so loud. His arms are around me and they're strong and warm, "Jared, I…" but's it's so loud. I can hardly hear my own thoughts. "Kim, please, I love you, you can trust me," His eyes look desperate now, pleading, like he's looking for an answer to a question that I don't remember being asked. I look around the bonfire to the many faces that I don't recognize. All waiting for me to say something. The crackling is unbearably loud, I feel paralyzed, "Jared, I can't…wait, please wait," His eyes look scared, I don't want him to be scared, but I can't even hear my own thoughts anymore… "Jared!"
I sit straight up in bed after what feels like an eternity of not being able to move, stuck in Jared's eyes. My breathing is laborious as if I've run a mile in my sleep. I push my hair away from my face and feel the bit of cold sweat. I finally smash the off button on my incessant alarm and realize that I must've been snoozing the alarm all morning. I have to be at school in thirty minutes! I quickly peek out my window and notice my parents' cars are gone, I'm the last one out today. I run to my bathroom to start getting ready when I notice a note on my mirror.
"Morning Kimmy, checked on you and you had a fever and sweating. Already called the school, stay home and rest. Love Always, Mom and Dad"
I relax and decide to take my parents' advice. I never skip school, one day won't kill me. The beep on my phone alerts me of a text.
Jade: Hey girly, you doing okay? I'm by your locker.
Me: Hey, yeah, I'm okay. I guess I had a fever this morning, so mom suggested I stay home from school. Do you think you could bring me the hw I missed?
Jade: Yeah, no problem. Feel better!
I clean myself up a little bit in the bathroom and head back to bed. I feel like I hardly slept at all last night with such a weird dream. I think that maybe the fact that Jared finally noticed me is messing with my head. But I've decided to move on. Maybe I will take Jade up on her offer to double date.
I pull my laptop onto my queen bed and turn on Netflix to some show that I don't mind falling asleep to and get all curled up in my numerous blankets and pillows. Before I know it, I'm slipping back into a deep sleep.
JARED POV
I've decided that I am going to become Kim's friend. I clearly need to make amends for being an ass. I can't just go up and tell her that she is my predestined soul mate and I basically need her to live and the thought of going a day without looking into her beautiful eyes absolutely guts me. I shortly contemplate that option and quickly shake it away. That would terrify her.
The five-minute bell rings and I haven't seen Kim yet. I guess it's possible that she's already in the classroom, but I haven't heard her heartbeat yet. I make my way to class and abruptly stop at the threshold. Her chair is empty. She doesn't seem like the kind of person who's late for anything. I really wish that I had paid attention to her before the whole wolf thing, maybe I would know more about her. I spend class time doing my best to actually pay attention since I have so much to make up for after missing a whole week doing my wolf time.
Hey, Kim isn't here. Crap, super-hearing.
My head snaps up and I look around for the familiar voice when I notice Kim's friend Jade talking to Jack Michaelson. He's the one that made the observation.
No, she isn't coming today, she's sick. Jade replies.
Oh man, I hate to hear that. Hey, does she need homework? She's in another class of mine and I can take it by her house. Oh really Jack? And why are you so interested in my imprint? I stop taking notes entirely and concentrate on their exchange.
Oh that's okay. I already filled out a form at the office. Her teachers will take her homework to the office and I'll pick it up and drop it off at her house later. Thank goodness for Jade, that kid was asking to get his ass kicked
Oh yeah, that's probably a better idea. Jack's face clearly falls, and I know that I'm not the only one that noticed.
Jack is everything okay? What are you doing Jade, why do you care?
Before Jack can respond, Mr. Arkle calls the class to order and continues on with the lecture. After class I strategically bump into Jade and her books fall.
"Oh, I'm sorry about that," I reach down and help her stack her books.
"It's fine, Jared, thanks for the help," Jade looks at me skeptically.
"Hey, I have a quick question for you," Damn I'm nervous. Jade looks at me warily, "What's up Jared?"
"Is Kim okay? She wasn't in class today and she never misses class," My heart is racing, especially as Jade raises one eyebrow on her very unfriendly face.
"Interesting, since when do you care if Kim misses class? I didn't even know that you knew her name," Jade looks pissed and I'm guessing that Kim told her what happened the other day.
I push my hair away from my forehead and sigh, "Look Jade, I've been an asshole, I know that and I'm trying to fix it. I hate that I didn't know that this awesome girl has been sitting next to me forever and it took me now to figure it out. But I really want to try to get to know her," I talk so fast that I'm not even sure that I'm making sense. Jade doesn't look convinced.
"Listen Jared, I don't know what this is all about. But whatever you were doing before, I suggest you go back to. Kim is an amazing person with a beautiful and kind heart. She doesn't need a rollercoaster ride of a friend like you," with that, Jade walks away.
I'm so tempted to just go home or go check on Kim. But I know that I have to get through school. Kim is smart and she's going to want a smart boyfriend. I need to better myself if I ever want a shot with her.
I'm moping because I hate that I can't hear her heartbeat and I miss a girl who isn't even mine to miss. Paul just about punches me at lunch but the squeal from Ariana hits me the hardest. That or her massive hug that I really don't want. I'm standing in line to get food when I hear her high-pitched voice and I do my best to keep myself from grimacing.
"Jaaaaared!" The air in my lungs whoosh out as she slams into me. I put my hands on her shoulders to balance myself and to keep her at arm's length.
"Woah, Ariana," I try to find a way to tell her that I just want to be as far away from her as possible. I'm not sure if there's a nice way to do this.
"Where have you been? I've been calling you and texting you for over a week! Whatever, it doesn't matter, let's go out to the football field and make up for lost time," She grabs my hand and starts to pull me along with her and I know exactly what she has in mind. I look at Paul for help but he's cracking up.
"Wait, Ariana, hold up. We gotta talk," She stops abruptly and puts her ands on her hips. We aren't even out of the cafeteria yet.
"So talk, but make it quick, we only have thirty minutes left of lunch. I would totally skip class, but we have a test today," She doesn't get it and I desperately wish that I was anywhere except here.
"Ariana, I'm not going to the football field with you. Now or ever again. Look we had a lot of fun, but I'm breaking up with you," We're far enough from the crowd that I thought we could keep this private, but her shriek is a dead giveaway.
"EXCUSE ME?! YOU'RE breaking up with ME?! You really are stupid!" And with that she stomps out of the cafeteria and everyone in the cafeteria is staring at me like I just kicked a dog.
"So… food?" Paul says and I want to punch him and kiss him at the same time for being my friend. It's interesting, before the wolf thing, Paul and I were friends, but now we're brothers.
As we head to a table, I feel someone staring at me and I look around and notice Jade studying me. She's sitting with her boyfriend, Aaron as well as Jack. I forgot that Jack and Aaron are friends. Jack showed interest in Kim and I don't like it one bit. If I want Kim's heart, I'll have to get Jade's approval too.
KIM'S POV
"Kim, wake up!" I open my eyes to Jade shaking me and I look over at the clock and see that school is out and I slept all day, dream-free, thank goodness.
"Jade, hi, what's going on?" Jade seems so excited and I still feel so foggy from my sleep.
"Okay so first, I have your homework, you can thank me later. Second, Jack Michaelson likes you! In Chem this morning, he asked me why you weren't in class and even asked if he could bring you your homework. But I figured that you missed my pretty face," with that she tosses her hair with a grin and I can't help but smile. She's so sweet.
"Anyways, pleeeeease double date with me and Aaron! We can just go bowling and keep it low key. Please consider it! He's so sweet and smart and damn he's cute. And he's already friends with Aaron, so things won't be awkward. And we can go to their lacrosse games together and—" She's talking to fast and I'm trying to process. I hold up my hand to try and stop her chatting.
"Okay, Jade. I'll go"
"—we. Wait, really?" She's so surprised and I don't blame her. I've been hopelessly pining over some guy for so long. But it's time to move on, I'm ready.
"Yes, really, I'll go. It sounds like fun and Jack is really nice and cute." She squeals and sits on the bed next to me, so she can lean over and give me a huge hug.
"So how are you feeling? School wasn't nearly as fun without you there." I yawn and nod and climb out of bed.
"I'm feeling better. I slept so much today, and it helped a lot. I think I've just been burnt out with school and Alex ad Zack always take energy out of me." We walk downstairs together because man, I'm hungry.
I dial the local pizzeria and order three large pizzas for the whole family. As I hang up, the doorbell rings and I realize that Mrs. Clearwater is dropping the boys off. They rush in and attack me with hugs and start telling me all about their day at school.
My parents arrive and mom picked the pizzas up on her way home from work and I've never felt happier. I'm really lucky to have such a wonderful and supportive family.
Jade is about to leave and I walk her to her car when she goes, "OH! I almost forgot to tell you! Jared broke up with Ariana! Yeah, she made a huge scene in the cafeteria. It was pretty comical, I bet that you'll hear about it tomorrow." With that, my good mood almost disappears and my pulse quickens. An image of Jared's face pops up in my head and my heart aches a little. I hate that I feel this way about him. It has to stop because this is ridiculous.
"So double date on Friday?" Jade hugs me and grins from ear to ear, "I cannot wait Kimmy! I'm so proud of you. We are going to have a great time!" The rest of the night is spent trying to shake Jared out of my head and away from my dreams.