A/N: Song's mentions are "Thinking of you" Katy Perry and "Enchanted" by Taylor Swift
Your Guardian Wolf
Chapter 7
Naomi's POV
I suppose I should have seen it coming. I should have been prepared for it. But I couldn't help feeling angry and betrayed. I couldn't stop the emptiness growing in the pit of my stomach, the hurt from spreading.
He stood me up! Jacob fucken Black stood me up!
That morning I woke up feeling anxious and excited. I tried on countless different outfits. I wanted to look good but I didn't want it to look like I tried. In the end I went with some tight jeans and an off the shoulder t-shirt that said Oh-Em-Gee in the front. I left my hair alone, allowing it to flow freely past my shoulders.
But even with all that, I was still stood up!
I shouldn't have relied on him that much anyways. He had other things that were actually important. Like his girlfriend, I thought, furiously grabbing my car keys as I walked briskly out my front door. I didn't need him anyways, at least not yet. If I wanted things done, I should simply do them myself.
The car's already working anyway! Psh! Need him? As if!
It amazed me to realize how much I was letting this affect me. Feeling so betrayed by him, knowing that I've only known him for a few weeks, shouldn't have felt so bad. It shouldn't have cut so deep.
Turning on my car and backing out of my driveway without letting the engine heat up, I continued my internal rampage.
Was it so hard to pick up the damn phone and call? "Hey, Naomi, it's Jacob. Just calling to let you know I can't make it. I've got a date with my girl."
That wouldn't have been so bad. "Ok, cool no problem. Maybe next time." Click! "ARgg! That bitch!"
At least imagining the dialogue that could have transpired during our conversation was making me feel a bit better. I turned up the volume of the stereo so that the song could help me block out my mind from further thinking.
"…He kissed my lips, I taste your mouth, oh!... He pulled me in, I was disgusted with myself…"
Disgusted! That's what I am! I'm disgusted with him! What kind of guy makes promises and breaks them a few hours later? Not real men, that's who! Psh! You can't depend on men like him!
I kept driving towards Forks, not really having a destination in mind. All I knew is that I didn't want to be caught home for everyone to know I was stood up. Hell no!
I looked out my window as I drove by the endless greenery. Childhood memory's rushing through my mind as I looked at the familiar surroundings. The first thing I ever remembered when I looked at the darkness of the forest was when I was lost.
Paul and I had been playing hide n' seek with some of his friends. To make things a bit more interesting, the boys decided to include the forest as a hiding place. I rejoiced at the idea, thinking they would never be able to find me. Well, my wish was granted. Not only did they not find me. I was lost for three hours!
You might be thinking, three hours? Not that bad. It was for me. At the age of seven, every little movement or shadow looked like a monster. I thought I was being haunted. Whenever I tried screaming for help, I would hear movement or see a bush moving and my fear would increase. Finally, when I had lost all hope, I settled for crying, hugging my legs to myself as I mentally told my parents how sorry I was I disobeyed and how much I loved them.
In my immense fear, I never heard people approaching until Paul came out of nowhere calling out my name. He immediately came to me, pulling me into an embrace as my sobbing increased almost tenfold with relief.
One of the many reasons I cherished Paul so much.
Continuing to drive, I tapped my fingers to the new song. "Your eyes whispered 'have we met?'…across the room your silhouette-starts to make its way to me…the playful conversation starts…counter all your quick remarks like passing notes in secrecy… and it was enchanting to meet you… all I can say is I was enchanted to meet you…"
Enchanted! I was in pain! Any harder and he would have broken my ribs! Damn him!
Taking a deep breath, I tried to relax. There was no rational explanation as to why I was reacting the way I was. He didn't belong to me. We weren't even close friends! I must admit however, he was attractive. I would have loved it, if we were to develop something, but there's no point in dreaming. Like all decently attractive guys, he was taken.
"…I'll spend forever wondering if you knew…I was enchanted to meet you… please don't be in love with someone else…please don't have somebody waiting on you."
Too late, I thought disappointedly.
Driving into town, I spotted an "Automobile repair shop" sign. I decided to pull in and have my car checked out by a professional. I would use the money my dad left to cover any expensive for the car.
He'd said insistently, "If he won't take payment, we should at least buy all the parts and invite the boy for dinner. Who knows when's the last time that boy had a decent dinner. What'da ya' say sweetie, up to cooking for two?"
"Aren't you forgetting me dad? I'd be cooking for three not two. Besides, we don't know what kind of foods he likes."
"Sweetie, a home cooked meal is usually always better than a frozen meal." He said, making a disgusting face, as I'm sure he remembered the familiar taste of those unwanted meals.
"Fine, but if he doesn't like it, you made it. I've never even seen a stove in my life. Deal?"
"Sure sweetie, whatever you say. So - what's for dinner?" he said shamelessly rubbing his hand in a circular motion over his growling belly.
I pulled into the shops small parking lot as the memories of last night's conversation faded away.
"He's the one missing out anyways!" I whispered to myself, feeling only slightly foolish for saying it out loud.
I stepped out of the car, feeling the cold air around me, inhaling deeply as I felt it cool my insides. The repair shop didn't look at all that big. It smelled like oil and dirt mixed together. I sure sign of hard working employees, I hoped.
There were two cars; one secured on the floor with an employee under its hood, the other six or so feet above ground with a second employee working underneath it. I hoped, for his safety, that the car was properly secured.
"Can I help you, ma'am?" asked a third person. I didn't see him. He probably came from the door that was almost hidden by the shelf full of mechanical tools.
"Yes. I was wondering how much it would cost me if I had my car checked. It hasn't been used for over a year now."
"Sure thing, we could check the basics for you at no cost. A thorough checking would cost you $50, but if you decided to have it fixed with us, we could go ahead and waive that fee for you." He said professionally.
"I had a friend look it over. He said it was fine. It just needs new brakes and an oil change." I added.
"I see. Well, there are other things to consider when a vehicle hasn't been moved for so long. Like I said, we could check the basic at no cost."
"That'll be great. Thanks."
I handed him the keys to my car and pointed to where it was. I noticed him eyeballing it. It was a great car, nice looking. It had, after all, belonged to my brother. It was designed to appeal to the male ego.
Too bad I'm gonna feminize it, teehee!
"Naomi?" I heard from behind me. I jumped, startled at the sound of my name.
Oh my God! I thought, excitedly. That voice! I turned around expecting to have been wrong in who I thought I heard.
"John! Oh my God! John!" I all but squealed, instinctively pulling him into an embrace.
"Damn, am I glad to see you! Where have you been?" he asked returning my hug, feeling the warmth of his skin seeping in through my shirt; a much welcomed warmth that I didn't know I was looking for.
"Around."
"I heard you were in town but I thought it must've been a crazy rumor since you hadn't looked me up yet."
I pulled away trying to hide a smile. "Why would I look for you?"
"Because I've been your friend, best friend, boyfriend, best boyfriend, your guardian and lover….in sickness and in health till death do us part."
"Haha! Funny. If I recall correctly, we dated for five days and only to make your ex jealous." I said, toying with his fingers as I held his hands in mine, his hair as dark as ever, enviously strait. His eyes however, were slightly darker than I remember. The blue of his eyes was a tad darker, refreshing, warm and inviting. I liked this darker shade on him.
"My girlfriend? Don't forget about your obnoxious boyfriend. What was his name again? Peter?" he scoffed.
"Paul and he wasn't my boyfriend, you know that."
"Could have fooled me." He said, giving me a look of disbelief. "So…if you're not looking for me-what are you doing here?"
"Getting my car fixed. Obviously!"
"Oh…" he said, allowing his eyes to roam the property until they landed on his co-worker, currently examining my brother's ex-car. His eyes gleamed with excitement when he realized who's car that was. He always admired my brother, telling me I should feel proud of having such a "cool bro" with such a "cool ride."
"Is that…"
"Yup." I said nodding. "Same car-different owner. You like?"
"Man, you're… you're… damn lucky!" He abruptly started walking towards my car, dragging me behind him like a five year old child.
"Hey Max." John said, stopping exactly the way he took off, abruptly, causing me to bump into him.
"Sup man, back from lunch?"
"Yeah." He said, unconsciously reaching his right hand to the back of his head, tangling his finger in his hair as he scratched gently. "Hey, um…why don't you take your break? I'll take it from here."
"Really? Thanks man, I'm fucken starving and I gotta take a shi…oh… um… sorry… didn't know you were there." Max said, a deep shade of red covering his cheeks with embarrassment as I stepped out from behind John. He averted his eyes, fixing his gaze on almost anything but me.
"It's okay, I understand. I know better than to get in the way of a hungry mans lunch. Enjoy!" I couldn't help the teasing smile that was coming. It was just too funny how embarrassed he became. I was also somewhat amazed to see how much he changed in presence of a co-worker and a client.
"...and feel free to speak comfortably around me. I won't tell-I promise." I said winking playfully. His blush returned, giving me a shy smile before nodding.
"I um… yeah…I mean yes, sure. Um, John will help you, his good with cars and you know him already, I think, um - so yeah… see ya' later or I don't know. Shit! Bye…" He stammered, becoming amazingly redder with every word he uttered. I heard the crashing of some tools in the distance as Max let out a groan and few unprofessional words slip his mouth.
He was so cute I could have kissed him; if I hadn't been worried he'd faint. I did feel kind of bad though, since I wasn't able to restrain a giggle. I wasn't laughing at him. I was more caught up on how cute he had been.
"Fuck! I think he's gonna shit his pants!" John laughed. "That's the most I've seen him talking to a girl—out of his professional mode."
"He's so cute!" I squealed.
"Cute! What the hell! You dig that?" his eyebrow slowly arching up in question.
"Yeah dude, I dig that."
"Shut up!" He said, swinging his arm over my shoulder and pulling me to my car. " I'ma have to try that on a girl." he whispered in amazement.
"Psh! Good luck with that! I pity the girl who believes you!"
"More like you envy the girl, since my attention would be on her not you, right?"
"God! When did you get so cocky?" I asked pushing him away from me, stopping a few feet from my car.
"Since I got these!" He smiled excitedly as he lifted his shirt to show off his six pack; amazing abs by the way. My hands ached to reach over and caress his stomach, to feel the hardness of those muscles that I knew laid behind that skin of his.
"Stop drooling and touch 'em." He pulled my hands towards his stomach, resting it flat on him as I felt his abs. He smiled widened as I allowed my hand to roam his mid section. He smiled in amusement, noticing how much I was enjoying the feel of his skin under my hands.
"They feel fake to me." I said, trying to save what little self respect I had.
He laughed. Hard. "That's the lamest lie I've ever heard! You don't even believe it."
"Fine! So you've got something going on for you. It's not like you're gonna go around school with your shirt up." I said feeling once more victorious.
"Honey! Babe! You've got much to learn." He said, confidence oozing from him. "What are small T's for? And Gym? Perfect to go all "skin" on the girls."
He nodded, disappointed in me, allowing a small sigh to leave his lips. "Have you learned nothing these few years away from me?"
I huffed in fake annoyance. "Of course I did! But coach wouldn't let me go all "skin" on the boys."
He looked at me for a second before a huge grin took over his face and his body shook with laughter. "Fuck!...No way! The bastard!" he said in between laughs, trying his best to portray his "shock".
Watching him laughing, feeling the urge to do so myself, brought back so many good memories. It reminded me of the fun I had when I finally found him and my other friends. When they took me in after Paul took back his friendship. He was a man worth depending on. Someone I knew I could count on, no matter what.
"I know right?" I said, still relishing in the feeling of familiarity.
"Glad to see you're having so much fun there John." We both turned instantly at the sound of that deep voice, our laughter dying almost immediately.
Oh crap! Hope he doesn't get in trouble. That guy looks like a boss to me.
"Hey Steve, we're just-well, I'm working on her car over here." John said leaning towards my car as he took a couple steps closer.
"Do you personally know her?" Mr. Boss asked with the seriousness of a catastrophic disaster on his face.
"Yes, I do." Came John's easy answer.
In an instant, Mr. Boss stance relaxed. "You better. We don't talk like that to clients, especially if we don't know them."
Mr. Boss, or Steve, immediately started asking questions about the car. I gave him all the details and the long story about the kill switch and all that other junk. He seemed pleased that I was giving him so much information. He even said he would do a thorough check for free, claiming that as a good citizen and a proud parent to three beautiful daughters, he couldn't let a nice girl like me wonder the streets not knowing when the car would dump me somewhere.
So with a grateful smile, I accepted his help, giving him a nice daughterly kiss on the cheek. Both John and Steve told me to go and re-acquaint myself with the town and its shops. Little did I know that across the street, in a small coffee shop, the same man that stoop me up this morning was watching me; an enraged girlfriend at his side.
Jacob's POV
"What are you staring at Jake?" Bella accused from across him.
Since the moment I stepped out of my house that morning, I knew it was going to be a bad day. Not necessarily because the first thing I saw was Bella pulling up in her old orange-ish truck, but because I had a sinking feeling in my stomach I wasn't gonna make it to Nimi's house on time.
Yeah, I call her Nimi, and what? She didn't know that though. No one did. Heck, I wasn't sure why I called her that. All I knew is that I liked knowing I had a special name for her. A name me, and only me could call her; something that only we shared.
Apparently that was the only thing I shared with her, not nearly as much as she shared with that ass hole from across the street.
Even as Bella had pulled me towards her truck this morning and I realized I left my phone in my room, I didn't feel that dying need to rush back to call her and tell her I might not make it. I reasoned with myself, telling myself that it wasn't a date, just a casual get together. She would understand. Once I explained that my best friend needed to talk about something important and that she needed my immediate advice, Nimi would understand. She had to! But know that I saw her in that automobile shop, I was having second thoughts.
I was supposed to fix the car! Me! Not that fuck face who took every advantage he could to touch her! Fucken Prick! He touches her again I'll punch him so hard he won't…
"Jake? Jake? Snap out of it! What the hell Jake. I've been talking to you for that last half hour and not a single word out of you!" she said, trying and failing miserably to keep her voice down.
"What do you want me to say Bells. A leech is a leech, no way around it." My gaze however never left the girl who was so shamelessly touching the pricks stomach.
She thinks he has nice abs? Ha! Wait till she see's my fucken eight pack. She'll melt in my arms, literally.
The frown that I had was momentarily replaced by a mischievous smile as I pictured her in my arms, moaning my name as her hand caressed me that way. I could feel that urge of lust affecting me.
"Jake! Listen to me! What the hell are you starring at!"
My imagination and that growing desire were instantly forgotten when Bella's voiced seeped through my thoughts.
"Nothing! Just…forget it! Are you done? I forgot I had this…meeting with the pack."
She looked at me funny, an I-don't-believe-you- you-fucken-liar expression clearly written all over her face. But surprisingly, I didn't care. All I wanted at that moment was to grab Nimi and get her out of that shop, away from him.
"No, I'm not done but we can leave anyways."
She didn't even get to finish her sentence when I was already up, taking out my wallet to pay. She gave her coffee one last sip before standing up and started rushing out. But she crashed into me when I didn't move at all. I don't know what bothered me so much. The fact that they were laughing like they'd known each other forever or the way she was looking at him, like she cared for him. There was a shine in her eyes. A shine that I didn't care to find out what it was.
"Do you know them?"
I felt her cold hand latch onto my arm, as her eyes lingered on Naomi and that guy.
"What?"
"Do you know them?" She asked annoyed.
"Maybe. Come on lets go." I grabbed her hand and pulled her with me to the register, too inpatient to wait for the waitress to come with my check. Unfortunately, there wasn't anyone behind it, so I had to wait 'till I saw someone and waive them down. By the time that happened I was seriously considering walking out on them.
I paid without leaving a tip and walked out quickly. I heard Bella's mumbled apologies and what sounded like the slap of her hand as she left a tip on the table. I planned to walk straight to Bella's truck without allowing myself the slightest opportunity to look across the street. I knew that if I did, I wouldn't be able to stop myself from storming into that damn garage and claiming what's mine.
The thought momentarily struck me still. I stopped moving, once again causing a fumbling Bella to crash into me. A small grunt and an "uff" left her lips before she recovered. I turned around to see if she was okay, I knew from experience that a crash with any of the wolves could be painful. Wasn't that the way I met Naomi?
But I wasn't able to ask her if she was okay. My eyes instinctively went across the street where, to my surprise, I saw Nimi leaving. I saw her crossing the street, trying her best to look about a block down, apparently looking for something. When she spotted it, she increased her pace and walked straight towards it. I followed her gaze and noticed she was going towards the grocery store.
"Ouch Jake! Why did you stop like that?" Bella said holding tightly onto her stomach.
"You took the air right out of me."
"Sorry Bells, I didn't hear you coming." I answered returning my attention back to her.
"You didn't hear…you didn't…I was making so much noise! How could you not…URG! Never mind. Let's go." She said stomping towards her truck, still massaging her stomach.
"Actually, I just remembered. I wanted to—um well—get something from the store." I hoped she didn't notice how nervous I suddenly became, hoping that she'd believe me and jut go with it.
"The store? What store?" No such luck.
"The grocery store…" I started but was unable to finish before she interrupted with her mocking laughter.
"Haha! What are you going to get from there?"
"I do eat you know." The annoyance in my voice could not go undetected.
"Beside, you could keep telling me about that lee…er Edward." I added hoping that the subject of her boyfriend would stop any more curiosities.
"Are you going to give me some actual advice? Some friend to friend advice and not some werewolf-anti-vampire nonsense?"
"Sure, sure." I said, giving her a smile I knew she wouldn't resist or question.
She accepted my answer without questions, thankfully, and motioned me to follow her to her truck. I followed obediently, calculating that Nimi would probably already be there by the time we pulled into the parking lot.
Just like I thought, as we pulled into the parking lot and Bella had to wait for a car to pull into a parking space, I saw her walking towards the double doors, a good fifty feet away from her. I watched her carefully, feeling stupid for practically stalking her.
This isn't normal. How can I feel so many conflicting emotions and not have imprinted! Why don't I feel that dying need to be with her, yet I can't stand to see anyone else with her? I have to talk to Ian. He has to have something else. I feel like…like…Edward fucken Cullen!
I was stalking the one person in this world that made my heart beat faster, something he couldn't say, waiting and hoping to at least catch some of her scent as the wind blew by, hoping against hope that she wouldn't see me following her, trying to memorize every movement her body made as she walked. I wanted to engrave in my mind the way her hair bounced with her stride, how beautiful it looked as the wind caressed it.
I was being extremely pathetic. But I didn't care. All I wanted was to get out of the car and follow her before she disappeared into the sore. I was becoming very impatient and aggravated as we continued to wait for that imbecile who shouldn't be behind the wheel if he couldn't park.
As he finally parked straight enough, Bella stepped on the pedal, rushing past him as she uttered an inpatient, "finally!"
She drove towards the front of the store, angling the car to park in a recently emptied spaced. I looked up hoping Naomi hadn't yet reached the double doors. I caught her just in time to see her reaching into her pocket, only to crash into a man that was walking out. He dropped his bag, his belongings spilling out into the floor. The man looked to be well into his thirties and a little too heavy in the mid section. At I first glance the man didn't look dangerous but the stance he took after the incident portrayed something else.
"What the fu…" he started, but stopped as soon as he realized who he crashed into.
I was out of the car as soon as Bella parked, struggling to keep myself lingering behind just in case she did need my help. I didn't want to blow my cover but if things got out of hand I'd find an excuse for me being here.
"I'm so sorry sir. I wasn't looking and … Oh God! I'm sorry." She said, quickly moving out of his way and bending over to help pick up the man's things.
"It's alright, it was my fault too. I was messing with the things in the bag and I didn't see you either." He leaned down, helping her pick up her things, his gaze lingering for a split second on her face and then traveling to her chest. It was so fast I almost thought I missed it. I would have forgotten immediately if it wasn't for that distasteful gleam in his eyes.
A felt a low growl building in my chest as his hand touched hers, reaching out for the things she held. His entire aura was negative, perverted even. I didn't like the feeling I was getting and it seemed she didn't either. As soon as his hand lingered a little too much on her hand, she pulled away drastically.
"I'm really sorry." She whispered with a hint of fear and uncertainty in her voice. She turned around ready to leave but his hand shot and grabbed her arm.
"I'm kind of new around, kind of traveling through. I was wondering if you live around here, maybe you could tell me where I could find a hardware store."
She looked at him warily before speaking. "Close-but not here. I wouldn't know. Sorry."
"Oh, it's alright. I was just hoping." He said. I noticed how his hand was still on her. She was trying to pull away, but his hand wouldn't budge not until she said she needed to go. He apologized and released her arm. She walked into the store looking nervous and startled.
I walked towards the store, making sure to bump into the guy. He didn't smell like leech to me, but one could never be too sure.
"Watch it punk!" he said, not stopping to look at me as he pulled out his phone and placed it to his ear. "Kids these days. No fucken respect for anybody. I'd fucken- Hey Boss! Good news!"
That's the last thing I heard, Bella made sure of that. "Jake! Oh my God! That ass hole! Did he hurt you!"
"Really Bella? Do you forget who you're talking to?" I said.
"Oh right. Still, he could have at least apologized. I mean, running into two people in just minutes has to be his fault."
"Sure, sure. Come on lets go." I grabbed her hand and started pulling into the store, laughing when she stumbled forward before walking correctly. Suddenly the door opened and I was face to face with the one person I was trying to secretly watch.
"Nim… Naomi?"
"Jacob."
A/N: Dun dun dun dun! Lol. I realize that I always take forever to update. This time however I had a decent explanation. *sigh* I moved. I fucken moved. Not that I don't like my new place. I actually like it a lot. But common! I moved from southern Cali! Whoot Whoot! To southeastern Idaho. :/. And it's beautiful. Never thought I see so much green. Kinda made me feel like I was near forks lol :D. But still after living in Cali for so long its…it's… lonely!
Plus, I have no internet. Not yet anyways. I am ashamed to admit this but I'm momentarily ( and only for a few seconds, only to update) "borrowing" someone's unsecured network :D I feel bad about it but I think ima go crazy with nothing to do. Besides, it's only for a few minutes. I disconnect afterwards. Promise. :D The last thing I want is an enraged neighbor knocking on my door.
Can he/she tell someone else is using their internet? :/ oh em gee! I hope not. I'll get off already :D till next time. Don't forget to Review. I'd really like to know you're opinion on how the story is progressing. Finally I think we're going somewhere :D.
M'kay, don't forget to review! :D please.
