CHAPTER SEVEN:

Big, Ugly, Hairy Balls.

Sophie's PoV:

"Mom!"

I ran down the stairs in excitement, today was going be a good day. Quil and the pack are taking me and Bella to Port Angeles for the day to wander the harbor and do a little shopping.

Bella apparently hates shopping though so I'm sure we won't be doing much of that.

"Mom!"

I glanced outside the kitchen window as I reached the bottom of the stairs and hung a sharp right into the now clean and fully unpacked kitchen, no mom.

Defeated, I started ambling towards the fridge to see if I could wrestle up some grub for breakfast. I really wasn't sure when I'd get the next chance to eat so I might as well fill the tank now and see how far into the day it takes me.

Although, those guys do eat pretty ferociously and almost constantly so I'm sure I'll get the chance unless they eat the world first. This way it's free though!

I opened the fridge door and poked my head inside to inspect the contents, milk, hot sauce, salad dressing, ketchup.

Why do we have so many condiments?

There was also something jarred and pickled, it floated around in there pretty strangely.

I don't really know how to feel about this.

I think I need to start doing the shopping for this family.

"Oh! Shake n' Bake!" I picked up the little blue Ziplock container and popped the lid off. Chicken is such a weird breakfast food in fact it's not a breakfast food, but it is going to be so good right now.

I closed the fridge door with my left foot as my teeth sank into a huge hunk of chicken, sometimes I'm such a cannibal. As I did this I noticed a note taped rather crookedly to the front of the fridge, how did I not notice this?

It was from mum, "Hey kitten! The flight got rescheduled so I flew out early this morning at 5 (ew!) didn't want to wake you. Have fun in Port Angeles, and stay safe! The news last night said there have been a few disappearances lately so use the buddy system! I'll see you in three days! Love you! "

"Love you mummy," I knew there was no one there to listen but I just think it means more if it's said out loud.

I had forgotten my mum was flying back to California for a few things we forgot, like for example, our microwave. Don't ask how we managed it, but we forgot it.

I stood in the middle of the kitchen plowing through a piece of cold Shake n' Bake chicken- it's so much better the next day and cold than it is fresh out of the oven, in my opinion- when I heard a car honk. That'd be the boys.

"Coming, I'm coming," I spoke softly as if they were in front of me even though they obviously can't hear me from here.

Not wanting to keep them waiting I crammed the remaining chicken I'd been gnawing on into my mouth. Holding the chicken between my teeth I rammed the lid down onto the container and throwing the fridge door open I stuffed the chicken container onto the middle shelf where it had been before and grabbed the milk jug from the top shelf. After grabbing the chicken from between my teeth, I took two decently sized swigs straight from the jug. Hastily throwing the milk back into the fridge to finish the food-to-stomach transaction I slammed the fridge door closed, shoved the chicken back between my teeth, and took off towards the door to grab my coat.

Jake's PoV:

I was anxious the entire car ride to Sophies' house, I wanted to see her. I sped through town to pick up Bella. She took ages to come out of that damn house, I swear she did that on purpose.

With Bella in the front seat and Paul, Quil and Embry in the back I raced to pick up Sophie from her home. We were all cramming into my Rabbit in an effort to save on gas, it was about to get pretty cozy in here and that's for damn sure.

I rounded a corner and her little light brown house came into view, the butterflies in my stomach fluttered around a bit in anticipation. I heard the crunch of the tires rolling slowly over loose gravel as I pulled up in her driveway.

I was drumming my fingers on the steering wheel nervously trying to keep my thoughts to myself. I closed my eyes and waited, I could vividly see her in my mind running out the door still pulling her jacket on, running to the car with those bright eyes pinched in the corners from the smile of excitement she always had with her. Blonde mess of hair bouncing behind her head as she ran towards me and-

"Dude, honk or something," I opened my eyes and Quil was looking at me pretty strangely from the backseat, I realized I had closed my eyes and drifted into some little day dream fantasy I had been cooking up in my head.

They were all staring at me, Paul and Embry were stifling little snickers, Quil looked irritated and Bella just looked a little confused before she turned away to look out the window.

I wanted to unhinge my seatbelt and get out of this car, walk to her doorway and knock and hold my breath 'till she opened the door, but I couldn't, Quil wouldn't like that.

As I sat in my car, forgetting about Quil entirely, I sat and listened to every sound I could pick up on. I could hear her talking to herself in that melodic voice of hers. "I love you mum," I want to meet her mum. I wanted to know everything I could about her.

I was broken from my reverie as Quil got up from the backseat, "Oh for fuck's sake," he was all hunched over and leaning over me and honking my horn.

Jake: Really Quil? You couldn't get out and get her yourself?

Quil: Meh, easier.

Paul: Ya but if you went up you probably could'a got a lil' smoochie poo before comin' back.

Embry: Do not want that vision in my head.

Quil: I'll just smooch'r when she gets out here. Man she takes forever.

Honking seemed so rude and impersonal. I wanted to hit him. Quil just scoffed and commented about how she should have been waiting outside and how annoying it was to have to wait. Again, I wanted to hit him.

I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually like her, just her looks. I don't think he even pays attention to her to be honest.

Paul: Shhhhh you're gettin loud dude.

Jake: Shit.

I love Quil, he's my bro, but this is different. That's MY imprint. He needs to treat her right, everyone does.

All I could do was sigh and simply wait with anticipation for her to come out. I could hear her scattering around and closing doors, "coming, I'm coming."

Paul: Hah, I bet she thinks we can't gear any of that.

Suddenly the front door flew open and she hastily emerged.

My heart skipped a beat and I could feel my stomach muscles tense up and lurch, her small face was blanketed by a huge beaming smile, hidden but still visible behind a large chunk of chicken, I love that she can just run around with meat in her mouth and not even care.

Her doll-like eyes sparkled in excitement; I hope she isn't let down when she finds out that Port Angeles is really not that enthralling.

She turned and locked her door and hurtling herself down the stairs like an Olympic champion she came galloping over. She has small little legs but she still had a leap like a gazelle.

She ran straight past my window and opened the back right passenger door where Quil was sitting.

My heart plummeted into my stomach when I saw her rush to him. I wanted to be that guy she relied on, I wanted to be the one she trusted and confided in. I would be so much better for her than Quil is, and I'd treat her with so much more respect and affection.

She is an orchid; you have to treat her delicately and with care for her to happily blossom.

Bella glanced over at me from the passenger side, her face still twisted in confusion and now curiosity too. I think she caught on to my current feeling of disappointment.

I shot a smile back at her in an attempt to recompose myself, "To Port Angeles we go!"

The drive to P.A. was alright, Bella was silent and awkward in the front seat like usual, Paul and Embry were quarreling and goofing off constantly and occasionally throwing a punch at me while I drove.

I appreciated it when they tackled Quil from their seats, plus it made Sophie laugh, I'm glad she's happy back there.

I fuckin' love those guys though, they're absolutely ridiculous. Every now and then I got brave enough to shoot a glance through the rear view mirror hoping I wouldn't see something that would crush me completely. She was sitting on his lap.

Jake: I hate this.

Paul: Shut. Up.

Quil: Hate what?

Jake: Uh… The road is unpaved…

He had his right arm curled around her hips as she perched on his right knee angling herself left towards Paul, her back leaning against the window. Her own left arm was slung dependently around Quil's shoulders.

A vicious metaphorical fist clenched around my heart.

She glanced up at me from Quil's lap and we made eye contact through the rear-view mirror, she smiled at me and maybe I'm insane or just way too hopeful but it actually looked affectionate.

This is torture.

I glanced back again just in time to see Quil kiss her.

Man, this sucks balls; big, ugly, hairy, balls.