7. Pushing Buttons
Okay. I've officially gone crazy. That's right, mentally unstable. Here I am! Put me in a straight jacket because Paige (Ooljee) Yazzie has done the unimaginable.
That's right ladies and gentlemen! I asked Paul Jackson on a date. I don't know what came over me but I did it.
Well it wasn't in front of everybody. And I didn't actually say date…After Emily's, Paul was ordered—yes, ordered—by Sam to walk me back to Jake's. I couldn't see why Jacob couldn't just walk me back himself, I mean, it is his house. But apparently he had some distressing news about animal control in the La Push woods. Since when did the Quileute boys became park rangers?
Anyways, as Paul was being all silent and non-social…
Me: "So…"
Paul: "Hmmm?"
Me: "Well, what are you doing…tomorrow…afternoon?"
Paul: Shrugs.
Me: Give him the old hairy eyeball.
Paul: "Nothing. Why?"
Me: "Oh nothing. Just, you know, want to catch up on the uh, old times."
Paul: "Un hunh?"
Me: "You know, like when, we were, you know, um…younger."
Paul: "I see…"
Me: "You, you do?"
Paul: "Yeah, you want to hang out."
I smiled. He did get it! Though, he said hang out kind of weirdly but oh well. He got it! He got what I meant. Maybe our brains have synched on brain waves or—
I have to stop reading sci-fi.
So I ran off.
Yeah, that's right. Ran off and left him in my dust.
I couldn't help it, I was incoherently happy that I thought I might burst!
Of course that was short lived when someone spooked me from behind.
"Whoa kiddo!"
Billy held his hands up as if in defense but his grin was huge on his face. He had his woolen blanket over his knees, it had gotten cold out side but I still had on a t-shirt. I still miss the tragedy of my lost t-shirt, somewhere, out there, in the woods. Jacob and Embry found my Edgar Allan Poe though. Either the wind blew it away or there's some creeper out there with my clothes.
I held a hand to my chest as if to calm down my heart.
"You scared me Billy." I panted.
But I was fine. I was just a little dramatic.
"Well, I was wonderin' where you youths gone to. Wanted to shame you when you got back from wherever you went. Ah, but decided I'd scare you instead." He chuckled.
There's Billy for you, he may looked stern and strict, but he really is a child at heart.
"Sorry Billy, Paul and Jacob dragged me out" which was half true but still "and we went to go get something to eat…" Then I remembered the empty fridge and pantry.
"Oh Billy I should of brought something back for you! I'm so sorry, I'll just run back." I made to turn and go but he laughed.
"That's alright, chief Swan brought something along." Billy wheeled his wheel chair around to the table and opened a cardboard box with a plastic plate of breaded filet fish.
My stomach churned. I couldn't believe it. I just ate! And yet I was drooling over that baked aroma.
I could smell the sprinkle of basil and a hint of lemon juice.
I guess Billy saw it in face since his eyebrows rose and he chuckled.
"Kid's and their appetites. Here, enjoy."
Why couldn't I stop eating? I swear I had my period already (EW). So what's wrong with me? Could it have been the shift I made out in the forest? When I turned into a wolf? I swear if this puts a tension in my waistband I'm going to freak!
"Nah, Billy, its okay. You eat. You haven't yet. I'm just fine."
I turned and walked towards the couch.
All the while I had to tell myself: don't look at the fish, don't sniff it, and don't think about it…
But I thought about it. No, not the fish.
Paul. Okay so he's not an it. He's my childhood rival who grew into the most gorgeous bod ever! And I'm going on a date with him!
Oh joy. I've completely fried my noodle.
Don't ask me how, but I found a halter top in my duffel bag. And a nice jean skirt. I guess somehow my brain—though might need some fixing after what I did yesterday—could tell the future or something and knew I was going to go on a date. Okay, not exactly a date, but still, wasn't there a quote that say your mind would do anything you believe in or something?
Note to self: stop buying quote shirts; it's messing up your brain
Too bad I hadn't packed any flip flops or sandals—I guess my mind reading is kind of iffy. Whatever, runners work just fine.
Paul had called, saying that he would wait for me at First Beach. Which was okay I guess. But I was kind of hoping we might go somewhere where the other guys couldn't easily see us. I mean they grew up watching me pick on Paul and visa versa.
But still at least he told me to call first so he could get ready. But get ready for what I didn't know. Was he planning on a surprise? I never thought him to be a romantic, but maybe he has changed after all.
I had no means of transport though, I couldn't ride Jake's bike, I mean, I am in a skirt, and they're jeans no less.
So I took out plan B from my other duffel bag. My skateboard.
Well technically it was my brother's but he doesn't use it anymore. His height would only make it harder for him. So not fair, he's ginormous, and I'm a midget. Come to think of it, he's around the same height as the La Push gang. Hunh…must be a guy thing.
So I waved good bye to Billy—feeling sorry again that I was leaving him alone. Jacob was no where to be seen—and jumped on to the board and pushed off.
I haven't ridden in a long time, and I must say I'm quite good at it. Maybe even better than Yas—sorry mom Ivan—ever rode it. I can do some tricks, okay only an Ollie but still. I couldn't do one now though as much as I wanted to. Skirt factor…remember?
Anyways I got to First Beach and kicked the board up so I could hold it in my hand. There was Paul. He was smiling. That's right. Actually smiling, when he saw my face. He had his hands behind his back. Was that the surprise? I wondered, biting my lip as I walked out from behind a leafy branch and then—
SPLASH!
I was soaked. Something had exploded in front of me with a rubbery power. Water balloon. And a lot more came from all sides.
When all five balloons were done exploding on impact before I could duck, I glared at Paul while running my fingers through my damp hair. I could see his grin, his eyebrows furrowed as if he was confused about something when his eyes saw what I was wearing. Oh, I'll have something he'll be confused over.
You can count on it.
And thank god I wore running shoes too.
With a burst of energy a took off running towards him. My skateboard raised above my head ready to strike any of them. Jacob (laughing his head off), Embry, Quil (hyperventilating with laughter), and Jared all ran in different directions. Oh, but I wasn't after them. No mine was right in front of me with now wide eyes and backing away slowly.
His hands in front of him, palms facing.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Paige…"
I didn't say anything.
I think I was growling. What ever, I wanted to beat the crap out of him. No one gets me wet in my best clothes and gets away with it. Never. Oh no, he's going down.
I don't know how long I chased him before I dropped to the sand. Somehow during all the running and screaming—the screaming from me in furry or a battle cry—my shoes came off but that didn't matter I still chased him with the board in my hands.
I leaned against the board and huffed. Still glaring at Paul. Who was somewhat panting but recovering quickly. This seemed to get me angrier.
I abandoned the board and charged him with my fists.
"Why…did…you…do…that?!" I pounded his chest, "You…stupid…insensitive…jerk! You…set…me…up! You…could…have…told…me…" I stopped pounding and cried. This shocked me. I never cried in furry before. "That you didn't want to go out on a date…" I sobbed.
I could feel his muscles flex underneath my fists and I stumbled backwards.
Even as a kid Paul had emotional problems. And I just chased him with a blunt wooden weapon and started pummeling his bare chest. Was he going to hit me?
Surely he wouldn't hit a girl.
Slowly I looked back up at his face. It wasn't one of anger, but of puzzlement.
He advanced and I did a crab walk back on the sand. Which I have to tell you was very uncomfortable, sand was going down my skirt.
He stopped and crouched in front of me. His dark eyes looked deep into mine—in this maniac kind of way, not flattering but that's what I thought at that moment—and he quickly stuck out his fist.
I flinched and closed my eyes.
But all I felt was a warm hand against my cheek. A kind touch. Not a punch.
I opened my eyes. How close our faces were! I could just move an inch closer and kiss him.
But he stood up and stretched out his hand. I took it and he helped me up.
"So…" He started.
I looked up at him and bit my lower lip.
"What were you saying when you were crying? I couldn't quite here you."
At first I thought he was joking. But he looked genuinely confused. He hadn't heard me say the words: "That you didn't want to go out on a date…"
"N-nothing." I looked down at my bare feet.
"I don't know what you were so mad about." He sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets. "You said you wanted to hang out like old times. And that's how we "used" to hang out. You know, water fights. Stuff like that."
Oh…
"Right" I laughed nervously, "I was more along the lines of hide-and-go-seek in the woods."
Paul's eyebrow rose, "in that get up?"
He looked me up and down and I blushed. I was dry now, but still. It's weird having Paul look at me like that.
"Ha, ha…you know me." I shrugged and sat down in the sand. My legs were somewhat cramped from all that running. "Silly me…" I murmured.
Paul sat down beside me, his legs out stretched and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
My arms had gooseflesh. But I suppressed a grin.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Paul looked taken aback.
"You're wearing that stupid whatever-you-call-it top…" He said.
He didn't say anything more but I understood. I think.
He was keeping me warm. This was sweet. I smiled.
"What are you smiling about?"
I looked away at his face and to the ocean, where a beautiful sunset was occurring. The splash of orange against the black shadows of the cliffs and trees.
It was gorgeous.
"The sunset."
But that's not why I was grinning in spite of myself.
Is that love in the air I smell? Anyways, I hope you like this chapter! Chapter 8 coming soon! (I hope)
