Chapter 9 Frienemies
A bright light was Izzy, the early morning sun was shining directly on her face. She scrunched her eyes together before throwing her arm over her eyes, shielding them from the harsh intense sun. A whine filled the otherwise silent room; she rolled to become more comfortable. She forgot she fell asleep on Seth's lap and fell onto the floor.
"Ughhhh!" the noise was pulled from her as she hit the hard floor, and now despite the lack of comfort she was too tired to move. Izzy looked up at Leah jealousy in her eyes, she was still asleep on the comfortable bed, Izzy's fall and shout had not disturbed her. Izzy folded her arms and placed her head on them to use them as a pillow, the attempt to become more comfortable failed, she wriggled, tossed and turned for a few minutes, before laying still once more. A deep sigh was drawn from her a slight pout on her face
Izzy's attention was drawn to Seth who was still sleeping, snoring lightly. Izzy took the unobserved time to look at Seth. His mouth was hanging open; the wild head of curls had recently been exchanged for a crew cut. Izzy barely recognised the once baby faced little brother of her best friend. Since the death of his father three months ago he had grown up dramatically.
She sat up sighing once more, sick of knowing she would not get any more sleep on the uncomfortable floor. She desired to be on his Seth's lap again, and curl into his warm embrace once more. Izzy stood slowly, stretching as she did so, not used to sleeping as she had. she was stiff from the unusual way she had slept. A whine came from between Seth's lips, a frown crossing his face. When she noticed that he was twitching slightly she gently cupped his cheek, hoping it would comfort his in bad dream.
She could feel his stubble lightly scratched her hand as his face relaxed proving that it had done as she wished she lightly smiled happy that she had managed to help him. Suddenly Seth's hand was cupping hers gently.
"Oh my god!" she jumped her voice cracked in shock. Seth's brown eyes slowly opened, a sleepy smile on his face his eyes still holding Izzy's hand. He was surprised to see her standing above him rubbing his cheek and did not realise he was holding her hand tightly in place.
"Sorry" Izzy had to strain her ears to hear the mutter. She inhaled deeply trying to get rapid breathing under control, he had scared the living daylights out of her.
"Jesus Seth! I didn't even see your hand move" she gasped placing her free hand over her heart trying to get it under control. Seth had forgotten himself, still holding Izzy's hand; he gave her a small sleepy smile.
"Sorry Iz, wasn't expecting to wake up to see you admiring me!" he joked, releasing her hand, he stood to his full height of 6ft 5 and stretched, loosening the lean taunt muscles in his back, letting out a thunderous yawn. Izzy stuttered, slow to catch on to Seth's comment about admiring him
"I-I was not admiring you... please don't flatter yourself Hun!" she scoffed, a small smile playing at her mouth. Hands crossed across her chest. Seth was starting to get used to her humour and insulting comments. He just tittered brushing past her.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night" Seth uttered shuffling into the kitchen. He was exhausted he had not had a good night's sleep since he had shifted, it was far too early for him to be awake. He rummaged through the cupboards looking for enough food to fuel his large appetite. Izzy huffed but stubbornly followed Seth into the kitchen. Her stomach rumbled, declaring it was empty and needed food. Seth looked over his left shoulder, one dark eyebrow raised.
"You hungry?" Seth asked with a half-smile, Izzy blushed, unsure why she was feeling uneasy and nervous while being in Seth's company. It wasn't like it was her first time alone with Seth. The two practically grew up together. Why was this time different? Being around Seth made Izzy feel different. She felt like she could be herself, she didn't have to pretend to be a bitch, who snapped and scowled at anyone who looked at her twice. She could let her walls down
"I'm ravenous" she replied truthfully, feeling light and happy. Seth was enjoying this side of Izzy, she seemed to be relaxed and happy which made it easier to talk to her It was easy to converse with her, she wasn't scowling or glaring. She genuinely looked like she was enjoying herself. Seth liked seeing this side of Izzy again, before going to high school, Seth and Izzy would stay up late into the night talking about everything and anything. Leah would always fall asleep first, leaving the two nothing better to do but talk. Seth missed those nights. When High school started, Izzy changed. Maybe, she's going back to her old self. Seth hoped so Seth hoped that she was going back to her old self.
"Ravenous huh? How about boiled eggs and toast?" Seth probed. Gathering up the eggs and bread, He knowing it was Izzy's favourite breakfast. He watched as her eyes lit up.
"oh yes! Please!" Izzy was surprised, she couldn't believe Seth remembered her favourite breakfast. Seth set about boiling the eggs. Izzy sat back enjoying watching him take on the task. She could get used to this Seth. Leah was still snoring, no one would wake Leah unless one had a death wish. Izzy spun around on the kitchen stool, waiting patiently for her breakfast. "I'm sorry for last night" Izzy sighed, Seth whipped around surprised.
"For what?" he enquired. He was interested in what Izzy was going to say.
"For being an enormous bitch and always snapping at you." She stated, getting the apology out of her mouth before she regretted saying them. She didn't want to argue and fight with Seth, she liked getting on with him, even though the thought of getting on with Seth frightened her, he was starting to grow on her. Seth was taken back; he didn't understand Izzy. One minute he's angry at the world that he imprinted on her, wondering if his ancestors are playing a joke on him, then he's the happiest person in the world, when Izzy is in the same room as him. He didn't know what way to be with her.
"It's okay." Seth stated after a long moment., turning his attention back to the eggs. He didn't get girls; he shook his head.
'I want to be friends.' Izzy stated. It felt like the right thing to say, Seth and her were friends, right? That seemed like the normal category to put them in. Izzy was unaware what that little sentence did to Seth. It felt like his whole world came crashing down around him. He didn't want to be friends, his heart ached, wondering if she felt the connection he did. Friends? She wants to be friends? Seth thought. His heart ached, didn't she feel the connection that he felt.? Seth quickly collected himself.
"Sure, we will be friends" He gave her a small smile. He stuck out his large hand, Izzy taken back reached out her slender hand to shake Seth's out stretched hand. She wasn't expecting to feel a jolt of electricity run through her from the contact. She gasped retracting her hand, clutching it close to her chest. Seth gave her a sheepish smile, turning back to the toaster, rescuing the toast before it burnt. Izzy was bewildered by the small contact. She never felt that before with anyone. She sat on the kitchen stool stunned to silence.
Friends. Seth never thought such a simple word would cause him so much pain. Seth busied himself with the task of getting the toast ready. He knew Izzy felt the jolt of electricity that ran between them both when they shook hands. Seth shook his head, taking himself away from his maudlin thoughts.
He placed two slices of toast in front of Izzy along with a glass of orange juice and one boiled egg. He placed six slices of toast in front of himself and four boiled eggs. He sat down with a huff and dug in. Izzy couldn't help but watch in horror as he ingested each bite. She shuddered and slowly tucked into her breakfast. Seth could feel Izzy's eyes watching him, but he was too hurt to care. He had his food gone in two minutes. It didn't fill him, but he couldn't deal with sitting there any longer. He rose to his feet, placing his plate into the sink.
Izzy didn't utter a word, she could feel tension rolling like waves off Seth, she didn't know what she said that ruined the happy laid-back atmosphere. Seth sighed. He ducked his head at the doorway, he was too tall to walk under it, he paused.
"I'll see you around Izzy" he grunted as he strode away. Izzy jumped when she heard the front door slam. Leah woke up with a jolt
"What's going on?" she barked. Groaning as she sat up and stretched. Izzy sighed, placing her empty plate into the sink on top of Seth's.
"Morning Lea lea" Izzy smiled. Leah squinted one eye at her. She wasn't a morning person and was only half awake. There was no point talking to Leah pre-coffee. Izzy laughed, turn the coffee maker.
"Good morning to you Izzy" she mocked. Leah gave her a glare, too tired to really mean it and jumped up on the counter. "Well, how did you sleep?" Leah yawned.
"Slept Fine." Izzy responded, pouring out the freshly brewed coffee into Leah's favourite cup. Leah raised one eyebrow,
"I thought you would, falling asleep on Seth and all" She smirked waiting for Izzy's reaction. Izzy nearly dropped Leah's cup, she slammed it onto the counter top.
"You knew!?" she cried. Leah burst into a fit of laughter.
"Course! I got up to get a glass of water through the night and here you were snuggled up" Leah hopped off the counter smiling into the cup of coffee as she took a big gulp. "You two would make a cute couple" she winked. Leah hated to admit it, but Izzy and Seth did make a good couple. Even though the idea of Izzy being involved with the pack scared Leah half to death. The idea of Izzy finally knowing what was going on in her life, would be a huge weight of her shoulders. She would never admit it to Seth though, she would never hear the end of it, if he thought he was right.
Izzy caught a tea towel and tried to hit Leah with it. Leah was too quick and easily dodged it. "Ah c'mon Iz, you know it's true" Leah laughed, throwing back the coffee in one quick gulp. Izzy shook her head, half laughing.
"We're just friends" Izzy announced. Placing Leah's cup alongside the other dishes. Leah's smile fell from her face. Poor Seth Leah thought. He must be devastated. Leah quickly recovered.
