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Chapter 9
Kim`s POV
I am in detention, an ice pack resting on my bruised hand. Mr. Carlton is marking papers and checking his email on the computer behind the desk up front. Penny is in the seat beside me; she decided to keep me company by calling Kyle Heater a cheating asshole during lacrosse. Isn`t she the sweetest thing? She`s pouting at her silly putty, the stuff is supposed to change colour when heated but since her hands are freezing, the putty stays the same dark green.
"Kimmy, he`s still there."
Who is she referring to? Oh no one in particular. No, don`t look out the window. No. Stop. Don`t! If you even think-
You looked out the window.
"Most girls would be blushing in ecstasy when their boyfriend is trying to keep them company in detention. But not us. Nope, nope, nope." She rubs the silly putty against the table, attempting to cause heat between the frictions.
I rub my forehead, giving Jared a side glance. He`s got the palms of his hands and his nose pressed against the window. His mournful eyes plead with me for attention. Christmas has come and gone, I don`t wanna be charitable. I don`t care if it`s the New Year, I don`t wanna smile at him. My hand really really hurts.
"If I didn`t know any better, and I`m pretty darn smart, I`d think he`s got a thing for you. I don`t think he just wants to get into your pants."
I snap my head to Penny. "Don`t go soft on me Penny. Jared and I are not dating and I don`t expect that to change."
She raises an eyebrow at me. "You`ve been hanging around Paul too much, you`ve acquired his glare."
"Shut up, no more than you have." Jared`s group has decided to seat themselves at our table in the cafeteria. We don`t talk, just sit there, eat, a few glares, and then we all go our separate ways. Except Jared, he just follows our group.
"I put up with him, I don`t have any classes with him. You do."
"Shut up."
"Alright, your hour is up girls. Have a pleasant evening." Mr Colton rises from his seat and walks out of the room.
Penny grins, chewing her yellow gum happily. "Well that was fun! You working tonight?"
I shake my head wearily. "I told mom I couldn`t come to work due to my homework. If she found out I was serving detention..." I close the door behind me and Penny and I walk down the deserted hallways.
"You need a lift home?"
"Yeah that`d be gre- oof!" I hit a massive solid. I really need to start watching where I`m going. Steel arms wrap around my lower back. I tilt my head back to see my arch nemesis. He`s looking at Penny.
"She`s catching a ride with me."
How`d he get here so fast? Wasn`t his nose just pressed to the window a moment ago? Wait like hell I`m going with you! You`re insane!
"No I`m not!"
Penny pops a bubble, shifting her pink jean bag. "Lindsay says to trust you." She shakes her head in annoyance, her eyes going to me. She points a neon green fingernail at me. "Wear a seatbelt. Call me when you get home. Don`t give me that look, I`m doing this for your own good."
"That`s where you got your seatbelt fetish." Jared mutters, steering me towards the parking lot.
I cross my arms when he opens the passenger door. "I`m not getting in."
Jared sighs heavily, resting his forehead against the top of the truck. "Just get in Kimberly. You`re gonna get cold standing out here."
Be that as it may... I look into Jared`s face. There are large bags under his eyes. He looks really tired. I bite my lip. "Are you sick?"
Jared shakes his head. "Nah," He gives me a small smile, extending his hand. "Just tired. Get in Kim."
I allow him to help me into the truck, releasing his hand as soon as I was seated. How come he got to be so warm in jeans and a t-shirt? So unfair.
Jared silently starts the truck, rubbing a hand over his forehead. I scoot over in my seat and reach across him. Jared`s chest stills. I sheepishly smile. "Seatbelt." I swing this lifesaving piece of genius around Jared`s broad chest and clip it into the buckle. Jared`s thumb runs along my cheekbone.
"You`re really pretty, you know that?"
"You`ve mentioned it once or twice." If I were pale, he`d see my blush.
"Kim, say something. Please?"
I blink out of my day dream at Jared`s strained voice. His knuckles are white against the steering wheel. "What do you want me to say? You think you`re a shape shifter Jared. You can`t expect me to believe you." I stare at his dashboard. "I know you`re not on drugs so I don`t understand why you are lying to me."
"I`d never lie to you Kimberly, I don`t think it`s possible for me to do so." Jared`s brown eyes turn from the road and pierce my skin. "You are my imprint Kim, I`m going to protect you."
"From what?" I snap, flipping my braid over my shoulder.
"Anything and everything."
I roll my eyes. "You ever thought of joining drama, you`d make one hell of an actor." I slump into my seat, watching trees blur as we pass them. "You`ve brainwashed my friends."
Beside me he chokes out a laugh. "How have I brainwashed them?"
I refuse to meet his inquiring gaze. "I`m not sure but when I find out, you`re dead."
Jared scoffs. "All you`d do is injure yourself." His expression is pained as he reaches out and cradles my bruised hand within his warm one. "I don`t like knowing I`ve hurt you."
I attempt in vain to pull my hand away. "So you`re stronger than most. Big deal. One swift kick in the testicles and you`ll be weeping like a babe."
Jared shakes his head in amusement. "You`re feisty."
I lean my head against the cool window, a direct contrast from Jared`s empowering body heat. I doze.
"We`re here."
I blearily open my eyes to see my empty home. I yawn, stretching. I glance down at the hand cradling mine. "Thanks for the ride." I open the door.
"Kim." I still my actions. "I`m sorry for getting you in trouble and in detention. I-"
I laugh shortly, grinning at him. "Don`t worry about it. You got me out of working at the shop tonight." I easily slip out of the vehicle. "Thanks again."
"No problem." Jared says softly.
I slam the passenger door shut behind me and quickly bound up the stairs to the front door. I quickly unlock and start to close the door to see Jared still sitting in my driveway. I watch him hesitantly. He raises a smile and a finger in farewell.
Don`t do it finger...
I raise my hand before closing my door.
Quit laughing finger. Hand, you and I need to have a little talk.
Jared`s POV
She stood up by herself for the first time!
So you`ve told us Quil.
I need a smoke.
Cause your teeth aren`t yellow enough.
My teeth are not yellow!
By herself!
Yeah, yeah, we`re all impressed.
I`m hungry.
You`re always hungry Embry, suck it up.
Quit being such a grouch Leah. Just because your teeth are yellow.
They are not!
Claire stood up all by herself today! She smiled at me!
Jared, quit thinking about Kim`s ass.
I can`t help it!
You`re enjoying the view.
I`m plucking your eyes out the first chance I get.
If you four would be so kind as to finish patrol, Jacob, Paul, and myself can take your place.
I pick up my pace at Sam`s command. I can swing by Kim`s place before returning home.
You watch her sleep? Gross.
I do not watch her sleep! I`m just gonna check up on her before going home.
Suuuuure.
You`re whipped. I can`t believe you guys.
You just wait until your day comes Embry.
Not likely to happen.
I want a cigarette.
Jared`s thinking about Kimberly`s aaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssss.
Shut up Paul.
Get outta here Jerry boy, let the pros get to work.
Gladly.
I change direction and head east. I don`t know where I stand with Kim. One minute she hates my guts and the next thing I know we`re writing poetry to each other and she`s smiling at me. That girl is such an enigma. She doesn`t seem to believe me, yet she hasn`t called the guys in white coats. Kim doesn`t seem to be afraid of me either...
As Kim`s house comes into view, I hear this soft piercing sound. A haunting melody. My ears strain to hear as my movements still. Without thinking, I turn and head north. My nose picks up her scent. She was here! I felt myself grin as I silently stalked out from the woods into a small clearing. I glance around. The flute, I`ve figured out the source of the sound. I feel so smart. Anyways, enough of my smartness. The point is, Kim`s here but she`s not here.
The music abruptly halts.
"Well you`re a sight to behold." She whispers. I glance up. Kim`s sitting on a tree branch with her back pressed against the tree trunk, her legs dangling. Her flute rests on her lap. I grin up at her. Her neck is hidden by miles of scarf and her hair is completely hidden by her toque. Puffs of breath escape from her parted lips. I whine softly as I near the tree. Kim slowly raises her legs and presses them against her chest. If I wanted to, I could stretch on my hind legs and easily reach her. Kim seems to realize this as well. "You don`t look very vicious." I stretch out on the crisp grass, crossing my front paws and resting my chin on them. My eyes never leave hers.
Kim studies me, her face curious and apprehensive. She slowly picks up her flute, runs her tongue along her lips before playing. I relax as the notes seem to pour from her instrument, echoing around us. It must`ve been close to an hour before Kim stops. I remain perfectly still as she climbs down the tree, her eyes never leave me. She smiles brightly, dusting snowy tree bark from her fingers. "You`re the calmest critter I`ve ever met."
Critter? I roll my eyes. Kim laughs softly, crouching down a few feet away from me. "Are you gonna bite my hand if I come nearer?"
Phft. Like I would Kimberly! I rise to a low crouch, cracking my back and neck in the process. Kim remains still, her amber eyes glinting in the moonlight. I move closer until we`re all but nose to nose with each other. I`ve never been this close to Kim, not even when I had tried to kiss her.
Kim, in an agonizingly slow fashion, raises a hand and runs her fingers along the side of my face. "You`re a beauty."
Beauty? Boy do I feel manly.
Ahaha! Kimmy`s calling Jared beautiful!!! You go girl!
I shake my head quickly. Get outta here Leah!
Kim abruptly drops her hand, her eyes widening at my sudden movement.
No Kim, no don`t go.
She rises to her feet and starts pedaling backwards.
No, stay with me.
I hastily rise to my feet, towering over her. Kim gasps, her fists clenching around her flute. Like that`d actually hurt me. Kimmy. I whimper. Don`t leave me Kimmy.
She frowns, shaking her head slowly. "You`re an odd one, then again you`re not talking to an animal." I suddenly see the flute coming in my direction. I easily dodge it to see Kim`s retreating figure.
I can`t take this anymore!
Kim`s POV
Kimberly darling, you are an idiot. Why didn`t you stay in the tree like the good little girl you used to be? Now, you`re attempting to outrun a freaken huge wolf. None of the guys are going to believe this. Not in a million years.
I make the mistake of glancing over my shoulder. He`s bounding after me, gaining way more ground than I could ever hope for. Come on Kimberly, move! Pump those legs! That`s it! One-two-three-four. One-two-three-four! Almost there! One-two-three- ah shit!
The wolf leaps past me and stops not 4 feet away from me. I skid to a haste halt. For some reason, I`m not screaming my lungs out or bursting into tears. I really want to but I`m not. I`m about to be eaten and I`m not doing anything to protect myself. Oh Little Red Riding Hood, now I know why you never made a peep before the wolf gulped you down. I wonder if there`s any wandering men around the area carrying an axe with them.
I reach out blindly behind me, searching for anything to defend myself. Of course, me being my clumsy self, I trip over a tree root and land with a soft plop in the snowy grass. Cold wind hits my face. I watch the wolf stalk closer to me, his body shaking. Probably in excitement for finding such a quick and easy meal. I cringe as the heat from his body clings to my front. His shaking increases. I close my eyes, waiting for the tear of my flesh.
It never comes.
Sharp wind hits my face instead. I raise a hand to protect my eyes. Just as suddenly, the wind stills. I widen my eyes as I see the body in the wolf`s place.
A boy.
Naked.
A very naked boy.
He raises his eyes to meet mine.
A very naked Jared.
I say the first thing that comes to my mind. "You`re going to get frostbite going around town like that."
Boy, I feel smart.
Paul`s POV
Jacob and I look over at each other as we patrol east of La Push.
He`s kinda stupid, isn`t he?
Jerry boy`s never been known for his brain power.
Kim`s POV
"Kim." Jared pants in a hoarse voice. I break eye contact, slapping a hand over my eyes.
"This isn`t happening. I`m supposed to be eaten. This isn`t happening." I hear footsteps in front of me.
"Kim, Kimmy look at me. Please?"
I shake my head. "There are no such thing as werewolves. You`re just a really good runner. You`re not a shape shifter. Sam Uley`s brainwashed you into believing such things. There`s no such things as werewolves. Nope nope nope."
Hot calloused fingers rub my wrists. "Kim, please look at me. I can`t take having your face hidden from me."
I compromise. I peek through my fingers. My eyes scan his face and his broad shoulders and muscular chest. I don`t dare look lower. "You`re a werewolf."
"Yes I am."
"That`s big."
Jared nods quickly, attempting to smile. "Yes it is."
I keep peeking through my fingers, my eyes never leaving his smiling mouth. "You`re naked."
Jared snorts softly, grinning sheepishly. "Yes I am."
"I`m an innocent here. You mind shifting back or covering yourself?"
"Don`t go anywhere." Jared murmurs. I watch him disappear behind a few miles of trees and yes, my eyes wandered down to his well toned ass. I`m a hormonal teenage girl, sue me.
I feel the sharp breeze sweep past me before Jared bounds out in front of me, his tail wagging.
"You know you`ve got some explaining to do once we get back to my house." I say through my fingers.
Jared nods, giving a bark that sounds more like a laugh.
I set a plate of pasta in front of Jared and myself. Mom`s upstairs reading Lisa her bedtime story. I glance over at Jared. "Mom`s not going to be impressed with your lack of attire."
Jared glances down at his bare chest, shrugging nonchalantly. "It`s easier for us all just to carry shorts than a full suit."
"What does Leah do?"
Jared grins, forking a mouthful of pasta. "Carries shorts and a sports bra."
Makes sense. "Are there other female shape shifters?"
"Not that we know of."
Interesting. I watch in wonder as Jared`s pasta disappears within seconds. "Hungry much?"
"This is good." Jared gruffly mutters, finishing off his plate. I glance down at my plate, only a quarter of it eaten.
"So tell me about imprinting. You say we`re soul mates. How do you really know?" My mind went to Emily, Sam, and Leah.
Jared folds his hands on the table, his muscles bulging. I turn back to my food to avoid being caught staring.
"Imprinting is like seeing the person for the first time. Everyone else fades in comparison. This person becomes the center of our world. We`d do anything to protect our imprintee."
I twirl my fork absentmindedly in my dinner, listening to the mushing sound it makes. "So you`ve imprinted on me?"
Jared nods. "Yes, a few weeks right before Christmas."
"But how do you know if I`m your... soul mate? What if there`s someone else?" I lower my head as Jared`s body tenses beside me.
"Is there someone else in your life?"
I quickly shake my head. "No, there`s no one in my life. But what if you meet someone else?"
Jared shakes his head, extending his hand for mine. I stare at it. "Kim, there will never be anyone else. You are my life now."
"What about Leah?" I continue to stare at his outstretched hand.
"What about Leah?" He asks sharply. I slowly meet his piercing gaze.
"Sam and Leah were together before Emily came along. Leah was so in love with Same and now... she`s alone. And bitter. Don`t try to deny it, Emily`s told me that triangle, minus Sam being a shape shifter." I set my fork down with a final plopping mush. "What if you and I start dating and then you meet someone else and then they`re meant to be your soul mate? Am I making any sense?" I stretch my bruised fingers. I can`t believe I slapped a werewolf.
Jared scoots his chair against mine, his hand resting on my knee. "Kimberly Ann, look at me." Without hesitation, I obey. "You are my imprint. My soul mate. My girl. My Kimmy. Sam imprinted on Emily. Those two will never leave each other. Leah hasn`t imprinted yet neither has Embry. They might never imprint. That is their loss." Jared raises a hand a tucks a stray hair behind my ear, his hand resting on my neck. "I love you Kimberly Connweller and I am going to do everything I can to take care of you and make you happy, even if it means you leaving for college in Europe." Jared grimaces at the end, his thumb tracing my jawbone.
I inhale suddenly, gasping for air.
"Kim, who do you have with you? I keep hearing voices from upstairs..." Mom walks in, her mouth dropping in surprise. "Jared, you seem to have misplaced your shirt."
This is my longest chapter my patient reviewers! Please review, I love you all so so so much. - crazyblondieandherlollipops.
