Proud to say this is my longest chapter so far. Thank you to anyone who is reading and giving my story a chance.

The Joys Of Being Stared At

Chapter 10: Never Had That Reaction Before

Paul's words were still ringing through my head as I approached Emily's house, alone. It backed off into the lush green forest that surrounds La Push. Dark red horizontal paneling covered the outside walls, with little white flowers growing up the front. There was a sandy yellow path leading to the door, which was slightly overgrown by an array of flowers which were also growing in yellow plant pots outside the front window. It was only one story and the roof seemed to be being rebuilt in places, with a ladder placed at the side of the house next to a stack of tiles. It may not have been pristine but it screamed welcoming and looked like a happy family home.

I slowly made my way up the path being careful not to trip over the foliage- it may have looked pretty but hell it wasn't good for clumsy people like me. I really hope Emily knew I was coming seeing as I no longer was going to be walking in with Paul. Oh god after yesterday she probably thinks I am just going to cause trouble for her, I mean she did say it was best if I went home when the beach day turned sour. But that doesn't mean she was angry at me. Does it?

Before I gave myself any more opportunity to talk myself out of going I knocked on the front door. The longer I waited for someone to open the door the more nervous I got. I wish I could have my old confidence back but this Seth thing has thrown me completely off balance. But it has to stop now! no more shying away and thinking before speaking because I know it may be a good quality but it was so the opposite of me. That's how I use to always make my old friends laugh, by saying random things at the wrong moment, or saying the thing everyone is thinking but don't want to say (not in a mean bitchy way thought).

"Mary?" I jumped and looked up to see Emily's warm happy face.

"In the flesh, I mean sorry. Uh... I came here with Paul but then, well he said some wacky things and I just needed a minute because he was just... wait you don't need to know that. Sorry if I'm intruding it's just ah..." ok maybe going back to just saying everything instead of over analysing everything in my head isn't the best plan. Maybe a healthy mixture of both is what the doctor ordered?

She laughed a little and then opened the door for me to step in. "No, you're always welcome here. I was just a bit shocked because no one ever knocks on my door anymore; they just come straight in and ransack the fridge." I smiled at that and followed Emily through to the kitchen.

Cupboards cluttered the walls, with pictures and recipes stuck to them. In the middle was a wooden table with five chairs around it. All available surfaces were covered with food, Emily obviously being in the midst of cooking. On the table was a plate of steaming muffins which were giving off intoxicatingly delicious cinnamon fumes which actually had me drooling a little bit. Emily seeing me ogling her magnificent creations offered me one which I gladly took and had a massive bite. An explosion of spices dominated my tongue and I couldn't help but moan a little. Screw them guys and their muscles I am much happier eating this muffin! Emily laughed and turned back to fussing over a big pot on the cooker. "The guys are outside." She said over her shoulder.

Nodding I headed to the back door already hearing there booming laughter before I even reached out for the door knob. Ok, chill Mary. You can do this. You got along fine with them yesterday- until two of them were dragged off into the woods- but still up until then perfectly fine. Remember just be yourself. God I hope Paul hasn't been planning something. Please please please...

Clutching my muffin for dear life I went outside.

The guys were lounging around on the grass looking to be enjoying the nonexistent morning sun. Seriously most of them were only wearing cut offs!

"Mary!" was my only warning before I was lifted up into a bone crushing hug courtesy of Quil. Once i made a choking sound he released some of the pressure. "My bad," I giggled and hugged him back before he put me down.

"Morning to you to," I said before waving to the rest of the guys and following to sit with Quil and Embry who smiled at me. The grass was a little damp and I realised too late that I was going to get a nice mark on my but because of it. As soon as I sat down Seth appeared out of nowhere and sat next to me. To say I didn't do an inward girly squeal would be a lie. But then I stopped myself shaking my head. I can't believe I've been reduced to squealing because a guy sat next to me. That is not me, and it's going to stop now just like the over thinking things before saying them.

"You guys do no it's not warm out right?" I asked, taking that as an opportunity to look at Seth and Quil's chests, Embry was wearing a shirt.

Quil smirked, "It's summer."

"Doesn't feel like it" I mumbled. It seemed to be getting colder as the morning progressed and I had to actually clamp down on my muscles to stop myself shuffling over to Seth's (who was already rather close, his arm almost touching my arm) warmth.

"Aw is Mary cold?" Quil asked, not caringly I may add but patronising.

"No" I huffed crossing my arms over my chest. The wind then chose to run through my hair causing me to shiver. Great, nice to know the weathers not on my side either. Embry snorted and before he could say anything in return I beat him to it, "Not a word" This caused both of them to laugh at me.

"You're cute" Embry stated.

"I'm not cute; I will however accept compliments like: amazing, funny, independent and scary."

Seth chuckled- it was so light hearted and youthful "Ok, one you're not scary and two, how is scary a compliment?" he asked facing me, which caused our heads to be dangerously close that I could almost feel his breath on m lips.

"Oh contraire I can be extremely scary when aggravated," I gave a pointed look at Quil and Embry who seemed to gulp, "and of course scary is a complement! I devote a lot of my important time to being scary and getting revenge when needed and I find it very flattering when people recognise my hard work. I mean come on... Scary Mary? My name was even designed to fit the word!"

Seth seemed to stare into my eyes for a long time, and I did my best to hold his it whilst not getting lost in those pools of brown. And I thought I was actually going to be successful, but then he seemed to move even close before whispering, "I find you very scary Mary." Before turning away and smiling to himself.

Oh dear what is this boy doing to me. My heart rate seemed to be rising and I'm positive I looked like a tomato. As if an afterthought he said "And amazing, funny and independent." It was so soft I almost didn't hear it and I don't think I was meant to either. Without even realising I leaned into him, relaxing as his warmth seeped into my cold skin. Small shocks danced along the small parts where my skin met his, like where my jumper had slightly risen up or my naked shoulder due to my jumper hanging off it. A part of me wanted to pull away, scared of the reaction I was having to him but a bigger part of me felt fully content leaning on him. It just felt right. But just as I was getting comfy Emily came to the back door saying breakfast was ready. I cursed at her timing.

All the guys jumped up and raced to the kitchen. Seth seemed to let out an almost irritated breath before slowly rising and offering me a hand. Taking it I was rewarded with those same tingles, but they were stronger and seemed to intensify the longer I held his hand. As we were walking towards the door I finally let go. Not that the sensation was bad it was just foreign to me. I think I imagined Seth slightly sigh when we lost contact but I'm pretty sure that was just my hearing gone wacko.

When we walked it the table was a war zone. Growls and threats were tossed idly from all sides as they ravaged every morsel in site only half of it getting to their plates, the other half being stuffed into their mouths immediately. Once Emily saw me she battered all their hands away armed with a wooden spoon. "Help yourself dear." She said sweetly, twirling her weapon menacingly in her hands whilst eyeing Paul's hand as it crept towards the muffins again. "Is that a wise move?" I couldn't cover my laugh as he quickly retracted the hand and stuffed it in his pocket.

I took the plate Seth offered me timidly getting a small portion of bacon and another muffin, scared one of the boys would snap at my hand. Emily quirked an eyebrow at my not even half full plate "Well no wonder you're so tiny, you hardly eat." She exclaimed, adding more bacon, a sausage and a slice of toast to my plate before I could object. She then brought me close to her, "Now I'll hold them back as long as I can, make a run for it." She said dramatically as she gently pushed me in the direction of I guess the living room. I giggled and followed her orders. By the moment I stepped out of the kitchen the growling and clattering of dishes had erupted again. Seriously they're like animals I thought shaking my head.

The living room was well worn and looked welcoming like the rest of the house. A big light brown three-seater sofa sat against one of the walls with an array of mismatched cusions, with a blue arm chair flanking its left. On the opposite wall was a light yellow love seat. And then on the floor lay a big rug. A TV was posted in one of the corners perched on a low coffee table. There were pictures scattered across the free wall space, one was of Emily and Sam holding hands at the beach, another of Sam and all the guys laughing and cheering and so many more that I made a mental note to look at them all more closely next time I was here. Huh, I guess I did want to come back. This place felt more like a home to me than Paul's house did. This is what a home should be like where nothing matched and yet it was still perfect and fitted your personality.

I sat on the edge of the brown sofa, leaning against the arm which was pressed against the blue arm chair. The food war seemed to be quieting down as the guys made their way into the room. Quil sat in the arm chair next to me, Sam and Emily took the love seat, Paul sitting over the two remaining seats on the sofa I was on, Embry on the floor between mine and Quil's legs, Brady on the floor on the other side of Quil and Seth... next to me. He had to squeeze to get in next to Paul who looked to be trying to make it impossible for him to be next to me because he was over two of the sofas cushions. But once Seth was in Paul growled making no move to shuffle over. "Can't you see I'm sat here." He said to Seth through clenched teeth.

"Well pick a side because you are taking up two." Seth retorted, not moving either. He was pressed quite firmly to my side, causing those shocks to be quite strong making me flinch into the sofas arm at their unexpected intensity.

"Fine I choose the one next to Mary; you can sit next to the arm." Paul said, he seemed to be smirking at his own private joke. The other guys around the room though not finding it funny seemed to understand as they shifted uncomfortably at the exchange in front of them. I hate being left out of things! Seriously lying to me is like one of the biggest offences you can do to me. If it's none of my business then fine but when something concerns me and you keep it from me then I get pissed and Scary Mary comes out to play. And this seating thing seemed to have something to do with me!

Seth growled and still didn't move, he even started to slightly shake causing him to press even more against me. "Seth, Paul" Sam said. His deep voice held such authority like he was there leader or something. But then I guess it was his house so he was in charge.

"What's the matter pup, your legs broken?" Paul asked, his voice vicious, Seth just continued to shake an occasional growl slipping though his bared teeth. "Oh yeah that's right you can't be away from a girl you met yesterday because-"

"Paul outside now!" Sam barked, two layers to his voice which almost seemed to echo round the small room landing heavily in my ears causing me to shy even more into the arm of the sofa. To my surprise Paul immediately stood and walked out the room, violently shaking and cursing. I Jumped as I heard him slam the door, the whole house seemed to shake and I could honestly hear the poor door groaning at its abuse. Sam then got up and before leaving looked at Seth "You okay?" and I could tell he wasn't asking how he was feeling about what just happened, it had something to do with the stuff that was going unsaid and it was really starting the grate on me. Seth stopped shaking at his words and Sam walked out the room with an exasperated sigh.

The tension seemed to evaporate once he left and everyone in the room started chatting around stuffed mouthfuls of food again as they basically inhaled the content of there piled plates.. Seth made no effort to move away from where he was pressed against me and also didn't eat the food that was perched on his knee.

"Uh Seth?" he whipped his head round at the sound of my voice almost causing his head to bang against mine. "You gunna move away any time soon, cos I'm sort of squished over here." All the other guys laughed as Seth looked away his face slightly fallen. He then proceeded to shuffle down the sofa until he was perched fully on the middle cushion not touching me at all. I exhaled as the tingles stopped half thankful for their departure half craving their return. But the image of his face falling made me feel bad. I didn't mean to offend or embarrass him. So I nudged my knee against his and gave him a smile which I hope showed that. He returned it before diving into his plate that could have served family.

By the time I had nibbled through half my bacon, eaten my sausage and toast and given my muffin the Quil everyone else was finished. Emily coming round and collecting all there dishes. She gave me a stern motherly glance when she saw I hadn't eaten everything but didn't bring it up.

Just as she left the room Jacob, Collin and Jared came bounding in. I hadn't even realised they were missing to be honest. "Paul and Sam are covering the next shift so Brady, Embry and Quil will be heading out later." Jacob stated before taking the seat next to Seth. Then realizing me perched on the other side of Seth he looked at me and nodded before laying his head on the back of the sofa. Ok what the hell was he on about? Did they all work in the same place? Or maybe they were house sitting or something? But I didn't ask questions because it didn't seem to concern me.

Emily came in and handed each of the new arrivals with a plate each filled with food, "Honestly why aren't you guys all obese?" I asked because I was generally puzzled, they eat like enough to feed an entire family and instead of packing on the pounds in blubber they just get ripped? Unfair.

They seemed to chuckle and then Jared said "We're growing boys we need food."

"And for the amount you eat you should be growing a plump belly by now," Embry snorted, and bumped his head against me knee.

"Hey don't question are portion size when you eat barely enough."

"I eat a perfect amount" I said quietly not wanting to admit defeat but I knew that I didn't eat enough it's just when I'm not hungry I can't eat and I'm not hungry all that often. Before I could successful change the subject a clap of thunder boomed threw the wall making me cringe into Seth's side who had somehow managed to move closer again the sneaky...

CRASH

Something crashed outside as the light drizzle of rain turned lethal and the winds picked up. Sure the weather in La Push had been shitty since I arrived but not like this. I cowered into Seth's side as something else outside made a loud bang. He put his arm around me squeezing my shoulder. I fit perfectly under his arm and the tingles were now completely pleasant and comforting. His heat surrounded me, enveloping me like a hug. Then the lights went out. It didn't go dark because it was now late morning, but with the storm and all the clouds there wasn't to much light coming through the window. Also no the lights going out signified no electricity which meant no heating. As that thought occurred to me I actually snuggled my head onto the top of Seth's chest and I swear he made a low almost purring sound. He had a big old grin plastered on his face as well. Seriously Mary you met the guy yesterday and you're curled up to him and... Snuggling! What is wrong with you? You don't even know the guys last name, heck you don't know anything about him apart from he is claiming to be the same age as you. But to hell with it, I felt I knew him more than some of my closest friends –not Naya and Jessie- just by his eyes. I felt so attached to him like I was literally tethered to him, captivated by those deep brown orbs.

Emily suddenly got up and left the room worry creasing her beautiful face. I guess Sam and Paul must be caught out in the rain I thought idly. But then it clicked. Holy shit Paul and Sam must be outside in this storm. That caused me to jump away from Seth desperately looking out at the rain smeared window unable to see even a foot out. "Are Paul and Sam going to be ok, I don't know where they went but they must have been caught out in this?" I looked at Seth who still had his arm wrapped around where I had been sitting like he couldn't believe I just moved. "Seth" I asked, pushing his shoulder. He looked up at me and just stared at my face. "Seth" I repeated placing both hands on each shoulder nudging him again, my position causing my face to move closer to his. With still no response I blew on his face. Don't ask me why I did it. I just always did it to Jordan to get his attention. But Jordan never reacted the way Seth did. His nostrils seemed to flare and his eyes became shaded and almost darker filled with want. Yes. I'm not lying. His eyes were solely focused on me and it honestly looked like he wanted me. You know... in a sexual way. God that even sounded awkward in my head. But then his arms reached out and he placed his hands on my hips pulling me closer to him, his lustful eyes never leaving mine. Well at least I think they were lustful? I squeaked and tried to pull away. This stopped him from pulling me nearer but he didn't let go. "Seth?" I asked quietly. His hands were burning into me causing my breathing to hitch slightly. The urge to let him carry on touching me was overwhelming. I just wanted to lean in and kiss him. Run my hands over his naked chest and revel in the sparks I knew it would create. I wanted him to kiss my neck like you see in all those heated films, and let him leave a mark that would remind me of him for days afterwards. And... Holy shit, you need to get away and quick Mary! The sound of my voice only made his grip on me a little tighter. "Seth, can you please let go?" I was slightly scared at how he would react. He didn't answer. I looked around and saw everyone in the room was tense and watching us. "Help." I squeaked.

Quil finally got up and wrenched- yes wrenched- Seth's hands off me. He growled but didn't resist. As soon as I was free I scurried to the other side of the room and sat on the floor next to Collin. Seth was still staring at me but his eyes were now back normal. He looked sad, or ashamed? Guilty? Pained? I don't know but I had to look away because the longer I saw his face like that the more I felt the need to go over there and comfort him, hold him, hug him, kiss him... Whoa slow down there! I thought space was meant to kill those stupid hormonal urges. The dude just went all animalistic on you and you want to kiss him. Damn I must be into weird stuff or something because that is not a normal reaction. I don't know why but the way he acted didn't seem to faze me like my brain was telling my body it should. But for some reason my body and honestly a big chunk of me didn't see a problem with him touching me so possessively and... Intimately? Wait looking back was it intimate? Or was I just over reacting. Oh god, everyone must think I am such a freak. Who reacts to the guy they like holding you by squeaking and running away once their mind starts filling with... urges?

Well I am just one big mess of contradictions right now. And with the absence of Seth's warmth, no heating in the house and the storm still raging on I started to shake slightly no matter how much I tried to fight it.

Wait don't get off track now Mary. "Are Paul and Sam going to be ok?" I asked again, more quietly this time as the room had been overtaken by an awkward/tense silence due to my actions.

"Yeah don't worry about them." Embry said softly. And because none of the others were freaking out because of the storm neither was I.

But as I was looking at the others calm faces I noticed one was missing. "Where's Jared?"

"Probably gone to go check on Kim." Collin said from beside me. He went out in this weather! Did he have a death wish or something? Why did the others think this was ok? He could get hurt. Like seriously hurt! I guess Kim was worth it to him; he must seriously care for the girl if he is braving the storm for her. And at that thought I couldn't help the little bit of jealousy that spiked within. I had had a couple of relationships but nothing serious, I am only 15. But still I dreamed of those teenage romances that turn into such strong feeling, maybe even love; like the ones you read about in books but never actually witness in real life. Yes I know unrealistic especially when I know I would never be good for a serious relationship. But well who said dreams were realistic!

"Is weather always like this in La Push?" I asked, trying my hardest to stop my teeth from chattering so the guys wouldn't know I'm cold.

"Well this is especially bad but it's never nice weather." Collin said.

"You could have fooled me the way you guys dress." I huffed, crossing my arms around my stomach trying to preserve what pitiful body heat I had. Looking back up Seth was sitting on the very edge of the sofa still staring at me, his hands constantly clenching and unclenching. It honestly looked like he was itching to come closer to me and every time I shivered he visibly flinched. What was going on with him? "Uh do you guys think Sam or Emily would mind if I went and got a drink?" I asked, desperate to leave the room.

Quil laughed, "Of course not, just try not to fall over anything on your way. There should be some soda in the fridge." I gave him a stern look before rising from the floor.

Walking back to the kitchen I couldn't help the uneasiness in my stomach. I was trapped in a house. I was trapped with a bunch of over muscley guys who I only met yesterday! That has got to go against everything they teach you about strangers in school. Well I never was the best listener.

I grabbed a grape soda from the fridge, opening it and immediately draining half of it. "Mary" I actually think I might of spurted a bit of the drink from my mouth as I jumped. Seriously why did I keep getting startled so easily today. "Uh sorry." Turning I saw Seth. I took a step back so that I was pressed against one of the counters, my hands either side of my hips.

"It's fine, I'm just a bit jumpy is all." I said, not looking in his eye because I was scared I would be dragged towards him with that invisible rope he had on me.

"Look I'm really sorry about well... uh... you know... um" he rubbed the back of his head looking pretty awkward now.

I already knew I would have to get over it, I was just to drawn to Seth. Especially seeing as I couldn't stop the image of me and him kissing on the couch out my damn head. Didn't mean I couldn't make him squirm though. "Oh wait refresh my memory... What did you do exactly Seth?" a smile- hopeful an evil smile- spread across my face as I finally saw Seth blush. Hell Yeah! Another point to Mary.

"Um... you know..." he looked helpless now. I couldn't help but laugh at him and then I decided just to stare at him until he answered me. He started fidgeting and every couple of seconds he would look me in the eye then go back to looking at the floor or the ceiling or the wall or pretty much anywhere he could find, but it always came back to me. Finally I started to walk away. But that meant I had to walk straight past him. The closer I got the stronger the pull felt until I physically couldn't walk away. So I had to stop right in front of him and look straight up into his beautiful, mesmerizing eyes. "Sorry for holding you like that and not letting go." He whispered, honestly he looked so guilty and almost in pain because of what he did. He wouldn't stop looking away from me now so I had to take matters into my own hands so I turned and quickly put my soda down on the counter.

Grabbing his face- which was no easy task considering he must have been a foot taller than me- I forced him to look at me. At our contact his breathing seemed to hitch and his eyes grew even more confused. Once he was calm I smiled and said "its fine." Then I retrieved my drink and walked back into the living room sitting back on the sofa again.

"What are you two girls giggling about?" I asked Quil and Embry once I was sat down.

"You're right you do have an evil side!" Embry told me.

"Make sure you don't forget it." I said winking at them. Seth came and sat down right next to me, and I mean right next to me. He kept moving his arm either stretching, or laying it on the back of the sofa. This continued for a good 5 minutes whilst I was listening to Brady giving me the low down on what to expect from school- considering he was a sophomore like me. "Oh for god sake just put your arm around me Seth." I blurted when he moved to stretch for like the billionth time. The guys chuckled whilst Seth was all the quick to oblige. "Happy?"

"Extremely" he whispered. I leaned my head on his warm shoulder and gladly bid fair well to the shivers.

About an hour later the storm hadn't eased up. If anything it had gotten worse. The rain was now leaking through the ceiling in places and the wind was practically shaking the small house causing me to flinch into Seth's side. Even though he was extremely solid I moulded in under his arm perfectly, I felt safe there and more freakishly I felt almost complete? If that makes sense. Like Seth made me whole? Which is a ridiculous thing to say because before I met Seth I never referred to myself as incomplete. I didn't even take notice of the tingles any more, they just seemed to electrify and intensify every movement around him. It almost made sense, like they were compensating for the "heightened feelings" as Paul had put it that I felt towards Seth.

He started rubbing my bare shoulder slowly making me relax completely. Suddenly the sleepless night I just had seemed to be catching up with me and I couldn't help but let my eyelids drop as Seth's heat seeped right around me like a blanket whilst his chest was the pillow.

I fell asleep with a smile on my lips.

Hope you enjoyed the chapter. I don't like asking people to review my stories but reviews just inspire you to write so much more because you know people have decided to use their time to write you some feed back. Just a thought. Thank you again, :) Oh and honestly don't feel like I'm pressuring people or begging for reviews because that's not me. Just review if you want to.