Paul

By the time the weekend rolled around, I was a mess. I hadn't seen Scarlett in three days. Not that I cared or anything, but since she's my imprint I was feeling pretty crappy. Jake wanted us to go to Nessie's birthday party at the leeches house today too. I probably would have bailed, but Ri told me that Scarlett was going. Maybe she'd talk to me today.

The pack all arrived at the same time. The girls had arrived earlier to help prepare, so it was just us guys. When we got there the party was underway, and you could smell the leeches everywhere. Leeches that could hurt Scarlett. I fought through the overwhelming scent until I found her. I was still across the room from her, but her sweet scent was wafting towards me. I found her amidst the crowd, standing next to Ri. She had one hand on the other girls chair, and was standing uncomfortably. I could tell she was fidgety, because she didn't have her lacrosse stick in her hands. I drank in the beautiful sight of her.

She was wearing a black dress with a white collar, red converse, and a red bow in her hair. Her dark hair was laying around her shoulders in loose curls, the bow keeping the flyaway strands out of her eyes. She noticed me looking at her, so I looked away quickly. I kept myself from looking at her again, but I felt myself relax knowing she was close. I glanced over at her again, watching her interact with the blonde vamp.

"She's feeling it too." Ri said, bumping into me gently. How she managed to move around so efficiently was lost to me.

"Yesterday she came over and laid on my floor for two hours because she had a leg cramp. And besides seeing me she spends all day playing wall ball." Ri said, not waiting for a reply.

"She's wearing a dress." I said.

"Lacey sent it to her. She has a pretty good fashion sense."

"Scarlett or Lacey?" I asked.

"Scarlett. Lacey sends her stuff, but she puts them together. For a girl who spends most of her time in running shorts and a practice pinny, she knows how to look good." Ri mused.

"Is she afraid of me?" I asked.

"No. She wasn't the least bit freaked out when you phased either."

"Then why is she avoiding me?" I was starting to get angry. I just wanted to march over and talk to her. If she wasn't afraid of me then she should have the decency to talk to me!

"She's angry with you, or at least she claims to be." Ri said.

"She's angry with me for what?"

"For dumping all your feelings on her. It's a lot for her to handle." Why did girls have to be so complex? I couldn't bear to talk to Ri anymore, not about Scarlett. I found an empty corner and slouched down onto the floor. Jake would kill me if I left, so I'd just have to stay here. I was gazing absentmindedly at the feet of the partygoers when I noticed a pair of red sneakers slide out next to me.

"I'm sorry I hit you with my stick." Scarlett said quietly, folding her hands in her lap.

"It was really rude of me. I just didn't know how to react." She kept going, obviously nervous. She opened her mouth to speak again, but I stopped her by pressing my lips gently on her cheek. She turned at looked at me sharply, but I could see color rising in her cheeks.

"I had to get you to shut up somehow, didn't I?" I smiled. Scarlett rolled her eyes, but smiled back.

"How bout we make a deal?" I proposed.

"I'm down with that." She said with a grin.

"You get to know me first, then you make a decision." I said. She considered it briefly, then smiled.

"Good. Now, may I have this dance?" I said, standing up and offering her my hand. Scarlett laughed, then took my hand and pulled herself up. I kept a tight hold on her hand as I led her into the backyard.

The sun was setting and Alice had decorated the yard with strings of lights. There was music playing, and I pulled Scarlett into my arms. I slid my hands down into her hips, and she put her arms up on my shoulders. I noticed Seth bring Ri outside, and he gave me a "good job" look. I looked back at the girl in my arms, and felt more at peace than I had in a long time.

hello readers! I've been blocked lately, so I apologize for the short chapters. I promise to start making them longer again soon! As always, please review! Any and all suggestions will be taken into consideration!