Chapter 10
If you just realize what I just realized,
Then we'd be perfect for each other
And will never find another
Just realize what I just realized
We'd never have to wonder if
We missed out on each other now
-Realize by Colbie Caillat
I didn't go over to Quil's the next day after school for a couple of reasons: 1. It was probably better to not go overboard with the memory-jogging. I mean, the boy could only handle so much in a short span of time. And 2. I had a school project to work on with one of my close friends, Irina.
Yep, those are the only reasons…sure…
Okay and more embarrassing reason 3. I was having trouble being around Quil without wanting to kiss him. After I did it for the first time before his memory loss I now knew what I was missing out on. It sucked.
Irina and I were currently hunkered down at my kitchen table with a pile of papers and books spread out before us in disarray. I watched as her hand flew furiously over a page with a purple highlighter and wondered what the hell could possibly be left to mark since she had been at it for at least 2 hours now.
"You know you're not supposed to highlight every sentence right?" I muttered, waiting for her to look up at me with her signature exasperated expression. I was not disappointed. Irina groaned before throwing the highlighter down onto the book and pushing her thick-rimmed glasses up the bridge of her nose.
"At least I'm trying unlike someone else I know."
I attempted to look terribly offended. "You couldn't possibly be referring to me!"
My comment was met with a snicker and a piece of popcorn thrown at my forehead. "Oh please Claire, I think we both know what you're thinking about right now and it's definitely not related to A Farewell to Arms or any book for that matter."
True.
"Well maybe if Ernest Hemingway had written about hot men I would be a little more interested, just sayin," I replied while tapping the cover of the book we were supposed to be analyzing. Irina shook her head, apparently surrendering to my "lack of motivation" as she so often called it.
"Speaking of hot men, where is Quil anyway? Isn't he usually here at this time?"
My easy smile faltered at the question as I realized that I hadn't told her about Quil's current condition. It's not that she wasn't trustworthy or a good friend, it was just hard to explain when she had no idea that Quil turned into a wolf and fought vampires.
"He's just kind of busy these days I guess…" I trailed off in an overly casual tone that didn't go unnoticed by Irina. Her eyebrows rose above the dark frames of her glasses and she regarded me skeptically.
"This is Quil we're talking about. He's never too busy for you."
I shrugged and reached over for a highlighter so that I would have something to focus on besides her questioning stare.
"Wait, did you guys like have a fight or something?" Irina's voice was immediately worried-sounding and it made me feel guilty for not explaining everything. She knew that Quil and I were best friends and also that I had a giant crush on him as well, but obviously I hadn't ever mentioned anything about imprinting.
"No, we're fine," I tried to reassure her. "We are just trying to focus on our own stuff right now though."
"Well okay I guess," Irina mumbled back, still looking as skeptical as ever. She grabbed a handful of popcorn and started munching on it with a thoughtful expression.
Crisis averted...
"So does this mean you'll have more time to hang out with me now that you're not spending every second with Quil?"
I chuckled. "Sure. I guess you'll have to do—"
"Hey be nice!" Irina exclaimed indignantly while I continued to laugh.
"You know I love you Rina. I mean, how else would I pass Calculus if you didn't force me to study with you!"
At the mention of Calculus, Irina's eyes suddenly filled with excitement and I wondered what she was up to. "What is that look for?"
"Talking about Calc just reminds me that I was supposed to tell you something!" She leaned forward from her spot at the table and began to speak in an almost hushed tone like she was telling a secret. "You know Nathan from math class?"
I nodded, still confused about the need for whispering when we were clearly alone in the house.
"Well he likes you!"
Irina sat still obviously waiting for me to react, but all I could do was shrug. She frowned and leaned forward even more. "Claire aren't you excited? Nathan is really cute! I know like 10 different girls that would kill to go out with him."
Huh. Nathan likes me?
"Really? I guess I never noticed that he was interested." I wasn't lying. I hadn't ever paid him much attention because Quil was honestly the only guy I ever thought about.
"He's definitely interested, believe me. He told his best friend Wes, who told that bitch Shayla, who in turn told me so it's legit don't worry."
I raised my eyebrows. "Right. That sounds promising."
"Please don't get all sarcastic on me like you always do," Irina grumbled out with annoyance and I shrugged again. The whole thing was weird and I didn't really care if Nathan liked me or not. He was nice and all, but he wasn't Quil.
"I mean I know he's not Quil or anything," Irina began like she had just heard my unvoiced thoughts, " But give him a chance! Shayla's having that big party soon and I know he'll come if you do."
I sighed, realizing she wasn't just going to let this go. "Yea okay, maybe."
Irina squealed in excitement, obviously not caring that I wasn't sharing her enthusiasm.
"Great!" Suddenly I heard a buzzing sound and Irina pulled out her phone from her purse to read a text message.
"Ugh. I have to go, sorry Claire."
"But the project isn't even close to done!" I protested though she had already started gathering up her belongings.
"I know, but my Mom got called into work and someone needs to watch Calvin."
"Isn't he old enough to just chill by himself now?" I muttered, aggravated that I would now be stuck working on this without the fun distraction of a friend to make the time pass quicker. Irina rolled her eyes and slung her backpack onto one shoulder.
"Um Claire, he's 8 years old. He could like drink laundry detergent or something so no, he can't just 'chill by himself.' Don't worry though, I'll email you updates on the project while I'm working on it!"
Irina gave me a wave as she bounded out the side door, leaving me staring miserably at the pile of papers on the table.
What kind of kid would drink laundry detergent? Ugh this sucks. I hate school.
I let my face fall onto the book lying in front of me as I contemplated dropping out and bypassing the whole high school diploma thing. It didn't seem like such a bad option compared to studying the austere prose of Hemingway.
'Austere prose?' I should write that down…sounds smart…
I willed my hand to move the short distance to the pen lying inches away from it, but my nervous system didn't seem to want to comply. Instead, I realized how tired I actually was and started drifting off like I always seemed to do when trying to work on homework.
Just a five minute brain-recharge. It'll be beneficial to the project.
I folded my arms on top of the book and rested my head there comfortably.
Yesss fucking love naptime…
I wasn't sure how long I slept there, but I do know exactly how I got woken up from my peaceful slumber. Jacob Black and Embry Call. Need I say more?
"Rise and shine Claire-bear!" Jacob's loud, obnoxious voice caused my eyes to snap open in frightened surprise. His grinning face was suddenly bent down close to mine.
"Have a nice nap?" He asked me in amusement and I raised my hand to swat him away.
"It was great until you ruined it!"
"So are you busy this evening?" Jake continued like I hadn't just expressed my anger toward him. I sat up with a loud sigh and gestured to the mess of school work on the table.
"This school project demands my attention."
"When did sleeping face-down on your book start counting as a project?" Embry piped up from across the kitchen alerting me to his presence for the first time.
"It's been an intense work session, I needed a rest!"
Embry and Jake both laughed and began helping themselves to the snacks I had spread around the kitchen. So much for my secret stash of junk food!
"So why did you guys come over here? I assume it wasn't just to bother me and steal my food," I muttered watching Embry eat the last of my popcorn.
"Well aside from that, we're here to pick you up! We're hanging out with Quil and you need to come too." Jake spoke sloppily with his mouth full and I cringed a little.
"But my homework—"
"It can wait!" Jake interrupted while Embry stood next to him nodding in agreement. Obviously they would not be taking no for an answer, but I knew I had to at least attempt to put my studies first.
Well that's something you've never tried before!
"C'mon Claire, you know how hard it is for me to be away from Nessie and yet here I am, staying in La Push to help you and Quil out! It's the least you could do…" Jake gave a pouty expression that looked out of place on someone built so large.
Embry was finally finished eating and he leaned on the chair across from my mine. "Plus Quil needs you to be there. It'll make him feel better."
Embry's words filled me with alarm and I was up out of my seat and standing before I even realized it. "What's going on with Quil?"
"He's been trying to phase all day, but he hasn't been able to," Jake responded.
My mind raced trying to come up with possible reasons why Quil would be having trouble with phasing, but none of them made much sense. "That's really weird. What did Carlisle say about this?"
Maybe he still hasn't healed completely?
Jake shrugged. "He seems to think it has something to do with the head injury, but honestly he's pretty much as clueless as the rest of us when it comes to this. I mean, this has never happened before."
"Maybe he just needs the right stimulus? Like getting really angry or something?" I offered, not feeling very confident in Carlisle's ability to fix the situation.
"We tried getting him angry, but it didn't' seem to do much. Hopefully it'll just take some time and he'll be back to normal," Jake sounded fairly confident, but I could tell both he and Embry were worried. I nodded as I considered what this new development meant. If Quil couldn't phase, he wouldn't be exposed to the memories of the pack mind that would show him our bond. Was this a blessing or a curse? I didn't know.
Embry—ever aware of the emotions of those around him—was watching me with a thoughtful expression and I tried to look relaxed for his sake.
"So are you coming with us Claire?" he asked while I threw an empty pretzel bag into the trash trying to distract myself from the questions bouncing around in my head.
"Yea if you think Quil wouldn't mind," I answered softly and Jake scoffed in response.
"Of course he won't mind! Whether he realizes it or not, you're the one person who can make him feel better."
I must have looked skeptical because Embry jumped in to second Jake's claims. "He's right Claire! Plus I know Quil likes you even with the memory loss."
"He does?"
Embry was nodding vigorously now like it would somehow make me believe him more. "Yes. He thinks you're funny. He told me."
"Really? He said that?" I questioned urgently, desperate for any indication that Quil was feeling something positive toward me. Jacob chuckled at my earnestness, but Embry was nice enough not to mock what was obviously important in my eyes.
"His exact words were 'Claire's funny. She calls ham sandwiches ham-sams.' And we all know that humor is everything to Quil so…" Embry gestured with his hand as if to say that his point had made itself.
Quil thinks I'm funny!
Jake started chuckling again. "Don't hurt your cheeks from smiling too big okay?"
I hadn't even realized that I was grinning like an idiot, but I didn't care because Quil thought I, Claire Young, was FUNNY! I felt like I had won a gold medal or something.
"Now that you know Quil thinks you're cool, can we please get going?" Jake pleaded impatiently and I allowed him to pull me out of the kitchen to his car. Minutes later we were at Embry and Quil's house and I hopped out excitedly to run for the front door.
"Aww so excited… isn't she precious Embry?" I could hear Jacob laughing behind me and I glared at him from over my shoulder before wrenching the door open and walking into the living room. I looked around for Quil, but he wasn't anywhere to be found.
"Quil?" I called out just as Jake and Embry entered the house noisily.
"Stop moping and come chill with us!" Jake shouted in the direction of the hallway and I realized that Quil must be in his bedroom. I heard a door open and moments later Quil was standing only feet away. Just seeing him made me sigh in relief.
I missed him.
"I wasn't moping," Quil muttered while he stretched his arms over his head.
Jake was grinning at him. "Whatever you say."
Quil's eyes fell on me and I offered a small smile in greeting. "Hi Quil."
"How's it going Claire?" He responded with a small smile of his own and I felt my heartbeat increase. Embry noticed it and glanced down at me, smirking.
"I'm great. Just getting dragged around by these two."
They all chuckled, but I really only heard Quil's.
He thinks I'm funny. Must. Stay. Funny.
"It's not like you wouldn't have ended up here anyway…" Jake mumbled without thinking about the connotation of his words and I watched Quil's face hoping he wouldn't notice.
"Oh you know that Claire is supposed to come help jog my memory?" Quil asked casually, obviously misinterpreting Jake's words. He didn't understand that I felt an overwhelming desire to be around him pretty much every moment of the day.
Jacob didn't let on anything as he responded. "Yea exactly."
"So how're you doing today Quil?" I asked, hoping to get away from this turn in the conversation. I immediately regretted asking however, when Quil's expression noticeably darkened.
Shit, he's still upset about the phasing issue!
"They told you didn't they?" Quil questioned accusingly, looking back and forth between Jacob and Embry. I held up my hands in a placating gesture that appeared to go ignored by the ticked off wolf in front of me.
"Okay you know that no one in this family can keep secrets and why does it matter if I know you can't phase anyway?"
Quil grumbled and crossed his arms. "I can phase, just not right now…"
"Of course you can! It might just take some time okay?" I didn't really know what I was saying at this point, but the words seemed to mollify Quil to my relief.
"Yea, okay," Quil began muttering and he walked over to plop down onto the couch. Embry nudged me and I looked up to see his expression which clearly said 'I told you so.' He apparently believed I was still able to calm Quil down like no one else could.
Who knows? Maybe I still do affect him a little?
"So more pictures today?" Quil stared up at me expectantly and I felt the beginnings of an idea forming in my mind.
"Actually I was thinking it might be good to do something different."
"Different?"
I grinned over at him, excited at the prospect of my plan. "Pictures can only go so far. I think we should get out and just experience the memories."
Quil's brow furrowed, but he looked intrigued by my words. "And how do we do that?"
"Grab your towel, we're hitting the beach!" I exclaimed, earning surprised looks from the guys around me.
"It's not exactly warm outside, you know that right?" Jacob intoned softly, but I shushed him with a flick of my hand. This was my plan and he wasn't going to question it!
Quil's expression was difficult to read. "Why the beach?"
"We have a lot of memories there together," I answered, thinking fondly back to the countless days we had spent there over the years. "Plus it's a little bit sunny today so we should probably take advantage of that."
Embry peeked over at the window and frowned when he noticed gray skies. So my definition of 'sunny' was a bit liberally applied. Sue me. If that's what it took to get a certain amnesiac half-naked out on the beach I had no qualms about exaggerating the weather conditions.
"Well alright. Why not?" Quil finally agreed to the idea and triumph surged through me.
"What about you guys?" I turned to Jacob and Embry and watched as they silently communicated. Jacob nodded almost imperceptibly at Embry before meeting my gaze.
"Yea we'll go Claire-bear," he answered and I saw Quil perk up out of the corner of my eye at the mention of my nickname.
He must remember that I accused him of using it yesterday.
"Great, I'll just go grab a swimsuit from Quil's room and then we'll head out!"
"From my room?" Quil questioned in obvious surprise and I froze, realizing my mistake.
Oh god.
"Uh…yea I left a suit in your closet once and I think it's still there?" I explained, feeling the blush rising embarrassingly to my cheeks. Embry and Jake exchanged amused glances beside me.
"Oh, well I'll help you find it," Quil replied as he rose from the couch. I waited for him to start walking down the hallway before I followed him. When we made it to his room, I paused in the doorway taking in the familiar sight and feeling a weird sense of nostalgia. It felt like ages since I had been back here.
Still looks the same…
Quil cleared his throat and gestured toward the open closet. "Go ahead and look. I'll grab some swim trunks while you're at it."
I nodded and walked over to the closet where I knew one of my spare suits would be somewhere on the back shelves. Quil was rummaging through a drawer loudly behind me. I easily found the modest purple tankini and shuffled out to where Quil already had a pile of clothes lying on the floor.
"Need help?" I chirped.
Quil groaned. "I swear somebody moved my swimming trunks…they should be right here…"
The only person who would steal them is me and sadly enough, I'm innocent.
"You know you might not remember, but…" I spoke mischievously as a rather perverted idea ran through my head, "The swim trunks aren't necessary. You always just swam without them in the past."
Quil's head snapped around to gawk at me and I burst into laughter when I saw the horrified look on his face.
"Joking Quil. Just joking."
He let out a small sigh of relief before chuckling lightly. "Good because I'd rather not be the weird naked guy at the beach."
My brain cried a little at the image that statement evoked.
"Found them!" Quil yelled proudly while holding up a simple pair of black swim trunks. "Let's go!"
We made our way back to the living room where Jacob and Embry appeared to be recovering from a fit of silent laughter. I eyed them quizzically, waiting for an explanation, but Jacob simply whipped his keys out and started moving toward the door.
"I'll drive," he called out while a bemused-looking Quil followed closely behind him. I was about to do the same when I felt Embry tug on my arm. He was having a hard time keeping a straight face.
"Did you seriously just try to convince Quil to swim naked?" He asked in a mixture of amusement and disbelief.
I shot him a devilish grin. "Well, it was worth a shot."
A/N: Sorry for the long wait! I had a very busy week and then a pretty epic birthday weekend that took some time to recover from. Tequila is not my friend apparently... So hopefully you enjoyed this and I want to hear from you wonderful readers please! Think of it as a Valentine's gift? Hugs and Kisses and CHOCOLATE to youuuu! :D