Enigmatical
By wired2damoon
Chapter 11: Double Dates And Double Trouble
A/N: Sorry for the delay in updates, I've been swamped with work for University. Please forgive me! -wired2damoon-
- Claire's POV -
"Oh hey, you're Claire right? Wow…you look so different from the last time I saw you!"
I blinked. I was minutely aware that the blonde girl had begun talking to me, but I was far too busy gaping at Quil to form any response.
"What're you doing here Quil?" I asked, gritting my teeth and trying to control the urge to kick something. This was definitely not a good start to my night.
Quil stared down at his feet, looking quite sheepish, "I'm on my date with Courtney."
It was only when that name rang in my ears that I turned my attention to the tall woman whom (I couldn't help but notice) had her arm linked tightly through Quil's.
"Courtney?" I gasped in surprise, shock rendering every fibre of my being. This was not what I expected Courtney Norton to look like after five years, not at all.
A high-pitched giggle pierced my ear-drums, "yes silly! Oh its so good to see you again Claire, and my, you've grown so much! Who's your little friend?" she asked, being painfully obvious, condescending and irritable.
What amazing qualities eh?
I almost jumped as I remembered Cody standing mute next to me, "oh sorry, uh, Courtney, Quil, this is Cody."
Courtney leapt forward and eagerly shook his hand, but Quil seemed to still when Cody's palm outstretched to him. I almost glared up at Quil, but I found his gaze was too intensely locked on Cody's as he clasped his hand in his.
I felt myself hold my breath as they slowly shook, neither one willing to break the intense staring match.
"Nice to meet you, Cody," Quil muttered a little stiffly, his jaw set.
"You too Quil," Cody replied in the same robotic tone.
I stood in the middle, looking back and forth, mouth open. I was getting frantic now. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife, no, scratch that, you'd need a frickin' chainsaw!
Courtney, it seemed, was completely oblivious to the utter drama that was beginning to unfold in our midst and proceeded to ramble on to me.
"So, Claire, what movie are you guys going to see?"
Thankfully, Courtney's piping up seemed to break the trance between the two guys and they instantly broke contact.
My eyes snapped away from them nervously, before I replied, "uh…we're seeing the new horror, uh…Death Mania or something…"
Courtney's eyes lit up in only a way I knew meant something very bad was going to happen.
"Oh wow! What a coincidence! That's the one me and Quil are going to see too! Hey, why don't we go together?"
I grimaced at the eager look on her make-up plastered face and gave a horrified half-smile.
I didn't dare look at the two guys as I frantically weighed out the pros and cons of the situation. After a few minutes, I gave a curt nod, (almost to assure myself) and replied softly, "sure. Why not?"
Well, I could give you a hell of a lot of reasons why not! But something was more important. This, girl-woman-whatever was spending quality time with Quil. Quil Ateara, MY best friend. And as my eyes travelled up and down her "super-model" body I couldn't help but shiver with nerves. She was gorgeous. To the highest degree! So…at least this way I could…maybe…keep an eye on them?
Oh okay, so I know it's not very honest, practical, or nice but jeez c'mon, give me a break. I can't help it. This mess is all my fault anyway, so why don't I just try and help by over-seeing the date? There's nothing wrong with that!
Wow…why do I sound like I'm trying to convince myself?
"Oh hey guys, why don't you two get the popcorn and me and Claire will go to the little girl's room to freshen up?" Courtney murmured in her sickly-sweet tone, batting her eyelashes at Quil before grabbing my arm and practically dragging me away.
Little girl's room? Freshen up? Like 'powdering my nose'? Is this girl serious?
Just as we reached the restroom mirror's Courtney began rummaging through her enormous purse as she rambled on about how good of an evening she was having.
I could just about take it, that is, up until she said this:
"So, Claire, isn't Quil just so dreamy? I mean seriously, he is sooo sexy! I have no idea how he needed you to help him find a date I mean, look at him! But, boy, I'm glad you did though, or otherwise I'd never been able to meet my potential future-fiancé!"
As she let out another squeal of giggles, my heart stopped. Future fiancé? WHAT THE FUCK?
This is bad, this is very bad. Maybe this girl is a psycho after all…
Oh hell, someone please, just shoot me!!!
- Quil's POV -
I shifted nervously in my seat, eagerly awaiting the beginning of whatever low-budget, badly-directed movie that was about to waste the next two hours of my life. Sooner it starts, the sooner it ends right?
I felt Courtney shift closer to me and instantly felt like jumping up and fleeing from the movie theatre. Okay, I know that sounds harsh, but I really can't help it, so, in order not to lose it completely, I tilt a little so I can smell the sweet fragrance of Claire…who just so happens to be sitting on my right.
My fingers clench the arm-rest as I notice she's giggling away to some dumb joke Mr Jackass just whispered in her ear, his lips dangerously close to her delicate skin.
Damn! The whole reason for tonight was for me to make Claire jealous, not the other way around! But what the hell could I possibly do? The thought of flirting with this Courtney girl was near repulsive let alone kissing her or God's knows what else…
Usually, the sound of Claire's melodic laughter brought a smile to my face, but now, now the reason for said laughter was in response to some hormonal, sexually-frustrated sleaze-bag just made my jaw clench with frustration. She really did have no idea what this was doing to me…
"I-I'm just going to the lobby," I mumbled, when I couldn't take anymore of Claire's shrieks and snorts.
I could feel three sets of eyes following me out of the theatre but I just kept my eyes straight ahead and walked briskly out. I didn't care at this point if I was being rude or not, all I could think about was the sheer fact that if I didn't calm the hell down right about now, I'd have some serious explaining as to why I just morphed into a gigantic wolf in the middle of a movie.
As the familiar scent of buttery popcorn filled my nostrils, I breathed a sigh of relief. It worked as a calming agent, and my head (that was once filled with very murderous thoughts concerning a particular boy) was now clear and I could think straight. Slowly, I reached for my cell-phone in my back pocket and dialled the one number I knew I could call in a crisis like this…
"Hey…Lana?"
- Claire's POV -
I watched silently as Quil left. My heart was pounding furiously in my chest, my head reeling a million miles an hour. I really didn't want him to leave, I wanted him to stay with me and watch the gore of a bad movie like old times, but then I remembered, we were both on a date.
I turned my head to my left and saw Courtney sitting two seats away, her coat resting on Quil's chair. She really was breathtakingly beautiful, so much so that it almost made me cry. She had long, wavy blonde hair, lightly tanned, glistening skin, a perfect supermodel body with legs up to my forehead and well proportioned boobs - just an all round beautiful woman. The operative word here being woman, not girl, like me.
Just when I couldn't take anymore glances at Courtney and fake-laughing with Cody, I murmured, "I'm just going to the restroom", before leaping up and following the direction where Quil just left.
As soon as I stepped out, I was met with the sight of Quil's turned back, standing beside the popcorn line. I wasn't quite sure what I was going to say to him, but I marched over determinedly anyway.
He must of sensed me because before I could tap him on the shoulder, he turned around, closing his cell phone with a snap, a guilty look on his face.
"Hey Claire-bear," he said softly with a coy smile, yet his eyes looking nervous. I pursed my lips, "don't hey Claire-bear me Ateara. You've got a lot to answer for. Firstly, what was with fleeing from the movie like that? Secondly, who were you talking to? And thirdly, could you not think of a better place to take Courtney instead of following us?"
He gaped at me, his mouth hanging open. Okay, so I was being a little erratic and noisy, sue me.
He sighed and rolled his eyes, "to answer you in order miss-I-must-know-it-all, I was not fleeing - I had every intention of coming back, I was just talking to Embry about a deal on a car for work on Monday and the movies was Courtney's idea, I didn't have a clue you'd be here…"
I folded my arms and glared up into his face, "so you…didn't follow me and Cody?" I asked, trying not to sound disappointed.
He snorted, "no, why would you think that?"
I tried to think of an answer that wouldn't make me look stupid or he annoyingly over-protective, but came up with zilch.
Quil took my silence as opportunity to speak, "anyway, I think we should get back, our…dates will be wondering where we're gone."
I nodded, "yeah, dates…right."
I no more wanted to go back into that movie then Alice wants to wear knock-off-designer clothes but I knew Quil had a point. So I followed him back into the movie, where it was just starting.
Well, at least I can be happy that I've two hours of silence to sit through…
Oh, my, God. I have never heard so much screaming in my entire life! We're only half way through "Death Mania" and I've already shoved all my popcorn in my ears.
Geez, that Courtney has some set of lungs, I've spent most of my evening plotting how to successfully gag her. So far, I've come up with shoving a sock down her throat or distracting her with something shiny.
Maybe both will do the trick…
"Can I look now?" I hear her mumble into Quil's shirt as her face is pressed into his chest. I grit my teeth, this girl is really something…
What's worse though is the fact that Quil has spent the whole movie comforting her, instead of laughing at her idiocy.
I mean if it were me…
But its not you, that's the problem, came the good, ol' voice of Nessie, in the back of my mind.
Sometimes I fear for my sanity…
You're just pissed at the fact that she's cuddled up to him in a darkened movie theatre while she hasn't so much as spared a glance entire thing. You're worried he actually likes this girl…
"Oh please! She screams like a banshee and doesn't eat buttered popcorn, trust me, she won't last five minutes with Quil," I answered "mind-Nessie" smugly.
Oh yeah? Then why exactly have you been spending all night obsessing over her and Quil and hardly uttered a word to Cody?
Oh shit.
"Mind-Nessie" is right.
Just then, an idea struck me that would help me to get away from the ear-splitting screeches and would solve my Cody problem.
"Hey Cody, this movie bites wanna go get some ice-cream?"
- Quil's POV -
I heard Claire mumbled something to Cody as I "consoled" Courtney with an awkward tap to her back as she sniffled into my shirt.
I tried to ignore the cheeky smile she threw him and the one he returned but I found myself clutching the arm rest tightly.
Cody, it seemed was going somewhere. I watched intently, gob smacked, as Claire suddenly threw me a "see ya" smile before leaping out of her chair and following Mr Jackass out. My fingers on the gripped tighter on the arm-rest and on Courtney's shoulder, but she was too busy screaming her head off to notice.
I kept telling myself over and over that Claire is old enough to make her own decisions and its her date but I couldn't fight the urge to follow her. I just had to know where she was going with that…boy and if he is trustworthy enough to be in her company.
Slowly, a plan began to form…
"Hey Courtney, I think I've had just about enough of this, have you?" I could feel her head nodding as her face rubbed against my shoulder.
"Alright then, how about you and me go grab some ice-cream?" I replied softly, smirking as she was already gathering her things before I even finished speaking.
If I know Claire, (which believe me, I do) then the ice-cream parlour is exactly where she's headed. So, naturally it would be the perfect place to suss this Cody guy out - in hiding of course, I can't see my beloved Claire being too happy if she caught me spying on her date.
Luckily, that's where having werewolf-enhanced senses comes in particularly handy…
- Claire's POV -
"So that movie really sucked huh?" Cody smirked as we stood in line for our ice-cream.
I snorted, "well that's the understatement of the century!"
He laughed as he paid for the ice-cream. (I argued, but he kept insisting - stupid chivalry!) We then went and found a table in the middle of the parlour.
We chattered for a few minutes, I took my time savouring my amazing double-chocolate-chip ice-cream with glee. Suddenly, Cody broke into my thoughts, "so, tonight's not been too bad, right?" he asked, trying and failing to sound nonchalant.
My eyes snapped up and met his, a small smile tugging at my lips, "no, tonight's been good, you know, except for low budget flicks and a gate crashing couple. Sorry about that by the way, I didn't know they were coming here on their date too. I mean if I'd known I-"
"-Claire!" Cody cut across me, laughing a little, "its fine, don't worry about it. So your friend wants to keep an eye on us, so what?"
Now, I know by his playful manner that's he's kidding but I can't help but be cautious when defending Quil.
"No, no! That's not what he's doing, I assure you. I mean, yeah sure, he can be a little over-protective sometimes but there's no way that he'd actually follow us to spy or-"
Just then I broke off for two reasons. One, Cody's face seemed to have turned to stone as he glanced at something over my shoulder and two, I could have sworn I heard my name being called.
"Claire, oh, Cl-aire," the sing-song voice echoed across the half-full room.
I stiffened and gripped my ice-cream. I'd know that voice anywhere…
Slowly, I turned in my seat and directed my glance to the corner table.
There, sitting a good twenty feet away, sat Courtney who was still calling me whilst frantically waving, and Quil, looking very sheepish hiding behind a menu.
My eyes snapped back to Cody for a second and saw that his arms were folded, his gaze fixed on me.
"You were saying?"
- Quil's POV-
Oh shit, oh shit, she's seen us! Damn that woman! I told her not to call Claire! Fuck, I am sooo dead!
I held the menu up to my face, hardly daring to take a peek out. It seems I wouldn't have to bother however.
"Quil, can I speak to you for a minute?" came a voice, nearly making me jump several inches off my chair. I lowered my menu, my eyes trailing upward to where Claire now stood at our table, glaring down at me, her hands on her hips.
"Uh…sure…" I replied lowly, giving Courtney a nod and a soft, "be right back," before following Claire out the back door of the ice-cream parlour. I held my breath as we stepped out into an alley and Claire stood with her back to me.
"So what-"
"-What the hell is the matter with you?" Claire spat, whirling around and cutting me off.
I gaped down at her. "What?"
Her eyes narrowed, "oh don't play dumb Ateara," she snarled, folding her arms. "I let the 'going to the same movie and sitting with us' thing go because apparently that was all Courtney's idea, but this? Following us to the ice-cream parlour and spying on us? That's just low Quil, I expected better from you."
Her words stung me, much worse then I could ever possibly describe, but under the surface I felt something bubble in my veins.
"Expect better of me Claire? I expect better from you! Just running off like that! And making me out to be a stalker, all I'm doing is looking out for you! You don't know this Cody guy for God's sake and-"
Claire let out a groan of frustration and kicked a stray can on the ground.
"Jesus Quil! Do you ever stop? I mean seriously, give it a rest will you? I'm sick and tired of all this 'just looking out for me' crap! What you did tonight was an invasion of privacy! I'm not a little kid anymore, I don't need your permission to run off anywhere with anyone and I most certainly will not get to know Cody if you keep trying to pull me away from him all the time! So, why don't you do us both yourself and I a favour and go back to your date, let me go back to mine and for once, butt the hell out!"
I blinked at her outburst. We stood there staring at each other in silence, her chest heaving with anger or lack of oxygen or both as I clenched and unclenched my hands at my sides.
She took a deep breath and stared at the ground. "I'm going back in now, hopefully I can salvage whatever's left of this date. I'm going to continue seeing him Quil, I think it might actually do me some good so will you please, please try and be supportive?"
I closed my eyes at the plea in her voice and realised how unfair I was being to her. All she wants is a nice, normal, teenage life, and I'm trying to take it all away from her…
"Sure, Claire-bear, I'm sorry, it was wrong of me to spy on you, of course you can date whoever you want, I won't butt in anymore, I promise," I replied, hating myself a little more with every word I spoke.
The small smile and shinning eyes made it all worth it though. "Thank you Quil."
That seemed like the end of the conversation, so we walked back into the parlour and over to our respective dates. Right then I made up my mind. Claire may want a normal, teenage life now, but I'm determined to make her see a more supernatural life ain't too bad either.
So, I'll tolerate her dating some dweeb for now, but in return I'm going to continue to do some dating of my own, even if it is only to make her jealous.
"Hey Quil, everything okay?" Courtney asked, flashing me a smile as I sat down.
It was infectious, I grinned back as I thought to myself, bring it on Claire, I'm ready, before replying, "yeah sure Courtney, everything's great, never better. Hey, I was just thinking for our second date how about something a little more adventurous? You up for it?"
I saw her eyes light up at the mention of a second date and guilt immediately seeped into my veins.
My original plan didn't work unfortunately, so I guess its time now, for Plan Lana.
A/N: Well there you have it! Hope ya liked it, if so, let me know!! -wired2damoon- x