*Three months later*
I was still living with the Clearwaters, and had met Bella's dad, Charlie, who reminded me much of my own dad, before things had went bad. I got two jobs, one at the hot topic, in Port Angeles, and the other at restaurant, as waitress. I still avoid Embry at every cost, but Scotty has grown on me... Meaning the two of them know all my secrets. Leo and I are best friends, in silence most of the time, but we work together at the restaurant, he is the cook however. I don't go over to Emily's everyday, but nearly. My weekends are filled with Seth and Leo, laughing, and being ourselves. Sometimes Paul is there, but he has Rachel now, which is good for him, I've never seen him so happy, but I haven't known him that long so I really shouldn't say that. My other mother, Sue, the better mom, is helping me with finding a house, I almost have enough saved up to buy one, thanks to the tips of my being a waitress of course.
As much as I hate mornings, here I was, four a.m, and on the road to work, Leo and I are opening today along with a few others, who seem to ignore me, but I was fine with this, never being a social butterfly anyway. I was listening to rain fall rather then the radio, just enjoying no traffic, and the haze of the night. Okay maybe mornings are growing on me. I couldn't help but smile at Leo who was waiting under an umbrella, with what looked like coffee mugs, and was that? Yes he brought breakfast! I parked my truck, and jumped out running to him. "Have I ever told you how unbelievably handsome you are Leo?" I smiled at him, as his face took a new color. "Yes I brought you hot chocolate and a muffin." I couldn't but laugh, he knew all to well. "You know how they say a way to mans heart is food? They lied, that's the key to a woman's heart Leo." I kissed his cheek and went inside. "You know our coworkers think we're dating." I turned around faking shocked. "Well duh! With all the food you bring me, and the hot chocolate... I'm beginning to think you're buttering me up." I winked at him as he rolled his eyes at me. "Yeah! So maybe you'll do dishes around here." I laughed even more. "Leo, hun, that's not how you get me to do dishes." He snorted. "Oh yeah then how does Emily get you to do dishes?" Oh he walked right into that. "Well Sam doesn't know, but every now and then, Em and I, go up into her room and... Well you know." I shrugged watching his face turn red. "You two don't...Don't uh... Play with each other do you?" "Oh my god! Leo that's just wrong! She's married! To Sam! Not to mention a chick! No. We talk about what I can't with you. You pervert." I was trying so hard not to laugh at him, he was anything but impressed. "This is going to be a long day." He muttered, then turned and went to kitchen shaking his head.
"Leo! I'm out, my other sweet job is calling!" I said walking out the back door. I took off my apron, and put on the seat next to me. I sighed to myself rubbing at my chest, it's day three, and I need to see Scotty... I pushed the thought away, and started for the mall. The sky had cleared up, to my sad surprise. I didn't bring shades. The one day I don't have them the sun comes out to play. I groaned, pulling the visor down, and drove to job number two. Locking my truck, I walked into hot topic, grimacing at the country music. "Jan whose idea was this!?" I nearly yelled at the new girl, pointing to speakers. "Sorry Haley an elderly man came in complaining..." Yeah I bet... I put both my hands up. "I got this." I walked into the back room, and put in asking Alexandria's cd, and walked out to find happy customers. "Just stick with what we're stocked with Jan." I smiled at her, and started folding clothes, and putting them away, moving things to the sale area. I was very much in my own world here. "Yo! Hales!" I looked up to see Paul and his girlfriend, I smiled giving a nod, but he came over, much to fast for my liking. "Haley... Embry is coming over here with mrs. Bitch." I rolled my eyes at him, I didn't know her real name, but I was beginning to think neither did Paul. "Okay Paul, first please learn her name, and second, I probably won't notice, I get to absorbed in my work to hardly notice people sometimes." He just huffed crossing his arms over his chest. "Paul just let her be, she's a big girl, she can take care of herself." Rachel was a gods send, but I knew why Paul had warned me, the last time I saw Embry, I had cried to Paul, Seth, and even Leo... He must of neglected to share that information with her. "I'll be better this time I promise." I whispered to him, then turned to Jan. "Hey Jan, do me a favor, would you put in Bullet for my Valentine, the Fever album, please?" I asked her and she just nodded, and left. Paul looked at me, he knew that album was not a good sign. "Don't do anything... A girl wouldn't do." I groaned. He ment a girly girl. "Fine, then don't act like a brother." That caused him to groan as well, but Rachel pulled him away and over to the guys side of the store, and no sooner then the two of them began browsing, Embry came in as your betrayal began. I couldn't help but laugh a little bit. "Excuse me, but do you guys have the new one direction cd here?" I turned around to see Embry right behind the girl. I wanted to cring at the band name but hid the reaction, I knew everyone had they're own favorite band. "Um let me go check in the back, if there's none on the shelves over there." I pointed to the cd rack we had, and headed for the back room. Finding what she was looking for, I went back, to see Paul growing more pissed off, but shrugged it off, and handed her the cd. "I hope this what you're looking for." She just smiled and nodded her head. "Great, is there anything else I could help you with?" I asked like the good little hot topic minion I've grown to be. "No I think I'll just look around. Thank you." And she was off to the back. I didn't understand the nickname Paul had given her... "Haley?" I turned around to see Embry standing there. "Yeah?" "Thank you for being nice to her... Kate." "I work here, I'm being paid to be nice Embry." "Oh... I didn't think of that." "Geez, you think I'm that mean? I was kidding. She seems... Okay. Not someone I'd be friends with but yeah.." "Haley can we-" "Haley!" Jan came up looking about as irritated as I was early with the country music. "That... That girl is horrible! I don't get paid enough to deal with all her constant nagging! I'll man the cash-registers." Oh dear... "Okay Jan I'll handle it." I turned to Embry. "Look whatever it is, it has to wait. My job is calling." I turned on my heal in search of Jans customer, only to find Kate. "My co-worker says you need more help?" I asked remaining pleasant. "Oh no! I was just... I was just saying the store should be re-arranged. Like really who needs all these band tees?" Okay lady... If you haven't noticed this one of the main attractions... "And what's with the music?" Okay it's one thing to insult my store, but to insult my music... I bit my tongue holding myself from lashing out. "And no offense but all the workers seem a little... Slow." "Listen here you little-" "Haley, could you help Rachel?" Paul stepped in resting a hand on my shoulder, I didn't realize I was shaking, or that my fist was clenched till Paul whispered to unclench. "Rachel? Yeah I'll help her." Turned around and left. "You needed help?" I asked her when I got close enough. "No but I seen you were on the road to decking her. Not that I blame you after her last comment, but I think you like this job to much." I sighed and nodded. "Now you know why Paul hates her, she did the same thing where he works." "Yes mrs. Bitch fits her well." We both laughed and I showed her the new shipment of things we got in."I think someone wants to talk to you." Rachel nodded her head to whoever was behind me. I swung myself around to see Embry standing the almost looking sad. "Haley I'm sorry for the way Kate behaved, it was uncalled for." I just crossed my arms over my chest imitating myself as a miniature Paul. "Yeah it was." Was all I had to say, making him shift on his feet. "Look... I know you don't exactly like me, but I was hoping we could be friends." I wanted to roll my eyes at him, but Rachel elbowed my ribs making me jump slightly. "Just consider it." She whispered to me. "Okay fine, this Sunday, at Seth and Leah's. Be there or be square." I told him dragging Rachel to the cash registers. "Now was that so hard?" She asked and I just nodded my head like a maniac. "I could die from over exposure!" I loved being over dramatic... "You hang out with Seth to much." I raised my hands to cover my heart. "You wound me madam." Rachel laughed shaking her head. "And of course there is Leo. I swear... The only time I ever see the real you is when we're either on the beach, or I catch you here by myself." "You know how when you hang out with someone to long, you begin to act like them? Well guess what toots." I swirled my finger pointing at her. "You've been around Mr. Lahote to much." I laughed at her as she scowled at me. "And you haven't Haley? Remember you were going to punch someone for saying the wrong thing." I drew in a breath restraining an out burst. I changed the subject. "Is this all?" I guestured to her pile of things. "Yeah I think so." I just nodded and began scanning her things. "Haley I'm sorry." I just nodded again. "Oh come on don't be like that." "Like what Rach? Myself? You just pretty much bitched at me for not being myself, and now myself isn't good enough?" I asked looking up at her. "I didn't mean to-" "Rachel just leave her alone." Paul cut her off, looking irritated. "That'll be ninty five oh seven." They paid and left leaving me to help Jan figure out where to put the womans shoes.
It was nine thirty, and time to go home. I locked up the store and continued to the truck. I was beyond tired. I climbed into my black beauty and started her up. I enjoyed the rumble of the engine she produced, healthy and loud. The traffic was highly irritating, and nothing was on the radio, so I took my chances at the red light and put in some red hot chili peppers, and began singing with snow. What was an hour later I pulled into the driveway, to find Seth sitting on the porch. I knew this wasn't good, he always waits on the inside playing some game. "What's wrong Seth?" I asked tumbling out of the truck. It wasn't till I was closer I noticed he was crying, the sight of tears staining his cheeks broke my heart. "I hate that I haven't imprinted Hals... Do I not deserve to be happy?" Oh boy this conversation... "Oh Seth..." I sat beside him hugging him. "Just because you have an imprint doesn't mean anything... Look at Embry, he's dating some one by the name of Kate." He just cried more. "Oh Hals I didn't... We're both good people Hals I know we are. Why can't we be happy?" I hugged him closer rubbing his back. "What brought all this on Seth?" "Leah... She imprinted today..." "That's good though isn't it?" I had to ask... "Well.. Well yeah but I don't get why I can't have someone." I sighed... Some silence would be great right now... "Seth, sweetie, one day you will imprint on some one, and she'll be amazing and beautiful, and she'll even love video games, and she'll love you as much you love her." I couldn't possibly know this... I wish hope it's true though. It's what Seth deserves. "You... You really think so Hals?" He looked up with hopeful eyes. "Yeah I really do. Now come on let's go inside and have some hot chocolate." I smiled pulling him up, and led him inside. I put the kettle on and prepared the cups. "So met Kate huh?" Seth wiped his face off and looked at me. "Oh yeah I met her alright." I grumbled putting some mini marshmallows in Seth's cup. "Little bit annoying huh?" I rolled my eyes at him. "If that's what we're going to call it alright I'll go with it." He just laughed at me. "Oh that reminds me! Embry might be here Sunday..." Seth gave the look of 'should I ask' but instead said. "Okay? Why?" "He asked if we could be friends." "Oh Hals why didn't you say no?" "Rachel was there..." "Geez! You know she's to much like Paul. He wants you two to be together." "Yeah tell me about it... You'll be there though right?" "Well duh chika Sunday is movie day!" I smiled in thanks at him, and poured the hot water into our cups. "Maybe you should invite Leo over? Actually, let me do it! I have an idea to get under Embrys skin." "Seth no. Leave Leo alone please, if Embry bursts I don't want Leo dead." He seemed deep in thought after that. Mumbling something about Collin then shaking his head. "Haley what if you and I acted like we were dating?" "Oh no. No no no Seth. I'm not comfortable with that." "Okay so what about Collin?" "No Seth, not with how he feels about me." "Well you could-" "Seth, Collin is sixteen! Do you want Charlie to arrest me?" He just laughed at me. "Yeah but he would love one chance. Oh come on Hales!" I just shook my head at him. "Haley please! You thought he was eighteen till his birthday last month. Just one chance! Please." "Seth, as much as I love you, and Collin, I'm not going to let you talk me into this. It's just wrong." "Haleeeeeeey come on. You have a chance to be happy. Take it." "Why? So I can fall for him, only to have him imprint on someone? I think not. Just leave it alone please?" He just groaned. "Hey kiddos." I looked over Seth's shoulder to see Sue standing there. I wonder when she got in? "Hey mom." Both Seth and I chimed in. She came into the kitchen area and hugged Seth. "Haley, you know Seth has a point." Oh god she heard more then I would of liked. "I've seen the way Collin looks at you, it's almost unnerving... And sweetie, not all wolves imprint. You deserve to be happy. Just think about it okay? Plus he'll always be a friend to you." She winked at me then kissed Seth's forehead. "Now don't stay up to late you two. I'm off to bed." I smiled at her saying goodnight. "See! I told you Haley! Besides Charlie loves you like his own. He wouldn't arrest you." "Just let me think about it Seth, now then, I believe we have a new game to play, yes?" "Well... I let Paul borrow it." I should of guessed... "Well then whatcha wanna do?" I plopped down on a stool next to him. "Actually Hals you're on your own tonight... I have patrol." "Oh alright, then I'll just go to bed." I got up and kissed his cheek. "Remember what I told you, and be safe." He just nodded his head. "Hals?" "Yeah Seth?" "Thank you." I smiled and hugged him. "You never have to thank me." I whispered and pulled away. "Good night Seth." "Night Hals."