Chapter Eleven

Worst thing about a hang over? Memory loss..

Disclaimer.

Rachel's POV

For the first time in a long time, I woke up without having a nightmare. Though, for the first time ever I also woke with a terrible hangover.

"Ugh, why is it so bright in here?" I asked my brother as I walked into the kitchen.

"Its called being hung over. You know, that happens when you get drunk." He smirked.

"I would hit you if I didn't already know that it would hurt." I said glaring, one because I was mad, and two because the light was just that bright.

"You working today?" dad asked.

"Yes." I groaned, burying my head into my crossed arms that lay on the table.

"Well here's some coffee. You'll need it." Dad chuckled, shaking his head.

"Good morning." Julia smiled as I walked into the store.

"Morning. " I grumbled.

"Crazy night?" she asked.

"Can't say for sure. Last night is a total blur." I said shaking my head, then completely regretting the action.

"Ah, it was one of those nights. I've had my share." She chuckled.

"Well that is actually the first time I've ever been really drunk, and I can safely say the it wont be happening again anytime soon now that I know what a hangover feels like." I laughed, and then grimaced.

"Well I've got to go to run some errands," she winked." Give this to Kayla if she comes in will you?" she said handing me a package.

"Course," I smiled taking the package, and putting it behind the counter.

I started restocking the shelves with some of the books that come in with the weekly deliveries. Soon I heard the bell above the door ring and came to the front of the door to help the arriving customers.

"Hey." Kayla grumbled, behind her large sunglasses and sunhat.

"Hey, you too?" I laughed, feeling the throbbing pain in my temples.

"Be glad you left when you did. Stacy, being the only one who didn't drink much, had retell almost the whole night to me!" she moaned.

"Well mind telling me? I don't remember anything after about an hour of truth or dare. I had to get my brother to drive me here when I couldn't find my car!" I complained, though smiling slightly remembering at his annoyed expression.

"That's because you caught a ride with Paul." She smirked.

"What? Oh god… imagine all the stupid things I could have told him?" I said horrified.

"Well… last thing I remember is you leaving. And before you left you were pretty determined on what you were going to say." She grinned.

"Enlighten me please." I said alarmed, wanting to burry my head somewhere dark.

"Well you were planning on telling him how you felt." She giggled.

"I am never drinking again." I said falling into the chair and covering my face with my hands.

"Well maybe you didn't say anything?" she said, trying to reassure me.

"Yeah, maybe." I said, hoping it was true.

"Well the only way you'll ever know is by the way he acts when you see him next, right?"

"Which is the last thing I want to do right now." I muttered.

"Well you better get over that soon…" she muttered.

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking up at her.

"Hey, you know what? I forgot my wallet. I'll come back later for the package. Bye!" she said quickly scampering out of the library.

Watching her go I realized Paul was walking up the sidewalk that led to the library.

"Kayla! I will so get you for this. " I whispered as she exited the door.

"Hey Rach!" Paul smiled.

"Um, hey…" I said, really unsure of how to handle all of this.

"Hi." He smiled," I brought you coffee." He said holding out a Starbucks cup to me.

"Thanks!" I smiled, trying to act normal. Hey, who knows? Maybe I didn't say anything after all.

"So, I was wondering if you would like to go watch a movie tonight?" he asked, looking at me through his eyelashes.

"A movie?" I asked, almost spilling my coffee.

Okay when I say almost I mean I almost spilt it all. Luckily I only spilt like two drops… I hastily grabbed a napkin and dabbed my shirt.

"Yeah, like there's this new horror movie out and you mention once you like those right?" he said, in a way that almost sounded anxious.

"Um, yeah I do … um well I don't know if I can go. I think I have to do this thing with my dad… but I'll call you if um that changes?" I said uncertainly.

"Um yeah… sure. Well I'll talk to you later then." He said looking down, then hastily leaving.

As soon as he left Kayla quickly reentered the library.

"So what happened?" she asked sitting on the counter excitedly.

"I did tell him last night. He asked me to the movies tonight." I whispered.

"Ahh! What are you going to wear? I have the cutest dress I bought the other day! It will look so cute!" she smiled, clapping her hands happily.

"I'm not going."

"What? Why!" she said dejectedly.

"Because... Kayla you wouldn't understand." I said getting up and stocking the shelves again.

"Well explain it to me, because I see no point in not going." She said determined.

"Kayla… I can't stay here. I left for a reason." I whispered.

"Well it sounds to me that you're just running away. You're scared that he will give you a reason to stay. You can't run away from everything Rachel." She said angrily, leaving the library and slamming the door.

Laying in my bed after work I contemplated on what I should do. Was Kayla right? Was I scared that he would give me a reason to stay in this place I so desperately wanted, yet was haunted by?

Who am I kidding? Of course she was right. The real question was, was I going to do the same thing I always did? Was I just going to run away from all my problems?

No. I wasn't. Not only because it was wrong, but because even if I did, Paul wasn't going to just disappear. He was alive, he is alive. And running away from someone who was there for me, alive and breathing wasn't just crazy, it made me an even bigger coward than I already am.

Picking up my cell phone I dialed Paul's number.

"Hello?" he answered.

"Hey so my dad canceled on me. Anyway you could be here at eight?"

"He should be here any minuet!" Kayla squealed.

"Thanks again, for helping me get ready. It means a lot, especially after our argument." I smiled

"Don't worry about it! Okay! You can look in the mirror now!" she squeaked.

Turning around I looked into the full-length mirror. When I insisted on not wearing a dress, she insisted on being able to pick my outfit out. In the end she had chosen a neon pink see through button up tank top with a black spaghetti strap tank top underneath, some black skinny jeans, some neon pink sandals, and a black shoulder bag. She also straightened my hair, putting a little braid in a clip pulled sideways.

"Oh Thanks you so much! I will always and forever be your friend!" I laughed hugging her.

"Oh I almost forgot! Yesterday after you left I gave out the gifts so I forgot to give you yours!" she smiled handing me a small ring box.

I opened it and found a ring identical to the one she was wearing. It was a silver ring with a small pink heart on it, and on the inside it had 'friends for life' engraved in it.

"I thought it would be cool for us all to have a friendship ring!" she smiled.

"Thank you so much!" I smiled, gratefully. I slipped the ring onto my right index finger.

Suddenly there was a knock on the front door. Hugging Kayla I smiled and headed for the door,

But before I could open it Jacob jumped up from the couch and threw open the door.

"Paul!" I smiled peeking from behind Jacob's colossal shoulder.

"Hey," he smiled sweetly.

"Jacob? Do you mind?" I asked trying to bypass him.

"Was that a rhetorical question? Because we all know that I certainly do mind!" he said taking a moment from glaring at Paul to turn and glare at me.

"Watch it." Paul said glaring at him.

"Jacob." Dad called, his voice booming.

Jacob begrudgingly took a step back and swiftly sat back down.

"Be back at ten." He said turning the T.V. on.

I rolled my eyes and held my hand out for Paul's.

Here goes nothing.

The cashier at the ticket booth handed Paul back his change.

"You know I could have paid for mine, right?" I laughed.

"Well that would be a horrible start to our first date, now wouldn't it?" he smiled, winking at me and pulling me toward the snacks.

"Popcorn?" he asked.

I nodded, smiling.

In the end he bought a bunch of candy, a large bowl of popcorn, and an extra large coke with two straws. Not to mention he insisted on carrying all of the said items.

I giggled taking the popcorn out of his hand when he almost dropped it trying to sit down.

"So what's this movie about?" I asked popping some popcorn in my mouth.

"Well you see… it's about this guy who gets extremely lucky and gets to go on a date with this gorgeous girl and-," he laughed when I elbowed him.

"Uh huh, sure buddy. Watch the credits." I giggled, blushing at his sweetness.

Seriously, could this guy get any more perfect?

Paul and me spent the entire movie giggling about how incredibly stupid the movie turned out to be, earning glares from several people. Though one look from Paul and they turned back to the movie.

"D-did you see the part when the g-guy looked like he was going to pee his pants?" I laughed bending over, as we exited the movies.

"No, the funniest part was when t-the other guy fell through the attic ceiling cause of the giant spider." He laughed, almost in tears.

"Hey! Spiders are scary." I said seriously.

He chuckled and held my hand, walking us back to the car.

"Well your brothers going to be pissed." He smiled, not really looking worried.

"Why? What time is it?" I smiled, too happy for Jacob to ruin my mood.

"Almost eleven." He said, opening my car door for my.

I smiled at him and got in.

"Thanks," I said.

"Next time I'm definitely taking somewhere fun." He smirked after he got in.

"Next time?" I quirked an eyebrow, smiling.

"Uh, w-well yeah… I-" he started nervously, until I stopped him.

"Paul. I'm kidding. Next time will be great." I smiled, taking his hand in mine.

He smiled leaning in.

Oh god… am I ready for this? I mean maybe, but-

My train of thought completely vanished when I felt his lips against mine. His lips felt so warm against mine. His hand came to cup the side of my face, running his fingers lightly through my hair. My breathing hitched, and I slowly brought my hand up to his jaw, feeling the soft stubs of his premature beard.

Pulling apart I smiled, opening my eyes to look into his. His grin was quite contagious because soon I was smiling so much I actually hurt.

He pulled back still grinning, and started the car. Way too soon we arrived at my house and I found myself not wanting to leave.

He got out of the car coming around to my side opening the car door for me. Taking his hand I hopped out of the truck, walking deliberately slow, toward the door.

"So, about this second date?" he beamed.

"Yes?" I smiled, looking up at him.

" I was thinking I could take you cliff diving?" he smirked.

My eyes suddenly widened. Cliff diving was something most people at my old high school used to do. The fact that I wasn't that great of a swimmer meant I was not one of them.

"You look scared." He stated holding my hand tighter.

"Well, you see… I'm really not a great swimmer." I said looking down," When I was younger, Rebecca and me used to swim in the indoor pool down in forks. One day I went really deep, wanting to look into one of those little dust grabber things? I'm not sure what there called, but I went down and I got stuck with my bathing suit into the machine thing. No one noticed for what felt like forever. And well I didn't go swimming much after that incident so, I'm a terrible swimmer now." I said, feeling stupid.

"Rach we don't have to go we can do something else. Though please know that if I'm with you I can safely say that nothing will ever happen to you." He said, grabbing my chin and looking into my eyes.

I leaned up and softly kissed him on the lips.

"You know what? Its time for me to get over my fears." I said, meaning more than one. "Pick me up at two? I don't work tomorrow." I smiled.

"Two it is." He smiled kissing me one more time before winking and heading back to the car.

Not even Jacobs's tomato red face from when I walked in could ruin my mood. I walked past him and into my room. Changing, I got on the bed, almost on the edge might I add, because Frodo chose tonight to sleep in the middle. I giggled burying my face in his fur. Today had been absolutely perfect.

Hey guys c: thank you soooooo much for the reviews and suggestions. I love you guys so much! Review please! If you think they are going to fast, once again I must mention, because I did my research, it does say that Paul and Rachel were like love at first sight and where together pretty quickly. Which I might add, I love c;

P.S. Yay! They kissed! I can't wait to write the next chapter! All summer I've been super busy and I'm so relieved that I finally have time to write c;