My Girl Ch. 13 What's an imprint?

(Claire's point of view)

I could tell it was still really early. The sun wasn't even up. But I heard yelling which was rare in this house. I opened my door and realized Emily was doing most of the yelling. It was strange to hear her raise her voice it didn't happen much. I walked out of my room and got closer to the stairs. I could tell their voices were coming from the kitchen.

"Sam damn it I want Shannon." Emily hollered. "But Em your mom is still sick and she feels like Shannon is all she has." "Bullshit Sam that is the silliest thing I've ever heard." I was really shocked to Emily cussing I had never heard her cuss before. "Emily now you know you can't do this to Sara." "I should've fought mom for Shannon in the first place." Emily said starting to cry.

I heard Sam sigh and then he calmly said. "I know Claire is almost grown up and next year she'll probably leave us but we can have another baby okay." Why would I leave next year? Oh he thinks I'm going off to college. "This isn't empty nest syndrome Mom's sick and Shannon thinks I don't want her. How did I let this happen?" Emily asked crying harder.

"Em let's just wait a little bit okay?" "Sam just because I'm your imprint doesn't mean you get to control every decision. What the hell is an imprint? Oh I so hope this isn't some weird couple thing I should've never heard. "Emily now you know I don't control every decision. Please Emily just wait a few more weeks." Sam begged sounding like he wanted to cry too. "Okay Sam but I think Taylor, Ressa, and I should go stay there for a few days." "We'll all go and if things don't get better soon we'll have Sara and Shannon both come and stay." "Oh Sam thank you." Emily cried out.

I decided now would be a good time to let my presents be known. I went into the kitchen. Emily looked at me. "Oh Claire sweetie did we wake you?" "No Em." I lied. Sam smiled and hugged me. "We're sorry we woke you up." He said knowing I had lied. "It's really okay Senior year is really busy and it's good to get an early start." I said trying to smooth things over.

I wanted to ask what an imprint was. But I thought it wasn't any of my business. If it was they would've told me. I hurried took a shower and got dressed. I was downstairs eating breakfast when Quil came to take me to school. Jake was fixing my car.

"Morning sweetheart." "Morning Baby." I said kissing him. "You're wide awake." He commented. I laughed and whispered. "I'll tell you about it in the car." He nodded. I grabbed my stuff and told Sam and Emily bye.

When we got to the car Quil asked. "So you why are you so awake?" "Oh Sam and Emily had a big fight this morning they woke me up yelling." I said as Quil's face got really pale. "Quil you okay?" I asked. "Uh um oh yeah I'm fine. So what were they fighting about?" Quil asked still looking sick. "Nana and Shannon Emily is really worried." I explained. "Sam's not worried?" Quil asked disgusted. "Yeah but Emily thinks Shannon should come live with us. And Sam thinks it's wrong to take her from Nana especially while Nana is sick." I said. He looked thoughtful and then just said. "Oh."

The rest of the ride to school Quil was extremely quite. I wondered what was wrong. When he dropped me off he kissed me quickly and said. "See ya later sweetheart." I just nodded noticing that his weird mood had something to do with Sam and Emily's fight. Why would them fighting bother him so much?

The rest of my day went well. I loved all my classes this year. I had yearbook, newspaper, Drama, Chorus, Senior Seminar, and English. English was my only core class. I was making straight A's this year so far too.

The only bad part of my day was I had to meet with my senior advisor again. She was worried because I told her I didn't think I wanted to go to college right now. Which was the truth. Dancing was the only thing I was interested in and I knew I couldn't make that a career. The dance schools that I did think were worth it were too far away from Quil.

This year I've been for thankful than ever to have Nessie here with me. Brandy and Marrissa don't really talk to me anymore. Brandy is always with her boyfriend Rafe and now Marrissa was with hers Logan. You would think with all of our boyfriends being wolves we would've gotten closer. Nessie assure me that it's because our boyfriends are from the original pack. I have a lot of friends at school but no one but Nessie I really trust.

When Quil picked me up he seemed better. I didn't dare bring up Sam or Emily. We mostly talked about school and him patrolling. He told me Embry finally went out on a date. Poor guy said if this was dating he never wanted to do it again. I felt bad for him. It seemed like everyone had someone but him. Thought I still hadn't figured out who Leah's secret guy was.

[A few days later.]

I stopped by Paul and Rachel's to see Adam. Quil was at work and I hadn't seen Adam in a while. Even though Adam's only 11 he and I always got along really good. I heard Paul and Leah talking as I approached. They seemed to be having a serious discussion probably why they hadn't heard me. I didn't want to interrupt so I just stood where I was.

"Leah he isn't old enough for the truth." Paul said. "Don't tell me you think I should wait until he's 18 to tell him." Leah said clearly annoyed. "No Leah but he's just a kid he won't understand." Rachel stepped onto the porch. "Leah maybe Claire's parents had a point." My parents what did they have to do with this. My parents have been dead for eight years.

Leah started shaking. I could feel it from where I was standing. Paul was screaming for Leah to calm down. "I'm not Quil and I'm not waiting until he's 18." Leah screamed at Rachel. They were about to discuss more but Adam came outside and distracted Leah.

Quil was keeping something from me. Why would he do that? I thought he trusted me. There was something my parents knew and didn't want me to know until I was 18. Quil had a secret and he hadn't shared it with me. I couldn't help but start crying.

Suddenly Paul and Leah both were starring at me. As I walked closer I heard Paul mumble. "Oh shit how much did she hear?" Leah ran to me. "What's wrong Claire?" She asked hugging me. "Why?" She all I could say between sobs.

I saw Adam out of the corner of my eye looking at me concerned. I noticed Rachel leading Adam back into the house. Leah pulled back and asked. "Why what?" "Why would Quil keep something from me?" I asked as I started crying again. "Oh Claire he doesn't want to. He just feels like he should keep his promise to your parents." I nodded and she hugged me again.

Adam came out a few minutes later. Leah, Adam, and I sat on the porch swing. Adam told me all about school. He hated school especially math. Then he told me all about soccer. He loved to watch and play soccer. Leah was telling about his team and I agreed to come see one of his games. As I watched Leah and Adam I was surprised they reminded me of Quil and I. I thought this couldn't be who Leah was talking about. I mean Adam is a kid that would be so wrong. Then I started wondering. Why did Quil and Leah have kids as there best friends? Could this secret have to do with that?

I heard Quil's car. I know sad I know its sound exactly. He came up on the porch. "Paul called me." He said looking down. He looked so ashamed. I couldn't help but think serves him right for keeping things from me. "Come on Adam let's go kick the ball around." Leah said as they left us alone.

(Quil's point of view)

I wasn't sure what to say to Claire. I almost had a heart attack when Paul called and told me what had happened. I called Seth over to watch the store and hurried over here. I didn't know if I should tell the truth. I wanted to keep my promise and have the time to get my words right. But I couldn't stand seeing Claire so hurt. Especially when it was my fault.

"So you have a secret." Claire said in a harsh voice she never really used on me. "I guess you could say that." I said grabbing her hand. "And you won't tell me." She said with tears in her eyes. "It's not that I don't want to Claire." I said squeezing her hand. I wanted to take her in my arms but I knew right now she didn't want that.

Claire sighed and said. "But you want to keep your promise to my parents." "Yes I do Claire. But not if it hurts you I'll tell you right here and now promise or not." I said taking her into my arms. She pulled back a little and smiled. "Do you love me?" She asked sounding so insecure. I hated myself for making her feel that way. "Of course I love you more than anything ever." I pulled her back into my arms. That's it I'm telling her. "Then I can wait." She said shocking me.

"Are you sure?" I asked. She kissed me and said. "Yes I'm sure but don't forget it's not even a year until I'm eighteen." I laughed and said. "I love you sweetheart." "I love you too Quil." Maybe I should've just told her. I wasn't sure what the right thing was anymore. I had less than a year and then I would have to tell her and hope she didn't run.

Author's Note: Thank you for your comments and for reading. The next few chapters are a little shorter. The next chapter is senior prom/graduation. It will be up in the next few days. I am hoping to get ch. 15 posted this weekend too. So enjoy! Thanks again,

Cindy