Chapter 14
It's been a week since Liza's death and I still feel like there are a thousand needles sticking in my gut.
It's a paralyzing pain that won't go away.
A pain that constantly reminds me that it's my fault she's gone.
I can't sleep, every time I close my eyes my last memory of her haunts me.
I've been requesting to patrol for everyone else so I don't have to go to school and I don't have to lay down alone.
I feel bad for putting the pack through what I'm going through.
Telepathy does have its disadvantages.
It's been a week since I have saw Grace, it's been a week since I've saw anyone besides the pack.
It was time for my second patrolling shift for the day, so I head out the door.
To my surprise I see Jacob walking with Grace.
"This girl has been looking all over for you. It's hard to believe an actual girl wants to see you." Jake smirks.
"Yeah, yeah." I mumble.
"I'll take over your shift don't even worry about it." Jake says with a solemn look.
He and the rest of the pack check up on me often.
Jack, Henry, and Leo practically never leave.
Even though my relationship with Leo has been slipping because he feels we're hiding stuff from him, he still shows up.
Hopefully one day he'll phase and won't feel left out anymore.
Jake leaves and I'm standing alone outside my house with Grace.
I set on the steps and she follows my lead.
"So, how have you been?" She asks quietly.
I look at her and she looks at me.
The look on her face shows that she can tell exactly how I feel by looking into my eyes.
Without saying a word she puts her arms around me.
It's as if the warmth of her body is pulling the needles out of my stomach.
The pain is still there, it always will be, but she makes it feel better.
"I've missed you this week. I want to help you through this. You're my best friend, my only friend." She whispers.
I smile at her and she smiles back.
Wow I haven't done that in a while.
"It's getting late, I better get home." She insists.
"I'll walk you…Can I ask you for a favor?" I ask.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Well, you know a lot about me, but you never tell me anything about you. What's your story?"
"Hmm…well, I've lived on the reservation my whole life and despite being pale and sticking out like a sore thumb, I'm practically invisible to the human eye. The only time I get noticed is when I'm getting made fun of. There isn't much to me. I like to draw, read, and I have a new fascination with your pack." She rushes out.
"Are you interested in me?" I ask stupidly.
"You're pretty interesting. I mean I'm not like interested as in I want you as a boyfriend. I'm intrigued by your personality and by the fact that you turn into a giant wolf." She says uncomfortably.
When we reach her door I give her another hug and she returns it, probably out of pity.
"By the way, mom says you're a week late for dinner so she's scheduled it for tonight. Sorry I forgot to tell you." She squeaks out.
"I would love to join you and her for dinner. I'm always hungry." I say.
Dinner goes by smoothly.
We eat steak, potatoes, and macaroni and cheese.
Her mom seems to like me and says I can stop by and visit whenever I want.
Grace and I spent every day of the weekend together.
Saturday she took me bird watching and Sunday we went out for ice cream and went to the bookstore, which was new territory for me.
For the first time I found books interesting.
The way she described them made them sound wonderful.
I hung on to every word she said.
The more time we spent together, the deeper I fell for her and the more comfortable she got with me.
Even though she still shows no signs of wanting to be more than friends, I'm always hoping she'll change her mind.
It's Monday and the 3'o clock bell just rang so that means one thing.
I get to walk Grace home.
When I go to meet her at her locker, I see some girls standing near her and laughing.
"You'll never have a shot at Mason Clearwater he's way too hot for you. He's just hanging around you for pity. I bet he doesn't even come within ten feet of you when you hang out." A girl spouts.
"You ready to go beautiful." I say walking towards the girl.
"I thought you'd never ask." She smiles.
"I was actually talking to Grace. Sorry." I say as I grab Grace's hand.
We walk out of school hand in hand as the other girls watch with jealousy.
"Thanks for pretending back there. The look on their faces was priceless." Grace says with a smile as we disappear from everyone's sight.
"I'm not going to lie to you and say I was pretending. I really think you're beautiful and honestly I like that I have an excuse to hold your hand." I say sheepishly.
"As long as we're being honest I like this too and I like you." She covers her mouth as if she said something wrong.
"It's ok. I like you too; I like you as more than a friend. I have for a while." I say embarrassed.
"I like you as more than a friend too. I have for a while I was just too scared to admit it. Then I just accidentally blurted it out, but I meant it." She says with red cheeks.
I wrap her up in a long hug.
My heart is pounding through my chest.
I slightly pull away putting my hands around her waist.
I lean in and our lips connect smoothly and perfectly.
She puts her arms around my neck and continues pressing her lips to mine.
It feels as though my body has been struck by lightning.
Her touch is unfathomable.