It had been a couple days since I'd seen Embry at the beach. I wanted to see him, but I didn't want to intrude on anything he was doing. I didn't want to be the needy girl, even though the few days apart seemed much longer. Angela had spent more time with Ben. I think she felt better that I wasn't hiding any longer. I knew I'd been difficult, but seeing Angela happy made me resolute in my decision to allow this life to happen.
It was a sunny day, and I found myself at the Cullen's house. Emmett still didn't seem to want to be alone with me, and I couldn't force myself to try and mend fences. I couldn't change who I was or the situation, and he needed to get over it himself. He'd gotten better, mostly because Rosalie had told him she didn't need anyone to protect her from me...which was very true. I couldn't hurt any of them.
Rosalie and I were going to the small stream behind the house to swim. We walked through the dried grass to the water's edge. I set my bag down on a rock, and slipped of my sandals, shorts and t-shirt. I'd worn my one piece suit under my clothes. Rosalie had done the same, removing her clothes over her suit. Rosalie dashed into the water. I took a tentative step into the water, the coolness keeping me from jumping in as Rosalie had.
"Just get in." Rosalie yelled.
"It's cold."
"You won't notice once you're in."
"Yeah...says you." I laughed.
I walked into the water letting it slosh around my knees. Rosalie waited in the middle of the stream. I finally gathered my courage and dunked myself into the water.
"Oh my god!" I said bursting up. "It's freezing."
"Just swim over here."
I swam out to Rosalie. I lay back, floating on the water. It didn't take long before Rosalie splashed water into my face. We began splashing each other swimming in circles. Rosalie picked me up and tossed me into the water. As strong as she was, she was careful. I couldn't lift her, so I continued to push water into her face before she would submerge. It didn't seem like we were goofing off for very long, but my whole body felt like I'd been busy for hours. I trudged my way to the shore, pulling my towel from my bag and wrapping it around me. My teeth chattered as my body shook from the cold water. I toweled off the water before arranging my towel on the shore. Rosalie followed my lead laying next to me as the sun warmed my skin.
"This was fun." Rosalie said.
"It was so much fun." I turned my head. "We should have done this more often."
"We still have some time before the weather gets cold."
Rosalie stood quickly, too quickly for me. She was laying next to me then a second later stood feet from me. She was still. I turned watching her, trying to see what she saw or heard, but there was nothing.
"Alice is planning a party." Rosalie finally said.
"She does like her parties." I relaxed against the ground. The sun removing the cool water's chill.
"We might want to get back to change before everyone gets here." Rosalie said.
"You can head back. I just want to enjoy the peace for a few more minutes."
"I'm with you, but I don't need everyone seeing me sparkle as I get home."
I looked at her and didn't even notice the shimmering on her skin. I'd been naive, not really paying attention.
"Fine. We will head back."
We packed up our towels, and I put a shirt on over my suit stuffing my shorts in my bag. We started walking toward the house. Rosalie stopped, then vanished from my side. I stood dumbfounded. It took me a few seconds to even realize she was gone. I looked around making a circle.
"What are you doing?" Mike asked from behind me.
I shook my head knowing why Rosalie was gone. "I thought I dropped something." I lied.
"But you didn't?" Mike asked.
"I guess not. Just my imagination."
"Alice and Jess sent me to find you. They said you were out here with Rosalie."
"She went home, you must have just missed her." I said. "I was heading back, too."
Mike turned and began his way back to the house. We walked back in silence. Once the house was in view I saw Embry. I had to concentrate on my steps, so not to run to him. He smiled and ran to me instead. He lifted me up and swung me around before setting me on the ground. He took my bag and kissed my cheek before taking my hand and leading us back to the house.
"I've been busy." Embry said as we walked into the house.
"Ok."
"I mean, I would have come by the last couple days, but I've been busy."
"It's really ok."
Rosalie sat on the couch when we walked into the living room. She looked perfectly manicured, not like she'd been out swimming only minutes ago. She stood smiling at me.
"You can change and shower in my room." Rosalie said. "You can help outside." She directed to Embry.
He kissed my cheek, then turned away from me. I followed Rosalie upstairs to her room. She closed the door behind us.
"Alice left some clothes on the bed for you. And the shower is through there." Rosalie pointed to a cracked door across the room.
I grabbed the clothes from the bed and headed into the bathroom. The warm water heated my still cool skin. It burned at first until the temperature evened out and began to relax my muscles. I washed up quickly not wanting to get overly relaxed in the shower. Once dressed and clean, I walked downstairs. People laughed and talked in the living room. I recognized most of the people from school or the beach. I smiled and said hello as I made way through the living room and the kitchen out the back door. The back deck and yard had been set up with tents and tables. It was odd to think there was a fort and ship setup in the same yard. Food was spread throughout the house and tables in the back yard. I saw Sam and Jake talking at a table over food. I walked over. Sam nodded his head as Jake continued to talk. I caught the gist of the conversation when Jake mentioned Emily. Jake was upset for Leah. I found I was relieved that Jake was upset, that Leah had become friends with the pack before Sam found Emily. I grabbed a few grapes hiding the smirk on my face. Jake threw up his hands shaking his head as he walked away.
"You seem to be enjoying my pain." Sam said.
"No." I smiled stepping around the table toward him. "I'm not enjoying your pain. I'm enjoying that Leah has made friendships within the pack. That she has support."
"What about me?" Sam sighed. "And Emily?"
"I think everyone will come around, especially when they find their match. This is new for all of you, and it seems like it will be better since you all can be friends and not just pack mates."
"And you and Embry? You're friends now?" Sam asked.
I felt the heat rise to my face. "Something like that." My heart tightened slightly. Being near Sam and knowing how horribly wrong things could go for me still plagued my mind. As much as I tried to push the apprehension and sadness away, they seemed to sneak up on me.
"Hey." Sam said taking my hand. "Don't over-think this. You don't know what the future holds, and you deserve to be happy as much as anyone."
"I'll be fine." I said rolling my eyes.
Sam squeezed my hand before walking away from the table.