A/N: Thank you for all the reviews! I would have gotten this chapter up sooner but I have been busy with college visits all over New England almost the entire week. So I hope you all like this chapter!

Enjoy!

I do not own Twilight and its characters nor Cloverfield.

Chapter 20: Blood Red

It looks like I'm not the only one who noticed Embry's changes. When Embry walked into Math class you could hear the little gasps and sighs (from the girls). He sat down in the seat next to me and I couldn't help but smile at him. Embry flashed his beautiful smile before turning his attention to Mr. Collins.

For the rest of class and the next two periods I couldn't wait for Computer Applications; where we were able to talk while we worked.

*****

I practically skipped to the seat next to Embry in computer app.

"Hey Embry," I greeted cheerily.

"Hi Holly," Embry replied.

"So how have you been since second period?" I asked, starting up my computer.

"Its been okay. I've gotten some make up work from some of my teachers, and I'm dreading for the time when I have to do it." Embry said.

I frowned. "Are we still going to hang out today?"

"Of course we are. I'm not going to cancel just because I have to do more homework."

"Cool," I chirped, happy once again. I turned my attention back to the computer and started up Excel.

"What is your last class?" Embry inquired. "I'll meet you outside your class after school is over."

"I have study hall in Mr. Surh's room. I'm in the class with Quil."

"I'll meet you there then. Have you put into any thought into what we could be doing?"

I shrugged. "Sort of. I was thinking we could do what we would normally do; just hang out and chill, maybe watch a movie."

"And eat?" Embry questioned.

"Sure. We could have a few snacks," I agreed.

*****

I had hardly waited a minute outside Mr. Surh's room before I saw Embry walking towards me. The students quickly moved out of his way, eventually leaving a clear path between Embry and me. He closed the space between us in a few long strides before coming to a stop in front of me.

"Ready to go?" Embry asked.

"Yup. Are you ready to go?"

"Yes, I am; that's why I'm a little late, I had to grab a few books from my locker," Embry explained.

"I'd hardly call you late."

Embry smiled and reached over to hold my hand.

"Come on." Embry led me through the school with my hand still in his.

When we had walked off the school grounds Embry slowed down his walk.

"Excited to get out of school?" I asked with a smile.

Embry nodded, "Yeah, I'm ready to spend some time with you after not seeing you for a whole week. Not to say that school is horrible or anything, but it still sucks."

"If it wasn't for all my awesome friends I would really hate high school," I added.

We continued to walk silently along the edge of the road. I kept my eyes glued ahead of me as I tried to come up with something else to say. That was until I noticed that Embry was starting to walk a little closer to me.

I glanced at him to see that he was staring at me. I wasn't a weird stalker like stare, it was more so like he was entranced.

"Are you okay Embry?" I asked.

He gave his head a shake and the look disappeared from his face. "I'm fine… just thinking when the next time I'll be free to hang out."

"And when would that be?"

"Hmm, this Friday. Are you free then?"

"Nope." I grinned at Embry's reaction. His face had fallen – not by much, but you could still tell he was upset. Obviously he didn't get the joke. Embry's face became confused by my grin.

"Why are you busy and why are you smiling?" Embry questioned.

"I'm busy because I'll be hanging out with you. I smiled because of your reaction," I clarified.

"Oh," Embry said with a relieved laugh.

"I'll always be free to be with you Em," I commented, looking at the ground. I felt Embry grab my hand and he tugged it so I would stop walking. I turned to face him and looked up into his eyes.

"You have no idea what that means to me. Especially because I wont always be free to be with you," Embry said sincerely. Looking into his eyes I could see excitement as well as his sincerity.

We continued our walk to my house and arrived at my house a few minutes after the pivotal comment. Our friendship was turning into something else and I didn't have any feelings against it, I wanted us to have a romantic relationship. I wanted to date him and to be able to call Embry my boyfriend.

I walked into the house to find Skyler napping on the couch. I groaned, couldn't Sky go up to his room if he knew he was tired? I dropped my backpack behind the couch and walked around to the front of the couch.

"Skyler," I said. There was no response; he was completely out of it.

"Oh, Skyler," I called louder. When there was on response I kicked the couch. Skyler just muttered something and shifted onto his side, facing me. I looked over to Embry to see a small smile on his face.

"I'm sorry, looks like we'll have to wait until we can use the TV," I said.

"No problem. Can we go somewhere else?" Embry asked.

"I guess we could hang in my room for a little while." I led Embry upstairs and into my room. I left the door open and sat in my desk chair. Embry happily sat himself on the only other thing he could sit on, my bed.

Oh my god, Embry freaking Call was sitting on my bed.

"So no pink?" Embry asked, looking around the room.

I smiled, happy there was no weird awkwardness because I had shown him my room. "Nope no pink. I'm your stereotypical tom-boy. I like to play sports, the color blue and ponytails."

"You're so not a tom-boy," Embry said.

"I would think I am. I bet when I meet new people they instantly think – tom-boy."

"You may be a tom-boy but your definitely more than that."

I blushed a little because of his comment. "True, but I am still a tom-boy by definition."

"Okay. So since you're a tom-boy you play a sport, right?"

"Yes," I agreed.

"What sport do you play?"

"I run for the most part, recreationally of course."

"Running isn't a sport," Embry scoffed. "And what do you mean by 'of course'."

"I say of course because La Push doesn't have any outdoor sports. Running is an outdoor sport, so there is no team here. Running is also totally awesome. Obviously you are dumb and need to be educated on the subject." My tone had a little more bite to it than I intended but Embry had totally stepped onto a sore subject for any avid runner like me. Never say running isn't a sport, its my biggest pet peeve.

"Running is just walking at a faster pace." Embry responded, not deterred by my tone. "You don't see people getting gold medals for walking in the Olympics."

I grinned and rose from my seat. "Oh contraire my friend," I quickly walked over to the bed and sat on the other side. "You can compete in speed walking in the Summer Olympics."

"Seriously?" Embry said surprised.

I nodded enthusiastically, happy I could teach someone about running. "Yeah, its called race walk. It does look really stupid, but it is a sport. Running would be more entertaining to watch. I mean, have you ever seen Usain Bolt? He's so fast; his top speed is around 27 miles per hour."

"I didn't know that. So you're really into running then?"

"Sort of. I know about famous athletes in the Olympics, like I was really into Mia Hamm as a kid – not so much anymore."

"Honestly, I don't know anyone famous from the Olympics except Shaun White."

I glanced around Embry to see my alarm clock on the bed. "How about I educate you on the amazing athletes of the Olympics for the next thirty minutes, then we go downstairs and wake Sky up."

"That sounds good, as long as we get snacks."

I smiled, it seemed like the pack was always thinking about their stomachs. "Sure. I'm debating how were gonna wake him up, he sleeps like a rock. I'd guess if he's still sleeping on the couch I'll flip it."

"Are you serious?" Embry asked incredulously.

"Yeah. I'm not supposed to do anything to piss him off but he knew I wanted to use the living room." I answered, surprised by his reaction. "Would you help me flip the couch if I couldn't do it myself?" I mused eyeing his large arm muscles.

"I'm not so sure…"

"Aww come on Embry." I said shaking the bed so it bounced. "Please?" I put my best puppy dog look and asked again. "Please Embry. I know you could do it."

I almost broke my pleading façade by the emotions that crossed his face. It looked like there was some large internal conflict between helping little me and going against meanie Sky.

"Please," I whispered.

That seemed to make his decision. "Okay, but in thirty minutes from now."

"Alright," I happily agreed.

The conversation then turned back to sports. We eventually drifted away from the topic to the Olympics to professional sports teams. He was surprised to find that I had at least one favorite team for each sport.

When the clock showed thirty minutes had passed both of us went downstairs to find Sky still sleeping on the couch. I walked over to the couch and stood behind it. I bent over and gripped the bottom edge of the couch.

"Embry," I whisper shouted.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" He whispered back, making his way to my side.

"What's the worst that can happen?" I said and attempted to flip the couch. Miraculously I was able to raise the couch five inches off the ground before my strength ran out – or more precisely, before I realized Embry's hands prevented me from lifting it any further. I dropped the couch and it hit the floor with a loud thud.

"Holy shit!" Skyler yelled. "What was that?"

"That was me waking you up," I said. "Now go to your room if you want to go back to sleep, because Embry and I are going to use the TV now."

Skyler looked really pissed. He shot a glare to Embry and I narrowed my eyes at him. Was Sky blaming Embry? The idiot, always assuming everything.

"Don't be mad at me." Embry defended. "I stopped her from flipping the couch."

Skyler gave no response as he got off the couch. He angrily made his way out of the room, leaving me and Embry alone. Embry took a spot on the couch and I kneeled down by the TV, next to the small DVD collection.

"What kind of movies do you like?" I asked Embry.

"Action. But I was wondering if I could have those snacks now." Embry answered.

"Okay. I'll get the food you pick out a movie," I compromised. I walked out into the kitchen to pop some popcorn. I micro waved two regular sized bags of popcorn and but them into a large bowl. I returned to the family room with the bowl of popcorn and two cans of soda.

Sitting next to Embry I saw he had already put the DVD in. I placed the bowl of popcorn between us, creating somewhat of a barrier between the two of us.

"So you want Coke or Pepsi?" I asked, raising my hand holding the sodas.

"Pepsi," he answered, taking the can from my hand.

"Good, because I love Coke," I said. I cracked the can open and took a sip.

"There's a difference?"

"Yes, there is or you wouldn't have cared for which soda you got."

Embry glanced at me sidelong before turning back to the TV.

I grabbed a handful of popcorn and popped a piece into my mouth. "So what movie are we watching?"

"Cloverfield, is that okay with you?"

"Its okay. I'll probably be freaked out the rest of the night though – scared one of those monster things would spawn and eat me." I shivered remembering the nightmare I had had after the first time I watched the movie.

Embry picked up the bowl of popcorn and placed it on his lap before scooting closer to me. "I'll make sure they wont. I can take down anything, even those freaky ass creatures."

I snorted. "Yeah right. You'll end up like Marlena; dead."

"You'd be surprised at what I can do."

Sadly I had to leave Embry's side to start the movie. I got up from the couch, pressed play and grabbed the remote. Sitting back down, I moved a little closer to Embry's side.

The movie started and I placed the remote next to me on the couch. I slowly ate the popcorn (that was still sitting on Embry's lap *swoon*) until the bridge collapsed, killing Jason and all those people.

By the time the people were walking in the subway tunnel I had completely forgotten about the food, I was too busy cringing into Embry' side. In the back of my head I was complementing Embry for giving me a reason to get closer to him.

*****

"Holy crap," I breathed once the credits started. "I love and hate that movie." I reached to the popcorn bowl until I realized it was empty. "You ate all the popcorn? That was two bags' worth!"

"You had some too," Embry noted. He gulped down the rest of his soda and crushed the can in his hand.

"You don't feel sick?"

"Nope."

I stared at the credits as the flashed across the screen. "You're weird," I commented, leaning my head against his shoulder. Embry stilled for a moment and I wondered if I shouldn't have done anything. But then Embry's arm tightened around my shoulders to pull me fully against his warm side.

We stayed like that until the credits finished and the menu for the DVD came up.

"How long do you think I can stay?" Embry murmured.

"I'm not exactly sure," I murmured back. "You could stay at least until my Mom comes home."

Just then the garage door sounded and I sighed.

"Well she's home early." I reluctantly got up from the couch to clean up our snacks.

When I re-enterd the family room Mom was coming in through the front door.

"Hi Mom," I greeted.

"Hello Holly, Embry." She nodded shortly to Embry before putting her work bags away.

"Mom, do you think Embry could stay awhile?" I asked.

"No, I'm sorry, but once Scott gets here were going to have a little family talk," Mom answered.

"About what?" I said. We've never had family talks before, only when Mom announced we were moving.

"You'll find out when we talk." Mom glanced at Embry before quickly leaving the room.

Embry got off the couch and I felt a sadness grow in me. I didn't want Embry to leave.

"I'll see you tomorrow in class," Embry said, almost like he was comforting me.

"Yeah, I guess so," I said, trying to keep the sadness out of my voice. I guess Embry heard it because he crossed the space between us in three long strides to pull me into a hug.

For a moment I was taken by surprise. Two romantically inclined friends hugging, kind of dumb, but it seemed perfect. When I returned the hug he held me even tighter.

I felt him kiss the top of my head and I smiled a dorky smile. I was just kissed by Embry! Even it was on the head.

Scott entered through the front door and I internally screamed. Why do parents have to keep interrupting me and Embry's moments?

We both broke the hug and I sent a little glare to Scott as he left the room.

I looked up to Embry who was looking down at me. At the moment Embry's hands were still on my sides but were sure to fall away any moment. In the next five seconds I made a decision that would sure change our relationship.

I'm usually the spontaneous type. I try not to think too much about something – I just do it so I can spend time doing and being active rather than thinking and standing still in the world. I did have to give myself a little extra push though, so I could get myself to rise on my feet and kiss Embry on the lips.

It was a short little kiss but it was better than any other kiss I've had with a guy. Because Embry was so tall I had to rise quite far to reach his lips. So I was nearly standing tip-toe but Embry's hands kept me from falling back. His hands had moved down to old firmly onto my hips. I could feel the warmth from his hands spread through me.

Pulling away I had the strongest urge to kiss him again, but I didn't. I fell back onto the heels of my feet while Embry's hands still held me close to him.

"I'm sorry if that was out of line or anything but -- hugs are kind of lame," I said quietly.

I could feel his body shake in a silent laugh. "That's fine with me."

I had the feeling he was going to kiss me again so I pulled away from his warm body and hands. If he kissed me again I knew I wouldn't be able to restrain myself and I would probably end up making out with him on the couch. Which wouldn't be good because my parents were upstairs and could come down any moment.

"I will see you tomorrow then," I stated, reassuring myself I would be seeing Embry soon.

"Yes, you will," Embry said. He turned and left through the front door as Mom walked into the room.

"Scott will be down in a minute. Why don't you sit down," Mom said calmly. Sky walked in and stood a few feet behind Mom.

"Why do I need to sit?" I asked, looking at Scott as he walked in.

"Just sit down," Skyler said.

"Okay, no. It feels like your ganging up on me. Is the news so bad that you're afraid I'm gonna faint?"

"Holly," Scott said steadily. "What we're going to be telling you is big news, we just want you to be comfortable."

"Okay," I murmured. My mind quickly went through the possibilities of what my family would want to tell me.

Mom took a deep breath before talking. "First thing I want to do is explain why I haven't told you anything." She took another deep breath and continued. "You're my little girl. I already felt bad enough to put you through me and your father's messy divorce when you were only eight."

"Mom," I murmured. I've told my Mom several times to not feel bad about the divorce. Dad was kind of a jerk; she had her rights to break up with a man who was picking up bad gambling problems.

"No, no honey, we're not going to get into that. I didn't want to bring this giant… piece of info so shortly after that. I realize I should have told you earlier or better put, let Scott or Skyler tell you." My eyes drifted away from Mom to Scott, who was watching Mom, then to Sky who was looking straight at me.

"There is no real easy way to put this," Scott said slowly. "Skyler and I are shapeshifters. I no longer shapeshift but Skyler does."

"W-what?" I stuttered.

"We can shapeshift into mountain lions. My brother, and both my mother and father can 'shift."

"Have you all gone completely mental?" I slowly rose from the couch to be eye level with all of them.

"No, Holly. You have to listen, they really are what they say they are," Mom said stepping closer to me. I took a sharp step back, towards the door.

"Holly, I know it's hard to understand – especially after I had taught you to be realistic as you got older, but it's the truth," Mom explained.

"You expect me to believe Skyler turns into a cat!" I yelled. I was feeling freaked and pissed. My whole family was lying to me, saying they turned into animals. Either that or they have all gone insane. What they were talking about… its stuff from fairy tales.

"I'm only like this because it's in my genes," Skyler said. "The main reason is because it was triggered, by vampires."

"No. No, this isn't real. What you're saying – it just does not exist," I blabbered.

"Vampires are real, 'shifters are real and you need to believe it, for your own safety," Skyler said.

"No it isn't! V-vampires and "'shifters" are things little kids think are real. Not grown people!" I took a few steps back toward the front door. Skyler's eyes snapped to my feet and I froze. Skyler always seemed to notice everything… could he really? – No! He can't.

My body started to shake from my nervousness and all the thoughts swirling through my head. I needed to do or say something, but what could I say?

Then I heard a whisper of a thought from the back of my mind. Run. It's what you do best, so run. Run away from them, they actually think the imaginary is real. It's a problem, and a way you can easily solve it is to run. The thought seemed slightly unreasonable, but it was the best thing I could do in this… crisis.

So I ran.

I turned and bolted out of the front door. I jumped off the porch to the ground at a mad sprint. I ran to our back yard and ran straight into the woods.

There was no trail to follow here, just the normal growth of the woods. My thoughts of my crazy family dissipated into a murmur as I ran mindlessly in the forest.

I kept running and running for what seemed like an hour. I hadn't yet slowed down, only sped up when I thought something was following me.

Soon I lost feeling in my legs. My breathing was becoming really heavy and the undergrowth of the woods was getting hard to pass through. My body slowed to a jog even though I didn't want to.

Eventually I tripped. I fell to the ground; my ankle twisted under the log I had tripped over. I flipped off of my stomach, onto my back. I pulled my arms across the ground so they were alongside my head.

Pulling my foot out of its place behind the log, I found out it was sprained. When it hit the ground a static pain ran up my left leg.

"Ow," I murmured. I had hardly made a sound; my mouth and throat were so dry from my heavy and rapid breathing.

I looked up to the canopy of the trees to see that it was dark out. Rain was falling from the sky, but most of it was blocked from the tree cover.

Staring up at the sky a man with long black dreadlocks appeared in my view. As he leaned over my breathless form I could see that his eyes were a dark and menacing blood red.