I ran through the rain. Home, was where I was going. I didn't think of the consequences; how we'll have to move again, Jacob will probably leave for Canada early, and how we have to keep Alex's mouth shut somehow. All thanks to yours truly. I only thought of putting one foot of another, moving so fast that the human eye could just see a blur. I thought of none the consequences as I raced home.
When I reached home, I pulled off my boots. Because of the rain, they were messed up and soggy. With them both in one hand, I threw them in the garage can outside the house. I entered through the garage, not looking back at the rain dripping off me, making puddles on the floor.
I would have been a sight to see. All wet and barefoot like I was. I looked around, but no one was on the main floor. I didn't call out that I was home either. My family could've – should've – heard me. They didn't come down early to see why I was home early, none of them did. But they were home – I saw all 27 cars in the garage.
Where were they? I crawled up the winding staircase. All the doors to the rooms upstairs were closed, but one was cracked open. The light shone under it. I tiptoed closer to it. Why weren't any of them coming out? I crept closer to the door, listening to the voices.
"I'm not sure if I should move to Canada," Jacob was saying.
Oh. They were discussing his move. That would explain why they waited until I was gone to discuss it, they wouldn't want to upset me. I still listened by the door.
"I…can't, I don't know if I can stand being away from her that long like that." Jacob continued. I scrunched my nose up in confusion.
"So it's better if you stay here?" I heard my father ask. "Seeing her with him, and having you here with her? That would tear you both apart."
Was that me they were talking about? I was confused as I thought that during the pause that lasted a heartbeat. "I imprinted on her." Jacob pleaded.
Imprinted? What does that mean?
"She chose who she wanted," Rosalie said coldly.
"She doesn't know though," Jacob told her.
My head was spinning. I leaned against the wall. Tears spilled down my cheeks. I didn't understand.
I blinked, and I remembered. I remembered a memory.
3 years ago, I remembered me and Jacob sitting on the couch. Jacob was holding me in his lap, despite the fact that I looked like I was twelve years old.
"Tell me another wolf story, Jacob," I had demanded, leaning back in his arms.
The one thing about Jacob was that he always seemed to give me what I wanted to make me happy. He sighed. "Okay." He said, "Have you ever heard of imprinting?"
"Depends," I told him. "Is it real?"
He smiled, "Yes."
I put my hand to my chin and thought for a moment. No, I didn't know what I meant. Little did I know that word was practically taboo in our house.
"What is it?" I asked.
Jacob hugged me in his arms, "Where a werewolf sees his true love, and instantly falls in love with her."
"So they get married?" I asked.
"Yes, in time." Jacob answered.
"Neat," I commented, and then I turned to look at him. "Have you ever imprinted?"
The clearest part of that memory is that I remembered that Jacob never answered that question. He avoided it.
Another memory rolled through my head. It was one where I was just a little baby; a few days old. I was passed to my mother's arms to my father's, and I saw my mom leaning toward Jacob, who was switching between a protective gaze to me and a worried gaze to my mom.
"You imprinted on my daughter?!" My mom had screeched.
Blackness crept up to my eyes, threatening to make me pass out. I blinked it away, making color return. Lines formed, and the images of the hallway returned to me.
So what was all this? Jacob had imprinted on me? He was in love with me? Or someone else?
I kept listening to what was going on behind the door, they were still talking. "Jacob," I heard my mom say. "You've been through a lot. Maybe just a break would help."
No! Jacob couldn't leave! A cry escaped my lips. I didn't think fast enough, that they would hear and find me so pathetic outside their door. But they already heard the small noise. I heard a small shuffle.
"Is she home?" Uncle Jasper asked. "Why didn't you hear her thoughts Edward!"
My dad didn't answer, and I had the feelinghe wanted to let me hear the conversation.
The door opened showing me there. I blushed as Jacob stepped out. I felt his eyes on me, seeing me wet and crying.
I didn't care in that moment. I rushed into Jacob's arms and tucked my head in his chest. "Oh, Jacob, I screwed up!"
A/N: Thanks for all the reviews! Can you believe there have been more 8,000 hits to my story so far since it started? I really appreciate it! Without all the fans I wouldn't really be as inspired to write. Anyway, only a couple more chapters left. Sorry if this chapter was short, but now Nessie realizes Jacob imprinted on her! (Hey, it would be really mean to let Nessie not know, the poor guy has been through a lot.)