Chapter Twenty-One

When Two Worlds Collide

"Come on Tay, get up!" Sam replied, shaking me.

"Five more minutes," I groaned, waving him away.

"You said that five minutes ago," Sam sighed, "come on, Taylor, you'll be late."

Grumbling, I threw the bed clothes of off me and shuffled into the bathroom for a shower.

It was the first day of my senior year at La Push High School. The summer was (unfortunately) over which meant falling back into the routine of early mornings, never ending classes, extra-curricular activities, and all nighters.

After a refreshing shower, I went into my room to pick out the perfect back-to-school outfit.

Eventually, I decided on a pair of black Capri leggings underneath a mid-thigh length green baby doll dress, and matching green Marc Jacob flats.

I quickly scrunched my wet hair, and carefully applied eye-liner, mascara, and gloss. I took one last look at my outfit in the mirror, gave myself a spritz of coconut body spray, and put my cell phone in my pocket, then headed downstairs.

I was greeted to Embry and Quil sitting at the kitchen table.

"It's about time, princess," Embry stated, "we've been waiting for about twenty minutes."

Quil shot Embry a confused look, "dude, we just came through the door."

Embry smacked Quil across the head then rose from his seat, "come on, we better get going or

we'll be late."

"See you guys later," I called to Emily and Sam as Quil, Embry, and I headed out the door.

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"Could this day be any longer?" I complained, as I sat next to Quil at the lunch table.

The first four periods of classes had drug by endlessly. Embry was in all of my classes except for our elective. He was taking Art Tech. while I was taking Photography.

But it was finally lunch and I couldn't wait for the next two periods (AP Biology and Calculus) to be done and over with so I could go home.

"I'm guessing your first day hasn't gone the best?" Quil laughed.

I shot him a disbelieving look, "that's one way of putting it. God, I hate school," I muttered.

"It's okay, Tay," Embry laughed, sitting across from me, "only two more hours."

I rolled my eyes and picked at the chicken wrap I had purchased.

"Have you thought about signing up for any extra-curriculars?" Kim asked me.

"Yeah. I'm thinking basketball, drama, yearbook, student council, and maybe, volleyball. I

haven't completely decided on the volleyball thing yet."

"Slow down, girl," Kim laughed, "you'll run yourself ragged with a schedule like that."

I shrugged, "it looks good on college applications."

"True," Kim sighed.

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"I'm free!" I exclaimed as I burst through the cottage door.

"Hard day?" asked Sam, smiling.

"That worst," I said, sitting next to him on the couch, "my Calculus teacher officially hates me."

"She doesn't even know you," Sam laughed, "how can she hate you?"

"I'm not sure," I shrugged, "but she found a way."

The smile on Sam's face slowly faded, and I furrowed my brow at his expression, "what's up?

What's with the face?"

"Tay, I mean, this is your senior year, right, and I was thinking all day, and I think you should

really start focusing on colleges and less time on boys," he said, raising an eyebrow at me.

"Sam, I know," I sighed.

"Seriously, Tay, I want the best for you, and I really want you to work hard to get into the best colleges possible."

"Okay," I promised.

"Speaking of," he replied, "have you thought about what colleges you'd like to go to?"

"Sort of," I said, "I've been think about Brown, or Dartmouth. Somewhere east, maybe. Yale, if I could manage it."

"You can Tay, if Yale is what you want, you'll be able to get there."

"Thanks Sam," I smiled.

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"Boyfriend, hi," I murmured, as Emmett enveloped me into a hug. It was around seven, and I had just arrived at the Cullen's.

"Hey," he breathed.

Emmett let me go and lead me into the house.

"Hi Esme," I waved, as Emmett lead me upstairs.

"How was school?" Emmett asked me as we laid on his bed.

"Long," I responded, "and boring."

We were silent for a moment, and as I ran my fingers up and down Emmett's bicep I said, "Sam and I talked about colleges today."

"Oh yeah?" Emmett asked, interested, "and?"

"I was thinking about applying to some colleges out east. Brown, Dartmouth, Yale, but it's just an idea," I added.

"I think it's a good one," Emmett said, "I think it's great you're applying to some of the Ivies."

"Yeah," I sighed.

"But. . . " he prompted.

I smiled, he knew me well.

"But, if I go east, to college, where does that leave us?"

"What do you mean?" Emmett asked me, confused.

"Well, Emmett, think about it. Everything's great with us here, in Forks. But what happens when I leave. I can't ask you to come with me."

"You don't have to ask," Emmett soothed.

"But," I sighed, "Emmett. . ."

"I love you," he responded, simply.

As my brown eyes bore into his topaz ones, I plucked up the courage to bring up a subject that had been on my mind ever since our first date.

"Emmett, haven't you ever noticed that everything points to us not being together?"

His eyebrows pulled together, "I'm not following."

"I mean, think about it, we're two completely different immortal beings. Who just so happen to be each other's mortal enemies. How is this supposed to work?" I asked, desperately.

"We'll make it work," he responded, fiercely.

"How?" I whispered.

He was silent as he contemplated this.

"I don't know," he whispered.

She was given the world

So much that she couldn't see.

And she needed someone

To show her who she could be.

And she tried to survive,

Living through life on her own.

"Emmett," I sighed.

We looked into each other's eyes and I asked, "So where does this leave us?"

I could see the internal struggle he was battling, in his eyes. After a moment, he finally said, "I don't know."

But you've given me strength to fight on.