Twi-Fic
Genre: Comfort
Character(s): Embry & Jessica
Suggested Listening: "To the Moon & Back" by Savage Garden
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
Chasing Greyhounds
Jessica leaned back—resting her head against the seat, releasing the breath she'd been holding while waiting on the bus to arrive.
The bus that was 30 minutes late.
Every millisecond of the last half hour added another anxiety-driven beat to her hummingbird heart. What if someone saw her? What if her mother found out?
"Is this spot taken?" A deep baritone filled her ears, the owner drawing her attention.
The tall…
Dark…
Mouth-watering…
Quileute owner.
She felt her spine arch—her breast standing proud in an innate display of her femininity—before she recognized the behavior for what it was and quickly forced her shoulders to counteract her instincts.
She didn't have to be that girl anymore.
"Nah, it's open." Jessica moved her bag from the seat and stuffed it under the bench in front of her.
Assessing her travel companion, she noted the shaggy, black hair hiding his eyes when he bent down to stash his backpack, the caramelized skin covering flexed muscles, the tattoo peeking under the sleeve of his t-shirt…
Wait. The tattoo?
Realization dawned as she placed the tribal design.
Jake… Bella…
Curiosity demanded she ask, even if she did end up regretting it later. "You know Bella? You one of Jake's friends?"
"Yeah, umm…Embry." Sitting back, he was finally situated.
She extended her hand. "I'm Jessica, Bella's friend."
His palm met hers in greeting, and currents sizzled at the contact. Tingling shock waves shot up her arm and burst behind her eyes—colors popping in a vibrant display—and she swore she heard him whisper, "I know."
She swore she heard it.
But with the sensory overload, she couldn't be sure.
"So, where ya headed, Jessica?" Releasing the grip, his long lashes obscured downcast eyes as he reflexively fingered the hem of his shorts.
"I'm going to Aurora."
"Colorado?"
"Yeah. Have to switch buses in Salt Lake—it's gonna take forever."
"So, what's there? In Aurora?" Meeting her eyes, his penetrating gaze requested honesty.
So, that's what she gave.
"Gotta hunt down my deadbeat dad. He doesn't know I'm coming. I figure he's had 18 years to think up a good excuse for why he left us, and I wanna hear it."
"Us?"
"Me and my mom."
"What does she think about your…trip?"
It was her turn to rely on a nervous habit—finding comfort in the repetitive spiraling of wavy locks around a manicured finger.
Why would some hot guy want to hear her sob story? Alcoholic mother she nursed back to health every morning and cleaned up after every night, whose addiction was supported by Jessica's cashier job at the small-town grocery store. The woman who blamed her for the sperm donor bailing on them both before she was even born and reminded her of it every single day for the past decade.
No. She wasn't ready for Embry to know her that well. It was time to deflect.
She released a chuff from the lifted corner of her smirk. "So, what are you doing on this bus to nowhere? Who you hoping to find?"
His extended pause piqued her curiosity, and she looked at the man seated next to her. The soft smile on his face flooded her heart with a warmth she hadn't felt in years—a kindness, a compassion that had become unfamiliar to her. Forging an involuntary connection—a kindred spirit of sorts—and in that moment, she saw his soul. She understood his story. He'd been on a similar journey, searching for something…someone…unattainable. A mystery which would never be solved, but still begged to be noticed.
He momentarily dropped his gaze to the fidgeting hands in his lap. A quick inhale set his resolve, and he jerked his chin up—chestnut eyes meeting hers with an intensity that freezes her body and robs her lungs of breath. She sat there, exposed, waiting for his answer.
"I'm chasing my soul-mate."
Sincerity.
That was all she latched on to. The one sentiment she longed for.
"Oh." The defeated tone broadcasting her disappointment, she inwardly cringed. What was she thinking? That he could save her? That he'd want to save her?
Turning to watch the foothills pass outside the window, she fought against the emotion burning her nose. "So, where is she then? Your soul-mate."
A graze of his hand along her cheek, Embry tucked a runaway strand of hair behind her ear. "She's on her way to Aurora…to find her deadbeat dad."
*Alright, hit me with your thoughts and feels—if ya wanna. ;-)