Kourtney ignored the rapping on her door. The three rhythmic knocks were a giveaway as to who it was.
"Kourt?" came her older brother's voice from the other side of the door. Cody arrived home only an hour ago. Despite not talking since his last visit, Cody still decided to fly in to watch her graduation. "Can I come in?"
The younger of the Hunt siblings closed her eyes. She sighed as she remembered Sam's words from the day before, 'He's your brother and he was just being protective.' Emily agreed with her fiancé's words. 'It's been six months. I'm sure you and Paul have proved Cody wrong by now.' Kourtney smiled to herself as she recalled Paul's words after, 'Longer than any relationship he's ever had.'
Realizing that it was once again quiet on the other side of her bedroom door, Kourtney jumped out of bed. She opened up her door just as Cody reached his bedroom just down the short hall.
"Hey," she called. Cody looked back at her in surprise. "You wanted to come in?"
Cody gave his sister a smile. He was glad that she was talking to him again. Needing only a few steps to close the gap, he pulled his sister in for a hug.
"I missed you, little sis," he told her. Kourtney returned the hug before stepping back in her room. She sat at the head of her bed, leaning her back against the headboard. Cody opted to sit at the foot of her bed. His eyes looked around her room. Immediately he saw her collage of pictures on the space above her desk. Most of the pictures were of her and Paul, with some including her and friends. He was quick to notice that family pictures were lacking in her collage.
Cody felt his heart sink. He could understand why his picture wouldn't be around, but not seeing any pictures of their parents made him realize how jaded Kourtney was.
"I'm sorry," Cody finally said. He turned his body so that he was facing her. She had her arms crossed, her head turned and her eyes focused out the window. "I'm sorry for everything."
He gave her feet a nudge when she didn't respond. Kourtney turned her head to him and gave a small smile.
"I'm sorry that you had to deal with mom and dad by yourself," he told her. Her smile slowly turned into a frown. Her brows furrowed together. Cody knew she was expecting an apology for something else. He laughed. "I know I have a couple things I have to apologize for, but just let me talk first, okay?"
Kourtney's mouth formed a line, but she nodded nonetheless.
Cody sighed.
"Kourtney, I'm sorry that mom and dad couldn't make things work. I know how much you wanted them to." Cody paused. He was struggling on what to say next. "I'm sorry that I wasn't here for you. I should've figured that you being here by yourself while mom and dad bitched and fought every day…"
"It's okay," Kourtney said. "It is what it is Cody. It's over between them. I'm slowly accepting that."
Cody nodded. He sighed again.
"Now, apology number two," he joked. "I'm sorry for how I acted over you dating Lahote. He wasn't exactly my first choice for you as your boyfriend."
"Let me guess, Alex was? You know, the jackass who cheated on me?"
Cody chuckled.
"I get your point, Kourt. Apparently, Dad's known a lot longer than us that Paul is a good guy. He's liked him from the very start." Cody watched for Kourtney's reaction. She suddenly looked disinterested in what else he had to say. "Look, I know that Dad isn't your favorite person in the world right now-"
Kourtney rolled her eyes.
"He's hurting, you know?" Cody told her.
"Really? So am I," Kourtney said. "He's the reason why our family is broken."
"No it's not! We're just…a different kind of family now."
Kourtney let out a laugh.
"Whatever helps you sleep at night."
"I know it's not the same, but it's something still. Mom and Dad still talk, you know? They're…acquaintances."
"From happily married to acquaintances," Kourtney said with a wavering voice. "It's all his fault."
"Look, Kourtney, I wanted Dad to come over for a family dinner. All four of us together again, but if you're not up for it I can just-"
"Go for it," Kourtney told him. "Have dinner with Mom and Dad. I'm sure they'll like that."
"And you?"
"I will be with my boyfriend." Again, Cody had to bite his tongue. Not wanting to open his mouth, he just nodded. With that he stood up and made his way out of her room.
Kourtney watched as her door closed gently. Immediately she reached for her phone and dialed Paul's number. She groaned when it went to his voicemail.
"Patrol," she told herself. She typed in a quick text letting him that she would be at Emily's. Not wanting to be home when her dad arrived, Kourtney quickly went to get ready. After she was all dressed with her hair done up, Kourtney descended the stairs. Her stomach grumbled and her mouth watered as she smelled the food that her mom cooked. She heard Cody and her mom's voices in the kitchen and proceeded there.
"Hey, Mom-"
"Where are you going?" Cynthia immediately asked. "Your dad is going to be here any minute-"
"Mom, just let her go," Cody said. "It's fine, we can have a dinner, just you, me, and dad."
Cynthia ignored him and faced Kourtney, her arms crossed.
"Sweetheart, if you're going to see Paul why don't you just invite him over for dinner?"
Kourtney laughed.
"Mom, if you're thinking 'the more the merrier' then I'm sorry to say but that doesn't really apply to this family dinner. I mean, half of the people who will be present for the dinner can't even stand the other half."
"Kourtney, you know that I've warmed up to Paul-"
"I wasn't talking about you, Mom," Kourtney said. She cast a glance at Cody who only shook his head. "I won't be out too long."
With that, Kourtney spun around and headed to the door. As she stepped out, she could hear her mom begin to question Cody.
"I thought you said you were going to apologize!" She heard her mom say.
Kourtney practically ran to her car. She was hoping to avoid driving past her dad. Once inside her car, she immediately turned the engine on and peeled out onto the road. It was only when she got to the stop sign that she let out a sigh of relief. She just needed to turn right and she'd be on her way towards Emily's. She knew she wouldn't pass her dad there.
As she approached the house, Kourtney took in the empty space in front of the house. The space was usually filled with the guys' cars. She knew that Sam and Emily parked their cars to the side. Kourtney slowly stepped out of her car and looked around. It was rare that Emily's house would be without the pack members.
She looked to the house as the door opened.
"Hey!" Sam called out. "What are you doing here?"
"Uh, I thought I'd come and hang out for a bit," Kourtney explained. "Where is everyone?"
"They all decided to do a pack run," Sam told her.
"Without you?" she questioned. "Oh, shit, I'm sorry! Am I…interrupting something?"
Sam looked shocked at the question and then laughed.
"No, you're not," Sam told her. He nodded for her to come in.
"No, it's okay. I-"
"Emily's baking some desserts. Trust me, the boys will be back the second that oven timer dings."
"Are you-"
"Would you rather I carry you in?"
Kourtney rushed up the steps and into the house. The smell of chocolate filled the air. Her stomach grumbled, reminding her that she still had to eat.
"I made a plate for you!" Emily called from the kitchen.
"It's like instead of reading minds, she can read people's stomachs," Kourtney joked. She followed Sam into the kitchen. A plate of food was set at the table.
"Thanks, Emily!" Kourtney said as she sat down.
"Wasn't your brother flying in today?" Emily asked.
"Oh yeah," Sam said looking at his watch. "Wait, wasn't he supposed to land-"
"He's here," Kourtney told them. "He came in a couple of hours ago."
Emily and Sam looked at one another. Emily urged Sam to continue the conversation, but Sam didn't know how.
"Did you two talk?" Emily finally asked.
"We did," Kourtney said.
"Didn't go well?" Sam asked.
"No, it did. He apologized. Then he had a brilliant idea of having a family dinner with all of us. But I just couldn't do it."
Sam nodded.
"What?" Kourtney asked.
"Huh? Nothing," Sam said.
"I just thought that you would have more to say with my dad being on the council and all," Kourtney shrugged.
Sam mirrored her action.
"I hated how people always tried to comfort me with words when my dad left me and my mom," Sam said. "Your situation is different, but I don't want to say the wrong thing or have you think I'm telling you what to do or how to feel."
Kourtney smirked.
"This philosophy doesn't extend to your pack?"
Emily laughed out loud. Sam rolled his eyes, but smiled.
"Someone has to look out for you while Cody's not around."
"Yeah, besides," Emily jumped in. "You and Paul took forever to finally get together! We're just making sure he won't mess it up."
"My ears are burning!" came Paul's voice from the front of the house. It was followed by the chatter of a few of the boys.
"And that is my cue," Emily said. She placed a kiss on Sam's cheek before setting off to get the food ready.
"Anything new?" Sam asked as Paul walked into the kitchen. Paul sent a smile towards Kourtney before answering his alpha.
"Nope," he simply answered.
"Who's left on patrol?"
"Not Leah." Sam cocked an eyebrow. "What? She's the only one we try to avoid being phased with right?"
"Paul!" Emily and Kourtney cried.
"Seth's not here," Paul said. "He and Jake are left on patrol. Embry had to head home. Dumb and dumber are the only ones who came back with me."
"I heard that!" and a "Hey!" were heard from the living room.
"I think someone needs to eat," Emily said, frowning at Paul.
"I'm starved!" Paul agreed. Soon, Jared and Quil came running into the kitchen. Paul took his share of food and nodded at Kourtney to follow him. She stood just as Sam did.
"I'm gonna do a quick run and check in with Jake," Sam announced. He walked over to Emily to give her a kiss before slipping out the back door. Kourtney and Paul headed to the living room. It didn't take long for Paul to devour his food.
"Better?" Kourtney asked with a laugh. Paul replied by pulling her closer.
"So, how's that brother of yours?" he asked causing Kourtney to laugh.
"He's the same. He did apologize though."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he apologized for how he reacted to us." Paul continued to look at Kourtney. "And that's it."
"That's it?"
"Yeah, he quickly segued into how much my dad seemed to like you from the very start and of course he started in on how much my dad is hurting…" Kourtney shook her head. Paul placed a kiss on her forehead as she leaned in on him. "Am I terrible for not wanting to have anything to do with my dad?"
Paul didn't reply but Kourtney felt him shake his head. She knew he had more to say. She pulled herself back to look at his face.
"He does miss you. He checks up on you through me," Paul told her, which she already knew. "But, I think he's slowly starting to get the point…"
Kourtney didn't know how to feel with what her boyfriend just told her. She sorted through all her feelings in her head. Paul brought her hand to his lips.
"Things will work out, eventually," he told her. She slowly nodded. The opening of the front door caught the couple's attention.
"Hey college girl!" Embry called out.
"I thought you had to run home to your mommy," Paul said. Kourtney smacked his chest. Embry only flicked him off in return.
Upon hearing Embry's voice, Jared and Quil decided to join the trio in the living room.
"I wonder how long till Kourt leaves Paul for a college dude," Jared said as he ruffled Paul's hair as he walked by. Paul let out a growl.
"One week!" Quil said.
"Quil!" Kourtney exclaimed. Her neighbor only shrugged. "You guys are really bad friends."
"Ah, he knows we're just teasing!" Jared said. Paul only continued to glare at Jared, who only smiled back.
Kourtney moved back closer to Paul.
"So how often are you gonna come visit me?" Embry asked.
"You mean Paul, my boyfriend?"
"My name's Embry."
Kourtney let out a laugh.
"Okay, that was pretty smooth," Kourtney admitted.
"Don't encourage him," Paul muttered as he wrapped his arm around her, his hand resting at the side of her hip.
"Watch the hand, Lahote," Jared said. "I'm under orders to report any inappropriate behavior."
"You are not!" Kourtney cried.
The door opened once again and this time, their alpha appeared.
"Guess who I saw walking around," Sam cried.
"Cody!" Kourtney cried in surprise as her brother walked in after Sam. She saw how her brother's eyes quickly moved to Paul's hand that rested on her hip. Kourtney sat straight and Paul slowly brought his arm back to his side. "What are you doing here?"
Cody shrugged.
"Dinner went by faster than I expected. Dad headed back home and Mom wanted to head to bed early so I thought I'd stop by and visit Sam and Emily." Kourtney gave him a look. "Hey, you said you were hanging out with Paul. Didn't know that meant that you two would be here."
Kourtney slowly nodded her head, accepting his answer.
"Beer?" Sam asked, wanting to avoid any awkwardness.
"Sure!" Cody followed Sam into the kitchen.
"Surprised that you didn't fly off the handle there," Sam joked as he passed a bottle of beer to Cody. He took a long swig from the bottle before answering.
"Well, after nearly six months of the silent treatment from my sister, plus dealing with my parents' bullshit, I realized that Kourtney had a lot to deal with. And…I was glad and surprised that Paul stuck with her through it all. I was wrong about him."
From where Sam sat at the head of the table, he could see part of Paul's head. With the way it was tilted to the side, he knew that Paul was listening in.
"Wow," Sam said. "So I'm guessing you and Kourtney smoothed things over?"
"I apologized yeah," Cody shared. "But I didn't admit that I was wrong about him."
Sam laughed.
"A part of me still doesn't like it," Cody admitted.
"Because he reminds you of how you were. All flings, all the time."
"Hey! I was with Rachel most of high school!"
"Bro, you were like on and off. Every other month there was a break up followed by a quick fling with another girl before getting back together."
Cody took to taking another long swig from his beer. Sam got up and brought out the rest of the six pack. Cody reached for his second one, while Sam still nursed his first bottle. Cody sighed before taking a drink from the bottle.
"Annabelle and I broke up."
Sam wasn't surprised at the revelation, but he was surprised at the sadness in Cody's voice.
"There'll be another one," Sam told him.
Cody shook his head.
"I thought she was the one, man."
"Not the first time I've heard you say that, Cody." This caused Cody to take in more of his beer.
"It's the one thing I'm missing, Sam. Everyone," Cody nodded at him, "is settling down and I-"
"You got yourself out of the res! More than I can say about myself."
"Yeah, well, for me, it's gotten to the point where everything I do just feels…lonely."
Sam felt bad for his good friend. Despite what he told Cody, Sam didn't mind that he was stuck on the res; as long as he had Emily by his side, he was happy.
"She'll come to you eventually," Sam told him. Not knowing what else to say, Sam settled on rambling off a few clichéd phrases. "When you meet her, you'll know."
Cody polished off his second beer. He looked over to his side, where he saw Paul place a kiss on Kourtney's head. He felt a small stab of jealousy. He wondered why all his relationships ultimately failed, no matter how hard to tried to make them work. Then he wondered how and why Kourtney and Paul seemed to have it easy. As close as he was to Kourtney, it hurt when she clearly chose her relationship with Paul over listening to him.
"Is he good enough for her?" Cody asked.
"I can't think of anyone better," Sam replied honestly after a minute passed. While Cody busied himself with his third beer, Sam caught Paul's glance. His third in command gave him a quick nod of appreciation. Sam nodded in return.
.-~*~-. -~*~-.-~*~-.-~*~-.-~*~-.
"What are they talking about?" Kourtney asked Paul. "I know you can hear them!"
Paul shook his head.
"Cody's just talking about his break up with his girlfriend."
"They broke up?" she cried. She glanced at the kitchen, hoping her outburst wasn't heard. "Shit. I didn't even know that…"
"He sounds pretty broken up about it," Paul continued. "He told Sam something about everyone settling down but him."
Kourtney sighed.
"Never knew he of all people would think like that," she said, feeling sorry for her brother. Paul noticed the look of concern on her face. He also noted another emotion he couldn't quite figure out.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Kourtney shrugged.
"I just feel bad… I ignored him for months even when he tried reaching out to me."
"Talk to him then," Paul said. Kourtney nodded. Her hand went up to her mouth as she yawned.
"Sorry," she said. Soon Embry tried stifling a yawn.
"Look what you did," Jared said as he yawned, too.
Kourtney giggled.
"You should go, babe. Rest up. Tomorrow's the big day."
"Aw, is it your wedding day?" Jared teased. Paul didn't even bother to react while Kourtney rolled her eyes.
"Uh, let me tell Cody I'm heading out," Kourtney said, letting go of Paul's hand. He decided to hang back.
"Hey, Cody," Kourtney called as she entered the kitchen. The smell of beer filled her nose. "I'm heading home, you want to catch a ride?"
"Nah, I think I'll stay a little longer." Kourtney eyed the second six pack of beer that sat on the table in front of him.
"Don't worry about me," Cody said. "I'll be nice. I'll behave."
This earned a laugh from Sam.
"Sam will keep an eye on me."
"Maybe I should stay-" Kourtney said.
"Hey, you gotta wake up early tomorrow, remember?" Paul said as he joined the three in the kitchen. Kourtney groaned when she remembered about her plans of heading to Forks to get her hair and make-up done in time for graduation. Kourtney looked at Paul then her brother.
"I'll be fine," Paul whispered.
"He'll be fine," Cody repeated.
Kourtney seemed hesitant.
"Go!" Cody insisted. "Paul pull up a chair and have one."
Kourtney and Paul looked at one another.
"Hey, you wanted me to get to know him, right?"
Before Kourtney could answer, Paul pulled out the chair and sat down. Kourtney continued to stand.
"So you joining us or heading home to get your beauty sleep?" Cody asked. Kourtney sighed. She glanced at Sam.
"I'll make sure they behave," he told her. Kourtney nodded.
"Call me later?" she asked Paul who nodded. She decided against kissing him in front of her brother. Once she was out of the house, Cody grabbed another bottle and slid it towards Paul.
"Come on, Lahote," Cody said. "Don't act like you've never had alcohol before. I remember seeing you at one of the parties I went to when I was a senior."
Paul looked to Sam who gave him a nod of approval. He grabbed the bottle, twisted off the cap, and took a sip. Cody laughed.
"Which party was that?" Sam asked.
"You weren't there," Cody told him. "It was when you ran off without an explanation."
Sam realized what he was talking about. He took a sip of his beer as he reminisced about the first time he ever phased.
"So you two been living up your senior year?" Cody asked Paul.
"Not really," Paul said. "I already lived up my senior year last year. Didn't need to do it again."
"And Kourt?"
"Uh, she's avoided a few of the past parties."
"I hope that carries onto college," Cody said. "I can't believe she's going off to college. Aren't you worried?"
"Me?" Paul asked. He looked over at Sam who was still deep in thought. "No, I'm not. We'll make it work. I trust her."
Cody finished off his beer.
"You know," he said as he slid the empty beer bottle away. "My mom is thinking about moving over to Seattle."
"Really? That's news to me."
"Yeah, and it'll be news to Kourtney, too. Apparently she and her boyfriend, Aaron, are already discussing moving in together."
Paul took a sip of his beer as he thought over what Cody just told him. If Kourtney's mom did move to Seattle, he wondered how often Kourtney would visit La Push.
"I don't like the idea." Paul came back from his deep thought. "I get that my dad fucked up and hurt my mom. I get that she deserves to be happy and that she is with this Aaron dude, but I don't like the idea of my mom being with someone who isn't my dad. I don't like the idea of her moving in with him when they're not even married or even thinking about getting married!"
Paul knew it was the power of alcohol that was making Cody spill out his feelings.
"Don't get me wrong, I don't want my parents together. That shipped has sailed. I know Kourtney still has it in her mind that our parents belong together, but that's bullshit. I don't want them back together, but at the same time I don't want them with anyone else." Then he laughed. "You know what's funny? Kourtney wants my parents back together, but at the same time she's warming up to the idea of my mom seeing this Aaron guy."
Paul looked at Sam who seemed to be back from his thoughts.
"You met him right?"
"Yeah, uh, we all had dinner together once. He's alright. I mean, I barely spent time with him, but from the few times I did, he's alright."
"Mom invited him to graduation."
"What?" Sam asked, almost spitting out his beer. Cody nodded. "How about your dad?"
"He said he wouldn't miss his baby girl's graduation for anything in the world."
"So…both of them are going to be there?" Sam asked. Cody nodded again.
"Any suggestions?"
"Don't let Kourtney see your dad," Paul said. Cody scoffed.
"Well, tomorrow should be interesting then." Cody stood up. "I should head out now. Thanks for the beers, Sam."
He shook Sam's hand and patted him on the back. Cody then turned to Paul and held out his hand. Paul took it.
"I'm glad that Kourtney has you."
"You need a ride back?" Sam asked.
"No, I think the walk back will sober me up." Sam nodded and watched as his friend headed towards the front door. Once the front door shut, Sam looked at Paul.
"Congratulations, you finally got the Hunt family's full approval."
.-~*~-. -~*~-.-~*~-.-~*~-.-~*~-
"We did it!" Christy squealed as she threw her arms around Kourtney.
"Guys! Group picture!" Nate cried as he quickly set up his tripod. The seniors all crunched in together for the picture.
"Bonfire at the beach tonight!" Brian cried.
Paul looked over to Kourtney who nodded her head. It was their last bonfire together after all. After taking in more pictures, the new graduates dispersed, going off to find their families.
Kourtney turned around to find Paul staring at her.
"What?" she asked, still beaming. Paul laughed and shook his head.
"Nothing," he said as he wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close.
"I couldn't have done this without you."
Kourtney felt her heart skip a beat as her stomach seemed to fill with butterflies. She felt the same way she did before when she first realized she was starting to have feelings for Paul Lahote.
"I love you," she said.
"I love you," Paul replied. "You have no idea how much."
Kourtney giggled as she tiptoed for a kiss.
"Break it up!" came Cody's voice. Paul and Kourtney pulled apart just as their families approached them. Kourtney glared at her brother who only smirked.
"Paul!" Gene said as he walked over to his son with his arms wide open. Kourtney looked on as the two Lahotes embraced.
"I'm so proud of you," Gene murmured.
"Thanks Dad." Gene looked at Kourtney and made his way to hug her. "Thank you for what you did for Paul."
"It was no problem."
After the obligatory congratulations and sentiments were said, Cynthia sprang into action.
"Okay you two, let me get a picture!" Paul and Kourtney gave their best smiles as Cynthia clicked away on her camera. "Okay, Gene why don't you join the two?" Cynthia instructed. "Then Cody you can join then next one."
This went on for the next twenty minutes; Cynthia instructed who would be in the picture and where they should stand. After taking her share of pictures with Paul and Kourtney, she went on to check the pictures in her camera.
"Man, my cheeks are starting to hurt," Paul said. Kourtney laughed.
"Okay, Mom, I think you've gotten enough pictures," she called out before her mom went into another spurt of photo taking.
"How about your friends?" Cynthia asked as Jared and the rest of the pack made their way towards them. Kourtney caught a look at Paul who was massaging his jaw already. She bit back a laugh.
"Congratulations guys!" Emily greeted first as she threw her arms around the couple.
"Come on! Let's get these pictures taken!" Cynthia cried.
"I'm not smiling this time," Paul told Kourtney.
"Yes you will!" Cynthia exclaimed.
"Cody why don't you join in? Sue, where's Leah?"
"Oh, don't worry about her, Cyn. She'll probably just be scowling away. I wouldn't want her ruining the pictures," Sue joked.
"Leah! Come here!" Seth called out. The rest of the guys grumbled making Cody chuckle.
"What's wrong with Leah?" he asked.
"She's just a bi-ow!"
"Okay, look over here!"
Everyone followed Cynthia's commands and held their smiles while she clicked away.
"Alright, Mom, can we chill with the pictures?" Cody asked. "I think we're all smiled out!"
"Hey, you guys headed to the bonfire tonight?" Jared asked.
"Yeah, I think Kourtney actually wants to go to this one," Paul said.
"I thought there was a reception thing at the center?"
"We're going after," Kourtney said.
"Wha-" Cody stopped midsentence as he casually glanced behind his sister. His eyes were suddenly glued onto none other than Leah Clearwater. His head suddenly blanked on what he was going to ask and was soon filled with Leah's face as he was seeing her. Leah seemed frozen at her spot as her eyes continued to meet his. Cody was barely aware that he was now walking towards her.
"Uh, Cody?" Kourtney asked. Cody's behavior didn't go unnoticed. The rest of the pack watched as Cody made his way to Leah, who still stood where she was, unmoved.
"What just happened?" Seth asked.
"Guys did…she just… Or was it Cody?" Jared asked.
"What's going on?" Kourtney asked.
"Uh, nothing," Paul said as he threw his arms around her shoulder and walked her away from the pack. Seeing the look that Leah and Cody had for one another, he was more than certain that she imprinted. Or was it Cody who imprinted on her. Either way, Paul still wasn't ready for Kourtney to hear the word 'imprint.
"Kevin?" Kourtney suddenly cried in surprise. "Kevin!"
Kourtney disappeared from under Paul's arm. She squealed with delight as she ran up to a guy Paul didn't recognize. She threw her arms around him. Paul could feel his pack brothers looking at him. They all seemed to be wondering who the guy that his girlfriend was hugging was. Paul shrugged at them.
"What are you doing here?" Kourtney asked.
"I heard my favorite cousin was graduating and even though she didn't bother to invite me, I decided to come and congratulate her anyway!"
Kourtney gave him a look.
"You live in Montana!"
"Yeah, and?" Kevin asked nonchalant.
"Kev, why are you here? Not that I'm not happy to see you. I know it's not just to see my graduation!"
"Well, I was in the neighborhood," he said with a shrug. "So I figured why not come down and visit?"
"Is it just you?" Kevin nodded.
"Hey, Kevin! So you did make it!" Cody greeted as he returned to the group. Kourtney glanced at her brother. She couldn't help but feel there was something off about him. She briefly caught Leah who seemed to be looking over at Cody.
"You knew he was in town?"
"Yeah, dad mentioned it."
"Oh."
"I mean, I'm sure he would've told you, too if-"
"Speaking of your dad," Kevin interrupted. "Have you seen him? I kinda lost him after the ceremony."
"He's here?" Kourtney asked in surprise.
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"Hey, babe," Paul said, saving Kourtney from answering the question.
"Let me guess, Paul?"
"Uh, Paul this is my cousin Kevin. Kevin my boyfriend, Paul."
"Uncle Jer talked about you quite a bit last night," Kevin chuckled. "Never thought he'd ever approve of anyone dating his baby girl."
Kourtney looked to the ground.
"So, I heard you were from Montana?" Paul asked, trying to change the subject.
"Yeah," Kevin replied.
"What brings you to La Push?"
"Just visiting," was all Kevin offered as an answer. "It was nice meeting you. Congrats on the graduation. I need to go look for Uncle Jer."
"Are you leaving? How long are you here for?" Kourtney asked.
"I don't know," Kevin said.
Kourtney frowned at his answer.
"Kevin-"
"I'll see you later, Kourt." Kourtney watched as her cousin disappeared into the crowd.
"Kourtney, Paul," Gene called. "We should start heading over to the center."
Kourtney let Paul lead her through the crowd. She couldn't help but look through the sea of people. A part of her wanted to see if she could spot her dad. Once she did, she didn't know what she'd do. She remind quiet and thoughtful through the short ride over to the center.
"Are you staying in your robe?" Paul teased.
"Huh? Oh, no." Kourtney pulled the graduation robe over her head and straightened out the dress she had under.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, just…No, I'm okay," Kourtney said with a smile. For one day, she didn't want to worry about any problems. She pushed her dad and cousin out of her mind. At the sight of Leah, she realized that she needed to push whatever was going on between Leah and her brother out of her mind too.
"Let's go party!" Kourtney joked.
.-~*~-. -~*~-.-~*~-.-~*~-.-~*~-.
Kourtney's goal of not dealing with other people's problems didn't last long. As she made her rounds around the center, greeting the people of the La Push community and thanking them for their congratulations, she spotted her cousin sitting along in the corner. She had yet to see her dad. She wondered if he was keeping away for her sake or because he didn't want to see Aaron who was supposed to be there. After some last minute talking, Cynthia asked Aaron to just stay at the house to keep from causing drama with Jerry.
Kourtney, growing tired of smiling and making small chat, made her way to the table where her cousin sat at. She had no idea where Paul ran off to. She guessed he went to run around with the pack boys since they seemed to be absent as well.
"Hey, you!"
"Hey, Kourt." She took a seat next to him. He cocked an eyebrow at her. "What?"
Kevin sighed.
"I'm guessing you want to talk?"
Kourtney shrugged.
"Only if you want to."
"I kinda don't right now."
Kourtney sighed.
"I know that something is going on." A few minutes passed and Kourtney was ready to give up when Kevin finally spoke.
"Grandma and grandpa can't take care of me anymore," he finally said. "And, surprise, surprise, my mom isn't exactly thrilled to be a parent again."
"Oh," Kourtney said, regretting that she asked.
"Uncle Jerry offered for me to stay with him until I figure out what I want to do."
"What do you mean? Where else would you go? Your dad?"
"Fuck no," Kevin said bitterly. "I don't want anything to do with that motherfu-"
"Kevin," Kourtney said, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Sorry."
"Your mom seriously doesn't want you staying with her? I mean, you're sixteen. I'm sure the hard part of parenting as passed." Kevin scoffed.
"Having her sixteen year old son kinda cramps her style when it comes to all those guys she brings home."
"Well, why don't you stay in La Push?"
"With you?"
"Well, no. I'm leaving for Seattle in a couple of months. But I mean, I'm sure my mom won't-"
"I don't think your mom would want me staying with her."
"Why not?"
"I mean, it'll be awkward."
"Then stay with my dad," Kourtney suggested. Kevin looked at Kourtney.
"Kourt, why don't you talk to your dad?"
She immediately crossed her arms and looked away.
"Hey, you made me talk, now you have to talk."
"I didn't make you talk," Kourtney muttered.
"Alright, fine. Don't talk," Kevin said, as he crossed his arms.
Kourtney felt silly and immature. As silence continued between them, she finally stood up and started to walk away.
"He's leaving, you know," Kevin called out.
Kourtney stopped. She was fighting the urge to turn around and question what he just said. Kevin saw her hesitation and quickly spoke again before she could start walking away.
"He's going down to Texas. You're gonna be gone off to college in Seattle anyway, so he doesn't feel a need to stay here…" Kourtney felt tears prickle her eyes. She quickly wiped them off before someone could notice. "Talk to him, Kourt."
Kourtney continued walking on, her cousin's request repeating in her head. Kourtney kept her head down, eyes on the ground, as she navigated her out to the hallway.
"Ow!"
"Sorry-"
"Kourtney?"
Kourtney looked up and saw Bella standing in front of her.
"Oh my God, I'm sorry! Did I hurt you?"
"No, Bella," Kourtney said, wiping the tear that rolled down her cheek. "Just an emotional day today."
Bella bit her lip and fidgeted with her sleeves.
"Uh, it's nice to see you here!" Kourtney said.
"Thanks, Jake invited me. I hope that was okay."
"Of course! Uh, I haven't seen the guys around lately. I'm sure they'll be back soon."
"Oh okay. Um, congratulations by the way!" Bella offered.
"Thanks!"
"Are you ready for yours?" Bella nodded.
"I'm more than ready."
Kourtney laughed.
"Well, I, uh, I'm having a graduation party this Sunday. You are more than welcome to come! Paul, too, I mean, if he wants."
"Really? Thanks, Bella!"
"Jake and Embry and Quil are going, too."
"Well, then maybe I'll just go with them and not bring Paul. I don't want him to ruin your party," Kourtney laughed. "I know he can be a bit…"
"Of an asshole?"
Kourtney laughed even more.
"It's okay. I understand where he's coming from," Bella said. Her statement made Kourtney look at her questioningly. "I-I mean I know that he doesn't like me and-"
"Bella! You made it!" Jake's voice boomed throughout the hall. Kourtney watched as Bella looked relieved at his presence.
"Hey, Jake, you're going to Bella's party right?" Kourtney asked.
"Of course."
"Can I ride with you then?"
"You're going too?"
"Yeah, Bella just invited me."
"Alright! How about-"
"He can stay. We don't need him spoiling our fun at Bella's graduation party," Kourtney joked. "Speaking of, where is he?" As if on cue, the doors to the center opened. The hallway was soon filled with the booming voices of the pack.
"I'll see you guys inside." Kourtney went to meet Paul.
"Hey babe," he greeted.
"Where'd you guys go?"
"Just for a run," he said as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her in for a kiss. "I saw Devin already heading down to the beach. You wanna head to the bonfire now?"
"Yeah, let's go! Let me go tell my mom so she doesn't send Reggie to look for us again." A few minutes later, Kourtney returned. "So, can we jump off the cliff again?"
AN: I apologise for the long wait! School has consumed my life! Honestly, I am losing interest in this story. I will be finishing it out though! I already had two follow up stories for this, but I'm afraid I'm just going to cut it short. I have found inspiration in another Twilight fanfic and like all new writings, I am amping and exciting to start writing that one! I think I will crank out another chapter or two out for this story! I hope you liked this one, even though I felt like I did a half-assed job on it. Who knows, maybe I'll change my mind and rewrite some of the recent chapters; I feel like I haven't been giving a 100% to them.
Done with the rambling. I hope you enjoyed! What do you think will happen next? =)