Embry POV
"Woah," Quil leaned back in his chair after I finished telling him. "I would have ripped his fucking head off."
"I wanted to," I admitted. "Thankfully Leah talked me out of it."
"Yeah, probably for the best."
"Well, look at this. Embry Call and a girlfriend, never thought I'd see the day," Quil leaned back in the desk chair.
"Shut up man, we aren't dating."
"Riiiight," he winked. "It's just kind of wild that both you and Jacob imprinted on someone from the same family."
"Not really. You and Sam imprinted on people from the same family."
"Oh... yeah, fair point, but they are Quilete. You both imprinted on a Vampire family."
"Raena isn't a vampire."
"I know, but it's just weird."
"Whatever, man."
"So, you guys have big plans?"
"I haven't seen her since the party, but we've been texting a lot."
"You should get some time in with her before school starts back up."
"I know, I should, but I don't really know how... I mean, we don't really have a set definition of what we are. Do I... ask her on a date?"
Quil shrugged," Yeah maybe."
"You are literally no help."
"I can't tell you how to do things in your relationship."
"Hasn't stopped you before."
"Maybe you should go ask Bella, I mean, her and Raena are cousins."
"Raena and Bella barely know each other, Raena says she hand't seen her in like 10 years or something."
Quil shrugged again," it could be helpful."
He was right, I just wanted a suggestion or something, anything really.
"Let's go."
I stood up and followed Quil to his car and he drove to Forks. We pulled to the Cullen's house, we hadn't called but I knew that they probably already knew we were here. Alice had probably seen us coming like five days ago.
"Hello Embry, it's good to see you. Quil, welcome," Esme opened the door.
"Hello Mrs. Cullen," Quil walked in.
I felt awkward being there, not because they were vampires, I was over that, but because I knew they knew. I knew Jacob had told them, and now they knew I had imprinted on Bella's cousin.
"I'm afraid Jacob isn't here right now," Esme told us.
"Oh, that's okay," Quil grinned. "We actually need to see Bella."
Esme looked a little surprised," Oh, well, in that case. Come on in."
She lead us up the stairs where most of the family was sitting, I didn't see Carlisle but other than that everyone was there.
"Bella, Embry and Quil are here."
"Hey Quil, hey Embry," Bella came up and gave us both quick hugs.
"Hey Bella. Hello Cullens," Quil waved to them all, he made things really awkward sometimes.
The room looked at him and Emmett smiled and waved back.
"What's up?," Bella asked.
"Oh nothing," Quil smiled," Em, just wants your advice on some stuff."
Bella turned to me and I felt this may have been a bad idea.
"I have a feeling I know about what," Bella smiled. "Come on," she lead us outside onto the deck.
I stood their trying to think of what to say, when Quil spoke up for me.
"Sooooooo," he dragged the word to make the situation even worse. "I'm sure we all are the same page but just to be sure," he looked to Bella. "You know, right?"
She turned to me," You mean about Embry and Raena," she said it with a happy calm tone, her classic Bella tone.
I felt a deep red stain my face as I shuffled my feet," Yeah, I didn't really know how to tell you about that."
"It's fine, I didn't expect to be the first to know. But I'm glad to hear things are going well between you."
I smiled," Yeah, it is... uhm, that's kind of why I'm here. I know you and Raena don't really know each other to well, but I just don't want to do something stupid and mess it up so soon," I paused but Bella didn't say anything. "So, I thought I'd come ask you... before I... do... something... dumb," just talking I felt like an idiot.
"Well, Raena, appreciates honesty, just be real with her and I don't think you'll mess it up."
"I just don't know how to approach it. I know she isn't used to relationships and I don't want to move to fast for her."
Bella thought for a moment," I'm sure Raena would let you know if things were going to fast. You shouldn't worry so much."
Easy for you to say, I thought.
"That's what I told him!," Quil announced
"No it isn't."
"Well, basically..."
"Yeah, sure. Uhm, thanks Bella, sorry to barge in like this," I apologized.
"No, it's fine," she said sincerely. "You're both welcome here anytime. I feel like we don't see much of the pack anymore."
"We should have a BBQ!," Quil suggested enthusiastically.
Bella smiled," Yeah, we should."
"Yes! Best idea ever! I'm gonna text Jake now. Thanks for having us Bella," Quil smiled as he went back in the house.
I waved goodbye to the rest of the house as I followed Quil to the door.
"See you guys," Bella said goodbye.
"See you at the BBQ!," Quil grinned.
"Thanks for the help Bella," I told her as we shut the door.
"I'm so pumped," Quil started the car.
"About?"
"The BBQ! God, it's been so long since I've had some good ribs."
I pulled out my phone, I should just do it. Just hang out with her, it doesn't even have to be a date.
Embry- Hey, wat are u doing tomorrow?
I felt so nervous, it seemed like such a bold thing to say even though it wasn't. Quil was still talking, but my head was so focused on my text.
Raena- nothing. y?
I took a deep breath
Embry- no reason. wanna do something?
Raena- yeah
I couldn't hide the grin on my face as I started to plan something to do.
Raena POV
I didn't really know what to wear, Embry mentioned just hanging out, but I wasn't really sure what we were doing. I wanted to be cute but I was just so tired, so I chose a hoodie and some ripped pants.
"Raena?," My uncle knocked on my door.
"Yeah?"
"Can I come in?"
I looked in the mirror one last time and then went and opened the door.
"Yeah?"
"Oh," Charlie stepped back a little. "I just wanted to see how you were doing? You know, adjusting and... what not," he glanced to me then looked around.
This is never going to go away...
"You know, Uncle Charlie, we can just pretend like none of that stuff ever happened. Just go back to this town being a boring speck on the map with no excitement, me just a passerby and you just a normal sheriff."
"It's not healthy to keep this stuff in, you know. It helps to talk about it."
"With you?"
"I-I... Well, it doesn't have to be me, but I can answer maybe some questions, if you had any," Charlie shuffled uncomfortably in the hall.
I leaned against the door frame," How much do you really know about it all?"
I didn't mean to sound condescending or anything, I was genuinely curious.
"Not too much," he admitted. "Actually, probably less than you," he gave a slight smirk.
I couldn't help but smile, it was a little funny as I thought about all Embry had told me," Yeah, you might be right about that."
"But if you do have anything to ask, I would... find a way to help... answer it."
"Thanks Charlie."
"Yeah," he said before turning around to leave.
"Oh... Uncle Charlie?," he turned back after I called. "I'm sorry... you know, for snapping at you... and Sue. I was just... just really kind of mind fucked at the time."
He smirked again," Yeah, I get that."
"Thanks."
"But you should apologize to Sue too," he said. "She only wants to help."
I sighed, knowing he was right," Yeah, I will."
"Uh... you going somewhere?," he asked.
"Uhm, nowhere special, just going to hangout some friends."
"With Embry?"
My breath caught, how did he know? Who told him?!
I played it cool," He might be there, yeah."
"Oh... well have a good time and call if you need anything," he descended the stairs.
How the hell does he know about Embry? Did he hear him the other night? Crap... maybe he saw me texting hi at the table? Did he tell my mom? Oh god... just what I need. Did Embry tell him? No... why would he?
On my bed, my phone lit up.
Embry
1 Txt Msg
I opened it.
Embry- u ready?
I smiled.
Raena- yeah
Embry POV
I didn't want to make a big deal out of it, so I tried to play it down. Just me and her, watching a movie or something. Start small and simple, no pressure. I thought back to when we watched movies at the cabin and how she feel asleep on my arm. It was a really good memory.
But that won't happen this time, I told myself, she'll stay awake.
My mom had left for work, so I had the house to myself. I thought it would be comfortable and easy, keeping it classic, btu the closer it got, the more nervous I got.
Does she think I'm inviting her to my house to get her alone? I hope she doesn't think i'm trying to... to like... Should I ask? No, that would be stupid. Maybe this was not a smart move. Maybe we should do something else... but there is nothing else to do in this place. Just have to stay cool.
Embry- u ready?
It'll be fine, I told myself not knowing if it was a lie or not.
Raena- yeah
It'll be fine, I grabbed the keys.
The drive to Forks never felt so long, I pulled to Raena's house and she came out quickly. She looked so beautiful when she smiled to me, it made my toes tingle.
"Hey," she slid into the front seat.
"Hey."
"Hurry, pull away before my uncle looks out."
I drove away," Why? Does Charlie not like me or something?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "He did ask if I was going to hang out with you today."
"Like he didn't want you to?"
"No, just like he wanted to know. I really came out of nowhere. I have no idea why he even brought you up," Raena turned to me. "Did you talk to him?"
"No, I try to avoid the sheriff at all costs," I joked.
Raena smiled again," So, where are we going?"
"Oh, nowhere. Just to my house, if that's okay?"
I felt a suspense as I waited for her answer.
"Yeah, cool," she didn't sound weirded out or anything.
That's a good sign.
On the way there Raena told me about Charlie talking to her. It was weird that he mentioned me, but I thought maybe Sue had told him something. Not doubt that she figured it out from Leah or Seth about Raena and I. I pulled up to the house and my anxiety spiked again, but here was no turning back.
Raena POV
I was kind of excited to see Embry's house, he had seen mine. It was small, like really small, basically the kind of house I would have had if we had had a house, but nicer. My mom and I would have a had a run down house with blankets on the windows and cracked foundation, but this house was so nice and taken care of. Inside was a small kitchen with a table right as you walked in, to the left was the living room which was a little bigger. Then on the wall behind the couch were three doors.
"Wow, this is cute," I told Embry.
It really was adorable, like a cottage.
"Where's your room?"
He pointed to the second door and I made my way across the room.
"Oh wait, it's dirty, I didn't clean it or anything," he protested as I opened the door and stepped in.
His room was tiny, practically a closet. He had a small twin bed pressed against the corner, a night stand and a desk. It almost looked smaller than my room back home, which was definitely saying something. He was right, he room was not clean. He had clothes spread across the floor, his sheets were rumpled in the center of his bed and his desk was littered with paper and water bottles.
"Its really homey," I chuckled.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm a slob, I know."
"I didn't say that."
"This speaks for itself," he gestured to the mess.
"Yeah, it's messy."
"I tired to shelter you, but you wouldn't listen."
"When do I ever?"
"Good point."
I left his room and he shut the door, then I noticed the pictures on the wall. They were all of the same boy, most definitely Embry, as he aged. It showed him playing soccer, at a birthday party, in preschool, they were adorable.
"You were so cute," I stared at them. "Look how goofy you look," I giggled while scanning the pictures
"The years haven't been kind," he smiled.
"Aww, this one is so adorable! Is this your mom?"
I was looked a framed picture of a toddler standing on a beach with a women crouched down behind him smiling while hugging him.
"Yeah."
"That's so cute. Is that here?"
"Yeah at the beach."
"Wow... so you've basically been here forever?"
"Basically," he said ambling towards the sofa. "What movie did you want to watch?," he asked. "Not that I have many choices."
"I didn't realized I got to chose, I figured you would play Star Wars."
He turned around, eyes wide," Do you want to watch it! I have them!"
I smiled," what else you have?"
"I have Scary Movie, Remember the Titans, Charlie's Angels, Pirates of the Caribbean, and Elf."
"Not a big selection, huh?"
"I also have Star Wars."
I laughed," How about... Elf?"
"Really? A christmas movie?"
"It's my favorite season!"
"Over Halloween!," Embry sounded offended.
"Yes! Christmas is so much better."
Embry shook his head," Wrong, just so wrong!"
"What's so great about Halloween?"
"What's not great about it! Costumes, candy, scaring people, haunted houses, pumpkins. So good."
"Christmas has lights and hot chocolate, snow and peppermint."
"Fine, I'll put Elf in," he sighed.
I sat on the sofa, near the center, right in front of the TV.
Embry turned it on," Do you want popcorn or something?"
"Nah, I'm fine."
The room was chilly though, I was happy I wore my hoodie.
He grabbed the remote then sat down at the end of the couch, pretty much as close as he could to the end. I looked over to him, he was too cute.
He caught me staring," what?"
"You know you can sit next to me, right?"
"I... I am. Aren't I?," I saw he was a little nervous.
I smiled," Embry, I know you like me," that gained a dark stain of his caramel cheeks which only made me smile wider. "And you know that I like you, so you don't have to be shy."
"I'm not. I'm just sitting."
"Okay," I chuckled and turned to the TV.
Embry POV
She caught on right away. I tried not to be obvious, but when I saw her sitting in the center of the couch, I didn't really know what to do. Did she want me to sit beside her or was she just trying to get the best view of the screen. I decided to sit on the end of the couch, not wanting to press my luck and she called me out.
Thankfully the movie started, we weren't even five minutes in and I already had to go to the bathroom. When I came back, I chose to follow her advice, I sat down right next to her, she looked over her shoulder and smiled.
"See, not too scary?"
"Shut up," I nudged her and she went back to watching the movie, but I just kept glancing to her, she was so hypnotic.
Raena POV
I admit when he sat beside me, my heart did flutter, I honestly didn't expect him too. It was a good surprise, so I poked fun at him, which surprised me for being so casually about it. I wasn't awkward or guarded at all. We got about half way through the movie when he started to spread out, I don't even think he noticed himself doing it. He put his arm up on the top half of the couch, not on my shoulder but hovering about it. My first instinct was to melt into it, cuddle up to him and enjoy the film, but I froze. I didn't really know if I should or not. I sat up a little and stiffened as I thought about what to do, Embry didn't notice my eternal dilemma.
"So, do you beleive in Santa?," Embry asked.
"What?"
"Well, you love Christmas so much and it's pretty much centered about a fairy tale, so I thought I should ask."
"No, I don't believe in Santa."
"Well, just so you know, Halloween is nothing like that, which is probably why is so vastly superior."
"Santa doesn't scare people, Halloween scares kids."
"I beg to differ, I've been to the mall at Christmas while parents force their kids on Santa's lap while they scream. Santa scares people."
"But kids still love him."
"Because he bring them toys, if he didn't he would be just like... like a mascot or something."
"Doesn't matter what you say, Christmas is still better," I locked my eyes on the screen and I felt Embry staring at me, I couldn't help but crack a grin.
It hit me then. I had leaned back against the couch again and I felt Embry's hand on my shoulder.
Embry's POV
I didn't even realize I had done it. When the hell did I do that? When did my hand arm even get around her? Did I do that stupid yawn and stretch thing? God, I hope not.
Raena didn't seem bothered by it, she didn't even seem to notice it, she kept her eyes on the movie. I didn't really know what to do, if I take it away, she'll notice it for sure, will she call me out on it again? Maybe she knows about it now and it's not a big deal...
I looked at Raena again, she trembled slightly, like maybe she was cold.
"Are you cold?"
"I'm okay."
She is cold. I stood up and went to my room and pulled my comforter from the bed and brought it out. I draped it across her lap and sat down again.
"Thanks," she brought it up to her chest, visibly cold now.
"Is it really that cold?," I asked sitting back down.
"You're not freezing?," she asked, her teeth almost seemed to chatter.
I smirked," No. It's a wolf thing."
"What? That you don't feel the temperature."
"To an extent," I joked.
Raena rearranged the blanket putting it across my lap too, now we were sharing a blanket and I made sure to keep my arm glued to my side. No yawn and stretch.
Raena POV
It was cold in there, like practically freezing. Embry was really sweet and got me a blanket and he sat back down, I noticed he didn't put his arm around me again. I gave him some of the blanket and snuggled into it's warmth. I almost felt sleepy after warming up, I wanted to curl up beside Embry like cat which was weird, I was usually so grossed out by couples that were all lovey dovey. But we aren't a couple, I thought and glanced to Embry. We're in progress... to being a couple. If we become a couple, are we going to be 'one of those' couples? I've never been part of a couple, well not really. Trevor shouldn't count.
I glanced to Embry again and he smiled at me, so I smiled back. He was such a kind person, so sweet, maybe it wouldn't be so bad to be 'one of those' couples. At least it's good to know he's basically just as clueless as me when it comes to this stuff, maybe more awkward, I grinned to myself. Does that mean I'll be the one to make all the first moves? The first kiss? The first time we... He is pretty quiet, well he was when I first met him, but he's opened up since then.
Maybe he thinks this is too fast? I mean I kissed him on the cheek and he was really surprised... it was a bit out of the blue. But this is a movie... don't people like snuggle together to watch movies? I see it all the time.
I sat back against the couch, Embry tugged at the blanket, pulling more onto him and I positioned myself to give him some. Fuck it, I thought and leaned into his side.
Embry POV
She put her head on my shoulder, it took me by surprise, this time she chose it. She wasn't just passed out and wanting to be comfy, she physically and mentally chose to put her head on my shoulder. I admit that I did freeze for a second or two, then I rotated my arm, she lifted her head and I placed my hand on her other shoulder, holding her closer and she laid her head on my chest while I pulled the blanket closer with my right hand. Having her so close made everything feel so great, everything about her was addictive, her gorgeous green eyes, cute smile, sparky personality, and she smelled like roses.
We were sitting on my couch, cuddled together, under a blanket, watching a Christmas movie in March which when I thought about it seemed so normal.
Raena lifted her head and turned to me," You're heart is racing," she grinned. "Do I really make you that nervous?"
She really did. She made me so nervous and clumsy, it felt like my brain turned to pudding and my tongue was made of lead. She was totally out of my league in ever single way imaginable and yet here I was with her literally on my arm.
"Yes," I said softly but sincerely.
Raena's grin faded and she searched my eyes, the moment got tense. I felt an urge to reach my right arm over and cup the side of her face, stroke her cheek softly. I know she would blush, probably be embarrassed, but I wanted to so bad.
Raena POV
It was honestly so adorable, after I made bold move and put my head on his shoulder, he lifted his arm and put his arm around me, letting me cuddle up to his chest. Which was such a relief, it meant it wasn't too much and that he was comfortable. I laid my head on his chest and I felt his chest rise and fall along with his heart beat, which was beating so fast. That meant one of two things, one he really was uncomfortable or two he was just nervous. I chose to believe he was just nervous.
"You're heart is racing," I lifted my head to look at Embry. "Do I make you that nervous?"
I asked to be a bit of smartass but to also hear an answer. If he wasn't nervous that meant I made him uncomfortable which would be so much worse, I did't want to jump too fast, but i had no clue what a normal pace was for things like this. Is this not something you do unless you're dating, I started to doubt myself.
Embry looked at me for a moment, his eyes locked to me," Yes."
It was real, too real. I really made him that nervous. That could mean so many things, but right then and there I chose to believe it was because he really truly did like me for whatever reasons he had; whether they be werewolf related or not, this boy really did see something in me that he craved. He was so handsome, I wanted to kiss him, I really did. I searched his face, looking or a sign if that was what he wanted but was too nervous to do.
Then the front door opened and in walked a women. We both turned, she looked familiar.
That's his mom.
