Chapter 52 – Flames

Flames.

I sit and stare dejectedly into the flames dancing in front of me. I know that My Everything is watching me – I can feel her eyes burning a hole in the back of my neck.

My Everything hasn't left me alone for three days, when she found me in the bathroom, bleeding. I know everyone knows about my little escapade – a mortal could hear Kyla's screaming from Forks – and so no one was talking to me much tonight, leaving me to stare at the dancing flames of the wolf pack bonfire.

The legends have been told, the food inhaled, and everything has been packed up. Now comes the casual socialising between the imprints and the wrestling between the wolves.

Collin grins as he tackles Brady to the floor. The other boy doesn't look too thrilled, and turns to hiss in his best friend's ear. Brady stands up and dusts himself off. I hear him clear his throat, and I half expect him to yell out something stupid like 'Shoe Fight!' whilst throwing some form of footwear at some unsuspecting imprint. Instead, he surprises me by blushing a little and shuffling his feet once everyone's attention is centred on him.

"Uhh… I don't know how to put this, so I'm going to blurt it out like an idiot, ok? I've imprinted."

Brady grows even redder when all of the boys give an ironic wolf whistle and all of the girls start squealing. I personally yell out over the hubbub.

"Who's the lucky girl?"

I'm even more surprised when my simple question causes Brady the blush even harder, if possible.

"That's the thing," He says quietly to me. "I think it's a guy."

The wolves all pause, staring at Brady, before they begin to laugh.

"Good onya, Bray. Trust you to be special," Collin grins, punching his best friend. The girls, on their part, were already planning Vegas Weddings. I smile sympathetically at the tomato-red Brady.

"When do I get to meet the lucky winner of your affection?" I ask, trying to distract Brady from the supposedly harmless teasing, and make him feel a little better. Brady shoots me a grateful grin, before replying.

"I was gonna tell him tomorrow. I've known the guy for ages, but we've never talked much. I think I've seen him looking at me, but that could be just deranged fantasy." Brady chuckles and I join him. As my laughter dies, I glance at My Everything. She nods approvingly at my smile.

"It's great that you've found your imprint, Bray," I say softly, reflecting on how happy Me Everything has made me. I smile at my friend before turning back to watch the flames.

~xXMyElementalXx~

I walk reluctantly behind Brady as he marches purposefully towards the local Forks Diner, where the lovesick puppy has organised to meet with his imprint. My Everything volunteered my support in Brady's 'coming out', so now I get to play chaperone.

We walk into the building and Brady immediately walks to the back corner of the restaurant. I spy a short, slim figure with a shock of messy blonde hair and baggy clothes sitting there, totally absorbed with the music blaring from the bulky headphones over their ears. As I approach, behind Brady, I hear snippets of unfamiliar music – Classical or something.

The figure obviously hears Brady approaching through the strange music and looks up. A smile breaks over both of their faces as my pack brother sits opposite his imprint. I'm momentarily struck by how they look good together and I have to wonder – does it look the same when I with My Everything?

The blonde's smile falls flat when I move to stand beside the table and Brady gestures for me to sit beside him. I oblige, and Bray's imprint pulls off his headphones, pulling a face.

"When you said to meet you, I thought it was a date," The blonde sends a pointed look in my direction, flames of determination in his shocking green eyes. Brady chuckles as I smile apologetically; trying to say without words how awkward it is for me to be here.

"My chaperone," Brady explains, grinning. "My pack of friends is… old-fashioned. They like at least two of us to be off of the rez at a time, for safety." Brady elaborates, and I nod my agreement. The blonde frowns.

"So what, you're in a gang?" He says nervously. "Are you here to tell me to join the gang, or disappear, or swear to secrecy or something?"

I blink in surprise; that's a new one. This kid has an imagination alright. I swap a look with Bray, who looks vaguely stoned. I snort, recognising the expression.

"Well, I'm not gonna make you disappear, but you won't be able to repeat what I'm about to tell you…" He starts.

"So, it is a gang?" The boy asks, a grin spreading across his features. "Cool, can I join?"

I blink in astonishment, what's Brady getting himself into?

"It's not quite that simple…" Brady frowns; I suspect he's wondering where to begin. I cut in, trying to make things easier.

"Hi, I'm Seth and I'll be your chaperone for the evening," I say, smiling my hello.

"Pleasure, my name's Jerri." The blonde shakes my hand, before slumping back into his seat.

"Cool, so have you ever heard the Quileute legends?" I ask, trying to steer the conversation in the right direction.

"What, you mean the spirit wolves and cold ones and all that? Hell yes I have, mythology is my life," Jerri grins. I smile back; this'll be easier than expected. Brady grins at me, and I know he's thanking me for clearing that up.

"Well, Jerr, the legends are true," Bray cuts in. We pause, waiting for denial, storming off, you know – normal responses. Instead, Jerri smiles.

"Yeah, and? C'mon, that can't be the only thing you came to tell me." He prompts. I think my brain just exploded, how is this kid so nonchalant about this?

"Uhh, well, We – Seth and I – are werewolves, like in the legend." Bray stammers, obviously just as shocked as I am.

"I knew it!" The blonde grins, leaving me lost for thought. I somehow manage a 'huh?'

"There was no way you guys could be that ripped without help. It was either steroids or mythical mumbo-jumbo." Jerri says, like that explains everything.

"Well, do you also know about the imprinting legend?" Brady asks, trying to keep this really weird conversation moving.

"Let me guess; that one's true too," Jerri grins, waggling his eyebrows. Brady nods furiously.

"Yeah, I imprinted." He says. Jerri looks a little disappointed, but his smile is still in place.

"Who's the lucky girl?" He asks, gulping slightly. I snort lightly at the irony, earning a punch in the arm.

"You," Brady says, not bothering to correct the boy. Jerri's bold green eyes blink spastically, finally giving us a normal reaction.

"You're not serious." The boy says lowly.

"Please, hear me out!" Brady begs. Jerri calms down and gestures for Brady to continue.

"I know we're both guys, and I know me imprinting on you means I'm flaming, gay as hell, but please give me a chance?"

Silence envelops our table as Jerri takes in this information. The determined flames are back in those green eyes as he runs through Bray's speech.

Suddenly, Jerri laughs. Brady and I share a look, worried we broke him.

"Jerr, please, I don't care that you're a guy. I'll still love you," Brady says wretchedly.

"That's just it," Jerri laughs, his girlishly slender figure convulsing as he clutches at his heaving sides. Brady and I both blink, confused. Brady risks asking the inevitable question.

"That's just what?"

"I'm a girl," Jerri says, sitting up and taking off his – her – baggy jumper to reveal a slim, feminine figure. Brady sighs, relieved.

"Oh thank god."

A.N. ~

And THAT'S what y'all get for Lena making me put myself into the story.

I was gonna make me a boy, because that is so much less awkward, but Lena insisted that a girl would be easier. ~sigh~

Lena: Oh, that was so worth all the complaining! :D

Jerome's a giiiirl! :P

Shut up Lena… -.-U

Note: Jerri will appear once more, or else this chapter will have been pointless, but ONLY once.

Just until next time!

Ja matta!

Jerome

And Lena... pfffft, Jerri's a girl... XD

Let it go, Lena.