Title: The Best Of Times: Trailing for Hope
Chapter 31: In The Throes Or, I Always Feel Like Somebody's Watching Me
Rating: T, for language I guess. If the rating changes, you'll be the second to know.
Disclaimer: I don't own any aspect of Twilight and all its proceedings, they continue to belong to Stephenie Meyer.
Summary: Ava Swan never expected to move to Forks, Washington, permanently. Then again, she never expected to be imprinted on by a hot-headed shape-shifter either. ...No Bella, or Edward-bashing. Follows storyline from "New Moon". Despite my attempts to write a believable Paul/OC fic, there's no way I can make this sound original, ever.
Notes: I apologize for any grammatical errors, as I have to go to work at 4AM tomorrow and I'm not excited. But, I am excited for next chapter! That's when things really kick off and the Eclipse arc is fully in place.
P.S. If I missed something grammatical or something doesn't make sense, please PM me and let me know!
Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed! :)
The next day. Friday. 7:12 PM. Emily Young and Sam Uley's House.
Shutting her eyes, Ava was vainly fighting her exhaustion. The day had passed by incredibly slow, and she was progressively becoming more sluggish. Mixed with the fact that she wasn't sleeping that just amplified her fatigue.
The one thing that was truly weighing on her...well, two things, if she counted Paul, was the trip to Port Angeles. For whatever reason, that hadn't been shaken from her mind and Ava found herself becoming more and more paranoid.
She didn't think Victoria was around; if she was anywhere near Forks, Alice would have gotten a vision, or the Uley pack would have attempted to catch her. Still, it was the unknown presence that caused Ava's constant nervous tension. Despite Paul's reassurance that the pack would get her before she got too close, she was apprehensive.
When Ava had arrived at Emily's an hour earlier, she noted that the pack was already gone. Sam was running them ragged to track Victoria down as soon as possible.
Something else that had appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, within Ava had her taken completely by surprise. It was seemingly impossible to avoid the feeling of restlessness that would pass over when she would see that Paul wasn't there. Granted, after seeing him hanging around Emily's all the time, or having him present at her own home most of the time, it left her wondering more and more about him.
She actually didn't realize it at first – only registering a faint tick in her brain and demeanor – but his absence constantly left her feeling strange. She couldn't explain it, and in all honesty, it made her antsy.
The more logical, or perhaps, illogical, side of her brain was telling her that it was the soulmate thing; that somehow, it managed to crawl inside of her and now she was stuck with that feeling for the rest of her life. It was freaking her out, and in the sense of some cheesy fairytale, it felt like some old magic had bound her and Paul together for eternity.
Ava was dwelling on the fact that she'd basically just met the guy; it had only been shy of three months, but she'd never felt anything even close to this degree before. Her life had been turned on its head in a matter of seeming seconds, and the thought of something happening to anyone she's unwittingly grown to care about was terrifying.
"You're spilling batter onto my floor."
She jolted out of her thoughts and met Emily's face that was suppressing laughter. Looking down, Ava had been progressively amplifying the hand that was whisking the cupcake batter.
"Oh, sorry." Ava lifted her hand that held the whisk and shook it gently to drip the remaining back into the bowl.
"Are you okay?" Emily asked, grabbing the bowl from her.
Ava nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Emily didn't press the subject and carefully poured the batter into cupcake holders on the baking sheet. She had invited Ava over with the intent to help her choose a flavor for her wedding cupcakes; she didn't have a set date yet, but to avoid some future stress she wanted to get the smaller things out of the way.
After Emily popped the sheet into the oven she bounced the palm of her hand gently atop a cupcake from another batch that had been prepared. "Do the red velvet look a little dry?"
Looking over, Ava shrugged. "They look good to me. Lemon, though." She pointed to the opposite side of the counter before continuing, "taste like a literal lemon."
"Too tart?"
Ava hummed in agreement. "Yeah, I have no idea where we went wrong."
"We followed the recipe," Emily mumbled, snatching a scrap piece of paper off the fridge and scanning it over. She groaned and crumpled it up. "These are a bust."
Ava picked up one of the offending lemon cupcakes and pulled off the holder, pinching the fluffy bread. "They feel fine, though. Not really dry." Plucking a red velvet from another batch, Ava repeated her actions. "Red velvet might actually be, a little." The crumbs from the cupcake scattering onto the counter.
Emily plopped onto a bar chair and rested her elbows on the counter, interweaving her fingers. She had her brows drawn in concentration and after a second, she blew a swift, irritated breath up, loosening her stray bangs. With a blank look on her face, she spoke, "this is a disaster."
"No." Ava insisted, shaking her head and taking a pointed bite out of the cupcake. "Okay, they're not that dry." Her speech muffled around the red velvet bite.
"Not the red velvet," Emily corrected, straightening up. She looked around for a second before sighing. "We made a huge mess."
Glancing around, Ava grimaced. There were numerous bowls scattered around, batter coated a few surfaces, and the basic ingredients they used for the baked goods were everywhere.
Including all over the two of them. The aprons that they had put on before beginning only prevented a miniscule amount from falling onto the front of their clothes.
The rest managed to land nearly anywhere else; surely Ava's face matched Emily's. Emily had flour dusted onto her cheeks and hands and everything she touched left a white skid mark.
There were five different batches that had been prepared, not including the strawberry that Emily had put into the oven. Vanilla, chocolate, lemon, red velvet, and cinnamon were placed around on any available surface.
"We should probably clean up a little," Ava suggested. The floor was sprinkled with a mixture of broken egg shells, sugar, flour, and a few scattered utensils.
As they began their clean-up, they truly realized the sheer number of cupcakes that had been made. After placing as many as they could onto the dining table, they started wiping down and organizing the counters. All in all, it took over thirty minutes for the kitchen to have a semblance of cleanliness. Just in time too, because the oven dinged, alerting them to the finished batch in the oven.
Emily reached a mitted hand inside, grabbing the pan and pulling it out. She placed the sheet onto the stove to cool. "These look pretty good."
Ava peeked over Emily, seeing the light pink cakes. She smiled, the strawberry scent wafting up to her nose. "Have you guys picked the color scheme, yet? Because these would be so cute."
"I don't know how Sam would feel about pink." Emily giggled.
"I mean, he's only the groom," Ava teased.
The older girl's giggles dissolved, and she kept the amused smile spread across her face. "You make a good point."
Ava sat back down on one of the bar chairs and propped her elbows onto the counter. Resting her head atop a hand, she observed Emily silently.
"How are we going to eat all of these." Ava wondered aloud, the prolonged quiet making her realize that she was surrounded by an army of varied-colored cupcakes.
It seemed like the same thought hit Emily as well, because she stopped squeezing the icing into the piping bag. "I have no clue."
"Something smells good!" Embry's voice boomed through the house as he strolled inside, leaving the door wide open. Ava's expression morphed into one of amusement; Embry was already looking over the selections, rapidly plucking one after another and placing them into the crook of his elbow.
Emily gave Ava a smile, mouthing, "that's how."
The remaining pack barreled through as well, the kitchen immediately filled to the brim and hands snapping out from every direction to grab as many pastries they could carry. The younger members scrambling to grab whatever they could manage; it wasn't a pack lunch or dinner, which meant their first-dibs rule was thrown out the window.
"What kind is this?" Embry asked, not waiting for the answer. He shoved the entire cupcake into his mouth, munching for a few seconds before brightening. "Chrshms!"
Jared frowned, plucking from the same batch. "What?" He sniffed the top before taking a bite. "Cinnamon."
"I said, Christmas," Embry replied after swallowing, snatching up a few.
"Move it." Paul jabbed Embry in the side, reaching over and swiping the counter clean of the cupcakes that laid atop.
It was like this for the next few minutes, complete seeming chaos. Ava was surprised that the kitchen was still in one piece. Jared was trying to convince Jacob and Quil to give him a few extra, claiming that he needed to take some to Kim. Brady and Collin were trading flavors like trading cards. Embry and Seth were organizing and counting theirs on the dining table, trying to see who got the most. Even Sam was trying to convince Emily to make an extra batch for him once everyone left, peeved that he only managed a few handfuls. The only member that wasn't present was Leah, but that wasn't surprising for anyone.
She sensed someone come up to her side, holding an iced cake under her nose. She glanced down before turning to face Paul who shook the cupcake enticingly.
"'Was 'sum?" His voice was incredibly muffled, and a few crumbs fell out of his mouth as he spoke. He, like everyone else, had gathered a good amount in his arm, guarding them in case someone tried swiping.
Ava couldn't help but release a quick laugh, shaking her head at the offer. "No, thanks. I already had a few."
He chewed a few more seconds, swallowing thickly. Keeping his gaze on her, he silently appreciated the amused squint of her eyes and the smile that adorned her lips. "You have frosting in your hair." Paul smirked, flicking a group of strands that had stuck together from the icing.
Ava leaned back, and she tugged self-consciously on the tuft of hair with a grimace. "I know."
"You look like a tornado flew through it." Embry offered innocently, dodging the daggers that Ava glared his way. But not dodging the cupcake missile that Paul launched. It flew through the air, striking Embry right on the forehead and smashing flat against his tanned skin.
He whined, the now-flat cake flopping onto the dining table. The frosting remained stuck, and everyone burst into laughter. "Nice shot!" Jared managed through his chortle.
"'Nice shot'," Embry mocked, the sulkiness evident in his voice and he wiped at his forehead. The younger members continued snickering.
Ava's face shifted from annoyed to amused. "Embry, it's almost eight. Isn't it past your bedtime?"
The boy in question blew out a sarcastic laugh. "You're funny, anyone ever tell you that?" Jacob smacked the back of his best friend's head, unable to keep the smile off his face. Quil reached over and swiped Embry's forehead to gather the remaining frosting and smearing it across his cheek, successfully starting a small scuffle.
Breathing out another laugh, she kept the smirk on her face and turned to her well-pleased savior. "Thank you."
"Anytime," Paul replied, satisfied with his perfect aim.
There was a rare silence that settled before it was broken within a second. "Sam." Collin's childish voice broke through the kitchen, looking at their alpha with wide eyes. "When can we go on patrol with you guys?"
"Yeah." Brady added, jutting out his bottom lip in a pout. Their pack brothers had only invited him, Collin, and Seth along after their patrol shift tonight. He didn't think it was fair, they wanted to play a bigger role, but Sam was strict.
"Another time." Sam's voice held no room for argument and the boys backed down. Seth wasn't as bothered by it, he'd gotten used to the dismissal after weeks of begging Sam for the same thing.
"It's getting late," Ava started cautiously, preparing for the onslaught of comments.
"No, it's not!" Quil complained. Embry sniggered smugly, adding, "now, who has the bedtime."
Jacob frowned. "Just stay a while longer, Charlie won't mind. He never does." Ava gave Jacob a small smile before replying, "he won't, but I should still get home."
"Are you coming down tomorrow?" Emily asked, leaning further onto Sam.
Giving her a glance, Ava's mouth curved into a wider smile. She began digging through her bag set on the counter, searching for her keys. "I'm not sure. I have a final on Monday and I need to study. If I don't though, I'll come by Sunday, definitely."
Embry's obnoxiously loud groan filled the air. "Come on, Ave! You're going to pass."
"If I study," she shot back, yanking her keys from the bottom of the bag.
"You've never failed a stupid class." Embry rolled his eyes once Ava swiveled in her seat to meet his face.
Ava didn't reply, sliding off the bar chair. The keys were pressed into her hands, making a light jangling noise as she waved. "Bye, guys." Ava dragged out her farewell as she walked towards the front door.
She lingered, waiting for everyone's good-byes to die down. As soon as they did, she stepped out and left the front door open, Paul slinking out a second later.
It wasn't a shock. Over time she had grown accustomed to him insisting on making sure she got home. Lately she had a feeling that it was only to prevent her from going to Leah's, but she didn't dwell on it too much.
It had become a silent, comforting expectation that Ava genuinely appreciated. The drive home for her without him would be full of overthinking and coupled with the darkness, she'd probably get into an accident.
9:17 PM. Swan Residence.
The near-constant drizzle of the rain wasn't present, the night only resonating with the steady chime of the crickets. But despite the silence, the air settled was comfortable.
The pair had arrived minutes before, Paul now leaning against the porch column and Ava with her arms folded loosely across her chest.
Breaking the serene silence, Ava spoke, "how was everything tonight?" Referring to their patrol before they had arrived at Emily and Sam's.
"Quiet," Paul admitted.
The unknown whereabouts of their current target was beginning to tear at him. He knew the bloodsucker was out there, but she wasn't close enough to have her scent detectable; Sam hadn't spoken to the Forks leeches, hoping that his pack would be able to track and take her out without having to come to a truce.
At this point, Paul would entertain a temporary understanding with the domesticated bloodsuckers. Only if it meant they would catch the redhead.
"Isn't that good?" Ava asked, her voice laced with optimism.
Paul had already detected the slight change in her attitude. Where most people would chalk up her recent languid movements to a bad night's sleep, he noted everything. Paul tracked the changes to when she found out about the redhead being back. If he had to guess, Ava was already concerned about her own safety as well as her leech-lover of a cousin's.
And if he opened his mouth about the subject, he would reveal his true, near exhausting, fear.
"It's late." Was what he said instead.
She gave him a small, reassuring smile.
Ava had easily noted the miniscule transition in Paul; his shoulders seemed fixed in one position, squared directly in preparation for an upcoming attack. His eyes were almost always narrowed, especially when they were off the reservation. Along with those nearly nonvisible signs, his under-eye circles had become even more defined in the past weeks.
"I'll see you tomorrow?" She suggested, keeping up her barely-there confident front.
She couldn't worry him. She couldn't tell him that her paranoia was beginning to impinge on her life to a staggering degree; Ava's body and mind hadn't been able to allow her to rest comfortably, almost unconsciously waiting for something to strike.
He had enough to worry about without questioning her deteriorating sanity.
9:22 PM. Swan House.
Shutting the door behind her, she peeked through the curtains and waited for Paul to disappear from view. As soon as he did, she turned around, Charlie coming into view immediately.
Ava was startled, jumping up in surprise. "Jeez-"
"Hey, kid." Charlie's gruff voice interrupted her. Glancing at the shut door, he deepened his frown. "Bella with you?"
"No," Ava said. "She isn't home?"
"Said she was going somewhere with the Cullens," he answered. Raising her brow slightly, Ava gave him a strange look. "Then why would she be with me?"
Charlie turned on his heel to stalk back into the living room, his exhausted sigh echoing through the small foyer. "Hope, Ava. Hope."
Ava smiled at her uncle's dramatics; he would grasp at any chance that Bella wasn't with her boyfriend. Ava bounded behind him, watching Charlie heave back down and pick up a file.
Stopping in the doorway, she started innocently, "can I-"
"No." Charlie immediately said, glancing up at his niece.
He already knew she was going to ask if she could snoop through the file, the girl was too curious for her own good.
Ava's face dropped, and she groaned, tilting her head up to look at the ceiling. "Please."
He didn't respond.
"Please." She dragged out louder, waiting until he looked up before stopping. She smiled toothily, crouching behind the opposite couch and peeking over the top.
"It's just another missing kid," Charlie breathed out finally. "Another in Seattle."
She straightened up off the ground, frowning. "Another one? That's, like, the third in the past week."
Charlie nodded grimly before looking back down. "There has to be a connection," he mumbled to himself, eyes skimming over the file.
"You're being careful?" Charlie asked suddenly. Being the Chief of Police, even in the small town of Forks, Charlie knew what went on; he needed to make sure Ava and Bella were being careful.
Ava nodded, a soothing smile on her face. "Of course." Sensing the end of the conversation, she spoke as she made her way towards the stairs. "I'm gonna head up."
"I'll be down here." Charlie called, hearing Ava's footsteps near the stairs. Pinching the skin in between his eyebrows, he could feel the sleep beginning to take over.
He laid out, preparing to take a quick nap before slamming back into his work.
10:22 PM. Swan House.
Ava snapped her eyes open.
Her bedroom was dark, only illuminated by the dim glow of the moon. She lifted her upper body and glanced around uneasily. She wasn't surprised that she had woken up. As of late, when she did manage to sleep, she awoke numerous times in the night.
Only this time, it felt like a sudden weight had been pressed against her chest, and she was struggling to even her breathing.
An uncontrollable, familiar jolt of shivers ran through her body and coupled with the uneasy tickle on the back of her neck, Ava immediately panicked. Making the quick connection that this was exactly what she felt when she had been in Port Angeles, she shivered again, only this time out of fear.
She felt naked with the cool air in her bedroom settled around her, like someone, or something had been watching her.
It felt...off. Again.
Turning towards her window, she saw that it was open a crack. Enough for the air to come in, Ava thought, swinging her legs over the side of her bed and stalking closer. She peered through the glass, not seeing anything that would evoke suspicion. Charlie must have opened it.
Shutting it firmly, she made sure the lock was in place before turning on her heel. She darted her eyes around, noticing that her bedroom door was open a crack, too. What the hell? I could've sworn I shut it…didn't I?
Ava poked her head out, not hearing anything. Bella's door was open as well, but that could have just meant she still wasn't home.
I'm getting too paranoid, Ava thought, trying to shake off the feeling. Shutting her door as she did the window, Ava crawled back into bed. She definitely didn't think she was going to get much sleep but shut her eyes nonetheless.
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Incorrect Quote(s) of the Chapter:
Jared: You just make people a little nervous.
Paul: Yeah? That's because they're a bunch of bitch ass tribe boys.
Jared: I hate to break this to you, but you're also a bitch ass tribe boy.
.+.
[about to leave on patrol]
Ava: Well, what am I supposed to do while you're gone?
Paul: I don't know. What do you normally do?
Ava, voice cracking: Wait for you to get back.
[alternatively]
[Ava doing literally anything without him]
Paul: Well, what am I supposed to do while you're gone?
Ava: I don't know. What do you normally do?
Paul, voice cracking: Wait for you to get back.
.+.
Sam: Alright, I got a box, we're gonna put everything we love in the box.
Paul: Can I put Ava in the box?
Sam: No.
Jacob: Can *I* put Ava in the box?
Sam: No.
Embry: Can I -
Sam: No one is putting Ava in the box.
.+.
Emily: For the last time, it's called cauliflower. It's not ghost broccoli.
Seth, staring blankly at the wall: I know what I saw.