Catalina's Storyline ~
Art class started. Ozario wasn't in the room today. I didn't see him in the cafeteria either. Dang it! It's been pretty bright outside for hours since the sun rose this morning. I really hoped that I could give him a piece of my mouth. I mean mind! Ugh! There I go with these provoking thoughts again! I realized I had painted a picture that ended up capturing the ONE THING I couldn't seem to resist at that moment. That STUPID KISS! I frowned, hiding it away and very quickly might I add before anyone knew what I've drawn. I began painting a different picture.
"Damn. When will this feeling stop? This is ridiculous," I whispered furiously to myself. I sighed and shook my head.
A girl walked over toward me. It was Maria! I never noticed if she had taken this class or not. I didn't think to ask, yet seeing her here was the best thing to happen today! She had a huge smile on her face when walking to me, which meant she either had something to ask or tell me. Hopefully, talking to her could get my mind out of the slick cloud nine known as... Ugh! Ozario.
"So, how was sitting next to that hottie OC. Ha! I heard he was your art partner."
Or, maybe not. Fuck.
She nudged my shoulder and laughed.
I cleared my throat and confidently went back to painting. I answered, "It's horrible. Thank you for asking."
"Ha! Well, It couldn't have been that bad if you're locking lips with him in that portrait," she acknowledged as she pointed at the picture, joyfully.
I stared at the painting and quickly turned it away from her sight. "No. That's what was on my mind earlier and I hate it. He violated me yesterday," I whispered.
"Oh, my God..." Maria frowned in disgust. Finally!
Someone who might help me! Maria chanted, "Tell me about it! Tell me about it," in a hearty tone!
She sat in Ozario's seat, leaning towards me to hear the details. Before I started to tell her, two other familiar girls, Frankie and Cher, showed up. They both came sprinting in as jolly as Santa Claus. They all knew about the teacher partnering me up with that bastard. I could just feel it! Each girl sat around me pretending to be bewildered about yesterday, even though I knew why they came. I hoped otherwise considering I've been wrong and deceived lately. Their smiles were also huge, spreading across their faces in a crescent moon style, which gave them away.
Cher spoke cheerfully right after Maria, who still waited for the details of my harassment slash embarrassing moment. "You are Ozario's partner, Cati! It's all over the newsletter that you helped him to the nurse! That must've been fun! Like, this is his favorite subject!"
"No. I hate it," I said in a monotone, sarcastically smiling.
Frankie took the picture I hid below me. "Ooooh! It doesn't look like it!" She showed Cher who started shaking her hands in amusement.
I opened my mouth; but, Maria butted in to what I was about to say, "She said Ozario violated her, yesterday. Ha-ha!" her laughter was full of humor.
She said it so casually as if it wasn't a serious matter. She didn't understand after all! They didn't understand! Had I been the only normal one to realize that this had been a problem? You know what? I stated, angrily, in deep thought.
"Aye!" I took my picture and hid it behind me. I made sure the picture faced another direction. I exclaimed, "Stop! I'm serious. I told my mom and she didn't even care."
"Tell us!" said all three of them.
I simply rolled my eyes, then started telling them about the situation that occurred yesterday. Once again, I had no say in it. The girls just smiled in happiness saying how sexy and romantic that was. They never had that kind of attention before. They are so darn lucky. They'd say, "You're so lucky!" and "Oh, my god!" It was totally dreadful to me.
"Alright, alright! Maybe it was highly blissful to have that kind of affection from a really handsome god. But, I would've rather had my first kiss taken by someone I actually loved and was ugly than get it stolen by someone I just met! I may think he's cute and stuff; but, that doesn't excuse him of any boundaries involving personal space. He should respect that I am a woman! You can't just do that to people, period!"
I was absolutely positive he violated me, and no one could change my mind about that! The hours continued. Sunlight finally faded and stopped streaming through the windows. We stayed in the art class for the rest of our school hours. The last bell of the day rang to kick us out. The girls and I chatted on our way out of the classroom. However, we abruptly stopped in front of the door. We stopped because there he stood, right in front of the classroom. Ozario leaned against the wall in his cool-looking, long sleeve, tattooed shirt. The girls see this, right? Ozario stared into my eyes with his sparkling pearls again. Ugh... Not fazed this time.
"You did know it was skip day, right," Ozario asked as he walked closer to me? He looked at the girls and smiled. "Good afternoon, Ladies," he greeted.
Ozario's charming smile melted the girls that now had even bigger cheeses dancing above their chins. They giggled and said, "Hhheeeyyy! He-he."
Ugh... I shook my head. Hopeless! I said, "Sup. Anyway, if it's skip day then why didn't you wait until today to skip? Why did you do it yesterday?"
Ozario lifted my head up by the chin, making me blush. "I simply couldn't sustain sitting next to your perfectly entrancing aura. I had to leave, or I'd steal you," he answered, using a very gentle voice.
I shook my head and brushed him off. "Stop doing that!"
He started cracking up at my embarrassed expression.
"Ugh! You're so fraudulent! I bet you victimize yourself, sometimes! I. Don't. Trust. You!"
"Hm? Do I," He asked, dangling my wallet in my face?
I snatched it from Ozario as I walked off in more anguish. I could hear the girls laughing behind me. They don't even care about how he managed to get my wallet out of my pocket! This day just couldn't get any better, could it?! As I marched away from all of them, I heard stomping behind me. I looked back to see OC... mocking me!
"Stop copying me, you jerk," I screamed!
He backed up, holding his hands high like in surrender. "Damn. You could be in the army with that attitude and body language."
I rolled my eyes, then returned to my stroll. I mean, I decided to walk more calmly if he would just copy me. I felt him still following me. It was super disturbing on so many levels. Why did he have to bother me of all people? Where did the loner description go? Out the window or something? It could've been anyone else. Nope! Just me!
"So, you missed me that much, huh," I accused, turning around to face him?
Ozario shied away, backing up. Thought so. "No," he chimed in, "I thought you did. I came to give you what you wanted."
"Wha-?" I was halted by his kiss... again!
Seriously?! Again, with the kiss! I pushed him away. This time he allowed it. The kiss satisfied the troubling lust but, it didn't satisfy the slap I had a hard time giving him. He — greatly — in so many ways — annoyed me. I pointed at him in anger with a grimace on my face. I really wanted to say horrible, horrible things. I couldn't get the words to slip out my mouth, so I walked away. He continued smiling and walking beside me. Once again, there was no tension, no matter how bad the current problem I had with him was. It was only a peaceful aura surrounding us in the air.
We walked outside together. Ozario was even kind enough to open the door for me again. His actions really are naughty like Maria said but who is he really if he is also a gentleman? There was no sun out, only a bit of rain drizzled, now. He suggested walking me to my car, which came as a small surprise. I still don't trust him.
"You drive this vehicle," Ozario asked? He analyzed my Honda Fit with interest.
I nodded at his question. "Yea." This was the time I should speak up about the issue I had with him. Determined, I demanded, "Look, we are going to talk about this kissing situation, right now. You have to stop this because we barely know each other. Also-And, trust me on this, all right? It's extremely dangerous to become involved with me. I can't say why, but that sort of thing isn't right. I mean, I'd rather be in love with someone who does it in return and never touch them than have empty kisses from a guy I don't know. So, can you just stop?"
Ozario paused for a moment, tilting his head to the side. He mouthed the word "dangerous." He sighed, then concurred, "I feel the same. You were... just an exception. Hatefully, lately, I can't seem to look away from you. You have a point, though. So, I'll respect that. What are you proposing we do now? For us to... stay away from each other as much as possible — excluding our only class together, of course?"
"Yes, if it stops you from stealing my lips," I dared him. I didn't want what was going on. It was weird and irritating. Scary even.
Ozario sighed, picking at his nail. He thought for a second, then he suggested, "How about a wager? Let's see how long we could last."
I eyed him in a funny way. Like, that would be difficult! I asked, "Like, a game? You and these games!"
"Yeah." He chuckled.
I stared at him for a bit, contemplating. What did he want? "Okay. What do you want in return if you win?"
Ozario uttered, "I want to continue pestering you... and you have to give me that painting of us kissing so I can wave it in your face." His diabolic yet bewitching grin returned. His eyes softly held my gaze. He pointed at the picture in my hand.
I held the painting close to my chest with the image facing in. I licked my lips, then asked, "Why do you like messing with me?"
Ozario shrugged. "I donno. I love the way you react to things. It interests me like an open book at an empty table," he clarified.
I rolled my eyes and let out a sigh. "Fine," I agreed. I presumed that IF he wins, he'd just wave it in my face, regardless if he asked for a different prize. I decided to choose something simple. If one of us fails, I wouldn't want to be a jerk about it either way. So, I proceeded to state my terms, "Okay. So, if I win, you have to buy me food and give me some peace for the rest of the school year."
Ozario got in my face with a wicked smile and whispered, "Let the parlay begin."
I hoped and prayed that I would win all the way home. I was going to make sure I would. When I got home that night, mom pleaded I'd tell her more about that jerk, so I told my family and, later, my friends about the bet. Guess who they sided with. Ugh... The month, October, ended. Four weeks passed by fast and with comfort, making Thanksgiving a bit "normal" for me. I never really had a normal holiday before, but it was nice for once. However, after eating so much, three days slowed down as the sky turned grey and the clouds filled with water. The rain hadn't dripped yet. It was as if the rain was waiting on the right moment to pour.
After break and at school again, Ozario and I seemed diligent in striving for success to completely avoid each other, except in art class. We had no choice but to talk to each other in there. We were at a table, making art out of words. Ozario kept glancing over his shoulder at me. I kept taking peeks at him because it was... kind of cute.
"Stop." I giggled out loud.
"I can't. You're right next to me," he murmured with a grin.
I shook my head. "Ugh... If only art class counted as part of the bet, you would've lost." I wished so deeply.
Ozario leaned closer toward me and whispered, "I'm too intelligent to have insisted art class be a part of this challenge. I know my limits."
I leaned his way. "I can tell," I mumbled back.
Ozario chuckled.
I blinked. "What?"
"You draw an ugly horse."
I rolled my eyes. Then, I looked at my horse. Dang. It is a terrible horse. I looked back and forth between Ozario and my painting. You know what? Whatever! "Oh! Hush! I'm not finished! Turn around and stop looking at me, you weirdo."
Ozario turned away from me and placed his fist over his mouth. He tried to cover his amazing laugh. I frowned. My friends consistently laughed at how hard we tried to keep our distances in the lunchroom. It was so bad that we started to sneak glances at each other over and over, again. I didn't think it'd be this hard to ignore someone I barely knew! Things became more difficult as I started to feel like I was gravely missing Ozario's foxy smile under his quiet little sweetheart façade. I had to continue being head strong, because he was almost very good at trying to get me to crack. Almost. I was... getting to know the "real" him. The nerd.
December was drawing near. The snow had risen. Ever since my first kiss, my nightmares stopped and, ever since the bet started, dreaming of Ozario doing stupid things became more vivid over time. It's odd that I never seem to avoid him in my sleep. I felt sad waking up every morning because that kiss did the impossible, make me unbelievably happy in a life like mine. I had to shake myself out of it before class all the time ever since. I felt like I'd already lost the bet way before next month had come so close.
Ozario acting so smart around me seemed so far away now. I didn't know, until a short time ago, that I loved the feeling I got whenever Ozario spoke to me. He made my heart sink in my chest; though, he made my head hurt, too. And, especially knowing I had to wait until art class to hear him, I had become impatient with this deal. I had become so anxious to go to school because of him... and, I think it's because I, although it's cliché, I might... I didn't know how to feel about the reason why. I mean, I assumed I knew what the reason was, but I'd never felt that until all my thoughts and emotions started swarming in my head. One morning, I was on my way out the front door of my house.
"I'm off, mom."
"Catalina! Wait," Mother halted me with her shout! She hung her head out the kitchen. "We moved our hiking trip to the beginning of your winter break. I know it will be snowing; but, one day, we may need to do it for survival purposes. It will be a perfect time for you to get used to different climates. Is that alright with you?"
I stare blankly at her. "Okay. That sounds cold... But, okay."
Mom laughed and wished me good luck at school. I walked out of the house towards my car. I stopped, spotting my grandma standing by the mail box. The mailbox was left open, and her head leaned a little toward the woods. What is she doing? Just standing there? Why did she leave the mailbox open? She never does that. She looked at me and waved me over. I walked her way and stood beside her.
"Hey, Halmeoni, the mailbox is still open," I reminded her. Is it possible she may have been thinking again – about the situation with the murderers? Maybe, that's why.
Granny Jeong stared at me for a moment. It almost seemed as though something else was on her mind than what I thought. "Sonnyeo, what's been happening to you at night," she asked?
"You've been sleeping better than you use to." Granny looked like she knew something strange was happening to me.
I looked at the distance before us. I found out, during eavesdropping one night, that my granny loved acting oblivious to the real problem, so I won't worry or freak out. So, what was she staring at? It was nothing but woods, woods, and more woods. Huh? Granny Jeong was just standing out here I guess.
I replied to her, "This 'Ozario' guy. You know, the bet we made – the one mom forced out of me again? Well... He has been swirling in my head ever since we met. I've been sleeping a lot better than I used to because of that, which is frankly creeping me out. I have gotten so used to the tough times this family has experienced that I don't think I remember any of the good things we had within these nine years... I mean, besides gaining friends and having a loving family, of course. All I used to dream about was dead people. Now, I can't wait to sleep!"
Grandma smiled. She said, "Then instead of pushing him away, bring him closer to you. You're not going to win, anyway. I can already see you're blushing just by talking about him."
I dropped my eyelids and puckered my lips playfully. I quickly covered my cheeks with my scarf. My friends and family knew about the bet, especially since they loved pressuring me into talking about that guy. However, everyone wanted me to lose. Me of all people! That's not going to happen. I will win this deal.
"Uh. No." I jokingly shook my head. "Mm, mm. I'm winning this," I stated with determination and walked off with my index finger pointed in the air!
She waved a goodbye with laughter echoing the yard. I walked back to my Honda and got into my car to go to school. From the time I got there all the way to the cafeteria, all of my friends kept discussing and betting lunch money on how I would fail. Not once did anybody think or talk about Ozario losing. He isn't that perfect! I'll prove to them that I will win this bet. Renesmee came to our table and sat next to me.
"Hey, Cati! Hi, everybody," Renesmee greeted, with an amused expression on her face!
"Hi," I greeted in return. I leaned toward her and crossed my arms. "So, I believe you have some details? How is he," I asked, sarcastically? I tilted my head with a devilish grin.
She started snickering deviously. "Ozario is trying so hard, right now. He denies it, but he keeps tapping on the table. He just left because he couldn't take the anxiety. It looks like he's going to implode any minute."
"Yes!" I rose my fist in the air. I set both my hands on my hips like Wonder Woman and cheered, "Thank, goodness! Someone actually tells me I have a chance at winning!"
All of my friends laughed at my enthusiasm. In my mind, it has successfully been a month and a half out of each other's sight. Nonetheless, anything could happen at this point. Anything... that, oddly, I sort of want to happen.
Time flew by, ending another school day. All of the students had been standing outside in groups for a long while, mingling or using their cell phones. As I walked in the rain — that, at last, decided to dribble a little — I noticed Ozario far across the lot. He was talking to his siblings and a few other celestial-like people. I figured they must be his other family members my friends mentioned a few times before. It was the first time I saw all of them together.
My main focus was this urge in my body that wanted to go over there and say "hi." It ached like a knife through the heart, because I wanted to be close to him. Yet, I had to win. Welp! There are worse pains to think of. I walked toward my car, putting headphones on my ears.
As the phone was ready in my hand, and I press the play button to listen to the peaceful, blissful music created by Carter Burwell. I suddenly heard a loud crack behind me. I noticed everyone heard it too. I turned to see what everyone else had been gawking at. There was nothing around, so I shrugged. I faced my phone again that suddenly cut to the song "Turn Around" by Chris Brown, right on the chorus.
"What the...?"
Within seconds, I was trapped between a thick tree and a hard car. What just happened? I wasn't alone. Ozario held one of the hugest branches over our heads with his right hand. The branch could've killed us both. How did he do that? He is so tough! I couldn't wrap my mind around everything as Ozario easily broke the tree branch and threw it away. He even kept the tree back with his foot, so we could have room to breathe. Ozario saved me! He saved my life! Or, I probably couldn't think straight and, maybe, I really died... But, he saved me!
I glanced up at him, shivering without an explanation why. I mean, I was used to near death predicaments like this so almost getting crushed by a tree couldn't have been the cause, right? Maybe, what scared me and caused me to shiver was Ozario coming to my rescue! Ozario looked back at me with his silver pearly eyes. He looked worried about my safety by the shape of his upset brows and his gentle but concerned gaze. I grabbed his hand while he latched onto mine. Ozario tugged me closer to his warm body.
He kissed my forehead and said, "We lost."
We did lose by our entwining hands. Him coming to my rescue hadn't counted only because was he trying to do the right thing in his heart yet still tried to keep his distance from me. Smooth. But, our hands were locked and that's something we chose together. Unfortunately, this wasn't the way we expected to lose. It took a falling tree to bring us together again and to stop both of us from imploding. Ozario truly saved my life... yet, I couldn't even tell him a simple "thank you," out of fear. What fear? The fear that he saved me, perhaps? I didn't know. He could've gotten killed.
He hugged me in his comforting warmth and everything went silent. The screams, the cries, and the worries all went still as we gazed at each other until help arrived. The last thing we shared from our epic fail was Ozario wiping my frightened tear from my face. Once the tree got tugged away, he vanished without a trace. All they saw, left in our spot, was me looking a little lifeless from shock because of everything I had witnessed.
[Exclusive Life content: Ozario's second thoughts.]
Draft: I won't be blunt and reveal too much about Ozario's story that I already have. Some things are to be kept secret until Catalina's story reveals something bluntly or until his books are published. So, some things will be hidden and rewrote for reasons of secrecy to be kept for now.
I Want The Truth
So I Can Accept My Fate...
"So, what's the deal with her," my brother, Henry asked.
Alice, Ness and I were sitting down on the white sofa. Henry leaned down by me on the sofa — arms crossed but relaxed. The sun fell. The sky was pink and purple. I was nervous, rubbing my hands. Ness was feeling chilled. Alice focused on me, her face straight and her eyes were curious
"Tell me, Ozzi, if we see the same girl first. I am unsure if it is," asked Alice.
I breathed out, I breathed out. Alice tilted her head. "Yeah, she's ... she's got cognac-like, brown eyes ... alternating colors."
"Changing colors?"
Ness and Henry looked at me, confused.
I clarified that, "It looks golden in the light, but that's her natural eyes. What's wrong is that when I made her angry, her eye flashed red, the right one."
Her eyebrows went up. "Oh. Red?"
"Our red eyes" I wanted Alice to realize that this girl was really special.
"You're sure you didn't just see something," Alice questioned me, widening her eyes.
"I know what I've seen. We don't forget. But, she's human... she smells like one for sure, she smells sweet."
Alice gently raised her hand. "Tell me a bit more."
"Something strange happened to me today. When she and I looked at each other, I got sucked into some kind of dimension. I saw the rest of my life flash before my eyes, but it was good and dangerous, and ... I saw a golden string coming out of me and her and the strings attached, and then I snapped out of it. What's that?"
Alice was blinking. "I don't know. Tell me, what about the vision of your angel? In my vision, I saw you talking about it in the cafeteria."
I nodded, lowering my eyes. "The angel has her face now. I saw myself standing in front of a house on the beach, holding the angel in my arms. Three children were playing in the sand. We were all smiling."
Jacob Black was coming in. He was smirking, looking at me, "Sounds to me you've imp..."
"Don't! Don't say that," I blurted and leapt out of the sofa. I started to pace the floor.
Jacob turned to Henry and pointed to me. He had been lost.
Henry smiled. "He's fighting it."
Jacob became even more puzzled. He faced Seth, who walked in as well. Seth even heard and shrugged. He did that, too, recently, after meeting one of my old friends who visited me. Not Astrid, someone else.
"It's a difficult thing to do," Seth warned.
"You can't fight that," Jacob added.
I glared at them. "Watch me."
Jacob raised his hands, surrendering to my challenge, "Okay, but you're in a lifetime's fight."
""Truly, though, Ozzi..." Alice cut in. She said, "Uh... I believe in you, but I think you just found your mate, too."
I gasped! I ran over to cover her mouth. "No! Shh, no!"
She moved my hands away as Renesmee laughed. "What's wrong," asked Alice worriedly?
"She's a child, Alice!"
Jacob started laughing.
"Shush, you imprinted on a baby."
His smile faded, "Hey!"
I stared at them all. "Am I the only one who sees this as a problem!" Iscreamed, smothering my face in my hands, "I kissed the friggin child today! AHH HAAAHHH! AHHHH AAHHHH!"
Someone patted my back. It was Alice, telling me, "No ... it's an issue ... but, we can't judge you either. Jacob imprinted on Renesmee when she was a baby. Edward met Bella at the same school. He was 107. Carlisle married Esme, whom he met while she was still younger than him. He's over 300 years old and she's not much older than Edward. Look, we've got to face what we are and we can't quantify who we are through age anymore. Sometimes, people like us... they're not for us. Rarely, our relationships end up much like Jacob's or Edward's. For you, you have both, someone you met young and someone you have im-." I scowled at her. Alice breathed out. "At least she's about to graduate with you, so she may be..."
"Please, don't." I walked away from Alice's hand.
Alice fiddled with her fingers. "Don't worry about Astrid. The many years she stole you're happiness, you deserve to be given this happiness."
"Ha! You know why that's a lie." I sat down, limp on the farther side of the couch.
There was a dark past behind me, but it still haunted me to this day. After what I did, almost killing my brother and friends, I hated myself every day, I devoted myself to making my brother happy, and he knew that. My brother glared at me for mentioning it with a hint. Just he and Alice knew I was a fucked up criminal in the whole house. No one in the house was as sick or as fucked as I was. A lot of people like us called me a legend for it, but I saw the name as a symbol for a curse. I was also shocked that Edward hadn't find out about it; maybe, because of me. The type of person I was didn't deserve happiness, and with a kid? Please, spare me?
"It's not a lie. You've changed," Henry reassured me.
Alice grabbed my hand. "You're not addicted anymore."
"That's not enough." I stood up, walking towards the door. "I'm not enough. Not for happiness."
"Just... try," Alice shouted after me!?
"He'll come around." I heard my brother say last.
No, I won't. The next day, I wasn't going to school, I ran naked through the woods. Somewhere, after falling from a steep slope, I lost my shoes. Perhaps I swallowed it by mistake. There was a lot on my mind. I've been struggling for years to avoid allowing other people to rule me, as Astrid used to. Oh, then this came up. I've been preparing my life to move forward, only to give it to a child. Seriously? My genes kept screaming that I had deep feelings for her, that I shouldn't want to run away from her. It killed me! It really hurt being in the woods, far from school, from her. Yeah, that was dumb.
Somehow, I had to face Catalina, but should I say? Each time I get close to her, I behave like a total moron. It was totally out of my character! I made my way home and I quickly put on my clothes. Perhaps, going for a drive would be fine. Okay, I got into my car. I worried of things to say, how to apologize, and how I could even get those words out. Who was I with this girl? I felt like I was outcasting who I was, coming out of a shell. What if I wasn't behaving out of character, what if I was behaving on my own... my true self. This is Terrible! No, no, no. You've got time to find out. No, she isn't going to talk to you. Right? Right. Right...
Abruptly, I realized that I wasn't paying attention to the rode, so I ended up... in the school's parking lot. Damn it. 'Kay? Thinking has led the way I guess. I took a breath in. You got this. You can face her. It's okay. She's lovely. I got out of the car and stood by it. The sight of the school alarmed me because from here, I could smell her. Damn, she's been stuck too long in my brain. Stupid nose. I glanced at the time. ART CLASS! Fuck. I can't avoid her! Oh, screw you fate. I closed the door to my car, and then I built the confidence to walk in. Joder, mi vida.
It was almost time for the Art class to end. I paced, wondering how I was going to talk to her. The bell was ringing. I posed quickly against the wall. No, this isn't normal. Okay, how about this one. Nope. Nope. This one, man. Yeeeah, my guy. I waited for a moment since other students came out first. Soon, I saw Catalina with her friends. They came out. Stunned, Catalina gaped at me. Crap! Crap! What do I say? What did I practice! Why didn't I bring flowers or something!? Why did she come to class today? Wait... Why did she come to class, knowing I was in there? I thought she wouldn't have wanted to or switched classes. Don't get you're hopes up. She may just have a passion for art. Yeah... yeah.
"You did know it was skip day, right," I reminded her, moreso because I wanted to know why she came. I walked toward her, confused. I looked at Catalina's friends and smiled. "Good afternoon, Ladies." It would be rude not to acknowledge them.
They smiled wide, giggled and said, "Hhheeeyyy! He-he."
Ewww! Okay? I was just being nice.
Catalina shook her head, rolling her eyes. She looked at me. Oh, she's still pissed. She definitely came for art class only. "Sup. Anyway, if it's skip day then why didn't you wait until today to skip? Why did you do it yesterday?"
Why did I skip yesterday? We don't even have the last class together. But we were still in the same building, and she's so nice. I don't want to be a jerk to her anymore, plus... I lifted her head gently. She blushed. Honestly and gently, I said to her, "I simply couldn't sustain sitting next to your perfectly entrancing aura. I had to leave, or I'd steal you."
Her eye popped wide open. I lightly gasped at how cute she looked while she shook me off. "Stop doing that," she demanded!
I started to crack up. Why was her eyes so hugh! And, aww, she has the reddest face when she blushes. It's just so friggin cute! She annoys me with how cute she is. It's not fair! She's just too cute when she's mad.
"Ugh! You're so fraudulent! I bet you victimize yourself, sometimes! I. Don't. Trust. You!"
I cupped my chin. Noticing a fold in her pocket, I swiftly took the wallet to play along. "Hm? Do I." I dangled it in her face.
Quickly, Catalina snatched the wallet. Her friends laughed. She gave them a quick, merciless glance, and then walked away. My smile faded away, but I was drawn to her. I had forgotten all that I was supposed to do. All I knew was that I wanted to follow her. She was storming away, so I had copied to catch up.
"Stop copying me, you jerk," she screamed at me!
I backed up, holding my hands high like a surrender. Whoa! She sounded like a man. How'd she get her baby voice that low? "Damn. You could be in the army with that attitude and body language."
Catalina rolled her eyes and turned around. She walked more calmly to stop me from copying. I'm sorry. Uh. What do I say? She looked back at least once. Still, upset. At first, I was going to whistle until...
"So, you missed me that much, huh," she caught me, turning around to face me?
I shied away, backing up. Shit. Uh, play it off? "No," I lied. "I thought you did. I came to give you what you wanted."
"Wha-?" Swiftly, I pecked her on the lips... again! What the fu...! Stop!
I let her push me away. Catalina grimaced at me and pointed my face. She struggled to get the rage out of her. That's when I realized that her eyes were not mad at me. They weren't happy, but neither did they hate me. She blushed and walked away. I knew then that we were both right. It was strange to know that I missed her and she wanted to have another kiss. Perhaps, it was just a coincidence. Until I saw in her hand a painting of us kissing. It was a magnificent painting, sweeter than the last one I saw. Well, good then. I haven't completely ruined everything.
I rushed to walk alongside her. What made me smile was that she didn't hate me after all. I must have done something good. Whatever the heck that was. The air wasn't tense. She was calm with me. It was weird. She was supposed to be trying to strangle me, but her expression has relaxed. I didn't know what she felt. We were very quiet. The least I was able to do was be a gentleman and walk her to the car. The school day had finished. I could tell that she still had no trust in me, but that was better than hating me.
"You drive this vehicle," I asked? Although I knew she did, seeing it up close was strange. Ugh. It's such a slow car but Catalina is great at taking care of it. Nice radio. Fits don't have those. This was installed. It's epic for quality sound. Nice, a purist. She likes music raw.
"Yea." Catalina said, "Look, we are going to talk about this kissing situation, right now."
I looked up at her. Okay. I'll listen.
She said to me. "You have to stop this because we barely know each other. Also-And, trust me on this, all right? It's extremely dangerous to become involved with me. I can't say why, but that sort of thing isn't right. I mean, I'd rather be in love with someone who does it in return and never touch them than have empty kisses from a guy I don't know. So, can you just stop?"
Slowly, I leaned my head and mouthed, "dangerous." She's a human being. What, is she in a gang or something? Nah, if that's the case, she wouldn't have a lame car. I'm dangerous, too, though, so I won't ask her why. She doesn't trust me enough answer anyway. In addition, I hated being ugly to her. I'm supposed to respect her space. I sighed, then concurred, "I feel the same. You were... just an exception. Hatefully, lately, I can't seem to look away from you. You have a point, though. So, I'll respect that." Worried, knowing this might be the moment she could stop talking to me, I asked, "What are you proposing we do now? For us to... stay away from each other as much as possible — excluding our only class together, of course?"
"Yes, if it stops you from stealing my lips," she dared me. Her head was tilted, eyes were big.
Well, I understand that. I've been there, so I'm going to do as she asked, but... If we are destined to be around each other, then what can I do to put right this situation? I sighed and picked up my nail. I wasn't bored, just thinking about the right way I wouldn't have to lose a new friend. I spooked her, but what if I did something that was less scary? Fine, eh'm... I'll be a joke. I suggested, "How about a wager? Let's see how long we could last."
Catalina narrowed one of her eyes and her shoulders lowered. She chuckled, "Like, a game? You and these games!"
"Yeah," I responded, chuckling too.
She stared at me with big eyes, twisting her lips. I felt like I was staring at a puppy; she was so cute and small when she thinks. Her brows lowered."Okay. What do you want in return if you win?"
So much. I was restraining my laughter so much it hurt. I uttered, "I want to continue pestering you... and you have to give me that painting of us kissing so I can wave it in your face." Actually, I'm not going to do that, but I wouldn't mind keeping that. There was a good hiding place where I could put it because it's so embarrassing for her. What? Well, I couldn't let her know that.
Catalina's lips were tightened and her eyes widened. What kind of face is that? She held the painting close to her chest, with the image facing towards her. She licked her lips, embarrassed, then asked, "Why do you like messing with me?"
Good question. Maybe because you're funny? Maybe it's the weird faces? Maybe because you make me... different. I shrugged. "I donno. I love the way you react to things. It interests me like an open book at an empty table."
Subtle, she rolled my eyes and let out a soft sigh. "Fine," she agreed. Wow. She gave this a chance. I'm glad. She gave me her requested reward, "Okay. So, if I win, you have to buy me food and give me some peace for the rest of the school year."
See? Too freaking nice. Ugh! It makes me sick. I leaned closer to her, for us to only see our eyes. I promise I will always be fair to you. She won't know this promise but that's okay. With a playful smile, I whispered, "Let the parlay begin."
When I reached home, I told Renesmee, Alice, Jacob and Henry about the deal. "Hey. It worked, at least, to mend the matter," They practically said to me. Sort of. I was going to take the time to clear my head and get rid of my feelings about the newbie. Yeah, she had been good, but she was taking over me. It wasn't her fault, so I had to hate her or something on my own. My genes still tried to lie to me and told me that I loved this stranger. It changed me, and I could not figure yet whether I would change for the better or whether I would change for the worse. What might she turn me into? To find out, it will be confusing and unbearable. I felt as though, I was the Badass in Distress trope. Was that okay? This split will be the ideal moment to hate her and test myself. So what if she was good, I'd like to know if she was safe to be around. Be safe or not be safe, that is the question.
I gave her space in October. We talked in the art class and joked, but I was still quiet, not to be a pest. Good thing I had enough self-control to do that, because my brain was screaming. For the most part, I was fine. We had been able to live our lives like we had before. During the Thanksgiving break, I managed to cook a great meal for my sister, Ness, and my brother, Henry. I ate with them. I hunted also with the Cullens during the break. They thought it was always strange for me to use a syringe to keep animals alive instead of feeding on them naturally. I would do both of them, preferring if the animals remained alive. I managed to get a lot of things done around the house but there was a boredom consuming me. t was as though my mind had relaxed, knowing I had kept a really good friend, but I had started to want more since then. I suppose it was the break, I didn't see her for a while. It doesn't matter. No matter. I'm not supposed to worry about her anyway, I thought to myself. I stared at the dark clouds for three days. What are they waiting for?
After school started again, I felt like I was almost jumping with joy. Ugh! Ugh. Ugh! The break was not sufficient! We've tried everything to avoid each other until the Art Class, but I think that might have turned into shyness. That day, we were at the art table instead of the easels. We'd been making art out of words, but I had been more interested in Catalina's sorry excuse for a horse. My chair was almost turned away from her. In return, I caught her glances at me. Why can't we stop doing that? She's adorable. Catalina giggled, her nose was a bit red again. How does she turn so red?
"Stop," I giggled again.
I grinned because she's contagous and murmured, "I can't. You're right next to me."
Catalina shook her head but her smile was still there. "Ugh... If only art class counted as part of the bet, you would've lost."
I leaned closer toward her and whispered, "I'm too intelligent to have insisted art class be a part of this challenge. I know my limits." Plus, it wouldn't have made since to be art partners if we not communicate.
She leaned closer to me, which made me smile more. "I can tell," she mumbled back.
Chuckling, I could help but feel my heart jump. Also, that horse though.
"What?"
I straighten my posture. "You draw an ugly horse."
She rolled her eyes. Suddenly, she backed up to look at the horse. She stared at in disgust and then looked at me."Oh! Hush! I'm not finished! Turn around and stop looking at me, you weirdo."
"Pifft," I turned away from her and placed my fist over my mouth to cover my laughter. I didn't want the teacher to catch us talking, because this time she wanted everyone to focus. The next few days were rough. We started looking at each other repeatedly. Whenever she looked into my eyes, I knew my heart skipped and she was the problem.I knew it would be hard for me to stay away from her, but I was pretty sure she could win. It pissed me off, man. I was missing her, as if I were dying inside. It was good that we were together in the Art Class. Who knew I was going to get a chance to learn how amazing she was. She was genuine, honest, and willing to accept. A great help to everyone, even though she wasn't a social butterfly. No, the kindest introvert I've ever met before. That's the one I gave my soul to, and I think I'm fine with that. Well, I wasn't sure yet.
December, Ness was definitely on Catalina's team. She started hanging out with her more, pranking or teasing me about Catalina, so I would brake. I just frowned. I wasn't going to let that girl control my emotions. Maybe it didn't help us to be in the same class every weekday. It was hard not to think about her. Slowly but surely, I noticed that it wasn't my genes that told me how I felt. Because of how great Catalina was as a person, it was easier to fall into the trap. I had to remind myself that I was the one who found her wonderful before the imp... impri. You get the point! I had to stop it. The whole situation pissed me off! I practically gave up my freedom forever, so judge me not if I... do something that's my choice one last time.
Later that night, I had gone to a club. The snow had risen, not too bad at all. The place was gross, but a very lively place with a bunch of horny people. I figured if I found one-night, I might not have been so buried in the trap after all. This wouldn't have been the first time I've been seduced and done the seducing thing. Both ways happened, as I talked to a brown-haired woman at the bar. We had gone to an Inn.
She wanted to kiss me, so I kept teasing her. This was deliberately at first, but then we lay back, ready to strip. I was feeling gross. No. No, no. Stop trying to kiss me, woman. Stop it. No, I don't want you to see my arms right now. My weapons are for someone else ... Wait. Wait? I sat up on the bed quickly and pulled my jacket back up.
The stranger rubbed my hips. "What's wrong? When you tease, you're so hot. Do some more, please."
"I'm sorry. I can't... I..." can't get up. That's awkward. It's awful. I covered my face. Shit, man. Oh, Dios mío, this is embarrassing.
"Tell me," she whispered in my ear.
"Okay." Quickly, I stood on my feet and started to nervously pace the floor. "I... have had an argument with my wife and..."
The one-night's smile dropped. "Wife!"
I nodded. "You see, she wanted to have kids and I wasn't sure if this serious thing would be right for us. And, then I caught her trying to get in injection from a medical paper instead of talking to me about it first... So, I was conflicted and I'm not ready and... I'm stupid. I know. I don't even know your name and this is awkward."
The person looked at me with a dull look. "Are you trying to tell me you can't get up but you're embarrassed to. You don't sound believable, except when you said this was awkward."
"What? No!" My voice cracked. Damn it.
"Then, prove it." She crossed her arms.
"Okay?" I grabbed my phone from the nightstand and called up my brother, Henry.
"Hey, little bro! What's up," he happily greeted.
I winced, because i knew he hated being the female for me. "Hey, babe. Did you get that injection yet for the baby? I was thinking, maybe the natural way is better."
The girl in front of me, her eyes became wide.
"What?" Henry paused. I knew he was pissed - eyes dull, I'm going to kill him thought, licking his teeth pissed. In a high pitched squeal, he shouted, "No!"
I freaked out, almost dropping the phone because he was so loud. Accidentally, I pressed the speaker button so my wife ended up sounding more like a man than a woman.
He was really good at the feminine sound. Hey. Woman can also have low-pitch voices. "Why the hell aren't you at home!? Ness and I were worried about you!"
"Ness? When did she get home?" I covered the phone to tell the one-nighter. "My sister. She's going to kill me." I released the phone.
"Don't worry about that, she's home at least. You better not be out too late. It's a serious talk," Henry told me.
Ooo, he had to say that. I'm going to get beat down for sure. "I'm coming home. I promise."
Henry's voice calmed down. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. I'm sorry."
In Henry's real voice, he said, "You better be."
I'm fucking dead, bruh. The one-night got up from the bed. She hastened to get her clothes. I swipped my hair back and took a breath. She walked past me to grab her phone. She scowled at me.
"I'm sorr..."
SLAP!
The one-nighter's hand was throbbing and red. I gasped. She screamed, "Ow! Wow! What the hell!?"
I grabbed her hand to check it. "I'm sorry! I'm a bit hard-headed. Good thing you're hand is not broken. Right?"
She snatch her hand back. "Asshole! Get away from me!" Rushing, she left the room.
Pressing my lips together, I heavily breathed out through my nose. "I deserved that."
Since I was the only one fully dressed, I grabbed my phone and walked out of the room. I could see the girl putting on her mini dress from the steps, and get into an Uber. When did she call them for it to arrive so fast? The hell...? Well, that explained why she went to the bathroom earlier. She's done this type of thing before I presume. What the hell was I thinking. I haven't been that kind of person anyway. What the hell was wrong with me? Had I really gone mad to try to hate this new girl. I nearly damaged myself further. I'm not going to blame my genetics or Catalina. It was all me being a fool again. At least the last time I slept with a bunch of strangers, I knew that they were clean. Teh, man. Gross. I can't believe I almost did that. Well, thank you genes, you saved me. I took out a packet of Rothman Blue and a lighter. As soon as I tried to smoke, my nose hated a cigarette smell. I looked at it, my brows went down.
"Ew... What?"
Cigarettes don't expire. So why do they smell so bad? The longer I stared, the longer I realized my body was practically warning me that if I smoked, Catalina wouldn't like it. I rolled my eyes. Are you kidding me? What am I going to censor my curse words now, or at least say less of them? I put the cigarette back in the box. What a waste of cash then. I rubbed my forehead. Chuckling, I thought about Catalina and the person I was becoming. She asked nothing but peace, and now I'm turning into a totally different person. As a creature, they're not affecting me anyway. I simply liked the smell. I set the box down, a big grin on my face. It is good then to leave them alone. I got up from the ground. I should have never tried a one-nightter. Abruptly, I felt a soft bump on the back of my hand. What the, uh...?
A drunk man was walking away from me, yelling, "You better... Better get-the-get-get that! You craaazy." He turned around and fell.
I rubbed the back of my head, realizing he meant the cigarette box. Did that guy just slap my head over a cigarette box? "The fuck."
I helped the poor guy to the room I was going to use. He could have it to rest. At least I got my money's worth. When I got home, I walked with my head down. Is this shame I feel? Yeah... It's been a long time since I felt that. It feels good actually. Wow. I open the door. SLAP! I hit my face on the door pane.
I left my face on it and inhaled. Chuckling, I said, "Ow."
My brother moved my hair out my face to check on me. "Oops! Sorry! I didn't mean- I mean, you're in big trouble, boy."
I tilted my head toward him, forehead still on the pane. "I know, brother."
He was very worried about me. "Are you okay. I didn't mean to hit that hard."
"Nah, I deserve it." I waved my hand downwards.
"Should I kiss it?"
I jerked back. "What!? Ew! No!"
"Okay." Henry, as buff as he is, nearly as buff as Emmett, balled up like a little kid.
My brother may seem tough, he is and can be more brutal than I sometimes, but he is a huge softie. I sighed and hugged him. "It's okay."
He faced me. "Why did you make me do that? Alice was staring at me like I had a secret life she didn't know about."
I walked pass him to climb the stairway. "I tried a one-night. It didn't go well."
"Was the girl too clingy again," Henry asked?
"No."
"Did she want ties and whips?"
"No."
"Darn. You're good at that. Offered pegging?"
"No-what?" I narrowed my eyes at my brother behind me.
He shrugged. "Some girls like to be on top."
I lifted my hand up. "Stop."
I walked out to the patio, leaning over the railing. Exhaling, I thought about what to do with my emotions. My brother had joined me. The breeze flew through the strands of my brother's and my hair. It's twilight. The stars shine, knowing nobody can control it. Is this really how I'm going to be from now on? Watch you have something I won't? Can I make the last free choice, at least?
"It's funny, Enriqué. I called it my savior tonight... but I'm still unsure."
"What do you mean?"
"This whole imprinting thing is hard. You know, I can't stop thinking about Catalina. Who would she want me to be? How do I present myself? How should my time be managed? What is it that she wants from me? What hurts is that she's not going to tell me, but I'm also scared to ask once this is over. I don't want to lose, but what if I get rid of my pride and white flag it. At this point, we've built a better friendship at school, but then I wonder... what if she still walks afterwards?" I inhaled. "Remember our mother and what I'd do as a kid for her?"
Henry's smile faded in upon his face."Yes."
I blinked, contemplating the entire situation. "What if that's exactly what I need? Focus. A focus. All those years of no one to take care of... I had done some stupid things on my own because I knew that you could take care of yourself. When I fight this, I do stupid things, but I want to be a better man, a better person, the first nice monster around her. That's what I grew up with, remember? The smile and optimism, she reminds me of our mother. She's the sun in a rainy town. Catalina and our mom are ... accepting people. What if I need someone like that... I need her to rob my attention, and to give me a reason to be responsible again. It's what I've always known, Riri. With someone like Catalina being the center of my focus, that might keep me grounded." I laughed at what I said, remembering what Jacob had told us. "I just realized imprinting isn't just the imprintee being your knew gravity to hold you to earth; they keep you sane and more aware of the person you do and don't want to be. They keep you grounded up here too." I pointed at my head.
Intrigued, Henry drawled on, asking, "What the hell happened to you?"
"I couldn't... get up." I moved my index finger upward.
Henry laughed at me.
Joining him, I laughed, "I couldn't show my arms. I didn't want to be that kid anymore, playing in the sheets. I've never been one to pick up randos anyway. "Suddenly, I became sincere," I don't want to do anything that hurts Catalina, no matter how big or small. If we joke or say rude things, she'll give me permission, and I'm fine with that because we're friends. I even have better self-control than the first time we've met. I still don't know why I was acting that way. You guys are right... It doesn't have to be romantic, but I'm sane and happy as long as she is around. That's what matters. I'm going to be fine staying friends forever, stuck in a friend zone. Yeesh, but worth it. I don't know how painful it's going to be if she dies and I'm always stuck in misery morning. I think I lo-nope. Genetics! We're not having this discussion again." I laughed again, grabbing the long bang of my hair and wiping my face in it. Just why? "Funny. Now, I think it ... this time, it's my choice as to how I feel about imprinting and about her. I want to stay with her, all of me, all bare. No imprinting. I don't think a lot of people know that they have a say in it. I'm glad to be someone who's learned to do it now. Wow."
My brother patted my back. "I knew you'd come around, kind of, since it is your choice this time. Uh... but this is still a bit early. You're still stuck in this game, remember?
I banged my head on the rail. "I know... Damn it."
December arrived. I knew I was anxious. Impatient. I tried to play it off and maintain the façade. It was harder than before to stay away since I had finally accepted the truth. What was worse was Catalina, who could match my witty banter in class. She was a corny, though. It's too fucking cute. I totally started to joke the same way. She could flirt a little better than me too but what I had found out was she doesn't even realize it. She got on my nerves sometimes too but this girl also made me sing in the shower.
Anyway, because I was learning more about her, I learned that all my actions were not based on what she wanted at all. I was subconsciously preparing myself to be the person I had always longed to be and that I wanted to become for her. The way I acted in the beginning was ridiculous because I fought against my true self, the person I was before all the corruption. I was myself again. I realized I am free. I could have screwed that one-night, but I didn't want to. I wanted that book at that empty table more. It was open for me. That was why I couldn't stand the game anymore. What was I thinking!? Still, I hadn't known how to feel about Catalina. How could I further test how I felt if I truly liked or probably loved my friend? I don't want to make my final decision about all this until I knew for sure about my feelings. Was I ready to accept it when I find out that answer?
One morning, I took care of the house before leaving school, mopped the floors and washed the dishes. Henry cooked that morning for Ness and I to eat. He joined us. At school, I couldn't wait for Art Class again. I was so anxious, on the edge of saying, "Screw it! I'll surrender." The only thing to stop me was the thought that if I did lose, would Catalina walk or stay? In the cafeteria, my fingers tapped the table while I read a book. Ness kept popping my hand.
After the fourth time, I looked up at her and dully said, "Ow."
"Oh, you don't feel pain! You just feel the effects afterwards. Now, stop doing that. We all know you can't stand this," Renesmee scowled.
I lay the book down. "Pain is the effect after getting hit."
She rolled her eyes and then pointed at me, "You know what I mean. You keep tap, tap, tapping. It's annoying."
Ugh. I went back to reading. "Teh, teenagers."
Renesmee argued with me, "You're older than me! Stop acting like a kid and go do something for her."
I marked and closed my book, then crossed my arms. "Oh, now age matters? Remember, you agreed that I can enjoy being a fake teenager, and you can too. Not to mention you're actually 8 years old. Second, kids have a lot more confidence than older people. So I can't understand you're mumbling. Besides... I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine."
My brother smirked at me.
Renesmee frowned at me. "..."
I joked, "Oh! Quiet now, huh? Ugh! Teenagers."
Renesmee stuck her tongue at me.
Henry and I laughed. I said to her, "Sorry for the tapping, okay? Alright. You're right. It's just I can't stand this. It hurts to be away for this long. I suppose it's because I don't know what will happen once this is over or... if this will ever end. If it doesn't then, I'll have to do something before it gets too late and she walks."
"I don't think that's how destiny works, Ozzi," Ness reassured me. "Cati will have to be around you and it will be her choice just like you've finally chosen. Besides, she likes you too much to leave."
I rolled my eyes and leaned back. "Please, no more teasing. Don't get my hopes up only to let it fall and die."
"I'm not. You're a good friend. She told me last week, staring at you from across the room. It was funny because she stared at you for a while and then tried to play it off... like you do. I still think she won, though." Resnesmee giggled afterwards.
To covered my face with the book because I started to blush. I got up and walked away from the table.
Renesmess laughed at me, "Where are you going!?"
"I'm done."
"My, god," Ness chuckled.
"I'll follow him. Go hang with Cat's friends." After that, Henry hurried beside me.
"Later!"
Henry and I walked to my class, his was on the same hallway. When Art Class began, the teacher had us change into all white suits for hand art. Catalina and I had a lot of fun with it. Soon, It got very messy because the class kept trying to play paint tag. We cleaned off in the school showers and put on our clothes. The bell rang. School was over. Back to the game. Ugh. Just why? Why couldn't something just happen for the game to end? Henry and Ness met me at the exit. Students crowded the parking lot. I looked up at the first rain drop falling onto my cheek. Well, let it rain then. It was light. The three of us walked to the car with our black umbrellas. We noticed that our whole family arrived. Nearly the entire Cullen family. Why are they here?
Rosalie Hale and Emmett Cullen leaned on the car. Alice and Jasper Hale held each other under the same umbrella. Edward and Bella, my foster parents to help Carlisle, were stand on opposite sides of their car. Jacob stood on the white line by them.
"Hey. What's up?"
Rosalie pushed off the car. "We came because your friends called. They said they'll be coming during winter break."
I blinked, trying to think who would possible call my family. It surly wasn't Astrid. "Who?"
"Not Astrid." Emmett chuckled.
I shot him a deadpan look. Obviously. Inhaling, I guessed, "Ah, the friends you love so much, Rose."
"Yes." Rosalie smiled.
Henry chimed in, "Why was it so important that all of you came?"
"Because, Skuld had a vision and so did Alice," Edward answered, walking in front of his car with Bella.
I looked at my brother. "So, whatever the trouble, it's meant to happen."
He nodded, knowing I was right. "That sucks."
Jasper informed us, "We're here because there are others in the area. She said to stay and protect the lot until help comes or until the crowd leaves."
"Help? What help? Will the intruders attack here? Why," Henry inquired?
Bella shrugged, looking around. "We don't know but with us here, whoever it is should disappear."
"Do you see who might be lurking around," Alice requested. She had been concerned; her eyes hadn't searched in the woods, but for Catalina.
I understood her worry. The person I cared deeply about was still here. I looked at Catalina walking toward her car as she usually does around the same time, every day. With a motive to protect, I searched deep in the woods surrounding us. There were figures far from reach but I could make them out well.
"Black Wolves. They are too far from here but leisurely approaching. By the time they come, everyone would have gone home... But, they're watching something."
"Ozario," Edward called to me. "Is there something you're hiding. I can see you are."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "Or, is it that you're reading Alice and Jacob."
"Don't," he worriedly pleaded.
"I don't want to disrepect you with all my heart... but it's my choice, not yours."
Edward closed his mouth. CLAAAACK, Cr... Crr. Creeeeeee. All of us turned to the tree that was just hit by lightning. I looked down the shadow to see where it would land. Shit. Catalina! I jumped over the car and rushed toward her. She had her head phones in her ear so she could hear a thing. The calculation for physics ran through my head. I won't make it unless I... melted onto the ground, zipping through the cracks of the gravel. By the time I reach my friend, I had turned back into myself to let the tree knocked me into her the way I had planned. Swiftly, so she wouldn't the car, I comforted her fall. Then, I sat next to her. Damn. What a painful way to keep the game going. Ow. The largest branch on the tree swung toward us so I caught it. Get off. Catalina was staring at me in shock when I broke the branch off. That's what you get, you no good, dirty piece of... Is Catalina, okay? I felt her staring but hadn't checked for scaring. The moment I looked at her, into her eyes, I immediately was sure she was fine. I don't know how but I felt it. I'm so glad she's okay.
She looked at the large branch, then back at me. The tree slightly rolled under my foot since I had to hold it back. Catalina softly gasped and started shivering. She wasn't afraid, I saw that in her but she was in shock. There was something in me to tell me to comfort her so I reached my hand towards her and in unison, she had done the same. Our hand latched onto each other. It stopped. The game stopped. Is this what the rain waited for? I gently tugged Catalina closed.
I rested my lips on her forehead and peacefully told her, "We lost."
The rain waited for the last test, to see how much I cared for Catalina. I would risk everything, the secret about what I was and my life. I didn't like Catalina, I loved her. It was good to know this time. It has been a month for me to figure it out. Was I ready to accept that? Yes. I can give my heart to someone this fun and good. I accept everything. This time I choose to have it all, the imprinting and my emotions because I don't want that to change and I lose her. My heart pounded heavily. It took a tree to make me realize and to bring us together. Wow.
I hugged her, keeping her calm until I heard people calling for the police and for the ambulance. I looked at the car. Good. Her car is safe too. I did good with math. Yay. Eventually, I heard the sirens so I backed away from Catalina. She had a tear coming down but she was calmer. When the arms, hands, and machines pulled tree - and the moment Catalina blinked - I melted again, sliding beneath the tree and behind the crowd of people surrounding Catalina. After going back to normal, I zipped back to the Cullens on the other side of the lot. Alice tried to grab my arm but I started to walk with Catalina like a magnet as I watched her get into the ambulance.
"Ozzi." Alice offered, "She's going to Carlisle's hospital. You could try to visit her her there."
I nodded... "Sure."
I began to walk to my brother's car. Henry followed me, patting my back. Renesmee joined us. Henry had opened the door for Ness. Rosalie snatched my arm. Swiftly, I turned to her.
"What was that," Rose scowled? She let go of me. I looked at the ambulance leaving, then back at Rose. "We aren't about to go through another human situation, are we?"
Loving, I replied, "Rose, I understand this is life or death for us. If I have to move out for you to live your life in peace and for me to stay by her side, a human, then I will. I won't leave her alone in situations like this. She's my friend. Excuse me."
Rose's eyes grew. "What!?"
Turning to her, I confessed, "I... I Imprinted!"
The Cullens? Petrified...
