I have to apologise for the wait. This story fell by the wayside when life took over, and it was very much on the back burner. Also, I lost the chapters I had written so it was quite the effort to re-write. Anyway, I will endeavour to give this story the proper ending.

Paul's POV

'It's really funny how quickly people can change under the right circumstances.'

To put things into context, the end of the school year had come, and that meant that tests were right around the corner. In response, Zara had become a virtual shut-in. She had gone as far as even to avoid me, and she turned down any attempts that I made to meet up. Apparently, I was too much of a distraction in her life now, and for weeks now, Zara was only spending time with her books. I'd be lying if I said that it didn't bother me, but my pride forced me to pretend like everything was fine.

"This is unhealthy. You've become obsessed," I told Zara when I finally managed to catch her 'randomly' at the grocery store.

Zara wasn't even listening to me, though because she was too busy reading some revision notes on her cell phone as she shopped. It was stupid because Zara in this moment was being counterproductive.

"Zara?" I said again.

She didn't even lookup. "I'm busy, Paul."

I bit down on my lip as I stopped myself from saying something that I would regret. I just watched as Zara went for the energy drinks but not before a stranger's cart nearly ran her over.

I stopped following her and sighed as I watched on. However, I wasn't alone for long because just then someone came to stand beside me. I turned only to find Fabien there who was also watching Zara.

"Is now a good or bad time to remind you that you picked her over me?" Fabien asked then.

Surprisingly I found myself laughing. "It's a bad time," I told him.

Fabien just smirked. "I'm just saying," he joked before running after his sister.

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A day later

Zara's POV

I'm drowning. I wasn't just drowning in work but also in my built-up tension and stress. It was even stopping me from sleeping. All I wanted to do was curl up under my covers and have a lie. Yet I couldn't because I had to study! I spent my days sitting at my desk for hours and hours without really moving. It was the stacked-up folders and books that kept me sitting as It was a reminder of all the material I had to keep in my head. It caused my chest to tighten and my breathing to quicken.

My inability to revise with others or to relax for even a second had caused me to become isolated from everyone else. It's not like I enjoyed having no life or no company, but I didn't have a choice because I wanted to get into university. Even with this goal in mind though I still sighed when I returned my attention to my open maths book.

Suddenly the sound of ringing filled the house—the doorbell.

I was surprisingly quick to get to my feet and race to the window. Pressing my face against the glass, I spotted the back of that head that I could recognize anywhere. Paul!

Instantly I felt a little smile and a familiar heat in my chest. A quick chat wouldn't hurt, I guess. With that in mind, I raced down the stairs to answer the door.

Paul's POV

It took me by surprise to see Zara. Fabien had told me that she hardly ever moved from her desk, yet here she was standing in front of me.

"I'm not here to see you," I told her straight away. Even though this was true, I don't know why I started with that as an opening line. I could have gone with "Hi" or "how is it going?"...but then again, I think this was my subconscious way of showing her what it felt like to be ignored.

Zara just turned around then. "That's fine," she bit back before disappearing up the stairs.

My shoulders dropped then, but I didn't have much time to wallow because Fabien came to the door and dragged me towards the front room. Hugo was also at my feet too so I patted his back. Zara had consumed all my attention these past months, so I hadn't seen him for a while too.

Fabien had already set up the Mario game in the front zoom, and his Ebox was whirling, maybe overheating from how much he was playing on it. The table next to the couch only had a bowl of crisps and a smaller bowl of sweets.

"So this is how you are keeping yourself alive?" I asked Fabien.

He smiled while shrugging as he followed my eye-line. "It's the only choice I have now that hurricane Zara has entered her study mode."

I took the controller that he held out for me. "Thanks," I added before turning my attention to the screen and choosing my player.

"Sounds like this is a pattern of hers," I said.

Fabien sighed, "Yep. I've got used to her being a complete stress-head for exams."

I was quick to lose myself in the game as Fabien, and I started on our mission. The graphics and sounds were so visceral that I had to give it up to the guys who had created it. Time ticked on, and the sound of driving and the classic, Mario music that became the background noise.

Eventually, Zara came storming in. "Would you two keep it down. You've been this way for over an hour," She snapped, "And I need quiet." Fabien was the first one in her line of fire. "Why don't you go out and play?"

Fabien just looked annoyed as his eyes remained on the screen. "I don't want to. Plus, not everything is about you, you know."

Zara then turned her attention to me. "And seriously what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be studying?" She lectured.

I just shrugged. However, it seemed that my lack of response was the worst thing to do because it got under Zara's skin and made her angrier.

"I haven't seen you study once! Are you mad? We have exams," She continued.

" I don't see much point in studying," I answered truthfully but it seemed that Zara thought I was winding her up.

"So, what are you going to do with your life?" Zara asked.

"Zee!" Fabien snapped as she was ruining his game.

By now, I was on my feet and gestured lazily. "I guess just work in McDonald's."

Zara was dumbstruck by my response. "You can't be serious."

"I sure am," I told her even though It was a lie it seemed I wanted to add fuel to the fire, "What's it to you?"

Zara looked serious now. "Well, because I want to be with a guy who tries in life."

I just scoffed. "I rather not be like you and be as worked obsessed to the point where you don't even bother with family or friends."

It was then that Fabien finally paused the game and there was quiet in the room. "Paul," he said in a warning.

Zara tried to mask her hurt with a fierce gaze. "I have goals in life, and I'm trying to find a balance," she made sure to say before she disappeared back up the stairs albeit awkwardly. With a sigh, I joined Fabien back on the floor, who had resumed his game. It was only then I had found out that he had hit the mute button. Even at Fabien's age, he knew how to be considerate and it put me to shame to argue with his sister in front of him.

The evening was quick to come, and I had pretty much spent it all with Fabien as I tried to make up for the argument he had witnessed. I even put a pizza and some chips in the oven so that Fabien had something to eat. I was surprised that we had gamed for nearly four straight hours and that at the same time Zara hadn't left her room.

"I think I'll just check on her before I go," I told Fabien.

He rolled his eyes but smiled. "It's your death wish."

Fabien did have a point. After the show, Zara had put on, who would want to walk into her dragon's den? Oh yeah, this love-sick idiot would for his imprint.

"Zara," I called awkwardly through the closed door when I reached the landing. There was no response, and I wasn't sure if she was ignoring me or had just not heard. I prepared myself for an argument as I opened the door, but that didn't happen. Zara was lying face down in one of her open books. She had fallen asleep while sitting at her desk. Her trash can was filled with empty energy drink cans which hadn't seemed to have helped.

With a sigh, I backed out of the room so I wouldn't wake her up. I'm not sure why I continued to stand in front of the door that I'd closed. Why did she do this to herself? I hated seeing her like this.

"Paul," I heard my name then.

It was then that I noticed that Fabien had joined me.

"Oh, hey," I said a little more seriously then I meant to.

Fabien shook his head. "Listen just promise me one thing,"

"What?" I asked.

Fabien continued. "When you two do get back to normal don't just spend all your time with her."

I tried not to laugh, "Why do you think I'll ditch you for her?"

Fabien just smiled. "I'll always lose to my sister," he told me.

I just grinned. "How come?" I teasingly asked.

Although still smiling, Fabien looked at me honestly. "Because you look at her like, my dad looks at mum."

His words wiped the grin right off of my face and I stood there more than a little confused as I stared at the little kid in front of me. How could he pick up on so much?

Fabien answered my silent question while laughing, "I have eyes and a brain," he stated before showing me to the front door.

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Later that evening

Back at my place, I settled for spending more of my time in front of a screen.

"Oh," I said as I walked into the front room and saw William sitting on the couch. He was watching the game. "I thought I was here on my own."

William just nodded and smiled. "So did I."

With that, I sat down on the opposite couch, "Are you waiting for my mom?"

William's face clouded over, and he nodded. "Yes, since we argued about working."

To this, I tried not to smile, and Willam must have found my response strange because he was about to ask. I bet him to it. "I argued with Zara today about studying."

William just shook his head but was now smiling. "Women."

I nodded my head. "Yep."

Toying with the fabric of the couch arm, I found myself saying things that I had meant to for a while. "I…meant to thank you for trying to help me out," I started, "During my whole meltdown."

I felt Willaim's gaze on me for a second, but I kept my eyes glued to the screen as I was unable to look at him.

William being as smart as he was probably picked up on this and just nodded as he returned to watching the game which I knew he had no interest. He was probably watching it only, so we had something to talk about, that was the type of guy he was I had found out. "It's what I do," he simply, stated.

William was playing it cool, so things wouldn't get awkward, and I appreciated it.

"You've got a lot of responsibility," he added, and it had a hint of a double meaning.

It was the first time during the conversation that I looked away from the screen to face William.

He met my eyes then. "I've heard things as a psychiatrist," William told me.

My heart was beating a little hard. Does he know?

"You do a great job of it," he stated, and all l could do was stare at him. There was a warm pride that circulated through my chest in response.

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The next day

There was a knock at my bedroom door, and I just rolled my eyes. "For the hundredth time I'm not hungry mom, and I'm studying."

There was no reply to that, and the door didn't open either which was odd.

"H...ello?" I said for some reason.

It was then that I heard a creak and a little shuffle before Zara walked in.

The surprise caused me to sit up on my bed. "Oh, H..ey."

She was the last person I'd expect to visit. However, Zara was here.

"Hi," she said quietly.

For some reason, I got to my feet, but I couldn't find any words.

"I'm here to say sorry," Zara started. "I'm just stressed out. Exams brings out the worst of me."

I nodded. "I'm sorry too."

Zara waved away my apology. "Let's forget it because I've actually come here to find out what your deal is." When I didn't say anything, Zara repeated the words that had slipped out of my mouth. "Why is there no point in studying?" she asked.

I knew I could be honest with Zara so I voiced the thoughts that had been eating away at me. "I don't have the same motivation as you because there's no point of me studying."

Zara watched confused as I fought with myself. It was hard to say this out loud.

"What do I need good grades for Zara?" I managed to ask, "I'm not going to college…. I'm not going anywhere. I'm stuck here."

Zara hadn't been expecting. "Paul…" she started before thinking, "You're doing something so important. You're protecting us all."

I just shook my head. "I'm tired of hearing that. I want to be selfish and do things for myself."

I went quite then, but Zara waited patiently.

I laughed awkwardly then as something came into my head. "Even…You know that time when you were talking to Kim about Egypt?" I asked out of the blue.

Zara just nodded.

"I told you that you were showing off," I reminded her. "That's not what I was really thinking. I was jealous. I was jealous of you."

There. I finally admitted it.

"Oh," Zara breathed, "Sorry."

"I shook my head. "It's not your fault."

Zara appeared sad.

"Don't look at me like that," I told her. I hated sympathy. What I wanted was a solution.

We both went quiet for a while.

Without warning, Zara moved forward and nudged my shoulder with her hand. "Fine then. Be selfish," Zara finally told me.

"What?" I asked her surprised not only by her actions but her words.

"Yeah. Just because you have to protect la push that doesn't mean you can't ever leave," Zara told me. "You guys just need to get better organized. I'm sure new shapeshifters will pop up. You guys will be able to manage if one of you go away at a time."

I just shook my head.

Zara was quick to place her hands on my chest as she looked up at me. "Seriously it can work! I'll make sure you see the world," she told me, with a lot of energy, "We can go anywhere you want. Do whatever you want? And if there is something you want to do? Just do it."

I met her determined eyes, and I was starting to believe her. "You…think? Really?"

Zara nodded hard. "Of course! I'll make sure of it. I'll even argue with Sam all day long if that's what it takes. It's a promise."

She was full of too much energy now, probably excited by the prospect of travelling together. Zara was quick to take my hand and pulled me back down onto my bed and grabbed one of the open textbooks.

She sat back against the headboard. "We need money to travel though so right now, you need to study. You can do whatever you want after we graduate."

Even with my new found, optimism It was still hard to start as studying wasn't my thing. I met Zara's eyes then, and I think my thoughts were clear on my face.

"How about I kiss you for every question you get, right?" Zara suggested then with a sly smile.

Damn. She knows how to play me.

My entire body heated up on its own, and I quickly leaned in. Zara was equally quick though and pressed her fingers against my lips. "Ah ah ah," she told me, quietly, although she had momentarily closed her eyes, "You haven't answered a question yet."