"No way, no way, no way!" Jessica squeals at lunch on Friday when I tell her about my date with Emmett. "How did he ask you? Where are you going? What are you wearing? We need details, Raquel. Details."
"We were just hanging out at my house," and rudely interrupted by Will, I add mentally. "I'm not sure, and I'm not sure. Maybe just this?"
I gesture down to the gray heart-patterned sweater and jeans combo I have on. Jess gives me a look of horror, like I just told her I killed her puppy.
"No. Nope. Not a chance. This is an intervention. Angela? Bella? We're having an emergency meeting at Raquel's after school. We cannot let her go out like that—with Emmett Cullen, no less." Angela looks excited, Bella, not so much.
"But—" Jess holds up a hand to stop me and closes her eyes as though that will prevent her from hearing my words.
"No buts. The only 'but' you are allowed to talk about is Emmett's." I gape at her.
"And we will expect details." Angela adds. Bella looks amused by my chagrin.
"I-I—"
"It's settled, we'll be over at four." Jess grins.
I mope through gym, stressed knowing that Emmett will fully tease me for Jess and Angela's conversation. To my surprise, Emmett doesn't mention it.
"So, I'll pick you up at five? Or," A sly look comes into his eye. "Will you and the girls need more time to get you ready?"
So much for him not bringing it up.
"Five is fine. Gives them less time to come up with even more ways to embarrass me." Emmett laughs.
"I'll be sure to rescue you at five then."
"Definitely not that one." Jess says, pointing to the fifth outfit we've gone through since she, Angela, and Bella came over.
"Why not?" I demand, holding the gray long-sleeved dress up to my front.
"Because you're not trying to look like a figure skater." Jess takes the hanger out of my hands and tosses it on my bed, along with the other rejected outfits.
"You never know, Jess," Angela calls out casually from inside my closet, where she's sifting through my rack of the girls deemed "date-worthy." "Emmett might be into that."
"Would you guys stop teasing her?" Bella asks, seated at my desk.
"She's more likely to talk about her relationship than you are." Jess points out, crossing over to take the dress Angela holds out and bringing it over to me.
I hold it up to my frame, and Jess steps back and makes a rectangle with her hands, appraising me like a work of art.
"I like that one. If you curl her hair and add some makeup, it's perfect. Classic, casual, and cute." Bella offers. Jess considers for a minute before sending me into the bathroom to change.
I pull the dress on over my head before inspecting the mirror. The dress is navy, with a dual layered skirt and a deep gray chiffon overlay with flowers that covers my shoulders, looking like a t-shirt. I pull on some sheer tights for a little more coverage on my legs—even spring in Forks is chilly.
"Can you zip me up?" I ask Bella, holding my hair up so she can access the zipper unfettered.
"What do we think?" I ask, twirling. Jess grins, and Angela flashes me a thumbs up from behind her.
"Sit down. We are fixing your hair. Do you wear makeup normally?" Jess babbles.
"Okay," I take Bella's old spot at my desk while she moves to the bed. "I wear makeup every day. I just wear concealer and mascara." I shrug.
"Well, we'll just make your makeup a little more suitable for a date night." Jess says.
I eye her warily as she begins applying, patting, and blending makeup onto my face. She thankfully lets me do my own mascara, as my eyes flutter way too much when she's within a few inches of my eyes. After dousing me in a layer of setting spray, Jess hands me a mirror. My eyes have a subtle smoky effect, with a mid-tone gray eyeshadow expertly diffused into my crease. My lashes are lengthened, my lips and cheeks rosy. Angela fusses over my hair, gently curling it with some product.
"Jess, Ang, I love it! Thank you." I say, turning my face this way and that in the mirror.
"One last thing." Jess says, stooping over and grabbing something out of her bag. She pulls away to hold up her prize: a pair of black ankle boots with a chunky heel.
"Jess, those are way too high for me. I'll die wearing them. Or at least, sprain an ankle. Again." I give her a reproving look.
"You'll be fine. I'm sure Emmett will let you lean on him if you need the support." She nudges me with her shoulder before kneeling down and forcing my feet into the boots, an unwilling Cinderella.
"Okay, okay. You've all had your fun. Now go! Before he gets here." I shoo them out, flapping my arms at them frantically.
"You'd better not hold back on the details!" Jessica calls out one last threat as Bella shoves her into the car. I close the door and lean back against it, huffing out a breath.
"Ready for your date?" My mom asks, grinning at me.
"I guess. I didn't think I was that nervous but…" I shrug.
"Sit down. Deep breaths. You know Emmett, you like him a lot. He likes you, too, you know. I can see it when he looks at you. And in the hospital? He was so worried about you. Not to mention, the boy's a looker."
"Mom!" I complain, her pep-talk ruined by her talking about Emmett's looks.
A knock on the door saves me from her further embarrassment. I spring up out of the chair and hurry as fast as I can in my deadly boots over to the door.
"Saved by the doorbell." I grumble, flinging the door open.
Emmett smiles down at me, his dimples prominent. He's wearing a long-sleeved gray t-shirt and dark wash jeans, unbothered by the chill.
"Hello. Did you miss me?"
"Hmmm… Only because Jess, Angela, and Bella decided to play dress-up." Emmett offers me his hand, and I take it.
"Well, you look lovely. Not that you don't always look lovely, you do, it's just—" I'm fairly certain he'd be blushing if he were still human.
"I know what you mean," I giggle. "Thank you."
I notice for the first time that he's driving the Volvo and not his Jeep. I turn to look at him, my question in my eyes.
"Alice saw you'd be wearing a dress, and figured it'd be a bit easier for you to get into the Volvo." Emmett says with a shrug.
"That's considerate of her, even if it's a little invasive."
"Trust me, if you spend any time with Alice, her invasiveness is the least of your problems. Ask Bella." Emmett chuckles as he closes my door behind me and crosses to the driver's side. I notice the jean jacket hanging on the back of my seat when I'm fastening my seatbelt.
"Alice also saw you'd be cold." Emmett says, scratching the back of his neck.
"Is this her jacket?" I ask.
"No, it's mine. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."
"We'll see." No reason to give in so early on, even if I am a bit chilly.
Emmett pulls out of my driveway with ease, barely even looking behind the car.
"That reminds me," I begin, picking at invisible lint on my skirt. "Where are we going? You don't eat human food, and as much as I would love to spend time with you around a deer you've just killed, I don't think that's the pinnacle of romance."
"Well, there goes my plan." He replies, amused.
"I figured we'd could go to a spot I know. If you're hungry, we can get some takeout beforehand."
"No, I actually ate before you came. I didn't want you to be watching me shoving food in my face." I look down and start playing with my hands.
We drive in silence for a bit before Emmett turns down a familiar path.
"We're going to your house?" I can't fully conceal the panic in my voice.
"Yes and no. The spot I'm taking you to is near somewhat near our house, it's easier to get there by foot. I'm just going to park the car so Edward doesn't kill me."
"There's one problem with traveling by foot. Jessica put me in these death traps." I say, pointing to my heels.
"No problem. I'll carry you, since you seem to enjoy it so much." Emmett adds with a smirk. "And the rest of them went hunting, I figured you wouldn't want them to be listening in."
When Emmett parks the car and gets out, he flashes over to my side as I'm pulling his jacket on and rolling up the sleeves. I look up at him, a little dazed.
"I don't think I've ever seen you use your full speed before."
"Well, babe, you're about to see it firsthand." He says, gently pulling me out of the car and slinging me onto his back.
He takes off into the forest, running faster than any human—or animal could ever hope to. The forest blurs around me, and though it's scary to see branches and brambles pass inches from my face, I can't close my eyes. Emmett stops by a small stream, gently setting me down.
The clearing is small and ringed with pine trees. There's a babbling brook, complete with a small waterfall and moss-covered rocks. Despite the chill of the air, there's a wave of warmth coming from the pool above the waterfall.
"It's a hot spring. Vampires don't get cold, but the warmth is nice nonetheless." Emmett says from behind me. I take a seat on one of the rocks, gently dipping my finger into the water, watching the ripples made by my finger breaking the surface.
"I like it." I say as Emmett joins me on an adjoining rock.
"I'm glad. When it's especially sunny, I like to come here. Edward has a place he likes to go, but he banned me from going there after I did a one-man reenactment of his internal drama on-site." I laugh.
"You enjoy teasing him a lot."
"He makes it easy."
"So you can go out in the sun? Why don't you?" I ask, cocking my head to the side.
"I might get to show you. Alice said there'd be a brief break in the clouds." Emmett looks up at the sky, as though he can summon the sun by mentioning his psychic sister.
"You aren't going to burn up into a crisp, right? Because that would definitely put a damper on this date." Emmett laughs.
"Nope. She said it would be about now." As Emmett mutters about Alice's vision, it comes to fruition.
I'm blinded. Emmett's skin, pale white, reflects with what looks like hundreds of tiny crystals that appear to be embedded within.
"You… glitter?" I ask, slightly confused. Emmett laughs, the sound echoing off of the trees.
"Yeah. Carlisle doesn't understand it. Edward thinks it's the mark of being a monster. I think of it as being a portable disco ball." I laugh at that.
I reach towards his hand. "May I?"
Emmett extends his hand so it's within my reach. I gently take it in mine, tracing my finger over it, as though I expect there to be an uneven texture, but it's still soft, a silk-covered statue.
Too soon, the clouds re-conceal the sun, and Emmett stops glimmering.
"Do you miss being human?" I ask after a bit, still tracing aimless patterns on his skin.
"Not really," Emmett moves to sit in the grass beside me and begins plucking small wildflowers, weaving them together. "I mean, I hated leaving my family. They lost a son who could provide for them. But I figured it was better this way, where I could take care of them from the sidelines rather than just being their idiot son who was killed by a bear. And besides, I wouldn't have met you if I wasn't turned." He grins up at me.
I contemplate his answer, reaching out and running my hands through his hair, following the paths of his curls. "You also wouldn't have killed me if you weren't turned."
He looks back to make sure I'm joking. I smile reassuringly.
"You know, there's a strong possibility that you've had other lives, I just didn't kill you in those. Maybe we were meant to be, some way or another."
"I don't suppose there's any way to find out." I sigh.
"Carlisle's been trying to look into it, and the existence of other old souls as well. But you can't exactly Google it."
"I can imagine."
"Can I ask you a question?" Emmett tilts his head back to look at me.
"Of course."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but why haven't you moved back to Virginia? Your stalker's gone, you wouldn't have to live in fear anymore."
"Are you trying to get rid of me?" I tease, but I think he senses my undertone of insecurity and worry.
"Not at all. I just figured you'd want to go back to where your home is."
"Don't they say home is where the heart is?" I ask slowly.
"I thought you banned me from saying cheesy things." Emmett complains.
"You assumed I was talking about you? I was referring to my family, Angela, Jess, Bella. The usual suspects."
"I'm not on that list?" Emmett asks, his golden eyes turning sad.
"Of course you are. But you just reprimanded me for being cheesy."
Emmett reaches up and helps me down so that I'm seated beside him. He picks up the flowers he's braided together and sets it onto my head.
"Did you make me a flower crown?" I ask, excitement seeping into my voice.
"I did." Emmett chuckles, seeming a bit surprised by my enthusiasm.
"Thank you!" I squeal, flinging my arms around him and nuzzling my face into his shoulder. I can't tell why this small gesture means so much to me, but it's incredibly sweet. The small flower crown means more since he made it especially for me.
"You're welcome." Emmett laughs softly, wrapping his arms around me and burying his face in my hair.
"You smell good." He says after a moment.
"So do you," I reply. "Is this uncomfortable for you?"
"I mean, like I said before, it's definitely not pleasant, the burn. But I think it's worth it." I gently extricate myself, pulling back to look at him.
"I don't want to make you suffer." I say quietly.
"That's just how it is, Quel. It's okay, really. I'm a tough guy, if you haven't noticed." Emmett dramatically flexes his muscles, already well-defined in his shirt, making the shirt constrict even tighter around his biceps.
"Are you trying to impress me? It's not working." I lie, acting nonplussed and checking my nails.
"Are you sure?" Suddenly, he's much closer, his eyes more intense, like gold glinting in the sun.
"Positive." I whisper back, my voice barely audible.
Emmett's lips softly touch mine, cool and smooth, supple and soft. My eyes close, and I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. His hands splay themselves on my back, securing me to his solid form, his scent around me, an inescapable, delectable perfume that invades my nostrils and settles on my tongue. Heat makes its way through my body, seeming to light all of my nerves as though they're lanterns on a string. The chill of his lips does nothing to quell the growing heat coursing through my veins. I'm glad I'm sitting down because I'm positive, were I standing, that my legs would collapse under me. One of Emmett's hands makes its way up to cup my shoulder, then gently moves to my hair, stroking it. As much as I hate clichés, this kiss feels like every single one in the book—and more. Too soon, much too soon, Emmett gently pulls away from me. I chase after him with my lips, and I feel him smile into the kiss as he indulges me one last time.
"For someone so worried about my discomfort, you can't seem to get enough of me." He grins, still running his hand through my hair.
I'm too flustered to respond, my breath embarrassingly ragged.
When I compose myself, I respond. "I take it back. I don't care how much it hurts you to be around me if you kiss me like that again."
Emmett laughs before settling back against the rock, pulling me so that I'm tucked under his arm.
"As much I love to oblige you, and I'm glad you're finally admitting you like me, we should probably take it slow. I'd really hate to kill you now." He's still smiling, but his eyes are tight.
"What if there's a trade?" I ask, pursing my lips.
"A trade?" Emmett sounds surprised and amused, looking down at me with one of his eyebrows raised.
"I'll tell you how I really feel, completely, if you kiss me again." Emmett considers my deal, I can almost see the wheels turning in his head.
"No."
"No?" I ask, pulling away from him.
"I'd rather save it. After all, this is our first date. You don't want to be too forward, do you?"
"Maybe I do." I cross my arms over my chest, indignant.
"Come here." He says, pulling me back to his side. "I don't want to test my luck with you. Raincheck, okay? I promise." He adds tenderly.
I hold out my pinky, and Emmett wraps his around mine, dwarfing it. He then quickly pulls my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckle.
"Let's get you home, shall we?" He stands up in one fluid motion, offering me a frigid hand. When I'm up, he keeps our hands joined, and we walk hand-in-hand back to the car, ending the date with promises and anticipation of the future of our relationship.