Chapter Seven | Seth | The Less I Know the Better
My heart was pounding. Where did that come from? I cringed at my fake-confidence putting the earrings on her like that. She smelt like strawberries.
"Seth, have you seen those sunflower earrings I put out?" My mother patted her table, looking around for the large, beaded statement piece that I had taken over to Romy.
"Uh-yeah, I'll pay for those. I gave it to someone."
I didn't have to look at her to know she was staring me down with glinting, questioning eyes.
"Is she nice?"
"Mom!" I ran my hand down my neck sheepishly.
"Alright, alright. Well, you don't have to pay for them, though I would like to meet her." She pinched my cheeks like I was five years old again.
"Mom!"
It was her glowing smile that made it seem like everything was normal. As if vampires didn't exist. That my sister and I weren't wolves…like she wasn't a widow. I hadn't seen her smile at me like that in a long time. Happy at how—ordinary—it was that I liked someone outside the pack. Of course, now she had Charlie. A little ordinary seemed to be within reach.
I clapped a large hand on her shoulder and brought her in for a hug. My mother was tiny compared to Leah and I. Now.
"Alright mom. Maybe some time."
The thought of introducing Romy to my mother somehow brought a weird slithery feeling in my gut. I watched as my mom returned to organizing her collection of beaded jewellery onto different samples of fur, they stood out like jewels. I wished her luck and started walking around the grounds, visiting each tent and stand.
How did I feel about Romy?
I knew the moment I bumped in to her that she was someone special. All I wanted was to talk to her, get to know her. Of course, there was that itching feeling in the back of my brain that wanted to know—is this an imprint? Everyone in Sam's pack had described imprinting in these grand dramatic fashions. Especially Sam. Paul was the only one who downplayed it, though he made several innuendos when Rachel wasn't around. Did I feel like Romy was my whole reason for being, the earth and gravity itself like Sam? I rolled my eyes. Or was it like Quil, just wanting to be there and protect Claire? Maybe I leaned more towards Quil's side, I didn't have this urge to protect Romy—heck she could definitely protect herself—but then what was that in the cafeteria? I had no control, no thought, and pow. Punched that oaf Todd right in the face. That sure wasn't like me. Then again, I've never actually noticed someone of the opposite sex like this.
I had caught another glimpse of the white shirt she was wearing. There was a small crowd forming around the face painting tent now. I had circled around the park without even knowing. My eyes were laser focused on the way her lips moved as she spoke to the kids. Romy had very animated expressions. I wonder if she knew that she expressed herself through her lips a lot. The way they played at the corners. Scrunching up, to the point the top of her lip would touch the tip of her nose.
"Who are you creeping on?"
A large arm swung around and caught me by the neck, knuckles digging deep into my skull.
"Argh, get off Brady! I'm not creeping on anyone, just waiting for your ugly mug to show up."
"Ouch, that was hurtful." He feigned a pout as I easily slipped out of his chokehold and flipped his arm behind him. "H-hey! Is that Romy over there?" There was a weird look on his face.
"Yeah, she's running the face painting booth for the kids. She's rather good, saw her paint this kid's face like Spider-Man. Anyways, uh, OH! I invited her to the beach after."
"Oh sweet! Colin and I are setting up the bonfire with B. I think Sam, Paul, and Jared will be there too."
"Oh."
"She can meet the stronger pack of La Push." He chuckled and nicked me by the chin with his fist.
"Yeah right, I'm only the strongest, fastest, and brightest of the rest of you lot." I pushed him back by his chest and we both paused to glance over at Romy, pulling her long hair back into a pony tail. The brightly glinting sunflower earrings shining in the warm sun.
She fanned herself with her hands, a bead of sweat dripping down the nape of her neck. I was staring again. I quickly turned my attention to Brady just to see that I wasn't the only one observing Romy intently.
"So…" I began as I watched Brady run his hands through his hair, "are you heading over now? We can go now."
"Yeah, uh, hold on a sec..." He flicked the back of his hand against my shoulder.
Before I could answer, he bounded off towards Romy. I could feel my throat dry up. Why was he smiling at her like that? My hands became uncomfortably clammy as I wiped them against my shirt, watching as her small nose turn up to look at Brady approaching her. Her lips…they turned up in a grin, her eyebrows were slightly pinched though. What were they talking about? Her jaw dropped in shock and she placed a hand over her mouth quickly as her deep laugh floated above the noise of the festival. She leaned forward, a hand pressed against his chest as she tried to contain her laughter. When she settled her eyebrows shot up as she realized tiny humans were still around her and she quickly shooed Brady away, flicking her paint brush at him, splattering him with tiny droplets of blue paint.
"I'll see you there!" I could hear her call out as he swaggered away from the booth.
When did they become so close? It was a strange feeling. I was suddenly irritated with him.
"Alright, let's head out."
His face was covered in tiny flecks of the blue paint. I pushed the animal in my chest away, shaking my head at the confusing feelings that seemed to be bubbling up from my gut.
"Yeah…" The feelings bubbled out, "what were you guys talking about anyways?"
"It was nothing man. Let's get some food first."
He clapped me on the back, and I fought the urge to trip him. What the hell is wrong with me?
