Hey,

Sorry for such a late post. I hope everyone is doing well and thank you to those who have favored, followed and reviewed. I hope you guys liked Chapter 1. I'm excited for you to read Chapter 2 and to read what you guys think. Anyway, happy reading!

Always and Forever,

Ari.

Warnings: Mentions of anxiety, stress and a small amount of abandonment.

Disclaimer: I only own my OC's and parts of the plot you do not recognize from the Twilight Saga.

Chapter 2: I've Got You

"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye." - H. Jackson Brown Jr.

8:55 p.m. Inside the Chiago House, La Push, Washington

"Thanks for dinner," Jayden rubbed his stomach, kicking his feet up on the coffee table. "We really need to clear off the dinner table." I glanced at the table, wrinkling my nose at the mountains of loose papers. I knew it was starting to bother him, but I didn't want to deal with my mothers' anger. "I mean, this is cool and all, but it's not healthy to eat like this. But it is convenient with the TV right here."

"Mom said not to touch it," I reminded gently, gathering the plates and getting up to wash the dishes. "So leave it alone, please." I glanced at him, seeing his fists clench and unclench.

Jayden scoffed, crossing his arms. "Mom hasn't been here in four months. So why should it matter?" He glared at the stack of papers like they personally offended him. It pained me to think that my mom had only seen Jay the day she had come to visit. I haven't seen her physically in two years, and I tried to push down the jealousy I felt towards him. Even if it was only for a day. I craved her hugs and cheek kisses.

"I know, but she called last week, reminding me not to touch the papers. You know she's working on her book Jay," I murmured, going back to sit next to him; I reached over, ruffling his hair. "Do you want to talk about it," I asked softly, not wanting him to get upset.

"No. I'm going to my room. Night," He leaned over, pushing my hand lightly. I inhaled deeply, slumping against the couch. "Rys… doesn't it bother you that she cares more about fame than us?"

I looked back at him, noticing his face drop. I got up, leaning against the wall, afraid to get closer, so I didn't frighten him off. "Sometimes it does," I admitted, staring at the tips of my shoes. I faltered for a moment, feeling like I was belittling mom's dream. I knew my mom was trying her best, and I had to back her up. "But she helps pay for the house and the food on our table. If she needs to be in New York to have her muse, then who are we to stop it?" The words tasted fake on my tongue. She could've come to visit us more, and I wanted to tell him my true feelings. I just didn't want Jay to deal with my bitterness.

He grimaced, running his hand through his hair. "You don't understand. Good night." I stared after him, his shoulders slumped as he made his way to his room.

"Then help me understand," I whispered, sliding down the wall when I heard his door close. I closed my eyes, silently pleading for my father to give me guidance. Mom was counting on me to raise him right, and every time I tried to talk to him, I knew I made it worse. " How can I help you if you don't let me in?" What am I doing wrong?

I pulled out my phone, contemplating whether to call mom and ask her if I could package up her papers and send them to her. It seemed like they were causing Jay distress, and I wanted to ease his anguish for him. But if she mentioned, them then it was a sign that she might be coming home soon. I dialed her number, deciding not to bother her with the papers just yet, I just wanted to hear her voice.

I perked up slightly when the phone clicked. "Hiya baby," her tired voice crackled through the phone. I almost felt bad about bothering her. My excitement of hearing her voice outweighed my thoughts of disturbing her. "It's eleven o'clock here. Why are you calling so late?" She sounded grumpy, and my excitement started to diminish.

"Sorry, mom, I can call you tomorrow," I offered, hoping she would reject the idea and talk to me. I missed her, and deep down, I hope she missed me too.

She sighed into the phone, letting out a loud yawn. "Call me tomorrow."

"Okay. Love you," I bit my lip, allowing the disappointment I felt to wash throughout my tone.

"You too," She yawned again, clicking off the line.

I stared at the phone, swallowing the lump that was starting to build in my throat. I allowed myself to feel the hurt of my mom, not saying I love you back. "You're used to this. It doesn't matter," I mumbled to myself, pulling my hollow self off the floor. I cleared my throat, looking at the mountain of dishes. I closed my eyes, not wanting to deal with the dirty dishes.

7:54 a.m. First Beach, La Push, Washington

I watched the waves, clutching one of the rugged, stones letting the pain spread across my palm. It was nice to feel something other than the anxiety creeping up my spine. "Today is the day, dad," I smirked, sending a quick glance up towards the cloudy sky. "I'm nervous. I don't want to send it, but Alex thinks it's a good idea." I shut my eyes imagining, his easy-going smile, and the piece of dark hair flopping on his forehead. I wanted nothing more than to have one of his comforting hugs.

"Laryssa?"

I jerked up, clutching my pounding heart, peering up at Embry's bashful smile. "Jeez Em, why'd you have to frighten me half to death?" I rubbed my chest as if that would calm my rapid heartbeat.

He laughed, moving to sit next to me. "You get scared easily. How come you're here so early?"

I brought my knees to my chest, sticking my tongue out at him. "I like to come out here and think." I bit my lip, holding in a yawn. "Aren't you cold," I eyed his jean shorts and navy shirt, as I pulled my coat and blanket closer to me. His arms didn't have any goosebumps. "Here," I started to pull my, blanket; off my shoulders, frowning when he stopped me.

"No, it feels nice out," He shrugged, digging in his pocket pulling, out a bag of gummy bears. "So, Paul?" He offered me the bag with a lopsided grin. I blinked a few times, noticing that his smile was like my dad's. That similarity made the ache in my chest all the more prominent. I missed my dad more than anything, and life ultimately sucked without him in it.

I scoffed at him, taking a red and green gummy bear. "It's not what you think. We are partners for a project," I explained, pursing my lips. "He seems nice," I murmured offhandedly, tossing the rugged stone to the side, flexing my numb hand.

"He is," Embry agreed, digging his feet into the cool sand. "Just don't eat his food," He chuckled with a yawn. I eyed him, noticing a bit of stubble growing on his chin. He had light circles underneath his eyes, and I wondered why he wasn't getting enough sleep. "So, what are you thinking about so early in the morning?"

"I'm doing some artwork for my mom's book, and I have to send it in today, but it doesn't feel complete to me. Alex thinks I should just send it in," I sighed, taking another red gummy bear. "So I came out to think about it and to try and figure out what's missing."

Embry tossed a bear up in the air, catching it in his mouth. I cheered when it landed in his mouth, smiling at his easy-going smile. I was trying my hardest to not see my dad's smile. "What happens if you don't send it?"

"I don't know, and I really don't wanna find out," I admitted, pulling my knees to my chest. Not only would I get crap from my mom, but I was also dealing with a professional company. This was my work ethic on the line. "Alex thinks I'm just being a diva about my art."

"You care about something important to you," Embry said, looking at me with a small frown on his face. "Alex doesn't know what he's talking about. You are an artist, and you know what you need for your art. Don't listen to him," He stared back at the ocean.

I watched him, a smile worming its way onto my face. It felt good to have someone believe in me. It made me feel like I wasn't being crazy. "Thanks, Em."

He grinned, offering me another bear. "You'll find what you're missing. You're an amazing artist." I bumped his shoulder in thanks.

"So, why are you out so early," I questioned, taking one of the colorless bears, hoping that my taste buds had changed. I bit into the bear, grimacing at the taste. I swallowed it, trying to get the taste out of my mouth. Nope still couldn't do it.

"I got off work, and I just wanted some peace before I go home," Embry stretched, plopping the rest of the gummy bears on my lap. I understood the peace he craved. The beach had come to be my source of peace. "Hey, Rys, I'm gonna head home, you can have the rest," he gestured to the bag. "But remember what I said, okay?" I nodded with a grin. I watched him get up, dusting the sand off his shorts.

I held up the bag wrinkling, my nose at the colorless and yellow gummy bears. I pulled out my phone swiping, past Alex's message. Deep down, I knew I should get up and go, so I could figure out what was missing. But I couldn't find it in myself to get up. I had stared at the pages so many times, and I still haven't figured it out. I locked my phone, resting my head on my knees.

"You didn't attack the floor again, right?"

I jerked up, clutching my racing heart for the second time. I looked to my left, seeing Paul kneeling in the sand. My terrified heart was going to give out on me one day. I smiled, pushing my face into my knees. I peeked at him, seeing his eyes still on me. I breathed in deeply, lifting my head to look at him. "I'm not gonna live that down am I?"

He shrugged his shoulders, moving to sit beside me. "I think I'll keep it alive for a while." I scoffed, brushing my hand over my face trying not to smile again. I watched him grin from the corner of my eye.

I stretched my legs out, reaching to grab a broken white shell next to my ankle. "You just missed Embry," I stated, setting the gummy bears to the side. I turned the white broken shell in my palm, studying the ridges. "He left his gummy bears," I grasped the bag, offering them to him.

"You don't want them," Paul asked, taking the bag shifting, them as if he was looking for something. His nose wrinkled when he didn't find what he was looking for. It seemed like Embry, and I had eaten all of the red and green ones.

"Don't like those colors," I asked, turning to face him. He shrugged, popping one of the colorless ones into his mouth.

"They aren't my favorite, but I'm hungry," He chewed, pulling one of his legs up to his chest leaning, his forearm on his knee. I tossed the shell to the side, twirling my thumbs. "It's nice to have the sun out."

I looked towards the sky, seeing the sun peeking out from behind the clouds. "Yeah, it is," I smiled, hearing a car door slam in the distance. I closed my eyes, focusing on feeling the warmth. I shivered when a gust of wind blew my hair away from my face. I opened my eyes when my phone pinged. I pulled it out, seeing another text from Alex.

Knight: SRSLY? TXT ME NOW.

I swiped the message, turning my sound off pocketing my phone. I couldn't handle him right now. If I heard his criticisms, I was going to explode. "Everything okay?"

I glanced at Paul, seeing the deep frown that crossed his face. I sent him a small smile, pulling the blanket closer to me. "Yeah, so what brings you out to the beach?" I changed the subject, not wanting to think about Alex and his pushy attitude. The beach was peaceful, and I wanted to keep the peace with me as long as I could.

"LARYSSA!" I winced, hearing Alex's frustrated voice. I tensed, not daring to turn to where I heard his voice echo. He hated the beach, and I did not expect him to come looking for me here. That was the whole reason I picked the beach.

"Shit," I cursed, peeking over Paul's shoulder, seeing Alex walking away from where I was sitting. I let out a breath when I realized Paul's form kept me hidden from Alex's view. I scooted closer to Paul, hoping that Alex wouldn't come towards us. "I'm sorry that I'm in your space, once he is gone I'll move," I rushed out, ignoring my pounding heart. "He hates the beach, he'll leave soon."

Paul stared at me as he straightened his back, so his form towered over mine. We didn't speak for a good five minutes, and I was too much of a wimp to see if Alex was still stomping around on the beach. He exhaled after a while, "He's leaving," Paul stated, turning to look at me.

I sagged in relief, pulling my legs to my chest again. I rested my head on my knees, trying to stop the pounding of my heart. I just knew that one day my heart was going to give up on me. I put it through too much sometimes. "Sorry," I mumbled, not daring to look at Paul. I acted like a complete wimp, and I couldn't bring myself to see his reaction. I blinked rapidly; as I felt my eyes burning from my humiliation.

"Hey," A warm hand rested on my back. "Laryssa, it's okay." I looked at him expecting to see him angry or judging me at my wimpy antics, but the only thing I could see was worry splashed across his face. "It's okay. You're okay." I took a deep breath, closing my eyes trying, to ignore the shame building in my chest. I focused on the warmth radiating from his palm.

8:37 a.m. First Beach, La Push, Washington

Paul watched Laryssa as she breathed in, avoiding his gaze as she rested her head on her knees. He wanted her to look at him, but he could see that she was visibly unsettled. Paul kept his hand on her back, needing to feel her. So, he didn't lose control. He turned his head slightly, listening to Alex drive away. Paul found himself relaxing completely. He could no longer hear the tires meeting the gravel. He looked over his imprint, seeing her hands shaking under her knees.

Paul wanted to pick her up and hold her against him until she felt better. He didn't think she would respond well to that. So Paul tried a different tactic. "Laryssa," He whispered, trying not to startle her. She opened her eyes, looking down at the sand. "Can I show you something?"

Her eyes darted to his like she was searching for something. She looked away, nodding ever so slightly. He stood up slowly, offering a hand to her, making sure it was in her line of sight. Laryssa bit her lip so hard that it started turning white. She stared at his hand before taking it. He grabbed her hand, pulling her up gently, fixing the blanket around her shoulders. He held her hand, pulling her towards the tree line.

9:04 a.m. First Beach, La Push, Washington

Paul looked back at her, seeing her trail her eyes over the trees. "Almost there," He reassured her, locating the opening between the trees. She glanced at him before she ducked her head, avoiding his gaze. He broke through the trees, looking out at the vast ocean. He let go of her hand, moving to sit down on one of the boulders. "I found this during one of my morning runs," He admitted watching the waves crash against each other. "Only you and I know about it," Paul refused to acknowledge that the guys only knew about it because of the mind link. He wanted to have something that was just for the two of them. It was a place he came when he needed to think or to calm down.

He dared to peek at her only to see her staring at the ground instead of the view. He walked over to her, setting his hands on her shoulders, startling her out of her trance. "I'm s-sorry."

"Hey," Paul murmured, fixing the blanket on her shoulders again. "Don't apologize, it's okay. What happened?" Laryssa avoided his eyes, looking anywhere but at him. He faltered, she had no reason to trust him. "You don't have to tell me," He backtracked, letting his hands slide down to her upper arms. "What can I do to help you?"

Laryssa looked at him, setting one of her hands on his hand. "You've done m-more than e-enough," She patted his hand gently, sending him a smile that looked forced. "Thank y-you." She stepped away from his hands, brushing her fingers across her face. "I uh o-owe you an e-explanation."

"You don't owe me anything, Laryssa. I just want to know if you are okay," Paul said, moving to stand next to her. He didn't want to force anything out of her. If she wanted to give him the information willingly, then Paul would accept it. He could feel his body start to shake as he thought about her reaction more in-depth. If Alex had done something to her, Paul would make sure that he paid for the harm he caused her.

He faltered, slightly then she tugged the blanket over his shoulders. Paul stared at her, watching her avoid his gaze. She breathed in deeply before she stared up at him. "I'm okay." She mumbled, looking away again, pulling the blanket tighter across his shoulder. Letting her fists rest on his chest.

"I'm not cold," He smiled, slightly setting his hands on top of her clenched fists. "See."

"You're shaking, keep the blanket on." She bit her lip, letting her hands fall away from the blanket. Laryssa turned, staring out at the view. "I-"

"You don't have to tell me anything," Paul stressed, interrupting her. He kept the blanket on his shoulders to appease her. "Whatever happened, it's okay, I don't need to know."

"Paul," She sighed, running her hand through her hair. "It's okay, I want to tell you." Laryssa moved again, sitting on the boulder. "The attacks happen sometimes. Mainly when I get stressed, and Alex was starting to stress me out." She paused, pulling out her phone, glaring down at it. She held down the power button; before shoving it in her pocket. "Sorry."

"How is he stressing you out," Paul moved to sit next to her, making sure he wasn't crowding her.

"I have an art deadline for my mom's book. I feel like something is missing, but Alex insists I'm just being a diva." She mumbled, leaning down to grab a blade of grass. "He told me to just turn it in, but something is missing. I came out here to think, but he keeps bugging me." Laryssa turned to look at him. "He's very critical of my art, and I can't handle that right now, so I freaked out when I heard him. That's why I asked you to hide me. I didn't mean to put you in that position. I'm sorry."

Paul removed the blanket from his shoulders, placing it around hers, sending her a small smile. "Don't apologize, it's okay. If you think something is missing from your art, then there must be something missing. I think you know yourself and your confidence in your work, trust yourself." He stated, wanting nothing more to rest his hands on her shoulders. "Maybe you should tell him, it might help," Paul offered, watching her eyes fall to her lap. "What else is on your mind?"

"What if he's right," She whispered, letting her hair fall, so it shielded her face. "What if I am being dramatic?"

"What if you're not being dramatic," Paul stated moving so he kneeled in front of her slumped form. "I have an idea." He said, waiting for her to look at him. "If you're open to it."

Laryssa sighed, pushing her hair away from her face staring at him. "What is it?"

"Walk me through your work. Sometimes talking about a problem might help you come up with a solution." He shrugged, taking a moment to observe her. His eyes trailed over her face, noticing slight circles under her eyes and a small scar on her upper lip.

"You think so," She asked, sitting up straighter. Paul watched the hope slowly tickle into her brown eyes.

"It can't hurt to try." He stood up, sending her a grin, offering his hand to her.

Let me know what y'all think!

Edited on July 24, 2020.