this is me trying

chapter sixteen: first date

seth

"You look beautiful." I comment as soon as Tatum opens the front door. She is wearing a long sleeved sheer black top with a black bra underneath and light washed jeans. She is standing a few inches taller today due to her heeled booties. Tatum looks flawless.

Tatum blushes as she slips out the front door. "Thank you." She says before pecking my lips. She quickly locks the door before we walk to my truck. I open the passenger door for her before moving to the driver's side. "Are you going to give me any ideas where we are going?" Tatum asks as we begin on the road towards our destination.

I reach over and grab Tatum's small hand in mine. "We are going to eat brunch first." I say as I give her hand a squeeze.

"In Forks?" She asks, curiously.

I shake my head. "In Port Angeles." I correct her. "Then I have something else planned for us after."

Tatum's face breaks out into a huge grin. "I'm excited." She says happily. "Thank you for doing this. I'm happy I get to spend the day with you."

My inner wolf rejoices at her words. She is happy to be with me just as I am happy to be with her. I lift her hand up to my lips and press a kiss to it.

We chat about Tatum's week and how work was before we moved on to how my week was. I try not to express how much I truly missed seeing her in fear of creeping her out. Before too long, we have arrived at the restaurant in Port Angeles, right next to the water.

We walk hand in hand into the restaurant and stop at the hostess stand. I lightly hold onto Tatum's waist as I look to the hostess. "Hi, just two today?" The young perky girl asks.

"Yes, please. Preferably by the window, if you have a table." I add.

The young girl nods. "Right this way." She says motioning us to follow her. Tatum follows the hostess and I follow behind her. The hostess leads us to a table by the large windows of the restaurant that look out to the water. I help Tatum into her chair before sitting into my own chair. The hostess leaves us with menus before telling us our waiter will be right over.

"This is so pretty." Tatum says in awe as she gazes out of the window. The window view is incredible and exactly why I chose this restaurant. I open my mouth to speak but am interrupted.

"Hi, folks. I'm Nathan. I am going to be your waiter today. Can I get started with some drinks? Mimosas, orange juice, coffee…" the waiter says.

I look to Tatum first, letting her order first. "Um, I will take a mimosa." She says before looking over at me.

"Same here, thank you." I say. The waiter leaves the two of us.

"This is perfect, Seth." Tatum gushes, looking to me with her glowing green eyes. "The view is incredible."

"We can walk along the water after lunch if you want." I suggest. I want to keep her happy. Anything to make her happy. Tatum nods her head enthusiastically.

We look over the menu before the waiter comes back with our drinks. He takes our orders quickly and he leaves us alone again. "Do you always eat that much food?" Tatum giggles. "You ordered enough food to feed an army."

I chuckle. "Fast metabolism." I say with a shrug.

"It must be a guy thing." She concludes. "I remember my brother was the same way. He could eat three people's servings of food." Tatum says in disbelief.

I let out a soft chuckle. I know exactly why we had a similar appetite, her brother and I. Being a shapeshifter does that to you. Thankfully, Tatum just assumes it's a 'guy thing'.

"I missed you this week." I say softly, thinking back to the five days we spent apart communicating only via text or the occasional video call.

Tatum reaches her hand across the table to enclose her small hand around mine. "I missed you too." She says, almost shyly. "We need to make a conscious effort to try and see each other during the week after work."

"Mmm, I most certainly agree." I hum back.

Our food arrives shortly after small conversation. When the food settles in front of us, Tatum grabs her small purse and begins digging through its contents in search for something. "I'm sorry." She says when she notices that I am watching her. "I forgot to take this." Tatum's cheeks redden as she holds us a pill. "It's for my epilepsy." She quickly gulps the medicine down.

I take a bite of my food and swallow before speaking up. "Do you still have seizures?" I ask, not really knowing if it is appropriate to ask. But I let my curiosity get the best of me. The only information I have ever known about Tatum's epilepsy came from the parent's gossip at the dinner table.

"Um, yes. Sometimes." Tatum confesses as she begins to eat her food. I can tell she doesn't want to continue the discussion so I don't push for more information. A silence falls over us. "I'm sorry." Tatum pipes up after a few minutes of silence. "I get… defensive when I talk about my epilepsy."

"No need to apologize." I reassure her.

Tatum shakes her head, mid chew. "No, I definitely need to apologize. You were just being curious. I am used to being asked by my parents, who are way too overprotective sometimes." Tatum shrugs. "I know I shouldn't complain… I know they just love me… But sometimes it's just…" Tatum trials off, unsure how to finish her sentence.

"Parents can be overbearing. Trust me, I know." I flash her a smile. If she only knew the dilemma I have several days before she got back. My mother and her ever pushing desire for me to stop phasing and live my life.

"Yes, overbearing is correct." Tatum nods her head.

"Is that why you left to travel for a few years?" I ask, trying to piece some things together about Tatum.

Tatum tilts her head side to side. "Not entirely. But definitely part of the reason. College really wasn't for me. I realized that pretty quickly. But I knew I would disappoint my parents greatly if I dropped out." She pauses as she takes a sip of her mimosa, staring thoughtfully. "When Cade died, however, it made me realize how short life really was. I shouldn't be settling for things just because I'm told to. So I packed up and left."

Tatum's words are insightful. "Where did you go first?" I ask after a moment of thinking over Tatum's words.

Tatum laughs, covering her mouth with a napkin. "France. Paris, first actually. Very cliche, I know."

"What was your favorite city?" I ask, seeing that she is enjoying the subject. I'm just wanting to keep my imprint happy.

Tatum hums as she takes a moment to think it over. "I have many cities I love. But my favorite city overall… I have multiple favorites. It's hard to choose just one." She says. "Paris is one of my favorites. The architecture is incredible. And the artwork…" She smiles. "Copenhagen is also incredible. So bright and colorful. Friendly people too. Rio-"

"Rio? As in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil?" I interrupt, expressing my awe.

Tatum giggles. "Yes. It's quite beautiful there. Naturally beautiful. Good food, too." She pauses for a moment taking the last bite of her breakfast sandwich. "There are so many beautiful places in the world. It's truly hard to pick just one favorite."

My imprint really has travelled the world. It's amazing. It was very rare for people from the Rez to travel out of state. Let alone out of the country.

We both finish our meals with light chatter. I pay for the food -much to Tatum's dismay- before we head out towards the water where I promised Tatum a walk.

I clutch Tatum's hand as we walk along the paved walkway. "What about you, Seth? Enough talking about me. Let's talk about you. What have you been up to the past few years? The last time I saw you, you still enjoyed action figure toys." She teases, playfully.

I didn't know how to start. I couldn't explain to her that I was a shapeshifter now. At least not in a conversation this casual. "Well, no action figures anymore." I chuckle. "I finished high school… Barely. I had to get my GED."

"Distracted by all the cute girls flocking to your side?" Tatum peers up at me with a playful smile.

I laugh and shrug. "One of the many distractions, I guess."

"And you're a mechanic now. Have you always wanted to be a mechanic?" Tatum asks more seriously.

"No." I admit truthfully. "Just needed the money and Jake needed the extra hands. It all just fell into place."

Tatum's head bobbles in understanding. "But if you could be anything, anything in the world, what would you be?" She asks, curiously.

I have never really thought about it. Not since I was a little kid. And I'm pretty sure I wanted to be Superman the last time I really thought of it. I guess with the whole wolf thing, I had never really put much thought into what I would do after I quit phasing. I suppose with imprinting on Tatum I need to put some thought into it now.

I open my mouth to express my uncertainty when another voice barges in. "Tatum? Is that you?" A high pitched girly voice calls out. A short brunette comes over, making Tatum drop my hand. "I thought that was you."

Tatum puts an artificial smile on her face. "Jessica. How are you? Do you live in Port Angeles?" Tatum asks sweetly.

Jessica gives me a look over before responding to Tatum. "I'm just here for some shopping with a friend of mine." She says as she motions to a girl a few feet away on the phone. "I didn't know you had a boyfriend." Jessica says with a fake laugh.

I glance over to Tatum as she grabs onto my forearm. "Jessica, this is Seth Clearwater. Seth, this is Jessica Stanley. A friend from work." Tatum introduces, not elaborating on the boyfriend question.

"Oh, I think we've met before." Jessica recognizes. "You're friends with Jacob Black, right? I think I saw you at Bella Swan's wedding." She points out.

I flash her polite smile, even though I don't really recall meeting her. "Yes, it's nice to see you again." I nod.

"Well, we better let you get back to shopping." Tatum smiles, motioning to the lonely girl waiting for Jessica to rejoin her. "I will see you Monday."

Jessica wraps Tatum up for a quick hug. "You have to tell me all about this hottie at lunch on Monday!" Jessica whispers in my imprint's ear. Tatum's cheeks flush as Jessica pulls away. "I will see you on Monday, Tatum. Nice to see you again, Seth."

Tatum and I wave goodbye to her coworker before we proceed with our walk. "Jessica-" I begin when we get out of sight.

"She works with me." Tatum says with a sigh. "She is all about the gossip and even more obsessed with herself."

"Not a fan?" I laugh.

"Not at all." Tatum groans, causing me to laugh harder.

"Come, we have to go to the next part of the date." I say tugging on her hand to guide her back to the main road.

"Are you going to tell me where we are going?" Tatum asks, quirking up her eyebrow.

I smirk and shake my head. "You will know shortly. It isn't that far of a walk." I promise her. And I keep my promise. It is only a five minute walk before we arrive at the bowling alley that I picked out online.

"Bowling?" Tatum asks, her voice raising slightly.

I look over nervously, unsure whether she liked the idea or not. "Is that okay?" I ask worried. Had I decided on something stupid? Was this a bad idea for a first date?

Tatum grins widely. "It's perfect!" She squeals happily. "I haven't been bowling in so long."

I open the door and allow Tatum to enter first. We walk up to the desk and I pay for a lane before we get shoes to rent. We move to our lane and start putting on our shoes.

"Just to warn you, I get super competitive." Tatum giggles as she puts on her bowling shoes.

I laugh. "Oh, I get really competitive too. Because I always win." I joke.

Tatum gasps playfully in return. "Well I guess we will have to see about that, won't we?"

We play several games. And Tatum is just as competitive as she stated prior to the game. I won the first game much for her disappointment but allowed her to win the next game. I blamed my 'overexertion' from the first game when Tatum tries to call me out for letting her win. By the third game, Tatum is exhausted and we decide to take some fun shots at the pins.

I laugh as Tatum throws the ball in between her legs for her final shot. The ball slowly rolls its way down the alley before missing her last pin entirely. Tatum walks back to the seat all giggly. She plops herself into the seat beside me and rests her head on my shoulder.

"That was so much fun, Seth." Tatum says with a dreamy sigh. "I'm officially worn out. I forgot how tiring bowling is."

I press a kiss into her hair before wrapping my arm around her and rubbing her shoulder. "Do you want to return our shoes?" I ask, thinking that she is done with our bowling activities.

Tatum nods her head. We both switch our shoes before walking up to the desk to return our shoes. We walk out into the chilly weather and Tatum quickly grabs my hand. "I have one more thing planned, if that's okay with you." I say as we stand on the sidewalk.

Tatum looks genuinely surprised at my comment, though she tries to hide it. "I assure you that's totally fine by me." Tatum smiles, giving my hand a soft squeeze.

"I promise it's not as tiring or physical as the bowling." I say as I lead the way to the bar. It takes just a short walk before we arrive at the arcade bar. I look over to Tatum trying to gauge her reaction.

"Oh gosh, is this an arcade bar?" Tatum gushes. "I love these places. I didn't know they had one in PA." She says as she pulls me through the door.

"Wanna drink before we start playing some games?" I question, motioning to the bar.

"Sure." Tatum say, nonchalantly. "I'll just take a beer." I go up to the bar and order two beers for the two of us. Tatum quickly picks out a game for us to play. And just like at bowling, she is competitive. It's so cute to watch.

"No fair!" Tatum calls out as I beat her score on the pinball game again. "How come you are so good at everything?" She pouts playfully.

"I'm not good at everything." I assure her. Tatum looks at me quizzically. "I am not good at cooking, according to my mom and Leah." I say before Tatum laughs.

"Cooking? That's the only thing I have a leg up on you with?" Tatum laughs.

"I can't really dance either." I add.

Tatum gives me a playful scowl. "So you are perfect at everything else? That's so unfair." She says before laughing. "How am I supposed to keep up?"

I smile down at her, biting my tongue to prevent myself from gushing about how perfect she is. I can't believe she truly thinks I'm the perfect one. Had she looked in the mirror?

"So Seth, your answer was previously interrupted by my coworker. What would you choose to be if you could be anything?" Tatum asks as she looks at me through her eyelashes.

I can't help myself. It's as if she is tempting me. I press my lips passionately against hers. I don't allow myself to deepen the kiss like I want to due to being in a bar. So I pull away.

Tatum looks at me with a lazy smile before she lets out a laugh. "You are even good at kissing. I'm telling you, it's not fair."

I laugh along with her. "And to answer your previous question. I have no idea." I confess. "I have never really desired to be anything." I say with a shrug.

Tatum bites her bottom lip and nods her head. "Do you see yourself staying in La Push?" She asks before taking a sip from her beer.

Again, how am I supposed to answer this without sounding like a total stalker. The truth is I would follow her anywhere. I would go to the depths of hell as long as she was by my side. "I would leave if I had the chance and circumstances permitted it." My answer is vague, I know. But I didn't know what else to say.

Our deep serious talk is soon forgotten as I challenge Tatum to another game. We play several games together and drink another beer each before ending with the claw machine.

We both decide that it was probably best to end our date here as we are both exhausted. So we leave the arcade bar hand in hand with Tatum clutching her new stuff animal that I won out of the claw machine. "Was this an okay date at least?" I ask as Tatum swings our joint hands between us.

Tatum abruptly stops our walking in the middle of the sidewalk. "Seth." She says turning to face me. "This is by far the best date I have ever been on, I can promise you that. I had the best time. Definitely one of my favorite days." She says seriously.

I lean down and press my lips to hers, unable to stop myself. Ugh, my imprint is perfect! And I can't believe she is mine.

"Now, you've set the bar high for yourself." Tatum mutters against my lips. "I don't know how you will be able to outdo yourself for the second date." She says before pulling back. Tatum tugs on my arm, moving us back on the path to my car.

"Wait, so you're saying there's gonna be a second date?" I question in disbelief. I barely got her on this date, I couldn't believe she would agree to a second date so quickly.

Tatum giggles, but doesn't answer my question. I am too happy with her previous statement to even beg for confirmation.

This has been a great day.

Hi! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter! We are officially over half way finished with this story because I have decided there is going to be a total of 30 chapters! What are you thoughts so far? Is there anything you are hoping to see? Thank you guys for sticking with me! xx M