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Chapter 8
The ride back home had been quiet.
Well, in the back seat at least.
Jacob and Renesmee were at the front, commenting on the songs that were playing on the radio.
They have loads of radio stations here.
Embry and I both made a few comments as well, mostly it was just me saying "I love this song", or "I have no idea what this is."
I'm sure my comment at the beach had been a bit too forward. I shouldn't have asked Embry such a personal question. Now he barely glanced in my direction.
Great.
I can't believe I've already managed to screw up with the kindest guy here.
"Hey Cameron, what are you doing tomorrow?" – Renesmee asks, looking over her shoulder at me.
"I was thinking of doing some shopping. I really need some new clothes." – I said, looking at her – "Why?"
"Shopping? That's even better!" – Rensmee smiled and clapped her hands together.
What was going on?
"Better than what?"
"Well, I was going to invite you over to my place. We have that project for class and I thought we could maybe browse a few ideas and you could meet my family! My sisters love shopping, we could all go together, we'd show you the best spots. It will be so much fun! What do you think?"
Oh.
I thought that was wonderful! Renesmee had told me about all of her adopted siblings. It must be a bit hard sometimes to share space with so many people your age, especially when you're young. But, right now, it was probably great, to have a big family, a house full of close friends.
"That sounds amazing! I'd love to meet your siblings. And it's much more fun to have people my age to go shopping with."
"Awesome!"
We were just pulling over at my house when Embry spoke.
"Do you think that's a good idea? To take her to your home? With so many people around?"
There were a few minutes of silence in the car after those words. I couldn't even hear my heart beating.
What was he getting at? What was the problem of having me around her family?
Was it what I said before? At the beach?
Did he think I was nosy now?
I had no idea what my face looked like, but Renesmee must have felt my discomfort.
"Yes, I think it's a great idea actually. The best one I've had." – she says, looking towards him.
"I think it's too much" – he said
"And I think it's none of your business." – I said. Surprising even myself.
Embry then turned to me, his eyes opening wide.
"Cameron-" – he started to say.
I opened the door.
"What time do you want me to get there? And I don't have your address, you'll have to tell me what it is."
She shook her head.
"Don't worry, I'll come pick you up. How about 9.30? Is that cool?"
I nodded.
She gave me a kind smile.
"Hey, Cameron!" – Embry started again, but I ignored him.
He had been so great so far, but of course it had to be too good to be true.
"I'll see you tomorrow then. Bye."
I got out of the car so fast I almost closed the door over my sweater.
I was upset. I wish I could just go inside and not turn around, but Nessie and Jacob weren't at fault here.
So, as I reached the door to my place, I turned around to wave and then turned back around to go inside.
Even so, I was able to get a glimpse of Embry, pulling a hand over his face.
.
Why did American schools give their students so many assignments?
It seemed like every time I was home, when I wasn't studying the books, I was on my computer typing and researching away things for papers of every topic imaginable.
I didn't exactly mind being busy, but I was kind of in a mood since I'd left Renesmee's car and it was making me less focused than usual.
At least I had managed to finish one of the papers and started doing some trigonometry exercises when my phone alerted me to a new message.
It was from Renesmee.
R: So… there's someone asking me to give them your number. Actually, no. They're not asking, they're PLEADING.
I started at my phone screen for a few seconds. I was not expecting that text at all.
What? Who wants my number?
R: I'll give you a hint. His name starts with E and you left him speechless in my car this afternoon.
I frowned.
Why did Embry want my number? I thought we'd done enough talking for the day.
What does he want?
R: Maybe you should ask him.
?
R: Give the boy a chance. He looked like someone had kicked his puppy when you left the car.
Does he have a puppy?
R: You know what I mean.
Ugh, fine. You can give him my number.
After a few minutes of me sitting on my bed looking anxiously at the screen, I finally received a text from an unknown number.
E: Hey.
Hey?
E: It's Embry.
I roll my eyes.
Yeah, I kind of figured that.
There're a few seconds in which I wait for his response.
E: Okay so, I was going to wait until tomorrow to talk to you, but I couldn't wait that long.
E: I just wanted to say that I'm sorry.
Oh.
For?
E: Making you think I didn't want you to meet Renesmee's family.
E: Making it seem like I somehow had any problems, or any say what so ever, about who you hang out with.
Okay, so he did realize I got upset with his words.
But he's not saying he meant what I thought he meant.
So, what is he saying, exactly?
Why did you say that you didn't think it was a good idea for me to meet them, then?
E: It was stupid, really.
E: I just remember you saying you were slowly adjusting to being here.
E: To being an outsider.
E: And Nessie had already brought you to meet all of us just yesterday.
E: I thought it might be overwhelming for you, to be around so many people, in such a short time.
E: And Nessie's family can be a little overwhelming. I've met them before.
E: But then I realized how my words must have sounded to you.
E: I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have said anything.
I'm taken aback.
As every text pings on my phone, I feel my heart squeeze.
I took his words completely wrong. He wasn't trying to say that he thought I didn't deserve to meet Renesmee's family. He was trying to help me. So, I didn't feel overwhelmed.
And I completely twisted his words in my head, as soon as he said them.
After meeting Megan and Justin and all the others, I thought I'd gotten my defenses down. But apparently, I was still scared that people didn't want to be friends with me. That they thought I was a nerd and wasn't worth getting to know.
But Embry didn't know any of that, and somehow, he was trying to be helpful.
Even after I had been too nosy at the beach.
I'm sorry too.
I text him back.
I automatically assumed you thought I wasn't worth their time.
And I didn't even let you explain when you called after me.
I'm so embarrassed.
After my last text, I don't receive a response.
Instead, my phone starts to ring.
It's him.
"Hey-." – I answer.
"Not worth their time? Why would you think that? Anyone would be lucky to be spending time with you!" – he says. Words flying out of his mouth like he couldn't get them out fast enough.
I'm thankful he can't see me, because I can feel my cheeks heating.
"Thank you."
"Is this because I didn't answer your question at the beach? Did I make you feel like you weren't worth my time?"
"What? No, of course not. That was my fault, I shouldn't have asked such a personal question. You had every right to not want to answer."
"You can always ask me anything. I was just surprised by the question. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."
I open my mouth to argue. I was asking a personal question, and he had every right to not answer. But the way he pulled away, had hurt a little bit.
"Thank you."
We're silent for a bit.
"Can I see you again tomorrow?"
His question makes my heart skip a beat.
"Have you forgotten the beginning of this argument? I'm going shopping with Renesmee tomorrow" – I joke.
"I haven't forgotten. Jacob is coming over to her house when you come back from the stores. She invited me over too."
Oh.
"Why are you asking me then?"
"I wouldn't go if you didn't want me to. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."
Uncomfortable?
I don't think anyone has ever gone so out of his way to make me comfortable.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Embry."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Author's note:
Hey! Sorry for the long delay of not posting. Even though I have this story mostly written down, I've been writing for years, so the beginning needs a lot of editing. Hope you enjoy this chapter!