AN: I am going to start re-editing the rest of this story since I've noticed a few typos along the way. So, sorry about all of that. Its just me as I like to clarify and sometimes I read and write too fast for my own good. Also, thank you to everyone for the kind words they mean a lot to me. Please let me know what you think about this chapter, and happy reading!
Bella POV
I walked up to Emily's still in a haze from the impossible reality that must've occurred last night. Paul and I had done it, ya know, IT. He didn't seem to complain, which is more than I could've asked for. Given that I, naturally, had thrown myself at him. Apparently, whatever feelings I had were strong, and I couldn't control them. Even for a night. Heck, even for a few hours. The first time he had shown me a single ounce of positive attention and this is the reaction I had. Frick. I hope this isn't going to be awkward for everyone, the second Em knows the pack will all know shortly after. Oh well, I silently prayed that Emily may have some of her maternal wisdom that she always seems to have. I stood at the edge of the driveway slowly making my way to the door.
Flashbacks from early this morning came flooding into my vision. Paul had been awake and late for work when I woke up tightly curled up next to him. He didn't seem to mind that I hadn't left, having fallen asleep from the amount of activity. He gave me a quick peck on the cheek, and he rushed to get to work, he had left with a few parting words, "Don't bother locking the door when you leave, nobody would bother trying to steal any of my shit." That was it. That's all he had said. What the hell did that mean? I laid there for another 15 minutes and then realized I should probably leave. My life having just become one confusing blur. Paul enraptured every single one of my thoughts. Which couldn't be healthy. Although, the, uh, sex had put a lot of the jitters at bay. I didn't seem so antsy anymore which was a plus. I was starting early at the Rez school since they needed a summer school teacher, I needed to get my act together, fast.
I needed a clear mind. I had only a week until my days would be busy, and a week was the only time I had to find a place of my own. Billy had approved me moving onto the rez, but the houses for rent were slim pickings. I had to kick my butt into gear so I wouldn't be drowning in thoughts of Paul to the point where everything else in my life wouldn't matter anymore.
I finally made it up to the front door and Emily had opened the door as soon as my foot had reached the first step to the small porch. She must be magic, too. She always knows when I'll be here. Her sweet smile welcomed me in. She didn't speak, she waited for me to. She knew I needed to tell her something. Then again she always did.
"Em, I am screwed." Seriously, Bella?! Great word choice, I said under my breath to myself. "Uh, Paul and I may have done some.. Things.. Together.. Intimately.. Ya know, sex. Ugh" She gently started to chuckle trying to hide her laugh. Sighing I kept on, "He just up and left this morning and I have no clue what to do with that. Like seriously?!" A flash of realization flashed across my eyes as another betraying thought came to mind, "Shit, Em, Sam's not going to be mad at me, right? Did i just ruin some kind of pack vibe or something? Oh spirits, I should've been thinking of the pack." My breakdown started to spiral uncontrollably. Typical me.
Em snapped at me drawing me out of my funk, "Hey, Bells, Earth to Isabella! It's going to be fine, the worst thing that could possibly happen is that you both go back to hating each other, honestly I see it as a Win, Win, Win. Firstly, you lost your virginity and it didn't suck, major win. Secondly, now you guys will both be able to be in the same room without being a pain. Again, win. Thirdly, Paul may be tolerable for once in his life because maybe, just maybe, he likes you and will be happy. That possibly would be the biggest win, two of my favorite people, happy together. Now that, would be awesome." I just paused mulling all that she had said over.
Realization, once again, flitting into my eyes, "Wait a second.. How do you know it didn't suck? I didn't even mention any of that." A flash of knowing twinkled in her green almond eyes, simply stating, "Honey, theyre shifters. They don't do many things poorly, especially not sex." And with that simple statement our day carried on with jokes, laughter, and us pouring over the classifieds in a desperate attempt to find me a place to live.
Paul POV
~ A week Later~
I hadn't seen Bella since our night of fun and it was starting to slightly worry me. She wasn't known to not be around the Uley house more than a day at a time. Even I know how close her and Emily are, and frankly I'm surprised they don't get themselves into more trouble. They are a lethal combo.
I had a hectic week of car after car needing to be fixed. I was in deep water when it came to turn around rate and having cars done in a timely manner, so, I hadn't been paying much attention to pack business. Even though, Jacob had made it abundantly clear that everyone knew my business. Once Emily knew, Sam knew, and much to most people's shock, Sam is quite the gossip. Most of the guys were incredibly shocked and would continuously give me shit about the whole sex thing. I couldn't care less. I know she had a great time, and so did I. That's all that mattered to me.
The next pack event was coming up tomorrow and I was slightly anxious to see her. I didn't really know what to say, and she would probably be awkward about it, or would she? Slowly it started to dawn on me that I really didn't even know Bella. I didn't know what she did for a living, didn't know what kind of music she liked, didn't even know her favorite color or birthday… Years of the pack mind and I had not paid attention. Especially to Jacobs constant loop of Bella Love. I had tuned it out by the second day he was phased, that's how much it had annoyed me. Only now, I wish I had maybe paid attention, even just a little bit. I knew how to turn her on, but I didn't know anything else. That did not look good on my part.
I was heading out on my bike for the day when I saw Emily's small Kia putting around. Her and Bella were smiling so hard both of their faces looked like they would split in two, they seemed to be singing along to something and laughing. It was a great look on Bells' face. That is until she saw me, her face dropping instantly. My stomach seemed to drop with it. Maybe she still hated me, fuck, maybe she hadn't had a good time. That would sure as hell bruise my ego, even just a little bit. It striked me as odd that they were heading to the more backwoods area about 3 miles from the Uley's and only about a mile from my house. I hadn't seen either of them go up that way before except to go to my place. Genuinely curious, I popped a uturn after they had driven out of a normal person's line of vision, acting as if I was just going to head home. I caught up to there car as they turned down a dirt road to a cabin that had been for sale for years. The elder who had lived there had moved into his grandson's and had no use for the property anymore. I never thought it would sell. Maybe they were going to check it out. I couldn't think of why they would want to though. Bella lived in Forks, obviously, and Emily had a house. I followed them hoping they wouldn't get themselves into trouble.
They pulled up to the house, and I pulled in right beside them. Which somehow had managed to scare the shit out of them even though I had a loud pipe on my bike. They turned around, Bella seemed incredibly nervous, I could almost smell it on her and Emily seemed as calm and collected as ever. Bella looked great, slightly dressed up. Maybe she had an office job, shit i had no clue. She was wearing sexy summer dress with oxford shoes and her long chocolate hair in a tight bun. She was still as hot as always.
All I could hear was her trying to say something, "Uh, hi, Paul. Uh, N-n-n-ice to see you. You, um, look great. How have you been?" That same deep crimson spreading rapidly across her pale skin. I just gruffed out, "Been good, sweet heart. What are you two trouble makers doing up here, I thought you may be coming back to my place." Emily answered before Bella could open her mouth, "Bella here bought the house. She was looking for places to rent but there's practically nothing and she was able to get the loan with a great rate incredibly fast, so here we are. Keys in hand. Seeing the house again and welcoming the newest resident of La Push." I was shocked, one, because, no offense, Bella is a white girl. She's not Quileute. Although she has a few friends in high places here so I guess they made an exception. But second, why did she move to La Push? She had a place in Forks to live and her dad lived there. It didn't make any sense. "What're you doing buying a house down in La Push?" I said harshly, unintentionally. Her face paled, the color draining from it immediately. Shit. She mumbled out a quick "Uh, well I teach at the high school, today was my first day, actually. But, uh, the commute is too painful for twice a day and Billy said it was ok, so um here I am."
Huh, I never pictured Swan as a teacher. I bet I would've showed up to class a lot more often if she had been back in my day, though. I felt bad for coming across as rude so I offered to help with the only thing I could think of, "Well, alright then. You all need help moving things in? I know everyone else is busy for the night." And with that both of their faces broke into soft smiles.
God, it was going to be tough for me having little swan only a few doors down. I had to think of a plan to control how I felt about her and fast. I couldn't catch feelings this easily, it just was entirely against my nature.
