Pocketful of Sunshine

Paul sighed as he continued arranging a display of flashlights while Mike Newton kept up a steady stream of conversation from where he was sitting behind the register flipping through a magazine, not even bothering to help. It's what he had been doing pretty much all day, only stopping occasionally to hand out orders to Paul.

Paul just grit his teeth and said nothing, grunting noncommittally whenever a response of some sort was warranted. So far, Mike had yet to catch on that he wasn't actually paying attention to whatever the hell he was saying.

Just a couple more hours and then he could leave. Though as much as he wanted to go straight home, he had to go to Sam's for another meeting. Hopefully he wouldn't be late this time. And honestly, it was worth it for Emily's cooking. While Paul and his dad got by, they had nothing on her.

"Oh, and apparently someone's moved into the McLaren house," Mike said, the first thing that Paul seemed to register. Though part of him wished he hadn't.

"Yea, heard that," he replied, fighting to keep his tone casual and not let the irritation take over.

It was all the younger pack members could talk about since school started up a few weeks ago. Apparently the two girls who moved in had held some sort of massive party the first week of school, inviting just about everyone from Forks High as well as La Push and making them now the most popular teens in either town. Embry and Quil had gone after running into the two cousins and being "personally invited" as Embry liked to gloat. Neither would shut up about them since.

If Paul had to hear about blue eyes or freckles or perfect curls or killer bodies one more time, he really might punch either or both of them. He seriously hoped Mike wasn't a member of the fan club as well. Otherwise, the last couple hours of his shift were about to get a lot harder to get through.

"You think that place is really haunted?" Mike asked suddenly. Paul snorted, glancing over at him.

"You actually believe in ghosts?" he replied.

He wasn't halfway surprised if he did. Mike came across as a guy that would believe just about anything. Paul was pretty sure if he told him right now that he turned into a giant wolf, he'd probably take him at his word.

"Right, yea. That shit's not real. Heard they're having another party there this weekend. Thinking about going," Mike then said with a laugh. Paul stopped his work and looked over at him.

"Aren't those for high schoolers?" he asked.

For a moment, Mike squirmed, something that entertained Paul to no end. He couldn't help the smirk that came over his face as Mike's face turned slightly red.

"Heard that it was pretty big and it wasn't just high school students. Some people from out of town came over too," Mike said, trying to play it off. Paul just raised his eyebrows at him. "I just want to check it out, you know? Make sure no one's getting in trouble or… anything."

Paul just snorted and turned back to finish his work, then started back to the storeroom to grab a box of backpacks that needed to be put. The last thing he wanted to listen to was Mike Newton continue talking about the party. Or rather talk at all. And Paul didn't for a second buy his argument that it was to make sure no one was getting into trouble.

Knowing him, he'd probably be in the middle of it, getting just as drunk as everyone else.

As he walked into the back and reached down for the box, Paul heard the front door chime.

"Welcome to Newtons' Olympic Outfitters," Mike said loudly in a way that Paul knew meant an attractive woman had walked in. He rolled his eyes. This was great. Now he was going to be subjected to listening to Marshmallow make an idiot out of himself. Again. "I'm Mike Newton. How can I help you?"

Well, at least he didn't introduce himself as the owner this time.

"Well, hello, Mike," said a voice that immediately set him on edge in a bad way, followed by a giggle. It was too whiny and reminded him far too much of those girls who thought all guys should fall at their feet and worship them. Paul shook his head and lifted the box up in his arms. Mike could have that one all to himself.

It was about then that he felt it.

It wasn't strong or overwhelming, but more a slight tingle. Soft enough that at first Paul didn't really notice it as he walked out of the storeroom and over to the back wall where they displayed the backpacks. But then he paused a moment and looked towards the front of the store. He then shrugged it off and went back to work.

"What can I help you with, ladies?" Mike asked.

"Oh, well, we're new in town and just thought we'd check out all the stores," the woman said, though she sounded less interested. Paul nearly snorted to himself, picturing the owner of the voice's face as she realized this wasn't the kind of store she probably usually liked.

"Actually, I was wondering if you could recommend a good pair of hiking boots," another voice said.

This one had Paul freezing as the niggle of a feeling went through him again, but stronger, and he felt all the hair on his body stand on end. He looked towards the front of the store again, but couldn't see anything from where he was.

"Well, it really depends on what sort of hiking you're looking into," Mike said nonchalantly, which was his way of stalling until he could make up something. Paul could imagine him leaning in over the two women, a stupid grin on his face.

The guy didn't know the first thing about hiking boots. Or most hiking gear, now that he thought about it.

"Oh, well… I guess I'm just looking to check out the forest a bit," the second woman said, hesitation in her voice.

Without thinking, Paul found himself inching down the aisle towards them, wanting to see who owned the voice. He couldn't picture her in his mind, finding instead that he was thinking about basking in the warm sun.

He swore the temperature picked up, though that could just be him. He did run hotter than your average person. And he told himself that he wasn't making his way towards them because of the feeling - whoever she was, he didn't want her walking out the store with the wrong shoes.

"We can come back later," the first woman said, her impatience clear. "But if you aren't doing anything this weekend, we're having a big party on Saturday. You should come."

"Me?" Mike asked. "Okay. Where?"

"The McLaren house," she replied, giggling.

"Sure. I'll be there," Mike replied, sounding almost as though he was in some sort of daze.

Paul picked up his pace, hearing their feet moving across the floor and knowing they were about to walk out of the door.

"See you then, Mike!" the first woman said cheerfully, which was then followed by the chime of the front door.

Just as Paul stepped out of the aisle to the front, the door had shut and the two women were gone. He frowned and then shook his head. What was that? Even though they weren't there anymore, he could still feel a lingering warmth.

"You seriously just missed the two hottest girls I think I've ever seen," Mike gushed. Paul frowned, looking over at him as his anger spiked. He wasn't sure just why he was feeling protective right now. Maybe it was just because Mike was a douche. "I am really looking forward to that party."

"Whatever," Paul said, turning and walking back to the box that he had abandoned. Shaking his head yet again, he returned his focus to his job, though he couldn't help but wonder about the second woman.

Maybe he should think about going to this party himself.

OOOO

Later that night, Paul settled at the table in Emily and Sam's kitchen, filling up his plate as excited chatter buzzed around him. For the rest of his shift he had been distracted by thoughts of the girl who had come into the store. The one who sent shivers through him with just the sound of her voice.

At some point, he started wondering if the weird feeling he had was because he had finally found his imprint. Paul wasn't as vocal about it as the others, not wanting anyone to think it bothered him that he was one of the only older pack members who hadn't imprinted yet. But it did a bit. Back when everyone else was going through it, he had started looking for her in every new face he came across. But then eventually he stopped looking, knowing whoever she was, she wasn't in La Push or Forks.

But maybe the search was finally over.

"Seriously, what's up with you?" Jared whispered, giving him a worried look.

"Later," Paul said, glancing around the table. There was no way he was having this conversation in front of both packs. And he wasn't set to go on patrol for a few more days, so his secret would be safe a bit longer. Jared just nodded.

"So, you going to the party this weekend?" Seth asked, looking at Embry and Quil, his reverence for the older wolves clear.

"Hell yea," Embry said, grinning. "I mean, I didn't imprint, but God… Ro is gorgeous… And just… amazing..."

Paul rolled his eyes, glancing over at Jared, who was chuckling at Embry. Here they went again. Paul brushed it off and focused on his food.

"You know, I'm starting to doubt you," Jared joked. Embry frowned at him as Quil laughed.

"Dude, it's true. Both of them are hot," he said, defending Embry. "Though… Mae's definitely wild."

"Ro is perfect," Embry said, a starry-eyed look coming over his face.

While normally he would tune out, Paul suddenly remembered the two girls that came into the shop today inviting Mike to the party at the McLaren house, everything falling in place. They must have been the infamous "Mae" and "Ro" that Embry and Quil were always on about, though he wondered why he hadn't put it together at the time. He then wondered which was which, feeling the same comforting warmth he had felt earlier when the voice washed over him.

"Can I come?" Seth asked.

"No," Embry, Quil and Jacob all said at the same time, though Paul was pretty sure only Jacob didn't want him there for responsible reasons.

"But half the school is going," Seth whined. "And I'm almost 16."

"I had a hard enough time keeping these two out of trouble," Jacob said, glowering at his so-called best friends before looking back at Seth. "I'm not baby-sitting you, too."

"You're not baby-sitting anyone. We don't want you to come if you're going to stand in the corner and glare the whole time again," Quil protested. "Almost brought the whole party down…"

"I did not and I'm going," Jacob said, glancing over at Sam. "Someone's got to keep an eye out."

Paul looked over at his alpha, finding him barely concealing an annoyed look. Apparently, Jacob had been talking to him about these parties. And Jacob was likely making mountains out of molehills.

Christ, they were just high school parties. Nothing outside of the norm. Just what had his panties in a twist?

"I swear to god, Jake. Mae did not trip you," Quil said, starting to chuckle. Jacob's glare deepened and Paul snorted. Ah, so that was it. He had been embarrassed.

"That's not what… you guys have to admit that something weird is going on at the McLaren house," Jacob pushed.

"Nothing weird is going on except that you can't lighten up," Embry said. Jacob didn't say anything but shot a frown towards Embry.

"But the McLaren house? Why would they want to live there? That place was a dump and it's secluded," Jacob continued. "And I've heard that strange things are going on at Forks High School. I really think we should look into it."

He was now looking at Sam, his expression clear. The older alpha frowned at him.

"Nothing is going on," Embry said, now sounding irritated. "God, it's just two teen girls living in a giant house with their uncle. You saw it yourself, they fixed up the place super nice. Couldn't even tell that it's been empty for so long… And if you're going to be ass, you can just stay home."

He then stood from the table and started to the front door, Quil following him. That was interesting, Paul found. It wasn't often the three disagreed on anything. Just what was it about these girls at the McLaren house?

The two shouted their gratitude to Emily for the food as they left. Jacob sat for a half a second before getting up and following them out the door, shouting for Embry and Quil to wait up.

"You really think something is going on?" Jared asked, looking over at Sam, though his voice held an incredulous note.

"No. Nothing outside your usual idiot teenagers getting drunk," Sam said with a sigh. "Though… maybe you should go keep an eye on them."

"Last I checked they aren't even in our pack anymore and Jake's got that covered," Jared said, scowling at him. Sam sighed and shook his head.

"I hear that any of you pups went, it's extra patrol as punishment - regardless of whose pack you're in," Sam said, settling his eyes on the younger member of the packs.

There was a chorus of "yes, sir" and "got it" with more than one disappointed face. Paul chuckled as he and Jared stood, thanked Emily, and headed out. He wouldn't put it past Seth, Brady and Collin to try and sneak out to the party. Though, at the same time, Seth usually knew when to back off when it came to Jacob. For their sakes, he hoped they stayed home.

"So… what's on your mind that you didn't want to share in front of the others?" Jared asked once they were far enough away that no one in the house could hear them. Paul glanced at him.

"Those girls that Embry's going on about all the time? They came into the store today. At least I think it was them," he said with a sigh.

"They as hot as he makes them out to be?" Jared asked, laughing. Paul shrugged.

"I was stuck in the back, so didn't get a look at them before they left, but… it was kind of weird," Paul said. "When one of them spoke, I felt… drawn to her. It was like I had goosebumps. And I kept thinking about summer…"

He looked over, finding Jared studying him thoughtfully before he grinned.

"You know what this means? We gotta go to that party this weekend," he replied. "Oh, I can't wait to see the look on Embry's face when you imprint on her."

"You think that could be what's going on, do you?" Paul said, his heart starting to pound.

It felt strange saying it out loud. Could this mystery girl be his imprint? She obviously wasn't Embry's. He looked over at Jared, eagerly waiting for his answer. He had apparently imprinted on Kim his first day back at school after he phased and told Paul all about it once he phased the first time. But he couldn't remember if something like this had happened with them.

"Could be," Jared said. "It wasn't exactly like that for me, but it's a little different for everyone, I think." The two walked on a bit more before he spoke more. "Though, kind of wish Embry said more about her than 'she's hot.'"

Paul snorted and shook his head.

"Me too. Though… she asked about hiking boots… think she likes hiking or the outdoors," he said, considering the information. If she did, it was something they would already have in common.

Part of him felt a bit silly, obsessing over a girl he hadn't even seen yet on the off chance she might be some mystical, cosmic connection for him. But the other part of him couldn't stop.

She had had a gentle voice. Kind. Warm like a summer breeze. Even though Mike had been making an idiot out of himself, she hadn't done anything to make fun of him. The other one had an underlining harsh edge to her voice that gave it a hint of cruelty. But that had been missing from the second woman's voice.

He tried, yet again, to conjure a picture of what she might look like in his mind, remembering everything Embry and Quil had said. He knew this Ro was a redhead while Mae had blonde curls. Both blue eyes. But once again, he couldn't quite get an image. All he felt was comforting warmth.

"So, are you in?" Jared asked, pulling Paul from his thoughts.

"Yea, guess I should go check it out," he replied, trying to hide the sudden spike of excitement that ran through him. "See if that's what's going on."

He couldn't help but feel lighter. Maybe this was his imprint - his other half. Paul couldn't lie to himself - it would be a relief to finally find her just so that he could stop looking and wondering. And so that Embry and Quil would stop giving him shit about it, even though Embry still hadn't imprinted either. At least this way, Paul wouldn't be the last one.

"You think Jacob is being paranoid?" Jared then asked. Paul chuckled.

"Since he imprinted on Nessie, he thinks everything is a threat," he replied.

"But you work in Forks. Have you heard anything?" Jared asked. Paul shrugged.

"Not like I've made tons of friends there. If there's something going on, no one around me is talking about it. Though I tend to think no. Marshmallow's the town gossip and I'm sure he'd mention it," Paul said.

He frowned slightly as he thought over the last few weeks. There was always a chance Mike had said something and he brushed it off, not really caring to listen to him at all. Had he mentioned something? Maybe he should pay more attention at work tomorrow. Paul then chuckled and shook his head.

Jacob's paranoia was rubbing off on him.

They had finally reached Paul's house and he turned waving good-bye as Jared continued on to Kim's house, where he went just about every night after hanging out with Paul or doing whatever he had to do for the pack.

"How was the meeting?" his dad asked, looking over at him from where he was sitting in his recliner watching the news as Paul walked in.

"Same old," Paul said with a sigh as he walked over and sat on the couch, turning his attention to the TV. They were going on about the weather, saying something about how they were looking to experience the warmest fall on record. Paul hadn't noticed. Hot or cold weather, he always felt the same.

"Good to hear," his dad said with a sigh. "At least I don't have to worry at work."

Paul chuckled as he looked over at his dad. He had been working with the parks service since before he was born, enjoying being out in nature. He had even suggested that Paul start working there as well, though he had turned it down. Much like Sam offering him a job, Paul wanted to get work on his own.

"Doubt there's much of anything that could take you down," he replied. Which was mostly true. While Paul had his current physique in large part to his wolf side, he had always been tall and muscular much like his dad, who was imposing without the wolf gene helping.

"At least I don't have to worry about vampires," the older man said. Paul shot him a look. "Ones that would rather eat me than elk, that is."

Paul just chuckled as he pushed off the couch and headed towards the kitchen to get more food. He was pretty sure his dad would never run into the Cullens while he was out in Olympic National Park.

Once he had put together a large sandwich, he walked back into the living room, placing his plate on the coffee table before handing his dad a can of beer he had brought with him. He then settled down and started eating.

"Heard anything new from them?" his dad then asked. Paul glanced at him and continued chewing.

"Still the same. Can't move until Nessie is older," he said after swallowing. His dad nodded slowly, taking a drink of his beer. "So, another 5 or 6 years."

He focused on his sandwich, hoping his dad wasn't about to launch into another one of his talks about the future. This open relationship they had was still pretty new to Paul. Before he phased, they had barely talked and when they did, it was usually his dad yelling at him for getting into trouble. Even then, Paul knew his dad cared about him. Did whatever he could to try and get his wayward son back on the straight and narrow. Ben Lahote had seen Paul's phasing as a gift and second chance to have the sort of relationship with his son that had been lost when he entered his pre-teen years.

A bit of guilt found its way into Paul's stomach. He hadn't made things easy for his dad and they were already hard enough. Things had been really good until his mother died from cancer when he was 12. And then the anger had taken over, which somehow turned into resentment, even though it wasn't Ben's fault and he was trying as hard as he could to be both mom and dad to his volatile son. Even in the worst of it, Ben had never given up on his son though most everyone else had already written him off.

"I think I'm going to tuck in. Got work tomorrow," Paul said after quickly finishing his sandwich. He wasn't tired, but he wasn't sure he wanted to have a deep talk with his dad right now.

"Alright. See you at dinner tomorrow," Ben said with a sigh.

Paul just nodded as he stood and walked his dishes to the kitchen, putting them in the sink before he headed to his room.

There were a lot of things going through his mind as he got out of his clothes and pulled on a pair of sleep pants. Sighing, he laid back on his bed and stared at the ceiling as one thought began to overtake all the rest.

As he drifted off, a smile came over Paul's face as his mind filled with thoughts of summer, though he wasn't sure why.

OOOO

Still working on this one! I've been focused on trying to get more chapters written on my other story "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" and that's had me distracted but planning to get more written tomorrow. And we're inching closer to the first meeting… I love the first meeting…

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