READER POV
I honestly can't even remember what was going through my mind when I kissed Paul. I had promised him that no matter what, I would try my best to be the best imprint he could've ever been forced to have. When I saw him beginning to lose control, I knew I had limited time before he would shift.
I had tunnel vision as I ran toward him and the pack rushed Chaz away. I didn't see Chelsea's car pull up in the parking lot by the beach, and, even if I had, I can't say my decision to kiss Paul would have changed. And, even worse, I actually LIKED kissing him. It was perfect, and felt like a kiss between….soulmates.
I know he doesn't love Chelsea, and I don't love Chaz. But, why did Paul look so upset and chase after Chelsea?
I was brought out of my overthinking daydream to the sound of the final school bell. I hadn't spoken to Paul, the pack, or Kim and Emily in weeks. After the kiss at the beach, I stood in disbelief as I watched Paul chase after Chelsea. She sped off in her car, leaving Paul behind. He didn't come back to the beach, but instead took off down the street back toward Emily's.
Jared and Kim ended up taking Chaz back, and I drove myself home shortly after they left.
I hadn't spoken to Chaz since that day either. I didn't sit with him and his friends at lunch, nor did he call or respond to my texts. I tried to apologize, and I wanted to, but he acted as if I were a ghost when I approached him in the hallway. I knew he was hurt that I had kissed Paul, and I figured I should give him more time.
Kim and Emily reached out to see how I was doing and even invited me over for dinners, but I wasn't ready to see Paul. Not yet.
I was good at avoiding everyone. I started taking the back entrance in to the school just so I wouldn't have to walk past Paul in the entry, and I spent my lunch hour in the library getting ahead on some homework. I texted Paul a few times, and called once or twice, with no response back.
My grandparents had started to notice my frequency of being home, but I think they were just happy I was around more, even though they could tell something was wrong.
"Everything okay, Y/N?" my grandma asked during dinner.
A simple nod is all I gave her before stuffing another spoonful of her homemade cooking into my mouth. After we were finished, I helped with the dishes and placed the leftovers into Tupperware containers before saying goodnight to my grandparents and heading up to my room. I had become overly familiar with the surroundings of this space, especially the bulletin board of photos with my friends in Texas. The photos reminded me of a time before I became an imprint, and before I became hated by two of the people I cared about a lot. It became part of my routine to look at each of the photos before getting ready for bed, and each time, it would bring tears to my eyes remembering the good times.
This one in particular was of a time that my best friends, Mia, Rachel, and myself, were having a sleepover at my house and giving each other makeovers. We looked ridiculous, but the smiles in the photo spoke volumes. Looking ridiculous together was the only thing that mattered, and I missed that. I always found time to talk to them at least once a week, but lately, after everything, I felt less inclined to text or call, and preferred to sit in my own misery.
I threw on some pajamas and laid down in my bed, scrolling through old texts between me and Paul-
P: Hey Y/N! Come over to Emily's! She's making brownies, and I have the perfect prank for the pack that only you can help me pull off!
Y/N: LOL on my way!
…..
P: Thanks for helping me study for that math test, Y/N. I actually passed thanks to you!
Y/N: You're a genius! I knew you could do it, and I'm so proud of you!
Here come the tears again. Why do I do this to myself?
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
I shot straight up facing the bay window infront of me.
*Tap* *Tap*
What the hell is that? I slowly stood up, and foolishly made my way toward the window to see what the tapping noise was. I got closer *TAP* and jumped back at the sound. Pulling back the curtain that covered the window, I looked down to see Jared in a pair of the infamous pack jean shorts and shirtless, of course. I was relieved to see a friendly face.
I opened the window, leaning up against the bay window bench. "Jared? What are you doing here?"
"Finally, Y/N. Can I come up?" I nodded and quickly moved away from the window to give him some room.
"Nice room," he said, looking around.
"Thanks, Jar. Now, can you please explain what you're doing here?" I could tell my voice made me sound frustrated, but really, I was just curious.
"Oh, right. You need to talk to Paul. And, before you say anything, Y/N, he misses you, and he's miserable without you around. I'm surprised he's lasted this long honestly. Judging by his thoughts, I figured he would've talked to you by now, but I guess I shouldn't be surprised. It is Paul, after all."
"Excuse me? I should talk to Paul? I don't know why he's not talking to me in the first place. And, I've texted and called with no response, so why don't you tell him to respond to me?" I crossed my arms, ready for Jared's rebuttal.
"Look, Kim and Emily, and the rest of the pack miss you too, Y/N. You're part of the family, and even if Paul is being an ass, we all still want to see you. Emily is making dinner for all of us tomorrow night, and I think you should come. Everyone will be super surprised to see you!"
I missed the pack more than anything, and I missed my daily girl talk time with Kim and Emily the most. I took a deep breath and let out a sigh before agreeing-
"Fine. I'll come. But if Chelsea-"
"Chelsea? Trust me Y/N, Chelsea and Paul are done. She's actually dating some guy on the football team from Forks High School. Apparently they'd been hanging out a lot during her and Paul's relationship after they met at the diner in town. But, you didn't hear that from me." He threw his hands up in innocence, and I promised not to tell.
"Thanks, Jared. Now, go before my grandparents come up here to check on me." I gave him a hug before he disappeared out the window and back into the woods. I felt my nerves building up for the dinner, but managed to fall asleep easily.
The next day was Saturday, and I had already informed my grandparents of my dinner plans that night. They seemed happy I was finally getting out of the house again, and I was just as happy. I headed over to Emily's with a little extra pep in my step at surprising everyone, and couldn't wait to have a great night with the pack who had become my family.
I pulled up to the little, cozy home and turned off my car. With a deep breath, I stepped out and immediately saw the pack running down the porch and toward me with huge smiles and shock on their faces.
"Y/N! Where have you been?" Seth asked.
"Move out of the way, it's my turn to hug Y/N!" Embry yelled.
"No, me!" Jacob pushed.
"Ugh, you guys are so annoying…"Leah rolled her eyes before giving me a hug, pushing Jake out of the way.
Next was Jared, who I had seen the night before, then Kim, Emily, and Sam. I can't lie that even after such a warm greeting, I was bummed to not have seen Paul rushing out like everyone else had. I was starting to doubt if what Jared said was true. Did Paul really miss me?
"Where is he?" I asked, feeling a little bad at the energy shift in the moment.
"He's inside. Dinner's ready now, so let's all go have a seat." Emily ushered the pack back toward the front screen door and to the table.
Paul sat next to Jared and Jake, and I purposely shuffled to the chair right across from him. The room was quiet as Emily and Kim brought dinner to the table.
"Hey, Paul.." the words struggled to leave my mouth. It had been forever since I had seen him, but he looked even more handsome than before. His face was dropped down looking at the table, just like the day he had told me I was his imprint. I couldn't tell if he was fighting the urge of over-excitedness of seeing me, or if he wanted me to leave. I pressed on-
"How have you been?" I asked. I could see Jared give him a nudge with his elbow, before Paul finally looked up at me. I gave him a small smile in anticipation of his answer.
"How have I been? Really, Y/N?" Now I was sure of it. His face told me that he in fact did not want me here. I felt like I had walked into the lion's den. The room became even more quiet than before.
"Ye-, I mean, no…I mean, I just was wondering-"
"You were there, Y/N. The day you ruined everything. Bringing that idiot, Chaz to the beach could've exposed the packs secret…and the kiss…." He closed his eyes and gripped his napkin in his left hand while trying to compose his anger as he replayed that day in his head.
"Paul, look, I was just trying to-"
"Trying what, exactly? To help? Well, I guess you failed at that. You made me look like a CHEATER, Y/N! This is exactly why I didn't want an imprint!"
"Paul, settle down." Sam chimmed in. Paul gave him a glare before looking back at me again.
Now, I was mad. Pissed. He was blaming ME?! The room became tense, but I wasn't going out without a fight.
"You know what, Paul? Screw you! I was trying to protect your secret by distracting you from shifting, and now you're blaming me?! ! I know you felt something in that kiss! Why are you pretending? I know Chelsea isn't good for you, and so does everyone else!"
Paul slammed his hands on the table and stood up, making the entire pack jump up from the sudden noise.
"Paul!" Sam said more aggressively now. Paul ignored him and kept his eyes on me-
"You don't know WHO or WHAT is good for me!"
I stood up next to match his aggression.
"You're just mad because Chelsea decided to spend more time with her football player boyfriend instead of you during your relationship. The least you could do was THANK me for what I did!" I couldn't stop myself from spilling the secret Jared had told me the night before, but I didn't care. I wanted Paul to hurt like he was making me hurt. I could feel the stinging of tears coming into my eyes, but I didn't dare let them spill. I avoided Jared's look of fear in the corner of my eye as I continued to stare Paul down.
"I wish I had never been cursed with YOU as an imprint." His words cut my soul like a knife. I couldn't believe I had been so stupid to think that coming tonight would be a good idea.
"Paul! What the hell?!" Kim spoke up, "Y/N, he doesn't mean that…"
"Yes I do." Paul's gaze was still hard and his eyes were still piercing into mine. "Now, leave."
I looked down at my empty plate. A single tear fell from my eyes and landed right in the middle as his words repeated themselves over and over in my head.
"Paul, you idiot! We all see your thoughts!" Jared objected.
There was nothing else to say. I pushed my chair back, giving me enough space to walk by, and ran out through the front screen door and to my car. My cheeks began to burn, and the tears began blurring my vision as I drove home. The pitter patter of rain hit my windshield almost in unison with the tears falling down my face. It was the perfect end to a horrible evening.
Even after everything Paul had said to me, I still had no regrets of what I had done that day. I was confident that I had fulfilled my duties as an imprint. But, it still hurt, nonetheless.
I was finally in the driveway of my grandparent's home, and was ready to be in my bed, alone to my own thoughts and tears. I sat in my car trying to regain my happy appearance and to think of an explanation of why I was home so early, in case my grandparents were to ask. The sound of the rain was so peaceful, and surprisingly helped me to calm down from the intensity of mine and Paul's blowup. I finally stepped out of the car and walked up to the front door, opening it with my key.
The warmth and safety of the home almost started up the tears again, but I promised myself to hold it together until I was out of sight from my grandparent's view. I kept my head down as I walked over to the stairway leading up to my room.
"Y/N? Honey? Oh my goodness, it is so good to see you!" I turned around as two arms came towards me, and immediately recognized the voice
"Mom?" I exclaimed as I hugged her back tightly.
"Your father is here too!" She said excitedly as she pulled back from our embrace.
"There's my girl!" I rounded the corner into the living room to see my dad standing next to my grandma. I slammed into his hug, almost forgetting everything that had just happened with Paul.
"Oh my gosh! Wow! I mean, what are you guys doing in La Push?! I thought you both were on business trips?"
"Well, we were," my mom began as she went to stand next to my dad, grabbing his hand, with a big smile on both of their faces.
"But," my dad began, "we decided to come and see you."
"Awesome! How long are you guys staying?" I questioned, still overly excited at seeing my parents after so long.
They both looked at each other, still smiling, "Actually, just a couple of days, Y/N. You see, your father and I want you to come back to Texas with us! We decided that we wanted to spend your last few months of your senior year with you before you're off to college, and we can't do that if you're all the way up here!" My mom finished. They both stared at me, still smiling, and waiting for my reaction.
"Back to Texas? But, why now? I like La Push, I like my friends..I don't want to leave." I could tell that my reaction was not the one they were hoping for, and I could see their faces slowly drop.
"Your grandparents told us how upset you seemed these past few weeks, and we figured it was because you were missing your friends in Texas, and being with your parents, Y/N. We want you to be happy, and we know it's crazy to ask you to move again, but haven't you missed Texas?" The look on my dads face was full of hope.
After everything I had been through the past few weeks, I could admit that I was feeling bummed out and missing my Texas friends, but even though Paul pretty much hated me, I didn't want to leave the pack and the friends I had made here. I could feel myself being pulled in both directions, and pressured for a decision.
The smiles on my mom and dads faces pulled me back in. I smiled and gave a slight shrug of my shoulders-
"I guess going back to Texas won't be so bad.."
"That's wonderful, Y/N! We'll start helping you pack tomorrow morning, and we'll be on our way Tuesday." My dad gave me another hug, and moved over to let my mom get her hug in.
"Well, I guess I better go get some sleep." I said my goodnights, and headed up the stairs to my room.
I shut my door and pulled out my phone, scrolling through my contact list before clicking on the one name I didn't think would answer me anytime soon-
Chaz.
The phone rang twice before Chaz's voice came through the other end.
"What do you want?"
"Chaz, please don't hang up. I was hoping you might have some time to meet up with me tomorrow morning..maybe we could grab a coffee? I just need to get some things off of my chest before I…before I move."
"Move? You're leaving La Push? Or are you just trying to make Paul jealous again?"
I definitely deserved that. "I know I'm the worst person you've probably ever met in your life, and I totally understand if you decide to not show up, but if you do, I'll be at the café in Forks at 9AM. Hopefully I'll see you there tomorrow." I hung up the phone before he could respond, and got ready for bed.
Maybe this move will be for the best.