I was running.
My feet pounded below me.
I was afraid of something chasing me.
I felt sick from the worry. I was in the forest running for my life and for some reason I was barefoot.
What was happening?
I finally forced myself to stop and look behind me. I saw red eyes staring at me from the trees. I heard laughing surround me.
"NO!" I cried.
I felt hands grabbing me but I couldn't see them. I pulled at their grasp, feeling nails dig into my skin.
Darkness started to consume me before I threw myself off of my bed in a panic.
It made a loud thud as I did so.
It was only a nightmare.
But what did it mean?
I hugged my knees for a moment before climbing back into bed and looking at my phone. '3:05am'. I groaned, shoving a pillow over my head.
I was not happy. It was too early for all this. I tried to roll over and go back to sleep.
The nightmare was playing over and over again in my mind. Who was chasing me? Red eyes? Invisible hands? It all sounded too much like a horror film to me and that made me nervous. It took me a few hours but my mind finally settled and I drifted off into a dreamless sleep.
When I finally woke up at a reasonable hour, I couldn't help but smile.
I kissed Jacob.
And he kissed me back.
My nightmare still haunted me, but it made me feel warm inside thinking about Jacob.
I quickly brushed my waves out, throwing on a floral white summer dress and my white combat boots. Pulling on my jean jacket I made sure to do one last check in the mirror.
Something in my body was telling me Jacob was close by, and I was excited to see him.
I was also nervous though.
I had never liked someone. I had never wanted anyone like I wanted Jake. And I was terrified of how our dynamic would change.
I pushed my fears down and descended the stairs. My parents were smirking at each other when I came down.
"Morning sweetie." My mother kissed my cheek and led me to the table.
I turned the corner and she had made me pancakes. They had whipped cream and strawberries on. My favourite. My father was already sitting down, staring at his newspaper.
I was very cautious that this was an odd situation. We hadn't sat and had breakfast together since I was a child. My mother came in again with her book and we all sat there quietly.
I could feel the tension in the room.
"So how was the party honey?" My mom asked me kindly.
I swallowed my large mouthful of pancake before responding. "It was okay. To be honest, I don't think it's my kind of scene. I prefer just hanging out with my friends at the beach rather than with alcohol involved."
She nodded, understanding.
I couldn't help but think about Dylan. He had been drinking a lot, and part of me wonders if he would have kissed me if he hadn't.
My father's eyes were scanning me, reading that thought.
"So it was eventful." He stated, looking me dead in the eye.
I shrugged, realising that I might as well be honest. They would both know either way. That's what was frustrating about having a mind reading father.
"One of my friends kissed me."
My mom was watching me carefully.
"And then I smacked him."
Her face dropped. "Renesmee!"
"He did it without consent, mom. I was upset."
She knew I was right to feel how I did, but still looked angry with me. She stayed quiet, clearly contemplating something.
My father spoke up. "So how did you end up at Jacob's house?"
Dammit dad. You already know the answer.
But he had a smirk on his face as if he were enjoying this.
"Well… when he kissed me… I realised I didn't like him like that. And that I… um… I liked Jake." The words were very stuttered from complete embarrassment.
My mother looked unsure about something and it made me really nervous. Did I do something wrong?
"Well, he is a lucky boy. As long as he behaves." My father could be so cruel sometimes.
I rolled my eyes at his comment, still eating my food. My mother really didn't look well.
"Mom?" I asked her gently.
Her eyes shot back up and she forced a smile on her face.
"Sorry honey. I was deep in thought. But it's great… About you and Jacob I mean."
I wasn't sure that I believed her but I dropped it. I didn't want it to be even more awkward than it was.
"Have you got any school work to do?" My father was clearly reading my mind, knowing how awkward I felt.
"I have one assignment to do, but I was gonna do it tomorrow morning, since it isn't due til Wednesday."
He nodded and could see I was serious about my school work. "Well let us know if you need any help."
"I will."
I finished my plate of food and felt the need to go for a walk. Anything to get away from... Whatever this was.
I shut the door behind me and headed out into the woods.
I always loved the forest. The tall trees, the running river. It was so peaceful and full of life.
I hopped over some rocks with ease, feeling the warm sun on my face. I felt so at peace.
Then the images of last night flashed in my mind. When I looked down, I could see myself running. It was paralysing me watching the scene replay. Feeling something clawing at me from all sides. I was almost in a daze.
"You know, it's not safe to run around here alone."
I recognised the voice but I was too far into my thoughts to know who it was, and kicked the person off of the rock from behind me.
I saw Jacob hit the floor and gasped. "Geez Ness. You could have just told me to go away." He coughed, smirking.
I leapt down in a panic and threw myself down next to him.
"I'm so sorry." I checked him over aggressively and he just laughed, grabbing my hands.
"You're gonna be the death of me, Renesmee." He teased.
I frowned at his statement. That wasn't my intention.
He dragged me in towards his body and our lips crashed onto each other. He was holding the back of my neck and his fingers lingered on my waist. One of my hands was playing with his hair as I held onto his shirt with the other.
I suddenly realised I was fully on top of him
I pulled away in complete shame. My face was red hot and I felt so awkward. I tried hiding my face, but he pulled my hands away, sitting up to face me.
"What's wrong?" He was genuinely concerned.
I could see his mind moving a mile a minute.
"I just… I feel embarrassed." I told him honestly.
His arms wrapped around my waist so that I couldn't climb off of him.
"Why?" He asked.
I could see a glint in his eye, teasing me.
With all my vampire strength I pushed him down again, deciding if he was gonna play like this then I was going to torture him. He looked up at me, his eyes now full of shock and desire. I hung over him for a moment, holding him down with one hand, with my face inches from him. Then I simply climbed off and brushed off my dress. The look on his face was priceless, and totally worth it.
"You aren't going to have me that easily, Jacob." I informed him.
I did have some self respect. I wasn't about to throw myself at the first guy I had ever had feelings for on the first day. He grumbled under his breath for a moment, but then saw me walking away so quickly jogged to catch up, sweeping my hand up in one fluid motion.
"So how do I earn it?" His teasing made me angry, but I knew it meant less to him than it did to me, so I let it go.
"Like regular people. You have to take me out on dates, and woo me."
He rolled his eyes. "Just because your father is from a time where men had to court a woman, doesn't mean that's how things work now."
How wrong he was. It worked for my parents. And I wasn't just some regular human who had a short lifespan.
"Well I want to be courted. As you put it." I told him, smirking. "I am one of a kind after all."
That statement made him give me a look I hadn't seen before. It was full of love and care, but it was like… Like it was just me in the whole world. And I couldn't help but look at my feet. He lifted my chin to look him in the eyes and finally gave in. He ran his hand through his dark hair, never releasing his other hand from mine.
He looked at me and smiled.
"Fine." He conceded, pulling me closer to wrap his arms around my waist and resting his hands at the bottom of my back.
"I'll court you better than any guy has in the history of ever." I laughed and wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Is that so?" I smirked at his statement.
It defeated the point of courting, but he was trying it my way and that meant a lot to me. His grin made my body melt.
"Oh yeah. You just wait." This time, we both leant in to kiss each other.
This time, it was more delicate, and had so much more meaning behind it. It meant we could take this at my pace. And that was enough for me. He pulled away and groaned. I laughed. Watching him struggle did amuse me a little.
If I was worth it he would just have to wait.