Chapter 14 - Persistent Feelings

Charlotte's P.O.V.

I feel surprised to meet Seth, am confused as to why he is here, and then lastly embarrassed once I remember how things ended between us back on Saturday. It was sudden, so there was none of that awkwardness I felt around the other Cullens from when I left, but since I still feel like I'm at least part of the reason that he stepped out, I also feel as though I should apologize for intruding.

Besides which, I feel Adrian step up behind me, and the tenseness of his body communicates better than words how he wants to leave. At least I now understand why he wanted to steer me away earlier, probably to avoid any confrontations; but I'd rather have things in the clear and talk to Seth now. After all, he wasn't being cold or distant to me at all on Saturday—quite the opposite, now that I think about it.

"Hi Seth. It's, um, great to see you again," I greet him.

"Really?" His excitement takes me aback a bit, but I don't mind it. "I mean, we never really got a chance to properly meet last time, so I didn't think you'd—"

"Charlotte, is someone picking you up?" Adrian cuts in. Yeah, I'm definitely not imagining the tension; but, if I'm right, it seems to be directed towards Seth, though I have no idea why. Isn't he a friend of the family, or would that just be the family besides Adrian?

There's something I'm missing for sure, but I have no idea what it is!

"Usually my cousin or my sister, but they call out when they get here," I say. And they usually pick me up in front of the office building rather than in the parking lot, but if I say that then Adrian will just walk us over and it'll be like I'm blowing Seth off.

"So, Seth, what are you doing here? I mean, do you also go to school here or...?"

He laughs. "Actually, I graduated a couple years ago. I work at my family's store over at La Push. We sell fishing gear, swimming equipment, that kind of stuff." He doesn't sound as tense as Adrian does, but as I feel him take a step closer, suddenly Adrian reaches for my shoulder and pulls me back a bit. The air's almost rippling with anticipation, but of what?

"Adrian..." I mutter.

But then Edward ex-machina shows up, and somehow I'm not surprised to hear him call Adrian away, putting quite a bit of force and bite to his words, which, thankfully, Adrian responds to. I had no idea that Adrian's siblings were watching us—though that's a logical conclusion since we're in the school parking lot and they're probably waiting for him and all—and I'm not fully comfortable with being separated from Adrian like that without a word of explanation, but since it's better than the imminent argument I felt was coming up between Adrian and Seth, I much prefer things this way. At the very least, it's not as awkward.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to get between you and Adrian," Seth apologizes, beating me to the punch just when I was about to start apologizing.

I wave it off. "No, it's not like that. I mean, you don't have to feel as if you did anything wrong, because...obviously you couldn't." I clear my throat, aware that I'm making no sense. "Actually, it's good that you're here since it gives me a chance to apologize for this weekend. Look, um...I know you didn't say something, and you're really nice not to have, but I know I was just barging in on your weekend with the Cullens and I apologize for that. If I had known that they already had a guest, I never would have agreed to come with Adrian."

"No, you've got it all wrong!" Seth insists, bless him. I'm probably making some sort of skeptical expression, because he adds, "Seriously, you have no idea just how wrong you are. I was happy to see you there and I actually came out here today to see you again."

"Really?" That has got to be the most surprising thing I've heard since I first came to Forks, and right now that's saying something. "Why?"

"Look, people are starting to leave and I'm pretty sure we're blocking a car or two, so could talk over there by the trees?"

I nod and hold out my arm to him on instinct, noting again how hot he is—ahem, temperate-wise, I mean—when he reaches out for me. I can't help but notice that he slips his hand into mine rather quickly, but it's not like I really mind it, especially since the wind is picking up and it's cold outside. Actually, a hug with someone who seems like a space-heater sounds pretty good right now...

Once near the trees, Seth continues, "The reason I came to talk to you is to ask if...well, if I could show you around Forks. Or, not Forks the town, really, but some other parts that are invite-only at La Push, that sort of thing."

"La Push? What is that, by the way?"

"It's a native reservation," Seth says. "Oh, by the way, I am Native American. That mean anything to you?"

I blow out a breath. "Only from what I've learned on the injustices of history," I admit. "I don't know much about the culture, though."

"That's great!" Seth says enthusiastically. "Because the invite I was thinking of actually involves a lot of culture learning. This coming Friday, our tribe's gathering for a big bonfire, the 'ushering in of spring' and telling of general legends." He shifts from foot to foot, cracking a twig. "It's one of those things you wouldn't find on any tourist trip to Forks—not that Forks goes in for that or that anyone would sign on for it—" —I can't help but laugh at this— "but anyway, we are allowed to bring in guests, and I was wondering if you'd like to come?"

Offhand, there's no reason why I should reject his idea right away, because even though Adrian and I got to talking about it a little, it's not like we made any definitive plans. But, on the other hand, I feel like Adrian and I have just patched things up and gotten closer after what I felt was a major bump in the road with his family the past weekend, and I'm really not really interested in barging in on their plans yet again.

"Um...this may sound random, and I'd appreciate if you didn't mention that I'm asking it, but...will the Cullens be there?" I ask hesitatingly.

Seth takes a moment before answering. "No, they won't be. Like I said, it's invite-only and we're only allowed one guest each." He chuckles. "It'd get pretty crowded around the bonfire if we bring all our friends along."

I swallow, feeling that there's a bit more pressure to his offer than there was before, although I'm sure he doesn't mean it that way. Still though, it makes me wonder: if you only get one person who you can take, why choose someone whom you've barely just met?

Because the Cullens have known him longer and so they've probably seen all there is to see around La Push. Gosh, Charlotte, here someone's trying to be nice to you and you question it! Just accept it, stupid!

But even putting aside my own personal questions about why Seth's interested in bringing me of all people—and since he's already graduated high school and has a job, he's gotta be a couple of years older than me, though I swear his voice doesn't sound any older—I don't feel like I could say yes right away. It's not just that I don't know Seth all that well—because, just based on my own feelings, I kind of want to go, especially since it's something new that I haven't ever experienced before and might really be a "once in a lifetime" chance—but there's also the situation with Adrian to keep in mind. He seemed really intent on that whole hiking thing and has already mentioned that he's going to ask me again closer to the weekend, so...

But between a nice, cozy bonfire, and a potentially-risky, tiresome hike, there isn't really much competition in what I'd prefer. It still feels like a betrayal to Adrian if I say 'yes' outright though, so I do the only thing I can think of: I stall for time.

"Um...it all sounds great, but I'd really need the permission of my family to go," I say, then give a careless shrug to get my point across. "If it isn't too much trouble to ask you to wait, I'd like to ask them first and then maybe we'll see." It's such a feeble answer that I expect to hear at least a trace of disappointment in his voice; but, to my surprise, there's absolutely none. Instead, all I hear is...cheerfulness?

"That's cool, and I completely understand," Seth answers. "In fact, I'll be going back and forth all week, so if you think it'd be alright, I'll drop by sometime and say hi. I'd like to meet your family."

My expression of surprise just comes naturally, followed by a quick smile. Wow. I don't think I've ever met anyone to take such initiative and interest since...well, Adrian sort of counts, I guess, but I don't remember him being crazy about meeting Mary, Joe, and Lizzy. Actually, he didn't make much of a comment on it—more like just going through the motions, I'd say. But Seth...he legitimately sounds interested.

You're imagining things, Char. He's just being...super, extra nice and...gah, there's no time to think about this now! He's waiting for your answer and all you're doing is grinning like an idiot! Say something!

"That...sounds wonderful." Corny, but too late to take it back. "If you have a pen or something, I can tell you my address."

"Go ahead," Seth encourages, and I recite it for him, though I don't hear him taking down any notes or even take out a phone or anything. Must have a good memory, I guess. "Got it," he says. "Anyway, I'll take you over to your...I guess your sister's car?"

"Wait, she's here? And...how did you know that it's my sister picking me up?" And how does he even know that I have a sister? Did I mention it on Saturday when we first met? I don't remember...

"Well, you may've heard this before, but she looks just like you, an older version. Except that—"

"Her hair's reddish-brown and mine's just plain brown," I finish. I did hear it before, actually, though I can't tell for myself whether or not it's true. Personally-wise we're not the same at all, so it's easy to forget.

"Nothing about your hair is plain," Seth says suddenly, and next thing I know, he's lifting up a lock of it. "You've got some gold-ish highlights and it curls at the bottom. I like it."

And darn it all if I'm not blushing! This is one of the only times I've ever received a compliment on my looks and I have no idea how to respond. Until now, people haven't really said much about my looks, probably in an attempt to be considerate and "sensitive" to me, I guess, but being blind doesn't mean that you don't care how you look! As such, it's...different but really nice to get a compliment like that, even if Seth is only saying it to be polite.

He's not lying though.

"Char?" It's Mary, here just in time to save me from further embarrassment. I hear her as she comes nearby, lightly jogging by the sounds of it. "Sorry I'm a bit late today! This is why we should get you a phone, so we can coordinate better! Oh, hello, who's this?"

"Mary, this is Seth. Seth, my sister Mary."

"Nice to meet any sister of Charlotte's," Seth greets.

"And it's nice to meet any...Char? Is this your friend—you didn't say."

Don't ever think that having a disability or having an older sister who's supposed to be "mature" will ever change the fundamentals about siblings: they love to tortuously tease each other at the most awkward moments.

"I...um...of course, i-i-if that's okay?" I fumble through an answer, definitely blushing now. My face feels like I'm sunburned, even though in Forks, apparently that's unlikely.

Seth gives a low chuckle. "I'd be honoured to be counted as that." Then, to Mary: "Actually, I was just mentioning to Charlotte how I'll be in town a couple times this week, so I might drop by and say hello."

"Wait, 'in town'? But you're a student here, right?" Mary asks.

"Nope, already graduated. Besides which, I live at La Push—local rez."

"Oh! But you look so young!" Mary exclaims.

I reach out at random and, of course, smack Mary "by accident" where she's standing on my right.

"Hey! Ow!"

"Sorry, my mistake," I say. "It's just that since you're already late and all, we wouldn't want to hold up Seth more, right? He's got places to go, people to see..." And awkward teenage girls like me to not listen to.

"Really? Because he doesn't look like—"

I grab her arm and steer her away in what I think is the direction of the parking lot. "Come by anytime, Seth! And thanks!"

"I'll be seeing you!" he calls after us, thankfully saving me the further fumbling with Mary, who by now is just barely holding in her laughter.

"Whoo, look at you!" she says, once we're in the car and mercifully speeding away. "And here I thought Forks was an ideal town for your shy tendencies. My, how wrong I was with what it's doing to my sweet little sister..."

"Why do you have to do those things?" I sulk. "I barely know him and now he's bound to think I'm weird."

"Oh, care what he thinks about you, do you?" Mary snorts. But then, more seriously, "He looks like a friendly guy, by the way—and, in case you're wondering, he's super tall, a couple of inches over you, tan skin, black hair, and a hot-damn level of good looking." A pause. "If I wasn't already married, I might just be interested, to tell you the truth."

"Stop it," I mutter. "It isn't like that, and, like I said, I barely know him."

"Ah!" Mary hums a bit. "But you didn't see the way he was looking at you; I did, and let me tell you, I can stand to have Ken look at me that way more often."

The blush is back, but at least I don't have to worry about anyone apart from Mary seeing it. My flushed feeling goes away entirely at what she says next though.

"I must say though, I'm impressed, Char. First Adrian and now Seth—you've really got the boys pining for you, it seems."

Holy cow. Adrian...

"Have you decided which one you like best yet?"

But at this point I'm ignoring her, instead focusing on something I only just realized: I left without saying goodbye to Adrian, and worse yet, left him in an unresolved tension over what happened with Seth...

A/N: Hmm, I've put our little Charlotte in quite a dilemma now, haven't I? But that's just the fun of fanfictions, where you can juggle around all your characters' emotions until they're a jumbled mess! Ahem, not that I intend to take things that far—yet—but it is food for thought!

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