Chapter 15 - Passing Thoughts

Seeing Seth in the parking lot was something he should have expected after what Edward had told him about imprinting and whatnot, but Adrian still took to it badly once he saw how Seth was looking at Charlotte—and, worse yet, how she was reacting to him. She might not be able to temper her own facial expressions because she wouldn't know how to read facial cues or body language and whatnot, but that just made it all the more obvious what her honest reactions were. He didn't need to be Jasper to tell what she was feeling once she saw Seth, that was for sure.

She's literally only hung around him for...what, a few minutes? And yet already he's gotten her to smile... Adrian thought. Up close and while he was present, the smile was just a trace, barely contained, but then as soon as he was out of the picture, it turned into a broad grin that he'd only rarely seen on Charlotte himself. It lit up her entire face and made her look totally beautiful, full of life and with more to give than one might think. To Adrian, at least, her being blind was only a coincidence, the kind that he could brush off.

Not least which because he was more than capable of looking out for her in any way she might need.

Earlier in the day, Adrian had really felt like he was making progress with Charlotte. Not only had he finally convinced her to ignore his family—as he fully intended on doing as well when he was with her, by the way—but he even managed to sneak in that invitation for hiking yet again, and maybe this time edge towards a positive answer. He was pushing, and he was aware that he was pushing, but now he felt it justified with Seth barging in on his turf like that.

Edward, of course sensing where Adrian's competitive and defensive thoughts were headed, had chosen just that moment to almost literally drag him away, cautioning Adrian to watch himself and not to make a scene. If only they weren't surrounded by human teenagers who would get a kick out of any scrap that Adrian would have a hell of a time trying to make look "natural", then he might've actually gone for Seth, regardless of whether Charlotte was present.

Looking back now, once his family had more or less abducted him and forced him home, it was clear that he wasn't thinking clearly at that time. If he and Seth ever did get into a fight, not only would Charlotte be put in danger, but the entire Cullen coven and the La Push werewolf pack would have to get involved. Apparently, since Seth had imprinted on Charlotte, she was more or less under their protection now, and protection from vampires was their specialty. Adrian hadn't met any of the other werewolves yet, but his family advised him that he did not want to create hostile relations between them.

"So what?" Adrian had snapped at them. "Do I just step aside and let Seth do as he pleases now?"

"No, perhaps you should think about about letting Charlotte choose and not treating her like your property," Carlisle of all people had advised him. As usual, Adrian had to agree with his point of view, especially once he had calmed down enough to think things over. In the end, whether Seth was making his move or not, it wouldn't have to matter if Charlotte ended up choosing him in the end, not Seth. And Adrian did want her to choose him, that much was clear. Maybe he hadn't known her for long and maybe he hadn't fallen for her yet, but he definitely didn't want to go through the motions of losing her in order to find out that she meant more to him than what he already thought.

She was the first one...the only one to accept him for himself, not for what he was or how he looked or...

She's the only one I'll never hurt, Adrian concluded. And that means that if she ends up picking Seth, I'll have to accept it, but...that doesn't mean that I'm not going to spend a hell of a time making sure that doesn't happen.

It was as close to a compromise as he had ever come, and with that, he set aside time in that day and space in his mind to think up his next move. He couldn't and wouldn't lose Charlotte, no matter what.

Charlotte's P.O.V.

It's times like these that I really wish I had a cell phone. Like Mary said, I should really get one so that we can coordinate better, and for times like these, when I really want to apologize to someone but have no way of reaching them. Not that I know Adrian's number anyway, or even if he has a cell phone—though everyone besides me does, so he probably does too—but it would be something if I could contact him. Tomorrow in class, I'll ask him.

If you think he'll still talk to you, that is, I can't help but think.

And while I'm at it, maybe I can even ask him if he has some sort of problem with Seth and whether or not he'd like to talk about it. I mean, it would be presuming a lot on my part, but I'm hoping that if he does say something, anything, at least I'll be less confused. Right now, what I think I know is that Adrian doesn't know Seth all that well, since they would've met just this weekend or something, but the tension between them definitely wasn't imagined, and I feel like Seth can maybe, possibly, hopefully be a new friend as well, so I wouldn't want them to be on the bad side of each other. Not that it's any of my business, but...

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

Mary may've only been joking, but if it ever comes down to a choice, it's not one I want to make.

On the one hand, maybe my choice should obviously be Adrian, since I've known him for slightly longer and we're the same age and thus will have more of a chance of hanging out and whatnot; but I'm not one to let things go without giving every option an equal chance, so asking me for a quick pick is never in the cards.

I only hope that no one gets hurt by my indecision on anything though, because that would be a first.

And, take it all in all, like Mary said, this is pretty new to me, since I've literally never had to contend with two people taking an interest in me at the same time—or, at least not for anything outside of medical reasons. It's new and I like it but I don't want it to turn into something negative or for anyone to get hurt, so all I'm sure of is that I'll have to tread carefully, be open to everything and...

And not complicate yourself by accidentally agreeing to two different outings and giving one person or the other the wrong idea, I conclude. Right, well...that's a start.

Meanwhile, back at La Push, Seth had just settled down for the night, but he was too alert and fidgety to really consider falling asleep.

Earlier today, he had the feeling that he had really almost messed things up bad. Like he had mentioned to Edward earlier that weekend, that morning he felt as though he just couldn't stay away from Charlotte any longer, almost like she was a magnet pulling at his heart, bones, muscles, everything, enough to take him out of his skin. All day, while he had resisted the urge, he had been thinking of her, and so hadn't dared to shift into his wolf form so that the others wouldn't know yet what had happened. Shifting into his wolf form would have given him wolf senses and thus taken away some of the human emotions from him, but since he had imprinted on Charlotte, it wouldn't really matter how he felt things, because for her they would be strong feelings regardless.

Jake never explained it well, but I'll bet that he just knew, Seth thought. I don't know her at all, and yet...I know she's perfect for me. Everything I've ever wanted so that I don't feel alone, so that I have someone by me to protect, to love, to live with. She's the only thing that counts, even though it's insane that I think so!

And to any observer it really would be insane, though to Seth's mind it somehow made perfect sense and was as natural as...as breathing. He couldn't resist it anymore than he could resist breathing for more than a few minutes maximum at a time.

For Jake of course, it had been slightly worse, since Nessie was half-vampire and therefore part of the Cullen family; Charlotte was 100% human, and yet just because Adrian happened to meet her first and sort-of stake a claim, Seth felt like he was going to have the same complications. And Edward and the Cullens...well, on the one hand they should be able to understand him and Seth did feel that his friend was on his side; but on the other hand, Adrian was family to them, and they felt equally responsible for him as well.

At least Jake had no competition, but it feels like I will, Seth thought. And, much as he didn't look forward to it and knew he would be immeasurably hurt if he couldn't have Charlotte by his side...he wasn't going to fight Adrian for her if she didn't choose him. Right now and always, what mattered the most were her feelings, and as long as she wasn't hurt by anyone and was happy, Seth would go along with whatever she chose.

Whether near or far, he would always be around to protect her though, to be anything and anyone she needed him to be.

The memory of her bright smile and her adorable blush—did she realize it, by the way?—sent pangs through his heart though, and Seth lay awake for half the night just remembering. Remembering and...wishing. Always wishing.

A/N: I know, I know, a very fragmented chapter here with the focus on all three of our main characters and what they're thinking of, but there's been quite a few chapters so far on new people meeting and things happening, discussions taking place, so I thought I'd slow down for at least one chapter and focus more on character development. For Adrian in particular, I feel like this puts him in a new perspective and gives shape to his feelings. Besides which, unlike in "See the Truth", where my coupling decision was pretty straightforward, I would like to put some conflict and angst forward in the love triangle about to unfold here, and this does involve some heavy character development if I want to make that happen.

So...yes, please do review, follow, and favourite, and let me know what you think! Look forward to a new chapter soon!