Author's Note: Welcome to my story! I've been reading a lot of imprint fics and just had to get this version of Embry that I saw out of my head. I hope you like this, it's my first story. Please review with any helpful comments! I do not own Twilight or any of its characters, I'm just borrowing some characters and story lines.
Chapter 1 - Olivia's POV
The bell above the door rang for the umpteenth time in the last half hour. I was just about ready to rip the damn thing from the wall and throw it into the dumpster out back. I blew a few strands of baby hair from my eyes and plastered a fake smile onto my face as I turned to greet the newest customers.
It seemed that the thunderstorm rolling in was causing people to duck in from the streets into any kind of shelter they saw available. Unfortunately for me, this was all going on during what was supposed to be the slowest hour in the rustic diner I worked in. We weren't scheduled with enough staff to handle this rush of customers and I was beyond frustrated.
Megan was the only other server on the floor with me and we were doing our best to keep customers happy and drinks refilled. I made eye contact with her and we exchanged small smiles. Thank goodness that we both happened to be scheduled for this shift together. I hated to think of the mess we'd be in if a newer server was here tonight. Meg and I were pretty good at handling multiple tables and had been working here long enough to be familiar with every aspect of the menu. We also had a great system of helping each other's tables with small things they needed like condiments or extra napkins.
When I stepped into the kitchen, I cringed a little as the only manager on duty, who was pretty grumpy most nights to start with, started yelling at the only cook that we had working right now. With the orders coming in faster than they could get the food out, the tension was rising like the temperature of the kitchen. I quickly grabbed plates of food to run out with so I could avoid the confrontation that I could feel would begin soon.
The only silver lining in this horrific raincloud was the amount of pity tips I was receiving. Seeing me rushing around like a chicken with my head cut off apparently made people feel extra bad for me. I could use the extra cash so I wasn't about to try and convince anyone otherwise.
Finally, after about an hour and a half of more chaos, the dinner shift employees started trickling in. As soon as another server came in and took my spot on the floor, I took that opportunity to escape to the back and sit down for the first time in hours. I propped the back door open to let some cooler air flow in the little break room. I started pulling at my shirt hoping that some of my sweat would dry off sooner than later. I idly noticed that the storm was beginning to clear up.
All of a sudden, Meg came swinging through the break room door with enough force to slam it open against the wall and then right back at her again. Thankfully she threw her hand up in time to stop it from breaking her nose. I closed my eyes, not all that concerned; Meg was a pretty loud person and was always making some kind of commotion.
She plopped down on the plastic chair next to me. "Remind me to skip work next time it's supposed to rain."
"It's basically always supposed to rain. We live in Washington, you'd never show up to work again."
She let out a dramatic sigh and propped her feet up onto the only other chair left. "I need to blow this popsicle stand and move to Hawaii or something." I snorted trying to think of my super pale friend hiding under palm trees in Hawaii trying to avoid any kind of sun burn. As if she knew what I was thinking, she just gave me a tired shove and retorted, "Okay fine, but we do really need to at least find new jobs. My back is killing me."
I thought of the pain in my own back and knees. It would be nice to be able to do something a little less physically strenuous, but I just didn't have the means to pay for school without this job. I attended Port Angeles Community College part time trying to earn my degree; I would have attended full time, but I needed those other hours for work. It wasn't as expensive as a regular four year university would have been, but it was still money that I didn't have just laying around anywhere.
I chuckled and stood up hearing my ankles pop with the movement. "A new job would be a dream, but unfortunately we're stuck in reality for the moment." I moved to close the back door again. "Come on, let's get back out there and hopefully the rest of the night flies by."
Megan held her arms out and wiggled her fingers at me. Rolling my eyes, I grabbed her hands and pulled her up onto her feet. Linking her arm with mine, Meg said "I hope you're right Liv, I can't wait to just go home already!" With that, we both trudged back to the dining room.
I couldn't wait either, but was dreading the night class that I needed to attend after my shift. I sighed and resigned myself to another long night.
At close to 5:30, I was finally cut and I began finishing my side work and cleaning my section of tables to leave. I had a night class that started at 6:30 and I knew I needed to hurry so that I could run and catch the bus to my campus. I normally preferred to walk from the diner to my class, but with the days getting shorter and shorter the further we moved into fall, the less sunlight I had to work with. I was a little paranoid and didn't like the idea of walking around with wads of cash in my bag in the dark for just any weirdo to try something.
I would have just driven my car to class, but there was hardly ever any parking around there. I didn't want to just drive around in circles waiting for a spot to maybe open up; I mostly used my car to drive to and from Port Angeles. Thankfully students at PACC could use their student IDs to get free rides on the local buses.
I finished sweeping under my last table and rushed to the back so I could change into more casual clothes. I needed to leave before anyone stopped me. I checked my watch as I put my thick jacket on and groaned out loud. I was running later than I wanted and I'd have to be quick to catch the bus. The next one wouldn't be coming for another 40 minutes.
As luck would have it, I was digging through my purse to find the lanyard that clipped to my student ID and wasn't paying attention to my surroundings as I stepped out of the door in a hurry. Next thing I knew, I felt like I'd run into a brick wall and fell onto my ass with an embarrassing thump. I let out a small groan as I saw everything from my purse had spilled out onto the wet ground, including my work clothes.
"Oh my gosh, I am so sorry! Are you okay?" A concerned deep voice from above me asked.
I kept my eyes down as I could feel my face burning with embarrassment. I got into a crouching position and began picking up everything and shoving them into my bag even if they weren't fitting all that well.
I was desperately hoping that my blush would fade quickly as I answered, "No, I'm sorry about that. I was in a hurry and didn't notice you outside the door…" I trailed off as I stood fully and looked at the man who was handing me my things. He was tall, so tall, even compared to my well above average height of 5'9". This guy was a whole head taller than me. He had beautiful dark skin and short, black cropped hair. He looked huge, his chest and arms filled out his long sleeved shirt nicely. He was, to put it simply, hot. I brought my eyes back up to his face and felt mortified that I was just checking out this man like a piece of meat. So much for hoping my blush faded…
As our eyes met, I heard the bus rattle past me on the street. Oh no, I completely forgot about the bus!
I started taking a few steps in the direction it was going, yelling and waving my arms above my head like a lunatic, but it never slowed its pace.
I watched in dismay as the bus driver saw no one at the bus stop down at the corner and kept driving towards its next stop. I couldn't believe this was happening. Of course, when it rains, it pours and my day had quickly turned into a downpour. I felt so frustrated and could feel little angry tears welling up in my eyes. I started blinking quickly trying to keep my cool. Then, I remembered that the guy I'd run into was still standing there.
I turned back to face him and saw that he was looking at me like a deer in headlights. When he saw my face though, he quickly snapped out of his daze with a small shake of his head. "Are you alright?" he asked.
Doing my best to keep from crying in front of a total stranger, I choked out, "Sure. I just need to get going so I can get to my class." How exactly I would accomplish that, I wasn't too sure of yet.
The man looked at where the bus had been and asked, "Is there another bus that can take you to your class?"
I looked down at my dirty and well worn Converse. "Not for a bit, but I'll find a way. If nothing else, I guess I'll just have to walk to class."
He was quiet for a minute. He was so quiet that I looked up thinking that he'd left, but it seemed like he was just deep in thought. Finally, he said, "I could drive you if you want. I'd hate for you to be walking at night by yourself and it is my fault that you missed your bus." He sounded a little guilty saying that last part.
I was already shaking my head. "Um, I appreciate your offer but that's really okay. You don't need to do anything, and it definitely wasn't your fault that I missed the bus. I need to pay more attention to my surroundings. Thank you though, and have a good rest of your night." I turned away from him and started walking in the opposite direction of the bus stop. The man quickly caught up to me.
He put his hands in his pocket and said, "I really don't mind driving you. I would be happy to do it. Besides, if I don't drive you, I might walk with you to make sure nothing bad happens."
I wasn't sure if this guy was really just this nice or if he had some other ulterior motive. I replied, "Thank you, but I don't know that I feel completely comfortable riding in a complete stranger's car."
He was quiet again and I felt a kind of pang at the thought that I might have hurt his feelings. I'm not sure why I necessarily cared considering I'd only just met him, but it didn't feel right all the same. At that moment, he took one giant step and stood in front of me blocking my path. He gave me a small smile that released butterflies in my stomach.
"My name is Embry Call and I'm from La Push, the reservation about an hour or so from here. I'm 25, almost 26 years old and I work as a mechanic at an auto shop. My favorite color is green and my favorite animal is the wolf." He smiled even wider as he finished.
"Why are you telling me all of this?" I furrowed my brow in confusion.
"This way, I'm not a stranger anymore! This is stuff that friends know about each other," he replied.
This guy was ridiculous, but I couldn't stop myself from smiling a little back at him too. His charm added with my anxiety about getting to class helped me with my decision.
"Okay then…friend…I will accept your offer of a ride. However, I'm going to keep some pepper spray in my hand just in case." This guy, or Embry I should say, started smiling even more than before and it seemed like his whole face lit up with it. Without meaning to think it, I liked that I had caused that smile.
He threw his hands up in the air and said, "That's fine with me. I'm a perfect gentleman."
My eyes narrowed playfully at him, then I checked my watch again. "Shit! We need to get moving if I'm going to make it to class on time!" He just nodded and started leading me to a car that was parked at a meter about a block down the street. It looked like an older car, but the closer we got to it, I could see that it looked very well cared for.
Embry came to the passenger side of the car and opened the door for me. I blushed and just muttered a small "Thanks" before getting in and placing my bag at my feet. He rushed around to the driver side door faster than I could have imagined based on his size. As the car started, it let out a muffled roar and Embry pulled out into traffic.
I told him that my class was at PACC and he nodded and started to drive in that direction. It was quiet other than the gentle rumble of the car's engine. It was a comfortable silence though; I wasn't sure what I would say to him anyway. I then remembered what I told him about the pepper spray and started digging around in my bag again. He gave me a questioning glance, but let out a snort of laughter as I pulled out the spray. "You were serious about that?"
I huffed and crossed my arms. "A girl can't be too careful these days when there's all kinds of crazies wandering the streets." I gave him a look as I said it.
Embry was chuckling but nodded along. "It's great that you're being careful. There's definitely dangerous things out there." He looked over at me again. "So now that we're friends, do I get to know the name of my lovely new friend?"
I blushed and looked out the window. What's the harm? "I'm Olivia Baker." I watched his reflection in the window.
He took one of his hands off the steering well and held it out to me. "It's very nice to meet you, Olivia Baker." I was feeling butterflies in my stomach, but when I placed my hand in his huge one, the butterflies decided to have a rave. Embry's hand was so warm.
Embry chuckled again and when I looked at him, all he did was look at our joined hands and back up again. I realized I'd been holding his hand for way longer than was necessary and dropped it like it might burn me.
Not long after, he pulled up in front of the school and I moved to grab the door handle.
"Olivia, wait." I kept my hold on the handle, but didn't open the door. "Yes Embry?"
"Do you need a ride after your class? I'd be more than happy to come back and drive you wherever you need to go." It was a nice offer, but I couldn't do that to him. My class was almost three hours long.
"I appreciate the offer, but I'll be able to take the bus back after my class is over. Thanks again for the ride though, I think you saved the day." I looked over at him with a smile and blush again. I can't remember the last time that I blushed so much.
He sighed in acceptance, but didn't give up. "Well I don't know about you Olivia, but I have almost all of my friends' phone numbers in case we ever need help with anything or just to talk. You're the only friend whose number I don't have now." He seemed to be holding his breath waiting for my answer.
I didn't answer him for a few seconds and I could tell he was getting a little nervous. Well he didn't seem like a crazy person. He was actually very nice and I supposed it couldn't hurt to give him my number. Honestly, he would probably forget all about me after he left. Smiling at him, I grabbed a pen and tore a small piece of paper from my notebook. I wrote my name and number on there and gave it to him. He took the paper and held it like he was scared he would smudge the ink or crumple it in his hand.
A look at my watch told me I had about 5 minutes to get inside to class. With one last look at Embry, I got out of the car and closed the door. He rolled the window down and watched me walk into the building, waving with a small smile.