A Phone Call Away

I had just gotten home. I was laying on my bed. Who knew my life could get so complicated. I still don't know where I stand with Embry. I don't even have the courage to ask him.

I felt a vibration. I looked down on my bed to see my phone ringing. I picked it up and saw the name 'Skylar' on the screen. I answered the phone and held it to my ear. "Hey."

We didn't even get the general chit-chat out the way before she got straight to the point. "How did it go?"

"Hate to disappoint you but nothing happened. He just walked me to my car." I replied as I laid on my back. Though I admit I wished we could've talked more, just not about my sleeping problems.

"Wow. What a letdown. So many opportunities going to waste." I could hear the disappointment in her voice.

"Well, if it makes you feel better. He told me I should call him." I had to hold my phone away from my ear as she screamed. I thought she might be happy with that information but I didn't expect screaming.

"What are you doing talking to me? Ring him right now." Skylar scolded me.

Sometimes I couldn't believe this girl. "I saw him a short while ago. I don't even have a reason to call him. And you rang me!"

I could hear her 'tsk'-ing through the phone. "That's beside the point."

"Well, sorry, I don't want to scare him off." There was silence before she replied.

"Fine. But just ring him sometime. I'll see you tomorrow." Skylar told me.

"See ya." And with that, I hung up. Sorry, Skylar. But this situation is something more than you realise and I can't tell you about it.

But there is someone I can talk about it with. I looked at Kim's number on my phone. My finger hovered above the dial button. But I couldn't do it. I wouldn't even know what to say.

I threw my phone down on my bed. It was the last thing I remembered before I collapsed into a deep sleep. I guess the sleep I missed caught up to me.

School went by like normal. Skylar told me I should ask Embry on a date so that we could really talk. Honestly, we really needed time to talk so it wasn't a bad idea. Skylar sat with her other friends at lunch to give me a chance to ask him.

Lunch was just like yesterday. They were all playfully bantering. Seth was being brave today and taking Paul's food. Kim was teasing Jared by not giving him the affection he wanted which made him pout. Quil and Jacob were discussing another movie.

"Did you have a good sleep last night?" Embry asked me. He intently watched me probably making sure I didn't lie.

"It was much better. In fact, I crashed as soon as I got home so I'm all caught up in sleep. See there aren't any bags today." I pointed under my eyes to prove my pointed.

Embry laughed with happiness. "I'm glad."

This was the perfect opportunity to do what Skylar said and ask. "Hey, I was wondering. What are you doing tomorrow after school?"

"I'm actually going to Bella Swan's graduation party tomorrow with Jacob and Quil." Embry explained with a tilt of his head.

I couldn't stop the sad expression on my face. Just after I finally managed to ask. "Why? If there's something you need, I don't have to go." Embry immediately told me.

"No, no. Don't miss it. I just wanted to hang out but it's okay." By this time, everyone on the table had tuned into our conversation.

"I would love to. I don't have to go to Bella's party tomorrow. Just say the word and I'll be with you." Embry told me with full honesty.

Now I was panicking. I raised my hands in front of me. "No. It's okay. Go to Bella's."

Embry looked like he wanted to object but Kim interrupted us. "If you say the word, Embry will skip Bella's to be with you." She glanced out the corner of her eye to Jared and he kissed her cheek. I guess she's speaking from experience.

"No. It's fine." I tried to clear everything up. I turned to Embry directly. "I want you to go to Bella's graduation party. Understood?" Embry nodded reluctantly, a small frown on his face. "We can hang out later." This instantly made him perk up with a smile.

We both smiled at each other before the rest of the table went back to their usual chatter. I used this opportunity to lean over to Kim. "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"I haven't got any plans." She said with a smile.

"Can we hang out?" I asked.

"Of course." She grinned at me. "Want to meet at Emily's?"

"Of course." I grinned back. It would be nice to see her again too.

It took forever for the next day to come. School had been and gone. I was currently in my room getting ready to go to Emily's. Embry, Jacob and Quil should be at Bella's right about now.

After checking I had everything, I ran out my room and downstairs. "I'm heading off now." I called out to my mother and father.

"Have fun." My mother sang out as she poked her head around the corner to see me.

"Don't stay out too late." My father told as he was sitting on the couch.

I gave them both a smile. "Will do. I'll be home sometime." And with that, I was out the door.

I climbed into my car before driving to Emily's house. I actually quite enjoy the ride to Emily's. It's easy and has pretty scenery. I looked out to the sky. It was dark and gloomy. Funny enough, I find this weather to be my favourite. I'm not used to it but it's common here so now I see it a lot.

I pulled up in front of Emily's. Kim's car was already parked. She must inside. I got out and walked up the front steps to the sliding door. I opened it and walked inside. I closed the door behind me and by the time I turned around again, I was engulfed in a hug. "Maddi, I'm so happy you're here."

"Glad to be here, Emily." I smiled at the woman as she pulled away.

I looked over to see Kim sitting at the table. She gave me a wave as she ate a cookie. I walked over to her with Emily doing the same. We were all sitting and we all reached for a cookie that was placed on a tray in the middle of the table.

"Where are the other guys?" I asked since there seemed to be no one else here.

"Sam, Jared and Paul are patrolling." Emily answered after swallowing the food in her mouth. "Seth and Leah are at their house."

"I've been meaning to ask, what exactly does patrolling mean? Are they just waiting until they see a vampire?" I asked with sincere curiosity.

Kim spoke up this time since Emily had her mouth full. "Pretty much. They just make sure there aren't any vampires in the area. Though this time they're making sure one isn't here."

I tilted my head. "What does that mean?"

"There is one red-haired woman. She keeps coming back no matter how much the boys chase her away. She's too quick for them." Emily told me.

I gulped. "Why does she keep coming back?"

"She supposedly after Bella Swan." Emily explained with a solemn expression.

That girl who is friends with Jacob? "What, why? How is she even involved?"

"She's after revenge since Edward killed her mate. And now she wants to kill Edward's mate, Bella." Emily explained while Kim was being quiet.

Embry did tell me about the Cullen's. I didn't know Bella was involved with them though. That explains a fair bit with the whole Jacob thing.

"Okay, enough of that now. Can we please change the subject to something happier." Kim begged. Guess the vampires freak her out as much as me. "Like you wanting to hang with Embry." Kim had a big grin.

Emily also had one so I'm guessing Kim told her what happened. I looked at them both. I guess this is the perfect chance to ask them. "About that. I was wondering. What exactly is an imprint?"

Both of them stared at me with wide eyes. Kim was first to snap out of it. "Didn't Embry tell you?"

"He did. And I thought I understood but now I'm not sure." I said while playing with my fingers. For some reason I was embarrassed.

"Imprints are kind of like soul mates, I guess." Kim tried to explain with a finger on her chin. "They would do anything for us."

"I understand that bit." I felt my cheeks begin to heat up. "But I don't know what Embry and I are supposed to be."

Emily took over. "It can be whatever you want it to be." She told me with a sweet voice, as if trying to ease my worries.

Call me stupid but I still didn't understand. "What does that mean?"

"An imprinter will be whatever the imprintee needs. A friend, brother, protector. It's not limited to romantic relationships." Emily explained with her soft voice.

I thought about her words. "But all of the other imprints are romantic." I mumbled.

"Not all of them." Kim stated as she tilted her head.

I looked at her with disbelief. Yeah, they were. Her and Jared. Sam and Emily. Paul and Rachael, unless… "Paul and Rachael aren't?" I asked.

"Yeah, they are. They're a couple." Kim said with a confused face.

Emily saw my expression and explained it to me. "There's one more imprint."

I must have had an expression of just pure shock. "Who?" I was so curious and really happy that another one of the boys had an imprint.

"Quil." Kim told with a grin on her face.

I must have had an even bigger grin then her. It took everything I had not to squeal. "Who is she?"

"My niece, Claire." Emily spoke up. Her niece? "She's two years old." I paled. She's only two. "I had the same feelings. I was angry at first. But imprints don't have to be romantic. Quil acts like a brother and her friend. An imprint is whatever the imprintee needs."

I closed my eyes, deep in thought. I opened them again and looked to the ceiling. "Whatever an imprintee needs, huh?" I murmured.

"Personally, I think they all become romantic. We kind of need each other. You know the easiest way to work it out." Kim spoke drawing my attention to her. "Is to simply discuss it with Embry."

"It's true." Emily agreed with Kim. "Once you both understand where you stand and what you want it makes things so much clearer and easier."

I nodded. I couldn't speak because I didn't know what to say. One thing that was clear now, was that Embry and I needed to talk. "You know what. Call him right now and plan to meet tomorrow." Kim told me with a sly smirk.

"Huh? What, no, I can't." I blurted out in a rushed matter.

"Sure you can. Do it." Kim urged me on.

I could feel my heart beat faster and my hands become sweaty. "What would I even say?"

Kim gave me a disbelieving look. "That you want to meet up with him tomorrow."

"O-Okay." I mumbled as I reached for my phone and pulled it out. I went to my contacts and found Embry's name. I sighed. "What if he doesn't want to."

Kim chuckled but luckily Emily spoke up. "He would be happy just hearing your voice when you call. He would love to spend time with you. It's hard for them to be apart from their imprints."

That was news to me. I stared down at my phone. I was still hesitating. Suddenly, my phone was snatched from my hands. I looked up to see Kim push the dial button before handing the phone back. "It kills me to see you like this. I'm just giving you a little nudge."

I looked to see my phone was ringing. "Ah!" I shouted in a panic.

I lifted the phone to my ear and waited until there was an answer. "Hello. Embry speaking."

"Eh, hey, Embry. It's Maddi." I spoke but my voice was quiet, barely above a whisper.

"Maddi! It's good to hear your voice." I glanced at Emily who was smiling at me. She doesn't even realise it but she hit the nail on the head. "Is something wrong?"

"No, no. Everything's fine." I paused while staring at the two girls before me. They both grinned and gave me encouraging thumbs up. I took a deep breath. "Do you want to hang out tomorrow?" I closed my eyes, waiting for his answer, half expecting it to be a rejection.

"Of course. After school let's go somewhere." I snapped my eyes open and I felt a smile spread across my face.

"Okay, I'll see you then." Kim and Emily were smirking at me. They must have known it worked out.

"Cool. Goodbye, Maddi." Embry told me. I forgot he was in the middle of Bella's party. I shouldn't hold him up any longer.

"Bye, Embry." And with that, I ended the call. I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.

"Guess things went well." Kim asked while she grabbed my hands.

I felt a blush creeping onto my cheeks. "Yeah. We are meeting after school tomorrow."

"Yes!" Kim shouted as she gave me a hug. "I'm proud of you."

The sliding door behind me opened as a voice rang out. "Who are we proud of?"

I turned to see Seth closing the door before facing us. He had a goofy smile as he looked a us. "Just Maddi. But what are you doing here?" Kim inquired.

Seth spotted the cookies on the table and ran to sit down next to us. "Leah was in a mood so I thought I would drop by." He didn't even spare us a glance as he started munching away. When he finally drew his eyes away from the food and looked at us, he asked. "So, why are we proud of Maddi?"

I felt my heart race again. "It's a secret." Kim smirked as she lifted her finger to her lip in a 'shh' action.

Seth looked at her, eyes wide with innocence as he chewed away. He glanced at me with the same expression. He swallowed his mouthful. "It's about Embry, right?" He casually questioned before taking another bite of his cookie.

Mine, Kim and Emily's expression would have been a dead give away that he was right. We looked like gaping fish. "How'd you know?" Emily asked.

Seth swallowed again before lifting his finger and pointing at me briefly. "Her heart rate went crazy before so I just thought it must be about him. It spiked even more when I mentioned Embry's name, confirming it. That and your faces."

I paled. "You can hear my heart rate?"

"Yep." He told, popping the 'p'. "We have really good hearing." He tapped his ear as if to prove his point.

I thought back to all my moments with Embry. Did that mean he could hear my heart rate increase every time I was with him? I couldn't stop the embarrassed sigh that came out my mouth. Kim looked at me with concern. "Are you okay?"

"Nooo." I dragged out the word as I mumbled. "That means he probably hears my heart rate too."

"He does." Seth said nonchalantly. I snapped my eyes at him, silently asking what he meant. "I've been in his thoughts. He notices how your heart rate increases and how you blush."

Right. The telepathic communication when they are wolves. I ran my hand down my face. Wait. That probably means Seth knows what Embry thinks about me. I snuck a glance at the boy who was munching away. Yeah, I can't ask.

I buried my face into my hands. "Don't worry." Seth tried to ease my thoughts. "He finds it endearing." I could feel my whole face warming up. This is just embarrassing.

"Okay. Can we please change the subject?" I practically begged the trio. The all shared a laugh but thankfully the conversation changed to more general chit-chat.

Eventually, the sun began to set and I thought it was time I should head off. I said my goodbyes before I went home. Tomorrow was the day Embry and I got time to talk. I was nervous but excited at the same time.