Chapter 1: Her Choice
I smiled over at Claire, my best friend, in the passenger seat. She was currently ranting about her boyfriend, Quil. After Jake left for basic training, I had attempted to stay away from my old friends, his friends, in hopes of creating a new life without Jake. However, it didn't work for long. Clair eventually got fed up with not having another teenage girl in the group and begged me to at least hang out with her. We turned out to be more similar than we had previously realized. We had the same taste in books, music, movies, and television. And we also have dated, or are currently dating in Claire's case, a werewolf. The only difference is that Claire and Quil spend more time together than Jake and I ever did because Jake was alpha. Anyways, I ended up back in the friend group. To be honest, I'm glad. I've always loved the pack. They're hilarious.
"…and so he just stood there and did absolutely nothing! Can you believe that? This girl was totally putting the moves on him, and he did nothing!" Claire said exasperated.
"It's better than him leaning into her and making out with her, right?" Claire looked horrified.
"Do you think that's what he was thinking about?" Claire seemed like she might kill Quil.
"No! He's head over heels for you, Claire. He probably didn't know what to do or just didn't realize what she was doing because he only has eyes for you, okay? Claire you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Quil. Well, at least not about him cheating on you."
"You think?" Claire seemed skeptical.
"Yes, you need to realize what a hot commodity you are! Damn girl! If I was a lesbian, I'd fuck you. Quil's one lucky bastard, and, luckily for you, he knows it!" I smiled at her again.
"Thanks, Ren. Hey, are you going out with James again?"
"I dunno. I mean he's nice and all and really attractive, but I'm just not sure if we click in the right way, ya know?" James was this brilliant college junior. Totally gorgeous. And for some reason, he wanted to go out with me, a lowly freshman. The only problem was that there was no spark between us on our first date. We didn't kiss or anything, just went out to dinner, but we still didn't click exactly. "The date itself was fine, and he wants to hang out again tomorrow. He invited me to the party his fraternity is throwing. It's exclusive or something. I dunno if I'm going to go though."
"Wait! A frat party! Ren, you gotta get us in! Please, please, please! It'll be so fun! Think of it as a double date. You and James. Me and Quil. We'll go to dinner first! Ask him! Please?" Claire quickly begged and turned on the puppy dog eyes. Oh, lordy.
"Alright, fine. I'll ask. But only for you, okay? You owe me. Next Saturday you and I are going to go see that new Disney movie if I do this for you. Quil can fend for himself for one Saturday night." I pulled into Emily and Sam's driveway as I reasoned with her. Tonight was another bonfire. We had a lot of them with the pack. It was awesome, but tonight all the elders were coming for some reason. No one knew why, but usually when they came the legends were told all over again. This meant that I would be telling the story of my parents and what all eventually ended up in me, and this also meant talking a lot about Jake. Perfect.
"Done. Frat party tomorrow. Movie next week." Claire looked way too pleased with herself for my liking.
"Hi!" Emily came bounding down the steps leading up to the house. "Ren, it's been forever since I've seen you! How are you? How's college been treating you? You should come home with Claire more. In fact, I'm surprised you haven't come with her already." Emily flashed me a warm, motherly smile.
"I haven't wanted to impose." I pulled her into a hug, and she suddenly seemed cautious.
"I should probably warn you about-"
"Where have you been, gorgeous?!" Seth cut Emily off and swept me up into a hug. I began to laugh, but stopped when growling erupted. Seth abruptly put me down. "Sorry," he said tersely and walked away with a quick wave.
"Wait, wha-?" I was so confused. I looked back and forth between Claire, who was just as confused as me, and Emily, who looked really guilty. Then I saw the origin of the growling and who Emily wanted to tell me about.
Jacob Black stalked out of the house looking like someone had just ate his Doritos. His hair was buzzed to a short crew cut. His muscles were still huge and had amazing definition. A black t-shirt hugged his chest and jeans hung low on his hips. I briefly noticed he still wore combat boots. He stopped at the edge of the porch without saying anything, crossed his arms, and leaned against the porch frame. Damn. He looked hella fine.
Jacob stared out without expression at me and Claire. Claire's mouth was hanging open while I just stared back. I took in his new scars, mostly on his hands but a few cut across his forearms and one across his jaw. The worst-looking one started on the left side of his neck and disappeared below his t-shirt. I wondered just how far it went. He had a new tattoo as well. Mirroring his Quileute tribal tattoo, it was on his other bicep. Semper Fi. Of course, Marine Corps motto. He always committed heart, soul, and body to his "brothers" so why not his marine buddies as well.
Not wanting to show how much emotion I felt at seeing him after two years, I turned away and stalked after Seth who was now sitting around the fire built. As I strode off, I briefly waved over my shoulder and said, "Welcome home. Glad you're safe." It was polite to say that stuff, right?
I suddenly felt more nervous than I had in a long time. Why was he home? Didn't he still have two more years left, at least, in the Corps? But the most important question ringing through my mind was:
I thought I had moved on. So why did I only want to run into his arms when I saw him?
That's how it was supposed to be, if he hadn't broken it off. I would've waited, stayed faithful. He thought he was doing me a favor by letting me live my life, but he didn't know how much I wanted that life to be with him. Instead, he chose for me. And for that, for not asking what I wanted, I'll never go back to him. I didn't care that he enlisted; I only cared that he didn't figure out what would happen with us with me.
So, I'm just going to keep living my life the way I have the past two years, the way he wanted it to be: without him.
