"Morning," Jake's sweet, melodic voice greeted me when I awoke the next morning.
"Hey," I whispered turning over. The warm California sun beat down on my bare back through the thin draperies.
Memories of the previous night flooded through my head. A night of bliss, a night of love... a night I'll never forget. I turned to look at the clock. 10 am. Crap!
"Jake!" I yelped. "We have to keep going!"
I wrapped a spare blanket around myself and raced to my duffel bag on the ground. I pulled out a pair of jean shorts and a light pink V-neck.
"Relax, Nessie," he said, throwing on a pair of jeans. "We're in no hurry."
"You're right," I agreed. "But it would be nice if we weren't always on the road."
"Well, let's stay here for the day, then." he suggested. "There's a nice restaurant down the road. Wanna go there for dinner... without Leah?"
"Like, a date," I asked.
"Yup. I mean, after what we did last night," he gestured to the bed. "I think a date would be a bit... safer."
The room was torn up, pillows were thrown across the room, lamps were tipped over.
"Okay," I giggled. "What time?"
He grinned. "Seven."
"I'll be ready." I said.
After I changed, I went over to tell Leah.
"EEP!!!" she squealed. "NO WAY!"
"Keep it down!" I smacked her arm.
"I just can't believe it," she whispered. "It seems so surreal."
"Now you know how I feel," I said. "That he could actually fall for me--"
"Not that," she interrupted. "That you could fall for him. I mean, I know you guys have loved each other-- like best friends should-- but the actual attraction under it..."
"Yeah, pretty shocking." And it was. Until a week or two ago, Jake had always been my best friend. No questions asked. Besties for life. But... since the night of the wedding, he'd been more. Like the missing piece of me that I'd never known was right in front of my eyes.
"This is too cute!" Her voice broke my train of thought. "I'm so doing your makeup! And we're so going dress shopping!"
"Leah!" I complained. "I'll wear the dress I wore last time. Jake doesn't care what I wear... he's too sweet for that."
"Okay, okay, suit yourself," she sighed. "But I'm still doing your makeup, even if I have to take you hostage."
"Fine," I sighed.
My phone vibrated. Another text. I pressed open.
From: Uncle Jasper
Message: Nessie, I'm not trying to pressure you. None of us are. But we miss you. I'm not here to beg you to come home, if that's what you really want. But... we miss you terribly. Not even my powers can calm your mother down. She wanted me to tell you how sorry she is. If you want to love that--- Jacob, we won't object. As long as you're safe with us, nothing else matters. Nothing. Love you, my fellow freak :D --Uncle Jazzie
I smiled through the pool of tears forming in my eyes. Uncle Jasper used to tease me about being a freak because of my peculiar power. It was a joke shared between us that I missed horribly. But I loved Jacob, and my loyalties were to him and no one else.
At seven o' clock, I was seated in a small Italian restaurant with the most wonderful man across from me. I ordered the spaghetti and he ordered lobster. This moment couldn't get any more perfect, so why did he look so nervous?
"Jake, why do you look so nervous?" I asked, reaching across to grab his hand.
"I-I need to tell you something." His voice was barely a whisper.
"What is it?" I asked.
"I love you," he said.
"I know," I whispered. "I love you, too."
"But... well... I've always loved you," he whispered. "Not in this romantic sort of way, but since the day you were born, I've loved you."
"What do you mean?" I asked. "What are you saying?"
"Well, you know about my secret," he whispered.
"Yeah, I've known that for a while..." I raised one eyebrow.
"There's more to it..." He hung his head. "Well, there's this thing. It's called imprinting. It's kinda like love at first sight for werewolves. The two don't have to be romantically involved. The werewolf can play the role of older sibling, best friend, or... lover."
My mouth hung open. Had he imprinted? On who? Leah? If they imprinted, could it really be called love? Was it just because of what naturally happened? Maybe not. I still had hope. Maybe he really truly loved me.
"H-have you imprinted?" I asked, tears forming in my eyes.
"Yes," he whispered.
"W-who is she?" My voice cracked.
"You," he stared deeply into my eyes. "I imprinted on you. When you were only a few minutes old."
My heart stopped dead. "M-me?"
He nodded.
"So... the only reason you love me is because... because you imprinted on me? It's not actually love?" I asked.
"It is," he tried to reassure me.
"How can you know," I asked. "What if it's the imprinting talking? You... you may be able to find happiness with another girl... and I'm not going to keep you from that."
"Nessie, what are you saying?" he whispered.
"I-I'm saying I need to let go. I'm saying I need to stop chasing a fantasy... I'm saying goodbye Jacob." Tears streamed down my cheeks.
"Please, don't say that," he begged. "I love you."
"Goodbye," I whispered and raced out the doors.
My hair was pressed against my face, which was wet from tears. I started down the road, despite his shouting my name.
Two cool, white hands grabbed me and clamped down on my lips. My screams were muffled.
"Shh, shh," he whispered. "Don't scream... It will be easier that way."
I tried to kick, but he was hard as marble.
Then he said something shocking.
"I'm sorry, Nessie."
Author's Note: Dra-ma. I know it's short. I wrote it in one sitting. But I wanted to end with a cliffy. So yeah. Plus I had to get out all the drama. I didn't write the whole... well... you know thing because I don't write those sorts of things. The story's rated T for some choice words I use in some chapters, but so far nothing too bad. Now, later in the story, it may become more... colorful. Just a warning! Anyhoo, you think Nessie overreacted a tad bit? I do. She's all "gasp!" and I'm like "He still loves you, ya know," she's like "No, I still want you to write that in," I'm like "Whatever. Your story, not mine." So yeah lol. Okay, I'm not that crazy. But you know. If my family will stop parading in and out of this room asking for help, I may be able to get another chapter up. Keyword: may.
The memory I wanna forget... Is goodbye... I hate Miley Cyrus, but this song was playing so I thought it seemed fitting. I may use some of the lyrics as a plotline for Nessie, but idk. Reviews? Comments? Are you mad at me? Lol
--Lauren