M I S T A K E N
Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, or any of the characters.
I see this has made its way to a few favorite lists! Wow, thanks everyone! Cookies for all. Thank you andixcore for pointing that out. I actually was going to make a chapter on her 'changes' after she and Jacob went to La Push… muses I guess this one covers a little bit of the changing, but the next one's sure to be better! I really appreciate that you noticed that! is happy for criticism and praise Please enjoy the read!
4) destination: La Push ) JPOV )
"I called the taxi," She said, hopping down the stairs. "I'm going to take a shower and change and pack, m'kay? The remote's over there, if you want to watch anything. Click the orange button and the projector screen comes down." I could tell by the way she studied my large hand that she was wondering if my fingers were capable of such a delicate procedure.
"Thanks, Ari," I responded gruffly, closing my eyes. I heard her leave, and as soon as she did, stretched my legs across the small couch. I sighed, content for the moment. She was nice, I decided. Maybe she was crazy, considering she barely knew me – and somehow I had managed to spend the day in her basement, dressed in her brother's clothing…
My mind started to wander. I started to think of happy things, painful things, and new things… I clapped suddenly, sitting upright. I rested my chin in my hand as I thought. How much longer until her wedding? Did I even want to know? Did I even care? I knew I cared, I couldn't help that. I loved her – I wanted her, I needed her, I thought I was right for her. I knew I was right for her.
Maybe if I loved her so much I would learn to let go, eventually. I clenched my fists, swinging my arms as I stood up and started to pace the room. But turning into a vampire! How could I live with that? She'd become my enemy. If I met her in battle, I'd have to live with the thought of…
"AGH!"
I hurried up the stairs, dashing to the source of the sound before I even realized it. I stopped when I found Ari on the floor, covered with towels and old tee shirts. I crouched down beside her, pulling the clothes away. "Are you okay?"
She blinked up at me, her dark eyes narrowed. They were wet, sparkling like round, smooth stones submerged in ink. She shook her head.
"I mean – are you hurt?" It was probably better if I specified, since I knew she wasn't all right. It was obvious she wasn't.
"No, I'm not hurt. I'm emotionally and mentally ill. I'm insane. I'm crazy. I need to be put in an institution." She sighed and sat up, pushing away my extended hand and standing. She arched back, stretching her arms over her head. I watched her as she punched the wall suddenly, leaning forward to rest her forehead against the doorframe. I stared into the empty closet. The shelves were broken; a few barely recognizable piles of twisted metal. I turned my attention back to her. She wiped her eyes and gave me a shaky smile.
"Sorry about that. I tend to…verbalize my frustration. Actually, I do it quite often. Hmm…" She pursed her lips and shrugged, squinting as she stared at the messed up shelves. She turned to me. "When did you do that? I'm sorry we don't have any tents to clothe you in, but you didn't have to mess up the shelves."
"I…didn't do that."
"Huh." Ari rubbed her chin, then kicked away a few towels. "That would explain the avalanche of clothing. Well, then!" She shoved the mountain of clothes into the closet and closed it. I stared after her, confused and startled.
"Ari…"
"Yes'um?" She turned around to face me, her face twisted into one of pain. She had one hand hidden behind her back. I stepped forward and grabbed it. She kicked my leg. The action was followed by a sharp intake of breath. I lifted her arm, lifting her a few inches off the floor as I did so. She muttered a curse as I examined her bleeding hand. "Put me down, Jacob."
"You're bleeding."
"I can see that. Put me down, Jacob."
"Do you have a first aid kit?"
"Yes I do. Put me down, Jacob."
I wondered how upset Ari would be if I mentioned that she sounded like a broken record. I decided against it, dropping her carelessly. She hadn't expected it and fell to the floor. I offered her my hand. She slapped it away and stormed angrily down the hall.
"I'm sorry!" I cried, hoping she wouldn't hold a grudge. "You told me to put you down."
"I'm not mad at you!" She roared, throwing open a door. I caught a glimpse of the far wall. It was painted a bluish gray. I figured it was her room. I started towards her, hoping she'd explain why she was suddenly upset, but she slammed the door in my face. I stared at the doorknob for many minutes. I could have opened it if I wanted to – I hadn't heard her lock it. She was crying softly, talking to herself. I felt bad, listening to her. I felt like an intruder, like I should leave even though I wanted to comfort her. I shook my head and left, trying not to notice the family pictures on the wall as I made my way down the stairs to the first floor. I returned to the basement and sat there silently until I heard Ari bounce down the stairs.
"Taxi's here!" She pursed her lips as I got up, apparently I wasn't fast enough for her. I smiled slightly as she took my arm and led me to the front door. She took a key from her pocket and locked the door. She hurried down the front steps and took a seat in the back of the taxi. I sat beside her wordlessly, glaring at the taxi driver when he stared at me through his rearview mirror. He started the car, and we were off.
"Jacob?"
Ari hadn't said anything for the past half-hour. I could feel my face burning at the thought that she was awake while I had played with her hair. If I had known she wasn't asleep… I suddenly felt ashamed that I had thought of leaving her and sending the taxi back to her house. She trusted me to stay with her and to help her figure out whatever it was that was happening to her. I felt I should do whatever I could to keep that trust.
I detached my fingers from the dark strands and blinked down at her sad face. She stared at me with blurred eyes.
"They're not…scary or anything, are they?"
Who? I wanted to ask. Who did she think was scary? I had to bite back my laughter when I realized she was asking me about the pack. I smiled and shook my head. "Well, Sam's a bit…reserved. He's not that scary, though."
She hugged the stuffed wolf tighter. She had brought it with her, a small white wolf I figured she had gotten from a zoo. Ari turned away when she noticed me staring. I sighed.
"You don't have to do this."
"Don't act all macho," Ari mumbled. "I can do whatever I want. Don't warn me about the dangers of this, the dangers of that. My Grandpa did that all my life. Boom! He's dead. Bang! I want answers - and no one can answer me. La Push will give me answers. I'm doing this."
I pondered over her words, aware of the emotion that made her voice shake. She rested her chin on her wolf's stuffed head. "Have you ever talked to your mother about it?"
"Heh, no. Not at all."
I didn't know how to respond, so I kept quiet. I turned my head to look out the window, smiling slightly as the familiar landscape comforted me. I was home.
"Here you are," The taxi driver said, turning to us. He stretched out his hand. I stared at him as Ari paid him and let herself out of the back. I opened my door and got out as well.
We left the taxi and walked down the street for a while, a slight drizzle dampened my skin, though I barely felt it. I glanced at Ari to see how she was handling the rain. She was grinning broadly, her eyes empty despite how happy she looked. I took her arm and pulled her towards the line of trees.
"I'm going to turn into a wolf now, okay?"
"M'kay."
"I don't know how you'll react… I just want to let you know, I'm not going to hurt you."
Ari smiled, water running over the dimples in her cheeks. She nodded and stared at me, waiting patiently. I took a breath, feeling the slight vibration of my spine. I turned away from her, not wanting her to see my nose bulge and twist into a snout. When I was finished, I sniffed her. She blinked, taking a step back.
"Do I stink?"
I shook my head, sending raindrops everywhere. It was the complete opposite. She smelt familiar. Different than the others, yes, but better than Bella had ever smelt hanging around with her bloodsuckers…
"That's good to know," Ari reached out to pet me, her hand hovering over my shoulder, hesitant. I lowered my head, my ears back, my tail wagging. I barked happily as I felt her fingers run through my fur.
"I'm walking, right?"
I stared at her, then nodded.
Jacob?
Sam?
He's back!
Ari lost her step when she heard the sudden howl. I paused as she stood and peered through the trees. She wouldn't be able to find the source of the sound. When she realized this, she started to walk again, reaching out to grab a fistful of my fur. I would have smiled, had I been able.
Quil, I sighed. That was uncalled for.
Sorry, Jake. We've just been so worried…
It was only ten days.
Who's the girl?
Be nice, Quil, came Sam's restrained warning.
Thanks, Sam. Don't crowd her when you guys come by.
"Jacob!"
Ari let go of me as I bounded over to Billy. He rolled into the house and returned with a pair of pants, which he threw. I caught it and wandered away, quickly changing and dressing. Billy spoke to me for several moments before realizing Ari was standing in the rain. He stared at her for a while. "Er, please come in."
"Thank you, Mr. Black."
"Please, call me Billy."
"I'm Ari Duduyemi, nice to meet your acquaintance."
Billy smiled as Ari stepped into the house. I paused as he rolled inside, closing the door behind him. "The guys are coming by. Could you just send them to my room?"
"Sure."
I took Ari's hand and led her to my room. She took her jacket off and laid her bag at the foot of my bed. She stared at the door, running her hand through her wet hair.
"Don't be intimidated," I laughed. "They don't bite."
"I'll try not to be," Ari mumbled, chewing on her thumb.
"Jacob!"
Ari winced at the booming voice. She stood back as Quil, Sam, and Embry walked into the room. Like Billy, they stared at her. Quil whistled. "Who knew?"
"Quiet, Quil," Embry hissed.
"Ari, these are my friends Quil Ateara, Sam Uley, and Embry Call."
Ari blinked up at them, not the least intimidated. She looked from me to them and back. "The other werewolves, right?"
"Why don't you just marry her?"
"Quil – shut up."
Ari frowned, turning to me and pointing to Sam. She lowered her voice. "That's Sam, right? I don't know why you said he wasn't scary. He kind of is."
Embry and Quil laughed, slapping Sam on the back. "Two seconds, man! It only took you two seconds."
"It was more like, twenty seconds," Ari mumbled, frowning at them.
Sam rolled his eyes and extended his hand. "Nice to meet you. Thanks for bringing Jacob back."
"No problem."
"We're having a party tonight. Would you like to come?"
"Uh…" Ari stood on the tips of her toes. "Will there be more of you?"
Sam blinked at her, furrowing his brow. Before he could answer, I nodded. Ari grinned.
"I'll come, then!"
Quil grinned. "Wait until Leah hears…"
"Goodbye, Quil," I shoved him out of the room. Embry and Sam followed, laughing softly. I closed the door behind them and stared at Ari.
"What?" She asked, sitting down on the floor. I shook my head.
"I don't think that could have gone any better."
"Neither do I."
Grr... JPOV... Yeah - I'm not so sure about it, but I've updated! I may make the next chapter APOV again, not sure. Yay! Now next chapter is party time! Um…I'm not sure how long it'll take me to get it up, but I'll try to before the New Year. And in case I don't – Happy New Year everyone!