Chapter 4

The rest of the week flew by and I surprised myself by actually being happy here. Sasha and her friends were cool people who had accepted me wholeheartedly. Mom was as angry as ever but it wasn't directed at anyone but her punching bag so that was fine with me. Sometimes I wondered why she was like this. She wasn't the only one to go through divorce and yet she's the only mother I know that beats the crap out of a punching bag morning and night. I concluded she had unresolved issues with something.

I hadn't seen nor pissed Paul off after that nerve racking day and I intended to keep it that way. I didn't put up with assholes. And from what I'd heard Paul was a classic asshole so I was completely content with him far, far away.

My weekend consisted of homework and chores. I know, my social life blows me away too.

When it came to a new week of school I was reluctant to get up in the morning. I was always surprised how two days of sleeping in could screw me up for the rest of the week.

After a drawn out shower I rushed around the house before bolting out the door, Nate quickly following.

Not strictly (or at all) following the speed limits we both made it to school with five minutes to spare. So I bustled to my locker and grabbed my books for my first subject, English. The bell rang and I pushed through the crowds of drowsy students still in weekend mode. When I sat down in English I felt something was going to be different. Students and the teacher filed in slowly, the seats filling up. The one next to me remained empty as a big and extremely good looking Quileute guy walked in. My heart sunk as I recognised him as Paul.

"So nice of you to finally show your face here Mr. Nelson.' The teacher remarked dryly.

All Paul did was grunt. He looked up and his eyes focused in on the empty seat next to me, the only one remaining. Then he glanced at me. And his expression changed dramatically. It went from one of boredom and slight irritation to wonder, intensity and an emotion I didn't dare to think let alone believe. He didn't look away. He continued to stare at me like he had just seen the sun for the first time. And it scared me. Other people started to notice and I looked away quickly, confused and distressed by it all. He shook his head and hastily walked to towards his seat. People's eyes followed until he turned to glare at them all. Their eyes flew away and conversation returned, filling my ears with trivial conversations.

He collapsed in the seat next to me and got out his stuff for the lesson then he turned to stare at me again. I didn't return the stare again until I realised he was giving me that intense look again. I decided to put a stop to it with conversation.

"Hi, my name's Alex" I said, trying to get my message across.

He snapped out of it "Paul."

The teacher started to talk thankfully so I was saved from the conversation I had started.

Half way through the lesson he spoke again "So where ya from?"

This small question annoyed me greatly. "Arley" I said shortly.

"Where's that?" full of questions today. Great.

I wasn't known for my patience so my next sentence wasn't exactly polite.

"Dude, honestly why do you care?" I snapped.

At first he looked confused then angry. "Trying to get to know the new student." He retorted.

"Well the new student doesn't really feel like being quizzed the same questions every time someone wants to talk to me so quit it." I really didn't know why I was getting so angry. Maybe I was more hurt by his actions last week then I thought. Or my mother was rubbing off on me.

"What is your problem?" he looked kind of hurt now but he seemed to cover it with anger.

The bell rang. " Have a think back to last week and maybe you'll get the idea" I hissed as I packed up and stalked out of the class.

PPOV

Have a think back to last week and maybe you'll get the idea...

What the hell was she on about? What was my beautiful, perfect angel talking about? I think I would remember if I'd met my imprint. How could I not? Staring into those amazing, mesmerising eyes. It was like staring into the ocean but more stunning, more indescribable. The world had changed then and there, altered to focus on her.

Pain and anger shot through me at her harsh words. She didn't even know me. This wasn't how it was meant to be! But then again, when had my life went according to plan?

By the end of the day I was pissed off beyond belief. I couldn't think of anything but her and why she seemed to hate me. And I had no idea what I'd done so I couldn't rectify my mistakes.

Then I saw her crossing the parking lot, walking with a bunch of people. She was laughing and it was the single most beautiful sound I had ever heard. I was momentarily distracted as I committed to memory but when I looked back I saw the person next to her. Two feelings coursed through me, the first was jealousy. It was irrational but I hated the idea of any guy but me being with five feet of her. The second was realisation.

No wonder she hates me... I though miserably. I had knocked her over; I could have potentially hurt her. I was rude to her.

I wasn't known for my control over my temper, in fact I was known for the opposite. But my control took me as far as the forest where my clothes were shredded, fluttering to the ground in little pieces.