-kjnyoier-
Alexander pulled on her black cowboy boots and rushed out the door. Embry was being as impatient as ever. He had promised to drive her to Seattle so she could do some shopping. He was quite annoyed by the fact that she wanted to buy herself new things a week and a half before her birthday. Alexander figured she could drive herself buy Embry didn't trust her to bring his truck back in one piece. Hopping into the front seat she smiled apologetically at him and closed the door.
"You are a real pain woman! You wake up super early to clean the house, waking me up in the process and then rushing me only for me to be dressed, ready, and in the car before you!" Embry scowled. Alexander realized that Embry was only angry because he had a late night out with the boys. Though she never asked him what he did, it certainly couldn't have been fun because every morning after he would wake up cranky.
"Gomen!" she clapped her hand together prayer style a closed her eyes.
"Yeah yeah, you're sorry. I get it." He turned out of the driveway and down the hill. As they were slowly driving by Seth's house, she called out the window to him. The boy bounded out the door and into the back seat in a matter of seconds.
"MORNIN'!!!" Seth yelled, hopping into the back seat. Alexander heard Embry growl.
"What is this scouts outing?"
"Embers, baby, listen I'm sorry but you won't let me drive." Alexander smiled slyly. Embry looked at her quickly and looked back at the road. He knew what she was getting at. 'If you won't let me drive then I'll make you suffer till you relinquish the wheel.' Evil bitch. Embry smirked at how he always brought this on himself.
"We still have to pick up Sandra, oh and Seth wants to visit Leah. Right, Seth?" Alexander turned in her seat to look at the boy. Embry looked up at the rearview mirror looking at Seth.
"Uh yeah! Leah said she had something she wanted to give me for mom."
"Lame ass excuses. Whatever you guys are planning leave me out of it." Embry stated.
"You know, since you got a lack of sleep last night, I could drive." Alexander offered. Then she pointed to Sandra standing in front the shop. The girl was about 5'2 with long hair braided and curled like Dorothy from the wizard of Oz. Sandra was a small quiet girl who, unbeknownst to the two guys, had a crush on Seth. Sliding into the back seat Sandra was dressed very Bohemian, yet it didn't look sloppy.
The ride to Seattle was long and loud. Between Seth and Alexander, it was jokes to arguments to music. Embry wanted to strangle them all and toss their bodies on a roadside ditch. However he thought better against it because 1) Leah would more than castrate him and 2) even if he did kill Alexander, that evil girl would come back to haunt him for the rest of his life. Once they got to Seattle they went to find Leah. At first the two guys stuck with the girls but soon after they got bored and tired of carrying bags. Leah's cynical self only added duel to the fire for Alexander and Sandra just smiled and laughed. After a few hours and sitting for lunch they decided to figure out what to do next.
"I've got to head to work." Leah said looking at her watch. She got up, collected her bags, and tossed a package into Seth's lap. "Don't forget to give that to mom. I'll crack your skull if you do!" Leah grinned and then left.
"Yeah, I know she'll do it too…" Seth trailed off.
"Ha-ha, Your sister is force to be reckoned with, Seth." Sandra laughed.
"Try living with her." He joked.
"Lets go to the music store next." Alexander suggested. Embry rolled his eyes.
"What's the purpose of buying all the things people could potentially get you for your birthday? You're ruining your own surprises."
"Nope. Everyone already knows what I want. And might I add can't afford by myself. I don't expect it to get it."
"Oh yeah! What's that?" Embry said, trying to hide the excitement in his voice.
"A Hu-!"
"Okay! Time to go! Music store and then where ever the hell else we got to make it quick. Embers here is falling asleep on us." Sandra interjected before Alexander could finish her answer. Seth grinned. The two of them stood up and began to gather the bags.
"Alright. Alright."
The two girls walked behind as the guys led the way to the music store. Seth took the lead until Embry realized that they were taking a different route.
"Dude, this isn't the way to the music store."
"Yes, it is! Shut up!" Seth retorted slightly. Embry quirked a brow.
"Um where are we going?"
"To the music store."
"But this isn't-!"
"I said shut up! You see my good man," Seth started, lowering his voice, "The trick is, to find out what she wants for her birthday, without her having to openly tell you. It makes it that much more special."
"Uh huh. And who said anything about me wanting to make it special?" Embry stuck his hands in his pockets.
"My friend… You don't have to say, we already know." Seth stated, "Oh we should be nearing it. Now walk by nonchalantly like you haven't noticed and wait for it." Seth whistled and then there was the sound of crushing bags. Grinning as Embry the two turned around to see Alexander crushed up against the glass to a pet store.
"Oh. My. God!"
"Oh lord." Sandra said out loud.
Embry backtracked and looked over the girl's head. He shot Seth a glance and then shook his head. Seth nodded with a huge smile on his face.
"Embers… do think your mother would let me have a pet? Unless she's allergic of course!" Alexander rounded on Embry, gripping the front of his shirt. He scoffed at the thought of his mother being allergic to dogs. She's got one with her already. Embry watched as the evil witch of the east's face transformed into a genuinely honest, soft expression. He hated to love that facial change. It wasn't the usual serious stolid expression.
"I-I'm not sure." Embry looked up to see Seth's reflection in the glass with his thumbs up, grinning like an idiot. "You want to go inside and look?"
"YES!" Alexander was the first one through the door. Embry hung back with Seth.
"Damn you. You set me up something right."
"Nope, just giving you what you wanted."
"Oh! A broke pocket?" Embry whispered.
"See you're already considering the buy and you don't know how much it is yet." Seth smiled. "Besides, this is your chance."
"What chance? What the hell are you talking about?" Embry began to get a little shifty. He started to walk up to where Alexander and Sandra stood with the husky puppy in hand, when he felt Seth grab him.
"Look. You're only stalling because you know she's going to go running for the city half across the world. Your crush isn't just a crush and you know it. Embry, as nice a guy you are, I've never seen you bend over backwards for any of your previous girlfriends. You look at Alexander the way Sam looked at Leah, before he met Emily, the way Jacob obsessed over Bella. You're not fooling anyone. And she is not going to acknowledge it until you put it out there and in her face. This is your opening." Seth finished and walked over to the girls.
"Oooh I want the one with one brown eye and one blue eye." Alexander cooed.
"It's just like you to pick the messed up one." Seth teased.
"He's not messed up!" Alexander shot back defensively.
"Why male?" Embry asked. "Why not female?"
"Well I don't want anymore competition." She answered totally engrossed in the puppy.
"Competition?" Embry quirked a brow. "Funny, that's what I'm worried about." And Seth jabbed him in the side.
"How much is he?" Alexander asked the Employee.
"1,000." Embry choked and glared at Seth.
"Can I get it for any lower? I want one for my birthday."
"No lower than $800 since it's going to be a gift." The girl said.
"Damn." Alexander's face fell. "Okay. Thank you. I appreciate it." She reluctantly gave back the puppy. "Let's go you guys."
On the ride back Alexander was quiet. She was even falling asleep. Embry watched her from the corner of his eye. Was he really that easy to read? Was that the reason why she tried to push him away so many times? Is this really going to amount to anything? Embry had so many doubts that his frustrations were starting to show in his driving.
When they got home he didn't wake Alexander. Embry took the bags into the house first then came back for her. He lifted her bridal style to her room. The girl was out. It was the first time he had seen her in such a deep sleep. Alexander was a light load for him and easy to maneuver through the small house. Placing her on the bed, Embry proceeded to take off her boots. Looking down at her, Embry lightly pressed his forehead to hers and breathed out.
"I can't believe I'm going to attempt this." He whispered. A few strands of his hair came loose from behind his hair and tickled, the sleeping Alexander's face. As if on reflex her head turned and her body followed not too long after.
Embry chuckled slightly, "Even in your sleep I am met with resistance. Always on the defensive." He stood up and left, closing the door softly behind him. Embry did not notice the trembling form of Alexander when he left, nor when she opened her eyes.
-45678
"After collecting from all of her friends, Jacob, Sam, me… I still only have $400. Meaning where the hell am I going to get the next $400 plus the money to buy the food, bed and whatever else."
"There you go again, bending over backwards." Seth comment.
"Shut up. I'm just making sure she's set. My mother doesn't mind as long as Alexander takes care of it. And you're the one who had the bright idea." Embry responded defensively.
"Yeah but don't you think she'll be the one who will be willing to buy all the other necessities?" Seth said. "I'm no Dr. Love but at least give the girl a chance to get her own."
"Did you check the pounds?" Jacob asked helpfully.
"Some. But none around here has puppies or they don't have one with one blue eye one brown eye or if they do it's a female. Though I don't personally see what the problem is in getting a female."
"Yes you do." The other two said together and laughed.
"Couldn't she have asked for an I-phone or something, damn? Girl got expensive taste." Jacob teased. "Mr. Future Architect here is going to go broke before he can lift himself off the ground."
"Thanks, Jake, thanks." Embry said sarcastically. "How about I just draw her a picture of a husky and then ask her to be my girlfriend. Let's see how far that gets me."
"And you think buying her something you can barely afford is going to win her over? No offense but she's going to take that puppy back ASAP if she get even the inkling that you touched you college fund for that. Alexander may do some reckless stuff but she's not going to accept something outside of your price range." Jacob said.
Embry sighed, "You're right. I wonder if one of the other states have one?"
"Somebody. You got three days till Halloween, which means three days till her birthday, and three days to either find the damn dog or draw one. Don't worry, I'll pose." Seth joked.
"I think you're rather unappealing. Luckily Emily is covering for me these days by having Alexander baby-sit. That gives me enough time to drive around and find this puppy." Embry said.
"Use a telephone, hello?!" Jacob joked. "I dunno about you but I head a pound in northern Oregon has puppies up for sale. Specially ordered 3 months old."
"Are they huskies?" Embry said with hope.
"Only one way to find out." Seth slid the number across the table. "Check it out."
"How long were you guys intending on having me squirm?"
"Until you were about to admit defeat." Jacob smiled.
34123
Embry arrived home Thursday night in the knick of time. It was 11:11pm make a wish, he thought to himself. At 12 it would officially become Friday the 31st of Halloween, which would make hiding the puppy only that much easier. The puppy was sleeping in its box with a big bow on top. It was a long endless and direful ride to and back from upstate Oregon. In his subconscious Embry couldn't believe that he went through all this trouble for one girl that may potentially reject him. He shook his head, he couldn't think like that. It would be doomed for failure from the stat if he continued degrading his chances.
As soon as Embry stepped into the room he got hit with a powerful scent. It was sweet, tantalizing but worst of all… Arousing. Embry stared dead ahead. Alexander was leaning out the window at the moon over looking the cliff. Embry froze. There was the box with the puppy in hand. Alexander had not turned around to acknowledge his presence yet. Quietly he backtracked and stuck the box in a nearly hidden corner of the living room and returned to his room.
"Where did you go?" Alexander asked nonchalantly. It was a tone of voice she used when she wasn't really interested in the answer. Embry thought quickly for a moment
"Out with the guys." He was watching her. She was wearing a yellow tank top trimmed with lace and matching underwear. Living together had already gotten them past the formalities. Alexander got used to seeing him half naked and shoeless, and he had gotten use to her lack-there-of of clothing when in the house. Sometimes it would be a hoody and her underwear. Tonight the hoody was thrown on his bed absently. That was when he first noticed the scorpion tattooed to her thigh, its pinchers were reaching up to the V of her body and the stinger curved elegantly over. Embry loved that tattoo but never mentioned his preference to her.
"Right. Which guys? Because I called you twice and you never picked up. I called both Jacob and Seth and got lame ass excuses. You're mom seems to be the only good liar around here."
"Don't call my mother a liar." He said gently. Embry wasn't up for an argument.
"You know what I meant." Alexander whispered, dangling one leg out the window while using the other to keep her balanced from the inside. Embry smiled, he knew that that was about. What a pervert she was… As he looked at her, Embry realized that the light in his room was off and that he could see the moon's glow on Alexander's face. Subtle, pale.
Taking off his shirt he tossed it into the basket across the room. Alexander was watching the movement from the corner of her eye. "Why were looking for me so badly?" He crossed the room to stand behind her, leaning his right shoulder against the wall. He was able to look over her head to see the moon. His arms tingled to reach out and clench her waist, to pull her to him.
"I wanted to see the sunset with you. I always look at the sunset by myself when I have time. But you weren't here, and I couldn't get in touch with you. I don't know why but I felt a sudden urge to.. I dunno, I sound silly. Like some stupid hopeless romantic." Alexander chuckled.
"What wrong with that?" Embry whispered. "I have something to ask you, though."
"Hmm? What's that?"
"Later…"
"How much later?" She sounded suspicious. Alexander cocked her head back and looked up at him. Embry leaned down till he was inches from her face. That's when he noticed she was trembling as though cold. It was an effect he had on her whenever he came to close.
"Much later!" he smiled tantalizing, standing up straight again. "Like when you go to sleep because you have a long day tomorrow. From school to presents to parties. You better enjoy it!" he grinned looking out the window again.
"Embry?" Alexander started.
"Hmm?"
"Can we have sex tonight?" Embry choked on his spit.
"C-c-come again?!" he stuttered in disbelief. Yes! Oh very much so! Cried the horny teenage boy in his head.
"Can. We. Have. Sex. Tonight?" Alexander's face was deadpan serious. Her eyes were sharply focused on him, waiting for an answer. Embry knew that Alexander could be pretty blunt sometimes but this was too much.
"I thought you had a crush on Jacob?" he asked trying to cop out.
"I thought I had a crush on Sam." She grinned, "But as it stands I can't have neither. And the look in their eyes tells me they are forever spoken for. Lucky them. I want you Embry."
Embry launched himself off the wall in slight frustration. He had to think rationally. "You're just saying that because it's the week before your period and you get horny. Don't think I haven't noticed your fondness for straddling things." As soon as it came out his mouth Embry turned around to see her expression.
"While that may be right, I believe I want to straddle something human now." She wasn't upset or surprised that he knew about her period.
"Why me?"
"Because you want to do me. I know you do. I'm not asking for any commitments. I just want sex." Alexander hopped off the windowsill and stalked towards him.
Embry's face turned to stone and his heart plummeted to his stomach. "No." It was final, solid. If they were going to do this he wanted it to be right.
"I figured you were going to say that." Alexander stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. "Welcome back. Let's go have some hot chocolate, buddy. I'm freezing my ass off."
"Maybe you should put some clothes on." Embry asked hopefully but reluctantly.
"Naw, I got my personal space heater." She pulled the hoody over her head and waked into the kitchen.
"Oh look. Its 12:27. Happy Birthday to me. Happy Birthday to me!" she began to sing. Placing the kettle on the stove, Alexander turned to look at a brooding Embry at the table. This was very often common for them. It was always the beginning of a meaningful conversation. She standing and he sitting at the table. If that changed then that would be something ground breaking. Like the time he demanded that she started opening up to someone. Obviously it ended up being him. Added to that the kitchen wasn't close to Embry's mother's room.
"What's the matter, Embers? You look like there is something you want to do or say? I hope what I asked for earlier didn't ruin what you wanted to ask me." Alexander asked cautiously.
"Do you want my birthday present how or later?" Embry asked. He heard the dog shuffling and yapping in the other room. Alexander's eyes gleamed,
"Is that what you wanted to ask me?" he shook his head in response, "Now!" she said quickly. Embry disappeared and reappeared seconds later. He handed a baffled Alexander the box. Embry stood against the wall and watched as Alexander sat down with the box on the table listening to the sounds coming from it. Instantly her face lifted to a huge grin and her eyes began to tear up.
"Oh. My. God! EMBERS!" she yelled and then clamped her hand over her mouth. "Sorry!" she whispered, lifting the puppy out of the box, cradling it in her arm. "I love you for life! Aaaaaaaawwww!!!" Alexander cooed.
"He's 3 months old, has all his shots, but unfortunately he's not a pure breed." Embry smiled but he couldn't help feeling jealous of the dog. The dog licked her face, got cuddled, and even Eskimo kissed, by dog standards.
"I don't mind if he isn't purebred. What's he mixed with?"
"Wolf." Embry couldn't help but grin at the irony.
"COOL!" Alexander exclaimed, "Grow big and strong, kick some ass, right Jack? YEAH!" she laughed. Embry began to make the hot chocolate and continued to observe. By this time both the puppy and its owner were calm and the dog was resting quietly on its owner's arm. Embry placed the cup of hot chocolate on the table.
"Embers, you're the best! From chauffer to confidant in a matter of 3 months! Nice!"
"I can become one other thing too… Now comes the thing I want to ask you." Alexander looked up at his face but did not answer. "Regardless of your response you get to keep the puppy. Wholeheartedly from me to you with all my love and more." Embry paused, but Alexander only furrowed her brow.
Embry kneeled down in front of her to try and be eye level with her. She began to tremble again and he breathed heavily. "Alexander Blackfox, will you be my girlfriend?"
Several expressions fluttered across Alexander's face in a matter of seconds. Not only was she unsure how to reply but also now the trembling became tremors and the puppy began to growl. Her face finally settled on shocked, scared, laughing shakily.
"I-is that all?" Alexander stuttered out.
"Yes. I can see you're falling apart already, so you don't have to give me your answer now. Take a deep breath, calm down, and think rationally."
"But you know I'm not good with things like this Embry." She only ever called him Embry when she was stressed. "I'm not good with commitment… showing my emotions. I only know how to show affection through- I don't know! Embry!" Alexander hissed through her teeth quickly that the words almost didn't seem audible.
"I don't want you to feel pressured. We can work through it if you try. However, I'm not going to pressure you to do something you don't want to. Okay?" Embry finished slowly.
"Okay." Alexander nodded. Placing the puppy back into the box, she shook violently. Embry couldn't understand why that only happened with him. He was beginning to suspect it was more than just a commitment thing. "Embry, please get off your knees. I nearly fainted thinking you were going to propose to me!" she laughed softly.
"Oh! Sorry. I was just trying to make things easier for you to look at me, instead of craning your neck." Embry fumbled standing up clumsily. "Didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."
"Its fine."
"No, its not. Because you're trembling like it's an earthquake." He knitted his brows. "Why does that only happen with me?"
"It's a long story. One I'm not ready to tell yet."
"Is it because I have emotions for you?"
"Yes."
"Are you afraid of me?"
"Something like that."
"Then why did you ask me to have sex with you?"
"Embry, Please!" Alexander hissed, "No need to be so jittery about it. You'll have your answer by the end of today." Alexander breathed out. "In order to explain why I am afraid I would have to start from the things we have not said to each other. Okay." Shakily she stood up and picked up the box with the now sleeping puppy. Alexander stretched as best as she could without touching any part of Embry and kissed him on the cheek goodnight. The tremors came back at full force that Embry was almost expecting her to turn into a werewolf.
"Thank you." She whispered with a glance backwards and disappeared down the hall.
-rgievn
Alexander arrived at school to have a heap of happy birthdays thrown at her. Two of her friends tackled and tickled her to the ground. The locker was completely decorated in all Halloween attire. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until she got to class. As she stepped into class on of the boys called out to her. It was Ray. He sat next to her in her science class and was waving her over.
"Yo! You got another present over here." He said cheerily. "This one seems really expensive."
Alexander dropped her bag next to her desk and looked at the prettily decorated box, the tag hanging with her name written on it. She looked at Ray. "What did you spend? You're whole lifesavings? Whatever it is I'm not accepting."
"Not me. Some secret Admirer. It was there before we all came in."
"What?" Alexander asked in disbelief.
"Whoa! Why are you so shocked? I swear we saw no one enter or leave. It was sitting right there when they unlocked the classroom door and we all came in." Ray looked at her seriously. Alexander turned away from him and cracked the box open. She stared for a few seconds, knowing that Ray was watching her expression. Alexander's face became smooth.
"Are you sure you guys saw no one strange? This morning outside or whatever?" Alexander's breathing became heavy.
"No. Is it that bad of a present?" Ray whispered.
"Ray, please throw this in the garbage can." Alexander whispered only to him. Ray found that her breath smelled really good. His body relaxed and without asking any questions, Ray crossed the room and three the box in the garbage can just as the teacher walked in and began class.
By the time she reached her third class, the box was back on her desk again. Alexander's fury rose up but she quickly swallowed it before anyone could see. He's playing games with me. Reminding me! Warning me… Don't pay attention to it now. She thought to herself. In one swift motion Alexander threw the box out the window, hoping that the content inside would shatter and break. People must think she's a real bitch for discarding a present so easily. She didn't care. If they knew the meaning behind it like she did they would do anything to get rid of it too. Through all this Alexander had to give Embry an answer by the end of the day. This was not going to ruin her birthday, She couldn't let it, nor was it going to make her take out her frustration on anyone.
When she reached the cafeteria, Alexander had no appetite. Her friends were sitting at the table with Jacob, Embry, Quil, and Seth. Her presence would make eight. Hopefully her temper wouldn't ruin the mood. Weary she plopped down her bag and sat at the table and let her head fall to the surface.
"Hey, everyone." she mumbled to the table.
"OOookay! Hey, birthday girl!" Seth said and slid a tiny dream catcher across the table. Alexander turned her head to see it and smiled.
"AAAWWW!!! It's cute! Did you make it yourself?" she asked picking it up.
"Yeah!" he breathed, mighty proud of himself. Sandra rested her head on Alexander's shoulder.
"What's got you so annoyed?" she asked.
"You don't even want to know." Alexander mumbled stroking, Sandra's long black hair. "And if I'm not careful it's going to be added to the list of things I haven't told Embry about myself." She smiled in his direction. Slight color came into Embry's face and he looked down at his lunch trying to hide a smile.
"Oh!" Jacob starts, "I have something for you."
"OMG! Please tell me it's not a pink velvet box with a black bow?!" Alexander began to shake.
"NO- no! WHOA! Calm down." Jacob said, handing her a hand bound journal. On the front was a hand painted moon and stars with a landscape and a black wolf. Alexander accepted it and looked at Jacob curiously.
"Don't look at me sister, I already gave you my money to get you that husky. This one's from Sam. He heard you liked to write and since he had to work today, he gave it to me to give to you." Jacob grinned.
Alexander breathed. "I'll be sure to thank him." That's when Embry cleared his throat red faced.
"Um is it safe to assume you don't want this then?" He asked timidly, holding up the box.
"Where did you find that box?! Where!?" her voice was harsh as nails. Quil interjected.
"Hey the janitor found it outside and gave it to me and I gave it to him to give it to you! What's wrong with it? That's a pretty nice mirror." Quil tried to compromise, as two of the girls left the table for class. Seth stood up about to leave.
"What the hell does the janitor do landscaping now?! Huh?" Alexander snapped her hazel eyes flashing.
"un- uh!" Alexander had never snapped at Quil. He was always Switzerland in these kinds of situations.
"You guys don't listen do you?" Seth said, "This chicks been trying to get rid of that box all day. I head Ray talking about it in the hall. Said it showed up before anyone else on her desk, even though the door was locked. Alex told him to toss it out." Seth grabbed his bag, "Later!" and disappeared.
"Yup." Sandra agreed, " Box shows up again in French class, she tosses the shit out the window without a second glance backwards." Sandra takes the box from Embry, who is looking at Alexander with a questioning look. Sandra took the compact out and opens it. It was an old style mirror, slightly fading and antique. The outside was a well-crafted bronze in the form of winding vines, with tiny precious stones inlaid where flowers should be. On the inside top was an engraving of a name. Amrita Blackfox.
"What's wrong with it?" Sandra asked, turning it over in her hand. "Its beautiful."
"I know it is. Its just that when you look in the mirror you will see something different to me." Alexander grumbled.
"What? you don't like mirrors?" Quil asked curiously. "Don't think you're pretty?"
"Are you kidding?!" Jacob and Embry exclaimed together.
"You need to see this girl get dressed in the morning!" Embry said.
"For anything!" Jacob added.
"Okay. So who's Amrita Blackfox? And why don't you want the mirror?" Quil asked.
"She's my great grandmother. Ran away from her husband of 3 weeks, for another man. And the second part to your question has just been added to the list of things I am not ready to talk about." Alexander finished. Sandra gave her a baffled look and looked at the clock.
"We got to go." She got up but Alexander and the others didn't move.
"You can go ahead, Sandra, I've got something to say to Embry." Sandra looked at the others and shrugged, disappearing through the doors.
"Where I go today, you go and vice versa. I'm feeling a little uncomfortable being by myself. Especially when the party's done and everyone goes home. Who knows maybe even during. I get so lonely around those times, so please, Embry. Stay with me this evening." The last part sounded like she was partly pleading. And Alexander Blackfox, never pleads for anything.
"Fine, but when we go home you're telling me what you can't right now. I'll go with you to the party in Seattle."
"Drag those two along." Alexander demanded.
"What but I was-!"
"Quil, darling you have a life outside of a four year old. Take her trick or treating, whatever it is you do, but the party isn't until eight, I'm not arriving till 9:30. Which means you have more than enough time to play, candy, and tuck her into bed if you so wish." Alexander calculated so well.
"Fine." Quil sulked. Switzerland just went out the window today. Jacob who was turning the box over in his hands spoke.
"The box doesn't have a name on it. Who sent it? It sure smells sweet."
"No, honey, I smell sweet. THAT smells like you've been locked in a room full of burning incense." Jacob's head snapped up at her.
"Yes. I know you can smell it too. From the time Embry removed the box from under the table your noses wrinkled. You see for me, you sometimes smell like the forest, sometimes you smell like grease, sometimes you smell like a wet mutt, then there are times when you smell normal, by showering human standards. I don't know why your scent changes for me but I notice on all of you. List of things you are not telling me. I'm a G at this game by the way."
"You're pretty observant."
"Not now dear you're going to be late for class." Alexander picked up the mirror and slid it into her vest pocket. "Toss the damn box in the garbage can." She left for class.
-87654
Alexander lay on the living room floor playing with the puppy. They were having a tug of war when Embry came in and plopped himself down on the couch. He was eating a piece of a birthday cake his mother bought for Alexander. Alex hadn't touched it since she got back to the house but told him he could have if he wanted. Embry suspected she didn't like pineapple filling. He watched her fawn over he knew pet with a happiness and admiration that went unrivaled in anything else. Every now and then she would tease the dog and he would pounce. Jack was his name, Embry remembered.
"Why name him Jack?" he asked.
"I don't know. It was the first thing that came to mind. Like my favorite character Jack Skellington." She grinned goofily up at him. "Sir Jack Skellington of Tinsel Town. Let's take over Christmas Jack!" Alexander joked with the puppy.
"You know they always tell you name your pet something it will remember!" Embry smiled.
"I did. Jack. Jack Sparrow! Jack of all trades, Master of none!" Alexander must be on a role tonight with all the metaphors.
"Master of one! Winning you over in a matter of seconds." Embry joked.
Alexander chuckled and rolled over on the back, the puppy resting gently on her chest. "Maybe not, Maybe so." She put the puppy down and went into the kitchen, taking Embry's plate with her, Jack following close on her heels. Embry could hear the pouring of food into a bowl and then the splashing of water. Minutes later she returned and sat Indian style on the floor in front of him.
"I think now's a better time than any to talk about this because no one else is here. No Jacob, no Quil or Seth or mom or whomever." Alexander paused. There was a staring match between them. Without shifting his gaze Embry was aware of the beat up jeans she was wearing with the hole in the inner thigh and on the knees and the rips on the bottom form walking on them too much, the fitted grey t-shirt that said 'Captain's Wench' with Jack Sparrow face on the front, the head phone hanging around her head playing Disturbed 'Avarice', or the black spot on the corner of her hip that he always meant to ask about, her trembling right in front of him, the wisps of hair clinging to her face, the cut off finger wrist gloves she wore so she wouldn't have to make hand to hand contact with anyone, to the dilating of her eyes and the specks of dust flying around.
"The timing of this is so wrong. I'm not going to make excuses and I'm not asking for more time." Alexander held up her hand before Embry could speak. "What I need from you is patience and trust. Because god so help us if we don't have those two things on our side, then this whole shit will fall through." She looked up at Embry's apprehensive face and laughed.
"God damn, Embers, relax!" she giggled, kneeling now, leaning her weight on his legs.
"Sorry." Embry tried to relax but there was no avail. "It's just that some part of me was hoping that you would ask for some more time. At least that would prepare me for it."
"For what?"
"For This."
"You mean this?" Alexander reached up, threw her arm around the back of Embry's neck, pulling him down into a full tongue-lashing kiss. Her other hand was placed on his cheek. The shocked Embry at first couldn't respond.
"Hey, Embers, help me out a little here." Alexander whispered playfully, her voice shaking. Embry kissed back with full force this time. Knocking Alexander to the floor.
"What about the things we aren't saying to each other?"
"I have a feeling it will come out sooner than later."
"What about you not liking my touch?" Embry gripped her hips tighter. His other hand and legs trying to balance his weight from squashing her.
"I never said I didn't like it. It's just that it's intense, even if its as simple as you being near, and it causes me to do this." Alexander lifted her hand, and it shook so violently that it looked like someone who needed their next fix.
"What do you mean?"
"Your emotions cause me to do this. So when you try to be nice and take my arm, think of it as an electric jolt through my body. Sometimes its too intense for me and in recent weeks they've been compounding. Think about it. Before you acknowledged your feelings for me, did I ever have a problem with you touching me?"
Embry thought about it for a moment. She never trembled around the other guys. Even when Seth tried to make moves on her.
"So you're saying you sensed my emotions before I did?" Alexander nodded at his question. "Why didn't you say anything? React in some way? Will the trembling go away?"
"It is always wise for a person to wander down their own path and develop their own feelings on their own without being influenced by others. I'm not sure if they will go away anytime soon. I need to be comfortable with you first. As in, getting rid of my commitment issues. So when this all hits me like a rock in the head, just be prepared, I'm going to bolt like a bat out of hell."
Embry's facial expression turned frustrated. "So are you accepting or not?"
"Accepting or else your heavy ass would have been WWF-ed by now." Alexander retorted. Embry looked apologetic and lifted some of his weight again.
"You know, I was sure you were going to reject me."
"So was I. That's why I said what I said earlier. When this all hits me like a rock in the head."
"You have no finess at all. You could have at least said I thought wrong."
"Love me or hate me." She whispered. Embry kissed her again and this time he started feeling electric jolts through his body.
"What was that?" he breathed.
"That's just a miniscule feel of what you do to me. Wait till I give you a full blast of it… but of course that can only happen if we're both practically nude…" Alexander trailed off, looking away. She thought about Embry's half naked body and imagined that it would be EPIC. Color came into her cheeks at the thought and Embry rubbed his cheek against hers.
"Was that why you asked me to have sex with you last night?"
"Something like that…" she mumbled, still looking away, watching jack drag a shoe down the hall.
"You are so cute." Embry teased.
"Ugh! Don't call me that! When you start that you can just get off of me." Alexander scowled, crossing her arms the best she could. Embry sat up, upon hearing the tires in the yard.
"Jake's here." He said reluctantly.
"Yeah, yeah." Alexander got up and went to the back of the house.
-
The party was at the bar and grill where Alexander worked and she was on stage with four of her friends from New York. She was slamming on the drums with a precision that was almost inhumane. Another thing Embry didn't know about her. He smiled as he watched on with the rest of the crowd, some of who were head banging and mosh pitting. Every now and then she would sing but Embry could tell she preferred to hide in the back only banging away in her own little world. A world that no one else was invited to for fear of being destroyed by her systematically swinging arms. She seemed happy amongst those she knew before her exile to the reservation. Embry almost became jealous by her freedom, her ability to show others every facet of her personality.
Alexander and her five friends, one guy and four girls drew the most attention in the crowd. Eyes followed them in advertently. Alexander's costume was a sexy raggedy ann. It was a surprise since every time you saw her some part of her outfit was black. She decided to opt out on the stupid wig but he couldn't help have mental fantasies. He wondered if they could role-play when they got back home. Then her shook his head. I just got a girlfriend and this is not what I should be thinking about… then again… I'll ask her in two weeks. He ran his fingers through his hair as he followed her with his eyes. Embry's insides melted every time he she glanced his way. When her friends came from New York it was as if hell had unleashed its mischievious demons. Alexander being the cleverest of them all. She was sly, well worded, purposefully graceful, things came naturally when she wanted something simply because that was how she set it up.
Sides of her he had never seen came out, and both sexes seemed to gravitate towards her. Very often Embry found himself overcome with jealously, growling, but each time Alexander would come back to his side as if reassuring him of her faithfulness. He was a bit mind-blown when Alexander introduced her best friend as her ex-girlfriend. All the presents she got was either really artsy and creative, or really expensive and he was pretty sure his present was the most expensive at of all.
There was a moment where Alexander's head snapped up from playing cards at the bar and stared into the mirror. However fro Embry's angle he couldn't see what she was staring at.
"I'm going to the bathroom." She whispered in his ear. Habitually Embry watched the hallway where Alexander disappeared down but 15 minutes passed and there was no Alexander. He asked one her friends to go in and find her. The girl smiled and went but she too did not return for a while. Embry began to get a little nervous. He walked outside to the front to see if he had missed her but he saw no one. His sense of smell told him there was touble nearby but the city was not the place to be shifting into a wolf. Agitated Embry stood on the corner watching the traffic drive by. He heard a hiss from the in his direction as he took a step to cross the street when he felt something strong grasp his wrist, slightly pulling him back. A truck zoomed by blowing its horn at him and Embry was pretty sure he saw something black fly by him.
"Can you help me please?" it was a kid no more than 13.
"Uh,sure." Embry looked at the little boy curiously. The boy was dressed plainly in a T-shirt and jeans, a little too casual for the cold late october air. "What do you need help with?"
"I need to make a phone call but i'm too shy to go find Jin." Jin was Alexander's japanese boss.
Embry looked around again. "Alright i'll take you inside. What's your name?"
"No! I just get really clauster phobic when i see a lot of people. I'm sorry..." the kid trailed off. Embry shifted unevenly.
"You wait here i'll tell Jin where you are. Don't move!" Embry slid back into the door. Halfway through the tables he turns around to see Alexander standing in the spot where the little boy one stood. She was waving and smiling. When she walked in he stared at her.
"Where were you?"
"I told you i went to the bathroom and then i had to run an errand for Jin. Which is what took me so long." she smiled brightly and kissed his hand. Embry sighed, looked around and rolled his eyes. There was definitly something up with this.
"Who was the little boy? where did he go?"
"Oh his name was Alex. He lives close by here. His mother is a bit of a wino so he runs away sometimes when she gets drunk. No worries he just wanted to call his dad."
"Well he should be running around out here at night like that. He'll get sick or worse, killed. Will he be okay?" Embry inquired.
"Yeah. I think so. He only lives a few doors down." Alexander led the way back to her friends as Embry let the conversation drop. After a while Alexander's movements and looks became suggestive. She wanted to leave the party. And by 2 am Jacob, Embry, Sandra, Quil, Alexander and Seth were close to the reservation. Seth, Sandra and Alexander rode with Embry, while Jacob and Quil rode together.
By the time the two dropped off everyone and got back home Embry was itching to ask Alexander about what really happened. He could smell the scent of someone else on her. It was none of her friends either. It wasn't a scent of a woman...
"Hey Alex?" Embry started as Alexander walked out the bathroom.
"Yes?" the look in her face was one of tire. he could tell she just wanted to sleep.
"Nothing, nevermind. good night." She kissed him on the cheek and returned the salutation.
"Good night Embers."