I do not own Twilight etc.

||= Finally My Turn =||

I was furious when Jake told me that I had a whole week's worth of nighttime patrol to complete. Before I'd imprinted, I'd have been happy to have as much time to run around the forest as possible and forget about my troubles, but now it was like a death sentence. When I began to argue with him, he pointed out that he and Quil both had girls of their own, and it wasn't fair for Embry and Seth to do it all either. So reluctantly, I buckled down and did what I was told. Of course, I didn't let it take control of my time with Rebecca.

On Monday afternoon, I went looking for her, intent on "officially" asking her to be my girlfriend and hopefully attain her phone number so I could call her later before I was on patrol. I caught up to her as Fork's High School was letting out, and waited by her car as she was walking out of the building. Just seeing her made my stomach flutter and my skin tingle like an excitable puppy. When she caught sight of me, she looked happy to see me too. I felt like a bottle rocket as she approached.

Once again, I felt like a teenage boy as I attempted to find the words. Just looking at her made me lose my train of thought, and I was so nervous. I spent several minutes beating around the bush, asking her how her day was, and other small talk. When she mentioned that she had a load of homework to do, I offered to help her. As we were talking, she caught me slightly off guard.

"Hey, Leah, I was wondering, since we went out on Friday and all…well, if you're my girlfriend? I mean, I understand if you're not, I just thought, you know…" She stammered slightly, and began babbling, her entire face turning scarlet as she waved her hands animatedly. I couldn't believe my luck.

"Yes, of course we are." I gave a weak chuckle. "In fact, that's what I came to ask you. And if I could have your phone number?" I felt lightheaded.

"Oh, yeah." She said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a fancy little cell phone. I made a show of patting myself down before pulling out the pen and paper I'd crammed in my pocket before leaving the house earlier. I wrote down the numbers neatly, and then tucked the note safely into my pocket.

"What's your number?" she asked, and as I recited it, she paused and asked if I had a cell phone. My face felt hot with embarrassment when I said no. Not able to kick the need to touch her, I pulled her against me into tight hug, securing my arms around her back as she wrapped hers around my waist. She smelled so amazing as I stooped my head and buried my face between her shoulder and neck. I could feel multiple pairs of eyes glued to us as I stood there holding her in the school's parking lot, but I could've cared less.

Finally pulling back, I kissed her cheek, feeling incredibly confident. And I had the weirdest feeling as my lips touched her skin; she was so close, right up against me and she smelled so incredibly good, I wanted nothing more in the world than to just taste her skin. Right then and there, I almost licked her. As I pulled back, the foggy confidence lifted and deserted me, so that I looked at the ground. When we said our goodbyes and I got back in my truck, I sped madly toward the forest so I could vent my energy.

When it was time for my patrol duty, I had just gotten off the phone from a two hour phone conversation with Rebecca, and I was more than reluctant to let her go. I sulked as I left my house and went back to the forest for the second time, and changed easily. It was strange to think I'd spent most of my time running through the forest just one month ago, massive and hairy, and now I was blundering around almost like I was a normal person again.

As I sprinted between trees and through clearings, it felt great to stretch my muscles again and feel the wind on my face, but not as good as Rebecca's skin when I touched her. The lightest touches between us made my body ache and left me wanting more. I paused for a breath, inspecting the perimeter second naturedly, and slowed to a trot as I lowered my muzzle to sniff the ground. It was then when the thought struck me; would she still accept me if she knew I could change into a big, hairy, vampire-shredding wolf? Would she run away screaming, or react like Charlie had when he saw Jake turn for the first time?

Dread welled up in my chest, and I all four of my legs went weak. I wouldn't have been able to bear rejection from Rebecca. I would just keep trying, and make up lies or whatever it took to make her like me again. I remembered my first thoughts when I'd imprinted, wondering how I could express my undying devotion to her without revealing bizarre La Push wolf secrets and leading her to believe I was a lunatic. But Rebecca was understanding, and I wanted so badly to believe that she would still care about me, massive and hairy or not. After a few more minutes of deliberating, I decided I wouldn't tell her.

It made me feel bad that I couldn't share my deepest, darkest secret with her because of my own cowardice, but I couldn't chance losing her. Maybe I could come up with some far fetched medical stories to explain some things to her, like why I'd reached menopause at such an early age without having any proof of a hysterectomy. From there I began wondering into the future of my imagination, the corners of my mouth lifting and my tail wagging from side to side as I roamed freely, investigating the land.

As I was drifting into happy thoughts about tongue kissing somewhere deep in the beautiful forest, all alone, away from all the noisy cars or potential intruders, I realized the sun was rising in the distance. I opened my mouth wide and yawned before turning around and making my way back to the rez for some shut-eye. Late in the afternoon the following day was when I woke up, my arms and legs stiff and achy. I realized I hadn't gone running like I had last night in at least a week or two.

After eating a rather belated lunch, I was sure Rebecca would be out of school. Picking up the cordless phone on the way to my room, I dialed her phone number right from memory, and held it to my ear as I flopped onto my creaky little bed. I fidgeted with a lock of my hair as it rang a few times, and then clicked as my called was answered.

"Hello?" Rebecca's voice was distorted from its natural, beautiful sound as it carried through the receiver.

"Hey Rebecca, it's me, Leah." I said a little breathlessly, and flinched at how stupid I sounded.

"Hey!" She said, sounding far more interested than before. "What's up?" We started talking, and I asked her how her day was until she gave me an almost complete account of each class while I listened, completely enthralled as if she were telling a particularly fascinating news story. When she was done, the conversation redirected to my day, where I admitted I'd slept most of it away, woke up and ate half of the contents in my refrigerator. Then, summoning up my courage, I told her what'd been on my mind since seeing her last.

"You know, I really miss you. I wish I could be with you right now." I admitted, wriggling around on my bed and pulling myself into a sitting position, I bit my lip nervously as I waited for her response. The brief silence that couldn't have lasted more than a second or two seemed an eternity, just like the cheesy romance novels say.

"I miss you too. Maybe you can come over to my house. I don't have any homework or anything." I could practically hear the blush in her voice, and I felt so good right then I could have dropped the phone and ran all the way to her house without pause. To this day, I still don't know how I managed to keep my cool and sit still (except for that I was shaking all over).

"So, should I come over in say…a half hour?" I asked, trying to sound calm and collected, maybe a little attractive and mysterious.

"Yeah, that'd be good." She said, and I grinned, swallowing an excited giggle. There was a moment or two or silence before she spoke up again.

"Well, see you when you get here." She said awkwardly, and I liked to think that I detected a hint of anxiousness in her voice.

"Yeah, talk to you then." I said, unwilling to click the end button. After a few more moments and awkward words, she hung up the phone and I jumped to my feet. I was a blur as I bolted around the house, slamming the phone on its base, thumbing through bland, holey tee shirts and feminine blouses, digging around in the mass of cut offs in my dresser drawers. I didn't want to look girly, and I certainly didn't want to look like hobo; I wanted to appear muscular and sexy, I wanted her to stare at me and feel just a little tiny fraction of what I felt for her.

When I showered, I scrubbed myself as hard as I could in steaming hot water, until my skin was raw and my hair was glistening, my under arms and legs shaved smooth all the while brushing my teeth. Once dressed, I combed my hair and slathered lotion on my skin, then paused to look in the mirror. I frowned and chewed my bottom lip a moment, then pulled off my shirt so that my blue sports bra was slightly visible underneath my white tank top. Grimacing and putting myself down, I jogged out to my truck and hopped in the driver's seat like a bunny rabbit, jamming the key a little harder into the ignition than necessary.

I sped all the way to her place, arriving at seven thirty exactly. I was pleased to see that the only car in the driveway was Rebecca's car. Checking my breath and smelling beneath my arms before I got out, I stuffed one hand in my pocket and knocked on the front door with the other. A rush of excitement flooded through my veins like a tidal wave as Rebecca opened up, smiling up at me and stepping aside to invite me in.

I slipped out of my shoes and placed them just to the right of threshold, and looked up to examine my girlfriend's beloved face. There were pink splotches littered all across her pale skin, and her short blonde hair was still wet, neatly combed to the side, little droplets of water dampening the collar of her shirt. Straightening, I rubbed my hands together, pursed my lips and then moved into her personal space as I wrapped my arms around her for a hug. She felt a little cool compared to my constant temperature of 104 Fahrenheit, and I hugged her tighter, transferring my heat to her. Finally letting go, we exchanged awkward hellos and decided on watching a movie in the living room. I could feel her eyes running over me appraisingly once my back was turned.

--

I dedicate this chapter to my beloved best friend and loyal pet Callie.

1/?/99 – 10/17/09

R.I.P.